A new study in PLoS Medicine argues that doctors should disclose off-label prescribing to patients to ensure informed consent and shared decision-making. Off-label prescriptions, which account for half of all US prescriptions, are often not supported by sound scientific evidence and can pose serious risks to patients.
Researchers at UCLA discovered a chemical called TAT2 that can prevent or slow telomere shortening in immune cells, potentially making it a key weapon in the fight against HIV. The study found that TAT2 treatment prolonged the ability of killer T-cells to divide and inhibited HIV production.
New study finds direct link between obesity and increased leptin levels, leading to damage similar to hypertension and diabetes. Leptin stimulates greater production of superoxide, creating toxic molecules that harm endothelial cells.
Kumacheva has been recognized for her innovative research in designing new materials with applications in cancer treatments and optical data storage. Her work involves creating polymer particles that deliver drugs to specific diseased sites on demand.
Malinovskaya's research aims to control coherence and overcome current barriers in quantum computing, molecular selective bio-imaging, and Raman microscopy. By using femtosecond, chirped laser pulse trains, she can selectively prepare target molecules in the excited state and restore coherence periodically.
A new study by Rice University bioengineers provides a comprehensive mathematical analysis of virus evolution, incorporating gene swaps and recombination. The results suggest that designing drugs that force viruses to mutate themselves out of existence may be possible, potentially eradicating disease.
A new study reveals that TIM-3 protein inactivates virus-killing T cells in HIV-infected patients, leading to their exhaustion. Blocking this protein may one day help patients eliminate HIV and other chronic infections.
Exposure to high temperatures reduces antifungal activity of ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens solution, associated with the 2004-2006 Fusarium keratitis epidemic. The study found that storage at 60°C (140°F) for four weeks led to a significant decline in antimicrobial activity.
The International Journal of Social Robotics will cover a broad array of topics related to socially interactive robots, including design philosophies, human-robot interaction, and neurorobotics. The journal aims to provide an overview of the current state of the field and its impact on society.
Researchers have successfully grown human-like tissue in the lab using umbilical cord blood stem cells to create functional heart valves. The tissue-engineered valves exhibited properties similar to those of natural human valves, including collagen and elastin production.
The upgraded Oak Ridge National Laboratory supercomputer has achieved a sustained performance of over 1.3 petaflops, enabling researchers to simulate physical processes on an unprecedented scale. The new system will facilitate breakthroughs in climate modeling, renewable energy, and materials science.
Researchers have designed a new rear spoiler that can reduce drag and lift significantly, resulting in improved fuel consumption and vehicle handling. The spoiler's unique design can improve fuel efficiency by up to several miles per gallon and lower carbon emissions.
A team of scientists discovered that parasitic nematode worms, Steinernema longicaudum, do not produce sperm when females are absent. This unusual behavior is thought to be related to the worms' life history and social circumstances, where males may need to wait for a mate to mature before reproducing.
Researchers have developed a microgenerator that harnesses the heart's surplus energy to produce electricity for pacemakers and defibrillators. The innovative system, called SIMM, has shown promising results in increasing energy production with each heartbeat, potentially leading to longer-lasting devices.
Babies placed in incubators have a lower risk of developing depression as adults, with a significant decrease in major depression rates. The study found that incubator care can trigger a complex chain of biological and emotional factors that help reduce depression.
A brain imaging study found that individuals with higher education levels scored higher on cognitive tests despite having evidence of brain plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease. The study supports the 'cognitive reserve' hypothesis, which suggests that greater cognitive abilities can delay symptoms of the disease. Education was ...
A new study finds that schools with good resources improve academic performance of immigrant children, especially those from Latin American countries. Children attending these schools narrow their initial score gap and sometimes surpass non-Hispanic white peers by third grade.
Researchers describe how cells recycle protein waste to prevent diseases such as Alzheimer's, cystic fibrosis, and developmental disorders. Cells use enzymes and specialized complexes, known as ESCRTs, to break down and dispose of damaged proteins.
A multidisciplinary research team discovers that the absence of the ERK2 gene is linked to birth defects affecting heart and head development. The study reveals a critical conserved role for ERK2 signaling in neural crest development, shedding light on how developmental errors occur.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that a protein called cdk5 is necessary for correct neural migration and dendritic pathfinding in adult brains. Disabling cdk5 made newborn neurons form connections in the wrong part of the brain, with inappropriate synaptic connections persisting for months after treatment.
