A cohort study found a small but significant increase in cesarean deliveries when women are cared for by an on-call obstetrician rather than their regular-care obstetrician. The study highlights the importance of smooth hand-offs of patient care between physicians.
A study suggests that measuring anemia can be a useful indicator of the burden and control of neglected tropical diseases. Pharmacogenomics, however, still faces limitations in its application for individualized drug dosing based on hereditary factors, according to a review.
A new study finds that the arrival of disability checks coincides with a sharp rise in drug-induced sickness and death. The research suggests spreading out aid payments could relieve stress on hospitals and healthcare workers.
Researchers found that sepsis's inflammatory response is highly variable across patients, extending past outward symptoms. The study aims to inform future treatment and prevention strategies by providing a better understanding of the disease.
New research from the University of Cincinnati finds that nearly half of workers wish they worked fewer hours, and 49% prefer changing their schedule. The study also reveals that many workers are willing to give up pay for greater flexibility, but face barriers in the workplace.
Researchers at LSU are working on improving the efficiency of ethanol fuel production using coal-derived syngas. The project aims to produce clean energy from a domestic resource, making it more easily distributed and convertible into hydrogen-rich gas for use in fuel cells.
Researchers discovered the p75NTR receptor plays a key role in glioma invasion, with expression sufficient to induce aggressive tumor growth. This finding highlights a previously unknown function of the receptor and suggests it may be a novel therapeutic target.
A study suggests that 20 weeks of Taiji exercise can increase antibody response to influenza vaccine in older adults. The study found that the Taiji group had higher antibody responses and a greater percentage of participants achieved protective levels compared to the control group.
Research conducted by UC Sociology Professor David Maume found that women are more likely to leave their jobs to attend to their children, while men prioritize work. The study suggests that traditional gender roles persist despite changing attitudes on family responsibilities.
Researchers found that sub-standard housing more than doubled diabetes risk among study participants. Despite ruling out other factors, housing conditions remain a significant contributor to the development of diabetes in this population.
A University of Toronto-led study found that alternative splicing is more highly regulated in nervous system tissues, allowing for specific functions in memory and learning. This new understanding of gene regulation has significant implications for human diseases such as cancers.
Research at the Natural History Museum found that men's facial attractiveness in the past was linked to their jaw size, cheek flaring and eyebrow shape. The study discovered that shorter faces between the mouth and upper lip created a more attractive appearance to potential mates.
A study of 40,171 patients found a 4-6 fold increase in gastrointestinal bleeding when warfarin was used with antiplatelet agents. Physicians should be aware of these risks to better assess their patients' therapeutic risk-benefit profiles.
Researchers found a link between the loss of norepinephrine and dopamine neurons and delayed Parkinson's symptoms. The study showed that both types of neurons are necessary for normal motor function.
Researchers have identified common attributes in viral replication machinery that could be vulnerable to disruption, potentially leading to broad-spectrum antiviral agents. A study on flock house virus reveals a new compartment for RNA synthesis, where the virus can collect components and carry out processes efficiently.
A new oral treatment, EN101 antisense, has been shown to significantly reduce muscle weakness in people with myasthenia gravis. The study found that patients experienced improved muscle function, swallowing time, and disappearance of symptoms such as drooping eyelids.
Researchers at Harvard University identified the genetic changes responsible for lighter fur coloration in beach mice, which helps camouflage them from predators. The discovery sheds light on how specific gene interactions can influence an organism's appearance and survival.
Cornell researchers demonstrate a new way to make nanoresonators vibrate 'in the plane' – side to side. This technique shakes off extraneous materials, allowing only tightly bound pathogens to be detected. The ability to excite in-plane motion also has applications in making nanoscale gyroscopes and nano optics.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a new treatment that effectively counters the cardiovascular effects of cocaine. The treatment successfully lowers both heart rate and blood pressure, alleviating symptoms commonly experienced by cocaine users.
A study found that fair or poor housing conditions increase the risk of developing diabetes in urban, middle-aged African-Americans. Housing conditions, such as cleanliness and physical condition, were evaluated to clarify the relationship between environment and health outcomes.
A new study finds that climate change is isolating groups of alpine butterflies in the Canadian Rockies, leading to population decline and increased risk of local extinction. The expanding forests and reduced prescribed burns are limiting the butterflies' ability to fly and reproduce, threatening their survival.
