A new study has identified hospital bed placement, staff working with symptoms of SARS, and oxygen therapy as significant risk factors for the spread of respiratory infections in hospitals. The findings have implications for controlling other respiratory disease threats, including pandemic influenza.
A lack of resources and political leadership are major contributors to the slow progress toward meeting the UN's sanitation target. Improving water quality is not enough without proper sanitation facilities, which can have a significant impact on household health and education.
A team at the University of Cincinnati discovered a new way to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria by substituting gallium for iron, preventing bacterial growth and biofilm formation. This method shows promise in treating lung infections, particularly in cystic fibrosis patients.
Richard Bond, a renowned cosmologist at the University of Toronto, has won the Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering. His research has provided crucial insights into the universe's current structure, shedding light on dark matter and its role in shaping the cosmos.
A blood pressure drug has shown potential as a new treatment for lung cancer, shrinking tumor volume by 30% in mice. The hormone angiotensin-(1-7) was found to reduce cyclooxygenase-2, an enzyme that regulates cell growth, and may provide a novel approach to treating the deadly disease.
Two new interferon-gamma blood test assays detected latent tuberculosis infection in supermarket customers who had been exposed to a contagious employee, but traditional tuberculin skin tests did not. The blood tests showed a better correlation with exposure than TSTs.
A study published in The Lancet found that chest-compression-only resuscitation boosts survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The study analyzed 4,068 cases of witnessed collapse and found a 19.4% favorable neurological survival rate when bystanders administered chest compressions without mouth-to-mouth ventilations.
Researchers at the University of Washington discovered that Gallium inhibits the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and prevents biofilm formation, offering a potential therapeutic solution for cystic fibrosis patients. Inhalation of Gallium also protected mice from P. aeruginosa lung infections.
Complex health decisions rely on estimates of disease burden from various sources, many of which are marketed by skilled advocates. To inform decision-making, it's essential to assess and interpret these statistics critically.
A clinical trial found that daily zinc supplements reduced the risk of death among children aged 12-48 months by 18%. However, no significant reduction was observed in mortality among children under 1 year old. The study suggests benefits for zinc supplementation beyond just reducing pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria cases.
Scientists have discovered that an attenuated form of poliovirus can effectively destroy neuroblastoma tumors in mice without harming them. The study's findings suggest that this approach could represent a new, safe means of treating childhood cancer and potentially other cancers in adults.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki have discovered a new effective treatment modality for KSHV-infected lymphomas by reactivating the p53 pathway. The study shows that Nutlin-3a, a small-molecule inhibitor, selectively induces massive apoptosis in PEL cells.
Only 20% of children with persistent asthma have optimal control, according to a survey-based study published in Ambulatory Pediatrics. The study found that 43% of children receiving medications still experienced poor symptom control, highlighting the need for improved education and trigger avoidance strategies.
The Medical Training Application Service (MTAS) has been plagued by problems, including computer failures and inadequate reflection of practical experience. The Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) curriculum is also failing, with concerns over the new fast-track production system producing inadequately experienced consultants. The Lancet...
Researchers analyzed DNA data from mammal and bird species in the Americas to find speciation occurs faster in temperate zones than tropics. This is due to a higher turnover of species in temperate areas, resulting in more new species emerging.
A new fiber-based light source promises to improve the inspection of food, produce, paper, currency, recyclables and other products by providing a bright, rectangular beam of light. This design enables line-scan cameras to sort products at higher speeds with improved accuracy.
A new study reveals that Muslim schools in Britain could be an effective way to integrate religious minorities into British citizenship. The seven state-funded Muslim schools have exceptionally high academic achievement records and offer a curriculum that promotes universal dignity and worth.
A study of over 34,000 women found that consuming apples was associated with reduced risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease. Flavonoids in apples were found to be linked with the reduction of bad cholesterol, a major contributor to cardiovascular disease.
Researchers discovered Nutlin-3a induces apoptosis in human PEL cell lines by disrupting LANA-p53 interaction, causing substantial tumor regression in mice with established PEL. This reactivation of the p53 pathway may provide a viable therapeutic option for individuals with KSHV-induced lymphomas.
The Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovation Award provides seed funding for junior scientists with high-risk, high-reward ideas in cancer research. The program aims to apply a venture capital philosophy to scientific research, investing in fresh perspectives and innovative approaches.
Researchers argue that calculating a global temperature is mathematically impossible due to the complexity of the Earth's climate system. The concept relies on averaging multiple temperatures from different locations, which can lead to misleading conclusions about climate trends.
A new NASA study finds that Earth's 'sunscreen' of aerosols has declined since the early 1990s, which could have given a boost to global warming. The finding sheds light on recent climate change trends and may lead to improved understanding of the forces at work.
The Mars Express radar instrument has mapped the thickness of dusty ice deposits at Mars' south pole, estimating a liquid layer about 11 meters deep. The findings suggest that polar layered deposits contain most of the known water on modern Mars.
