Researchers found a link between obesity and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), a thickening of the heart muscle, in obese patients with a BMI of 30 or greater. The study analyzed 17,261 heart ultrasounds and identified narrowing of the aortic valve as a strong predictor of LVH.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found no association between the UGT1A1*28 gene variation and neutropenia or diarrhea in children treated with low-dose irinotecan. This allows clinicians to begin treatment sooner and eliminate costly genetic testing.
A new protocol developed by Swedish researchers can identify preschool children at risk for obesity with high precision, using only weight and height data. The protocol has the potential to save significant societal costs and reduce suffering among affected individuals and their families.
A study of over 3,500 French children found that 1.2% used performance-enhancing drugs at 11, increasing to 3% by 15. The most commonly used drug was salbutamol, with health problems and low self-esteem linked to its use. The study highlights the need for adults to monitor young athletes' behavior and address signs of distress.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory discovered a giant magnetocaloric effect in gadolinium-silicon-germanium alloys, which could lead to environmentally friendly magnetic refrigeration systems. The discovery reveals the role of non-magnetic germanium ions in enhancing magnetic interactions.
A new study by UC Irvine economists finds that racial mismatch is the key to the low black male employment rate, not a lack of jobs in the area. The research reveals that when low-skilled jobs are predominantly held by whites, blacks are less likely to get hired.
A study of Medicare Part D plans in California and Hawaii found that while there is significant variation in drug formularies, most classes of drugs have at least one widely-covered option. The researchers identified specific drugs with high coverage rates, including generic drugs and some brand-name medications.
Recent findings indicate a trend of increasing water content in the atmospheres of planets, from Jupiter (depleted) to Uranus and Neptune (water-rich). Computer models provide insights into planetary atmospheric chemistry, predicting the composition of Earth-like planets in other solar systems.
Researchers at University of Alberta developed a microfluidic chip for faster and cheaper FISH cancer diagnosis, enabling widespread use and personalized treatment strategies. The technology could significantly increase cancer detection speed and reduce costs from hundreds to tens of dollars.
Researchers found that genes in the adult brain can be silenced or unsilenced by regulating gene accessibility without changing DNA sequences. This discovery has significant implications for studying gene function and neuronal physiology.
Researchers can now predict where tropical storms and hurricanes will dump the most rain — even days after — and hundreds of miles away from landfall. The new tools, developed by Corene Matyas, use geographical information systems (GIS) to model rainfall patterns based on storm intensity, distance inland, and landscape topography.
A University of Alberta study finds Chinese and White immigrants have the highest adjusted homeownership rates, while Black immigrants face the lowest rates. The study suggests that differences in homeownership patterns are largely due to factors such as wealth, social networks, and knowledge of the real estate market.
A review of studies found that two doses of a malaria preventive therapy during pregnancy provide substantial benefit to HIV-negative women, while more frequent dosing is necessary for HIV-positive women. The treatment also reduces the risk of low birth weight and anemia.
Researchers at WashU Medicine discovered that women consuming most of their daily calcium from food have healthier bones than those relying on supplements. The study showed a significant association between dietary calcium intake and increased production of active estrogen metabolites, favoring bone density and osteoporosis prevention.
Researchers at University at Buffalo discover how enzymes work, providing insight into catalysis complexity and potential for improving synthetic catalysts. The study reveals interactions between enzymes and substrates are critical for large catalytic rate accelerations.
Researchers investigate the role of pheromones in the mating patterns of European corn borer, finding that overall genetic relatedness is a stronger predictor of mate compatibility than pheromone type. This challenges previous assumptions about the importance of pheromone divergence in speciation.
Research published in the European Heart Journal reveals obese and very obese patients have a lower risk of dying after treated for heart attacks compared to normal-weight patients. After three years of follow-up, obese patients had less than half the long-term mortality rate as normal BMI patients.
The method allows researchers to explore protein function and find new drug targets, with potential applications in gene therapy and agricultural genetic engineering. The 'control switch' provides precise control over protein activity levels.
Researchers are studying various biosignatures to infer the composition of extrasolar planet atmospheres. They explore theories about what other worlds might be like, including different types of pigments for photosynthesis. One key clue is disequilibrium, where simultaneous presence of contradictory substances could indicate life.
A study found that children with at least one smoker parent have significantly higher cotinine levels in their urine, quadrupling the risk for mothers and doubling it for fathers. Sleeping with parents and lower temperature rooms were also associated with increased cotinine levels.
Researchers found evidence of two separate networks in the brain that control voluntary behavior, such as reading a word or searching for a star. These networks work independently but toward a common purpose, and understanding their dynamics may aid in treating brain injuries.
Michael Garwood, a University of Minnesota professor, has been awarded the 2007 Gold Medal Award for his pioneering work on incorporating MRI with MRS technology to non-invasively diagnose cancer. His research improves the accuracy of cancer diagnosis and monitoring treatment response.
A new U of M study finds that while most Americans value diversity, they struggle to describe its value and give real-life examples. The researchers conclude that American diversity-speak is a sort of 'happy talk,' an upbeat language in which everyone has a place.
A study by Georgetown University Medical Center researchers highlights the issue of inconsistent medical standards across US states, with some relying on local rules rather than national standards. This can lead to inadequate patient care, as doctors may be unsure about what constitutes standard practice in their specific jurisdiction.
Professor Xihong Lin at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has been awarded a MERIT Award for developing statistical methods to analyze correlated and high-dimensional data in cancer research. The award will support his work on longitudinal and familial data, as well as genomic and proteomic data in epidemiological studies.
Severe human bite wounds are 12 times more common in men, with most injuries occurring during brawls on weekends or public holidays. Eighty-six percent of cases involved alcohol, and 65% of facial injuries were to the ear.
Arizona State University bee researcher Gro Amdam has been awarded a $240,000 Pew Charitable Trusts grant to investigate the role of social reversal in reversing oxidative damage in honeybees. Her research may lead to new insights into human aging and age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Researchers Shepherd and Knutson discuss the ongoing debate over global warming's influence on hurricanes, citing a need for a balanced perspective. The authors argue that significantly more research is needed to determine if a global warming influence is detectable in observed hurricane records.
A team of Canadian scientists has identified 1,155 genes under the control of Oct4, a master regulator of the stem cell state. These genes help maintain stem cells in a flexible state by controlling DNA packaging, cell division, and signaling pathways.
A study found that women with a smaller family history of breast cancer are more likely to carry the BRCA gene mutation, challenging breast cancer prediction models. This may lead to reevaluation of genetic testing guidelines and improved individualized risk management advice.
Researchers at UCSD have identified the relationship between hepcidin and a pair of proteins that monitor hormone levels, potentially leading to new treatments for anemia. The discovery reveals how HIF regulates hepcidin in response to low iron and oxygen levels.
A study found that children of smokers have significantly higher levels of cotinine, a byproduct of nicotine, with mothers' smoking having the greatest impact. Lower room temperatures and sleeping with parents also increase cotinine levels, highlighting the need for education on preventing passive smoking.
Researchers found that online learning communities like Think.com can promote children's learning by encouraging active engagement, digital literacy, and social skills. The teams assess how such systems support students in creating knowledge products and building a sense of identity and audience within the community.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have found a new molecular mechanism that may cause spontaneous liver cancer, but also identified a potential cure. By reintroducing the ELF gene to cancer cells, proteins driving cell division and growth can be kept in check, suggesting an effective new therapy.