African cities are experiencing rapid growth, transforming natural resource use and affecting rural areas. The main driver of deforestation is not fuel wood demand but rather agricultural land clearing in peri-urban areas to feed growing urban populations.
Researchers from Tufts University advocate for the use of systematic reviews in nutrition research, emphasizing the need for objectivity and transparency. They provide examples illustrating the approach's flexibility in addressing unique challenges posed by nutrition-related topics.
University of Florida engineering researchers have built a prototype baby monitor that uses Doppler radar to remotely scan the in-and-out movement of a baby's chest due to respiration. The system can detect when a baby stops breathing and sends an alarm to a portable unit kept by parents.
A new study finds that many college women are unaware of the risk of drug-facilitated sexual assault and fail to recognize certain behaviors. The researchers suggest that education and prevention efforts should focus on debunking rape myths and increasing awareness about self-protection.
Researchers found that low-income children's brains function differently from those of high-income peers, with detectable differences in prefrontal cortex response to visual stimuli. This study provides a direct measure of brain activity and sheds light on the impact of socioeconomic status on brain development.
A new technique for imaging the breast, positron emission mammography (PEM), has been found to be effective in detecting breast cancer without being affected by breast density or a woman's hormonal status. PEM has a higher sensitivity rate than standard mammography and breast MRI, with fewer false-positive results.
New research suggests that rapid response teams in hospitals do not reduce cardiopulmonary arrests or deaths. Despite widespread implementation, hospital-wide code rates and mortality rates remained largely unchanged after rapid response team intervention.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered how a lowly fungus regulates its version of cholesterol, gaining new insight into the target and action of cholesterol-lowering drugs. In humans, Insig limits cholesterol production by inactivating the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase through phosphorylation.
Researchers use stable isotope techniques to analyze clam shells, revealing wastewater inputs to estuaries and coastal food webs. The technique helps distinguish natural from human-driven influences on coastal ecosystems.
Research highlights effective interventions for preventing child maltreatment, including home-visiting programs like Nurse Family Partnership and Early Start. Additionally, cognitive-behavioral therapy shows benefits for sexually abused children, while enhanced foster care leads to better mental health outcomes.
Lapatinib shows improved progression-free survival for women with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer compared to chemotherapy alone. However, high-volume laboratories misclassify some patients, preventing them from receiving optimal therapy.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have developed a new technique to count individual mRNA molecules within single cells, revealing detailed insights into gene expression and regulation. The study found that housekeeping genes are not always expressed at a constant level, but rather exhibit restricted variability.
A study of 387 patients found that 43% developed postthrombotic syndrome, a long-term complication not addressed by traditional treatment approaches. The risk factors identified include age, previous DVT, and larger blood clots at diagnosis.
A portable eight-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner has been found to significantly increase the number of stroke victims who receive life-saving thrombolytic therapy. The scanner's availability reduced treatment delay by 54% and is expected to boost recovery rates.
Since 1970, India has faced over 4,100 terrorist attacks, resulting in 12,539 fatalities. The Global Terrorism Database reports that these incidents peaked in 1991 and 1992, with a total of 360 fatalities per year.
A new study reveals invasive garden ants (Lasius neglectus) originated from the Black Sea region and are able to thrive in temperate climates. They can spread rapidly through large potted plants and human movement, posing a significant threat to natural biodiversity.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered that plants can forget epigenetic silencing, a process crucial for breeding enhanced crops. This 'molecular amnesia' varies depending on genome position, offering new avenues for understanding gene regulation and developing cancer treatments.
Researchers have developed a new method to equip miniaturized laboratories with moving parts using magnetic colloidal particles. The technique allows for the creation of complex networks of individual components driven by a single magnetic field.
The study found that rare injuries accounted for 3.5 percent of high school athletes' injuries between 2005 and 2007, including eye injuries, neck and cervical injuries, dehydration, and heat illness. Football was the most common sport associated with these rare injuries.
Researchers at UCL developed a new universal test to predict the risk of major depression, which was tested in 6,000 people and found accurate in predicting future episodes. The tool, predictD, could be used by family doctors and local clinics to identify those at risk for whom prevention might be most useful.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers have identified a common variant in the GRM7 gene as being associated with susceptibility to glutamate excitotoxicity and hearing loss. The findings could lead to treatments that bring relief to millions of people worldwide suffering from age-related hearing loss.
