A large randomized drug trial found statins significantly reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure, contributing to a reduced risk of stroke and cardiovascular events. The study involved 973 participants taking either simvastatin or pravastatin or a placebo for six months.
A gene associated with human breast stem cells can stimulate the development of mammary cells by activating Wnt and Notch pathways, which are critical to cancer growth. The study suggests that targeting this gene might provide a new way to treat cancers of the breast and other tumor types.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered the first clues about the ancient origins of the placenta, a vital organ exchanging gas and nutrients between mother and fetus. The study suggests that the placenta evolved from simpler tissue in eggshells of birds and reptiles.
Researchers found that large-scale plantations in tropical regions could sequester significant amounts of carbon, potentially offsetting up to 5-7% of global CO2 emissions. However, the effectiveness of these plantations is limited by social, economic, and institutional barriers, as well as uncertainties in land use.
Researchers identified an association between gene expression and response to methotrexate treatment in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The study suggests that genomic profiling could help predict response to the drug and improve long-term survival, paving the way for new strategies to enhance survival rates.
Research found people with high blood pressure are up to 40% less likely to have a headache or migraine compared to those with healthier blood pressure rates. Higher pulse pressure was linked to reduced headache and migraine frequency in both men and women.
Children screened for amblyopia before age 2 tend to have improved visual outcomes compared to those detected between ages 2 and 4. Early photoscreening yields better results in treating amblyopia.
Researchers found that high urate levels among recently diagnosed Parkinson's patients slowed disease progression during a two-year study period. Elevated urate levels have been linked to reduced risk of developing Parkinson's disease, and may offer new treatment strategies for the disorder.
Researchers present data on the preventive effects of celecoxib and atorvastatin in colorectal, prostate and breast cancer. The study found that patients taking celecoxib had a significant reduction in adenomas, precursor to colon cancer, with low cardiovascular risk. A combination of atorvastatin and celecoxib also inhibited the growt...
The study found that a combination of genetic mutations, including the deletion of gene IKZF1, can initiate most cases of an aggressive form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The researchers also identified cooperation between these genetic lesions and BCR-ABL1 expression.
A study of 3,269 older men found that those taking loop diuretics had faster rates of hip bone mineral density decline compared to non-users. The risk was highest among continuous users, with a rate two-and-a-half times greater than non-users.
A Virginia Tech researcher is investigating the evolution of bacterial speck disease in tomatoes, which may hold clues about how plant pathogens adapted to monoculture farming. The study aims to identify molecular mechanisms allowing pathogens to specialize to specific plant species and become more aggressive.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center used a drug-treated blood stem cell compound to transform human blood stem cells into immature heart cells. This helped improve the function of injured rodent hearts and may lead to new treatments for heart attacks.
Research found that postmenopausal hormone users had a 48% lower risk of neovascular AMD, but unexpectedly higher risk of early AMD. Women who gave birth had a 26% lower risk of early AMD.
A large population-based study using Danish register data suggests that antidepressant use accounts for only 10% of the fall in suicide rates among middle-aged and older people. Despite a significant increase in antidepressant prescriptions, the study found no conclusive link between medication and reduced suicidal behavior.
A study found that women's perceived risk of colon cancer is associated with their screening behavior, with higher risks detected in Latinas and lower risks in Asian women. Women with a family history of cancer were more likely to undergo screenings.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have found that common blood pressure medications can inhibit pancreatic cancer cell growth and cause cell death. The study suggests that these drugs may be part of a novel strategy to control the growth and spread of cancer.
Researchers have developed a library of over 300 antibodies effective against H5N1 avian flu, offering potential treatment for infected individuals and a step towards a universal flu vaccine. The antibodies may also enable the design of vaccines with cross-subtype neutralizing activity.
Researchers identified a mechanism by which seizures increase production of a drug transport protein in the blood-brain barrier, leading to reduced medication effectiveness in epilepsy patients. This discovery offers promising new therapeutic targets to improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers uncover how ATM mutations cause neurodegeneration in Ataxia telangiectasia by preventing neurons from re-entering the cell cycle. This finding holds promise for developing new treatments for A-T and other neurodegenerative disorders.
