Researchers found that mobility is a key factor impacting quality of life for older adults. Interventions targeting mobility limitations may improve HRQOL and overall well-being among seniors at risk for disability. The study highlighted the need to develop effective interventions to preserve or improve mobility in this population.
A new report from The Commonwealth Fund finds that 13.3 million young adults ages 19 to 29 were uninsured in 2005, with many having low incomes and limited access to private coverage.
The Indiana University School of Medicine has been awarded a five-year, $6 million grant to continue developing advanced light microscopy systems for kidney research. The center will incorporate four core projects, including the development of quantitative analysis tools and techniques to image deeper tissues.
Researchers at Purdue University developed miniature devices to predict and prevent epileptic seizures by detecting neural signals in the brain. The system records data from 1,000 channels, enabling better prediction of seizure onset. A nanotech sensor for glaucoma treatment is also being developed.
Researchers found that universal bone densitometry followed by oral bisphosphonate therapy may be cost-effective for certain older men with or without prior fractures. The study suggested that this strategy could reduce the absolute 10-year incidence of clinical fractures among older men with a prior fracture.
A study by Craig J. Thompson and Gokcen Coskuner-Balli explores how Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has thrived as a counterexample to the corporate co-optation of organic food movement, offering a viable market niche for small farmers and a means for consumers to engage in unconventional marketplace practices.
Researchers at the University of Illinois explore how people manage romantic relationships through simulated online dating scenarios. The study found that a participant's attachment style is a good predictor of their pattern of choices, with highly insecure individuals more likely to interpret negative actions and choose in kind.
A decade-long experiment found that trees only store significant amounts of carbon when receiving sufficient water and nutrients, suggesting proposals to bank CO2 in trees may not be effective
Researchers found that taking vitamins and minerals did not reduce liver cancer death rates in a study conducted by the National Cancer Institute. However, some vitamin-mineral combinations reduced risk in subgroups defined by age, sex, and alcohol consumption. In contrast, gene expression patterns identified 11 genes in noncancerous l...
A symposium co-organized by the Ecological Society of America aims to bridge the nature deficit gap in US children. Researchers will present eight case studies showcasing various outreach tools, including outdoor laboratories and community restoration activities.
Researchers analyzed US cities' non-pharmaceutical interventions during the 1918-1919 pandemic and found an association between these measures and reduced death rates. Cities that implemented early and extended interventions had lower death tolls, suggesting these actions can be crucial in planning for future pandemics
Researchers at the University of Warwick have discovered a link between vitamin B1 deficiency and vascular problems in diabetic patients. The study found that type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients had significantly lower levels of thiamine in their blood plasma, which may contribute to microvascular and macrovascular complications.
The intersection of mathematics and cryptography has significant implications for security and research, with mathematicians like Neal Koblitz contributing to the field. Koblitz's work highlights the challenges of 'provable security' in cryptography, as well as the influence of the National Security Agency on research.
Researchers create quantum mechanical analog of Ulam's conjecture to control chemical reactions and move quantum objects. This method uses photons to harness chaotic motion, allowing for efficient steering of quantum systems between two specified states.
Researchers have developed a method to produce highly pure and functional neurons from human embryonic stem cells, enabling the creation of models for studying neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The new approach allows for the isolation of specific neuronal populations with defined biological properties.
Researchers found that aging flies accumulate significant amounts of bacteria both inside and out, yet this does not affect their longevity. The study suggests that the energy spent fighting bacteria is not at the expense of overall health.
A national survey found gaps in vaccine financing for underinsured children, leading to concerns about access to life-saving vaccinations like pneumococcal conjugate and meningococcal conjugate vaccines. The study highlights the need for improved funding and distribution of new pediatric vaccines at the state level.
Bart Krekelberg seeks to understand how the brain ignores eye movement during visual processing, potentially leading to new treatments for dyslexia and schizophrenia. He will use a combination of electrophysiology and functional resonance imaging to identify key areas of the brain involved in visual perception.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that chemotherapy with bevacizumab increases the risk of blood clots in arteries, with a higher incidence among patients over 65 years old. The risk of arterial thromboembolic events was significantly higher in patients treated with the combination therapy compared...
A recent study by Stanford scientists found that sand at beaches along the California coast contains fecal indicator bacteria, contradicting the common belief that they occur naturally. The researchers detected human-specific genetic markers in enterococci bacteria at a popular beach in Monterey, Calif.
