Researchers identified eEF2K as a key player in enabling the rapid production of Arc protein, crucial for long-term memory formation. The paradoxical mechanism involves eEF2K inhibiting protein translation while also facilitating Arc protein synthesis.
Researchers found that adding four cycles of Taxotere to a sequential regimen of epirubicin and cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and fluorouracil reduces recurrence and death rates in patients with node-positive early stage breast cancer. This advantage comes at an increased toxicity level.
Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have identified a previously unsuspected gene, CDK8, as a cancer-causing gene in many colon cancers. The study suggests that blocking CDK8 may be useful against tumors driven by overactive beta-catenin.
University of Utah engineers have developed a new way to slice thin wafers of germanium for use in high-efficiency solar cells. The new method, wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM), reduces waste and breakage of the brittle semiconductor, making it more economical to produce such cells.
The University of Queensland's new center, the Pacific Malaria Initiative Support Centre (PacMISC), is part of a global effort to eliminate malaria in low and middle-income countries. PacMISC will focus on Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, providing flexible assistance to national malaria control programs.
A phase II trial involving 45 patients found that an alternating regimen of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, plus cetuximab, yields favorable complete response rates and long-term results comparable to the best reported in literature. However, skin toxicity and toxicities resulting in patient deaths were also observed.
The SITS-ISTR study found that alteplase was safe and effective when given 3-4.5 hours after stroke onset, similar to the traditional 3-hour treatment window. Outcome measures were comparable in both groups, with similar mortality rates, brain haemorrhage risk, and independence at 3 months.
Researchers have identified a new gene variant linked to non-diabetic end-stage renal disease in African Americans, increasing their risk of kidney failure. The MYH9 gene variant is found more frequently among individuals with West African ancestry and may interact with environmental factors to cause the disease.
Researchers found that patients with specific EGFR gene mutations can live almost two years on average when treated with erlotinib, outperforming chemotherapy by two-to-three fold. The study identified a subgroup of 15-22% patients who can benefit from targeted therapies
Gary Ruvkun and colleagues discovered that tiny molecules of RNA can control the activity of critical genes in animals and plants. MicroRNAs may control one third of human protein-coding genes and have potential applications in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of disorders.
MicroRNA researcher Victor Ambros, PhD, received the prestigious Lasker Award alongside Gary Ruvkun and David Baulcombe. The award recognizes their work on microRNAs, which are now understood to regulate genes in both animals and plants.
A new study reveals that an investigational drug, R207910, is effective in killing latent tuberculosis bacteria. The drug targets a protein essential for energy production in active TB, suggesting a potential Achilles heel for dormant bacteria.
Scientists at the University of Granada have developed a new condensed TLM node to model meta-materials, allowing for the creation of structures that can hide objects in conditions difficultly reachable with commercial software. This breakthrough uses a combination of electromagnetic parameters and judicious frame design to improve hid...
Researchers have found that more than half of a proton's spin comes from the orbital motion of its quarks, rather than their spinning. This new theory resolves a long-standing puzzle in physics and agrees with recent experiments and supercomputer calculations.
A new back lift procedure has been introduced by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, removing unsightly back fat rolls and bulges while hiding the scar under the bra line. The study found minimal complications and positive feedback from patients who underwent the procedure.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that physical therapy combined with medical management is just as effective as arthroscopic knee surgery in relieving pain and stiffness. Physical therapists can design personalized exercise programs to improve motion, strength, and conditioning.
Researchers have identified a coral gene called STPCA that responds to light cycles and produces bicarbonate to buffer against acidity. This adaptation allows corals to survive in shallow waters with limited food resources.
Researchers found that reducing coal emissions can keep atmospheric carbon dioxide levels below harmful levels if phased out within the next few decades. The study suggests that oil and gas should be used sparingly as well, but coal must be the main target of reductions.
A team of researchers has developed a method to separate parasitic organisms from their host cells using fluorescent proteins, allowing for more detailed studies. The approach yielded the identification of 509 proteins in the parasites, providing valuable characteristics such as fatty acid degrading enzymes.
The Association of Specialty Professors (ASP) has announced the seventh class of T. Franklin Williams Scholars, who will research and develop career plans focused on integrating geriatrics into internal medicine specialties. The 12 new scholars will join the previous 52 recipients to achieve the program's goal.
