Researchers at Queen's University have found a new approach to regulating enzymes involved in blood clotting, potentially leading to novel treatments for heart attacks and strokes. The study targets the enzyme PDE5, which is also used in Viagra, and shows its selective inhibition could prevent platelet activation.
Researchers found that cane toads are unlikely to thrive in Melbourne, Adelaide, and Hobart due to the region's cool temperatures. However, they expect them to move further south by 2050 under moderate global warming, potentially affecting cities like Sydney and Perth.
A study by UC Santa Barbara researchers found that human colonization of islands has led to a significant increase in biodiversity, with native species making way for new, exotic plants and animals. The research suggests that ecosystems may be oversaturated, leading to potential extinctions.
A team of international scientists warns that current coral reef protection zones are not effective against climate change. They recommend establishing new areas with better protection to prevent coral collapse and conserving marine ecosystems.
A recent study from University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that smokers who aren't craving a cigarette often underestimate their future urge to smoke, leading them to make decisions they may regret. This 'cold-to-hot empathy gap' can lead to increased nicotine cravings when motivation is low.
New research suggests that babies' early language skills are rooted in the brain's ability to recognize repetition patterns. The study found increased brain activity in response to words with repeating syllables, indicating a possible hard-wired mechanism for language acquisition.
A recent study by University of Melbourne researcher Dr. Patrick Charles found that only 5% of community-acquired pneumonia cases required broad-spectrum antibiotics, while most were caused by easy-to-treat bacteria or respiratory viruses. The study suggests that current Australian guidelines for prescribing antibiotics are appropriate...
The WELIM initiative will create professional development materials for teachers and develop science curriculum using innovative instructional technologies. The program aims to teach environmental science in a comprehensive and innovative way, addressing global issues such as climate change and energy usage.
A study by Baylor College of Medicine found that reducing uric acid levels in teens with high blood pressure lowered blood pressure to normal in most cases. Allopurinol, a medication typically used for gout, showed promise as a potential treatment for high blood pressure.
A new study suggests that allopurinol can reduce blood pressure in adolescents with newly diagnosed hypertension by lowering uric acid levels. The trial found significant decreases in casual and ambulatory systolic and diastolic BP in patients treated with allopurinol.
Researchers discovered ABC-transporters expressed on vascular endothelial cells, which decrease the intracellular concentrations of anti-HIV drugs like saquinavir and zidovudine. Inhibiting these transporters with verapamil or MK-571 increases drug retention, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy to improve HAART efficacy.
Researchers found that interferon-alpha plays a key role in the onset of type 1 diabetes by triggering an immune response that destroys pancreatic beta cells. This discovery could provide new insights into the disease and potentially lead to new treatments.
A team of researchers from the University of Oregon refutes claims of Hobbit-like little people living in Palau, citing evidence of normal-sized hunters and gatherers. The study analyzed skeletal remains and cultural data dating back to around 3,500 years ago, finding no evidence of insular dwarfism or reduced stature population.
A study published in the Journal of AAPOS found that pirenzepine gel can slow the rate of progressive myopia in children, with an average increase of 0.58 diopters over two years compared to 0.99 diopters in the placebo group. The treatment was generally safe and effective, with only mild side effects reported.
A study published in European Urology found that vardenafil, a PDE5 inhibitor, is more efficacious when used on-demand in men with erectile dysfunction following bilateral nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy. On-demand use of vardenafil was associated with significantly greater erectile function and sexual intercourse completion rates ...
Researchers found a significant association between ACE inhibitor and ARB use and reduced incidence of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell cancers in U.S. veterans. The study revealed a 39% relative reduction in basal cell cancer and 33% relative reduction in squamous cell cancers among users compared to non-users.
A new approach, MisPred, uses five principles to identify suspect proteins with abnormal or incomplete annotations in public databases. The majority of errors are attributed to the absence of expected signal peptides and domain integrity violations.
A new study published in European Urology found that patients who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy experienced higher levels of dissatisfaction and regret, particularly African-American patients. Longer follow-up periods were also associated with increased regret.
A study by University of Illinois Chicago found that uninsured patients receive inconsistent care across public, for-profit and not-for-profit hospitals. The research analyzed financial reports, surveys and staff practices, revealing significant differences in how institutions ration uncompensated care to self-pay patients.
Women who don't drink coffee can experience a significant caffeine boost, improving mental alertness and heart rate, according to new research. The study found that consuming a large cup of coffee had more than enough caffeine to induce these changes.
Patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms are increasingly being treated with stent grafts, which require minimal incision and rapid recovery. A recent study found that patients receiving stent grafts had significantly lower complication rates compared to those undergoing open chest surgery.
A study found that one-fifth of Ayurvedic medicines purchased online exceed acceptable standards for lead, mercury, and arsenic. Rasa shastra medicines were more likely to contain detectable metals, posing a risk to users.
Researchers have developed a manganese-containing complex that effectively catalyzes the photooxidation of water, a crucial half reaction in the photocatalytic splitting of water. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of a photoelectrochemical cell that produces pure hydrogen and oxygen from water and sunlight.
Astronomers study massive galaxies in clusters to understand their growth. The team observed four galaxy groups and found that three of them have a bright companion galaxy, indicating merging systems.
A Johns Hopkins Children's Center study found that elevated cholesterol levels drop naturally in four out of 10 children with uncontrollable epilepsy treated with the high-fat ketogenic diet. Nearly half of these children returned to normal or near-normal cholesterol levels without modifications to their diet.
A novel multi-arm trial design could test several therapies simultaneously, speeding up cancer drug development. A natural chemical called candidaspongiolide inhibits protein synthesis and kills cancer cells through an unusual biochemical pathway.
Clemson University environmental chemist Cindy Lee receives NSF funding to investigate how PCBs cycle through fish and other organisms before reaching consumers. Her research aims to track the changes in PCB behavior and determine their impact on human brain development.
A new LIDAR system developed by EPFL will provide continuous data on atmospheric humidity for Western Switzerland's weather forecasting headquarters. The system offers excellent spatial and temporal resolution, outperforming traditional LIDAR systems in stability and reliability.
A meta-analysis of randomized trials found that tight glucose control in critically ill adults is not associated with a reduced risk of death, but does increase the risk of hypoglycemia. The study challenges common practice guidelines recommending tight glucose control for these patients.
A researcher is collecting coral spawn to study how corals respond to global warming. She hopes to acquire information about the impact of water temperature changes on corals and will use this knowledge to identify gene variants that provide resistance to abnormal water conditions.
Researchers found unusual vocal patterns in BTBR mice, which could be used to model impaired communication in autism. The study suggests that these unique patterns may resemble those seen in some autistic infants and young children.
A long-term study found that sudden vision loss leads to rapid changes in the visual cortex, enabling it to process touch. The brain's adaptability was revealed to be greater than previously thought, with potential implications for other sensory losses and brain injuries.
The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has revealed its first all-sky map in gamma rays, showcasing the glowing gas of the Milky Way and pulsars in unprecedented detail. The telescope's high-energy capabilities will enable discoveries of new pulsars and reveal powerful processes near super-massive black holes.
A new study published in the Journal of Human Evolution debunks a long-held assumption that Homo sapiens were more intelligent than Neanderthals. The research team recreated stone tools used by both species and found no clear advantage in terms of efficiency. This finding challenges the traditional narrative that Homo sapiens outcompet...
A study by researchers at UCSF found that California's state tobacco control program saved $86 billion in personal healthcare costs over 15 years. The program prevented 3.6 billion packs of cigarettes from being smoked, resulting in significant health cost reductions.
A study analyzing prescription data found that anti-psychotic drug use increased by 20% among elderly patients with dementia after safety warnings were issued. The warnings, issued between 2002 and 2007, aimed to reduce the risk of stroke or death associated with these drugs.
Leonard Kleinrock, UCLA professor, is recognized for his pioneering work on packet switching and data networks. He developed the mathematical theory of data networks a decade before the Internet's birth and directed the first message to pass over the Internet.
A new study from Brigham Young University warns that the current DNA barcoding technique may be inaccurately identifying species, leading to overestimation of species numbers. The technique relies on a universal genetic marker, but errors can occur when 'numts' (inactive genetic code) are misinterpreted as unique species.
Abnormal tumor blood vessels are 'leaky' and 'twisty', hindering chemotherapy drug delivery. Researchers identify a key factor: tumor capillary cells' inability to sense mechanical forces, leading to irregular vessel formation. Normalizing these forces may improve therapy effectiveness.
A recent study published in PLOS Pathogens reveals that probiotic Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 can limit damage from infection-related inflammation. The research demonstrates the anti-inflammatory and pathogen protection benefits of this strain, suggesting potential benefits beyond gastrointestinal health.