A DASH-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may lower the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. Higher scores on the DASH diet were associated with lower levels of inflammation markers, suggesting a potential benefit for cardiovascular health.
Coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) may be misused as a screening tool for high-risk patients without symptoms. Experts, including Dr. Christopher M. Kramer, argue that the procedure exposes patients to radiation and contrast dye, posing more risk than benefit.
Research shows maternal diet impacts offspring health, with low-protein diets leading to hypertensive pups and abnormal blood vessels. The study highlights the need to investigate a potential link between maternal nutrition and human health.
The report highlights that RPS policies apply to nearly 50% of total US electricity load in 25 states and Washington D.C. It also notes that existing policies would require roughly 60 GW of new renewable capacity by 2025, equivalent to 15% of projected electricity demand growth.
The Novo-TTF device demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing tumor volume and improving outcomes for patients with locally advanced breast cancer. The device's non-invasive technology disrupts cancer cell proliferation, offering a potential alternative to traditional chemotherapy.
Researchers at Rutgers University have discovered that combining Celebrex and Lipitor can stop the transition of early prostate cancer to its more aggressive stage. This breakthrough could lead to a new treatment strategy for men with early-stage disease, potentially preventing cancer progression and saving lives.
Climate experts weigh in on An Inconvenient Truth, agreeing it raises public awareness but contains weaknesses and exaggerations. The film's main weakness is its reliance on individual extreme events to prove global warming.
Using a bioinspired approach, researchers mimicked magnetotactic bacteria to synthesize ferromagnetic nanoparticles with desirable magnetic properties. The team successfully produced cobalt-ferrite nanoparticles, which have more desirable magnetic properties than magnetite.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation has awarded $5.6 million for a Phase 2 clinical trial investigating the potential of inosine to slow or stop Parkinson's disease progression. The study will determine the safety of using inosine to raise urate levels and assess optimal dosage for therapeutic effect.
Researchers found that combining low-dose DFMO with sulindac reduced recurrent colorectal adenoma risk by up to 95% without significant toxicity. The combination therapy also showed significant reductions in advanced adenoma recurrence rates, including a 92% reduction for larger adenomas.
A team of researchers created a functional human vascular system in mice by injecting spheroids of endothelial cells into the skin. The newly formed blood vessels are exclusively made of human endothelial cells and establish contact with mouse vessels, allowing for study of tumor growth and angiogenesis inhibitor effects.
Researchers demonstrated the vulnerability of Skyhook's WiFi Positioning System (WPS) to location spoofing attacks, exploiting forged MAC addresses and jamming access point signals to create an illusion of a different physical location.
Researchers found that statins can modestly reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure in individuals with hypertension. The study showed a significant decrease in blood pressure at six months of treatment, but not at one month.
Research suggests that young people who dress according to their own ethnic group are less likely to have subsequent mental health problems than those who don't. Cultural identity expressed through clothing is found to be a healthier option for adolescents in multicultural societies.
Researchers have discovered a protein profile in the blood that can help diagnose and treat chronic sinusitis with a totally objective test. This breakthrough may aid in more effective management of the disease, which is characterized by recurring nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, and sinus pressure.
University of Utah engineers successfully created wire-like waveguides to transmit and bend terahertz radiation, a crucial step towards harnessing its potential for faster computing and communication. This breakthrough could lead to the development of superfast computers that can process data at trillions of cycles per second.
The University of Iowa Mathematics Department is recognized for its successful recruitment and mentorship efforts, particularly for underrepresented minority students. The department's innovative approach has raised the achievement level of all students, with a significant increase in PhDs granted to minority students.
Researchers found that infection with the parasite creates distinct metabolic 'fingerprints' in the blood and urine, which can be detected as early as one day after infection. The findings could enable a simpler way to test for sleeping sickness, improving survival rates and reducing devastating side effects.
Research found a strong link between engine exhaust and pneumonia deaths, with 35 local authorities accounting for over 15,000 excess deaths, equivalent to the annual death toll from London smog. The study suggests that pollutants directly damage lung tissue, increasing risk of progressive lung diseases such as COPD.
A study by Max Planck Institute researchers found that unconscious brain activity can predict decisions made by participants up to 7 seconds before they consciously make a choice. This suggests that the decision is unconsciously prepared ahead of time, but the final decision may still be reversible.
