Researchers have found that optical coherence tomography (OCT) is the best tool available to detect vulnerable plaque, a possible cause of sudden cardiac death. OCT provides superior contrast and resolution in imaging the components of plaque, allowing for better understanding of coronary artery disease progression.
Research found that coronary heart disease symptoms presented in the context of stress were identified as psychogenic in origin when presented by women and organic in origin when presented by men. This study sheds light on why there is often a delay in diagnosing CHD in women, highlighting a gender bias in diagnosis and treatment.
A recent study suggests that olmesartan, a commonly used high blood pressure medication, can help reduce plaque in the coronary arteries of patients with stable angina. The trial involved 247 patients who received either 20-40mg/day of olmesartan or control, and showed significant decreases in plaque volume after 14 months of treatment.
Three new devices are being showcased to reduce blockages in peripheral and coronary arteries, providing cardiac support. The AngioSculpt device optimizes stenting of complex lesions with a low rate of complications.
MedImmune presents four abstracts on the burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease among preterm infants, highlighting increased medical costs and morbidity in late-preterm births. The company's research aims to identify new risk factors for RSV hospitalization and evaluate cost implications of expanded prophylaxis.
Researchers at Caltech used electron tomography to study the transport of antibodies from mother's milk to newborns' bloodstream. The findings revealed that antibodies are shuttled through large vesicles and form 'tangled messes' before being delivered into the bloodstream.
A research team has found evidence linking bisphenol A to diabetes and heart disease in adults. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, analyzed data from over 1,400 adults and found a significant association between high BPA levels and an increased risk of these diseases.
A recent Northwestern University study reveals that the immediate response of non-black participants is to categorize racially ambiguous people as black when they know one parent is black and the other is white. However, upon more thoughtful reflection, they are more likely to consider the same faces multiracial.
Boston Medical Center has received a $5.8 million grant to develop drugs targeting muscle proteins for older adults, improving mobility and preventing age-related ailments. The grant will support interdisciplinary research collaborations to address osteoporosis, hip fractures, and type one diabetes.
Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery found that statins can prevent white blood cell activation and protect pregnancies in women with APS. The study suggests that statins may be used as a treatment for women with APS-induced pregnancy complications.
Dr. Shinya Yamanaka's laboratory has eliminated the need for a virus to introduce genes into adult cells, improving the safety of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell technology for regenerative medicine applications.
A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found a significant association between laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and reflux esophagitis. The research identified age, hoarseness, and hiatus hernia as factors significantly associated with LPR. Further study is needed to elucidate the importance of hiatus hernia in LPR.
The sensors can be buried in a grid pattern and relay data to a central computer, providing real-time high-resolution data for farmers and researchers. This technology aims to maximize yields, minimize environmental impacts and provide more accurate crop growth predictions.
Research reveals a connection between mitochondrial activity and stem cell differentiation, with high-metabolism cells more prone to forming tumors. Administering a mitochondrial inhibitor reduced teratoma capacity in these cells, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy.
PhysTEC's new teacher training program boosts the number of physics teachers graduating from programs by a factor of 10. The initiative provides critical mentoring support and transforms content courses to help future physics teachers teach in an interactive way.
Research found that inherited and acquired risk factors play a significant role in abdominal venous thrombosis. Acquired risk factors were more common in patients with Superior Vena Cava Syndrome (SVT), while hereditary risk factors were similar in both BCS and SVT groups.
DNA's photostability is influenced by its base sequences, with different combinations exhibiting varying fluorescence lifetimes. This discovery could lead to new diagnostic methods and potentially repair gene mutations using laser radiation.
A study finds that many girls with exceptional math talent exist but are rarely identified due to a lack of respect for math and role models. The US pipeline for nurturing top math talent is badly broken, with 80% of female faculty hired at top research universities born in other countries.
Researchers at Florida State University discovered dramatic changes in DNA replication order during embryonic stem cell differentiation. The findings bridge a critical knowledge gap, enabling scientists to better understand the complex process of DNA reorganization during cell specialization.
A retrospective study of 103 carotid endarterectomies in 95 patients aged 80-94 found a low incidence of neurologic complications. The combined stroke and death rate was 2.91 percent, indicating that age alone should not disqualify patients from this surgery.
