Patients with metabolic syndrome have a significantly higher lifetime risk of colorectal cancer compared to those without the condition. The American College of Gastroenterology recommends closely adhering to published guidelines for colorectal cancer screening.
Researchers aim to create a high-speed wireless network using low-power LEDs, enabling faster data communication and greater security. The Smart Lighting ERC will focus on developing computer networking applications and testing the technology's potential for various industries.
A NASA study confirms a link between rising Arctic storm activity and accelerated sea ice drift, which may serve as a negative feedback mechanism for global warming. The research suggests that the Arctic's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide could increase, offering a potential solution to climate change.
A study of over 900 homeless individuals in Toronto found that 58% of men and 42% of women had a history of traumatic brain injury, leading to poorer physical and mental health status. The findings suggest that traumatic brain injury may be a causal factor contributing to homelessness through cognitive or behavioral sequelae.
Dr. Marcia Angell warns against a US-style model of healthcare, highlighting inefficiencies and poorer outcomes compared to Canada's public system. She advocates for expanding and reinforcing Canada's medicare system to ensure better health outcomes.
A study found that children with high parental expectations for normal functioning have less severe asthma symptoms and use medications correctly. Parents' perceptions play a key role in controlling their child's asthma, particularly if they follow a routine for taking medication.
A new study by Dr. Sandra Dial challenges the long-held assumption that antibiotic use is always a precursor to C. difficile infections. Researchers found that approximately 53% of community-acquired C. difficile infections were not related to antibiotic use, highlighting the need for further investigation into other risk factors.
Comprehensive guidelines for dementia management have been developed to support both patients and primary caregivers. The approach emphasizes a team-based care model that prioritizes patient-centered care and evidence-based recommendations.
Lichens can reveal nitrogen air pollution's impact on Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino mountain ecosystems. Protecting lichens safeguards less sensitive species.
A survey of pediatricians found wide variation in disclosing medical errors, with those involving obvious errors being more likely to be shared. Pediatricians may be less willing to discuss errors that are not immediately apparent to parents.
A new study by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center found that routine colorectal cancer screenings may not provide significant life expectancy benefits after age 75. The study suggests that individuals who have had adenomas or colorectal cancer should continue surveillance in this age group.
Recent research suggests that mass extinctions may be more common than previously thought, with 'sick Earth' extinctions being the norm. The study of five mass extinctions reveals that asteroid impacts are unlikely to have triggered most of them.
Scientists from 40 institutions participate in an international field experiment to collect real-time data on the southeastern Pacific's climate system. The study aims to improve global climate models and better predict Earth's climate.
Researchers have identified a genetic variant associated with isolated cleft lip, which affects approximately one in five cases. The study found that the variant disrupts proper expression of the IRF6 gene, leading to disruptions in AP2 binding and contributing to the development of cleft lip.
Researchers at George Mason University developed a nutrition education program called Color My Pyramid to teach students about healthy eating and physical activity. The program showed significant improvements in children's eating habits, physical activity levels, blood pressure, weight, and Body Mass Index percentiles.
Researchers developed a new diagnostic marker called procalcitonin to identify infants at high risk for serious bacterial infections. The test showed high sensitivity and was able to establish a threshold value to identify low-risk infants.
Theoretical physicists led by the University of Oregon's Stephen Hsu have found indications that grand unified theories may be merging into a single unified field. However, their research also suggests that this process could be slowed down or blocked by quantum fluctuations in space-time, making it more challenging to detect.
A comprehensive assessment of the world's mammals reveals that 25-36% of species are threatened with extinction, with habitat loss and overexploitation being major drivers. The study highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts to prevent further species losses and protect biodiversity.
A new study published in Pediatrics shows that implementing simple changes to hospital procedures can significantly reduce the harm caused by opiate use in children's hospitals. The study found that reducing prescription overrides and ensuring caregivers have up-to-date drug lists led to a 67% decrease in adverse events.
Two new studies by UCSF researchers found that infants born past 40 weeks of gestation are at higher risk for impaired health and death. The studies, which analyzed over 2.5 million births, confirmed the increased risk of cesarean deliveries and poor maternal or child outcomes as early as 40 weeks.
