Research published in the journal Heart found a significant link between performance league tables and lower death rates after coronary artery bypass surgery. The study analyzed data from almost 26,000 patients and showed that public disclosure of cardiac surgery outcome data led to improved patient outcomes.
Migraines in men are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. The study found that men who experienced migraines had an increased risk of myocardial infarctions, with an incidence rate of 10.4 per 10,000 men per year.
Professor Bittner received the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship to study quantum dynamics in molecular electronic devices at Cambridge University. He is the first UH scientist named as a fellow in 18 years and joins an illustrious group of past recipients including Linus Pauling.
A UCLA study found that three common prostate cancer treatments affect men's lives in different ways, with varying degrees of erectile dysfunction and urinary symptoms. The study tracked 580 men for five years and used a web-based data collection system to gather accurate information.
A new theory predicts how polymer glasses, such as those used in DVDs and aircraft windshields, age over time. The material's properties change due to slow molecular movements, affecting its stiffness and brittleness.
A policy paper proposes new ethical principles for obtaining informed consent in large-scale genomic studies conducted in low-income countries. The authors emphasize the importance of protecting participants' rights and dignity, while also advancing global health research.
A study of pharmaceutical sales visits found that almost half led to doctors intending to increase gabapentin prescriptions. Nearly 40% of visits discussed off-label uses not approved by the FDA.
A new study finds that higher doses of statins are cost-effective for patients with recent heart attacks, but may not provide significant benefits for those with stable coronary artery disease. The analysis could help evaluate the cost-effectiveness of other medications and treatments.
A study found that poor urban asthmatic children are more likely to seek emergency care for asthma than their affluent peers. The main reasons include parents' feelings of panic and anxiety about their child's symptoms, previous outpatient visits, and a belief that emergency care provides faster treatment.
A study of 4,681 older adults found that chronic depression can cause Type 2 diabetes, even after adjusting for lifestyle factors. The study suggests that high levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, may be the culprit behind this link.
Researchers have successfully predicted the existence and stability of a boron buckyball (B80), a cage-shaped molecule with an additional atom in each hexagon. The B80 has been structurally similar to the original C60 fullerene, but it significantly increases stability.
Research finds people with inflammatory bowel disease are at risk for developing nerve damage, including carpal tunnel syndrome and small fiber neuropathy. Women with bowel disease are more likely to develop neurological problems than men.
A baby formula supplemented with leptin, a hunger hormone, has been found to promote permanent weight loss and prevent diabetes in rats. The researchers believe that early introduction of leptin can 'hard-wire' the body's energy balance, leading to more efficient energy expenditure.
Researchers are developing nanotechnology to stimulate the body's healing abilities, enabling damaged organs to repair themselves. Early results show paralyzed lab mice regaining mobility after receiving a nanomaterial injection, offering hope for treating intractable diseases.
Scientists at the University of Chicago have reclassified Prototaxites as a giant fungus, based on new evidence and chemical analysis. The fungus is believed to have stood up to 20 feet tall and thrived on land during the Silurian and Devonian periods.
A new class of treatment, PTC124, has been shown to restore muscle function in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy by targeting a specific genetic defect. The drug allows the ribosome to read through a mutation and produce full-length dystrophin protein, enabling enough protein to be made to correct defects in the muscles.
A study by Ugandan researchers found that interruptions in antiretroviral medication supply due to financial or logistical issues led to the development of drug resistance in HIV-infected patients. Despite near-perfect adherence, treatment interruptions created opportunities for resistance to develop.
A new survey by Duke University Medical Center and Johns Hopkins University found that 41% of clinical trial coordinators have experience disclosing financial conflicts of interest, but many feel uncomfortable doing so. The researchers suggest that additional education and training are needed to address these concerns.
Researchers at Salk Institute discovered a 2-step mechanism for cilia to agree on direction, enabling directional fluid flow. Cilia refinement phase ensures coordinated movement of up to 200 cilia per cell.
Researchers found that a miscue in the body's genetic repair system may cause Huntington's disease, a fatal condition that destroys the nervous system. The study revealed that repeated tracts of replacement repair segments become toxic and accelerate cell death.
A new study reveals that serotonin and neuropeptide F regulate aggression in fruit flies, similar to their effects on mammals. The findings suggest that the molecular and neural roots for complex social behavior are of ancient evolutionary origin.
