Two new studies investigated patients' decisions regarding therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and glucosamine use for osteoarthritis, finding that most RA patients prefer to maintain their current treatment as long as their condition doesn't worsen. The studies also highlighted discrepancies in clinical trial results for glucosamine...
A recent study by Dr. Amy Kroska at Kent State University reveals that patients' perceptions of mental illness can exacerbate their condition and hinder employment opportunities. The research highlights the importance of addressing stigma and promoting positive self-image among mentally ill individuals.
Researchers demonstrate ability to attach gold nanoparticles to proteins, forming protein-gold arrays for deciphering protein structures, identifying functional parts, and targeted drug delivery. Applications include catalysts for biomass energy conversion and precision vehicles for tumor targeting.
Research at Wake Forest University reveals that young children do not learn language skills from television programs, but rather from adult speakers. Children under 2 years old are most receptive to learning with responsive language teachers.
Autistic individuals often struggle with interpreting subtle social cues like facial expressions and tone of voice. A UCLA study found that explicit instructions can train their brains to respond appropriately. Researchers trained ASD children to pay attention to these cues, resulting in increased activity in the brain's 'social' network.
A CU-Boulder team is part of a massive field campaign studying tropical storms' impact on global warming and stratospheric ozone depletion. The team will use three NASA aircraft, seven satellites, and other instruments to collect data on chemical compounds, high-altitude clouds, and their influence on the Earth's radiation budget.
Researchers have discovered that attaching polymeric nanoparticles to red blood cells increases their in vivo lifetime. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for cancer, blood clots, and heart disease by providing sustained release of drugs.
Researchers have developed a new tool that uses patient characteristics such as age, gender, race, and tumor site to estimate conditional survival. This will enable personalized predictions of prognosis for head and neck cancer patients.
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has named 18 new Damon Runyon Fellows, outstanding postdoctoral scientists conducting innovative cancer research. The fellows will receive three-year awards of up to $375,000 to pursue their projects, supporting the nation's most promising young investigators in cancer research.
A University of Florida and University of Minnesota study shows that adolescents attending schools in neighborhoods with high alcohol ad presence tend to want to drink more. The study found that exposure to outdoor ads boosts kids' urge to drink, even among those who weren't drinking previously.
A team of researchers at the University of Illinois has discovered a key gene involved in the development of the epididymis, a critical structure for sperm fertility. The gene, inhibin beta A, plays a vital role in stimulating cell growth and differentiation, leading to the formation of the epididymal tube.
Nepalese researchers have identified Gatifloxacin as a more effective and affordable treatment option for drug-resistant typhoid fever. The study, funded by the Wellcome Trust, has significant implications for treating enteric fever in areas with high levels of drug resistance.
Sukhishvili will support national biomedical research efforts with her expertise in biomaterials and biointerfaces. She will review grant applications, make recommendations, and contribute to the quality of peer review at the NIH.
A NASA airborne expedition will investigate how chemical compounds are transported into the stratosphere, affecting cloud formation and climate. The mission aims to document the life cycle of widespread clouds and understand their impact on a warming climate.
A survey of 700 surgical residents found that over half failed to report needle-stick injuries involving patients with bloodborne pathogens. Residents claim they are too busy or fear disrupting their work, but early reporting can prevent infection in up to 90% cases.
The Parkinson's Institute has received a $1 million grant from the Valley Foundation to support its STOP PD program, which aims to identify compounds to halt Parkinson's disease progression. The new facility will enable expanded research and patient services, offering improved care for those diagnosed with Parkinson's.
Purdue researchers used CARS imaging to study how the myelin sheath is degraded by lysophosphatidylcholine. The findings suggest that calcium ions activate enzymes that break down proteins and molecules in the myelin, leading to its degradation. This research may lead to new treatments for multiple sclerosis.
Researchers have found that treating mice with tularemia-specific antibodies can protect them against the bacteria, enhancing immune responses and acting as a surrogate vaccine. This approach could be particularly useful in cases of bioterrorism, providing rapid and specific protection to individuals with weakened immune systems.
Cardiff University's Peter Wells warns that a 'Green Junta' could bring about an authoritarian agenda in the name of sustainability. He argues that consensus among multiple stakeholders is increasingly inadequate to create sustainable societies, and a strong government may be necessary to implement drastic changes.
A large Canadian family study found that both fathers and mothers with multiple sclerosis equally transmitted the genetic risk of the disease to their children. The study contradicts previous findings suggesting men may be more likely to pass on the risk, contradicting the Carter effect.