The Genomic Psychiatry Cohort aims to identify genetic factors leading to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in a large-scale population study. The initiative, led by USC researchers, will collect data from 40,000 subjects and become a major resource for researchers worldwide.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) plays a vital role in protecting children from maltreatment by promoting accountability and transparency. The convention's human rights-based approach has been shown to be effective in addressing child maltreatment, including poverty, discrimination, and institutional failures.
Analysis suggests that anterior temporal lobe resection can increase life expectancy by 5.0 years and quality-adjusted life expectancy by 7.5 years for patients with medication-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy. Early surgical treatment is crucial, especially for younger patients, to reverse associated severe disabilities.
A study found that including patient photos with medical images boosts radiologists' attention to detail and empathy towards patients. The researchers concluded that adding photos can lead to better diagnosis accuracy and should be adopted into routine practice.
Rutgers University has received a $10 million grant to establish the Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, which will focus on obesity and related diseases. The new facility will enable researchers to collaborate more easily and address critical issues in food production, nutrition, and human health.
A new study found that empty nests can increase marital satisfaction, particularly when it comes to the quality of time spent together. Researchers tracked women over 18 years and discovered that those whose children left home enjoyed more fulfilling time with their partners.
The Lancet Series on Child Maltreatment aims to provide a rigorous summary of scientific evidence to inform policy discussions. The series emphasizes the importance of training, recognition strategies, and evidence-based approaches to safeguard children from abuse.
Researchers studying a 'striped' material find that it is indeed a superconductor, but only in two dimensions. The material exhibits stronger electron pairing, a necessary condition for superconductivity, at a higher temperature than other compositions.
Cognitive neuroscientists successfully created an illusion of body-swapping by manipulating sensory impressions, allowing subjects to perceive a mannequin's body as their own. This discovery sheds light on how the brain constructs an internal image of the body and has potential practical uses in VR applications.
University of Houston researcher Chip Knee finds that relationship-contingent self-esteem can trigger negative emotions and behaviors in romantic relationships. Individuals with high RCSE are more prone to depression, anxiety, and hostility when faced with minor issues.
Experts argue that schools and community health services contribute significantly to child maltreatment reporting, highlighting the need for improved recognition and response. The study suggests that policy approaches focusing on supportive interventions may be more effective than those prioritizing protection.
Researchers found excellent agreement between CT colonography's bone density measurements and DEXA results, identifying osteoporotic bones in patients. CT colonography may be a cost-effective way to screen more people for osteoporosis without additional radiation.
A study of 34,715 women found that up to two drinks per day is not associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation. However, women who consumed more than two drinks per day had a higher risk of developing the condition.
Researchers found that perennial grasses like switchgrass and Miscanthus increase soil organic carbon, reducing the need for land conversion and promoting a more sustainable biofuel production. This study suggests using perennial crops on existing agricultural lands can help offset carbon emissions from traditional row crops.
A University of California, Berkeley study has identified a key enzyme target for indole-3-carbinol, a broccoli compound that slows down rapidly advancing breast cancer cell growth. The research provides a basis for designing more effective anti-cancer drugs and could lead to breakthroughs in treating prostate tumors.
The Lancet Series on Child Maltreatment highlights the importance of supporting paediatricians who work with child maltreatment cases. Professor Jenny suggests that regulation of experts and media coverage can help safeguard children. The series also emphasizes the need for a public-health approach to address social inequality and pare...
Researchers at Purdue University developed a technique using laser and holograms to precisely position numerous tiny particles within seconds. This potential new tool can analyze biological samples or create devices using nanoassembly.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology find that transmitter terminals play an active role in synapse assembly and disintegration, contributing to brain adaptability. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that only the receiver side of a synapse is involved in reorganization.
Researchers found that statin use is linked to rare eye disorders in some patients, including double vision, drooping eyelids, and loss of eye range of motion. A new system, the ocular trauma score, helps predict visual recovery for soldiers with combat eye injuries.
A comprehensive 'inventory' of life in Antarctica has revealed over 1200 known marine and land species, including sea urchins, free-swimming worms, crustaceans, and birds. The study found surprising high biodiversity in the region, with many temperate and tropical species present.
