A national study found that ICSI use for male-factor infertility has increased significantly, with a stable proportion of patients receiving treatment. States with mandated insurance coverage showed greater use of ICSI beyond male-factor infertility indications.
A study published in Archives of Disease in Childhood found that very young babies, particularly those under a month old, are vulnerable to sudden death when seated. The research analyzed data from 1991-2000 and found that the rate of deaths among seated babies is relatively small, but extra care should be taken for these infants.
Researchers describe a single bacterial protein, AvrPtoB, that can overcome plant defenses and evade immune response. The study suggests that the evolution of this protein is an example of the 'arms race' between pathogens and plants.
Researchers have designed a hybrid material that combines the dry adhesive properties of geckos with the underwater adhesive properties of mussels, producing a synthetic material that adheres well under both wet and dry conditions. The geckel nanoadhesive showed improved adherence compared to previous gecko-based synthetic adhesives.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine identifies a genetic link to Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), a common sleep disorder. The gene variant is found to be associated with at least 50% of RLS cases, and nearly 65% of the population carries at least one copy.
Researchers suggest assessing levies for by-catch to fund conservation measures. This approach would give fishermen financial incentives to avoid catching noncommercial species while providing funds to address more hazardous threats to seabirds and turtles.
A new study found that people's responses to placebo treatments are linked to their brain's dopamine activity, particularly in the nucleus accumbens. The study used two types of brain scans to investigate this phenomenon and suggests that individual expectations play a significant role in determining the effectiveness of placebos.
Scientists pinpointed the nucleus accumbens as key player in the placebo effect, which influences treatment efficacy through expectation. The study found that anticipation of pain relief triggers dopamine release from NAC.
A study published in BMC Medicine found that simvastatin is associated with a lower incidence of dementia and Parkinson's disease. The researchers analyzed data from over 700,000 simvastatin users and more than 50,000 atorvastatin users to confirm the benefits of simvastatin on these conditions.
Researchers found a strong correlation between tumor responses during treatment and three months after completion, suggesting PET scans can be performed earlier to modify treatment plans. This could lead to better tumor control and survival rates, potentially changing standard practice guidelines.
A study suggests that JK Rowling's Harry Potter series draws subtle parallels with contemporary society, including the British government's post-9/11 response to terrorism. The author believes that the series reflects unfair and unjustifiable measures taken by the government in the name of the war on terror.
A research review of 136 countries found elevated leukaemia rates in children and young people near nuclear facilities, with rates increasing by 14-24% depending on proximity. The study suggests that the cause remains unclear, with environmental exposure and viral transmission being proposed hypotheses.
Recent terror attacks have raised concerns about discriminating against overseas doctors who work in the NHS. The Lancet Editorial warns that such actions would be shameful and unjust, given the significant contributions overseas doctors have made to the healthcare system.
A Princeton team has created a movie of fruit fly embryo development using physics and molecular biology methods, revealing precise blueprint formation. The researchers found that cells can distinguish between neighboring nuclei based on concentration gradients, a process with sensitivity approaching physical limits.
The study confirms that modern humans originated from a single area in Sub-saharan Africa, with genetic diversity decreasing as populations migrated further away. The researchers found no evidence to support alternative non-African origins.
Research finds cryptic species hiding in plain sight across all major branches of the animal kingdom, defying geographical and taxonomic expectations. DNA analysis reveals genetic divergence among similar-looking animals, highlighting a significant underestimation of global biodiversity.
Scientists have developed a new technique to measure the speed of nuclei traveling at one-third the speed of light, enabling the study of rare isotopes. The method uses the Doppler effect to calculate the nucleus's speed based on gamma ray emissions.
A study at Tufts University found that cravings don't go away during dieting and are linked to types of foods craved. Participants who lost more body weight were less likely to give in to their cravings, suggesting that allowing oneself to have crave foods can be key to successful weight control.
A new therapy, certolizumab pegol, has been found to be effective in easing symptoms of patients with active Crohn's disease. The treatment was shown to improve clinical symptoms in both short-term and long-term maintenance therapies, offering a potential new option for managing the condition.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia identified a gene variant associated with an increased risk of Crohn's disease in children. The study found that 64% of children with the disease had a specific variant form of the ATG16L1 gene, compared to 52% of healthy children.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a new biomaterial that can be injected into wounds to deliver targeted payloads of cells and antibiotics, enabling repair and regeneration of damaged tissue. The hydrogels also display antimicrobial properties, making them suitable for treating infections.
Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered how a major plant hormone works to defend plants against insects and pathogens. The study reveals that the hormone jasmonate triggers direct interaction between JAZ proteins and a second protein complex, SCFCOI1, to activate defense responses.
A comprehensive review of biofuel literature reveals corn ethanol is the least sustainable feedstock, offsetting only 15% of gasoline demand. Cellulosic ethanol offers a 87% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, making it a more viable alternative for combating global warming.
Scientists have discovered that cancer cells eliminate the enzyme protein kinase G (PKG), leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation. Reintroducing PKG into cancer cells has been shown to inhibit tumor growth and angiogenesis, suggesting a potential new avenue for targeted cancer treatment.
Researchers found that alcohol can both increase and decrease aggression depending on where attention is focused. Drunk individuals were less aggressive when their attention was divided between tasks, while sober individuals exhibited low-level aggression due to natural attention towards provocations.
A recent study published in Neuron found that the brain's neural activity changes when searching for specific objects, regardless of their location. The researchers used fMRI to measure brain activity and discovered patterns of activity that were not previously understood.
Researchers have developed a synthetic adhesive, called 'geckel,' that exhibits strong yet reversible adhesion in both air and water. The material combines the adhesive properties of geckos with those of mussels, showing improved wet adhesion 15-fold over uncoated pillar arrays.
The W.M. Keck Foundation has pledged $1.5 million to support the final phase of research and development for the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope's (LSST) three-billion pixel digital camera. The LSST will survey the entire visible sky deeply in multiple colors every few nights, probing dark matter and dark energy.
A study by University at Buffalo endocrinologists found that flavonoids in orange juice suppress destructive oxygen free radicals, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in healthy participants. The two types of flavonoids, hesperetin and naringenin, inhibited ROS generation by 52% and 77%, respectively.
Researchers developed a non-pyrethroid-DEET combination that shows strong synergy in lethal and paralyzing effects on mosquitoes, inhibiting blood feeding. The treatment's residual efficacy is several months longer than either agent applied alone.
The CRESIB has launched a research programme on malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax, aiming to better understand the disease and develop new control tools. The international consortium will bring together leading researchers from around the world to promote global efforts in P.vivax research.
Nina V. Fedoroff, a renowned researcher in life sciences and biotechnology, is among eight scientists named to receive the 2006 National Medal of Science. Her work focuses on understanding gene regulation by small RNA molecules and developing mechanisms for plants to withstand environmental stressors.
A study from the University of Alberta found that administering HBV vaccine intradermally to HIV-infected individuals who failed to respond initially shows promise, with 50% producing protective levels of anti-HBs. However, this approach is not recommended due to limited success rates.
Researchers at the Midwest Forensics Resource Center are developing a library of forensic ink profiles using Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART) mass spectrometry. The new technique allows for faster and more detailed analysis of inks, enabling forensic scientists to differentiate between inks like never before.
The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center has received a $25.5 million award from the National Cancer Institute, representing a 10% increase in funding. The center, one of only 40 nationwide to receive an increase, will allocate $5.1 million annually for five years.
A large randomized clinical trial found that eating double the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables does not reduce the likelihood of breast cancer recurrence in women who have completed treatment for early-stage breast cancer. The study involved nearly 3,100 women and followed them for an average of 7.3 years.
Researchers infer complete chromosome sequences from existing data using a statistical method that exploits genetic mutations in organisms with high variability. The study confirms the conserved function of junk DNA and its potential role in regulating gene function.
A study of 3,088 women with early-stage breast cancer found that a high-fruit-and-vegetable diet did not reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence. Despite increased consumption of fiber and fat reduction, there was no significant benefit in preventing cancer progression or death.
Researchers used TMS to measure mirror neuron activity in response to American and Nicaraguan gestures, finding higher activity when observing shared culture. This study suggests culture shapes brain's neural mechanisms, influencing behavior and potentially informing motor skill and language learning.
The Gruber Cosmology Prize has been awarded to Saul Perlmutter, Brian Schmidt, and their teams for discovering the accelerating expansion of the universe, dominated by mysterious dark energy. The breakthrough was made possible through innovative techniques using distant Type Ia supernovae as standard candles.
