A Barrow researcher has received a $120,000 grant to study flicker fusion and its impact on people with epilepsy. The goal is to develop safe brain products that can make artificial lighting appear stable to the brain.
The discovery of a pygmy-sized giant panda skull in south China reveals that the modern giant panda has remained largely unchanged for millions of years. The ancient species lived on bamboo shoots and was adapted to eating bamboo early in its development, highlighting its unique dietary specialization.
Researchers discovered previously unknown exons outside annotated genes in human proteins, suggesting complex gene regulation and increasing the risk of disease-causing mutations. This finding has significant implications for medicine, requiring extra caution when studying genetic phenotypes.
Researchers have created a genetic model of obesity in zebrafish, which could lead to the development of new drugs to help people lose weight and keep it off. The study uses a receptor blockage mechanism that is similar to what causes severe obesity in humans.
The discovery of small perforated sea shells in Morocco has pushed back the known origin of bead adornments to 82,000 years ago. The findings suggest that modern humans possessed symbolic thought and cognitive abilities earlier than previously thought.
A team of researchers from the University of Florida and Harvard Medical School has discovered a protein called IGFBP-3 that may help prevent eye damage in premature babies. The protein activates stem cells and other reparative cells, which could stabilize existing blood vessels and prevent abnormal growth.
A new study in Preventive Medicine reveals that candy cigarettes can favorably set the minds of some children towards becoming future cigarette smokers. Children who played with candy cigarettes were more likely to become adult smokers than those who never consumed them.
Patients hospitalized with bacterial pneumonia face a higher risk of new or worsening heart problems, with nearly 20% experiencing a heart attack or major heart condition. The presence of heart disease significantly increased mortality from pneumonia.
A Canadian study found that behaviors like dating, substance use, and sexual activity make teens feel older than they are. The gap widens as adolescents get older, with girls more likely to feel older than boys.
Researchers at K-State are working on making sodium-cooled nuclear reactors safer and more efficient by developing technology to measure coolant velocity, pressure, and temperature. The goal is to improve reactor operations and maintenance with minimal investment in new equipment.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that men who participate in sports or vigorous physical activity are less likely to suffer from osteoporotic fractures. The researchers analyzed data from over 2,000 men and found that those with higher levels of physical activity had a significantly lower risk of fractures. By taking exercise, ...
A team of researchers from Oregon State University has discovered a unique genetic material acquired through evolution that allows Mycobacterium avium to infect human tissue cells. This 'island' of genetic material enables the bacterium to evade the body's immune response, compromising immunity in patients with lung infections and AIDS.
A team of Johns Hopkins undergraduates has invented a handheld metal detector to aid in the removal of orthopedic screws from patients' bodies. The device emits a tone that rises in pitch as the surgeon moves closer to the screw, guiding them to hidden hardware.
A novel signaling pathway has been identified as being altered by genetic mutations in Parkinson's disease, affecting cellular function and potentially leading to new therapeutic targets. The research found that mitochondrial protein PINK1 plays a crucial role in protecting cells from oxidative stress and promoting cell survival.
A multidisciplinary team approach has successfully treated acute heart attacks by expediting patients to specialized treatment centers within 90 minutes. This program evaluation demonstrates improved outcomes for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients in Canada.
During exercise, muscles primarily use carbohydrate and fat as fuels, shifting from fat to glucose with increasing intensity. The study found that adaptations in the rest of the body, not muscle itself, drive this shift.
The CARVER + Shock program provides interactive questions to help food-processing companies identify vulnerabilities in their supply chain. The tool, developed by Sandia National Laboratories and the FDA, enables companies to evaluate their risk and protect their products.
Infants are most at risk for elevator-related injuries in the United States, with an estimated 29,030 cases occurring between 1990-2004. The majority of these injuries were caused by the elevator door closing on a body part or soft tissue injuries.
A study in Toronto found that restricting non-urgent hospital use during the 2003 SARS outbreak resulted in a 12% decrease in admissions. This reduction would only offset one-quarter of expected additional admissions in an influenza pandemic, highlighting potential limitations on future epidemic capacity.
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake triggered a slow-rupturing tsunami with unexpectedly high wave heights, catching lifeguards off guard and claiming over 600 lives in Java, Indonesia. The study highlights the limitations of traditional warning systems for tsunami events near earthquakes.
Women with diabetes experienced a decline in death rates, but at a cost: their bone density and endometrial thickness may have increased. In contrast, a study on soy products found that genistein supplements boosted bone mineral density and improved markers of bone metabolism.
Researchers discovered a link between consuming foie gras and the formation of amyloid fibrils, which can accelerate AA amyloidosis in susceptible mice. The study suggests that people with a family history of diseases like Alzheimer's and rheumatoid arthritis may want to avoid consuming foie gras.
Climate change poses significant threats to public health in developing countries, where urbanization and rapid economic growth are concentrated. The article highlights the need for action towards fairness and equity in urban development processes to mitigate these effects.
