A new dynamic brace, designed by Matthew B. Dobbs, has shown to be at least as effective as traditional braces in treating clubfoot, while resulting in better parental compliance. The brace allows for active movement, preserves muscle strength, and is less restrictive than traditional braces.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory developed a bio-friendly nano-sized light source capable of emitting coherent visible light across the visible spectrum. This innovation enables single cell endoscopy, integrated circuitry for nanophotonic technology, and advanced methods of cyber cryptography.
Most children aged 8-12 years with cerebral palsy experience similar quality of life (QoL) as other children, according to a new study published in The Lancet. The study found that type and severity of impairments do not affect QoL for six categories, but specific impairments are associated with poorer QoL in four categories.
Researchers at the University of Warwick discovered a glycation process that creates a metabolic memory in diabetes, persisting even after glucose levels are corrected. The study suggests early tight control of glucose and antioxidant use can mitigate complications, but long-term antioxidants may have health problems.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered that large, seemingly useless pieces of RNA play a crucial role in regulating gene activity across vast portions of the human genome. This finding suggests that ancient RNA molecules can influence cancer development and stem cell maintenance.
A recent study shows multiple-electrode radiofrequency ablation is a safe and effective way to treat large liver tumors, with 34 of 38 tumors treated in just one session. The new procedure reduces treatment time by approximately 54% compared to single-electrode systems.
A recent study published in the journal Cell found that the ATM protein plays a crucial role in preventing genetic damage from being passed on to future generations of cells. The protein helps repair double-stranded breaks in DNA and activates checkpoints that prevent damaged cells from dividing.
Researchers use echo-sounding equipment to create images of the ocean floor, providing evidence that West Antarctica was involved in the growth of the Antarctic Ice Sheet. The findings suggest that more of the continent hosted an ice sheet at the start of the 'icehouse' Earth period.
A new study published in AJPH confirms legal liability to employers of workplace smoke. Nonsmoking employees who breathe in tobacco smoke from customers and co-workers are exposed to a potent carcinogen called NNK, which increases with the number of hours worked.
Researchers Zeb Hogan and Sudeep Chandra document and protect massive freshwater fishes in Mekong Delta, critical to understanding and preservation of these species. The project highlights the global 'freshwater extinction crisis' affecting numerous species.
Researchers explored the use of autologous cells derived from bone marrow cells (BMC) to strengthen cardiac function and prevent heart attacks. The study found a significant reduction in clinical events, including death, heart attack, or revascularization, in patients who received BMC infusion compared to placebo.
A Northwestern University study found that juries give wrong verdicts in at least one out of eight cases, with agreement rates between judges and jurors varying between 77-80%. The study uses statistical analysis to estimate the accuracy of jury verdicts, suggesting that juries may be less accurate than judges in certain cases.
A study by University of Illinois Chicago researchers found that young adults who want to quit smoking are less likely to use evidence-based behavioral treatment. Only 4-5% of young adult smokers use any form of treatment, compared to 32% of older smokers.
A study published in The Lancet found that injecting autologous myoblasts and fibroblasts into the urethra improved continence rates for women with stress urinary incontinence. After 12 months, 38 out of 42 women treated with autologous cells were completely continent, compared to only two out of 21 women treated with collagen.
A recent study published in Complementary Health Practice Review found Rescue Remedy to be an effective all-natural stress reliever comparable to pharmaceutical drugs without adverse side effects. The remedy, containing five flower essences, was administered to 111 individuals and showed significant reduction in situational anxiety.
A new study identifies five distinct subtypes of alcoholism, including a young adult subtype characterized by low rates of co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders. The functional subtype is defined by well-educated individuals with stable jobs and families.
A study published in Psychological Science found that a highly reactive autonomic nervous system and stressful family environment contribute to increased instances of maladaptive personality change in children. Researchers assessed 138 elementary school-aged children using a Skin Conductance Response test, which measured their autonomi...
The BHCosmo simulation reveals the integral role of black holes in galaxy formation and cosmic evolution. It provides a deeper understanding of quasar formation and helps predict where to aim future telescopes for early cosmic events and galaxy structures.
Kent State University meteorologist Dr. Thomas Schmidlin studied parking garage safety as a 'refuge of last resort' during hurricanes. At what wind speeds are emergency vehicles safe to respond to emergencies?
Penn researchers have developed a new method for screening drug-resistant forms of HIV that analyzes multiple HIV variants simultaneously, while also reducing time and costs. The technique uses DNA bar coding and pyrosequencing to quantify and characterize hundreds of thousands of HIV variants for drug resistance in a single test.
A new type of engineered drug candidate has shown promise in treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia by targeting the CD37 protein on leukemia cells and triggering self-destruction. The agent works equally as well as rituximab, a commonly used treatment for CLL.
