A study of long-term Enbrel use found a consistent safety profile in patients with moderate-to-severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Sixty-one percent of patients completed four years of therapy, and 38% reached eight years without significant adverse effects.
A study by Siobhan Banks found that chronic sleep restriction can lead to a decrease in heart rate variability, potentially elevating the risk of cardiovascular disease. This negative impact on cardiac activity may be a contributing factor to the association between short sleep duration and increased mortality.
As dialysis care becomes more cost-controlled, nephrologists play a crucial role in maintaining the unique relationship between patients and kidney specialists. The ASN urges a renewed focus on this relationship to ensure high-quality patient care.
A new study suggests that human-caused nitrogen deposition is indirectly fertilizing forests, increasing their growth and sequestering major amounts of carbon. The findings reveal a more complex view of the carbon cycle in forests, heavily influenced by human activities.
A comprehensive analysis of the human genome has shown that a significant portion of the genome is actively transcribed and copied into RNA, relaying information to cellular machinery. The study identified new regions of gene regulation and altered our understanding of how genes are controlled.
Researchers have characterized mutant phenotypes of fly lamin genes, showing they cause neuromuscular defects and premature aging similar to human laminopathies. This study provides insight into the divergence of gene expression and function through evolution, promising greater understanding of lamin functions and diseases.
Research suggests that children's brain responses can accurately predict the impact of sleep loss on their ability to pay attention during the day. A study found that brain activity accounted for 44% of predicting visual attention scores after one week of reduced sleep.
The Powertrain System Analysis Toolkit (PSAT) software, developed by Argonne National Laboratory, has won a national award for technology development and is being recognized for its ability to simulate various powertrain configurations, facilitating the understanding of complex powertrains. PSAT enables automotive designers to quickly ...
A new species of long-necked, gliding reptile has been identified from CT scans of fossilized bones. The Mecistrotrachelos apeoros had curved feet, suggesting it lived in trees and exhibited gliding behavior.
Researchers develop an exercise program using rowing and strength training to address physical changes caused by microgravity. The program also includes a potassium-magnesium-citrate supplement to prevent kidney stones. Studies show that the regimen preserves cardiac size and function, muscle mass, and bone mineralization.
A new study of over 7,800 high school sophomores found that boys are exposed to more risk factors and less protection for serious delinquency than girls. Boys were twice as likely to engage in seven serious delinquent behaviors, including being arrested or carrying a handgun.
A new study found that even slightly abnormal pre-operative red blood cell counts can increase the risk of death or cardiac events after major non-cardiac surgery. Researchers analyzed data from 310,311 veterans and found that maintaining a normal red blood cell count may be beneficial for elderly patients facing surgery.
Researchers from Yale University and others report that injecting human neural stem cells into primates with severe Parkinson's disease improved symptoms such as tremors and motor function. The study found that the stem cells survived, migrated, and had a functional impact, suggesting a potential therapeutic value.
A study found a reversal of gender distribution among patients presenting to the sleep center after Hurricane Katrina, with increased complaints of insomnia and decreased daytime fatigue. The results suggest that disaster relief can disrupt sleep patterns, affecting physical health and emotional well-being.
Three new drugs for rheumatoid arthritis have been approved, offering improved treatment options with reduced side effects and increased effectiveness. Rituximab, abatacept, and tocilizumab target different pathways to reduce inflammation and symptoms.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have developed a novel biofuel technology that uses steam, sand, and catalysts to convert forest, urban, and agricultural wastes into alcohol for use as a gasoline additive. This technology has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels.
A study conducted by the Sleep Wellness Center of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, found that patients with OSA treated at an AASM-accredited sleep center had a significantly higher compliance rate with CPAP therapy. The study showed that 80% of patients used CPAP for more than four hours per night.
A new study demonstrates classical conditioning of salivation in cockroaches, revealing sophisticated neural control of autonomic functions. The findings provide a useful model system for studying cellular basis of conditioning in insects.
A study of first-time physician applicants reveals that those with only an M.D. degree are less likely to secure NIH research grants compared to researchers with Ph.D. degrees or both M.D. and Ph.D. degrees. The average annual funding rate for M.D.-only applicants was 28%, while it was higher for those with a Ph.D.
