A study published in the journal SLEEP found that a brief daytime nap (45 minutes) benefits declarative memory performance. The results suggest that there is a threshold acquisition level required for sleep to optimally process memories, and this finding has implications for adults' nightly sleep recommendations.
The US Senate Special Committee on Aging heard a call to develop mobile polling to improve access to voting for older Americans, who face significant barriers due to geographical distances and lack of transportation. Dr. Jason Karlawish recommends using mobile polling to encourage registrations and assist with voting at long-term care ...
The US is likely to miss its goal of eliminating tuberculosis by 2010 due to high latent TB infection rates among certain groups, including those living below the poverty line and foreign-born individuals.
Researchers found that increasing core body temperature improved vigilance, while decreasing skin temperature enhanced wakefulness in narcoleptic subjects. The study used a thermosuit to manipulate skin temperature and hot or cold food/drinks to adjust core body temperature.
New study reveals that timing of IL-7 treatment is crucial for enhancing antiviral immunity in mice. Administering IL-7 during the immune response contraction phase improves viral control and boosts vaccine-induced CD8+ T cell memory.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison discover a unique protein in whey that supports growth and reduces phenylalanine levels in mice with PKU, opening possibilities for dietary liberalization.
A study published in Gastroenterology found that smoking significantly increases the risk of developing colorectal polyps, with a two-fold increased risk for current smokers. The findings suggest that approximately 20-25% of colorectal polyps may be attributed to tobacco use.
Families in the US can eat healthily without breaking the bank, with USDA estimates suggesting they could spend less than $189/week on food. The Low-Cost Food Plan provides guidance on affordable meal options rich in fruits, vegetables and milk products.
Cold Spring Harbor Protocols highlights two RNA-based methods for understanding developmental processes in plants and flies. The first method uses RNAi to investigate gene function in fruit flies, while the second protocol describes how to detect where and when a gene is expressed in young plant tissues.
A study by Dr. Catherine Sabiston found that breast cancer survivors who participated in dragon boat racing reported significantly improved physical and mental health. The social aspect of the activity provided a sense of community and empowerment, helping women cope with post-recovery trauma.
Researchers identified a significant association between genetic mutations in the TLR4 gene and inflammatory injury to the placenta, increasing the risk of preterm birth. Women with this mutation were five times more likely to experience placental inflammation, while babies with the mutation faced nearly five times the risk.
A study published in SLEEP found that REM sleep deprivation in rats reduced cell proliferation by 63% compared to non-deprived controls. This suggests a critical role for REM sleep in facilitating brain plasticity and adult neurogenesis.
New studies validate non-invasive methods for diagnosing liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, with enhanced panels showing good diagnostic accuracy and simple markers augmenting performance, offering potential for eliminating the need for liver biopsy in over 80% of cases.
Yu Lu receives the AIP Tate Medal for his four-decade-long efforts in bringing together world's condensed matter physics community and promoting international collaboration. He has authored nearly 200 research papers and three books, and played a key role in organizing scientific activities in developing countries.
A study published in the journal SLEEP found that respiratory disturbances during sleep are remarkably common in healthy individuals, particularly in older adults. The prevalence of breathing irregularities increases dramatically with age, even in those without symptoms or signs of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
Researchers developed MAPAS to predict protein contact surfaces, which can guide new treatments for devastating diseases. The tool uses supercomputers to analyze protein shapes and energy, revealing key details of membrane interactions.
A new approach to medicine may involve targeting specific gut microbes to combat diseases like diabetes and obesity. Research suggests that altering the gut microbiome using probiotics can have a significant impact on human health.
Researchers from the Trainor Lab have characterized a crucial gene that regulates neural cell differentiation and proliferation during embryonic development. The study reveals how this gene, Cux2, integrates cell cycle progression with neural progenitor differentiation to shape the spinal cord.
Scientists found that summer storms in the Southeast drop more rainfall on weekdays than weekends. The study suggests that atmospheric pollution from humans may be driving this trend, as pollution levels peak midweek.
A University of Waterloo research team led by professor James Forrest explores the properties of large class materials on nanoscale. They found that even when bulk becomes solid, surface behaves like liquid-like, with huge implications for applications such as nanolithography.
