Researchers solved a longstanding problem of the Cold Dark Matter cosmology model by exposing a critical relationship between interstellar gas and dark matter in galaxy birth. The study showed that dense gas clouds in galaxies form massive stars, which drive 'sloshing' effects that kick dark matter out of the galaxy's center.
Researchers discovered that experimental drug endostatin may significantly reduce or eliminate abnormal blood vessel growth, a hallmark of advanced AMD. This finding gives hope to individuals at high risk for the disease, which affects central vision and can lead to total blindness.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have created novel biomimetic membranes that can efficiently transport water, making them ideal for desalination and wastewater purification. The membranes' high permeability and selectivity could also be useful for drug delivery applications.
Researchers found that joint inflammation persists in patients with antibiotic-refractory Lyme arthritis, despite the spirochetes being killed. Antibody titers declined to similar levels after 4-6 months of antibiotic therapy, regardless of treatment response.
Despite substantial progress against AIDS, the generalized HIV epidemic continues to rage on, driven by concurrent partnerships. Interventions such as abstinence and condom use have limited effectiveness in containing the spread of the disease, highlighting the need for a more nuanced approach to prevention.
A recent study by Oregon Health & Science University finds that low-income families face three major barriers to healthcare: lack of insurance coverage, poor access to services, and unaffordable costs. Families with public health insurance often reported feeling unwelcome and having difficulty accessing care due to long travel distances.
A new study finds that cancer patients are willing and able to self-report symptoms using the Internet, providing key data in real time to healthcare providers. This can fill gaps in clinicians' knowledge and improve patient safety and quality of care.
A new study is expanding to include patients with severe strokes who cannot give informed consent, aiming to determine if early administration of magnesium sulfate improves patient outcomes. The trial has already enrolled over 250 patients and aims to answer a crucial question about the best approach to stroke treatment.
Research found a strong association between higher total blood cholesterol and increased ischaemic heart disease (IHD) mortality in middle and old age. However, the relationship between cholesterol and stroke mortality was not independently linked, with complex results depending on age and blood pressure levels.
The marsh frog outcompetes indigenous species due to its faster growth rate, longer lifespan, and higher fertility. This displacement process threatens the extinction of native water frog species.
A study found a long-term positive impact on physical functioning in patients with osteoarthritis who underwent hip replacement, but no significant improvement in vitality or mental health. Patients with more severe OA showed the most improvement in physical functioning.
Researchers at Rhode Island Hospital have made significant advancements in diagnosing adrenal masses, treating kidney tumors, and using microwave technology to combat lung cancer. The vast majority of incidentally found adrenal masses are benign, while a minimally invasive technique successfully treats kidney tumors, and microwave ther...
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have discovered a new type of programmed cell death called entosis, where cells bore into their neighbors and died. This process, known as entosis, was found to be more common in cancerous cells than previously thought, and its role in tumor progression is still unclear.
A study of over 3,000 adults found that meniscal damage is often present in knees with osteoarthritis, but not directly responsible for pain. The researchers suggest that treating OA as a whole-joint disorder may help clarify the relationship between meniscal damage and knee symptoms.
The University of Arizona's Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research will receive a $9M donation from Agnese N. Haury to build a new archive for its vast collection of over two million tree-ring samples, providing access to data on climate change and environmental issues. The lab has been instrumental in unlocking mysteries in archaeology, eco...
A pre-school program has been shown to improve executive functions, such as resisting distraction and focusing attention, in children from low-income families. The program, Tools of the Mind, was found to be effective in closing the achievement gap between children from poor families and those from wealthier homes.
A University of Pennsylvania study reveals chipmunks and shrews are major carriers of Lyme disease, not just mice. The research challenges the widely-held belief that mice are the primary animal reservoir for Lyme disease.
A new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society found that coral reefs in sites with varying seasonal temperatures are more likely to survive rising ocean temperatures. This 'tough love' approach allows corals to adapt to environmental variation, increasing their chances of survival.
Researchers successfully produced stem cells from cloned monkey embryos using the non-invasive Oosight microscope, a crucial step towards developing medical therapies. The innovative technology allows for clear visualization and removal of genetic material, leading to a 100% success rate in therapeutic cloning.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have reversed the effects of aging on the skin of mice by blocking the action of a single critical protein, NF-kappa-B. The study's findings suggest that genetic changes contributing to aging can be reversed even late in life.