A new study shows that a moderate bulge at the waist significantly increases the risk of unhealthy plaque build-up in the arteries. Researchers found that adding several inches to the waist measurement markedly increases the risk, even if body weight remains within a normal range.
A recent study found that cardiac CTAs post-CABG reveal clinically significant non-cardiac findings in 34 patients, including pulmonary embolism and lung cancer. The study highlights the importance of physician interpreters trained to read entire CT scans beyond coronary vessels.
Researchers tested vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and their combination in the Women’s Antioxidant Cardiovascular Study. The study found no significant reduction in cardiovascular events or death among participants at high risk for heart disease.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researchers develop nanocomposite paper-based energy storage device that meets tricky design requirements of gadgets and implantable medical equipment. The device can function as both a high-energy battery and a high-power supercapacitor, using human blood or sweat to power it.
A comprehensive study found that conventional prognostic factors do not adequately predict survival outcomes in Asian-American men with prostate cancer. Despite worse prognostic profiles, most Asian ethnic groups have better outcomes compared to white men.
A new study found that racial differences in breast cancer survival are most apparent in advanced stages of the disease, with African American women having poorer outcomes than white women. After adjusting for clinical factors, the disparities persisted, indicating non-clinical factors may contribute to survival differences.
A new study found that insular horseshoe bats exhibit distinct ultrasonic call frequencies, allowing them to recognize their own species. The presence of a third species on the island may be driving this 'private bandwidth' for communication, with implications for social interactions and sexual behavior.
A study by Cornell University finds that pollution from water, air and soil is responsible for 40% of global deaths, with malnutrition and disease susceptibility affecting 3.7 billion people worldwide. The researchers warn that the growing world population, combined with environmental degradation, are major causes behind human diseases.
A recent analysis by Robert Horwitz reveals that South Africa's telecommunications reform has largely failed to improve access and affordability for the majority of the population. Despite comprehensive legislation passed in 1996, Telkom was able to thwart competition and impose high prices, limiting service offerings.
A new study suggests that irrigation may not cool the globe in the future, contrary to previous findings. The research team analyzed temperature and irrigation trends in California's Central Valley and found a clear cooling effect in agricultural areas, but one that has recently slowed down.
Research published in the journal Gut indicates a projected 25% decline in stomach cancer cases in Western countries by 2030. The long-term nationwide study monitored three types of cell changes indicative of stomach cancer, tracking almost 98,000 patients from 1991 to 2005.
A rare mutualistic relationship between a moth and cactus in the Sonoran Desert shows that one species can control the population of the other, challenging traditional ecological theory. The research has implications for understanding community ecology and the stability of mutualistic communities.
Research reveals a critical link between protein 'chat' and cancer development, shedding light on three rare but deadly disorders. Shortened chromosome ends can lead to genetic instability, promoting cancer growth.
A study found that individuals living in nursing homes and taking medication to lower blood pressure are more likely to die from heatstroke. Being confined to bed and unable to care for oneself also increase the risk of death. Conversely, visiting cool environments and increasing social contact can lead to better outcomes.
Current and past smokers are at increased risk of developing late-age related macular degeneration, with current smokers four times more likely than non-smokers. Smoking's link to AMD is thought to share other risk factors with cardiovascular disease, including high cholesterol levels and hypertension.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that clones with similar genetic traits outperformed those with varied genetics, producing more flowers and potentially increasing reproduction. The study suggests that a gene called Erecta plays a role in this variation, but further research is needed to confirm the findings.
A recent study reveals that minority families moving to new neighborhoods experience equal or better economic gains compared to whites, but white children remain in wealthier areas. The research also finds that staying in one's neighborhood leads to greater economic improvements for white families than non-migrant minorities.
Researchers found that Langerhans cell histiocytosis is associated with the expansion of regulatory T cells, driven by cell survival rather than uncontrolled proliferation. This discovery provides new insights into the underlying mechanisms of the disease.
A new study published in Psychological Science examines how early exposure to geometric cues influences navigational strategy. The researchers found that fish raised in circular tanks with minimal angular information still used geometry to navigate, while those from rectangular tanks were more likely to rely on features when present.
Stephen A. Back, a pediatric neurology expert at Doernbecher Children's Hospital, has received the prestigious Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award for his research on white matter brain injury in premature infants. His work aims to develop therapies that can reverse brain damage and slow cognitive decline in aging adults.
