A USC team applied engineering principles to reduce operating room turnover time at three California hospitals, resulting in a 21% average reduction. The implemented changes improved patient flow, reduced queuing, and enhanced communication between staff members.
A 25-year study on Welsh streams found that climate change hampers long-term recovery from acid rain effects. Despite improvements in acid levels, only four new insect species colonized the improving rivers, falling short of expected numbers.
The journal Cold Spring Harbor Protocols presents two articles detailing experimental culture methods for cells from the immune system and the nervous system. These protocols enable researchers to isolate and grow specialized cells like macrophages and cerebellar granule neurons, facilitating studies on their functions and interactions.
Child maltreatment includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect, with severe consequences on childhood and adulthood. The authors conclude that child maltreatment is a chronic condition with repeated exposure leading to adverse outcomes.
A study by UCLA researchers found that approximately 4.7% of the nation's population suffers from persistent depression or anxiety disorders. Many individuals who remain ill receive modest increases in medication use but no significant increase in counseling, highlighting a need for improved treatment and insurance arrangements.
A twin study found that identical and fraternal female twins had distinct gut microbial communities, but shared a common core set of genes that performed key functions. Obese individuals had an increased representation of bacterial genes devoted to extracting calories from food.
Researchers discovered a new mechanism by which temporarily cutting off blood flow to arteries before a heart attack reduces damage caused. The study suggests that boosting the effect of this natural response, possibly through administering nitro-linoleic acid (LNO2) beforehand, may reduce heart attack damage in the future.
A meta-analysis of studies on generic vs. brand-name cardiovascular drugs found clinical equivalence in most cases, supporting the use of FDA bioequivalence ratings as a proxy for clinical efficacy. The study suggests that physicians and patients can rely on these ratings to make informed decisions about medication substitution.
New research from Harvard University finds that improvements in behavior and screening are primarily responsible for the decline in cancer mortality. Screening has proven especially effective in early detection of colorectal and breast cancer, while behavioral changes have had the greatest impact on lung cancer.
Chris Bronk, a fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute, argues that the concept of wiretapping is obsolete due to advancements in VoIP technology. He advocates for clear, openly stated policies on government surveillance adapted to the latest technology.
A new study published by researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina suggests that the risk of cancer from radiation exposure during cardiac CT scans is substantially lower than previously reported for general populations. The study found a cancer risk of 1 in 1000, which mirrors more closely the typical patients who receiv...
Researchers are developing ways to empower consumers and transit service providers in designing accessible transportation equipment, information services, and physical environments. A new Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) will focus on creating a public Web site where riders can report on their experiences and collabora...
The supplement addresses complex issues surrounding second trimester abortion, including methods, values, and public policy. In-depth country-based research is needed to bring out facts and support second trimester abortion as a legitimate form of women's health care.
Researchers at University of Nottingham identified the tumour suppressor gene LIMD1 as a protector against lung cancer. The study found that LIMD1 was missing in majority of lung cancer samples, indicating its protective role. This breakthrough could lead to early screening techniques and treatments for lung cancer.
Exposure to secondhand smoke has been reduced by 25-40% since 2000, resulting in a 25-30% decrease in its clinical burden. Treatment costs attributed to passive smoking have also decreased by approximately $1.8 billion to $6.0 billion annually.
Scientists are working on a new strategy to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases by disabling insects from transmitting viruses. The approach targets ticks, sand flies, and mosquitoes, which are responsible for most deaths worldwide.
A systematic review of 49 randomized trials found aprotinin to be slightly more effective at controlling blood loss but with a higher risk of death. Health Canada is set to decide on its use, with alternative treatments like tranexamic acid and aminocaproic being suggested as alternatives.
A new study by the Children's Sentinel Nutrition Assessment Program (C-SNAP) found that 38% of families with children under three were experiencing frequent moves or overcrowded living conditions, leading to increased hunger and poor health. The 'hidden homeless' families are at a higher risk of poor health compared to those in stable ...
Two pivotal Phase 3 trials evaluating HZT 501 met primary endpoints, showing a statistically significant reduction in gastrointestinal ulcers compared to ibuprofen alone. The treatment also demonstrated good tolerability and was well-received by patients.
A new study suggests that having an imperfect body may come with benefits for some women, as hormones redistribute fat from the hips to the waist. This redistribution is associated with increased strength and competitiveness, but not necessarily lower fertility or chronic disease rates.
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.