Researchers found that obese teenagers who lost weight showed an increase in bone mineral content, contrary to expectations, and this effect was largely explained by changes in body fat and muscle during the weight loss program. This finding raises important questions about the impact of early onset obesity on lifelong bone health.
A study of over 4,000 US adolescents found chronic insomnia can predict somatic and psychological problems in the future. Insomnia is a major public health burden among adolescents, comparable to other psychiatric disorders.
Researchers found common properties among successful drugs, including high precision, specific connectivity, and tissue specificity. These characteristics can help pharmaceutical companies select promising targets and reduce the cost of drug development.
Women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who experienced sexual and/or physical abuse may have a heightened brain response to pain, making them more sensitive to abdominal discomfort. Researchers found that patients with IBS background of abuse were less effective in turning off a pain modulation mechanism in the brain.
Researchers have found that marigold therapy can clear or greatly reduce the number and size of plantar warts in four to six sessions, even in HIV-positive patients who are harder to treat. The therapy uses extracts from several types of marigold plants and has been used for nearly 30 years in the UK to treat various foot issues.
Research reveals that specific males with strong catalytic effects initiate hunts, diluting prey defenses and increasing hunting likelihood. These 'impact hunters' are more likely to be successful and have a high success rate when hunting alone.
Researchers found that Enbrel significantly reduced levels of C-reactive protein in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, indicating a systemic inflammatory disease. The study also showed that heavier patients had higher CRP levels and that Enbrel decreased these levels in overweight and obese patients.
Recent research finds that blacks are nearly twice as likely to develop severe sepsis as whites, with a significantly higher mortality rate. After controlling for poverty and geography, black race remained independently associated with higher severe sepsis incidence.
A novel ethics education project for graduate students at UD aims to increase student awareness of research ethics through small-group discussions on various issues. The project will result in a code of research ethics and integrity for UD graduate students, built from the bottom up.
A study of rheumatoid arthritis patients found that almost 11% experienced moderate to severe depression symptoms. Patients who were restricted in their activities were more likely to have these symptoms, and few discussed their condition with their rheumatologists.
Patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis receiving REMICADE experienced significant skin clearance improvements across four body regions, including head, trunk, and extremities. At week 10, 71-79% of patients achieved a PASI 75 improvement, with even greater success at 39-52% achieving a PASI 90 response.
A study of patients with chronic hepatitis C found that silymarin, a popular herbal supplement, had no effect on HCV virus activity or liver inflammation. However, users reported fewer symptoms and improved quality of life compared to non-users.
The AGA Institute's report highlights the need for GI divisions to evolve, with recommendations including training in leadership skills and business practices. The report also emphasizes the importance of improving faculty retention and workforce issues through innovative policies and technologies.
Researchers used nitrogen isotopic discrimination to identify non-organic sweet pepper plants grown with synthetic fertilizers. The study found that synthetic fertilizers significantly reduced nitrogen isotope ratios, with old leaves and fruits being more sensitive to the additions.
The Journal of the American Dietetic Association has published a comprehensive review of dietary factors for treating and preventing cardiovascular disease. The review identifies effective dietary considerations, including a diet low in saturated fatty acids and high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a gene that guards all grass species against a devastating fungus, which can destroy crops vital for human food supplies. The naturally occurring disease resistance has allowed grasses to thrive for 60 million years.
New research reveals that timing of IL-7 treatment is crucial for enhancing antiviral immunity. Additionally, studies on cardiac development and wound healing have identified novel genes and mechanisms, offering potential therapeutic targets for chronic viral infections and cutaneous wounds.
A new urine test detects prostate cancer more accurately than current methods, including PSA and PCA3 tests. The test identified 80% of patients with prostate cancer and was 61% effective in ruling out disease.
A study by Paul Williams found that quitting exercise can lead to significant weight gain, especially at lower intensity levels. Resuming exercise after an hiatus is often not enough to reverse the weight gain, highlighting the importance of consistent and year-round physical activity to maintain a healthy weight.
