Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution compiled longest-ever record of Atlantic hurricane strikes, revealing strong connection between El Niño/Southern Oscillation and West African monsoon. Long-term trends indicate periods of more frequent intense hurricanes from 5,000 to 3,600 years ago and 1700 AD to present.
The American Academy of Neurology has published a new guideline for treating Lyme disease affecting the nervous system, finding conventional antibiotic courses highly effective. Prolonged antibiotic treatment does not improve outcomes for patients with persistent symptoms after standard therapy.
A study found that adolescents experiencing relational aggression perceive their schools as less safe and have a lower quality social atmosphere. Relational aggression is linked to increased carrying of weapons among boys but not girls.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have found that Botox injections can reduce prostate size and alleviate urinary tract symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Up to 73% of patients experienced improved quality of life and reduced symptoms for up to a year after treatment.
Daytrana demonstrated significant improvements in symptom control, tolerability, and safety in children with ADHD over a 12-month period. The study showed effective treatment of ADHD symptoms, with 83% and 78% of parents reporting 'very much improved' or 'much improved' outcomes.
Researchers at University of Delaware and Delaware State University received nearly $1 million to develop blast-resistant materials and MIMO radar systems. The goal is to create a powerful tool for detecting bombs, enemy targets, and assisting rescue operations.
A study of over 3,000 adults with asthma found that obese patients are more likely to have severe asthma and experience increased healthcare utilization. The researchers also noted that obese patients were less likely to be in asthma remission compared to non-overweight patients.
Women who drink in moderation have a significantly lower risk of heart attack compared to abstainers, with daily drinkers experiencing the most benefits. Moderate drinking reduces heart attack risk regardless of beverage preference or pattern.
A new report by former EPA assistant administrator J. Clarence Davies calls for immediate action to address the challenges of nanotechnology. The report recommends over 25 steps to improve oversight of nanotechnology, including launching a voluntary program to collect risk information and setting up an interagency regulatory coordinati...
A new study published at the American Thoracic Society Meeting found that bronchial thermoplasty improved pulmonary function, asthma control, and quality of life in severe asthma patients. After one year, 50% of patients were able to completely wean off oral corticosteroids, with significant improvements in medication use.
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute have received a four-year, $2 million award to continue development of the ASSISTment intelligent tutoring system. The system will provide teachers and parents with immediate feedback on student performance, helping them offer individualized instruction and track student progress over time.
The first issue of the HFSP Journal showcases innovative interdisciplinary research at the interface between biology and physics. The journal features articles on topics such as magnetoreception, ERKII signaling, and protein evolution, highlighting the intersection of multiple scientific disciplines.
A new study found that only 9% of breast cancer specialists adhere to guidelines for follow-up care, with varying frequencies of mammograms and discharge times. The research highlights the need for improved coordination between specialists and general practitioners to provide better patient care.
The Clostridium botulinum genome, the source of the world's deadliest toxin, is remarkably stable and shows limited genetic variation. The organism uses a single-minded opportunistic approach to survive, relying on its ability to form dormant spores and attack animal hosts with its potent toxin.
A study suggests that new adult brain cells play a crucial role in lifelong learning by exhibiting plasticity similar to young brains. The researchers found that these cells have a critical period of adaptability before settling into mature properties, enabling them to contribute to specific brain functions throughout life.
Researchers found that hospitals with lower-volume, lower-level NICUs had a significantly higher newborn death rate for very low birth weight infants. The study suggests increased regionalization of NICU births to high-level facilities may reduce infant mortality.
A study from Massachusetts General Hospital reveals that aspirin's colorectal cancer prevention mechanism depends on the inhibition of COX-2 enzyme. Regular aspirin intake only reduced the incidence of colorectal tumors that overexpress COX-2, highlighting a potential target for personalized treatment strategies.
Lilly Oncology will present data on three oncology agents, ALIMTA, GEMZAR, and enzastaurin, at the 43rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. The company's studies focus on various types of cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer and breast cancer.
A new study published in Diabetes Care identifies two critical factors that increase the risk of recurrent wounds in diabetics: the location under the big toe and poor blood flow. This information can help physicians predict and prevent complications, including gangrene and amputation.
A study found that socially disadvantaged TB patients face complex needs and barriers to care, including poverty, homelessness, and lack of access to healthcare. Researchers emphasize the need for integrated social models of care to address these challenges and improve treatment outcomes.
