A study by the University of Rochester Medical Center has found a link between phthalate exposure and increased belly fat and insulin resistance in men. The research suggests that low-dose exposures to phthalates may contribute to rising obesity rates and related disorders such as Type 2 diabetes.
Neurobiologists have found that DNA methylation is necessary for forming memories and regulates the activity of genes involved in memory formation. The study suggests that epigenetic regulation has a significant impact on behavioral changes brought about by environmental stimuli.
The new program aims to redesign the Internet with secure corporate networks like Ethane, wireless spectrum allocation optimization, and high-efficiency optical switches. Stanford researchers aim to create a fresh start for the Internet with innovative solutions.
George M. Whitesides, a renowned Harvard chemist, has been awarded the Priestley Medal for his distinguished service to chemistry over 40 years. His groundbreaking research in diverse areas such as NMR, materials science, and nanotechnology has laid the groundwork for advances in electronics, pharmaceuticals, and medical diagnostics.
A new study reveals that homing pigeons have a complex three-dimensional pattern in the sensory dendrites of their beak skin that reacts to the Earth's magnetic field vector. This allows them to identify their geographical position without relying on visual cues.
Scientists have discovered a new species of clouded leopard found only in Borneo and Sumatra, characterized by distinct physical features. The genetic analysis revealed significant differences between the two species, with around 40 nucleotide variations, suggesting divergence around 1.4 million years ago.
A cross-sectional study of 460 Pakistani patients found that 77% were adherent to their medications, with social and family structures playing a key role in high adherence rates. Younger age, poor awareness, and symptomatic treatment negatively affected adherence, whereas mono-therapy and psychosocial factors showed no association.
A study of 55 patients found that 91% reported feeling hampered by headaches daily, and 37% experienced tension-type headaches several times a month. The total cost of all headache disorders in Denmark is approximately €74 million per million inhabitants per year.
Men diagnosed with obese prostate cancer have a 2.6-fold greater risk of dying compared to normal-weight men with the same profile, regardless of treatment or disease stage. Obesity also significantly increases risk of cancer spreading into distant organs, according to researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.
Researchers from Michigan State and Central Michigan universities develop a new approach to modeling atomic nuclei, reducing computational complexity by focusing on correlations between particles. This breakthrough enables more accurate predictions for the structure of heavy atomic nuclei.
Researchers at University of Bonn aim to tap into the sediment archives of Lake Van, which store climate data from 800,000 years ago. The sediments contain detailed information on temperature and precipitation patterns, allowing scientists to reconstruct past climates.
The Burroughs Wellcome Fund has awarded a total of $8.25 million to support established physician-scientists conducting translational research. This funding will enable these researchers to explore scientific questions, apply their knowledge at the bedside, and bring insights back to the laboratory.
Researchers have found that tiny tremors and temblors in fault zones are generated by slow-moving earthquakes that may precede mega-quakes. The study suggests that detecting these weak signals could be useful in forecasting seismic hazards, particularly in subduction zones where the most destructive earthquakes occur.
A two-stage model suggests that humans learn novel tasks by first processing stimulus shape and then discriminating between shapes to categorize objects. The study used fMRI to measure brain activity while participants learned to group cars into categories, revealing a complex interplay between lower and higher brain processes.
The new H2CAR process produces three times more biofuels from the same biomass, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and increasing efficiency. This could provide sustainable fuel for all US transportation sectors without additional land use.
Research suggests that a video of an extinct woodpecker in Arkansas may be a case of mistaken identity, as it closely resembles another native species. The analysis compares the footage with fresh recordings of the Pileated Woodpecker, revealing similarities in wing movement and plumage
A comprehensive analysis of 17 major studies on intercessory prayer found a positive effect, suggesting that prayer offered for the benefit of another person yields positive results. However, the study also notes that standard treatments should be used as the primary method of treatment for conditions like depression.
A former EPA official urges policymakers to address oversight system gaps, emphasizing risk criteria, information reporting requirements, and risk management tools. The report highlights the need for 'novel solutions' and openness in decision-making processes.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers reveals a high incidence of obesity among Baltimore's homeless children and caregivers, with nearly half of the children being overweight or at risk. The study highlights the need for healthier meal options and indoor physical activities in high-crime areas to combat this growing epidemic.
A study by the University of Chicago Medical Center found that a specialized chiropractic adjustment can lower blood pressure significantly in individuals with a misaligned Atlas vertebra and high blood pressure. The results showed a decrease equal to taking two blood-pressure drugs at once, with no change in heart rate.
