A study found that using narrow-spectrum antibiotics and providing feedback to doctors led to a significant drop in prescriptions of broad-spectrum agents and a fall in CDI rates. The research suggests that this approach could be successfully replicated in other hospitals to reverse the rapid increase in CDI.
Researchers studied the outcomes of treating ST- elevation myocardial infarction with PCI alone or with distal protection, finding similar major adverse cardiac events and electrocardiographic results. However, post-procedure blood flow was improved in patients treated with distal protection.
Researchers present new catheter-based approaches to repairing the mitral valve and treating coronary plaque, showing improved safety and feasibility. The MONARC system and sideKick stenting system demonstrate significant benefits in patients with moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation and bifurcation lesions.
Researchers found that lowering blood pressure with valsartan and other approaches improved diastolic function in patients with hypertension. The study, known as VALIDD, showed significant improvements in diastolic dysfunction, regardless of whether RAAS was inhibited or not.
New implantable device stimulates body's regulatory systems to control high blood pressure; computerized angioplasty protocol reduces risk of renarrowing and complications after coronary stenting.
A new noninvasive test may identify patients with stage II and III nonischemic cardiomyopathy who are likely to benefit from an ICD. The test, called abnormal T-Wave Alternans (TWA), shows that patients with a normal test have a very good prognosis and are unlikely to benefit from the device.
A new study found that serial outpatient administration of nesiritide did not significantly improve outcomes in patients with advanced heart failure. The trial, FUSION II, tested the safety and efficacy of this treatment approach and showed no evidence of renal harm or excess mortality.
A community-based study found that intensive dietary therapy and early dosing with a medication blocking harmful hormonal effects in the heart can improve cardiovascular health and survival rates after a heart attack. The Mediterranean diet was equally beneficial as a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet.
Research by Dutch social-psychologist Harm Veling demonstrates that our brains selectively remember useful information while suppressing distracting influences. However, this process requires mental energy and breaks down when individuals are fatigued.
Dutch researchers have developed a DNA layer that improves attachment, recovery, and immune response to body implants. The coating, patented by Jeroen van den Beucken, approximates the body's natural material, reducing inflammation and immune responses.
Dutch researcher Mike van der Kolk discovered that people who are frequently infected with malaria parasites can develop immunity against the gametocyte, inhibiting the spread of the parasite. This natural immunity prevents the parasite from reproducing in mosquitoes, ultimately stopping its transmission.
A study found that tolvaptan improves symptoms such as congestion and breathing difficulty, but has no effect on long-term mortality or re-hospitalization rates. The medication also showed promise in reducing fluid accumulation and improving sodium levels in patients with hyponatremia.
A study at Temple University found that listening repeatedly to heart sounds on an iPod improved the stethoscope skills of general internists, increasing correct identification rates to 80%. This technique relies on intensive repetition and is essential for recognizing abnormal heart sounds and identifying dangerous conditions.
A new study presents the first US controlled clinical trial using muscle stem cells to treat congestive heart failure. The procedure involves injecting autologous skeletal myoblasts into scarred tissue via a minimally invasive catheter, showing improved quality of life and potential cardiac function.
Third- and fourth-year dental students at the University at Buffalo are using tobacco counseling to encourage patients to quit. After eight hours of training, they adhere to a modified version of the '5 As' protocol, showing a 51% success rate in getting patients to quit immediately. Over six months, 32% of patients remain smoke-free.
The ABSORB trial demonstrated no stent thrombosis and a low rate of Major Adverse Cardiac Events after six months. The findings suggest that bioabsorbable drug-eluting stents may be a promising future therapy option for treating heart disease.
Researchers evaluated the safety and performance of a new bioabsorbable stent that eliminates several problems associated with metallic stents. At 30 days, device success was extremely high, and no patients experienced major adverse cardiac events or stent thrombosis.
Researchers investigate lifestyle choices and their impact on heart risks, exploring the effects of dark chocolate and nicotine patches on cardiovascular health. Studies find that flavonoids in dark chocolate can improve endothelial function in adults with BMI between 25-35 kg/m2.
New York University study reveals Homo rudolfensis had a small brain and protruding jaw, similar to Australopithecus and Paranthropus. The 1.9 million-year-old skull's features contradict the long-held depiction of modern man's earliest direct ancestor as having a vertical facial profile and large brain.
A new study attributes long-term survival rates after cardiac surgery to the rising use of cardiac drugs, including low-dose aspirin. Researchers found that lower doses of therapies may be just as beneficial while lowering side effects.