A study comparing patients aged 60 and younger found similar postoperative complication rates, with no age-related mortality differences. Bariatric surgery is also deemed acceptable for Medicare recipients, with expert management leading to low morbidity and mortality rates.
Researchers have developed a unique nanoparticle that can safely deliver a compound to the eye, blocking an enzyme that contributes to glaucoma. This non-toxic tool offers high penetration rates and little patient discomfort, making it a promising treatment option.
Scientists developed a flexible patch that can stick and unstick repeatedly like a gecko foot, featuring carbon nanotube hairs for improved properties. The material has potential applications in robotics, electronic devices, and outer space.
Researchers identified common DNA variations that underlie susceptibility to fever after smallpox vaccination. Eight genetic alterations increased the likelihood of fever, while a few reduced it. The study raises the possibility that these genetic variations may also influence fever risk after other live-virus vaccines.
Research reveals that autistic children can learn and apply social stereotypes, including those based on race and sex, despite difficulties with theory of mind development. This finding suggests that different cognitive mechanisms may be at play for understanding social categories versus mental states.
Scientists at University College London discovered that autistic children can understand people's behavior based on stereotypes, such as gender and race. This ability can be used to aid their learning and socialization, and may even help them integrate better into society.
Researchers found that a simple video-based awareness program significantly improved hand washing behavior among families visiting sick children in a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. The study showed that the video initiative was more effective than a poster-based approach in reducing hospital-acquired infections.
Researchers found that embryos initially deemed abnormal can undergo chromosomal modifications, leading to a higher rate of mosaicism. This challenges the effectiveness of preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) for increasing pregnancy potential.
Researchers at Oregon State University have successfully manipulated the growth in height of trees using genetic modification, creating miniature trees that can range from a few inches to over 50 feet tall. The findings offer potential for new products in the ornamental and nursery industries, but regulatory hurdles must be overcome.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found little to no scientific evidence supporting the use of steroids or other therapies for treating sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The study suggests that systemic steroids may not be the gold standard of treatment due to severe limitations in existing studies.
Researchers found endosomes facilitate plant growth through brassinosteroid receptor trafficking, affecting shoot and root growth. This discovery expands understanding of endosome function in plants, shedding light on their evolutionary origins.
Researchers warn that global warming is forcing gannets to search further afield for food, leaving their chicks vulnerable to attack. The birds' breeding success is declining as they compensate by flying faster, but their speed limit has been reached.
Eran D. Metzger, a psychiatrist at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center, has been named a Practice Change Fellow by The Atlantic Philanthropies to improve mental health care for elderly patients. The program aims to expand the number of health-care leaders who can promote high-quality care to older adults in various organizations.
A research team has discovered a fundamental adaptive mechanism linking an animal's locomotion to its sensory systems. The study found that the dimensions of the three semicircular canals in the inner ear are linked to the type of movement produced by an animal's limbs.
A new model predicts the danger of flu pandemics by analyzing population heterogeneity. The study highlights the importance of considering individual attributes such as social interaction and susceptibility to infection. Social distancing measures may be effective in limiting the spread of disease, according to the research.
The Arctic has seen its spring arrive significantly earlier than it did just a decade ago, with flowering dates advancing by up to 30 days in some species. This rapid change is considered one of the clearest signals of biological response to rising temperatures, and offers an early warning of global warming's effects.
A new study suggests that stimulant treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can increase the risk of future drug abuse, with age and treatment duration being key variables. The researchers found that brain chemistry changes associated with longer treatment periods may attenuate the propensity to abuse drugs.
Researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center discovered that memory CD8 T cells can protect against viral diseases without migrating to the site of infection. These cells rapidly multiply and kill target cells inside the lymph node, decreasing viral spread to vital organs.
The study reveals a novel anti-apoptotic signaling pathway disrupted by PINK1 mutations, suggesting a potential target for therapeutic intervention in Parkinson's disease. Increasing evidence links single-copy mutations in PINK1 to the development of later-onset PD.
A phase 3 randomized trial found that extended exposure to etanercept improved measures of disease severity in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. The treatment was well-tolerated, with no increased risk of adverse events or infections.
A recent review examines the evidence supporting PSA testing for prostate cancer screening. Despite controversy over its effectiveness, many Canadian men are being tested due to widespread practice. The article also discusses finasteride's potential in reducing enlarged prostate risks and cancer risk.
A preliminary study suggests that administering a blood clot-dissolving medication within 24 hours of severe frostbite injury can significantly reduce the risk of amputation. The treatment, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), has been shown to improve blood flow and prevent cell death in affected limbs.
The study found that the death rate for men with diabetes declined by 43% between 1971 and 2000, while the death rate for women with diabetes did not change. The authors suggest that different approaches may be needed to improve health outcomes for women with diabetes.