A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that daily antibiotics do not prevent future urinary tract infections and may actually increase the risk of resistant bacteria. The study analyzed data from over 74,000 children with at least two clinic visits between 2001 and 2006.
Researchers found that transplanted stem cells triggered the brain's self-repair mechanisms by boosting nerve survival and blood vessel development. The study suggests that stem cells may be more effective at repairing damaged brain tissue than previously thought.
A new study found that cane sugar and high fructose corn syrup have similar effects on appetite and food intake in beverages. Researchers compared four caloric beverages and found no differences in how they affected hunger and calorie consumption.
Researchers discovered that plant growth is controlled by both internal clock and environmental light, with genes PIF 4 and PIF 5 playing a key role. The study found that plants grow more during the late afternoon when grown in constant light, but shift to dawn just before natural light/dark cycle.
Researchers identified risk factors for hallucinations, sleepiness and swelling in people with early Parkinson's disease, including being male, having multiple health problems and taking certain medications. The study found nearly half of participants developed swelling within four years of treatment.
The study reveals that flowers' anthers play a crucial role in facilitating pollen collection by bees. The researchers found that the size, shape, placement, and timing of anthers can be controlled by genetic networks and non-coding sequences.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that neutral genetic drift contributed significantly to the human genome, with mitochondrial DNA elements accumulating and spreading across populations. The study suggests these neutral elements had little impact on human health and fitness.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new method for creating ultra-high resolution 3D images of tiny mouse brains using magnetic resonance imaging. The technology allows for the detailed visualization of brain structures and their relationship to genetics, enabling scientists to study gene-brain connections.
MIT and BU researchers develop modular system to design phages targeting specific bacterial biofilms, achieving high success rates. The technology has potential applications in treating infections and cleaning products.
Dr. John McConnell receives the 2007 Eugene Fuller Triennial Prostate Award for his innovative research studies on prostate enlargement and leadership in developing a multidisciplinary program at UT Southwestern. His research findings include combining alpha-blocking drugs to effectively treat benign prostatic hyperplasia.
A Norwegian regulation requiring doctors to prescribe thiazides as first-line treatment for hypertension has led to substantial savings in drug costs. The study found that the proportion of patients prescribed thiazides increased from one in ten to one in four, and blood pressure goals were met by a slightly higher percentage.
A recent study published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition found that a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet with sucrose achieved significant weight loss and improved health outcomes for overweight women. The study suggests that excluding sucrose from a diet may not be necessary to achieve weight reduction.
Research at Thomas Jefferson University shows that African American women with breast cancer tend to have more advanced disease and poorer outcomes. The study found that these tumors are more often estrogen-receptor negative and express growth-promoting genes, leading to aggressive and invasive disease.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a gene therapy that selectively targets and eliminates pancreatic cancer cells, inhibiting metastasis and prolonging survival with minimal toxicity. The therapy, called VISA-BikDD, has shown significant promise in preclinical trials, with treated mice su...
A new study by Ohio State University researchers links high ERG gene activity to a more lethal subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Patients with high ERG expression are almost six times more likely to relapse or die within five years, highlighting the need for more intense therapy.
A new vaginal microbicide, VivaGel, is being tested in a clinical safety trial among sexually active young women to determine its safety and acceptability. The study aims to assess the product's effectiveness in preventing HIV transmission and gather information on user experience.
Eating uncooked fish dishes is associated with an increased risk of developing cholangiocarcinoma, a type of liver cancer caused by the SE Asian liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini. In Thailand alone, 6 million people are thought to be infected with the parasite.
Researchers found that incorporating cosmetic principles into thyroid surgery can lead to better aesthetic results. The study analyzed 248 patients who underwent varying approaches to thyroid surgery, including minimally invasive and endoscopic methods.
A global assessment reveals that poor management in tropical parks is often driven by corruption and poverty, leading to ineffective fire prevention. The study used satellite data to measure park effectiveness across countries, finding that some parks succeeded where others failed to prevent fires.
A recent study found that hyperintense lesions in older patients may indicate more severe brain damage, associated with conditions like dementia and memory problems. The study's lead author suggests that these lesions could be a sign of widespread disease in the brain.