A new study by University of Florida researchers found that parent distress, peer bullying, and childhood depression can all impact a child's well-being. Children whose parents struggled with stress or depression were more likely to have lower quality of life scores, as well as depressive symptoms and poorer health status.
A three-year observational study at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center found that a combination of strategies, including reclassifying brand-name drugs and removing non-essential medications from the formulary, resulted in significant cost savings. The plan's approach preserved members' use of medications for chronic conditi...
A new study by Suresh Ramanathan and Patti Williams examines the affective outcomes of indulgent consumption among both prudent and impulsive consumers. Both groups experience a mixture of positive and negative emotions immediately after consuming a food indulgence, but with different components and time courses.
New research shows that anticipating future choices can cause consumers to selectively focus on information suggesting alternative options, leading them to disregard their current choice's advantages. This phenomenon was replicated even when the chosen store was less expensive than others.
A study published in Personality and Individual Differences found that women perceive men with feminine facial features as more committed and less likely to cheat. Men with masculine faces were seen as more dominant but also less faithful and worse parents.
A diet rich in choline, found in red meat, eggs, poultry, and dairy products, may increase the risk of colorectal polyps. Research suggests that higher intake of choline is associated with an elevated risk, contradicting previous expectations.
A widely studied plant species has revised its understanding of sex evolution and genetic heritage, with self-pollination emerging at least a million years ago. This finding contradicts previous estimates and suggests that sex may be more trouble than it's worth in plant evolution.
Researchers at Rutgers University are studying the connection between thyroid hormones and sleep. The study aims to identify how thyroid hormones affect brain structures during sleep and wakefulness.
Researchers have studied the secret lives of southern elephant seals, revealing their detailed feeding behavior in relation to oceanographic features. The measurements show that seal populations in different regions have distinct foraging strategies, which may explain the decline of Indian and Pacific seal numbers since the 1950s.
Researchers identified a new player in the control of good cholesterol that circulates in the bloodstream and reduces heart attack risk. By manipulating levels of an enzyme called proprotein convertases, they were able to boost or reduce HDL-C levels, offering potential for therapies against heart disease.
A recent study published in The ISME Journal reveals that a specific group of E. coli bacteria is associated with chronic intestinal inflammation in patients with Crohn's disease. Researchers found an increased level of invasive E. coli bacteria in inflamed areas of the small intestine, suggesting a potential causal link to the disease.
According to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Congress is expected to increase research budgets across major non-defense agencies, with significant funding increases proposed for environmental, energy and biomedical initiatives. The proposed new spending would add billions to the FY 2008 budget.
A Michigan Medicine study found that half of seniors have geriatric conditions affecting daily living, such as falls and incontinence. The study highlights the need for clinicians to address these common conditions, which can lead to disability if left untreated.
Researchers at Duke University found that high-intensity focused ultrasound can activate the immune system to attack cancer cells, including those that have spread through the bloodstream. The treatment uses mechanical vibration to break apart tumor cells, releasing toxic substances that alert the immune system to cancer threats.
Researchers at Kennedy Krieger Institute discovered separate adaptable networks controlling each leg and leg movements, e.g., forward or backward walking. This finding enhances understanding of motor skills and brain plasticity, signaling advancements for future rehab practices.
A new University of Michigan study shows the wealth gap is increasing steadily, with the top 2% of families seeing a nearly doubling of their net worth, while the poorest quarter of families lose ground. The poorest ten percent of families even have negative net worth.
A study published in the Journal of Women's Health found that few older women with significant risk factors for lifetime exposure to HIV showed interest in being tested. The study, which analyzed data from 514 women aged 50-95, found that only 22% of participants expressed interest in HIV testing.
Argonne scientists have won three R&D 100 awards for groundbreaking innovations in teleconferencing software, chemical gas detection, and medical imaging. The Access Grid platform enables global collaboration, while Passive Millmeter-Wave Spectroscopy provides a new tool for fighting terrorism. The Ultra-High Resolution Mammography Sys...
Worcester Polytechnic Institute has received funding to develop a precision location system for emergency responders. The system will track the movement and physiological status of workers, addressing two leading causes of firefighter deaths: stress-related heart attacks and getting lost indoors.
Penn researchers identified how regulatory protein Bcl-3 regulates inflammation by blocking ubiquitination, a critical biochemical process. This discovery opens new avenues for developing therapies to treat infectious or inflammatory diseases such as sepsis and rheumatoid arthritis.
