Post-treatment PET scans can accurately detect cervical cancer tumor response and predict long-term survival. The scans help identify patients whose tumors have not responded to therapy, allowing for alternative treatment options.
Researchers found chemical traces of caffeine and theobromine in ancient pottery shards dating back to 1100 B.C., indicating that cacao was consumed as a fermented drink before being used for chocolate. The discovery offers new insights into the earliest consumption of cacao, challenging previous assumptions about its history.
The Carnegie Mellon team's winning letter addressed the presidential hopefuls' positions on environmental policies, calling for strong leadership to drive a sustainable energy solution. The students won a $10,000 scholarship and will attend the Energy Efficiency Forum.
A holistic approach is needed to cope with freshwater needs, primarily through seawater desalination and brackish water desalination. Renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and wave power can be used in conjunction to generate electricity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The study found that using a pedometer with a daily step goal significantly increases physical activity by 26.9% and decreases body mass index and systolic blood pressure. Participants also experienced significant reductions in weight and improved health outcomes.
Research found that higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with greater plasma volume, leading to lower PSA concentrations among obese men. The study of over 13,000 men with prostate cancer suggests a possible explanation for the observed association between obesity and decreased PSA levels.
A study by Dartmouth researchers found that rural patients are diagnosed at an earlier stage for colorectal and lung cancer compared to urban patients. The study controlled for various factors, including age, race, and education level. Rural-urban differences in cancer presentation may inform targeted screening efforts.
A team of University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers successfully reprogrammed human skin cells into cells indistinguishable from embryonic stem cells. This breakthrough could revolutionize the field of stem cell biology and provide a new source of stem cells for medical research.
SAGE and Hindawi will launch a suite of Gold Open Access journals, strengthening their portfolios in science, technology, and medicine. The partnership aims to widen access to important scholarly research.
Researchers found that brief mock trauma drills and refreshers significantly improved ER staff's performance on crucial tasks for child resuscitation. Improvements were seen in weight estimation, head examinations, IV placement, antiseizure medication ordering, and preparation for transport.
The IU School of Medicine will augment the $60 million grant with an additional $6 million to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS. The goal is to expand care to 150,000 Kenyans by 2012.
The NIH grants will support the study of cytochrome c biogenesis pathways in bacteria and humans. The long-term goal is to engineer electrical nanowires into E.coli to make an efficient biofuel cell. Researchers will also develop a screen to find inhibitors of the pathways, which could be potential antimicrobial agents.
The US National Science Foundation has honored 11 mentors of scientists and engineers for their work in promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM fields. These individuals have demonstrated outstanding mentoring and guidance to underrepresented students, helping to increase representation in the sciences.
Researchers at Ohio State University have found that stress hormone norepinephrine promotes tumor cell growth and metastasis in certain types of blood cancer. The study suggests that blocking norepinephrine receptors may slow disease progression and improve treatment outcomes.
American soldiers with facial fractures can now undergo surgery to repair their injuries in the war zone, avoiding evacuation. The procedure has shown no complications or infections, leading to improved patient outcomes.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal highlights divergent capacity and consent laws across provinces, impacting patient care and decision-making. The authors call for a national debate on the issues, advocating for explicit national standards that include family and caregiver involvement.
The American Academy of Neurology recommends a routine electroencephalogram (EEG) and brain scans, such as CT or MRI, for adults experiencing their first unprovoked seizure. These diagnostic tools can help identify brain abnormalities that caused the seizure and predict seizure recurrence in approximately one in four patients.
A study found that beverage calorie intake nearly doubled from 1965 to 2002, providing an average of 21% of daily energy intake among US adults. This increase contributes significantly to the obesity crisis, with additional calories coming from sugary drinks, alcohol, and other high-calorie beverages.
Researchers found significant developmental variation in vulva development across nearly 50 species of roundworms. The results show that evolutionary changes are unidirectional and orderly, contradicting the idea of random evolution.
A team led by Mary Lou Guerinot aims to create rice varieties with enhanced iron and zinc levels, addressing global nutritional deficiencies. The project will analyze over 1,800 rice varieties and identify genes responsible for nutrient uptake and storage.
A new study by UC Irvine psychologists reveals that viewing doctored photos can affect people's memories and attitudes toward public events. Participants recalled events as being bigger and more violent than they really were when presented with digitally altered images.