Researchers examined long-term follow-up of stents placed in infants with congenital heart disease, finding sustained benefits and the ability to safely enlarge stents as children grow. Additionally, studies investigated percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation, analyzing its mid-term outcomes and impact on device removal.
A NYU College of Dentistry research team analyzed caries and periodontal disease rates in over 1,500 immigrants from various countries. The study revealed significant ethnic differences, with Puerto Ricans, Haitians, and Indians more likely to suffer from periodontal disease, while Hispanics were more prone to dental caries.
A novel platelet therapy, SCH 530348, has demonstrated safety and efficacy in reducing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) complications. Major adverse events were reduced by 1.6-3.5% in low-dose cohorts compared to placebo. The treatment also showed a lower risk of death or major adverse events and heart attack compared to placebo.
A study comparing drug-eluting stents (DES) and bare-metal stents (BMS) found similar rates of complications, including stent thrombosis, MI, and mortality. However, DES patients had a slightly increased risk of stent thrombosis and heart attack between 12-15 months after implantation.
The SPIRIT-III trial shows that the Xience V Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System reduces target vessel failure, ischemic-driven revascularization procedures, and major adverse cardiac events compared to paclitaxel-eluting stents. This suggests a potential enhancement of outcomes for patients with coronary artery disease.
The symposium focuses on conducting oral health research in dental practice, discussing prominent challenges and opportunities. Representatives from PBRNs share experiences on recruitment, training, and study development.
A NYUCD research team found that Streptoccocus mutans, a bacterium associated with dental caries, has evolved along with its human hosts in Africa between 100,000 and 200,000 years ago. This oral bacterial evidence supports the dispersal of modern Homo sapiens out of Africa to Asia.
A long-term study found that salamander exposure to atrazine had persistent effects on mortality rates, even after recovery. Survivors of the exposure suffered lower survival rates compared to those not exposed to atrazine.
Research at University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine found that bacteria from dental plaque can cause ventilator-associated pneumonia. The study identified a strong relationship between oral and respiratory pathogens, suggesting that proper dental care may prevent lung disease.
Kiley M. Rode, a senior at Stevens Institute of Technology, has been awarded the highly competitive SOM Engineering Fellowship to travel to Europe and study aesthetic structures. She is also working on a critical project for her senior design thesis, exploring the renovation of Frank Lloyd Wright's Guggenheim Museum of New York City.
Scientists reconstructed land temperatures in tropical Africa over the past 25,000 years using a new method based on soil bacteria molecular fossils. The results show that tropical Africa was cooled more than the Atlantic Ocean during the last ice age, leading to drier conditions and a lush rainforest.
Biodegradable PolyHIPEs have been successfully used as tissue-engineering scaffolds for craniofacial reconstruction due to their rigid foam structure and ease of fabrication. This technique allows for the creation of interconnected pores, enabling efficient cell migration and tissue regeneration.
Researchers successfully engineered human cartilage using tissue engineering methods, demonstrating potential for therapeutic applications. The study also found that osteogenic protein-1 enhances cartilage production when added to chondrocytes on scaffolds.
Hispanics are the fastest growing minority population in the US, with socioeconomic and lifestyle differences contributing to preventable cancer deaths. A global initiative on cancer education and early detection could reduce mortality rates among this population.
Researchers factored in crustal strength changes to improve predictive models for earthquakes along the San Andreas Fault. The study found a disparity between observations and mechanical models, suggesting that crustal changes in fault segments should be included in future models.
A team of researchers led by Kyung Byung Yoon found that manually applying microcrystals to a substrate yields superior results compared to self-assembly methods. The manual process allows for denser packing and more regular orientation of microcrystals, making it preferable in the overlapping range of 0.5 to 3 µm.
The St. Jude study found that cells shift their biochemical activities to conserve energy by increasing glucose production and recycling CoA, a key player in metabolism. The researchers also showed that PanK controls the concentration of CoA in specific locations within the cell.
Analyses of glacial sedimentary rocks in Oman have produced clear evidence of hot-cold cycles during the Cryogenian period, approximately 850-544 million years ago. These findings undermine hypotheses of an ice age so severe that Earth's oceans completely froze over.
A new study published in PLoS Genetics used computer simulations to trace genetic changes over thousands of generations in a simulated population, testing the effectiveness of statistical genetic methods in identifying multiple genes causing complex diseases. The researchers found that known methods are limited and identified which met...