Researchers found that two proteins, HEF1 and Aurora A, control the temporary disappearance of cilia during normal cell division, leading to an untimely disassembly. This loss of cilia may contribute to cancer development by disrupting cellular response to environmental cues.
A new study found that male lupus patients have high frequency of sperm abnormalities associated with reduced testicular volume. Treatment with IV CYC was identified as the major factor in permanent damage to the testes, leading to lower median testicular volumes and semen abnormalities.
The LSUHSC School of Dentistry will lead a $3.3 million institute for infectious disease research, creating an educational component for Louisiana students and an intellectual stimulation program for faculty. The Clinical and Translational Research Education and Commercialization Program will support clinical research at the institutio...
A new study by Brown University researchers found that one in 10 hospice patients are referred 'too late' for services, resulting in unmet needs. Families who reported having a loved one referred 'too late' were dissatisfied with the care received and reported more pain management problems.
A new study from Bangladesh found that routine Hib vaccination prevented over one-third of life-threatening pneumonia cases and approximately 90% of Hib meningitis cases. The vaccine has been shown to be a feasible and highly effective way of preventing death related to Hib pneumonia and meningitis in Asian children.
The UK government's 10-year tobacco control efforts have achieved significant progress, but also faced criticism for lacking courage and commitment to implement policies. Smoking remains a major public health issue, despite the government's efforts.
Researchers have discovered a natural body lipid that signals cells to normalize growth and maturation. The finding, published in The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, shows that bypassing the signaling pathway restores normal differentiation of skin cells in diseases like psoriasis.
Research by UCF Professor Keith Ireton and colleagues reveals Listeria protein InlB induces internalization of human receptor Met, implicated in some cancers. Understanding this mechanism may lead to drug development targeting Met-related cancers.
Anthropologists have discovered the earliest-known evidence of peanut, cotton and squash farming in northern Peru, dating back 5,000 to 9,000 years. The findings suggest that agriculture played a broader role in cultural and social changes in the region than previously understood.
A new study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research found that femoro-acetabular impingement (FAI) was seen in all five healthy female volunteers, despite no reported hip pain. The results suggest that FAI may not be a cause of osteoarthritis in some racial groups, particularly in Asian populations.
A study by Penn State found that branding matters when searching online, with participants favoring Yahoo! and Google over MSN Live Search and an in-house engine. The researchers believe emotional branding has an impact on the evaluation of search engine results, leading to a 15% higher score for Yahoo!.
A study by USF Health found that rheumatologists consistently rate their patients' functional disability higher than the patients themselves, particularly in advanced stages of the disease. The researchers used the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and evaluated 223 patients, finding that rheumatologist...
Increasing cigarette taxes is an effective strategy for reducing tobacco use, but it can also reinforce smoking and undermine cessation efforts in low-income minority communities. The study found that illegal street sales of untaxed cigarettes increased after the price hike, making cessation programs less attractive.
A recent study analyzed 813 studies on meditation's impact on health issues like hypertension and stress. While some types of meditation show promise, the evidence is inconclusive due to poor methodological quality. Researchers call for more rigorous studies to determine meditation's effectiveness.
A Swedish study found that women who develop breast cancer are more likely to die from the disease if their daughters or sisters also have it. Research suggests a woman's breast cancer prognosis predicts survival of her first-degree relatives, with those whose mothers died within five years having a 70% chance of survival.
The Cervarix vaccine demonstrates effective protection against high-grade cervical pre-cancerous lesions caused by HPV types 16 and 18, and also provides additional protection against other strains of HPV that account for 10% of cervical cancers. The study involved over 18,000 women aged 15-25 years from around the world and found the ...
A new study shows surgery significantly improves results for patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis and spinal stenosis compared to non-surgical alternatives. Surgery provides quick relief from symptoms and improved function, especially within six weeks after the procedure.
A $2.5M NIH grant supports research using adult stem cells to engineer soft tissue for facial reconstruction after injuries or surgery. The Columbia University team aims to develop a process that allows patients to use their own stem cells to create long-lasting implants.
The Genographic Project, launched in 2005, uses genetics to address anthropological questions globally. The project provides a periodically-updated database comprising all donated data and the Nearest Neighbor haplogroup prediction tool, allowing for accurate classification of mitochondrial lineages.
Researchers at Ohio State University developed a new technology using nano-fibers that can conduct electricity and repel dirt. These fibers have diverse applications in self-cleaning surfaces, transparent electronics, and biomedical tools, including manipulating DNA strands.
A new study found no correlation between conflict and increased HIV prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa, contradicting a common belief. In fact, the prevalence of HIV infection decreased in urban areas affected by conflict, and refugees often had lower rates than their host communities.
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.