Two studies suggest that periodontal diseases are a threat to women of all ages. Women taking oral contraceptive pills are more likely to experience gingival bleeding and deeper periodontal pockets. Periodontal bacteria are also linked to bone loss in postmenopausal women, highlighting the importance of good oral health throughout life.
Stefan Hell's STED microscope enables nanoscale imaging, achieving resolutions up to 10-12 times higher than the diffraction limit. This breakthrough allows for non-invasive imaging of cells' inner structures.
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside have identified two key genes in black widow spider silk, which has superior strength and extensibility. The discovery may lead to the production of synthetic silk with similar properties, potentially used in body armor, medical devices and athletic attire.
BRCA2 mutation carriers have a higher risk of developing aggressive and lethal prostate cancer, with younger onset and advanced-stage disease, according to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The study suggests that studying gene expression patterns in prostate cancers may help predict progression.
A survey by CancerCare found that while many women know about breast cancer, few are aware of recent treatment advances. The majority would actively work with their doctor to identify proper treatment, but 86% were uncertain about what questions to ask.
A study by Emory University researchers has found a significant association between restless legs syndrome and high blood pressure. People with moderate to severe RLS are at increased risk for developing hypertension, with the likelihood of hypertension increasing by 50 percent in those who experienced over 30 PLMs per hour of sleep.
Researchers from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) report promising early findings on imaging and biomarker analysis. The study reveals improved methods and uniform standards for tracking brain changes and predicting Alzheimer's disease, potentially leading to faster and more efficient evaluation of potential thera...
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) has honored six outstanding young Canadians for their research excellence. The winners have made significant contributions to various fields, including technology, chemistry, and biology.
Researchers at University of Warwick have discovered that female cells use thermodynamics to randomly select one X chromosome, resulting in an evolutionary advantage. This process is crucial for survival and has implications for understanding genetic diseases.
Research suggests that even mild sleep restriction can alter children's initial stages of speech perception, leading to disruptions in cognitive and linguistic functioning. Children need adequate sleep to develop essential skills for reading and language comprehension.
China's Three Gorges Dam, a massive hydroelectric power generator, is being constructed on the Yangtze River. NASA satellites have provided detailed views of the dam's construction and its impact on climate and environment.
A non-profit organization called White Cane Label aims to give the blind and visually impaired community more independence in choosing their wardrobe. The group plans to launch an interactive, talking Web site and standardized Braille-embossed clothing tags made of cloth.
The U-M Health and Retirement Study finds that three out of four older workers would prefer to reduce their hours gradually rather than retire abruptly. A two-thirds majority of workers would partially retire if firms allowed them to scale back their hours at the same hourly wage.
Researchers found that female side-blotched lizards induce different color patterns in their offspring based on social cues, which helps ensure survival. The mother's influence determines whether her progeny have stripes or bars on their backs, adapting to the environment they will encounter as adults.
Medical schools are adopting problem-based learning to improve personal drug selection. Students learn to choose medications based on efficacy, safety, cost, and convenience. This approach leads to better medicine use worldwide.
A study found that 38.4% of police officers screened positive for sleep disorders, including OSA, insomnia, and shift work sleep disorder. This high incidence may be linked to chronic sleep loss due to irregular schedules.
A large study found that black Medicare patients are less likely to receive blood vessel opening procedures like angioplasty following a heart attack and experience higher mortality rates at 1 year. They also face barriers in receiving revascularization even when transferred to hospitals with the service.
Paul Flemons, an Australian researcher, has won the prestigious Ebbe Nielsen Prize for his innovative work in combining biosystematics and biodiversity informatics. His research focuses on computer-based ecological modeling to identify areas with high species diversity, making it easier for scientists to discover and conserve species.
Researchers found rove beetles declined significantly after clear-cutting, while diversity increased. The study suggests that mature forest species are threatened by habitat loss, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to preserve old forests.
Elderly patients with mild anemia (low RBC count) or high RBC count before surgery have a higher risk of post-operative death or cardiac events. Treatment of pre-operative anemia and polycythemia may not improve outcomes for vulnerable populations.
The software uses detailed traffic census data and real-time surveillance to create realistic simulations, taking into account various factors such as driver behavior and air-plume dispersion. It also has post-disaster applications, including evaluating recovery decisions and modeling value pricing on toll roads.
A national renewable portfolio standard (RPS) would create a level playing field for states by requiring utilities to use solar, wind and other renewable resources. The RPS would prevent price gouging and save money for consumers by preventing inconsistencies between state mandates.
