Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have discovered that auditory and visual information are integrated in the brain before being sent to the cortex. The findings suggest that hearing and vision may be more closely linked than previously believed, with implications for understanding how we perceive the world around us.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville have found that tiny radioactive spheres can effectively treat cancer that has spread to the liver, halting tumor growth in 71% of patients. The treatment works by delivering radiation directly to tumors using millions of tiny polymer beads containing yttrium-90.
The Duke of York highlights a global shortage of trained anaesthetists, inadequate equipment, and poor healthcare facilities in the developing world. Effective anesthesia is crucial for universal human rights, including safe childbirth and relief from pain, but progress has stalled due to lack of investment.
A University of Michigan study found that conversing with others for just 10 minutes can improve memory and cognitive function. The research suggests that social interaction is an effective way to boost mental abilities, comparable to traditional mental exercises.
Researchers at Purdue and Duke universities developed a technique using a magnetic field to selectively separate tiny magnetic particles, representing a highly sensitive method for diagnosing diseases. The new system can diagnose multiple pathogens in a single sample with high accuracy.
Researchers found that injecting a dextrose solution under ultrasound guidance can reduce pain in patients with chronic Achilles tendinosis. After treatment, 20 of 30 patients remained asymptomatic, while nine had only mild symptoms.
A study published in Investigative Ophthalmology and Vision Science found that visual field loss is the primary component increasing the risk of falls in older adults. Mobility training may help reduce this risk by improving postural stability and mobility.
A recent survey of teachers found that neuroscience can make an important contribution to educational areas, with over 87% of respondents supporting its use. However, the scientific basis of some brain-based teaching methods is highly contentious and often misapplied.
African elephants led by older, more dominant matriarchs travel significantly fewer miles to seek food than subordinate groups. During the dry season, dominant groups trek an average of 4-5 kilometers per day, while subordinate groups cover 8-11 kilometers.
Researchers present a new framework for mapping mild cognitive impairment, including an online diagnostic algorithm. The framework characterizes different classifications of MCI and their patterns of etiology, cognitive decline, and clinical outcome.
A study by University of Chicago's Susan Kidwell reveals an inverse relationship between the extent of human impact and how well collections of dead shells reflect the current inhabitants of an ecosystem. This new tool can provide a deeper historical perspective on ecosystems, helping scientists understand the effects of human actions.
Researchers developed a magnetic separation technique that can sort beads hundreds of times smaller than the period at the end of a sentence. This method, called magnetophoresis, uses a rotating magnetic field and microchip to separate tiny magnetic beads based on size within minutes.
An international panel of researchers developed guidelines to prevent and treat venous thromboembolism, a deadly complication of cancer. The new guidelines recommend the use of anticoagulants in hospitalized cancer patients and suggest treating blood clots for at least six months afterwards.
Scientists at the Salk Institute report that ATM protein activation depends on both damaged DNA and surrounding flanking regions. This discovery reveals a new mechanism for efficient DNA repair, highlighting the importance of intact chromatin in activating the cellular response.
A study by UCLA researchers has identified brain circuits involved in hunger that are influenced by leptin, a hormone produced by fat cells. Leptin supplementation reduced activation in regions linked to hunger while enhancing activation in regions linked to inhibition and satiety in three adults with congenital leptin deficiency.
A research team led by Dr. Michael Starnbach is using genetically engineered mice to study the immune system's response to Chlamydia infections. They aim to understand which components of the immune system need to be stimulated to fight the infection, with the ultimate goal of developing a vaccine for adolescent girls.
Researchers discovered neurons in monkeys' prefrontal cortex respond to specific Arabic numerals and shapes, similar to children's activation patterns. This suggests the brain builds on existing numerical precursor systems to acquire symbolic numerical abilities.
A Mayo Clinic study reveals no significant improvement in life expectancy for RA patients over the past four decades. Researchers found a widening mortality gap between RA subjects and the general population, with cardiovascular deaths contributing to this trend.
A retrospective study found that patients taking statin drugs alongside high-dose radiation therapy had a 10% higher chance of being cured of prostate cancer at 10 years after diagnosis. The study also showed reduced rates of cancer spreading to distant parts of the body in men who took statins during radiation treatment.