A colon cancer researcher outlines the benefits of aspirin in preventing colon cancer in high-risk individuals. Dr. Sanford Markowitz' editorial provides a roadmap for how medical science should employ aspirin and new aspirin-like drugs to decrease the risk of developing colon cancer.
Researchers have found a significant reduction in the overall colorectal tumor miss rate using advanced colonoscopy technologies, establishing a new benchmark for accurate screening and detection. High levels of C-reactive protein are also associated with increased risk of colorectal adenoma in men, but not in women.
The University of Delaware is building 'IceTop,' a surface array of detectors for the IceCube project, which aims to detect high-energy particles from space. The telescope will provide new insights into cosmic events and reveal their inner workings.
A new study presented at the American Psychiatric Association 2007 Annual Meeting found that ramelteon did not impair middle-of-the-night balance, mobility, or memory performance in older adults with insomnia. The study also demonstrated that patients treated with zolpidem had impaired performances on these measures.
A study by Cardiff University found that DNA similarity between African bushbuck populations can reveal similarities and differences in ecoregions. The research identifies 28 key regions for the species, providing a framework for pan-African conservation efforts.
A study of 19,560 Kenyan children with acute falciparum malaria found that nearly half developed seizures, coma, or impaired consciousness. Neurological involvement was associated with increased mortality and long-term neurological sequelae.
A new study published by the American Thoracic Society found that obese adults are more likely to experience persistent or severe asthma compared to their thinner counterparts. The study analyzed data from 3,059 adults with asthma and found a significant association between obesity and increased risk of asthma severity.
The article reviews medical literature to provide US clinicians with updated guidelines for diagnosing and treating malaria. Key findings include the importance of considering malaria in the differential diagnosis based on travel history and prompt treatment.
Recent research evaluates the progress made to date in diagnosing and treating pancreatic cancer, highlighting promising new applications of technology that will improve survival rates. The studies also identify key predictors of malignancy, including age, gender, symptoms, and radiographic features.
A study by Weill Cornell Medical College researchers found that immune antibodies penetrate neurons and reduce levels of Alzheimer's-linked amyloid peptides, offering new hope for immunotherapy against the disease. The discovery could also advance treatment for other immune diseases.
The study found that adults taking adjunctive aripiprazole had a greater reduction in MADRS Total Score compared to placebo, indicating improved depressive symptoms. Common adverse events included akathisia, insomnia, and restlessness, with a lower discontinuation rate due to adverse events for aripiprazole.
The study estimates that only 6.7% of households at risk of malaria possess at least one insecticide-treated net (ITN). To meet the 80% coverage target, an estimated 130-264 million ITNs are required for children under 5 and pregnant women in high-risk areas.
A recent study has linked sleep apnea to a higher incidence of gestational diabetes and pregnancy-induced high blood pressure. The researchers analyzed data from over 4 million deliveries and found that women with sleep apnea were more likely to develop these conditions, particularly when their weight was taken into account.
Researchers found that sleep-deprived individuals can only process a small number of objects at a time, leading to memory decline. The brain's visual areas are also impaired, making it difficult to focus attention.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have developed a new imaging technique called magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to diagnose liver diseases. MRE accurately measures the hardness or elasticity of the liver, enabling non-invasive diagnosis of fibrosis and cirrhosis.
A team of Texas A&M researchers is recovering artifacts from a 200-year-old shipwreck in the Gulf of Mexico, making it the deepest such recovery effort ever attempted. The vessel's identity and origin remain a mystery, but analysis suggests it was likely from the late 1700s or early 1800s.
Researchers mapped Saturn's rings using a 'CAT scan' method, confirming the presence of clumps and empty gaps. The discovery may help explain the origin and age of Saturn's rings.
Long-term study results show that LIALDA (mesalamine) is effective in maintaining remission and preventing relapse in patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. Nearly 9 out of 10 patients on once-daily LIALDA remained relapse free at the end of 12 months.
Studies suggest that phosphodiesterase inhibitors, commonly used for erectile dysfunction, can also alleviate lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Researchers found improved scores on the International Index of Erectile Function and International Prostate Symptom Score, indicating potential benefit...
The Cassini spacecraft has mapped the structure of Saturn's rings, revealing densely packed particle clumps that are constantly forming and colliding. The findings suggest the mass of the rings may be twice or more previous estimates, with implications for understanding the origin and age of Saturn's ring system.