A new study found that electronic health records made no difference in 14 measures of quality care, while improving only two areas. The researcher emphasizes that electronic systems can provide valuable tools for physicians, but it's not enough to improve quality on their own.
Pawel Walewski, a health editor with Poland's biggest selling weekly magazine Polityka, has been awarded the European School of Oncology's Best Cancer Reporter Award for 2007. The award recognizes his outstanding cancer reporting and aims to promote better quality media coverage of cancer.
A CU-Boulder study of 61 US metropolitan areas found varying levels of environmental racism, defying simple explanation. The study contradicts hypotheses that residential segregation or income inequality drive environmental racial inequality.
A study of 382 healthy children revealed that over half had low blood levels of vitamin D, with 55% having inadequate levels. Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to bone diseases like rickets and other health issues.
A recent study reveals that depression is common in early Parkinson's disease diagnosis, with 27% of subjects screening positive for depression. Untreated depression can significantly impact daily life activities and overall quality of life.
Scientists identified two abrupt climate changes 9,000 and 8,000 years ago, with temperature drops averaging 1.6 degrees, which could inform global climate models
Individuals aged 49 and older with cataract or age-related macular degeneration have higher mortality rates compared to those without visual impairments. Regular vision assessment may lead to early detection and treatment to reduce the impact of visual impairment.
A study of Alabama nursing home residents found that over half were visually impaired but had no record of recent eye examinations. The high rates of visual impairment among nursing home residents may be attributed to various factors, including limited accessibility and a shortage of eye care professionals.
According to a study published in Archives of Internal Medicine, individuals admitted for heart attack to top-ranked hospitals are less likely to die within 30 days compared to those admitted to non-ranked hospitals. However, the study found that many unranked hospitals also had lower-than-expected death rates.
Researchers have identified two separate brain networks affected by Parkinson's disease, one regulating movement and the other cognitive function. The study found that standard treatments alter the motor network but not the cognitive network, highlighting the need for new treatments to target cognition.
A new USC study finds that Hispanics born in the US are more likely to suffer from conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure compared to those who emigrate from Mexico. This contradicts the long-held 'Hispanic Paradox,' which suggested Hispanics in the US were healthier than whites despite being poorer and less educated.
Researchers characterized transformation mechanisms in APL, revealing the importance of higher-order RXR homotetrameric complexes and recruitment. These findings suggest that disrupting these pathways may be a viable strategy for treating RARA fusion-mediated cancers.
A pooled analysis of data from previous studies suggests that cigarette smoking is associated with a reduced risk for developing Parkinson’s disease. Current and long-term smokers had the lowest risk, while those who quit smoking up to 25 years prior to diagnosis also showed a significant decrease in risk.
Researchers found that African-American women are more likely to present with later-stage and higher-grade tumors compared to Caucasians. Tumors from African-Americans also contain more poor prognostic molecular characteristics.
A study by MU researchers found that people pay more attention to pictures selected from a small array of choices than from a large array. Participants who chose from six thumbnail pictures remembered the pictures with 99 percent accuracy, while those who chose from 24 only remembered with 89 percent accuracy.
A recent study by the Smithsonian found that ancient Mexicans used seven different cultivars of chili peppers, similar to modern varieties, dating back to A.D. 500-1500.
Researchers have identified a new gene mutation in the progranulin gene associated with frontotemporal dementia. The mutation leads to a loss of protein production, which can cause brain cell death. This discovery provides new insights into the disease and may lead to the development of new therapies.
A new study finds that climate change and temperature fluctuations significantly correlate with warfare frequency in eastern China over the last millennium. The research reveals that cooling temperatures impact agriculture, leading to shortages of essential resources and potentially triggering armed conflicts.
Scientists have identified a new cancer therapy that sensitizes human cancer cells to a promising treatment, combining tumor necrosis factor death receptor ligand with multikinase inhibitor sorafenib. The combination enhances the potency and effectiveness of this treatment, overcoming resistance in some cancer cells.
A Duke University study found that female white-crowned sparrows prefer newer versions of their love song, indicating a shift in mate selection and territorial behavior. The researchers used controlled laboratory tests to assess bird responses to different song versions, revealing subtle yet significant differences.
