A new generation of implanted heart-assisting pump has shown excellent survival rates and significant improvements in patient quality of life. The device, called the HeartMate II, helped 75% of patients stay alive for at least six months or until a donor heart became available.
A new study found that inhaling nitric oxide during liver transplantation reduces hospital stays and improves blood-clotting and liver-enzyme activity. The treatment also protects transplanted livers from cell death, promising relief for donor-organ shortages.
A study by Oregon State University researchers identified a soldier beetle preserved in amber, showcasing an ancient chemical defense response. The discovery indicates that this type of protective mechanism has been around for over 100 million years.
SciVees is a collaboration between the National Science Foundation and the San Diego Supercomputer Center, aiming to disseminate science to the widest possible audience. The platform will offer multimedia content synchronized with published papers, creating online communities for discussion and commenting.
The emergence of oxygen-producing cyanobacteria released oxygen at levels similar to today, but it had nowhere to go. Terrestrial volcanoes later arose and dominated, increasing oxygen levels in the atmosphere.
Researchers at Stanford University measure secondhand smoke concentrations in automobiles and find that passengers are exposed to unhealthy levels of particulates. The study's findings suggest that banning smoking in cars with children present could help reduce the risk of health problems.
A recent NASA study used gene sequencing to detect a vast array of bacteria in clean rooms, including newly discovered species. The findings will aid in improving cleaning and sterilization methods to prevent false-positive results in detecting extraterrestrial life.
New findings from the WTC health registry show that post-traumatic stress disorder affected 12.4% of rescue and recovery workers, with volunteer workers having the highest rate. The prevalence of PTSD varied significantly by occupation, with workers from non-emergency occupations such as construction suffering particularly high rates.
New study reveals that overlearning vocabulary through repeated drilling results in no long-term retention, while massing all study on a single topic into a single session reduces long-term retention. Breaks of at least a month between study sessions also improve learning outcomes.
Researchers analyzed movie reviews by non-professionals and found a close association between expert opinion and consumer opinions. Ordinary consumers show 'good taste' in films considered excellent by experts.
Fruit flies have been found to detect and be attracted to the taste of carbon dioxide dissolved in water, which may aid in scouting for nutritious food. This discovery suggests that humans may also be able to taste carbon dioxide, making their sense of taste more complex.
Researchers identified a large fraction of functional transcription factor binding sites near human gene transcriptions, challenging traditional views of complex organism regulation. This discovery could aid in identifying transcriptional networks underlying cellular processes and diseases.
Research in capuchin monkeys reveals a connection between sex, handedness, and brain structure. The study found that male monkeys have a smaller corpus callosum than females, while right-handed individuals have a smaller relative size of the corpus callosum than left-handed individuals. This pattern mirrors findings in humans.
University of Houston professor Dmitri Litvinov develops nanomagnetic computing systems that combine logic, memory, and data storage in a single system. This technology has the potential to revolutionize information processing with ultra-high density computing power.
A leading epidemiologist attacks a Swedish research report on cancer drug access, citing flawed methods, incorrect conclusions, and potential industry influence. The Karolinska report aimed to link national cancer survival rates with access to cancer drugs, but its methodology has been disputed.
A multidisciplinary team led by UCSD researchers has determined the structure of MitoNEET, a protein that shows promise as a target for developing innovative diabetes drugs. The discovery provides insights into how these drugs may protect cells from oxidative stress and potentially offer greater specificity and fewer side effects.
Researchers at UBC find that priming people with 'god concepts' promotes altruism, regardless of whether participants identify as believers or not. The study also reveals that secular notions of civic responsibility promote cooperation and generosity.
A new study found that repeated ivermectin treatment selects for genetic changes in the parasite that cause river blindness, potentially leading to drug resistance. The research has implications for ongoing onchocerciasis control programs.
A national study of newly-licensed RNs (NLRNs) in their first 18 months of employment found that poor management, stressful work conditions, and wanting to gain experience in a different clinical area were common reasons for leaving. The study aimed to understand factors promoting retention and turnover among NLRNs.
Scientists have discovered that glucose-sensing neurons play an important role in regulating blood glucose levels in mice with obesity-induced Type 2 diabetes. The study found that defects in these neurons contribute to the disease's progression and may be targeted by novel therapies.