The Blanco Transform Fault Zone has experienced over 1,500 earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or greater in the past 40 years, with many thousands of smaller quakes. The region's tectonic stress may affect the Cascadia Subduction Zone, potentially leading to a major earthquake.
A large population study found a significant association between incense use and an increased risk of upper respiratory tract cancers, including squamous cell carcinomas. The study also suggested that incense smoke may add to the cancer risk in smokers, but not in non-smokers.
A decade of research into Jasmonate, a synthetic compound derived from the jasmine flower, has led to the development of an anti-cancer drug. Early first-in-man studies have proven successful, with the compound showing responsiveness to both blood cancers and solid tumors.
A new non-invasive cardiac imaging technology has been found to be highly accurate in detecting coronary artery stenosis, comparable to the traditional and more expensive invasive method. The study, conducted at 16 sites, involved 230 research volunteers with chest pain but no known coronary artery disease.
Researchers found that leptin can lower blood glucose levels and maintain them in a normal range for extended periods. The study shows promise for treating type 1 diabetes without insulin injections.
A prospective cohort study of 6107 Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes found a V-shaped risk relation between LDL cholesterol and cancer. Patients with low LDL cholesterol (below 2.80 mmol/L) or high levels (above 3.90 mmol/L) had significantly elevated risks of various cancers.
Research suggests that college freshmen can make their roommate relationships better by adopting an 'eco-system' approach, focusing on genuine caring and compassion. By doing so, they can reduce loneliness and build close relationships with their roommates.
Biologists studied male copulatory organ size and horn length in Onthophagus taurus, finding substantial differences between populations. The study suggests that natural selection can drive speciation by making individuals from different populations sexually incompatible, potentially leading to the origin of new species.
A recent study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Georgia State University found that adolescents in Sderot, Israel, who experienced high levels of social support were better protected against depression caused by ongoing terror attacks. The research highlights the potential importance of community mental health efforts as prote...
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh Center for Vaccine Research are testing vaccines designed to protect against the deadliest strain of avian flu, H5N1. The $3.6M grant will support animal studies using virus-like particles that could potentially offer enhanced protection against new strains.
The study found that as a child receives more resources from their father, the expression of imprinted genes is triggered, reversing the symptoms of Prader-Willi Syndrome. This discovery may help understand how social structure influences disease development.
Researchers at Loyola Medicine report a potential treatment for stroke patients that could restore functions and reverse damage. The technique involves anti-nogo-A immunotherapy, which has improved lab animal results and is being tested in human clinical trials.
The journal's editors emphasize the importance of universal access to basic surgical services, citing their cost-effectiveness in reducing child mortality and improving maternal health. The movement to promote surgery as a global public health tool has gained momentum, with potential benefits in addressing infectious diseases like HIV.
Genetic mutations and lower growth rates found among crustaceans in Parramatta River due to heavy metal exposure, suggesting permanent negative impacts on species fertility and survival. Researchers used a sensitive test organism, Melita plumulosa, to assess toxicity of marine sediments.
The US Medical Licensing Examination board has introduced an audio portion to its medical licensing exam, requiring students to identify heart murmurs and abnormal heart sounds. The skill level required is much higher than traditional curriculum, leading to increased dependence on expensive tests.
The CLOUD experiment aims to understand the role of cosmic rays in cloud formation and climate change. By simulating cosmic ray intensity, researchers plan to uncover details of aerosol and cloud formation mechanisms.
Researchers investigate how much alcohol exposure during fetal development can lead to facial malformations, brain damage, and other lifelong issues. Exposure to just a few glasses of wine in early pregnancy increases cell death, resulting in irreversible damage to the fetus's face and possibly its brain and spinal cord.
Research reveals that certain adult stem cells are more active than previously thought, actively controlling their behavior through the interaction between laminin A and integrins. This interaction enables follicle stem cells to remain in place, primed for division, by laying down laminin A to build their own niche.
Duke University researchers found that antipsychotic drugs may not work as previously assumed, and that the biochemical pathways linked to the D2 receptor may function differently than expected. The study suggests that targeting the beta-arrestin pathway could lead to more effective treatments with fewer side effects.
Scientists have discovered a 3D structure of an NS1 protein that suppresses human defenses against the flu virus, paving the way for new drug development. The breakthrough could lead to effective treatments for avian influenza and other human strains.