A study found that 82% of entheses have a synovio-entheseal complex (SEC), which is involved in triggering inflammation in OA. The SEC's formation is linked to fibrocartilage degeneration and cell clustering, suggesting a novel mechanism for synovial inflammation.
Gene therapy administered intravenously protected healthy tissues in mice during whole-body irradiation, with 90% survival rate at 30 days. The therapy offered no harm to systemic function and could potentially provide wide-reaching public protection in radiation emergencies.
Researchers studying burrowing mammals, such as moles and mole rats, have discovered unique adaptations that enable them to dig efficiently in rocky soils. Convergent evolution plays a key role in the development of these specialized features, allowing these mammals to thrive in challenging environments.
A lack of reliable national statistics on births, deaths, and causes of death hinders global health development. The authors of a recent study found that only a few developing countries have improved their civil registration systems in the past 50 years.
Prostate cancer patients undergoing hormone therapy who walked five times a week maintained or gained bone density, while those who didn't exercise lost more than two percent of their bone density. A nurse-directed home-based walking program improved physical function and managed symptoms during radiation and hormone treatment.
Researchers found that women with early-stage breast cancer who received intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) had significantly fewer cases of serious dermatitis compared to those receiving conventional radiation. The study also showed that patients treated with IMRT experienced a shorter duration of dermatitis.
A new integrated approach to intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has been shown to provide high-quality care for head and neck cancer patients in community centers. The study found no significant differences in treatment outcomes or survival rates between academic and community centers.
A study by Dr. Philip Setel highlights the need for comprehensive civil registration in developing countries to track vital statistics, benefiting individuals and societies. The authors argue that affordable remedies exist to overcome stagnation, but their implementation is crucial for policy formation and accountability.
A study of 6,162 breast cancer patients found that smoking does not lead to more aggressive or advanced breast cancers at diagnosis. Researchers analyzed data from 1970 to 2006 and discovered no correlation between tobacco use and tumor stage or aggressiveness.
A lack of civil registration systems and vital statistics in many low-income countries hinders evidence-based decision-making. The authors propose three options to tackle this challenge: advocating for government support, establishing an international body, and leveraging new funding flows.
An education program for African-Americans showed significant improvement in cancer knowledge and attitudes, with 36% of participants demonstrating better understanding after four months. Younger participants showed greater improvement than older adults, highlighting the crucial role of education in addressing cancer disparities.
Demand for Spanish-language cancer web materials has quadrupled, with OncoLink en español seeing a significant increase in unique visitors. However, limited internet access and different search patterns among Spanish-speaking users highlight the need for tailored content to meet their needs.
A team of doctors at the University of Bonn performed the first-ever prenatal surgery to treat premature rupture of the fetal membrane. The operation successfully stimulated lung growth in Miriam, who was born after five days with almost doubled lung volume. Her case will be published in Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy on October 29th.
The WHO Counts? Series exposes the scandal of invisibility, where millions are born and die without record. The Lancet's editor Dr Richard Horton calls for robust national statistics systems, strong government ministries, and civil society pressure to act.
Researchers at Ohio State University found evidence that the Earth's atmosphere may have supported an oxygen-rich environment half a billion years ago. This oxygen surge could have triggered a rapid diversification of life on Earth during the late Cambrian period.
Innovative strategies fill information gaps in countries with inaccurate civil registration systems, complemented by census and survey data for a state-of-the-art health information system. International agencies should support coordinated data collection and sharing activities.
Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem discover a new communication factor that enables bacterial communities to 'talk to each other' and die under stressful conditions. This discovery could lead to the development of a new class of antibiotics targeting Escherichia coli and other pathogenic bacteria.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have found that highly targeted radiation therapy can prevent long-term rectal damage in prostate cancer patients. The combination of intensity-modulated radiation and seed marker-based image-guided radiation therapies resulted in nearly 98% of participants having no rectal damage.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University found that positioning pelvic cancer patients on their stomachs rather than their backs improves the delivery of radiation therapy, reducing toxicity and improving precision. This method allows for more accurate targeting of tumors while sparing healthy tissues.
Researchers found that PET scans at 3 months post-treatment can evaluate tumor response earlier and more accurately than current methods. Stereotactic body radiotherapy may be as effective as surgery in treating small tumors, but early detection is crucial to prevent treatment delays.