Researchers have developed a successful test vaccine that prevents the development of prostate cancer in 90% of young mice. The vaccine targets prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), which is over-expressed in early-stage prostate cancers, and has been shown to mount an immune response against the protein.
Researchers have created a novel process for catching gas from the environment and holding it indefinitely in molecular-sized containers, promising improvements to greenhouse gas management and fuel cell development. The 'molecular nanovalves' system is highly controllable and recyclable, allowing for safe and efficient storage of gases.
Researchers found that the M2 protein's motion and structure change when treated with amantadine, blocking the flu virus from infecting healthy cells. The study provides insight into developing alternative antiviral drugs for resistant flu strains.
The Simons Foundation's $10 million grant will support preclinical studies of new therapies for gliomas, a type of brain cancer. The goal is to develop treatments that target cancer cells and abnormal signaling pathways while sparing nearby sensitive tissues.
Researchers developed a new approach to image enhancement using PSO algorithm, which intelligently boosts contrast and detail in an image. The method outperforms existing approaches in terms of computational time and objective evaluation, making it suitable for various applications such as CCTV images and lower quality camera photos.
A new study published in Arthritis Care & Research found that taking two NSAIDs was associated with lower scores on a health-related quality of life assessment. Dual use was also linked to worse physical functioning and symptoms, highlighting the need for better pain management and patient communication.
Dennis J. McGillicuddy, Jr., a pioneer in physical-biological interactions, is recognized for his groundbreaking studies of plankton and ocean currents. His research has significantly impacted the global carbon cycle and marine ecosystem productivity.
Scientists at UAB and Saint Louis University use X-ray crystallography to understand poxvirus infectious potency and how one protein evades the immune system, paving the way for new drug discoveries to combat inflammatory diseases like atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
The American Institute of Physics (AIP) has awarded the 2008 Dannie Heineman Prizes to Mitchell Feigenbaum for his work on deterministic chaos and Andrew Fabian for his pioneering research in X-ray astronomy. These awards recognize their significant contributions to their respective fields.
Novel molecular techniques have shed light on the nature of freshwater environments as a bacterial habitat. Researchers can now analyze specific functional capabilities of bacteria, such as their ability to metabolize particular molecules, and understand how microbial populations shift in response to environmental change.
A study published in SLEEP found that higher periodic leg movement index (PLMI) predicted less sleep at night in older people with cognitive impairment. The study, conducted by Kathy C. Richards of the University of Pennsylvania, assessed 102 participants and found that PLMI explained 43.6% of the variance in total sleep time.
The newly discovered grey-faced sengi (Rhynchocyon udzungwensis) is a large, rare species found only in two high-altitude forest blocks in Tanzania's Udzungwa Mountains. Its unique features include a distinctive grey face and jet-black lower rump, highlighting the region's exceptional biodiversity.
Researchers found that dreams after 9/11 showed more intense imagery but not longer or more bizarre content, contradicting expectations. The study suggests a link between the traumatic event and increased emotional intensity in dreams.
A study published in PLoS Computational Biology suggests that serotonin may contribute to depression and anxiety by disrupting reflexive avoidance behaviors. When serotonin levels drop, individuals lose their instinctual ability to avoid aversive events, leading to increased exploration of potentially harmful states.
A UCLA study found PET scanning more sensitive and accurate than conventional imaging methods in detecting treatment response in sarcoma patients. Standard size-based evaluation methods only identified 20% of responders, while PET accurately picked up all responders.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that administering interleukin-7 during a specific stage of infection can increase the number of killer cells capable of destroying virus-infected cells, enhancing immune memory. This discovery may lead to improved vaccine efficacy against HIV and cancer.
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have discovered a brain region that can be stimulated to reduce cognitive deficits associated with sleep deprivation. The study used repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to improve working memory performance in young adults after extended sleep deprivation.
Scientists have determined the three-dimensional structure of human kynurenine aminotransferase II, an enzyme regulating glutamate activity. The discovery provides insight into biochemical regulation and may lead to treatments for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Researchers have discovered a crucial role for heparan sulfate in regulating embryonic stem cell potency, while also uncovering the mechanism behind SARS lung damage. The structures of key enzymes involved in these processes are now understood, opening up new avenues for treatment and drug development.