A new minimally invasive procedure using ultrasound-guided percutaneous therapy significantly reduces pain and restores mobility in patients with calcific tendonitis of the rotator cuff. The procedure, which takes about an hour to perform, has been shown to provide long-lasting relief from symptoms.
Researchers tracked autistic children over three years, revealing no uniform pattern of development. Children showed positive gains in social interactions, forming friendships and reducing unusual behaviors.
A new study found that hypertension significantly reduces cerebral blood flow in adults with Alzheimer's disease, increasing its vulnerability to the effects of the disease. Good vascular health is crucial for brain health, and detecting and treating hypertension can help prevent or slow cognitive decline.
The overuse of CT scans in the US may result in a future public health problem, with an estimated 1.5-2% of cancers potentially caused by radiation from CT scans. Columbia researchers suggest reducing CT-related radiation dose, replacing scans with non-radiation options, and decreasing total scans to prevent unnecessary irradiation.
A study found that urban African-American women have difficulty meeting dietary goals that could help prevent cancer. The researchers linked high-risk dietary behaviors to younger age, depression, smoking, and birthplace in the District of Columbia.
A new radiological diagnostic tool called stereo mammography reduces false-positive findings by 49% and missed lesions by 40%. The technology cuts the number of women recalled for additional tests in half, eliminating anxiety for patients and their loved ones.
A study found that a specific polymorphism in the glucocorticoid receptor gene is associated with lung disease progression in cystic fibrosis. Patients with the BclI GG genotype showed more pronounced deterioration in lung function, suggesting they may benefit from inhaled steroids.
A new test can identify contaminated cardboard food containers that break phthalate safety rules. Researchers found significant exposure to diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) in some boxes, emphasizing the need for unrecycled materials.
Researchers mapped Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni to a resolution of a few centimeters, uncovering previously hidden features like hills, ridges, and valleys. These topographic features impact satellite-based ranging instruments' accuracy, revealing a correlation between subsurface density variations and surface gravity strength
African-American men face an observable disadvantage in prostate cancer survival due to genetic and behavioral differences. Research highlights the impact of cultural beliefs, such as fatalism and religiosity, on cancer detection and control, as well as the link between obesity and advanced-stage prostate cancer diagnosis.
A study of over 300 live kidney donors found that they had good kidney function and tended to suffer a lower incidence of high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart-related deaths compared to the general population. Donors reported high satisfaction rates and would strongly encourage others to become donors if needed.
A graduate student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has made important findings on deep Earth interactions, suggesting a new mechanism for metal movement between the core and mantle. The research could have broad implications for geology and potentially lead to valuable deposits of gold and platinum.
Leslie Bernstein, a renowned researcher on hormone effects and physical activity on cancer risk, has been selected for the AACR-Prevent Cancer Foundation Award. Her work has vast implications on quality of life after cancer, challenging previous paradigms on breast cancer risk factors.
Researchers have developed a glucose-powered fuel cell that uses sunlight to convert glucose into hydrogen, producing several hundred millivolts. This innovative device has the potential to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels by utilizing biological resources such as food waste and managed high-energy crops.
A new study demonstrates that dogs can visually categorize complex color photographs and transfer their knowledge to new situations. The research, published online in Animal Cognition, used a computer-automated touch-screen system to eliminate potential human influence.
Researchers present findings on how poverty affects cancer prognosis, ethnicity influences medical care, and genetics impact survival rates among different groups of women. A study reveals African-American women face poorer disease-free survival rates due to racial-specific biology, prompting a reevaluation of screening guidelines. Mea...
The University of Houston will receive a five-year, $2.3 million National Institutes of Health grant to fund a multidisciplinary approach to drug abuse research. The grant will focus on the health and social consequences of drug abuse among aging minority populations, with a particular emphasis on Latino injecting heroin users in the H...
Citrus growers in eastern Australia can now export to Japan with greater market flexibility thanks to the development of cold storage regimes effective against fruit fly. The new method kills Queensland Fruit Fly in citrus stored for 14-16 days at temperatures of 2° or 3°C, reducing damage and improving fruit quality.
Researchers used a novel imaging technique to study autistic children and found increased gray matter in brain areas governing social processing and learning by observation. The study revealed that increased gray matter does not correspond to IQ levels, indicating dysfunctional mirror neuron system function.
Two transporters, SMCT1 and SMCT2, can circumvent the blood-retinal barrier to deliver lactate and ketone bodies to a healthy eye, potentially preventing neuronal cell damage. Understanding these transporters' activity may enable early diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy and natural delivery mechanisms for drugs.
