A new UNC study reveals that good parenting can counteract the effect of genes in babies' responses to stress, even at early ages. The research, published in Child Development, suggests a strong interplay between environmental experiences and genetics in shaping physiological responses to stress.
Family members of ICU patients experience high rates of post-traumatic stress and complicated grief that persist over time. Symptoms of anxiety and depression in these individuals tend to diminish with time, but screening is crucial to identify those at risk.
A long-term study of Alzheimer's disease patients treated with combination therapy found significant benefits in slowing symptom progression. The results support the effectiveness of this treatment approach, which may protect brain cells from further damage.
Researchers used a computer simulator to teach surgeons-in-training how to perform craniectomy procedures on cadaveric temporal bone specimens. After two weeks of practice, the researchers found that the trainees could correctly identify pre- and post-simulation bones with high accuracy.
A newly discovered developmental brain disorder has been identified, affecting a patient's ability to orient within environments. Researchers suspect that many others may be affected, leading to social isolation and reliance on others for directions. The study aims to better understand the disorder and develop rehabilitation treatments.
IU's Polar Grid Project will deploy customized computational resources to Antarctica to enable scientists to process data more efficiently during polar field expeditions. The equipment will support an extensive research expedition expected to begin in November and running through February 2009.
A randomized clinical trial shows acupuncture reduces hot flashes and vasomotor symptoms in breast cancer patients, providing additional benefits like increased energy and well-being. The treatment has no side effects compared to commonly used drugs.
A new study found that half of FDA-approved drug trials remained unpublished five years after approval. The most important trials determining efficacy were more likely to be published. This selective reporting bias may lead to an inappropriately favorable record of a drug's true risk-benefit profile.
Patients who underwent both stereotactic radiosurgery and whole brain radiation experienced a 49% decline in learning and memory functioning, compared to 23% for those who received radiosurgery alone. Neurocognitive function was measured by recall of a list of 12 words after three attempts.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a purification method that filters out impurities from gold nanorods, resulting in solutions that are more than 99% pure. The discovery has significant implications for the emerging U.S. nanotechnology industry.
A new study led by Georgetown University Medical Center researchers finds that sinusitis can cause severe bodily pain, often misdiagnosed as other conditions. Endoscopic sinus surgery has been shown to provide significant pain relief for these patients.
Researchers at MIT have developed a sensor system that harnesses electricity from trees to predict and prevent forest fires. The system, which uses off-the-shelf batteries slowly recharged by tree power, can transmit temperature and humidity data wirelessly, enabling early alerts and improved fire prediction models.
Scientists have developed a new imaging technique that enables the identification of proteins in cells by analyzing their energy flow. This technique, known as coherent two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy (2DIR), has been successfully tested in laboratory experiments and holds promise for improving protein analysis and discovery.
A short one-week course of radiation before surgery significantly reduces rectal cancer recurrence risk by 76% compared to post-operative treatment. However, this approach also causes impairment in sexual and bowel functions, affecting the quality of life for patients.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have uncovered the genetic pathway that controls abscission in plants, shedding light on this fundamental physiological process. The discovery has significant implications for regulating fruit quality and pre-harvest fruit drop in commercial industries.
Kidney transplant specialists at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have developed innovative laboratory techniques to improve opportunities for highly sensitized patients. The new technology uses solid phase assays to predict patient risk and improve transplant success rates.
A study of 6,746 men and women with heart attacks found that low-income neighborhoods and Medicaid recipients were more likely to experience long or medium delays in reaching the hospital. This delay can hinder effective care and lead to poorer outcomes.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have designed an adaptive liquid lens that captures 250 pictures per second and requires less energy than competing technologies. The lens uses vibrations to change the focus, allowing for high-fidelity miniature cameras.
Researchers James Eberwine and Aaron Gitler at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have been awarded prestigious NIH awards to investigate RNA-based therapeutics and mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases. Their research aims to develop novel individualized therapeutics and understand protein folding and misfolding in y...
Research published in BMC Public Health found that supervised exercise helped pregnant women quit smoking, with a quarter of participants giving up before birth. Regular exercise was also linked to weight loss, improved self-image, and reduced cravings.
A glitch in iron transport may underlie Type IV mucolipidosis (ML4) and related symptoms like mental retardation and diminished motor abilities. The same deficit is also implicated in aging and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, leading to potential new avenues for treatment.