A hospital-based case-control study found that pneumococcal vaccination was associated with a 50% lower risk of heart attacks two years after vaccination. The study suggested that the pneumonia vaccine may protect against heart attacks by preventing pneumonia, which has been linked to triggering heart attacks.
A JDRF-funded study suggests that exposure to certain bacteria may provide protection against developing type 1 diabetes. Researchers found that mice exposed to these harmless microbes had a lower risk of autoimmune disorders. The findings lend support to the 'hygiene hypothesis' and may lead to new therapeutic approaches for prevention.
A study of 87 stroke patients found that blacks had a 32% higher microbleed prevalence than whites, with more frequent and varied locations in the brain. Hypertension was also associated with microbleed frequency.
A new biologic therapy called TNFeradeTM improved the median survival of patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer from 9.7 to 48.4 months. Researchers found that most tumors were adenocarcinomas and could be treated with surgery after combination therapy, showing promise for this treatment approach.
A recent Arizona State University study funded by an AT&T Industrial Ecology grant examines the social, economic, and environmental implications of evolving technologies. The research focuses on the shift from physical to virtual activity and its effects on transportation systems, workplaces, and consumer behavior.
A significant proportion of people with no recent exposure to antibiotics developed community-acquired C. difficile infection, suggesting other risk factors may be at play. Researchers recommend considering C. difficile testing in community patients with diarrhea without a history of antibiotic use.
Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism in gene expression where non-coding RNAs create access to DNA, allowing transcriptional activation proteins to initiate gene expression. This process involves the transient synthesis of non-coding RNAs that unfurl tightly wound DNA, enabling gene expression.
A study of 115 children with bipolar disorder found that nearly half continued to experience manic episodes as adults and showed similar rates of substance use disorders. The findings support the existence of child bipolar disorder and highlight the need for further research on its neurobiology and prevention strategies.
Researchers found a novel connection between high levels of air pollution and the risk of appendicitis, with patients approximately 15% more likely to be hospitalized on days of highest ozone concentrations. The effect was strongest during summer months, when people were more outside.
A new study by University of Warwick researcher Dr Neil Stewart reveals that the presence of a minimum payment on credit card bills can lead to lower actual repayments, increasing interest charges and debt duration. The study found that customers who make partial repayments are particularly affected by anchoring.
Research highlights importance of regular Vitamin D checkups for IBD patients with lower quality of life and higher disease activity. Chronic liver disease patients also at risk of Vitamin D deficiency, which may be linked to increased disease severity and hospitalizations.
A new book from the American Society of Agronomy provides detailed information on the importance of sulfur in agriculture. The book examines the central role that sulfur plays as a nutrient affecting crop yield and quality, animal feed value and human diet.
The American Physiological Society has established a $50,000 relief fund for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who lost belongings or incurred relocation costs due to Hurricane Ike. The grants aim to help recipients get back on their feet and continue their contributions to the field of physiology.
A new study by the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research found that using a fan to improve room ventilation reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by 72 percent. The study also found that opening a window in an infant's room reduces SIDS risk by 36 percent.
A new study suggests that implementing a nationwide CRC screening program for uninsured patients starting at age 55 can reduce healthcare costs by an estimated $2.58 for every dollar spent, saving over $1 million in federal healthcare dollars annually.
A recent study published in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found that the flu vaccine was not associated with reduced hospitalizations or outpatient visits among children under 5. The mismatch between the strains of virus in the vaccine and circulating strains may have contributed to this outcome.
A study by Lifespan and Hasbro Children's Hospital found that nearly one in 10 American children received free drug samples in 2004. The top four most frequently distributed medications have significant new safety concerns, including schedule II controlled substances that carry high potential for abuse.
Researchers analyzed dense colonies of Escherichia coli bacteria to understand biomechanical ordering. They found a dynamic change from disorder to alignment and developed a model of collective cell dynamics.
Researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have found that chemotherapy alone can be effective in treating pediatric patients with unresectable or progressive low-grade glioma, reducing the need for cranial radiation. Patients treated with thioguanine, procarbazine, lomustine and vincristine (TPCV) regimen show...
Researchers have found that an experimental anti-cancer drug can prevent and reverse cardiovascular damage in a mouse model of progeria, a rare genetic disorder causing human premature aging. The study suggests that the drug may also have potential in treating other forms of coronary artery disease.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have discovered that the EBNA1 protein of Epstein-Barr virus disrupts structures in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells, interfering with cellular processes that prevent cancer development. The study provides a novel mechanism by which viral proteins contribute to carcinogenesis.