Researchers are conducting a study to analyze saliva and gingival crevicular fluid using proteomics to identify unique proteins in oral fluids. This analysis may lead to the discovery of new ways to diagnose and treat diseases such as HIV, hepatitis, and certain cancers.
Researchers have found a new class of gold catalysts that can act as both an acceptor and a donor of electrons in chemical reactions. This unique property allows gold to participate in reactions at carbon-carbon bonds, leading to the creation of novel organic molecules.
Researchers have developed a method to produce enamel-like tissue in culture, using epithelial cells extracted from developing teeth and seeded onto collagen scaffolds. This breakthrough could lead to the regeneration of whole teeth and treatment of damaged or missing enamel, revolutionizing dental care.
The Extreme Makeover show promotes a radical makeover program that enforces conformity to societal norms. The program sells the idea of cosmetic surgery as a means to uncover one's authentic self, but actually reinforces gender, age, class, and race standards.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have discovered that estradiol helps maintain bone density by stopping the activation of caspase-3, an enzyme involved in osteoblast apoptosis. This finding suggests that estrogens may prevent both bone loss and fractures through anti-apoptotic effects on bone cells.
Researchers created mice with both human and mouse visual receptors, allowing them to distinguish between previously indistinguishable colors. This breakthrough suggests the brain can adapt to new sensory information quickly, challenging the idea that early primates developed trichromatic vision gradually over time.
In Beijing, patients use 'shang huo' to describe oral health issues like tooth pain and swelling. This concept illustrates how multiple medical traditions interact within a single oral health culture.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found that mothers' knowledge of local plants is a key factor in determining their children's health, particularly in remote areas where globalization is threatening traditional folk knowledge.
Researchers successfully engineered mice to see colors beyond the normal range by introducing a single human gene that codes for a light sensor. This breakthrough demonstrates the flexibility of the mammalian brain in processing sensory information, opening new avenues for understanding the evolution of color vision.
A new gene, kalirin, has been discovered that may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease. The research suggests a biological mechanism never before linked to the disease and could lead to novel ways to treat or prevent it.
A new report highlights Alaska's successful ocean conservation efforts and calls for continued vigilance to address climate change impacts on marine ecosystems. The 'Alaska Model' has been cited as a leading example of science-based management, with catch limits set below recommended harvest levels.
A new study by Group Health researchers found that phone-based therapy can lead to long-term positive effects on depression symptoms. Patients who received telephone psychotherapy soon after starting antidepressant medication showed strong positive effects at 18 months, with 77 percent reporting improved depression symptoms.
The Kirk A. Landon-AACR Prize for Basic Cancer Research recognizes Dr. Richard Kolodner for his work on DNA mismatch repair and its connection to human cancer. The Dorothy P. Landon-AACR Prize for Translational Cancer Research honors Douglas Lowy and John Schiller for their development of the human papillomavirus vaccine.
A new nasal spray treatment using a virus enzyme shows promise in preventing acute otitis media and secondary pneumonia in mice infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae. The treatment uses lysine to eliminate bacteria from the ear, reducing the risk of middle ear infection.
Research suggests that prenatal exposure to glucocorticoids can have deleterious effects on newborns, impairing growth, glucose regulation, and cortisol production. High levels of dexamethasone impaired postnatal development, leading to increased blood pressure and changes in cardiometabolic function.
The NIH is launching a large-scale clinical trial to explore the potential of creatine as a treatment for Parkinson's disease. The study aims to slow the progression of the disease and improve quality of life for patients.
Perry L. McCarty's work in environmental biotechnology has led to the development of economical wastewater treatment processes, including anaerobic systems that utilize beneficial microbes. His research aims to protect ecological and drinking water resources by treating wastewater.
A recent report by Brandeis University reveals that health insurance fails to provide financial protection for millions of Americans, leading to widespread debt and access problems. The study highlights the need for clearer rules and standards of accountability for health insurers.
Researchers at UCL induce dyscalculia in normal subjects using TMS, finding a causal link between right parietal lobe malfunction and the math learning disorder. This breakthrough study has implications for diagnosis and treatment, potentially leading to earlier interventions and more effective remedial teaching.
Researchers at Purdue University found that adding manufactured fullerenes to soil had no adverse effects on microorganisms or soil function. The study's results provide baseline data for future research on the impact of various types and sizes of nanomaterials on the environment.
Researchers at UC San Diego and University of Hawaii will analyze avian flu genomes using bioinformatics software and a computational grid. The project aims to combat emerging bird flu pandemic threats using reverse genetics techniques and promotes global cooperation in case of a flu pandemic.