Chemists from UCLA and the University of Florence have made progress in understanding ALS by identifying copper and zinc's lack as a factor in protein misfolding. This hypothesis could lead to treatment advancements, but further investigation is needed.
Researchers found that a specific enzyme, ATM, plays a crucial role in shutting down transcription near sites of DNA damage, ensuring repair in an undisturbed environment. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of genetic aberrations and cancer development in individuals with ATM deficiency.
A new study finds that children whose mothers were exposed to second-hand smoke during pregnancy exhibit more symptoms of ADHD and conduct disorder compared to those with no prenatal exposure. The research suggests that nicotine affects brain development during pregnancy, leading to behavioral problems in children.
Researchers at UCSB discovered a method to extend nanoparticles' in vivo lifetime by attaching them to red blood cells, potentially revolutionizing drug delivery. The attachment allows particles to evade phagocytosis and remain in circulation for up to 120 days.
A review of 12 studies found that computerized physician order entry systems can reduce medication errors by up to 66%. However, the incidence of one type of error, prescribing the wrong drug, did not decrease. The study highlights the importance of implementing CPOE systems in hospitals to improve patient safety.
Researchers at USC Information Sciences Institute have found a new source of artificial intelligence computing power in people's collective tagging activities on the social web. By extracting metadata from these interactions, they can improve information classification, reliability, and meaning.
Cancer researcher Peter Duesberg's chromosomal theory of cancer suggests that each cancer is unique and resistant to drugs due to aneuploidy, a chromosomal disruption that can be seen easily through a microscope. This theory supports the development of drug resistance in cancer cells.
Scientists from NOAA's Earth System Research Lab will conduct a field study in Costa Rica to observe the troposphere during the rainy season. They aim to understand key processes related to climate change, the stratospheric ozone layer, and global chemistry.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that older adults with high levels of cognitive activity were 2.6 times less likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Frequent cognitive stimulation during old age was associated with reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment and slower decline in cognitive function.
The discovery reveals how efficient neutron stars can be as cosmic power factories and shows they rival black holes in generating powerful jets. The X-ray jet is found to be almost as efficient as one from a black hole, with a surprising high percentage of energy converted into powering the jet.
A genetic factor has been identified that predicts prognosis in brain tumor patients. The Notch2 gene is a key regulator of developmental processes and its loss positively predicts survival in subgroups of brain tumor cases. This finding offers new targets for molecular intervention to develop drugs against this severe human disease.
The use of computerized physician order entry systems has been shown to significantly reduce medication errors, with a 66% decrease in prescription errors reported. The systems also improve patient safety and ease the workload for pharmacists by reducing the need for deciphering handwritten prescriptions.
A new report from The Commonwealth Fund shows that providing minority patients with a 'medical home' can help eliminate racial and ethnic health care disparities. When insured adults have access to regular care and coordination, they are more likely to manage chronic conditions, receive preventive care, and have better health outcomes.
In a study on female Galápagos marine iguanas, researchers found that females devote substantial energy to picking among suitors, with visiting attractive males carrying the highest costs. This includes weight loss and reduced egg production, as well as decreased chances for survival during food-scarce seasons.
Researchers have developed transparent transistors and circuits using nanowires, promising applications in e-paper, flexible color screens, and smart cards. The breakthrough enables fully transparent and flexible displays with high performance levels.
Sweden's baby boom highlights the need for efficient care services for older adults in the US, with a focus on moderate needs. The country's system of local, service-based care helps keep seniors independent longer.
A large-scale comparative study has found that treatment with intravenous bisphosphonates increases the risk of jaw or facial bone disease or infection. After six years, about 5.5% of bisphosphonate users had undergone facial or jaw bone surgery or been diagnosed with inflammation of the jaw bone, compared to 0.3% of non-users.
Researchers found that adding grease to certain plastics improves their electrical conductivity, enabling flexible switches for transistors and displays. The discovery outlines a chemical process to produce next-generation tiny switches, promising breakthroughs in plastic electronics.
A new study challenges prior research on power couple migration patterns. Researchers found that college-educated singles are more likely to move to big cities where they meet and marry other educated individuals. This finding has implications for city planners seeking to attract a well-educated workforce. Power couples with only one c...