Researchers found that paper wasps remember individuals for at least a week, even after meeting multiple other wasps. This ability is based on memories of past social interactions rather than simple rules, suggesting that these insects have a strong, long-term memory and bases its behavior on what it remembers.
A study of 20 recorded interactions found that physicians rarely responded empathetically to concerns raised by patients with lung cancer. Opportunities for empathy were most often related to the impact of lung cancer on patients' morbidity and mortality expectations, but were frequently overlooked by physicians.
A new study at the AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO found that patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) receive inconsistent care due to lack of established clinical practice guidelines. SSHL is a rare but serious otological event affecting between 5 and 20 people per 100,000 per year.
Cornell researchers have created a one-atom-thick graphene membrane that is ultra-strong, leak-proof and impermeable to gases. The membrane could be used for various applications such as imaging biological materials in solution or studying the movement of atoms through microscopic holes.
A study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that immigrant children are more likely to lack health coverage, despite a 1999 federal ruling that relieved them of Medicaid repayment requirements. The study analyzed data from over 33,000 children and found that even after accounting for socioeconomic differences, foreign-born chi...
A study published in Circulation found that American Indians have a higher incidence of stroke compared to white and black Americans, with first strokes being more deadly. Risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, and cigarette smoking.
A new study by Timothy Judge and Beth Livingston found that men who believe in traditional roles for women earn an average of $8,500 more annually. In contrast, women with egalitarian views don't make much more than those with traditional outlooks. The researchers controlled for various factors to reach this conclusion.
A study by Imperial College London found that captive breeding of a rare species of toad introduced the deadly chytrid fungus to wild populations in Mallorca, highlighting the risks of reintroduction programs and the need for biosecure facilities. Despite the infection, some infected populations appear to be thriving.
Researchers at the University of Hawaii created a photochemical reactor built into a surfboard to perform green reactions with sunlight and sea water. The system efficiently dissipates excess thermal energy using ocean currents, enabling scalable production of vitamin A variants.
Researchers found that hormone levels alter the brain's response to social cues, affecting preferences for male voices and behavior. The study suggests a possible neural basis for changes in human social decision-making across the menstrual cycle.
Researchers found that people associate specific traits with car designs, such as power, dominance, and masculinity. They also agreed on which car types possess these characteristics, including wide stances, narrow windshields, and spaced headlights.
The integration of sophisticated medical technologies with advanced information systems and clinical expertise can significantly improve patient care while lowering treatment costs. Real-time monitoring technologies, such as Zephyr's Smart Fabric technology, can detect key metabolic functions and provide significant savings in chronic ...
A team of earth scientists found ocean floor geysers in the Pacific Ocean that warm flowing sea water. This discovery suggests possible marine life in a previously barren area.
Researchers found that targeting Streptococcus milleri group (SMG) bacteria can disrupt Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial communities, leading to clinical benefits for patients. The approach has shown positive results in treating severe lung infections and may also be a treatment option for individuals with chronic lung infections.
A Yale study finds that patients may receive poor or delayed care after sign-out, a transfer of patient responsibility from one doctor to another. The study identified 24 sign-out-related problems, affecting both patients and doctors, and highlights the need for improved communication and training in medical curriculum.
A computer-based model suggests that early initiation of antiretroviral therapy and CD4 count monitoring provide significant health benefits in low- and middle-income countries. This approach was associated with a substantial increase in life expectancy and reduction in lifetime medical costs compared to symptom-based strategies.
The Asian Journal of Psychiatry aims to bridge a knowledge gap in psychiatric research and development across Asia, focusing on regional mental health issues. The first issue includes reports on psychosocial responses to disasters, highlighting the need for evidence-based literature on psychiatric disorders in the Asian continent.
Researchers found that geriatric cochlear implant recipients experience significant benefit from the surgery, with improved QOL scores comparable to those of younger patients. Co-morbid conditions like heart disease do not lower QOL in geriatric recipients.
A recent study found that women and South Asians with typical pain were more likely to receive an incorrect diagnosis of angina pectoris. Despite this, they had lower rates of angiography and coronary interventions compared to men and white people. Patients with atypical chest pain also faced significant risks for cardiac disease.
A new meta-analysis found that phone psychotherapy retained 97.4% of patients compared to face-to-face therapy's 50%. This breakthrough suggests a more accessible and effective treatment option for those struggling with depression.