The Wilson Center and Pew Charitable Trusts are expanding their efforts to examine the risks and benefits of nanotechnology. The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies will provide objective, in-depth analysis and policy recommendations to manage environmental, health, and social impacts.
A study published in The Lancet found that cardiac-only resuscitation (chest compressions only) yields better outcomes than conventional CPR, especially for patients with apnea or shockable cardiac rhythms. This approach may increase bystander-initiated resuscitation efforts and improve survival rates.
The Integrated Microbial Genomes (IMG) data management system has been updated with new microbial genomes from NCBI's RefSeq collection, model eukaryotic genomes, and plasmids. This update brings a total of 2,782 genomes to the system, including 481 new public microbial genomes.
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has awarded its first-ever early site permit for a new nuclear power reactor, marking a significant step in the country's nuclear renaissance. PNNL researchers are assisting NRC with environmental and safety reviews, and document preparation.
A study by researchers at New York University's Departments of Psychology found that the neural process for acquiring fears through social observation is similar to that of direct experience. The brain's amygdala plays a critical role in both processes, indicating that observing others' emotional states can evoke empathic responses and...
Research suggests that obstructive sleep apnea patients with moderate to severe disease are at higher risk for stroke due to silent brain infarction lesions. The use of continuous positive airway pressure therapy has been shown to lower markers of platelet activation and reduce the incidence of subsequent ischemic brain lesions.
Scientists have built an artificial version of the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase (CcO), which is crucial for generating energy in the body. The new model has shed light on the causes of cancer and may lead to breakthroughs in alternative energy production.
A study found that tiny spontaneous gene mutations are 10 times more prevalent in sporadic cases of autism spectrum disorders than in healthy control subjects. The researchers propose that these anomalies are primary causes of the disorder in most cases when present, and may contribute to disease equally across the sexes.
Researchers found a potential biomarker for preeclampsia in elevated autoantibodies, associated with increased cardiovascular risk. The study suggests these autoantibodies may also be related to high blood pressure and inflammation.
A new study from the University of Missouri-Columbia found that men with higher levels of traditional masculinity tend to display greater improvement in their recovery from serious injuries. The study suggests that this strength and resilience may encourage men to seek help and recover more quickly.
Recent advances in bipolar II disorder and related disorders highlight the need for further research due to changes in diagnostic criteria and mixed profiles. Treatment options, such as mood stabilisers, are recommended for mixed depression, but controlled pharmacological studies are lacking.
A study at Ohio State University found that losing one copy of the Wwox gene greatly increases lung cancer risk in mice. Even with one working copy, they developed five times more lung tumors than those with two copies.
Researchers from the University of Washington developed a new antibacterial strategy using Gallium, which inhibits the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and prevents biofilm formation. Additionally, studies suggest that Nutlin-3a may reactivate the p53 pathway to treat Kaposi's sarcoma virus-induced lymphomas. Another study found that a...
Scientists identified four Antarctic glaciers posing a threat to future sea levels, with East and West Antarctica's glaciers retreating in unison. A 0.35mm/year sea level rise due to the two ice sheets is about 12% of the current global trend.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have discovered a cellular mechanism that regulates DNA replication after exposure to UV radiation, potentially offering new protection against skin cancer. The study identified two proteins, Timeless and Tipin, which form a complex to slow down DNA replication in response to damage.
A new study reveals that diabetes causes erectile dysfunction by affecting the brain's nitric oxide mechanisms. The researchers found that restoring nitric oxide production in the brain can alleviate erectile dysfunction in diabetic rats.
A new study found that routine colonoscopic surveillance improves survival for colorectal cancer patients. Patients who underwent regular follow-up colonoscopies had better five-year survival rates compared to those who did not receive screenings.
A new University of Colorado at Boulder study suggests that the Arctic sea ice decline may have reached a tipping point, triggering a cascade of climate change affecting Earth's temperate regions. The loss of ice could lead to changes in atmospheric patterns, impacting weather and agriculture globally.
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz determine the 3D structure of an RNA enzyme, or ribozyme, that carries out a fundamental reaction required to make new RNA molecules. The discovery provides insight into what may have been the first self-replicating molecule to arise billions of years ago.
A small clinical trial of escitalopram, an antidepressant medication, found no conclusive benefit in treating kleptomania. However, the results suggest that some medications may still be effective for certain patients.
A new online book, 'When Grandpa Comes Home: A Story About Stroke,' is now available to help children understand the causes and effects of a stroke. The illustrated book, written by a student intern and artist, aims to reduce fear and uncertainty in kids who witness a family member's stroke.
Michael Shay, a UD assistant professor of physics and astronomy, received an NSF Faculty Early Career Development Award to study magnetic reconnection and its impact on space weather. His research aims to predict solar storms and protect astronauts and satellites.