A study found that nearly two-thirds of low-income and minority cancer patients accepted patient navigator assistance to reduce barriers to care. LPNs helped patients access clinical trials, resulting in faster timeframes for reducing barriers to treatment.
A Comment in The Lancet calls for global investment in civil registration to improve data on population and health trends. This would enable countries to make informed decisions on governance and healthcare policies.
OHSU researchers found that combining surgery and radiation therapy increases early survival rates in patients with locoregional extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The study analyzed 2,591 cases of bile duct cancer diagnosed between 1973 and 1998.
A study found that nearly a quarter of cancer patients receiving radiation therapy are not getting vaccinated against flu and pneumonia, posing a significant risk to their health. Oncologists can play a key role in informing patients about recommended vaccines during regular interactions.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that doctors' opinions on critical lab values vary greatly depending on their experience. More experienced doctors tend to ignore certain abnormal results, while less experienced doctors prefer to err on the side of caution.
Researchers found that younger patients with colon cancer have shorter telomeres than expected, suggesting a possible biomarker for early detection. The study also found gender differences in the incidence of colon cancer among young people.
Men with bladder exstrophy report more robust sexual lives than women, with two-thirds of women experiencing moderate to severe dissatisfaction. Researchers aim to tweak surgical techniques to prevent sexual dysfunction in women.
A study by Johns Hopkins surgeons found that newborns with uncomplicated gastroschisis have varying survival rates depending on the hospital, with some having death rates three to five times higher than the national average. The researchers compared mortality rates among 1,775 infants born with the condition in 40 US hospitals.
Researchers found that most young women with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome choose not to have vaginal surgery, which is often believed to be necessary for sexual activity. In fact, 80% of those who did not undergo surgery were still sexually active, similar to those who had the procedure.
MedImmune will present three abstracts at the AAP National Conference & Exhibition, including cost-effectiveness data for palivizumab prophylaxis among preterm infants. The company's surveillance program aims to track RSV activity nationwide and inform improved prevention guidelines.
Researchers at NIST have developed a method to selectively grow nanowires on sapphire wafers, allowing for the creation of transistors and other circuit elements with high accuracy. This technique has the potential to enable industrial-scale production of nanowire-based devices.
A study found that children with Down syndrome have significantly higher body mass index and percentage of body fat compared to their siblings. Leptin levels also correlate with these differences, suggesting a genetic predisposition to leptin resistance in individuals with Down syndrome.
The study found that Helicobacter pylori strains inhibit gap junctional intercellular communication in gastric cells, leading to increased cancer risk. The researchers suggest that this mechanism may be a key factor in the development of gastric cancer.
The Project Management Institute (PMI) has awarded Stevens education partners, Boeing and Novations Group, the Professional Development Provider of the Year Award. The partnership offers Boeing employees training in project management through Novations University Series, resulting in a joint Master's Certificate upon completion.
Three Einstein researchers have received $700,000 in grants from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation to study gene expression profiling, epigenetic changes, and metastasizing tumor cells. The studies aim to predict clinical outcomes, identify drug-resistant breast cancer cells, and develop new treatments.
Researchers found no real difference in quality-of-life reports between children with bladder abnormalities and healthy children, suggesting a need for fine-tuning existing quality-of-life screens. Children with chronic urological conditions scored higher than healthy children in certain areas, indicating potential adaptability.
Researchers have identified Bhut Jolokia as the world's hottest chile pepper, boasting an impressive 1 million Scoville heat units. This variant of chile pepper from Assam, India, outperforms the previous record holder, Red Savina, with its intense heat concentration.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo are investigating the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in treating alcohol dependence. The four-year study aims to develop an increased ability to cope with stress and enhance psychological well-being among alcohol-dependent individuals.
Researchers at the University of Delaware successfully transport an electron's spin a marathon distance through a silicon wafer, confirming its potential for spintronics. The finding opens doors to cheaper, faster, and lower-power processing and storage of data.
Buckyballs start as distorted graphite sheets that shed loosely connected threads and chains until they form perfectly spherical shapes. Researchers used electron microscope video and computer simulations to capture the 'shrink-wrapping' process.
SFI researchers Samuel Bowles and Jung-Kyoo Choi suggest that altruistic behavior towards fellow group members may have evolved together with hostility towards outsiders. The study found that the combination of these traits enabled survival, as they promoted group conflict, which in turn contributed to their success.