Researchers developed a new ultrasound-based test that can accurately predict ovarian response and IVF success. The antral follicle count was found to be an effective predictor of egg production, providing a less costly and invasive alternative to current hormone-based tests.
A team of UBC researchers has re-classified an ancient line of aquatic plants as closely related to water lilies, challenging long-held botanical assumptions. The discovery sheds new light on the evolution of flowering plants, dating back at least 135 million years.
Researchers at WashU Medicine found that two anti-epileptic drugs can significantly reduce permanent hearing loss in mice exposed to loud noises. The drugs, trimethadione and ethosuximide, work by inhibiting the movement of calcium ions into nerve cells, which play a role in causing damage to hair cells and nerve cells.
Researchers at Rockefeller University successfully differentiated embryonic stem cells into fully functional granule neurons, the most plentiful neuron in the cerebellum. This breakthrough study marks a significant step toward understanding how to regulate embryonic stem cells and potentially use them for cell replacement therapy.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have developed a novel drug delivery system using nanocrystals of hydrophobic drugs, which can target tumors with comparable efficacy to conventional surfactant-based systems. The system eliminates the need for separate carriers, reducing toxicity and improving drug penetration.
Scientists have successfully traced associative learning to early stages of the visual processing pathway, suggesting a more general property of the brain. By training monkeys to associate objects with specific signals, researchers found that neurons in the middle temporal area responded to both the original stimulus and the associated...
A new study found that children with two myopic parents wearing progressive-addition lenses showed slower myopia progression compared to those wearing single-vision lenses. The five-year study identified parental refractive error as a key factor in myopia progression, suggesting that special lenses may be beneficial for certain children.
Researchers used gene therapy to shut down a key gene responsible for inherited blindness, reducing mutated rhodopsin by 60%, in an effort to develop a treatment for retinitis pigmentosa. The technique may restore vision in affected individuals if successful.
Researchers found that periodontal disease can cause pre-diabetic characteristics and contribute to the progression of Type 2 diabetes. The study used rat models to investigate the relationship between periodontitis and pre-diabetes, highlighting the importance of oral health in preventing diabetes.
A study found no difference in the relapse rate of people with compulsive-buying disorder when taking escitalopram compared to those on a placebo, contradicting previous research findings. The results may be due to differences in biological roots among individuals with the disorder.
Researchers found that both chemical and mechanical stimuli trigger the same messenger molecule, cAMP, in olfactory nerve cells. This suggests that mechanosensitivity exists in all mammals, including humans, without a septal organ, enhancing our ability to smell and synchronizing breathing with inhaling.
A UCSF policy expert proposes a hybrid single-payer plan to provide universal healthcare, covering catastrophic accidents and chronic illnesses. The plan aims to improve equity and efficiency by incorporating aspects of both single-payer models and PPOs.
A team of German astronomers has identified a new globular cluster in the Milky Way, comprising approximately 100,000 stars. The discovery is significant as it provides unique laboratory conditions to investigate various aspects of astrophysics and sheds light on the formation and evolution of galaxies.
A study by Max-Planck-Gesellschaft researchers found that disabling Ret-receptors in mice leads to earlier death of dopaminergic neurons, similar to Parkinson's disease. The loss of these neurons is a hallmark of the disease, and the study suggests that preserving this function may be crucial for preventing neurodegeneration.
Researchers will collect DNA samples from 3,000 autism patients to identify variants and develop treatments. The project will advance knowledge on subtypes of autism, promoting targeted therapies.
Researchers created a model to better understand silica scaling in geothermal wells, providing accurate indicators of its impact. The study aims to control silica scaling and reduce maintenance costs for geothermal power plants, potentially increasing the adoption of this clean energy source.
A short walk can significantly reduce cravings for cigarettes in smokers, helping them manage withdrawal symptoms and resist the urge to smoke. Moderate exercise can be as effective as a drug in reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making it a valuable tool for quitting smoking.
A study by the University of New South Wales found that 78% of pedestrian collisions occur when pedestrians are crossing roads without marked crossings, and many people misunderstand right-of-way rules at intersections. The researchers suggest that better education and awareness are needed to reduce road trauma.
Research suggests that patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms have better survival chances if treated at hospitals with high volumes of these cases. Large centres of excellence can prevent bad outcomes, including death, through specialized care. A minimum of 43 performed surgeries is required for significant success rates.