Physicians spend approximately 8 hours a week providing unreimbursed care outside of office visits, which can include talking with families or ordering medicines. Lumbar supports have been shown to reduce low back pain in healthcare workers with existing back pain, but not work absences.
Researchers found that zebrafish embryos regulate levels of retinoic acid within a certain range, using an enzyme called Cyp26a1 to degrade excess acid and proteins like fibroblast growth factors (Fgfs) to slow down degradation when levels drop too low. This regulation helps maintain a robust gradient of retinoic acid.
Researchers found that narrow band imaging (NBI) colonoscopy can identify flat dysplastic lesions in ulcerative colitis patients, with a higher positive rate in the tortuous pattern. The study suggests NBI as an alternative to magnifying chromoscopy for cancer surveillance in these patients.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that people with migraines have a thicker somatosensory cortex area, which processes pain and sensory information. This could lead to increased sensitivity to stimulation and contribute to other pain disorders.
A 12-year study found a significant increase in differentiated thyroid cancer cases, with small subclinical tumours accounting for the rise. Advances in medical imaging are thought to be responsible for the increased detection rate, rather than a change in disease patterns.
Anthony Azenabor's research reveals that Chlamydia bacteria can manipulate macrophage cell walls, causing atherosclerosis and disrupting hormone production in the placenta. This discovery could lead to new treatments for both heart disease and infertility by blocking cholesterol signaling.
The Commonwealth Fund survey finds widespread support for public reporting of healthcare quality and prices, with 86% supporting public reporting of drug prices and 82% supporting medical loss ratios. Improved transparency is seen as essential to reducing healthcare costs, but its impact on cost reduction varies.
Papers published in this issue highlight the value of multidisciplinary collaboration, revealing treatments that spare patients' eyes during cancer treatment and develop new techniques to increase orbital volume. These advancements demonstrate enormous opportunities for knowledge advancement through specialty collaboration.
The study found that older workers generally reported low levels of work-related stress, with 47% agreeing that time pressures are a source of job stress. Workers who experience less job stress are more satisfied with their life and are overall in better physical health compared to those who report higher levels of job stressors.
Recent research suggests that decades of progress in reducing young adult coronary disease risk appears to be stalling. The worrisome plateau is likely caused by poor health habits such as smoking, lack of physical activity, and excessive weight gain.
Researchers at Penn State are using genetically modified mushrooms to produce vaccines and other biological drugs in record time. They aim to demonstrate the ability to produce three million doses of a drug within 12 weeks.
The Ecological Society of America (ESA) received the 2006 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. The award recognizes ESA's Strategies for Ecology Education, Development and Sustainability (SEEDS) program, which has increased diversity among its members and provided mentoring opportunities ...
A new study by the University of Exeter found that attractiveness is hereditary in fruitflies, passed on from father to son. Attractive males are more likely to mate quickly and produce successful offspring, benefiting females who can pass these traits to their sons.
The collaboration aims to separate skin layers, decontaminate tissue, and speed up tissue cleaning using the Raydiance USP laser platform. This project has the potential to increase the supply of dermal tissues, resulting in better outcomes for more patients.
Scientists report biochemical proof that female mammals can sense sperm presence and alter uterine environment to favor fertilization. This discovery has profound implications for in-vitro fertilization, cloning, and animal breeding.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory have created a new tool to measure elusive atmospheric chemicals involved in smog formation. The device can predict the effectiveness of various mitigation strategies by quantitatively assessing hydroperoxyl radicals and their chemical pathways.
Research suggests that male adolescents are more likely to practice weight control behaviors and develop eating disorder symptoms due to societal pressures. In contrast, black female adolescents appear to resist these pressures, but may be at risk of becoming overweight in a culture that emphasizes super-sized portions.
A study by Kaiser Permanente and Harvard Medical School found that new mothers who slept five hours or less per day had a threefold higher risk for substantial weight retention (11 pounds or more) at their baby’s first birthday. Getting enough sleep, even just two hours more, may be as important as a healthy diet and exercise for new m...
A Northwestern University study quantifies the volumes of movement and sensation in animals, defining three modes - collision, reactive, and deliberative. The findings apply to understanding behavioral control strategies in animals and can aid in designing autonomous robots and improving cockpit information systems.