Dialysis patients with depression are nearly twice as likely to be hospitalized or die within a year compared to those without depression. The study found that more than 80% of depressed patients died or were hospitalized, while only 43% of non-depressed patients experienced these outcomes.
A new type of drug targets CB2 receptors to alleviate pain in human sensory nerves without affecting the brain. This research offers a promising alternative to opioids, which can have serious side effects such as dependency and nausea.
A study by Henry Ford Health found that 90% of patients who underwent cardiac nuclear stress testing did so appropriately under updated guidelines. However, 21 patients received unnecessary tests, highlighting the potential for savings through adherence to test-appropriateness criteria.
Research suggests that eating broccoli may help patients with chronic lung disease by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. The study found decreased levels of NRF2-dependent antioxidants and increased oxidative stress markers in lungs of smokers with COPD.
A new technique using flexible gastrointestinal endoscope with miniature ultrasound transducer can directly inject cancer fighting agents into tumors, avoiding normal tissue damage. This approach, combined with systemic chemotherapy, shows promise in treating certain cancers.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that NRF2, a master gene regulating antioxidant and pollutant-detoxifying genes, is significantly decreased in smokers with advanced COPD compared to those without. This discovery could lead to new drug therapies targeting the condition.
Research suggests that sleep apnea can lead to erectile dysfunction due to chronic intermittent hypoxia. However, treatment with tadalafil can reverse the effects and improve sexual function in mice exposed to CIH for extended periods. Further studies are needed to explore alternative interventions.
Scientists have discovered a new mineral, xieite, with a post-spinel structure in the Suizhou meteorite. The mineral is a high-pressure polymorph of chromite-spinel with a density about 10% denser than chromite.
Researchers have discovered that our brains contain a built-in navigation system, much like satellite navigation, with in-built maps, grids and compasses. The hippocampus is the key area responsible for learning, memory and navigation, which becomes more refined and powerful in London taxi drivers over years of experience.
Researchers used fMRI scans to study how listeners' brains predict speaker's words before hearing the final sound. The team found that the brain considers multiple possible words with similar sounds and meanings before settling on the correct word.
Task-shifting from doctors to nurses and lay providers can improve primary health care coverage. Effective supervision and alternative financing structures are key to success.
Researchers at University of Montreal discover that superconductivity can induce magnetism, contrary to previous belief. The experiment shows magnetic order in a material only when it's in the superconducting state.
Researchers at Indiana University have discovered a molecule that could lead to new treatments for heart attacks and protect hearts during open heart surgery. The compound, Alda-1, was found to activate an enzyme that reduces cell death caused by lack of blood flow to the heart.
The Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has received a $250,000 grant from the US Green Building Council to investigate the link between daylight design and student well-being. The project aims to quantify the impact of daylight on students' performance, sleep quality, and stress levels.
Researchers have isolated cancer stem cells using a specific protein that only appears in these cells, opening the door for new therapy targeting them. This could lead to a reduction in cancer recurrence by killing stem cells before they can divide.
Reinnervate has developed a polystyrene foam scaffold to grow cells in 3D, revolutionizing drug testing and saving companies money. The company is now poised for commercial manufacture and global sales after securing significant funding.
Scientists have developed nanometer-sized cargo ships that can evade the body's immune system, ferrying anti-cancer drugs and markers into tumors. The nano-cargo-ship system integrates therapeutic and diagnostic functions in a single device, allowing for targeted delivery of toxic anti-cancer drugs to tumors in high concentrations.
A national study found that post-traumatic stress disorder and depression were prevalent among injured patients one year after suffering a serious injury. Injured patients diagnosed with PTSD or depression were six times more likely to not have returned to work in the year following the injury.
Listeriosis is a serious foodborne illness that affects healthy individuals but is life-threatening for pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. In Canada, recent outbreaks linked to deli meats and cheese have prompted guidelines for symptom management and risk reduction.
Paleontologists have found a previously unknown amphibious predator species named Kryostega collinsoni, which had large teeth on the roof of its mouth, similar to those at the edge. The discovery sheds new light on Antarctica's climate during the Triassic period and suggests that it was warmer than today.
Researchers identify aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) as a crucial enzyme in reducing cellular damage from free radicals. Activation of ALDH2 increases its activity during heart attacks, leading to a significant drop in associated damage and potential applications for treating various diseases.