Recent figures from the HEALTHY Study found that standard school vending machine offerings contain high-calorie beverages and snacks, contributing to excess calorie intake among students. The study aims to limit snack calories to 200 and eliminate unhealthy options from vending machines.
Researchers found a novel gene, bZIP28, regulating heat stress response in Arabidopsis thaliana. This discovery may lead to creating crops more resilient to warmer climates.
A study of 500 people aged 50-85 found a link between occasional memory lapses and smaller hippocampus volumes. Researchers discovered that these subjective memory complaints were associated with reduced brain volumes, potentially indicating early signs of cognitive decline.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a new diagnostic test that can identify rare leukemias in hours instead of weeks. The test uses cell-signaling pathways to decipher potentially dangerous molecular conversations, offering a more reliable assessment of risk and potential treatment options.
Researchers at Georgia Tech developed a low-cost, high-resolution imaging system that can be attached to a helicopter to create detailed pictures of devastated areas. The system enables accurate population estimates and demographic analysis, helping aid organizations plan for health and humanitarian services.
A study of 46 parents found that less than 13% perceived their child as overweight, despite elevated BMI. This highlights a significant misperception among parents regarding their child's weight and obesity risk.
Most Alaskan glaciers are retreating and thinning, especially at lower elevations, while some are advancing, according to a comprehensive USGS study. The report uses satellite images and aerial photographs to document glacier behavior and distribution.
A study found that oral vitamin D supplements increased cathelicidin production in the skin of patients with atopic dermatitis, a common form of eczema. This increase helped to correct a defect in the immune system and reduce the risk of skin infections.
Researchers discovered GPR91 receptor's role in unchecked vascular growth leading to vision loss in common diseases. The receptor may also help preserve neurons and prevent cancer growth by blocking blood vessel expansion.
A study published in Pediatrics found that microwave ovens pose a significant risk of scald injuries to young children due to their ability to open the oven. The researchers recommend locking mechanisms and increased warning campaigns to reduce accidental injuries.
A study led by Texas AgriLife Research scientists has shown that the Brazilian acai berry's antioxidants are absorbed by the human body when consumed as juice or pulp. The finding is significant as it provides evidence for the berry's purported health benefits, which have been heavily marketed in the US.
A Mayo Clinic-led study found that the first generation of a stool DNA test detected 20% of colorectal cancer and precancerous polyps, compared to fecal blood tests. The test's limitations include sample degradation and low sensitivity, but second-generation tests improved detection rates.
A Mayo Clinic study implemented a radio-frequency identification system to track biopsy specimens and automate identification. The initiative resulted in a significant reduction of specimen-labeling errors, from 765 in 2007 to 47 in 2008. The new labeling system improved safety and quality efforts in specimen management.
Researchers found that women who smoked fewer pack years had a higher risk of developing significant colorectal neoplasia. Smoking also increased the risk of pancreatic cancer precursor lesions in at-risk patients with a family history of pancreatic cancer.
A new study by Ohio State University found that residents in highly-rated neighborhoods prioritize local city services, distance to work, and family, while those in unsatisfactory areas focus on safety and social problems. Residents also value social interaction differently depending on neighborhood type.
A new study may have uncovered the cause of Devic's disease by identifying glutamate as a key player in the progression of the disease. The researchers found that an autoantibody called NMO-IgG triggers a toxic build-up of glutamate, leading to damage to nerve cells and their insulating myelin coats.
Researchers found that treatment with stimulant drugs significantly decreased the risk that girls with ADHD will begin smoking cigarettes or using alcohol or drugs. The study's results mirror those of earlier studies in boys and suggest a potential protective effect of stimulant treatment.
The company plans to sequence 1,000 genomes in 2009 and 20,000 in 2010, with a goal of analyzing 1 million genomes over the next five years. This will enable researchers to study disease pathways comprehensively and cost-effectively, driving personalized medicine forward.
A study by biologists at Washington University in St. Louis shows that bird diversity is a buffer against the occurrence of West Nile Virus in humans. The more diverse a bird population, the lower the risk of exposure to WNV.