NIH scientists have identified a protein that enables T and B cells to interact, crucial for establishing long-lasting immunity. The finding may explain why individuals with a genetic defect suffer from lethal infections.
Researchers found MRN can be differentiated from HCC using CT/MRI features, including typical hyperdense appearance and lack of enhancement. Liver biopsy can be avoided if supported by these images, reducing the need for repeated biopsies.
Soundararajan and Roman Holowinsky prove a significant version of the quantum unique ergodicity (QUE) conjecture using different techniques from number theory. Their work shows that for certain shapes associated with number theory, waves always spread out evenly, eliminating whispering galleries.
Researchers at Yale University have created nanowire sensors that can detect specific antigens and identify diseases with high sensitivity and specificity. The system uses immune cell activation to generate a current in the nanowires, allowing it to detect as few as 200 activated cells.
The University of Michigan is developing the Community Structure-Activity Resource (CSAR) database, a centralized repository of experimental data on drug-making compounds. This resource will improve computer programs that predict drug effectiveness and significantly impact the drug development process.
The cullin family of proteins is involved in regulating the degradation of proteins that control blood cell development. A study published in Blood found that targeting this protein may lead to improved therapies for leukemia and other blood cancers.
Researchers discovered that chlorella crude extract improves intestinal adaptation in rats with short bowel syndrome, increasing villi height and absorption rates. This finding suggests an alternative to commercial enteral products for treating SBS.
A new report highlights the issue of statistical illiteracy in health, with misleading presentation of relative risks and lack of absolute risk information. The problem affects both doctors and patients, leading to incorrect decisions and actions.
A study published in Archives of Diseases in Childhood found that only 42% of boys and 11% of girls met the recommended daily exercise level, suggesting a need for revised guidelines. Exercise improved metabolic health, but diet changes were deemed more effective at improving overall health and weight.
A new Web-based resource is being developed to provide molecular data needed for computer-aided drug design. The resource aims to improve the prediction of potential drug candidates and advance biomedical research.
A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that CT colonography is accurate for detecting colonic masses or polyps equal to or greater than 10mm. This non-invasive technique replaced double contrast barium enema (DCBE) for evaluating incomplete colonoscopies.
A new study reveals that girls can excel in mathematics with proper nurturing, contrary to conventional wisdom. The study found that cultures valuing math education lead to a higher representation of female math whizzes in competitions like the International Mathematical Olympiad. In contrast, US culture discourages girls from pursuing...
Svilen Bobev, a University of Delaware assistant professor, has been awarded the American Crystallographic Association's Early Career Award for his outstanding achievement in crystallographic research. The award recognizes his potential to make significant contributions to the field.
This study investigates whether delayed ethyl pyruvate therapy can attenuate experimental SAP via reducing serum HMGB1 levels in rats. The results showed that ethyl pyruvate significantly reduced serum HMGB1 levels, protected against liver, renal, and lung injury, and prolonged survival time in rats.
A new $24 million national center, co-funded by NSF and EPA, will investigate the environmental risks of nanotechnology. Researchers at UCSB's CNS-UCSB and UC CEIN will collaborate on risk perception studies, comparative analyses of risk communication, and more.
A team led by Livermore scientists has reconciled the differences between simulated and observed temperature trends in the tropics. They applied a modified statistical test to account for uncertainty in observational data and found no fundamental discrepancy between modeled and observed trends. This reconciliation is thanks to the use ...
Ames Laboratory researchers used a brand new instrument to study iron-arsenic compounds, which are part of the 'hottest' new find in superconducting materials research. The findings mark the first research produced with the aid of the new tool and provide insights into the role of lattice vibrations in these new superconductors.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons shows that unsponsored web sites have significantly higher quality information compared to commercially sponsored ones. The researchers suggest that surgeons can help patients find reliable information by providing them with technical search terms.
Researchers used NASA's Thunderhead supercomputer to simulate dusty disks around sunlike stars, finding that planets as small as Mars can create detectable ring structures. The models provide a way to infer a planet's mass and orbital distance based on dust particle simulations.
Researchers from Georgia Tech, University of Dayton, and others develop a stronger, more practical dry adhesive inspired by gecko feet. The new material creates directionally-varied adhesive force, with a gripping ability nearly three times that of real geckos.
