A RAND Corporation study finds that the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) improves private insurance markets, saves taxpayers money, and enhances protection for businesses. The study suggests expanding TRIA to include coverage for nuclear, chemical, biological, and radiological attacks.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found that Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) has high heritability and is likely caused almost entirely by genetic effects. Families with a child with HLHS carry a significant recurrence risk of HLHS or related heart defects.
A new study found that folic acid supplements can dramatically lower blood arsenic levels in individuals chronically exposed to arsenic-contaminated drinking water. The study, funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, showed a 14% reduction in total blood arsenic levels in Bangladesh.
The study found that aging stem cells in fruit flies experienced a decline in growth factor unpaired (upd), leading to reduced stem cell numbers. Artificially increasing upd levels delayed the loss of germline stem cells, suggesting that the niche's molecular signals govern stem cell behavior.
Researchers have discovered a key difference in the way gastrulation occurs between higher vertebrate species and less evolutionarily advanced animals. The study reveals that higher vertebrates acquire a new mechanism of 'cell intercalation' to position their axis at the midline, distinguishing them from fish and other lower vertebrates.
A recent study found that cheap and moderately priced running shoes provide similar cushioning impact and comfort as expensive trainers. Plantar pressure measurements showed no significant differences among the shoes, regardless of brand or price.
Human migration out of Africa and into Asia occurred in at least four pulses, driven by climate and sea level changes. The initial migration was thwarted, but subsequent pulses took advantage of stable climates and sea levels to expand into eastern Asia, Australia, and Melanesia.
A study by UC San Diego and HHMI researchers reveals that SMRT protein prevents premature neural differentiation in embryos, highlighting its role in maintaining neural stem cells. The absence of this protein leads to abnormalities similar to vitamin A exposure, suggesting a link between SMRT and retinoic acid-induced differentiation.
Researchers found that red wines, particularly Cabernet, Zinfandel, and Merlot, have anti-microbial properties that defend against food-borne pathogens. The study also showed that grape juice produces similar results, with reseveratrol being a key phytochemical responsible for the findings.
Researchers at Ohio State University developed software to enable remote operation of high-powered instruments like microscopes and telescopes. The software, RICE, utilizes economic principles to optimize network bandwidth, preventing mistakes and reducing frustration.
A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that electroacupuncture at PC6 can decrease the frequency of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (TLESR) induced by gastric distention in cats. The effect appears to act at the brain stem, mediated through nitric oxide (NO), CCK-A, and mu-opioid receptors.
Researchers identified key brain regions involved in fine tactile spatial discrimination, including the right posteromedial parietal cortex and right posterior intraparietal sulcus. The study's findings may lead to the development of sensory-substitution devices for visually impaired individuals.
Researchers at the University of Utah have developed new peptides that inhibit HIV entry into cells, with up to a 40,000-fold improved antiviral potency over previously reported D-peptides. These peptides resist degradation, making them suitable for oral administration and potentially reducing drug resistance.
The study reveals that adult steroid users are driven and ambitious individuals motivated by physical self-improvement, including muscle gain, strength, and attractiveness. These non-medical AAS users follow a health-centered lifestyle, using directed drug technology as part of their strategy.
Scientists discover that mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) can replicate in cultured human breast cells, leading to rapid spread and potential role in human breast cancer. Researchers plan further investigation into the link between MMTV and breast cancer.
Research published in BMC Public Health found that traditional family circumstances and workplace inequality contribute to long-term sick leave among Swedish women. Women reported high physical and mental demands at work, lack of flexibility, and bullying as factors affecting their health.
Research found that obese individuals are six times more likely to develop esophageal cancer compared to those of healthy weight. A combination of obesity, acid reflux, and smoking significantly increased the risk of adenocarcinomas of the esophagus.
Researchers have found that adult stem cells do not rely on the protein Oct4 to remain undifferentiated. Studies using sensitive assays failed to detect Oct4 in these cells, revealing a different regulation of pluripotency in adult versus embryonic stem cells.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory develop a method to correlate microscopic imaging techniques, leading to better understanding and diagnosis of diseases. The technology enables the study of organic and inorganic components simultaneously, improving disease treatment.
The US Marine Corps has selected Oregon-made training suits for its runners, with the University of Oregon's environmental chamber playing a crucial role in the testing process. The new suits, developed by InSport Inc., were found to be superior to an alternative design in terms of comfort and moisture management.