Researchers used NASA satellites to monitor water quality in Tampa Bay, finding accurate measurements of turbidity and clarity. The method can resolve questions about events leading to decreased water quality and inform resource management decisions.
A study by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital reveals the loss of Arf gene and BCR-ABL mutation leaves cells vulnerable to growth-enhancing environment of bone marrow, promoting immunity to anti-leukemia drug imatinib.
A 2004 outbreak of Norwalk virus at The Johns Hopkins Hospital resulted in estimated $650,000 in total hospital costs. Strict precautions taken to control the outbreak included isolating infected units, implementing strict hand hygiene and thorough cleaning protocols.
Biologists have identified the first orchid fossil, dating back 76-84 million years, which suggests that showy blooms may have existed alongside dinosaurs. The discovery resolves a longstanding debate over orchid origins and provides direct evidence of pollination in the fossil record.
Researchers tested 19-month and 22-month-old infants on a wet toy to see if they could identify it based on verbal description. The study suggests that before age 2, infants can update their knowledge through verbal interaction, expanding their understanding of the world.
A recent study found that cocaine use in the US has decreased primarily among those with higher education levels, while non-high school graduates have shown little change. This disparity is attributed to better access to health information and resources among more educated individuals.
New clues from immune system molecules hold hope for overcoming antibiotic resistance, with shared structural and functional characteristics enabling these molecules to inhibit or kill microbial pathogens.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph+) experience poor response to imatinib due to emerging drug-resistant clones. Research reveals signals from the bone marrow microenvironment can sustain viability of Ph+ ALL cells, enabling rapid resistance development.
Researchers at Cornell University found that ion channels in membrane-bound vesicles do not carry charged neurotransmitters out of the cell. Instead, positive sodium ions from the outside compensate for the charge, a process known as electrodiffusion.
The partnership aims to widen the journal's audience, reducing reviewing time and increasing access to online features, including a comprehensive search engine and e-mail alerts. The Tissue Viability Society will continue to receive print copies as a benefit of membership.
A Brown University study has found a significant link between living in damp, moldy homes and depression. The research team analyzed data from nearly 6,000 European adults and found that perceptions of control over the housing environment, combined with mold-related health problems, contribute to an elevated risk for depression.
The Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center will feature advanced medical technology, including wireless access to reports and lab results, diagnostics, and robotics. The new center is designed to create a healing environment with thousands of new, state-of-the-art technologies.
The study found that women who had both ovaries removed but were treated with estrogen until age 50 did not have an increased risk of cognitive impairment or dementia. Women who had one or both ovaries removed before menopause faced a higher long-term risk of cognitive impairment or dementia compared to those who retained their ovaries.
Research finds patients with lower levels of HCV antibody titer tend to have a brighter clinical outcome. Co-infection by hepatitis B and A viruses is associated with a higher possibility of self recovery, possibly due to interference with virus replication.
Researchers found that consumers estimate sandwiches contain 35% fewer calories when from healthy restaurants, leading to increased consumption of high-calorie beverages and sides. Encouraging people to examine health claims eliminates the 'health halo' effect, highlighting the need for quantitative food assessment.
A study by Keith S. Coulter and Robin A. Coulter found that the numerical value of the farthest right digit influences consumer perception of sale prices, with smaller digits perceived as larger discounts.
The new software application uses Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to select the most efficient BMPs for a particular location based on site-specific criteria. This approach is expected to drastically reduce the BMP selection time and eliminate human error.
A study suggests that people tend to remember bad times more vividly than good times. This phenomenon is linked to increased activity in emotion-processing regions of the brain. The findings have implications for understanding autobiographical memory, eyewitness testimony, and posttraumatic stress disorder.
Researchers discover that the L1-CAM gene is highly expressed in colorectal cancer cells that have spread to the liver, while normal colon tissue lacks this gene. This finding highlights the importance of L1-CAM in metastasis and opens new avenues for cancer research.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that dietary fats can kill transplanted pancreas cells, leading to a decline in insulin production. Limiting fat formation might make pancreatic cell transplants more effective.