Researchers demonstrate in rats that a periostin patch can stimulate heart cell regeneration and improve cardiac pumping ability. The treated rats showed improved ventricular remodeling, decreased scarring, and increased cardiomyocyte proliferation.
A study by Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona found that the prelimbic prefrontal cortex plays a crucial role in social transmission of food preference. This discovery sheds new light on the functioning of declarative memory, which is affected in Alzheimer's disease.
An MIT team has solved the case of the throbbbing oil drop, explaining how evaporation-induced variations in surface tension cause a periodic expansion and contraction. The mechanism, which involves three interfaces between oil, water, and air, has implications for environmental engineering and could be applied to biological systems.
Two studies found that elevated nonfasting triglyceride levels are associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, ischemic heart disease, and death. The findings suggest that remnant lipoproteins play a dominant role in postprandial atherosclerosis, and may predict the risk of cardiovascular events in women.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have successfully expressed a foreign gene exclusively in the female mosquito germline, paving the way for genetic control strategies. The discovery enables all progeny of lab and wild mosquitoes to have the gene that blocks virus replication.
Researchers found that daily treatments of Alprazolam and chloral hydrate improved learning, arousal, and regular sleep patterns in HD mice. The study suggests that restoring normal sleep-wake activity could slow cognitive decline, improving quality of life for patients.
Researchers identified areas of the brain involved in voluntary and involuntary movement, finding that neural activity was restricted to the primary motor cortex during unconscious motor activity seen with Alien Hand Syndrome. The study suggests conscious and unconscious motor activity involves the same underlying brain structures.
A new study published in JAMA found that intensively following a high-vegetable diet beyond recommended guidelines did not reduce breast cancer recurrence or death in early stage survivors. Despite significant changes in dietary patterns, the study observed no difference in outcomes between groups.
A research partnership between RIT and Monroe County assesses the performance of E85 flex-fuel vehicles, analyzing their environmental and economic benefits. The study aims to reduce fossil fuel reliance and costs to taxpayers while promoting alternative energy implementation in public vehicle fleets.
A new study reveals a significant increase in creeping vines in southeastern US forests, with up to a 10-fold growth in just two decades. The vines' adhesive roots and tendrils are changing the forest's makeup, leading to a decrease in small tree density.
Physicists at University of Illinois discover a new fundamental particle, boson, that arises from strong electron interactions and explains the puzzling behavior of high-temperature superconductors. The particle has a charge of 2e but is not composed of two electrons.
Scientists are testing a universal flu vaccine that targets all 'A' strains of the virus, offering broad and lifelong protection. The vaccine has shown promising results in laboratory animals and is now being administered to a small group of healthy people in Phase I clinical trials.
T. Andrew Burrow, MD of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center received the $75,000 grant to support training of clinicians in biochemical genetics. The award aims to recruit and train physicians in clinical biochemical genetics for metabolic diseases diagnosis and treatment.
A new study by Dr. John Updegraff and colleagues found that tailored health messages are more effective when matching an individual's motivational orientation, leading to favorable attitudes and behavior change. Strong messages create more positive outcomes than weak ones, particularly for approach-oriented individuals.
Researchers suggest taking oral targeted cancer therapies like lapatinib with food to increase absorption and reduce dosage, resulting in significant cost savings. This approach could cut the needed dose of lapatinib by at least 60% and lower its monthly cost from $2,900 to $1,740.
A paper by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health highlights the need for enhanced global infectious disease surveillance due to resource constraints. The authors recommend increasing resources for compatible reporting systems, providing additional support, and educating policymakers on disease surveillance as a priority.
New research from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health finds that only half of HIV-infected children maintained protective antibody levels 27 months after receiving measles vaccine. Repeat vaccinations are crucial to prevent measles outbreaks in regions with high HIV prevalence.
Primates use cognitive abilities to select food sources based on resource quality and social group needs. The study found that white-faced saki monkeys traveled four times further than predicted distances to choose fruit-rich sites, prioritizing the group's dominance and competition.
The University of Houston's teachHOUSTON program aims to replicate the successful UTeach format, providing intensive mentoring and field experience for aspiring math and science teachers. The program has already begun with 14 students and plans to expand to 375 participants by the fourth year.
A new study has identified a specific genetic variation linked to severe premenstrual depression in women. The study found that four genetic variants in the estrogen receptor alpha gene were more common in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder, suggesting a hereditary link to the condition.