A new organ allocation system has been linked to a significant decrease in deaths among individuals on the liver transplant waiting list. The improved outcomes have also led to shorter wait times for transplantation, with many patients receiving transplants within days of being added to the list.
A study by researchers at University Hospitals of Cleveland and Johns Hopkins University found that intraoperative MRI can help detect residual disease and modify surgical plans, leading to additional resections in 73% of cases. The added imaging time was approximately 35 minutes per case.
A European Molecular Biology Organization study reveals that traditional gender roles and negative workplace cultures limit women's career advancement. Women publish less, have fewer mentoring opportunities, and are slower to advance due to family responsibilities.
Four distinct skin disorders were found in construction workers who helped repair buildings after Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. These disorders affected 42.6% of the workers, with papular urticaria being the most common, followed by bacterial folliculitis and fiberglass dermatitis.
A Dutch study found that tonsillectomy was not cost-effective for mild or moderate throat infection symptoms in young children. The procedure increased annual costs by 46% without significant health benefits, according to the study.
Researchers have pushed back the known use of cacao by 500 years, tracing it to fermented beverages made from sweet pulp and seeds between 1400 and 1100 B.C.E. This discovery sheds light on the early development of chocolate culture in the Americas.
Research from the University of Texas at Austin found college students drink larger amounts of alcohol on football game days. Women, particularly lighter drinkers, were more likely to engage in risky behaviors after consuming alcohol. The study suggests that social context plays a significant role in increased drinking rates.
A new model regarding physical activity recommendations is emerging, highlighting the importance of non-exercise activities in countering health risks. Researchers found that sitting for extended periods can have negative effects on fat and cholesterol metabolism, while standing can burn double the number of calories.
A Northwestern University study found that college students' choice of social networking sites is influenced by their race, ethnicity, and parents' education level. The research challenges the common assumption that all college students use Facebook, revealing differences in usage among various groups.
The Lupus Research Institute's groundbreaking strategy has yielded significant progress in novel lupus research, with 61% of investigators turning hypotheses into confirmed discoveries. The institute's support has enabled the development of breakthroughs in genetics, molecular science, and other fields.
The study revealed that Rhesus protein is made by a bacterium, Nitrosomonas europaea, and determined its first X-ray crystal structure at high resolution. This provides important insights into how these proteins facilitate ammonium movement across cell membranes in humans.
Four Stevens Institute of Technology professors received Bright Ideas Awards for their outstanding business research, including Sherwat Ibrahim and M. Hosein Fallah. The awards recognize their innovative work in technology management and information technology.
A population-based study found that having a primary physician and high continuity of care lowered emergency department use among elderly patients. Additionally, rural residence, low socioeconomic status, and higher physician-to-population ratio were associated with increased emergency department use.
Research highlights correlation between unstable housing and higher likelihood of HIV transmission; stable housing linked to reduced risk behaviors and improved healthcare outcomes. Findings challenge prevailing models and suggest housing as a key target for intervention to combat the AIDS epidemic.
A new study by MIT economists suggests that US greenhouse gas emissions could accelerate in the next 50 years, with technological change possibly contributing to increased emissions. The researchers found that energy use and CO2 emissions may grow at rates higher than historical averages, despite increasing energy prices.
A versatile algorithm called Cascades, developed by Carnegie Mellon researchers, identifies the best 100 blogs to read for early access to news. The algorithm also helps design efficient sensor networks in water supply systems by balancing cost and information collection.
A meta-analysis of 46 studies on telecommuting involving 12,833 employees found that flexible work arrangements result in higher morale, lower employee stress, and improved performance ratings. The study also showed that women may derive greater benefits from telecommuting, with improved career prospects and better work-life balance.
The University of Arizona has received a $2.5 million grant to study the future of Amazon forests under climate change. The project will combine international collaboration with interdisciplinary training in earth system science, remote sensing, and modeling.
A survey of 740 Taiwanese men found a statistically significant positive association between smoking and moderate to severe androgenetic alopecia, a common type of hair loss in men. The study suggests that smoking may destroy hair follicles or damage the papilla that circulates blood and hormones to stimulate hair growth.
A study by Michigan Medicine found that a pedometer program that counts every step, regardless of duration, is more satisfying for people with diabetes. This approach led to increased walking and better adherence compared to structured goals.