The new clinical performance measures provide up-to-date tools for gauging how closely doctors are sticking to guideline recommendations. Key areas include statin prescription, PCI timeliness, referral to cardiac rehabilitation programs, and elimination of beta blocker treatment within 24 hours.
Mantle cell lymphoma cells rely on heat shock protein 90 to maintain their rapid growth. Researchers are using inhibitors to block this process, causing stress in the cells' machinery. The goal is to trigger apoptosis in cancer cells.
Dr. Gary J. Bennett's research focuses on understanding how chemotherapy drug paclitaxel causes neuropathy, a painful and debilitating side effect of cancer treatment. The $80,000 grant will support his two-year study to identify novel mechanisms and potentially lead to new therapeutic strategies.
According to a study published in Archives of Neurology, only about half of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) achieve and maintain a response to interferon beta treatment over three years. Regular MRI evaluations show that many patients experience worsening disease despite treatment.
BioServe is launching two educational experiments involving butterflies and spiders on a space shuttle mission in November. The experiments will compare the life cycles of butterflies and spiders in space to those on Earth, with over 100 K-12 students from Colorado participating.
A new study reveals a steady increase in East Asian monsoon intensity from 23 to 10 million years ago, followed by a weakening until about 4 million years ago. This pattern is correlated with Himalayan erosion rates and suggests a complex system between the hydrosphere and atmosphere in mountain building.
Researchers from Emory University School of Medicine have found daily rhythms in blood vessel activity may help explain morning peak in heart attacks. The study revealed that the lining of blood vessels functions better at night, with endothelial function being particularly depressed in early morning hours.
A University of Delaware-led research team is conducting a deep-sea expedition to study hydrothermal vents on the Pacific ocean floor. The team, including experts on marine viruses and protists, aims to explore the ecosystems surrounding these underwater oases of life.
The First World Conference on Marine Biodiversity has reported a rapid northern migration of invasive marine species, spreading at 50 km per decade. This is significantly faster than terrestrial plants and may be due to the rapid dispersion of macroalgae propagules in the ocean.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine have discovered a vitamin and mineral combination that may prevent hearing loss caused by loud noises. The formula, called AuraQuell, was successful in laboratory tests and is now being tested in human clinical trials.
Researchers mapped brain activity associated with speech sounds and voices to identify unique 'neural fingerprints' in listeners. This breakthrough could improve computer systems for automatic speech recognition, revealing a less hierarchical processing of speech across the brain.
Victoria Petite, a Stevens art and technology major, presented her research project titled "Towards a Transmedia Search Engine" at the annual iDMAa conference. Her project focused on perceiving analogies in multimedia data with Professor H. Quynh Dinh and Professor Ebon Fisher.
A new report published in Current Biology reveals that the Sunda colugo has at least three separate species, with each geographic region harboring its own unique species. The findings have important conservation implications for these enigmatic mammals.
Researchers from UCLA's California NanoSystems Institute propose a method to produce graphene sheets in large quantities using hydrazine solution. This breakthrough enables the creation of the largest graphene sample reported, with applications in solar cells, sensors, and electronic devices.
A study by Cornell researchers has identified a possible environmental trigger for autism in genetically vulnerable children, which could lead to preventable diagnoses. The study found that higher levels of precipitation are associated with increased autism prevalence rates in counties with more exposed children.
The document provides a comprehensive assessment of care by establishing new performance measures, including the importance of acute reperfusion therapy and the need for accountability in providing timely treatment. It also addresses concerns about exclusion criteria and the determination of when measurement stops.
A meta-analysis of 33 trials found no significant reduction in mortality risk with beta-blockers in non-cardiac surgery patients, but did reduce heart attack and vessel blockage risk; however, it also increased stroke risk. The authors call for reevaluation of guidelines until conclusive evidence is available.
The study finds that Pittsburgh Compound B can detect amyloid deposition in the brains of clinically older adults, potentially opening the door to early diagnosis and prevention strategies. Detailed tests show no decrease in functioning among participants with Alzheimer-associated plaques, suggesting a window of opportunity to slow or ...
Studies found three clinical features that can help accurately diagnose transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), including the speed of onset and a patient's medical history. These features correctly classified 79% of cases, leading to improved diagnosis accuracy and reduced risk of misdiagnosis.
New computer-based models describe how bacteria act within blood vessels and can be filtered out, offering insights into treatment options for bacteremia and sepsis. The models validate laboratory experiments in mice and have implications for developing new treatments for deadly bacterial infections.