A recent study by UCLA's Center on Everyday Lives of Families found that convenience foods are commonly used in American families' dinners despite initial expectations. On average, meals took 52 minutes to prepare, with no significant time savings from relying on convenience foods. The study also revealed that mothers bear the brunt of...
A Michigan-CDC study analyzed 43 US cities during the 1918-1919 Spanish flu pandemic and found that sustained non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) like quarantine, isolation, school closures, and public gathering cancellations significantly reduced mortality rates. The study's findings challenge conventional wisdom on the effectiven...
A study by University of Southern California researchers found that bacteria-free fruit flies lived as long as their bacterial counterparts, challenging conventional wisdom about the impact of microbes on lifespan. The finding suggests that factors other than bacterial load may limit life span.
Scientists have developed a simple experiment to measure the mechanical properties of thin films, which could impact industries like cosmetics, coatings and nanoelectronics. The new method uses low-power optical microscopy to observe wrinkles in the film, providing insight into material properties.
Researchers found that high-dose chemotherapy and blood stem cell transplantation can result in long-term survival for patients with primary systemic light chain (AL) Amyloidosis. The median survival for all 80 patients was 57 months, with 18 still alive 10+ years after treatment.
Coral cover in Indo-Pacific reefs has declined significantly since the 1960s, with nearly 600 square miles of reef disappearing per year. The rate of decline is twice that of rainforest loss, with coral cover hovering around 2% today.
A new study found that underinsured children are at risk of not getting needed vaccines due to lack of funding and restrictive policies. The authors suggest strategies to enhance immunization benefits for this vulnerable group of children.
A new study using eye-tracking software found that consumers focus on ads based on their goals, such as memorization or learning about a brand. The researchers suggest that understanding these goals is crucial for effective advertising.
Researchers found that suppressing the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS-3) gene led to intracranial aneurysm formation in 33% of study subjects. The study suggests that NOS-3 plays a crucial role in vascular remodeling and may be a marker for increased risk of brain aneurysms.
Recent advancements in remote sensing technologies, such as lidar and high fidelity imaging spectroscopy, enable researchers to study ecological systems at multiple levels. These tools provide essential information for characterizing landscape dynamics and quantifying ecosystem functions related to biogeochemical cycling.
Researchers discover a poorly understood mechanism linking smoking to lung damage, where toxins in cigarette smoke open unpaired hemichannels that lead to rapid cell death. Drugs preventing hemichannel opening offer new ways to prevent cellular damage and potentially treat diseases tied to oxidative stress.
A study published in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found that 3- to 5-year-old children preferred the taste of McDonald's-branded chicken nuggets over identical, unbranded versions. The degree of preference correlated with the number of TVs in their homes and frequency of eating at McDonald's.
The NanoSensor StageGate Accelerator will accelerate the development of innovative nanoscale-enabled products supporting the US Army's transition and applications in aerospace, energy, and transportation. Funding will enable commercialization opportunities and create high-tech jobs in New York State.
A new study predicts that Americans' 401(k) plans will be substantially wealthier in real terms by 2040, even if stock market returns are lower than historical values. The research found that future retirees will likely have more assets due to longer working careers and the shift towards 401(k) plans.
A decision aid for patients with diabetes was developed by Victor Montori and colleagues, enabling them to make informed choices about statin use. The tool created a conversation about medications, allowing patients to weigh the benefits and risks of statins.
Researchers have found a clear link between Alzheimer's disease and glaucoma, with key proteins implicated in both conditions. Novel drugs targeting these proteins may be used to treat glaucoma, opening up new avenues for treatment beyond intraocular pressure control.
A University of Illinois study confirms that investing time and energy in youth activities and taking on a leadership role are key to maximizing their benefits for teens. Participation time is more important than the activity itself, according to the research.
The new UC San Diego model can create life-like milk images based on fat and protein content, and work backwards to determine the composition of a material. This technology has potential applications in food safety, atmospheric science, and diagnostic medicine.
Researchers found that individuals with a high fear of back pain will exhibit unusual movement patterns to prevent exacerbation, which can ultimately weaken their muscles. This study aims to inform the development of new treatments for backaches, a common condition affecting eight out of ten adults.
A study published in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found that preschoolers aged 3-5 preferred the taste of foods and drinks in McDonald's packaging to identical products in unbranded packaging. Children who watched more TV and ate more McDonald's food also showed a stronger preference for branded options.