Researchers have developed an animal model to study the effect of small strokes on nearby neurons, finding that blockages can cause significant decreases in blood flow and death of neurons. A potential new tool for brain surgeons is being developed using optical measurements to detect and protect critical areas during surgery.
Researchers will analyze human blood samples to discover proteins that could serve as biomarkers of infectious diseases. The goal is to identify specific biomarkers present in infected individuals but absent in uninfected people, guiding diagnostics, therapies, and vaccines.
Dr Stephen Todd will investigate the role of beta-secretase in Alzheimer's disease using a novel blood-based assay. The study aims to determine if enzyme activity predicts disease progression and response to dementia treatment.
Researchers found a unique microorganism, Desulforudis audaxviator, living in complete isolation with no sunlight, oxygen, and extreme heat. The bacterium survives by harnessing energy from hydrogen and sulfate produced by radioactive decay of uranium, and has a remarkable genome with 2,157 protein-coding genes.
A study published in Science warns that climate change may exceed life's ability to respond, threatening 53% of species with extinction. The research provides critical insights into the effects of warming on tropical ecosystems, highlighting the need for conservation measures.
The Movement for Global Mental Health aims to scale up mental health services globally through citizen advocacy and action. Key findings include the establishment of national taskforces in Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as progress in Brazil.
Herpes simplex virus type I is kept under constant guard by the immune system, which actively holds the infection in check without destroying the neurons harboring it. CD8 T cells target infected sensory neurons with lytic granules that attack viral infections without killing the neurons.
A novel nerve stimulator alleviates pain in patients with hemicrania continua, a rare form of chronic daily headache. The study found that five of six patients reported sufficient benefit to recommend the device.
Research finds UK baby boomers have limited retirement plans, preferring to maintain current lifestyles. They demonstrate a changing attitude towards inheritance, with a focus on enjoying life rather than leaving a legacy. Baby boomers also show diverse generational views, varying in their perceptions of age, identity, and consumerism.
Scientists have developed a rapid new technique called Rapid Virulence Annotation (RVA) to identify toxins and virulence factors made by bacteria that allow it to infect different types of organisms. This discovery could lead to new vaccines and anti-bacterial drugs, as well as help prevent diseases caused by disease-causing bacteria.
Researchers have discovered how water snails can drag themselves across a fluid surface using the slime they secrete. By distorting the soft surface, the snail creates waves in the mucus layer that generate propulsive forces and move.
A team of researchers found that magma is continuously supplied from deep in the crust but a valve acts below a shallower magma chamber, releasing lava to the surface periodically. The upper reservoir is open and the lower reservoir refills at half the rate it was lost during lulls in eruption.
The new NIAID-funded programs aim to identify molecular features that distinguish bacterial and viral species, which may be targets for potential medical interventions. Researchers will use computational and experimental methods to analyze the dynamics of molecular components within microbes and their interactions with human cells.
A study by University of California, Berkeley biologists found that small mammal populations in Yosemite National Park have shifted to higher elevations in response to warmer temperatures. The study, which compared data from 1914 and 2014, also revealed changes in community composition due to climate change.
A low-cholesterol diet can trigger an increase in bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) in the gut, according to a new study. This may help limit the absorption of toxins in the intestine.
Scientists have found that magma recharges volcanoes repeatedly, causing episodic eruptions at the surface. This new understanding increases the challenge of predicting future eruptions, with implications for volcanic monitoring and management.
Researchers found that SREBP-2 induces expression of type 2 taste receptors in cultured mouse intestinal cells and enhances T2R-induced secretion of cholecystokinin. This mechanism may inform the gut about food-borne toxins and initiate a response to limit their absorption.
Researchers have identified a new gene, Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8), that may contribute to human vulnerability to pulmonary tuberculosis. The study found that males are more susceptible than females to the disease.
A new drug class, ranolazine, has been approved for the treatment of chronic stable angina, providing a safe and effective alternative to existing treatments. Ranolazine has been shown to reduce anginal episodes by one attack per week and extend exercise time before an angina attack develops, with benefits seen in men more than women.
A new imaging study reveals two distinct brain regions competing for control: one associated with risk aversion, the other with a desire for risk-taking. The prefrontal cortex plays a critical role in risk assessment.