A study found that extended-release naltrexone improves mental health, social functioning, general health, and physical functioning in alcohol-dependent patients. The medication reduces drinking and increases quality of life, making it a cost-effective treatment option.
Researchers discovered that butterfly species with similar wing patterns have evolved to live in the same territory, maximizing benefits of their appearance. This adaptation highlights the role of protection from predators in evolution beyond pure competition.
A meta-analysis conducted by researchers from the Alfa Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Tufts University found that respiratory fluoroquinolones are highly effective in treating community-acquired pneumonia with fewer adverse outcomes. The antibiotics can be considered for severe forms of pneumonia requiring hospitalization.
A new study found that an elementary school intervention program led to improved mental health, sexual health, and economic outcomes in young adults. Participants who received the full intervention showed stronger effects on positive functioning in young adulthood.
New research in Psychological Science found that cleanliness significantly influences moral judgment, with participants exercising less severe judgments after washing their hands. The study suggests that our intuition and subconscious feelings of 'cleanliness' play a role in shaping our perception of right and wrong.
A 5,200-year-old study of the Tyrolean Iceman's intestinal contents identifies six different mosses, suggesting he may have traveled, injured himself, and dressed wounds. The findings provide insights into his lifestyle and events leading up to his death.
Researchers found that hospitalist interventions can significantly reduce emergency room crowding, with a 6% decrease in ambulance diversion. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of physician communication through apology laws, which may improve doctor-patient relationships and increase patient satisfaction.
A retrospective cohort study found maternal exposure to folic acid antagonists during pregnancy increases the risk of adverse outcomes such as preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. The study recommends re-classifying some folic acid antagonists and increasing folic acid supplements for women taking these medications during pregnancy.
Researchers found that exercise increased cerebral blood flow and the number of small blood vessels in the brain of older adults. The study suggests that regular physical activity may help prevent age-related cognitive decline by improving brain health.
The high cost of childhood vaccines leads to financial strain for physicians, with prices varying widely across medical practices. Many physicians are paying too much for vaccines while receiving too little reimbursement, but new data can help improve these areas.
Researchers have identified a set of genes responsible for producing the deadly toxin botrydial in gray mold, and found that shutting off this gene can stop toxin production. The discovery offers hope for finding natural ways to eliminate gray mold without using expensive fungicides.
Farm workers' children are three times more likely to be uninsured than all other children, with socio-economic factors playing a significant role in this disparity. The study highlights the need for increased efforts to enroll and retain eligible children in health insurance programs.
A new study presents a promising alternative to traditional treatments for women with breast implants who develop early-stage cancer. Brachytherapy, a targeted radiation treatment, offers better cosmetic outcomes and avoids the risk of implant hardening compared to whole-breast radiation therapy.
A long-term study found that children with lower IQs were more likely to develop psychiatric disorders as adults, including schizophrenia, depression, and generalized anxiety disorder. Lower childhood IQ was also associated with persistent mental disorders and an increased risk of having two or more diagnoses.
A new study from Mayo Clinic found that etanercept therapy was not effective in treating patients with moderate to severe alcoholic hepatitis, increasing six-month mortality rates due to increased infections. Abstinence is still considered the best policy for reversing liver damage and reducing disease progression.
Julia Bailey-Serres and her collaborators have developed flood-tolerant rice varieties that can recover after prolonged submergence, improving crop yields in flood-prone areas. The new rice varieties, already passed field tests in Bangladesh and India, will be made available to smallholder farmers within two years.
A recent study found that biofuel plantations in tropical forests release more carbon into the atmosphere than they save, harming both climate change and biodiversity. The study suggests that preserving existing forests is a better way to combat climate change.
In a developmental program, Dictyostelium cells acquire polarized morphology and aggregate to form a migrating stream. The team discovered that ACA-containing vesicles cluster at the rear of cells, creating a 'breadcrumb trail' that guides fellow cells to join the parade.
The African AIDS Vaccine Programme (AAVP) is a network of African HIV vaccine stakeholders working towards an AIDS-free continent. The programme, established in 2000, supports and represents diverse communities involved in HIV vaccine research and development.