Dr. Mani Mahadevan's research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying DM1, a genetic disorder causing progressive muscle weakness and disability. His team has developed a mouse model to study toxic RNA production, which may lead to a viable treatment for the disease.
A University of Missouri-Columbia researcher discovered over 50 new insect species in Thailand's mountainous streams and waterfalls. The newly identified species possess painful bites but serve no specific ecological purpose, feeding on other insects and small fish.
A team of Purdue researchers has created a system that can pinpoint passengers who contaminate airline cabins with hazardous materials or pathogens. The technique, called "inverse simulation," analyzes airflow patterns and uses data from sensors to track the source of contaminants.
Astronomers using NASA's Swift satellite have discovered that energetic flares seen after gamma-ray bursts are a continuation of the burst itself. GRBs release enormous energy in seconds, and long-duration bursts come from massive star collapse, forming black holes or neutron stars.
High-salt diets may increase the risk of severe gastric disease by inducing gene activity in H. pylori, making it more virulent. The study found that bacterial cells exposed to high salt concentrations exhibited morphological changes and increased transcription of virulence genes.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet shows naprapathy to be more effective in reducing back and neck pain, with 57% of patients reporting significant improvement after 12 weeks. The therapy combines manual manipulation and muscle treatments, offering a potential alternative to conventional medical advice.
A new study reveals how a fungus uses its circadian clock to control carotenoid production, protecting against sun damage. The discovery may also shed light on the regulation of human sleep cycles.
Researchers used fingerprints to count fisher populations, identifying individual animals and tracking their numbers in the wild. This method is simpler and less expensive than DNA fingerprinting, offering a promising tool for conservation.
Researchers at the University of Alberta found that African Americans value health states more highly due to differences in risk attitude and life expectancy. This difference may be attributed to a shorter life expectancy, making time preference for health states more important.
A recent study evaluated the incidence of malignancy in small pancreatic tumors and identified predictors such as age, gender, symptoms, and radiographic features. The findings suggest that very small tumors with no other symptoms or radiographic indicators have a low risk of malignancy.
A clinical trial evaluated three leading combination therapies for uncomplicated falciparum malaria and found artemether-lumefantrine to be the most effective. The study included 601 healthy children from Uganda and demonstrated significant reductions in treatment failure, anemia, and asymptomatic parasitemia.
Rising global temperatures are expected to alter infectious disease patterns, with increased transmission of diseases like malaria and influenza. Climate change is also linked to water-borne diseases, as extreme weather events strain aging infrastructure.
A recent study showed that exercise, specifically resistance training, can reverse the genetic fingerprint of aging in healthy senior citizens. After six months of twice-weekly resistance training, older adults' mitochondrial function and muscle strength improved significantly, with some even surpassing those of younger adults.
Despite progress in research, malaria persists as a major public health challenge due to limited vaccine development and drug resistance. The disease causes an estimated 1 million deaths annually and affects 3 billion individuals worldwide.
Researchers at Arizona State University have evolved new proteins in a fraction of the time it took nature, providing new lessons on how to optimize proteins. The team used 'synthetic evolution' to improve protein stability and binding efficiency, discovering that subtle amino acid changes can significantly enhance function.
The CARTaGENE project aims to advance population genomics research in Quebec with $34.5M funding. The project will provide resources and infrastructure for researchers to study genes responsible for disease, improving diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Researchers evaluated a new flexible endoscopic suturing method for gastrointestinal perforations and used wireless capsule endoscopy to detect small intestine pathology in young children. The studies found the suturing method to be easy to employ and successful in closing perforations without laparoscopic or open surgery.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that tropical birds expend less energy at rest compared to northern bird species. The researchers measured basal metabolic rate (BMR) and peak metabolic rate (PMR) in 69 species of tropical birds, finding they used about 18% less energy than temperate birds.
Two studies demonstrated SYMBICORT's effectiveness in improving health-related quality of life (HRQL) and patient-reported satisfaction with asthma treatment. The combination therapy showed significant improvements in HRQL scores compared to monocomponents or placebo, while also demonstrating better patient-reported global assessments.
A minimally invasive device for stress urinary incontinence has been shown to be safe and effective in early clinical trials, demonstrating significant continence improvement in women. The device, ACT, eliminates the risk of overtreatment or undertreatment with adjustable balloons that can be adjusted post-operatively.