A massive cold-water eddy has been discovered off the coast of Sydney, altering the East Australian Current's flow. The eddy's impact on the Tasman Sea ecosystem is still unknown.
A recent study published in JAMA found that heart attack patients with financial barriers experience poorer recovery and quality of life. Patients who avoided healthcare services or medication due to cost were more likely to have increased rates of rehospitalization and lower quality-of-life scores.
The stability of cellular oscillators depends on specific biochemical processes, reflecting recent association studies. The researchers' mathematical model identified the molecular parameters responsible for the stability of internal body clocks.
A new study from Michigan Medicine reveals that obese patients have a higher risk of post-operative complications, including heart attack, wound infection, nerve injury, and urinary tract infection. The study found that morbidly obese patients had a death rate nearly twice as high as non-obese patients.
Uninsured individuals are more likely to receive less medical care, including recommended follow-up care, after a sudden health change. They also experience larger declines in short-term health and report worse health status months later.
A recent study by Daniel Lassiter found that videotaped confessions focusing exclusively on the suspect can lead judges and law enforcement officers to consider the statements as voluntary. This 'camera-perspective bias' affects trial participants' perceptions, potentially influencing wrongful convictions. The research aims to prevent ...
Research suggests that thermodynamic stability of DNA/DNA and RNA/DNA duplexes affects mRNA transcription levels. The study found stable sense duplexes in coding sequences and increased mRNA levels with increasing stability.
Interferon gamma has been found to play a role in tumor relapse, a development that may lead to the creation of targeted vaccines. This finding is significant as it could help induce specific immune responses in patients, potentially preventing tumor growth and relapse.
A national study by Boston College found that over a quarter of US businesses are unprepared for the effects of an aging workforce. Many companies lack strategies to encourage late-career workers to stay past retirement age and face significant HR challenges, including recruiting competent job applicants and management skill shortages.
A recent study found that financial constraints hinder heart attack patients from seeking healthcare services or taking vital medications, resulting in poorer health outcomes. Patients with unaffordable medications had a 50% higher chance of being re-hospitalized for cardiac conditions.
Researchers found that adolescence leads to a significant loss of neurons in the ventral prefrontal cortex, particularly in females, which challenges current models of brain development. This finding has implications for understanding human psychopathologies like schizophrenia and depression that often arise during late adolescence.
Researchers used MRI scans to simulate everyday experience of people with cochlear implants, finding the angular gyrus plays a key role in decoding distorted sentences. In noisy environments, other brain regions are engaged to help interpret predictable speech.
A new species of snapper, Lutjanus alexandrei, has been discovered in the Abrolhos region of Brazil's South Atlantic Ocean. The species was previously mistaken for a dog snapper and was found to have distinct markings and color.
Scientists have discovered a new type of cell that plays a role in cancer development, which can either remain benign or become malignant depending on environmental cues. The finding may help define the role of cancer stem cells in tumor growth and recurrence.
A new study reports that zolpidem, an insomnia drug, temporarily improved brain function in a patient with akinetic mutism. The patient was able to communicate and perform basic functions after receiving the drug for insomnia. PET scans revealed increased brain activity in areas involved in motivation and cognitive processing.
Increased expression of an accessory subunit of L-type calcium channels is linked to altered channel behavior in human heart failure. Researchers have identified a causal role for this protein overexpression in the development of cardiac dysfunction.
The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine honored several individuals who have significantly contributed to the field of medical diagnostic ultrasound. The awards, including the William J. Fry Memorial Lecture Award and the Distinguished Sonographer Award, were presented at the 2007 AIUM Annual Convention in New York City.
Dr William O'Brien Jr is recognized for his numerous contributions to the scientific progress of diagnostic medical ultrasound. He has published 318 papers and received a National Institutes of Health MERIT award.
The authors propose a market-based approach to increase the value of care delivered, organizing care around medical conditions and integrating treatment with prevention. Measuring results-risk-adjusted outcomes and costs-per-medical-condition is crucial for improving value.
A new study suggests that aging has evolved as a strategy to allow family lines to persist longer. By concentrating cellular damage in one individual, the rest of the line can continue to reproduce without harm. This asymmetric reproduction method may be favored by evolution due to its potential to increase longevity.
Children raised in one-parent households are at a higher risk for childhood sexual abuse, according to a study. The risk is particularly high in lower-income families where the single parent may be absent more frequently, making children more vulnerable to predators.