Researchers propose that early humans used efficient bipedal walking rather than chimp-like 'Groucho' walking. Without an Achilles tendon, their ability to run would be severely compromised, with top speeds halved and energy costs more than doubled.
A new analysis of four studies found that long-term use of Avandia increased the risk of heart attack by 42% and doubled the risk of heart failure. The study, published in JAMA, suggests that the drug may cause over 4,000 excess heart attacks and 9,000 excess cases of heart failure per year.
A recent study led by McGill University found that breastfeeding does not offer protection against childhood asthma and allergies. The research, which followed 13,889 children from birth to age 6½, revealed an increased risk of positive allergic skin tests among breastfed infants.
A new study suggests that finasteride, a generic drug for enlarged prostates, improves early detection of fast-growing prostate cancers. Finasteride reduces prostate size and cancer risk by 25 percent, making it easier for physicians to detect high-grade tumors early.
The nuclear power industry is riding the green wave back into public favor, but it's still bound by a global energy landscape dominated by solar, wind and carbon sequestration. Veteran reporter Matthew Wald examines the trade-offs associated with alternative energy sources in his special feature.
RecA family proteins have been found to function as rotary motor proteins to repair DNA damages through a novel mechanism. This discovery opens up new avenues for understanding the molecular mechanisms of RecA family proteins and their roles in cell proliferation, genome maintenance, and genetic diversity.
A study by Georgetown University researchers found that estrogen is necessary for breast cancer development but tumors become unresponsive to estrogen and anti-estrogen therapies after they form. This explains why oophorectomies help prevent breast cancer in women with BRCA1 mutations
A RAND Corporation study found that many seniors quit taking crucial medications for chronic illnesses when they reach their annual spending limits. The study suggests that drug caps may have unintended consequences, including increased hospitalizations and adverse health effects.
Researchers have developed a customized virus, Delta-24-RGD, that targets and eliminates brain tumor stem cells. In lab experiments and human brain cancer in mice, the virus shows promise in killing glioblastoma multiforme tumors, which are resistant to radiation and chemotherapy.
Research suggests that cravings for chocolate are driven by sugar and fat content rather than psychoactive compounds, contradicting popular notions of 'addiction'. The study also reveals a preference for milk chocolate and chocolate-covered confectionery over dark chocolate.
A meta-analysis of pioglitazone treatment found a significant reduction in heart attack, stroke, and death rates among type 2 diabetes patients, with no significant increase in cardiovascular death. However, the treatment also increased the risk for serious heart failure.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that approximately 10% of subplate neurons survive into adulthood and maintain functional connections. These cells generate electrical signals and receive inputs from neighboring neurons, undergoing plasticity to adapt to experience and activity.
Embryonic stem cells exhibit improved development when subjected to moderate fluid motion, similar to the womb's gentle rocking motions. This phenomenon was discovered by accident using a lab shaker, offering a simpler method for producing healthier cells with reduced clumping and increased cell survival rates.
A new study finds breast cancer survivors who received both chemotherapy and radiotherapy reported the most severe and prolonged fatigue. The study, published in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, found women who received both treatments experienced more days with reported fatigue at each assessment.
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a potential target for cancer treatment, promoting myeloma cell proliferation and protecting against chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. CRP enhances secretion of IL-6 and activates PI3K/Akt pathways, supporting tumor cell survival.
Researchers created nanocavity-filled titanium oxide nanorods that are 25% more efficient at absorbing UVA and UVB radiation, making them ideal for sunscreen. The method involves simply heating titanate nanorods in air, transforming them into titanium oxide with regular polyhedral nanoholes.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that women with a family history of heart disease are less likely to quit smoking and engage in physical activity, increasing their risk of cardiovascular disease. Women with this history also tend to have higher rates of unhealthy eating habits.
The Canadian mortality rate from colorectal cancer is high due to insufficient screening and prevention measures, resulting in advanced-stage treatments being administered too late. Effective screening tests can prevent the disease by detecting benign polyps, but education programs are necessary to address this issue.
Research found a significant association between decreased platelet count and the development of HIV-associated dementia. Platelet decline was linked to a two-fold increased risk of dementia within six to 12 months after baseline values.
Researchers will evaluate a new approach to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to target movement-evoked pain after surgery, with the goal of decreasing pain and improving function in older adults. The study aims to compare the effectiveness of active TENS to placebo TENS and standard care.