A research team has discovered the first functional insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) ortholog in invertebrates. The newly identified protein, called imaginal morphogenesis protein-late 2 (Imp-L2), binds to insulin and inhibits its growth-promoting function, regulating growth control and insulin signaling.
Researchers at UCI have developed a new colon cancer prevention treatment using a combination of DFMO and sulindac, reducing the risk of reoccurring colorectal polyps by up to 95%. The treatment has shown promise in reducing the incidence of advanced adenomas and other forms of colon cancer.
Researchers successfully triggered electrical activity in thunderclouds by aiming laser light at them, generating plasma filaments that conducted electricity. The technology has potential applications in studying lightning strikes and evaluating the sensitivity of airplanes and critical infrastructure.
New research reveals that nicotine reduces neutrophil ability to seek and destroy bacteria, contributing to increased susceptibility to infection in chronic tobacco users. The study also found that nicotine suppresses oxidative burst and increases matrix metalloproteinase-9 release, leading to impaired neutrophil function.
The Delta II rocket carrying NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Telescope (GLAST) is being assembled at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The rocket, fueled by nine solid rocket motors, will search for signs of new laws of physics and explore the universe's most extreme environments.
A group of faculty from Stevens Institute of Technology won the ASEE Best Paper Award for their work on promoting systems thinking in engineering and pre-engineering students. The paper describes integrated curriculum innovation that embeds systems concepts into undergraduate engineering design sequences, starting from Freshman year.
A study by researchers from the American Psychological Association found that people experience mental fatigue and decreased productivity when faced with numerous choices. In experiments involving 328 participants, those who made choices had trouble staying focused and completing tasks compared to those who didn't make decisions.
A new study published in PLoS Biology shows that gene-environment interactions play a crucial role in determining thousands of traits in yeast, with the environment having a bigger effect on regulated genes than direct mechanisms. The research reveals intriguing interactions between genetic and environmental factors.
Researchers created a living system using genetically altered bacteria to study the dynamics of interacting populations. The system, which consists of two distinct populations of bacteria that control each other's survival rates, provides a unique model for exploring population changes in a predictable manner.
A new global alliance for pharmacogenomics is launching, aiming to identify genetic factors contributing to individual responses to medicines. Initial projects will focus on understanding breast cancer treatment effectiveness, pancreatic cancer side effects, and drug-induced heart rhythm disorders.
Scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that not all heart cells respond equally to the same cue before differentiating. This discovery may lead to advances in understanding and treating congenital heart disease and heart attacks by identifying multiple types of heart cell progenitors.
A study of 804 individuals with early Parkinson's disease found that those with higher blood urate levels were less likely to progress and required dopaminergic therapy. The association suggests that urate may protect dopamine-producing neurons, potentially leading to the development of new therapies.
A restricted-calorie diet inhibited the development of precancerous growths in skin cancer, while an obesity-inducing diet activated pathways contributing to cancer growth and development.
Researchers found that sunitinib treatment slowed tumor growth and reduced the risk of metastasis in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. The median progression-free survival was four months, and the median overall survival was 10 months.
The study reveals that c-Cbl suppresses HSC self-renewal, leading to an increase in the number of HSCs in transgenic mice. This finding may facilitate expansion and manipulation of hematopoietic stem cells for tissue engineering and stem cell-based therapies.
A review of 33318 screened healthcare workers found that 4.6% carried MRSA, with 5.1% having clinical infections. Aggressive screening is recommended to control transmission and protect patients, especially in high-risk units.
Epicentre research has helped improve rapid assessment of population health status, responding to infectious disease outbreaks, treating malnutrition, and developing diagnostic tools. The findings aim to address public health questions and significantly improve the health status of affected populations.
Research at University of Cambridge reveals high morning testosterone levels increase City traders' profits for the rest of the day. Testosterone is found to boost confidence and appetite for risk, leading to a positive-feedback loop that can be detrimental if excessive.
A study found that testosterone spray increased frequency of sexually satisfying events in premenopausal women, but the effect was only significant for the middle dose. Conventional treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy and sex therapy are recommended over hormone replacement therapy.