UCSF scientists have discovered that chitin triggers an allergic inflammatory response in the lungs of mice, leading to increased production of the anti-chitin enzyme. The researchers suggest that people with less-effective versions of this enzyme may be more prone to asthma due to their inability to control exposure to inhaled chitin.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins created a publicly available database on phosphorylation events in proteins, known as PhosphoMotif Finder. The database contains nearly all chemical changes nature makes by adding phosphate to proteins manufactured in human cells.
Researchers have discovered that faulty DNA repair contributes to the onset of Huntington's disease. The study suggests that targeting a key enzyme in oxidative lesion repair may offer a way to slow or stop the disease.
A recent study by Dr Chris Byrne of the University of Exeter found that drinking large amounts of water during exercise has no effect on body temperature or performance. Runners lost an average of 1.5 litres of sweat per hour and reached high body temperatures, regardless of fluid intake.
The study reveals surprising similarities in the developing CNS of Platynereis embryos and vertebrates, suggesting that the vertebrate nervous system is probably much older than expected. This finding provides strong evidence for a theory that vertebrates and annelid CNS are of common descent.
A study by Columbia's Primate Cognition Laboratory found that monkeys can acquire meta-cognitive skills, reflecting on their thought process and assessing performance. This ability has far-reaching implications for understanding cognitive development in infants and autistic children.
Researchers found that calcified carotid artery atheroma detection on panoramic radiographs does not correlate with an increased risk of cerebrovascular disease. The authors emphasize the need for closer examination of risk factors such as age, smoking history, and hypertension.
Researchers found that taking breaks from studies, including getting a good night's sleep, enhances relational memory and 'big picture' inferences. This 'off-line' processing period allows the brain to unconsciously mull over information, leading to improved performance on complex tasks.
A new study from Cornell University finds that adolescents exposed to chronic risk factors experience stress-induced physiological strain, but with responsive mothers, this toll is significantly reduced. The study also reveals that cardiovascular systems of youths are compromised regardless of their mothers' responsiveness.
Researchers at Yale University have discovered a molecular mechanism that dynamically alters brain network connections, influencing working memory and cognitive function. Closing ion channels can strengthen connectivity, improving working memory and reducing distractibility.
Researchers found that the androgen receptor plays a key role in bladder cancer development, which explains why it affects men more than women. The discovery opens doors to new treatment options and may help doctors predict tumor recurrence.
A recent study on chimpanzee genetics reveals three distinct groups with considerable genetic variation, which has important implications for conservation efforts. The research team found that the traditional geography-based sorting of chimps into western, central, and eastern populations is supported by significant genetic differences.
Researchers discovered a molecular mechanism that strengthens brain networks by closing ion channels, which may improve working memory and reduce distractibility in conditions like ADHD. This discovery has implications for developing drug therapies for normal aging and treating cognitive changes in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Xinqiao Jia is awarded a National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development Award for her work on developing strong, yet soft and flexible biomaterials for engineering damaged tissues. Her goal is to create hybrid materials that can respond rapidly and reversibly to mechanical forces.
A new study suggests that targeting the survival protein Mcl1 may be an effective way to treat leukemia, particularly when combined with existing drugs like rituximab. The research found that knocking out Mcl1 can cause cancer cells to die, and combining it with rituximab killed significantly more leukemia cells than the drug alone.
Researchers have discovered a new genetic locus associated with an increased risk of developing Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory disorder. The study, published in PLOS Genetics, found that a specific region on chromosome 5 is linked to the disease.
The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies launches a series of NanoFrontiers podcasts and newsletters to discuss promising nanotechnology applications. First episodes focus on tissue engineering and biomedicine advancements. Future discussions will cover energy, clean water, and developing nations' challenges.
Researchers identified a new protein involved in egg activation and its role in fertilization. A chemical has been found effective against anthrax by blocking spore germination. A new protein also controls the growth of the hepatitis C virus, which could lead to new drug development.
Thomas H. Epps III, a recipient of the prestigious Faculty Early Career Development Award from the National Science Foundation, is advancing the development of high-performance materials through his research on block copolymers. His five-year grant will support the creation of nanoscale materials with unique properties, potentially lea...
Researchers are investigating the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction and progressive muscle relaxation on people with prehypertension. The goal is to identify treatment options during this stage, leading to a healthier community and reversal of heart disease.