Researchers found that prolonged antiviral therapy can improve residual liver function and reduce portal hypertension in patients with compensated hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis. The study, published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, suggests that this treatment approach may delay complications and prolong survival rates.
A multi-scale modeling study at Penn reveals a new theory of behavior for domain-wall motion in ferroelectric materials, reproducing experimental data long at odds with existing theories. The study confirms that small dipoles play a key role in smoothing transition regions as the wall moves.
The project aims to reveal how some viral infections become resistant to antiviral medications. Researchers will test the interactions between FIV, a cat virus, and an AIDS drug called AZT in the presence of methamphetamine.
The Phase I/II trial tested Lovaxin C in stage IVb cervical cancer patients, with symptoms including flu-like syndrome, fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting. The study found that five patients experienced tumor reductions or complete disappearance of tumors, while seven patients remained stable, and one patient achieved a partial response.
The National Academies of Sciences report introduces new tools to assess health risks from chemicals, enabling better predictive toxicology and risk assessment. These technologies provide critical information on environmental agent interactions with human genes, helping identify individuals at higher disease risk.
Two new centers will address critical ethical, legal and social questions in genetic and genomic research, with a focus on large-scale genomics. The centers will develop innovative research approaches and provide training for the next generation of researchers.
A study published in JADA found that tooth loss is linked to an increased risk of developing dementia. Researchers proposed several possible reasons for the association, including periodontal disease and early-life nutritional deficiencies.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries identified genes linked to improved response in MS patients to Copaxone. The discovery may enable personalized treatment and optimize dosage for each patient.
Researchers develop formula to study linguistic evolution, predicting irregular verbs will regularize at a rate inversely proportional to their usage frequency. The most common irregular verbs, such as 'be' and 'think', are expected to remain irregular for thousands of years.
A recent study found that women with HER-2 positive breast cancer who receive Taxol alongside chemotherapy experience improved survival rates. In contrast, estrogen-receptor-positive and HER-2-negative patients do not benefit from the added treatment, offering a targeted approach to personalized medicine.
A recent study by Michael Inzlicht and Jennifer N. Gutsell found that people who suppress their emotions experience a depletion of resources for self-control, leading to poor performance on tasks requiring self-regulation. This depletion can last even after the initial emotional suppression has ceased.
A large sample size study found endoscopic resection to be a safe and effective treatment for gastrointestinal smooth muscle tumors (SMTs) with base sizes ≤ 2 cm. No severe complications or recurrences were observed in cases treated using the 'pushing' or 'grasping and pushing' technique.
Researchers at the University of Bonn have discovered right-handed and left-handed magnetic vortices, which could be used to store information in hard disks. The discovery has potential practical applications, but the primary interest is in understanding the underlying principles of magnetism.
A retrospective study of 68 postoperative CRC patients found that 18F-DG PET/CT detected more lesions than CT or ultrasonography alone in 30.4% of cases with recurrence and/or metastasis. The imaging technique also helped alter treatment plans in 16.2% of cases.
Researcher Heidi Kloos investigates why young children are stumped by science, particularly the concept of density. Her findings suggest that alternative teaching approaches can help children navigate these waters more smoothly.
A Purdue University study found that biometric devices, such as fingerprint and hand-geometry scanners, contain similar levels of bacteria to doorknobs. Researchers discovered that nearly all bacteria died on the devices within 20 minutes, with E. coli surviving slightly longer than Staphylococcus aureus.
A study reveals a new mechanism controlling how stem cells become either skeletal or smooth muscle cells, with implications for treating heart disease and cancer. The discovery of myocardin suggests new ways to treat diseases driven by stem cell replacement programs.
The Stowers Institute's Xie Lab has discovered that stem cell aging is controlled by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The study found that specific proteins, adhesion between cells, and enzyme activity can influence stem cell lifespan and function, potentially leading to the development of new therapies for age-related diseases.
A recent study published in Cell Host & Microbe has found that the protein PB1-F2 from the 1918 influenza virus strain increases virulence and secondary bacterial pneumonia in mouse models. This discovery provides crucial insights into the pathogenicity of IAVs and has significant implications for preparing for future pandemics.
A study published in Thorax reveals a potential early warning system for lung cancer, detecting autoantibodies in blood that are associated with solid tumours and triggered by cancerous changes. The presence of these autoantibodies in patients indicates an 80% chance of a cure if the disease has not yet spread.