A comprehensive review of evidence shows that pneumococcal conjugate vaccines can protect HIV-infected infants against pneumococcal disease. The vaccine can significantly improve the lives of HIV-infected children by reducing mortality rates.
Researchers created a molecular map of aging in mice by analyzing gene expression changes in 16 different tissues. The study found that different tissues exhibit distinct patterns of aging, suggesting three separate clocks for aging, and that some pathways are shared with human aging.
Researchers found a significant relationship between bone mineral density and fracture risk, regardless of trauma severity. Women who experienced high-trauma fractures were at increased risk for future fractures.
The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute has established a collaborative Cardiovascular Research Network, tapping into Kaiser Permanente's rich electronic data systems to better understand cardiovascular diseases. The network will conduct three core research projects over the next five years.
LitInspector is a powerful literature and pathway mining system that offers quick and easy retrieval of pathways, genes, gene functions, and gene-gene interactions. The system utilizes cutting-edge text mining technology and leverages the largest gene synonym table available to provide comprehensive results.
Research by The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry found that maintaining physical activity in middle age leads to better basic physical abilities as we age. Physical activity is associated with fewer than 13% of people developing physical disability. Weight is not a deciding factor in this benefit.
Engineers Dr. Colin P. Ratcliffe and Dr. Roger M. Crane developed SIDER, a nondestructive testing method for detecting flaws in composite materials. The method involves tapping the material with a specialized 'hammer' and recording data from mechanical vibrations.
Researchers report that sustainable biomass production may be hindered by soil organic matter needs, suggesting a need for alternative crops and improved agricultural practices. The study highlights the importance of considering multiple factors beyond just soil erosion when evaluating feedstock supply.
A groundbreaking study measures gene activity in malaria parasites in humans for the first time, revealing three distinct biological states and their connection to the body's inflammatory response. These findings may help explain the varying courses of the disease in patients.
A Harvard Medical School and PIH study found that integrating HIV testing into primary medical care reduced diagnosis delays. In a single clinic, 85% of patients diagnosed on first visit, and median delay was just 62 days.
Researchers found heavy negative ions in Titan's upper atmosphere, which may form complex molecules essential for life. The discovery poses questions about atmospheric chemistry and aerosol formation, suggesting that these ions form in the upper atmosphere before reaching the surface.
A Phase 2 study found that eltrombopag elevated platelet counts to a safe level in over 75% of chronic ITP patients within two weeks, reducing bleeding symptoms. The therapy also showed similar incidence and severity of adverse effects compared to the placebo group.
Researchers found a protective effect of the TT version of the MTHFR gene against colorectal cancer in Asian populations, but not in others. The study suggests genetics may play a role in understanding health disparities in minority groups.
David Sloan Wilson and Edward O. Wilson propose a new consensus and theoretical foundation for sociobiology, affirming Darwin's original conjecture that natural selection is a multilevel process. They show that adaptations can evolve at all levels of the biological hierarchy, from genes to ecosystems.
Researchers found that high-intensity manure management practices can increase the rate of antibiotic dissipation, but were not effective at reducing antibiotic resistance genes. Longer treatment times may be necessary to achieve significant reductions in both antibiotics and ARG.
Stereo mammography has been shown to reduce false positives by 49% compared to standard digital mammography, potentially cutting the number of women recalled for additional tests. The technology produces three-dimensional views of breast tissue, allowing radiologists to better interpret images and detect cancer earlier.
Researchers found that eltrombopag boosted platelet counts in a majority of patients with low platelet counts and cirrhosis due to HCV infection, allowing most to continue or start conventional antiviral treatment. The study's results are an important development for people infected with the hepatitis C virus worldwide.
Research shows that therapeutic drug monitoring of lamotrigine during pregnancy significantly reduces seizure activity and improves fetal health. The study found that adjusting dosages based on blood levels can prevent increased seizure frequency and ultimately improve the health of both mother and baby.
Researchers found energetic electrons most abundantly at sites of compressed density within magnetic islands, contradicting previous theories. This discovery provides an important step towards solving the mystery of electron acceleration during magnetic reconnection.
Research at Emory University found that therapeutic drug monitoring for lamotrigine during pregnancy reduces increased seizure activity and improves health outcomes. The study's findings suggest a potential benefit for pregnant women with epilepsy, allowing for targeted dosage adjustments to minimize risk.