Researchers have created cancer stem cells in a Petri dish from human breast tissue, which can initiate tumors and metastasize. The new study provides clues about the trajectory of cancer cells and offers a boon to researchers studying these elusive cells.
A collaborative learning exercise between land managers and scientists aimed to explore the impacts of long-term temperature changes and precipitation distribution on rangelands. The study found that experiential learning is an effective teaching method for critical thinking, communication skills, and engaging learners.
Researchers found that bursts of waves drive immune system 'soldiers' toward invaders, using a signaling protein to direct cell movement. The discovery may lead to strategies to block cancer growth and treat heart disease.
Researchers discovered that increasing the body's ability to absorb amyloid-beta in the blood leads to a decrease in brain levels, halting symptoms. A modified version of the sLRP protein showed promise in mice and humans, promising a new treatment option for Alzheimer's.
Researchers at MIT have developed a technique to create 3D images of living cells, revealing internal structures and enabling the study of cellular function in its native state. The method uses interferometry and refractive index properties, producing high-resolution images with resolutions as low as 150 nanometers.
Recent Hispanic immigrants in the US are more likely to use illegal drugs as they adopt white American cultural beliefs, with acculturated Hispanics nearly 13 times as likely to report using illicit drugs. The study also found that acculturated Hispanics were more likely to engage in binge drinking and bender drinking.
New research from Duke University reveals that the way genes are used in humans differs significantly from that of chimps and other primates. The study found dramatic differences in gene regulation related to brain development and diet, which may have contributed to human adaptability and susceptibility to certain diseases.
A recent study from the University of Pittsburgh found that bacterial vaginosis (BV) risk escalates when even one partner is African-American, increasing preterm birth risks. BV affects up to 50% of women in some populations and can lead to herpes and other STIs.
A study by Ohio State University sociologist Paul von Hippel found that students in year-round schools showed similar improvement in math and reading test scores compared to traditional nine-month schools. While disadvantaged children may gain slightly more in reading, the overall impact on academics is minimal.
NCAR has added a powerful BlueGene/L system to the TeraGrid, providing up to 4.5 million processor-hours of computing power annually. This enhances the nation's comprehensive infrastructure for open scientific research, increasing the TeraGrid's total computing capability and data storage.
Researchers used X-ray images to study tracheal systems in four beetle species, finding that larger beetles devote more space to tracheal tubes. This discovery suggests that leg size is a key limiting factor for insect body size, explaining the extinction of giant insects.
VictorTango, a Virginia Tech engineering and geography student team, is among semi-finalists competing in DARPA's Urban Challenge for $2 million. Their custom-designed drive-by-wire control system and navigation software enable the vehicle to make driving decisions almost human-like.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons shows that recombinant human thrombin reduces surgical complications and stops bleeding in 95 percent of patients within 10 minutes. The treatment also has a lower risk of antibody development compared to current standard blood-clotting treatments.
Scientists at Georgetown University Medical Center have discovered a new gene, XBP1, that contributes to Tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer cells. This finding may enable oncologists to screen women for responsiveness to these treatments and provide a clue for reversing resistance.
Researchers found genomic determinants underlying alcohol and tobacco use on chromosomes 1, 3, and 4. A common locus for both was discovered on chromosome 1, with a linked area for smoking also present. The study suggests sex-specific genetic factors may contribute to the observed sex differences in alcohol and tobacco use rates.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute developed a technique called optical 3D far-field microscopy using photoswitchable rhodamine amides, allowing for highly resolved 3D images of transparent fluorescence-marked samples. The method can capture nanoscale resolution with good signal-to-noise ratio and relatively short exposure times.
Research reveals abnormal fat metabolism as a key factor in the development of heart disease among diabetics. Brief caloric restriction can lead to dramatic accumulation of triglycerides and cardiac hemodynamic dysfunction in transgenic myocardium expressing human calcium-independent phospholipase A2γ.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that overweight children are at a greater risk of school absenteeism compared to their normal-weight peers. The study, which analyzed over 1,000 students in grades 4-6, found that overweight children were absent on average 20% more often than their peers.
Researchers found that impaired energy production in heart muscle may underlie heart failure in some hypertensive patients. A protein called estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERR alpha) helps the heart keep up with energy-draining conditions like high blood pressure.