Scientists have developed a mouse model of age-related macular degeneration to study the disease's progression and develop potential treatments. The model, caused by a mutation known to produce AMD in people, will help researchers understand the biochemical details of how AMD occurs.
Researchers found significant IL-8 up-regulation in all inflammatory, non-malignant, and malignant colorectal entities compared to normal tissues. The study suggests an association between IL-8 expression and the development of colorectal cancer and liver metastases.
Recent observations from NASA and Japanese X-ray observatories have helped clarify the origin of cosmic rays. The study, published in Nature, suggests that magnetic fields in supernova remnants are stronger than previously thought, enabling them to accelerate charged particles to enormous energies.
A study of 38,000 female health professionals found that women with hypertension have a three-fold risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those with optimal blood pressure levels. Obesity is also a strong and independent risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes.
A study published in JAMA found that chronic job strain after a first heart attack significantly increases the risk of another coronary heart disease event. The study, which included 972 participants, revealed that job strain was associated with a two-fold increase in recurrent CHD events.
Human and avian influenza viruses target different cells in the lower respiratory tract, with human virus targeting upper respiratory tract cells and avian virus targeting deeper lung cells. The study provides insights into the pathogenesis of these divergent diseases.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed Vocal Joystick, a device that uses voice commands to control cursor movement and other screen interactions. The technology has shown promising results in early tests, allowing experienced users to achieve similar levels of control as those using traditional interfaces.
A study found that topiramate significantly reduced percentage of heavy drinking days and increased days of continuous nonheavy drinking compared to placebo. The medication also showed greater reduction in heavy drinking days from baseline to week 14.
People with a history of allergies have a nearly third lower risk of developing certain brain cancers, such as glioma. Meanwhile, genetic studies identified three locations on human chromosome 8q24 associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer.
Researchers found that even aloof husbands have lower testosterone levels than unmarried men, challenging previous North American studies. Married men with multiple wives had even lower testosterone levels than monogamously married men.
Medical identity theft can lead to erroneous entries in existing records, causing long-lasting harm to victims' medical and financial lives. Experts emphasize the importance of protecting patient information and privacy, as current protections for medical identify theft are lacking.
The airway bypass procedure has shown positive results in reducing air trapped in lungs and improving breathing in patients with emphysema. The study achieved a statistically significant reduction in residual volume and improvement in the modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale, indicating potential therapeutic benefits for pat...
Researchers questioned the effectiveness of PSA velocity as a prostate cancer screening tool due to inconsistent study results and potential biases. Despite initial hopes that it could reduce unnecessary biopsies, PSA velocity is often used in men with low PSA levels, increasing the number of referrals.
Researchers found that a low-fat dietary pattern reduced the risk of ovarian cancer by 40% in healthy postmenopausal women. The study followed 48,835 women for an average of 8.1 years and found no effect during the first four years due to the slow development of preventive benefits.
Researchers have found that ultra-low-dose aspirin can normalize platelet-endothelial cell alterations and bleeding time in rats with portal hypertension. This effect is mediated by Cyclooxygenase 2 inhibition, a finding that could have implications for treating this debilitating condition.
A University of Missouri-Columbia study shows that complementary methods like acupressure, modifications, and relaxation techniques can complement conventional treatment for chronic pain. By providing patients with more control over their pain management, these approaches can alleviate side effects and improve overall well-being.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute aim to alleviate daytime traffic congestion by shifting truck deliveries to off-hours, reducing emissions and increasing business competitiveness. The project will use technology and economic incentives to persuade businesses to participate in the program.
A study on human, chimpanzee, and rhesus monkey genomes reveals that humans and rhesus monkeys have purged ERV-K copies from their genomes, while chimpanzees have retained a greater number of complete ERV-K copies. This finding suggests that genetic fluctuations due to bottlenecks and expansion play a role in shaping ERV-K dynamics.
A team has developed M-POSSUM, a modified scoring system that combines elements of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), APACHE and POSSUM to predict postoperative morbidity and mortality in high-risk surgical patients. The study found that M-POSSUM is more accurate than original POSSUM and APACHE II.
A common model of immune responses will improve understanding by providing a shared language among scientists. The Immunology Imaging and Modelling Network's theoretical and computational model will help track parasites and cells in real-time, measuring interactions between immune system components.