The grant will support the development of leaders in geriatric medicine and teaching programs, as well as new training opportunities for medical students and residents. The Wake Forest University School of Medicine will also establish a curriculum for specialty physicians to integrate geriatrics principles into their teaching programs.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered a new way to stimulate patchiness in phospholipid membranes using charged nanoparticles. This phenomenon allows the membrane to coexist in two phases - solid and liquid - depending on what binds to it, offering a new mechanism for modulating stiffness in membranes.
A new study by the Oregon Evidence-based Practice Center finds that patients are more likely to use interactive health IT systems when they perceive a real health benefit and receive tailored feedback. The most effective disease self-management systems provide a complete feedback loop with active participation from physicians, current ...
Scientists have discovered that a protein banished from mature axons allows them to transform into dendrites. This process could occur after nerve cell damage, raising possibilities for the reverse transformation.
A new UK study found that black and south Asian people are less likely to benefit from doctors' interventions to reduce their blood pressure. The study, which looked at over 8,800 patients with high blood pressure, found significant differences in treatment outcomes between white, black, and south Asian groups.
A study by University of Utah researchers reveals that interaction between Wnt and Fgf growth factor signaling pathways is crucial for proper collective cell migration. Proper division of labor between the two pathways enables cells to migrate directionally, but defects in these interactions may lead to cancer progression.
A study found a significant increase in radiology tests in managed care settings, with an average cost per patient increasing by $214 over 10 years. Newer technologies like CT and MRI scans also saw a rise, but their use was not as efficient as expected.
A recent Indiana University study reveals that 25% of family caregivers of Alzheimer's patients visit the emergency room or are hospitalized every six months. The study emphasizes the need for a broader definition of patient to include both the individual with dementia and their caregiver.
Reducing availability of sugar-sweetened beverages in schools had limited effect on total consumption by adolescents. Consumption of SSB decreased across all students, regardless of whether they attended an intervention or control school, suggesting that successful reduction can occur but may not lead to significant change.
A new study published in Agronomy Journal reveals that reduced tillage can increase peanut crop yields, but the effects of crop rotation and tillage on pest development are more complex. The research found an independent relationship between tillage and rotation practices with respect to peanut yield and pest development.
Studies examine racial and ethnic disparities in hypertension care and control, finding that racial disparities contribute to nearly 8,000 preventable deaths from heart disease and stroke annually. Researchers also investigate how medication prescribing and blood pressure control vary between ethnic groups in England, revealing signifi...
The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation has awarded UT Southwestern Medical Center a nearly $2 million grant to expand geriatric training in the medical school curriculum. The Southwestern Aging and Geriatrics Education (SAGE) program will improve physician trainees' knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards caring for elderly patients.
Researchers found no significant difference between pediatric patients who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass and those who did not, in terms of I.Q. scores and neuropsychological tests. The study provides good news for school-aged children with less complex heart defects undergoing surgery.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that sleeping less than seven and a half hours per day is associated with future risk of heart disease. Patients with shorter sleep duration plus overnight increased blood pressure had a higher incidence of heart disease.
A new study by Indiana University found that young female breast cancer survivors experience significant problems related to sexual arousal, desire, and orgasm. Many reported vaginal dryness, genital pain, premature menopause, fatigue, and fertility issues, highlighting the need for research on strategies to address these challenges.
A new therapy programme has been developed to treat depression in women in developing countries, improving recovery rates and reducing serious consequences. The programme, using community health workers, was tested in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and showed significant results.
Between 2002 and 2006, antibiotic use increased significantly at academic medical centers, driven by broader-spectrum agents and vancomycin. This trend is concerning, as it can lead to the development of drug-resistant bacteria, increasing illness, death, and healthcare costs.
A vision screening law in Florida has been linked to lower death rates from car crashes among drivers aged 80 and older. The study found that the law, which required drivers over 80 to pass a vision test before renewing their license, resulted in a 17% decrease in fatality rates among this age group.
Despite pollinator decline, global crop yields have consistently grown at 1.5% per year since 1961 due to agricultural improvements. However, research detected warning signs of growing demand for pollinators and declining yield growth in highly dependent crops.
Researchers have found a way to 'rescue' immune cells that are exhausted from fighting off HIV infection using the molecule Tim-3, which is present at high levels on poorly functional immune system cells. Blocking the activity of Tim-3 improved cell function and allowed them to rejoin the battle against HIV.