Researchers found that computer models underpredicted BRCA mutation frequency in Asian-American women by 50% compared to Caucasian counterparts. This suggests that more women of Asian descent may be at increased risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancers than previously believed.
A recent study confirms the importance of primary health care in addressing maternal and child deaths, HIV, and chronic diseases. The authors emphasize the need for community participation, intersectoral collaboration, and equitable access to healthcare. To achieve universal health coverage, reviving Alma-Ata's core values is crucial.
Researchers found that shorter preservice training can be just as effective as longer durations in improving child care quality. The study, published in The Lancet, suggests that deploying health workers with shorter training in underserved areas could aid the scale-up of child-survival interventions.
Research highlights the importance of community involvement in primary health care, with systematic reviews identifying effective interventions to reduce maternal and child mortality. Inclusion of these evidence-based interventions can prevent up to 32% of maternal deaths and 40% of post-neonatal deaths.
Astronomers have observed the most detailed picture of a gamma-ray burst, detected by NASA's Swift satellite on March 19. The burst was so bright it became visible to human eyes and provided insights into the universe's most luminous explosions.
Clemson University researcher John R. Saylor has received a $700,000 CDC grant to investigate methods for reducing harmful particulate levels in coal mines. The goal is to lower the incidence of black lung disease and its affiliated ailments by lowering coal-mine dust exposure.
A UC Riverside botanist is investigating how Southern California's plants affect the region's drought. The research aims to identify plant species most susceptible to drought and predict water evaporation from desert chaparral ecosystems.
The Lancet Alma-Ata Working Group emphasizes the need for strengthening primary health care infrastructure, removing user fees, and increasing community participation. To achieve 'Health for All' by 2000 and meet the Millennium Development Goals, these priorities must be addressed with substantial acceleration.
African countries are grappling with a growing number of chronic infectious and non-communicable diseases due to scale-up of antiretroviral therapy for HIV. Mortality from all-cause diseases increased by 87% between 1992 and 2005, primarily due to rising deaths from infectious disease affecting both sexes.
Stevens Institute of Technology has been awarded two grants from the National Science Foundation to support research and training in micro/nanoscale sensors, actuators, and devices. The grants will enable the team to develop advanced acoustic emission sensors with high sensitivity and conformability.
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has won two $3 million National Science Foundation grants to create graduate research programs focusing on computational biology and sustainable energy. The programs, STAIR and SCALE-IT, will support up to 15 graduate students each with significant stipends and tuition waivers.
Researchers found that our brains use the timing of visual input to recognize objects, even when they appear differently. By analyzing neural activity in monkeys, they demonstrated that the brain can learn to confuse similar images through temporal contiguity, leading to improved object recognition.
The US Department of Justice has awarded NJIT a grant to further develop child-safe gun technology, improving its patented dynamic grip recognition technology and moving it closer to commercial consideration. The goal is to create a complete prototype weapon that validates the biometric authorization concept.
A combination regimen of cardiovascular drugs could avert almost 18 million deaths in 23 low-income countries for $1.10 per person. Integration of primary care approaches with public policies is crucial for effective management of chronic diseases.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) concludes that internet-based education is associated with large learning gains compared to traditional instructional methods. Internet-based instruction was shown to be as effective as traditional methods in teaching health-care professionals, offering unique ...
Despite political instability and low income, these countries have made significant strides in child mortality reduction through comprehensive PHC packages, district management systems, and investment in primary care. Cuba's unique approach to preventive care has led to a lower child mortality rate than the US despite having a much low...
A new study finds that early dinosaurs were not superior to their competitors, the crurotarsan group, which survived two mass extinctions without special traits. The research reveals that dinosaurs lucked out when the crurotarsans were hit hard during a mass extinction event.
The Large Hadron Collider has begun circulating protons through its full circumference, a significant milestone in the field of particle physics. The event was celebrated with a pajama party at Fermilab's Remote Operations Center, where researchers and engineers gathered to mark the occasion.
Recent research has shown a significant improvement in two-year survival rates for patients with multiple myeloma, from 48-66% in the 1980s to around 90% today. Potent new drugs have been instrumental in this breakthrough, offering improved outcomes without severe side effects.