The Department of Energy has selected three new Bioenergy Research Centers to accelerate basic research on developing cellulosic ethanol and other biofuels. The centers will focus on reengineering biological processes to convert plant material into efficient biofuels, aiming to reduce America's gasoline consumption by 20% in ten years.
A study found that the percentage of deaths from complex chronic conditions occurring at home increased significantly between 1989 and 2003, especially for infants and adolescents. This shift may be attributed to advances in home-based medical technology and changes in attitudes towards pediatric palliative care and hospice services.
Researchers have successfully transplanted purified adult stem cells into the hearts of severe angina patients, showing a significant reduction in pain and improved daily functioning. The study, led by Northwestern University's Douglas Losordo, provides evidence for the safety and therapeutic potential of this cell therapy approach.
Researchers found a pair of proteins that facilitate communication between axons and glial cells, initiating myelination. Understanding this process may lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases like MS.
The Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) will focus on biofuels derived from plant matter, with UC Davis' expertise in deciphering plant cell walls and microbes. The $125 million center aims to achieve measurable success within five years by tackling scientific problems hindering cost-effective conversion.
The Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center aims to develop cellulosic ethanol and other biofuels, creating momentum for a green future in renewable resources. The center will focus on breeding new varieties of bioenergy plants, developing processing techniques, and improving microbial processes.
Researchers found a small molecule, microRNA, essential for controlling floral organs' identity in plants. This discovery contradicts the long-held ABC model of floral organ development, suggesting a more complex temporal control mechanism.
A study by Temple University found that personalized mail feedback programs were more effective in increasing physical activity levels compared to phone-based counseling. Participants who received print-based feedback showed significant improvements in physical activity, with an average of 160 minutes per week.
A study by Jorge Gonzales-Chapela found that a 1% increase in recreation goods prices leads to an extra 3.2 hours of work per year among full-time working men aged 25-54. This translates to a loss of one day's worth of leisure time per year.
Researchers found that following ultrasound diagnosis of probably benign breast masses is a safe alternative to biopsy for stable masses. The study showed an overall negative predictive value of 99.8%, indicating only 0.2% risk of cancer development.
A link has been confirmed between depression and low folate levels, with a review of 11 studies involving 15,315 participants supporting the measure. Folate supplements may also benefit people with depression, according to Dr Simon Gilbody.
A new study found that a specific gene variant, MAOA-LPR low activity allele, increases the risk of alcoholism and antisocial behavior in women who experienced childhood sexual abuse. This genetic variation is associated with hyperactivation of the hippocampus when retrieving negative emotional information.
A new reovirus has been isolated from bats and can cause a serious but non-fatal respiratory illness in humans. The virus, named Melaka, is closely related to two other bat-borne reoviruses and can be transmitted between people.
The studies identified new proteins involved in coronary heart disease, clusterin responsible for colorectal cancer progression, and potential biomarkers for esophageal cancer detection. These findings may lead to improved diagnosis and therapies for these diseases.
Researchers in Nepal have found a cost-effective treatment for drug-resistant typhoid fever using Gatifloxacin, a fluoroquinolone drug. The study shows that Gatifloxacin is effective against two common bacteria causing enteric fever and is relatively inexpensive at $1 per seven-day course.
A family-based weight management program improved outcomes for overweight children compared to traditional weight counseling, reducing body fat and increasing insulin sensitivity. The study found significant differences in BMI, body weight, and cholesterol levels between the two groups after 12 months.
Researchers found that mice without CD38 were protected from high-fat diet-induced obesity and glucose intolerance. The study suggests that a CD38 deficiency has a protective effect against obesity, highlighting the importance of genes in regulating body weight.
A study found that childhood cancer survivors experience serious health problems as young adults, with a high burden of disease affecting their quality of life and life expectancy. The majority of events were related to orthopedic disorders, second tumors, or psychosocial issues.
The incidence of early stage metastatic breast cancers is increasing, attributed to changes in clinical practice. Sentinel lymph node biopsies often detect small numbers of tumor cells that do not necessarily indicate cancer spread.
Recent studies from ACS Chemical Biology reveal new insights into how cells die when chemicals bind to DNA, fast ways to create novel molecules, thyroid hormone regulation, and the regulation of attaching proteins to membranes. The journal provides a platform for exploring cellular function from both chemical and biological perspectives.
A recent study found that children with serious complex illnesses are more likely to die at home than in hospitals, especially among African American and Hispanic patients. The shift towards home care raises questions about how to provide optimal care and resources for very sick children.