A study found that certain clinician demographics, such as age and specialty, are associated with higher rates of inappropriate PSA screening. Patient education and system-level changes can help reduce this misuse.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered that miRNAs regulate gene expression by associating with the Argonaute2 (Ago2) protein. This interaction inhibits protein production, highlighting a crucial role for Ago2 in the miRNA pathway.
Researchers used magnetic tweezers to study the action of topoisomerase I enzyme in yeast cells, revealing that topotecan's ability to kill cancer cells comes from forcing DNA into positive supercoils. The accumulation of these supercoils triggers cell suicide.
A study conducted by Virginia Tech researchers found that 51% of evaluated horses were overweight or obese, posing serious health problems like laminitis and hyperinsulinemia. The study suggests changes in horse care practices can help mitigate these risks.
The loss of eastern hemlocks may lead to significant changes in streamflow, forest structure, and soil moisture. Eastern hemlocks play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of mountain ecosystems, providing critical habitat for birds and other animals.
A large national study found that selenium supplements may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, while a leading researcher advises against taking excessive selenium supplements. The study analyzed data from over 1,200 participants and found higher risks among those with higher blood selenium levels at the start of the study.
A new study by University of Colorado at Boulder researchers found that the average Major League Baseball player career lasts 5.6 years, with one in five position players having a single-year career. The study also revealed that a player's chance of ending their career is at least 11 percent at every point in their career.
A new study by researchers at CU-Boulder finds that reactive gases, not direct emissions of particulates, form the bulk of organic haze. The study reveals that aerosols formed chemically in the air account for about two-thirds of total organic haze in urban areas and over 90% in rural areas.
A review of published literature found that delays in childhood cancer diagnosis are short but the impact on prognosis remains unclear. The study suggests that delays can be attributed to gatekeeper-type healthcare systems, clinical presentation, stage of disease, and parent/patient factors.
Patients treated at high volume centers have better 30-day and 5-year survival rates compared to those at low volume centers. High-grade tumors and larger tumor sizes are less common in high volume centers, yet outcomes remain superior.
Angela Belcher's research with viruses is developing faster, better, cheaper, and environmentally-friendly electronic devices. Her nanofactories generate little waste, grow at room temperature, and promise to be inexpensive and largely biodegradable.
Scientists have found a key weakness in the enzyme that helps bacteria swap genes for drug resistance, allowing them to block the spread of antibiotic-resistant microbes. Bisphosphonates, widely prescribed for bone loss, can annihilate antibiotic-resistant bacteria in laboratory cultures.
A leading paediatric expert emphasizes the importance of including children in research programmes to develop targeted therapies. This approach acknowledges key differences between children's and adults' metabolisms, organs, and disease behaviors.
Scientists at Wake Forest University School of Medicine have discovered that an obesity drug, orlistat, can be repurposed to target and kill cancer cells. The breakthrough, published in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, provides a promising new avenue for the development of more potent cancer treatments.
The new criteria focus on a clinical core of early and significant episodic memory impairment, incorporating biomarker-based tests. Validation studies are necessary to optimize sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy.
A new drug candidate, abiraterone, has shown significant anti-tumor activity in early trials for patients with advanced prostate cancer whose tumors have continued to grow despite medical or surgical castration. The drug reduced PSA levels and shrunk tumors in both pre- and post-chemotherapy patients.
Researchers found a significant link between genetic variation on chromosome 8 and the risk of colorectal cancer, with individuals carrying the specific marker being 23% more likely to develop the disease. The study suggests that this single genetic variation might account for 14% of colorectal cancer cases in Israel.
Researchers found that pumpkin extract promotes regeneration of damaged pancreatic cells in diabetic rats, boosting insulin levels and reducing the need for daily insulin injections. The extract's protective effect is attributed to antioxidants and D-chiro-inositol, which may provide a new source of medication for diabetics.
Scientists at the University of Cape Town have developed a genetically engineered (GE) maize variety that is resistant to maize streak virus (MSV), a destructive pathogen that can wipe out entire maize crops. The transgenic maize variety has proven consistently resistant and can be reliably passed on to future generations.
The sizes and positions of floral anthers facilitate pollen collection by buzz-pollinating bees, according to Dr. Endress's work. Slight genetic changes can affect flower morphology and pollinator compatibility, highlighting the importance of understanding these interactions.