Researchers have found that the novel targeted therapy NPI-0052 effectively treats acute leukemia in animal models by preventing cancer cells from being purged of damaged proteins. This approach has shown greater efficacy than its predecessor bortezomib when combined with other agents.
Researchers at UCLA have designed a new super-hard material called rhenium diboride, which is as incompressible as diamond but can be made without high-pressure conditions. This material has the potential to replace some industrial applications of diamond and cubic boron nitride.
The $20 million VERITAS telescope system, developed by Iowa State researchers, is the northern hemisphere's most sensitive instrument for detecting gamma rays. With improved data resolution, scientists can ask more precise questions about space objects and phenomena, such as supermassive black holes and dark matter.
Triple-negative breast cancer cells are sensitive to cisplatin due to increased expression of delta-Np63 and TAp73 proteins. Cisplatin releases TAp73 from delta-Np63, leading to cell death. This study suggests using cisplatin as an early treatment option for individuals with triple-negative breast cancer.
Researchers found comparable risks of major cardiac events within 30 days and similar outcomes three years after treatment. Drug-eluting stents were shown to be as effective as bypass surgery in restoring blood flow, with improved survival rates in lower-risk patients.
Researchers at UCR have discovered cyclic alkyl amino carbenes (CAACs), which can mimic the behavior of metals in splitting hydrogen under mild conditions. This breakthrough could lead to the development of carbon-based systems for storing hydrogen and producing useful amino compounds.
Researchers have pushed the efficiency of plastic solar cells to over 6%, a significant milestone in developing sustainable energy solutions. The new record is attributed to creating nano-filaments within light-absorbing plastic, allowing for thicker absorbing layers and increased sunlight capture.
A new method predicts hip joint decay in pediatric leukemia and lymphoma survivors, with over 30% of bone deterioration linked to high risk of collapse requiring surgical repair. Researchers found that genetic or other tests may be developed to help identify at-risk patients, improving quality of life.
Researchers have identified two genes associated with a poor response to radiotherapy in breast cancer treatment. The test could help warn patients of an increased risk and offer alternative treatments.
Researchers at CU-Boulder's Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research predict a 57% chance of lower sea-ice minimum than 2006, with 70% chance within lowest five years on record. Declining Arctic sea ice is linked to higher winter temperatures due to greenhouse warming.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that enoxaparin was 43% more effective at preventing venous thromboembolisms (VTEs) than unfractionated heparin. This result was consistent regardless of the severity of the stroke.
A recent study found that morphine's effectiveness in pain relief does not correlate with patient survival time. In fact, patients with no opioid experience are at risk of respiratory depression, while those with moderate-to-severe chronic pain are not. This challenges the common misconception that morphine is deadly.
A 23-year-old woman with frequent hand sweat attacks experienced significant relief after Botox injections. The treatment was well-tolerated and improved her overall quality of life.
Triple-negative breast cancer cells are sensitive to cisplatin, a common chemotherapeutic drug that can be effective in treating the disease. Researchers also found that delta-Np63 and TAp73 proteins play a crucial role in mediating chemosensitivity to cisplatin.
A new study by Dr. Jacques Lacroix found that a restrictive transfusion strategy can be as safe as a liberal strategy in stable, critically ill children without increasing adverse outcomes. This approach reduced the need for transfusions and improved health care outcomes for pediatric ICU patients.
Researchers at Imperial College London discovered that a protein called Flowering Locus T Protein (FT) plays a crucial role in plant flowering. The FT protein travels from leaves to the shoot apex, triggering the production of genes that cause flowers to bloom.
A team of scientists has discovered a key mechanism by which plant proteins, Scarecrow and Short-root, regulate water and nutrient uptake in plants. This complex system ensures that plants can control the amount of water and nutrients they take in through their roots, enabling them to thrive in various environments.
A new book by Dan Coffey challenges the notion that Japanese car manufacturers pioneered flexible assembly, instead revealing a flawed 'just-in-time' supply system that undermined Rover Group's success. The research also casts doubt on the environmental benefits of lean production methods.
The Complete Guide to Nutrition in Primary Care provides comprehensive guidance for doctors and health professionals on nutrition counseling, medical nutritional therapy, and lifestyle behaviors. The book aims to reduce the high incidence of nutrition-related diseases in the US by educating healthcare providers.