A Kaiser Permanente study shows that treating gestational diabetes during pregnancy lowers a child's risk of becoming obese, with children whose moms were treated having the same risk as those with normal blood sugar levels. High maternal sugar levels increase childhood obesity risk, but treatment reduces it.
The BioWeb is an Internet library of peer-reviewed papers and information related to bioenergy and bioproducts, providing valuable resources for scientists, students, and researchers. The project aims to strengthen American agriculture and develop environmentally friendly manufacturing products and technologies.
Scientists have developed a novel method for capturing and genome-wide screening of blood vessel cells in their actual disease state, advancing potential for genetic research. The technique allows for precise cell-specific information and has implications for diseases such as cancer and chronic wounds.
A Japanese patient with liver cirrhosis and HCV infection underwent liver transplantation and was cleared of the virus just one month later. The long-term use of PEGylated IFN may have contributed to this outcome.
A study in Kabul found alarmingly high rates of risky injecting and sexual behaviors among injection drug users, with 50% sharing syringes and 76% engaging in paid sex. The incidence of Hepatitis C infection was also high, potentially foreshadowing an increase in HIV rates.
Researchers found that evolving to complex goals accelerates speedup in simulations, suggesting a possible shortcut to optimization. The study's findings have practical implications for engineering fields and computer science.
Researchers identified different areas of risk-taking based on ancestral challenges, finding that fertility risks are the least taken and social status-related risks are the most. Men were consistently more risk-takers than women across various domains.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina analyzed data from nine studies and found that patients with a specific gene variation had a greater risk of side effects when taking medium or high doses of irinotecan. The study suggests that the FDA should modify its guidelines to reflect this finding.
A new study published in Geophysical Research Letters suggests that greenhouse gases played a significant role in the near-record US warmth in 2006. The research team found that greenhouse gas increases enhanced the probability of record-breaking temperatures by approximately 15-fold, making El Nino an unlikely contributor.
Researchers discovered that an experimental multiple sclerosis drug, fingolimod, may also help patients with certain lethal forms of leukemia. The study found that the drug prevents cancer cell development and kills leukemia cells in mouse models, suggesting a promising new approach for treating resistant cases.
In a first systematic analysis, researchers confirm the limited human-to-human spread of avian-flu virus in Indonesia. Biostatistician Ira M. Longini Jr. found the virus spread within a small family, with the new software providing real-time analysis.
Researchers from the University of Cincinnati and Louisville found that facial transplant outcomes differ significantly from previous data on kidney and hand transplants. They suggest a more optimistic view of face transplantation, with lower rates of acute and chronic rejection.
A recent study discovered that mice lacking the protein myostatin and overproducing follistatin have four times more muscle mass than normal mice. This finding offers new avenues for enhancing muscle growth in patients with muscular dystrophy and other wasting diseases.
A recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that hypnosis prior to breast cancer surgery reduced the amount of anesthesia used during the operation, as well as levels of pain and other side effects reported afterwards. This resulted in shorter hospital stays, fewer readmissions, and lower surgical costs.
Hypoxia caused by low oxygen levels in coastal waters impairs fish reproduction by disrupting their hormones. Laboratory studies found that hypoxia decreases serotonin levels in the brain, leading to endocrine disruption.
Researchers show that traditional mating patterns make men essential to understanding the 'wall of death,' a puzzle in human lifespan. Men's reproductive patterns differ from women's, with earlier and more gradual decline after female menopause.
A study found that men screened every two years had more detected cancers than those screened every four years, but aggressive cancer detection rates remained the same. The results suggest that more frequent screening may detect smaller, clinically insignificant cancers.
A new study by INFORMS found that experts' unaided judgment forecasts are only slightly more accurate than those of newcomers. The study shows that the chances of success for both experts and novices are around 28%, with a difference of less than 4 percentage points.
A study by Dr. Martin Edvardsson found that dehydrated female beetles mate more frequently with males to obtain water from their seminal fluid, a strategy that benefits the male by extending the time before fertilization competition resumes. The research sheds new light on the role of 'nuptial gifts' in insect courtship and mating.
A team of researchers has created an innovative method for producing tiny conductive nano-wires on silicon chips using self-assembling molecules. The process can produce nano-wires that are 5,000 times longer than they are wide, meeting the need for connecting smaller transistors and electronic components.