UCSF researchers have developed a new method to generate embryonic stem cells, eliminating the need for a foreign 'drug resistance' gene. This breakthrough accelerates research on disease development and patient-specific therapies.
Between 1998 and 2005, serious adverse drug events doubled, resulting in a significant increase in deaths associated with adverse drug events. The study found that pain medications and immune-modifying drugs contributed disproportionately to fatal events.
Researchers discovered 10 mutations in the insulin gene causing permanent neonatal diabetes, a rare form of diabetes affecting young children. Early detection and treatment targeting ER stress might preserve or restore insulin production.
A University of Delaware-led team is working to advance scientific understanding of the rice epigenome, which regulates gene expression. The four-year project uses novel 'deep sequencing' technology to decode millions of DNA sequences and shed light on similar mechanisms in corn and other cereal grains.
Consuming higher levels of lutein and zeaxanthin may be associated with a reduced risk for age-related macular degeneration. The study found that participants who consumed more of these yellow plant pigments had lower rates of advanced AMD and large or numerous intermediate drusen.
A meta-analysis of 18 studies found that vitamin D supplements may reduce the risk of death from any cause by 7% over an average six-year follow-up period. Higher blood levels of vitamin D were also associated with a lower risk of death.
McGill University has been awarded $10.5 million in federal funding to support the work of 12 new and three renewed Canada Research Chairs. The chairs focus on various fields including green chemistry, biochemical pharmacology, international security, and ethnic conflict.
Scientists have developed a new type of rice that grows better and uses water more efficiently than other rice crops. The HARDY gene improves key features of the grain crop, leading to increased biomass under both drought and non-drought conditions.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center developed a technique using veins from a patient's own leg to repair infected aortic grafts. The study found that patients had few side effects and fared well in the long-term after receiving natural grafts, reducing risks of infection and blockage.
A Johns Hopkins study found that vitamin C and other antioxidants can inhibit the growth of some tumors in mice, but not by preventing DNA damage. Instead, they may stabilize a tumor's ability to grow under oxygen-starved conditions by disrupting a protein called HIF-1.
Researchers discovered that first-degree relatives of PBC patients have a higher prevalence of anti-mitochondrial antibodies, a biomarker indicative of the disease. This finding enables early screening and assessment of high-risk family members through simple blood tests, potentially leading to better outcomes for PBC patients.
A meta-analysis of 21 studies found that being moderately overweight increases heart disease risk by 32%, while obesity raises it by 81%. Excess weight is linked to increased blood pressure and cholesterol levels, accounting for 45% of the increased risk.
A mouse model for schizophrenia has been developed, allowing researchers to turn the mutated DISC-1 gene on or off at will. The study showed significant behavioral changes in male mice, including increased activity and aggression, as well as memory difficulties in females.
Scientists at Georgia Tech have developed a new technique for nanolithography that is extremely fast and capable of being used in various environments. The thermochemical nanolithography technique uses an atomic force microscope to heat a silicon tip, inducing a chemical reaction that transforms the film's surface.
A Mediterranean diet was found to reduce mortality in Alzheimer's patients by an average of 1.3 years for moderate adherence and four years for strict following. The study followed 192 people with Alzheimer's disease in New York for an average of four and a half years.
Researchers found an antidepressant (citalopram) may perform as well as a commonly-prescribed antipsychotic (risperidone) in reducing psychosis and agitation in patients with dementia. The study also showed citalopram was associated with significantly lower adverse side effects.
The Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE) will measure the sun's ultraviolet radiation changes, causing outages in radio communications and affecting satellites. EVE will provide space weather forecasters with warnings of potential communications and navigation outages every ten seconds.
The Lacey Act, a 100-year-old law regulating invasive animal species, has failed to effectively prevent their spread in the US. The study found that many animals were already established when added to the list and continued to spread after listing, highlighting the need for an efficient risk assessment procedure.
Studies show that up to 50% of patients with advanced cancer suffer from major psychiatric disorders, including adjustment disorders, anxiety disorders, and depressive disorders. Effective communication, emotional support, and screening can help manage these conditions, reducing psychological distress and improving quality of life.
Researchers discovered that brine moving up or down through floating sea ice follows universal transport properties, similar to water flow through sedimentary rocks. This finding can help improve forecasts of global warming's impact on polar icepacks and understand how polar ecosystems respond to climate change.