A randomized study found that adding radiation therapy to hormone treatment reduces the risk of dying from prostate cancer by 50% compared to hormone therapy alone. The quality of life at four years after treatment was similar between the two groups, with decreased social function in patients who received combined treatment.
Dr. Sanjay Kumar, a UC Berkeley bioengineer, has been awarded a $1.5 million NIH New Innovator Award to investigate the role of mechanical forces in human health and disease. His research aims to understand how cells process biophysical cues, which could lead to the development of new chemotherapeutic drugs for brain tumors.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have discovered a new mechanism of immunity that could lead to the development of a more effective pneumococcal vaccine. The study identified specific protective T-cells called TH17 cells, which release protein IL-17 to kill pneumococcus in the nose, significantly reducing the risk of infection.
The American Urological Association has released a best practice statement on cryosurgery, recommending it as an option for men with clinically organ-confined prostate cancer. The panel of experts emphasized the importance of case selection and recommended maximizing results through temperature monitoring and double freeze cycles.
Researchers found environmental pollutants can cause 'environmental laryngitis' through animal models, citing exposure to dust mites and air pollution as triggers for the condition. This finding is significant given recent reports on diminishing air quality and increased unhealthy levels of ozone and particle pollution.
Two UC San Diego faculty members, Karen Christman and Seth J. Field, received $1.5 million grants from the NIH to support their cutting-edge research in tissue engineering and lipid signaling molecules. Their projects aim to improve human health through regenerative medicine approaches.
The NIH Director's Pioneer Award program has made 63 awards, with the New Innovator Award program supporting 61 investigators. The grants enable recipients to pursue innovative approaches that could transform biomedical and behavioral science, with an estimated total value of up to $138 million over five years.
A randomized study found that accelerated hypofractionated whole breast irradiation is as effective as standard five-week treatment in reducing local recurrence and side effects. The new therapy reduces the radiation time to three weeks, resulting in a cost savings of two-thirds compared to traditional treatment.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh have identified pericytes as a promising source of multipotent adult stem cells. These cells can be extracted easily from blood vessels and grown in culture to produce various types of tissues, including bone, cartilage, and muscle.
Researchers analyzed cord blood samples of infants and siblings to identify those at high genetic risk for type 1 diabetes. A randomized controlled trial found that nasal insulin therapy did not delay or prevent the condition's development, contradicting previous mouse model results.
Researchers identified acylated steryl-beta-glucosides as the active compounds behind germinated rice's health benefits, including improved cognitive function and anti-diabetic properties. These unique sterol-like molecules are concentrated in the rice bran and may be specific to rice.
A new type of accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) called balloon brachytherapy is as effective in keeping breast cancer from coming back as standard external beam radiation. This shorter treatment option makes radiation therapy more convenient for patients, potentially increasing the rate of breast conservation.
Ocean acidification could devastate coral reefs even if atmospheric carbon dioxide stabilizes at 450 ppm. Computer simulations suggest that only a small fraction of existing coral reefs would remain in waters with the kind of chemistry that has sustained them in the past.
A new approach to teaching agriculture was developed to focus on social learning and sustainability. The method, which includes exercises that build awareness of individual and collective knowledge and knowing, helped students develop a broader capacity to approach sustainability challenges systemically and collectively.
The Pristionchus pacificus genome consists of a large number of genes, some with unexpected functions, providing clues to understanding complex interactions between host and parasite. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of parasitism and has potential implications for our understanding of host-parasite relationships.
Research found a significant disparity in health outcomes between African Nova Scotians and white Canadians, with rates of type 2 diabetes and circulatory disease being 13-43% higher. The study's authors suggest that genetic factors may play a role in these disparities.
The University of Texas at Austin has been awarded a three-year grant of $750,000 to establish an outreach program for historically black colleges and universities. The program aims to introduce students and faculty to nuclear science and engineering, addressing a discipline that lags in attracting minorities.
UC Davis researchers have identified a cellular process promoting inflammation and discovered an important starting point for identifying and testing new drugs. The study found that protein sPLA2-IIA binds to two integrins, causing them to rapidly multiply and boosting an immune response already gone awry due to disease.
The new technology characterizes particle shapes using a probe that collects images of the crystallization process, enabling pharmaceutical companies to monitor and optimize processes. This approach has the potential to revolutionize the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector by achieving 'Six Sigma' quality standards.