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.
Emil Yuzbashyan, a Rutgers University physicist, has received the Packard Foundation Fellowship for Science and Engineering. The five-year, $625,000 award supports his research on properties of matter at temperatures near absolute zero, which could lead to breakthroughs in quantum devices and superconductivity.
A study by Duke University researchers found that African-American men have a slightly higher risk of PSA recurrence after prostate cancer treatment. Despite this, the disease's aggressiveness remains similar across racial groups.
A new study by the University of Exeter found that British adults now prioritize moderate activities like walking over vigorous exercise. This shift in attitudes threatens the nation's health and experts are calling for evidence-based guidelines to promote vigorous activity.
The US IT job market is experiencing a surge in demand for skilled professionals, but the supply of qualified candidates is dwindling. The SIM 2007 Survey found that retaining IT professionals has surpassed IT-Business alignment as the top concern for executives.
A research team at UCSC and Salk Institute has discovered a new retinal cell type called the upsilon cell, which shares similar properties with Y retinal ganglion cells. The discovery may help humans see motion and is a significant step towards understanding how primates process visual information.
The international rice research community is addressing the problems facing irrigated rice farmers, including land loss, water competition, labor shortages, and increased pest and disease issues. IRRI research has shown that farmers can increase production by up to 15% through better fertilization timing and reduced water usage.
A new study reveals that over 30 US states require specific consent for HIV testing, potentially limiting the implementation of CDC's 2006 recommendations. Researchers found that nearly half of these states also require pre-test counseling and disclosure of transmission information to patients.
The study found that transcutaneous cervical esophageal ultrasound (TCEUS) is not a substitute for 24-hour pH monitoring or manometry in diagnosing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and esophageal motor disorders. TCEUS can aid in estimating GER and motility disorders, but it cannot replace these established diagnostic methods.
A low-fat diet was associated with a reduced risk of ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women, with the greatest reduction seen in those with high fat intake before the study. The findings suggest that a low-fat dietary pattern may be beneficial in reducing cancer incidence rates.
Researchers found that behavioral skills maintenance and social facilitation interventions improved weight loss maintenance in childhood overweight population, with some evidence for sustained long-term efficacy among more socially adept children. The studies demonstrated the importance of continued treatment contact to improve weight ...
In a study by the Wildlife Conservation Society, pregnant moose have shifted their movements to closer roads and infrastructure to avoid predation of their calves. Moose mothers use humans as a shield from grizzly bears and other predators due to human behavior.
A new study from Université Laval found that people who experience chronic job strain after a first heart attack double their risk of suffering from a second one. Researchers discovered that high levels of work stress increase the probability of experiencing another CHD event, even after taking into account other health factors.
A recent study published in PLoS ONE confirms that many early hominoid apes were upright bipedal walkers sharing the basic body form of modern humans. This groundbreaking research reveals a specific genetic change that generated the upright human body form and identifies four upright bipedal species that precede Australopithecus Lucy.
A study published in Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that androgen deprivation therapy used to treat localized prostate cancer increases the risk of death from heart disease. The therapy can lead to metabolic syndrome, which raises the risk of type II diabetes or coronary artery disease.
Peter Grünberg's discovery of Giant Magnetoresistance led to increased storage capacity in hard disks and the development of spintronics, a new research field exploiting quantum spin states. The award marks the Helmholtz Association as a leader in providing an excellent working environment for exceptional researchers.
A recent study found that patients in Medicaid managed care programs tend to receive lower-quality care compared to those in commercial managed care programs. The study analyzed data from 383 health plans and found that overall commercial population performance exceeded overall Medicaid population performance in most measures.
The ENCODE project aims to identify and characterize regions of open chromatin, comprehensive characterization of the human transcriptome, and integrated annotation of gene features. This expanded effort will uncover even more exciting surprises about human health and disease.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have led a clinical trial showing that topiramate significantly reduces heavy drinking days in individuals with alcohol dependence. The study found topiramate to be safe and highly efficacious when paired with a brief intervention by non-specialists.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have discovered an antibody that can repair the damaged myelin sheath in laboratory mouse models, a crucial step towards treating multiple sclerosis and related disorders. The antibody promotes remyelination with a single dose, paving the way for potential new treatments.
A novel gene called HMMR has been identified as a potential breast cancer susceptibility gene, according to researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The gene's connections to BRCA1 and its role in centrosome formation have led scientists to believe it may contribute to an increased risk of breast cancer.
The New Horizons spacecraft provided detailed observations of Jupiter's atmosphere, revealing new insights into cloud structure and composition. The mission also explored the planet's four largest moons, including Io, which showed over 20 geological changes since the last close-up look.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a novel way to fight colorectal cancer using tiny molecules to deliver potent radiation inside cancer cells. The new system proved able to specifically target colon cancer cells, reducing unwanted side effects.
Genetics experts at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia will investigate Ring chromosome 20 syndrome, a rare disorder causing severe epilepsy and mental retardation. The study aims to identify patients, establish cell lines and analyze patterns of gene expression to guide future treatments.