Most women who think they have a vaginal yeast infection actually don't, according to Saint Louis University researcher Susan Hoffstetter. Women are often misdiagnosed and treat themselves with anti-fungal medicine, worsening symptoms.
Researchers at Ohio State University have identified a molecule that can reverse damage and help restore blood flow to vessels constricted during a heart attack. The treatment involves delivering tetrahydrobiopterin directly to the vessels, which can improve outcomes for patients with acute coronary episodes.
A new Mayo Clinic study published in Value in Health found no significant difference between abciximab and eptifibatide in hospital stay length or cardiovascular event rates. The study provides data to guide treatment decisions for heart patients undergoing angioplasty.
Researchers will present novel findings on personalized medicine, including new biomarkers for early detection, advanced imaging technologies, and proteomics applications. Key advances include a blood test for liver cancer and a protein target for lung cancer diagnosis.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found a significant increase in adverse drug events reported to the FDA between 1998 and 2005. The number of serious adverse drug events nearly tripled, while adverse drug-related deaths increased 2.7-fold during this period.
A genetic variant in nearly half of Americans with European ancestry is linked to greater effectiveness of bupropion in quitting smoking. People with the variant were less likely to resume smoking six months after treatment.
A pioneering study has identified 13 key areas of concern for major science programs in developing countries, including community engagement, cultural acceptability, and corruption. The study aims to promote effective project planning and minimize adverse impacts on research participants.
A pioneering study identified 13 key issues, including community engagement, cultural acceptability, gender inequality, affordability, corruption and poor governance. The research aimed to prevent these challenges from hindering global health research in developing countries.
Researchers at Virginia Tech study a Japanese beetle that may curb the spread of HWA without damaging forest ecosystems. The beetle has shown encouraging results in previous releases, and scientists hope it will be an effective natural enemy against the invasive insect.
A study found tadalafil improved erectile function in men with spinal cord injuries, with average scores indicating mild to moderate dysfunction. The medication was safe and well-tolerated, with common side effects including headache and urinary tract infection.
A Purdue University team aims to improve dietary tracking using cell phone cameras, expanding on existing techniques to evaluate portion sizes and nutritional content. The project, funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, may help Americans make informed food choices and reduce health risks.
Researchers from the University of Vermont argue that peace parks can be a powerful tool in war zones, effectively resolving conflicts between Ecuador and Peru, Tanzania and Mozambique. By focusing on shared environmental concerns, such as desertification or water depletion, peace parks promote cooperation and mutual respect.
Researchers found a correlation between predation intensity and global marine biodiversity, with increased predation rates preceding changes in armor morphology. The study suggests that ecological interactions may drive evolution, with predators driving diversity through drilling and repair scars.
A new study reveals that noncoding RNAs play a significant role in human cancer, with altered expression of ultraconserved noncoding RNAs consistently found in leukemias and carcinomas. The findings suggest a model where both coding and noncoding genes cooperate in tumorigenesis.
Researchers have discovered that a sugar in mosquitoes allows the malaria-causing parasite to attach itself to the gut, enabling its development and transmission. Reducing this sugar can prevent parasites from developing, offering a promising approach to blocking malaria spread.
A new study reveals that gray whale populations are significantly lower than their historical estimates, suggesting a reduced food supply due to climate change and altered Arctic ecosystems. The findings also indicate that the current population is too small to play its natural role in ocean ecology.
McMaster researchers have made an important finding about Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), a sex-linked genetic disorder that affects cognitive function and learning. The study discovered that glial cells in the brain also produce the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), contributing to abnormal neuronal structures seen in FXS patients.
Researchers identified 50 eyes with microbial keratitis on contact lenses, finding that 70% of lenses had organisms growing on them. Serratia marcescens was the most common organism found in both corneal scrapings and contact lenses.
Emory researchers identify Ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (RSK2) as a critical downstream signaling protein effector of FGFR3 in myeloma cells. RSK2 plays a key role in regulating cell cycle and survival, and targeting it with drugs may be effective in treating multiple myeloma.
Researchers found that reactive oxygen stimulates dendritic cells to up-regulate the immune antigen CD80, leading to T cell activation and increased TNF production. This causes excessive destruction of bone via osteoclasts.