Patients with advanced-stage cancer struggle with maintaining both sleep and waking states, experiencing reduced nocturnal sleep quantity and quality. Demographic factors, such as age, education level, and marital status, may play a role in poor sleep outcomes among this population.
A research team led by UCSD scientists has discovered how genetic mutations affect the structure of proteins implicated in autism spectrum disorders, contributing to developmental abnormalities. This study represents a solid starting point for understanding the disorder and developing new drug therapies.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have defined the difference between near-cognate and non-cognate codons in messenger RNA, enabling more accurate design of drug therapies. This discovery could lead to improved treatment options for diseases caused by mutations in genes.
The NIH has awarded nearly $21 million to fund high-end instrumentation grants, enabling advanced biomedical research and treatments. The grants support the purchase of sophisticated instruments costing over $750,000 at institutions nationwide.
A new study has shown that long-term biologic treatment can significantly reduce disability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, while maintaining a safe and effective profile. The analysis of over 2,000 patients demonstrates improvements in disability whilst safety was also sustained over the long-term.
Death rates from lung and bladder cancer remained high decades after residents in northern Chile were exposed to high levels of arsenic, indicating a clear pattern of latency in health effects. The study found that mortality risks continued to rise long after exposure ended, supporting the need for more testing of world's water sources.
Research suggests that African-Americans experience lower slow wave activity (SWA) during sleep than Caucasians, a finding that may relate to reported poor sleep quality and higher risk of insulin resistance. This difference in SWA could impact physical health, emotional well-being, mental abilities, productivity, and performance.
Artery Research is a quarterly journal published by Elsevier in collaboration with the Association for Research into Arterial Structure and Physiology (ARTERY). The journal features original articles, review articles, case studies, and more on advancements in arterial structure and physiology research.
A study of 1,362 Chinese adolescents found that sleep deprivation was significantly associated with increased risk of smoking and drinking. Sleeping less than eight hours at night, nightmares, and difficulty initiating sleep were key factors linked to these behaviors.
A study published in Evolution and Human Behaviour found that women who had positive relationships with their fathers were more likely to select partners who resembled them. The research used facial measurements to investigate the relationship between fathers' facial features and the faces of attractive partners.
Researchers at National Physical Laboratory have developed an electron surf machine that delivers electrons one by one in a reliable steady stream at a rate of over a billion per second. This technology has the potential to increase computer efficiency, allowing for faster processing and more secure digital communication.
A study found that arsenic exposure led to a significant rise in lung and bladder cancer deaths, with mortality rates peaking 10-20 years after exposure ended. The research suggests the need for controlling arsenic concentrations in drinking water worldwide.
Recent studies found a decline in Kaposi sarcoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma incidence among AIDS patients treated with HAART, associated with increased CD4 cell counts. Additionally, researchers identified the CCRK gene as potentially involved in glioblastoma multiforme development.
A study on bowhead whale population dynamics has helped maintain a quota for Eskimos to harvest 56 whales per year, supporting their traditional food source. The research suggests that the whale's population is increasing, allowing it to thrive under sustainable management.
A new study published at SLEEP 2007 reveals that children with sleep disorder symptoms are more likely to receive bad grades in math, reading, and writing. Experts recommend that kids follow a consistent bedtime routine and get 10-11 hours of sleep per night to perform academically.
A new algorithm developed by Carnegie Mellon University researchers can create matches for three- and four-way kidney exchanges, increasing the efficiency of kidney exchanges. The algorithm has already been used by the Alliance for Paired Donation, a kidney exchange program, to identify potential transplants and improve transplant rates.
A new Oregon State University study found that salvage logging and replanting increased fire severity in areas burned by the 2002 Biscuit Fire. Natural regeneration of forests appeared to result in less risk of severe future fires.
A recent study found that nearly all petting zoos have hand hygiene facilities, but compliance is often low. Food and drinks are commonly allowed in petting zoos, posing a risk to infants and children. Implementing simple measures such as signage and running water can increase hand hygiene compliance.
A survey of 415 adults in the US found that 78.1% of patients wanted physicians to shake hands, while 50.4% preferred their first name used during greetings. The study suggests that physicians should use patients' first and last names when introducing themselves and remain sensitive to nonverbal cues.