A new report by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found significant gaps in advice given to European businesses to prepare for a possible influenza pandemic. The report suggests that most strategic efforts have been directed at preparing public health systems, leaving the non-health sector unprepared.
A study found that CKD patients have mild reductions in thyroid function, which may be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and progressive kidney disease. The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism increased with declining kidney function.
Researchers design integrated circuits that can assume multiple identities, providing a powerful security mechanism for digital rights management tasks. The technology enables diverse applications, including device optimization and content metering, with low overhead costs.
Researchers discovered that TB bacteria can form biofilms on surfaces, leading to genetic and physiological differences from lab-grown strains. This finding suggests a possible cause of TB relapses despite intensive treatment.
A UT Southwestern Medical Center researcher found that children in non-English-speaking households are more likely to be poor, overweight, and uninsured. They also experience barriers to healthcare access due to language gaps between caregivers and providers.
A study of 3,000 older men found that disrupted rest and activity biological rhythms were associated with a higher risk of death. Men with more robust rest/activity rhythms had lower mortality rates, highlighting the importance of regular sleep routines for health and longevity in older adults.
The University of Minnesota has been given approval to conduct research on plant pathogens that could damage crops or forests. The new facility will focus on studying pests like Asian Soybean Rust and Ug99 stem rust in wheat, which could have significant impacts on global food production.
Maternal malaria researcher Professor François Nosten has won a prestigious international prize for his groundbreaking work on treating infections in pregnant women. His research has led to a revision of guidelines and improved treatment options for millions of people worldwide.
A recent Mayo Clinic study found that rural, unmarried women have lower self-rated health status and are more prone to depression compared to their married counterparts. The study suggests that primary care physicians should take a proactive role in addressing health concerns of single women.
A new report by CAMH estimates that implementing six interventions would result in cost savings of about $1 billion per year, saving close to 26,000 years of life lost due to premature death. Brief interventions were the most effective measure to avoid other alcohol-attributable criminal activities.
Researchers at Tufts University have found that Smad proteins control the processing of a subset of microRNA, including miR-21. This discovery reveals a new role of Smad proteins in regulating microRNA processing, which is a contributing factor in cardiovascular disorders and cancer.
A new study reveals that patients with higher percentages of southern European ancestry are more likely to experience severe Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) manifestations, including nephritis and increased autoantibody levels. This association was found to be inversely related to northern European ancestry.
A new vaccine patch has shown promising results in protecting travelers from diarrhoea, with 75% efficacy against moderate-to-severe episodes. The patch also reduced the duration and severity of illness in those who became sick, offering a new option for prevention and treatment.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine found that activated vitamin D treatments can prevent heart muscle cells from growing bigger and reduce contractions associated with heart failure. The study's results suggest a new way to treat heart failure and provide hope for people affected by the condition.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that coagulation factor VIIa can reduce cerebral hemorrhage size, but does not prevent long-term mortality or severe impairment. The study showed that patients with smaller hemorrhages and certain age restrictions may benefit from treatment.
Researchers from Carnegie Institution and University of Cape Town used diamonds to trace origin of platinum deposits, suggesting ancient parts of mantle beneath African continent as source. The study's findings may lead to better exploration models and strategies for similar ore deposits.
A study of 2,226 women aged 60 found that fewer complaints of sleep maintenance insomnia and less daytime napping were associated with successful aging. The research highlights the importance of good sleep for healthy aging, suggesting healthcare professionals should prioritize sleep improvement.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology are developing fuel-saving technologies that could improve fuel efficiency by 8-12 percent in heavy trucks. These active flow control techniques, combined with conventional aerodynamic streamlining, have the potential to save between 1.6 and 2.4 billion gallons of fuel per year.
According to a study by the University of Granada, one out of every four obese school-aged children develops metabolic syndrome. The syndrome, typically associated with adults over 40, is caused by child obesity and can lead to arterial hypertension, insulin resistance, and type two diabetes.
A study finds that east Siberia's permafrost contains 500 Gt of frozen carbon deposits susceptible to disturbances from climate warming. The permafrost's irreversible thawing could release 2-2.8 Gt of carbon into the atmosphere annually between 2300 and 2400, transforming 74% of the initial carbon stock.
A large genetic study of the extinct woolly mammoth has revealed that it did not have much genetic diversity and was split into two groups. The discovery rules out human hunting as a contributing factor to its extinction, instead pointing to climate change and disease.
Research in BMC Pharmacology disproves the false claims surrounding benfotiamine, a synthetic derivative of thiamine, and its supposed benefits. The study reveals that benfotiamine is not more physiologically active or easily absorbed by the body than other precursors.
Research reveals inaccurate or incomplete information about CAM in Australian media, highlighting the need for clearer communication between scientists and journalists. The study's findings emphasize the importance of accurate, unbiased, and complete health news reports to influence public behavior.
The Human Health and Food Security Research Programme aims to improve the nutritional value of African crops while minimizing environmental damage. The programme, funded by £2.8 million, will enhance research capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa and develop partnerships with African universities and institutes.
NASA's GLAST mission was launched successfully aboard a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The observatory is now on-orbit, with all systems operating as planned.
A new study reveals that fruitflies have four large heat-responsive neurons in their brain, which help them detect and avoid temperatures just above their preferred level. This discovery sheds light on the mechanisms of neural circuits that drive animals to select a preferred temperature.
Gamma-secretase modulators, a class of agents in testing to treat Alzheimer's, work by reducing long Abeta peptides and increasing shorter ones that inhibit aggregation. This could lead to new treatments for the disease, with one such drug, tarenflurbil, showing promise in patients with mild Alzheimer's.
A new self-report measure called the Children’s Report of Sleep Patterns (CRSP) has been developed to assess sleep patterns, sleep hygiene, and sleep disturbances in school-aged children. The study found that CRSP demonstrated adequate internal reliability and moderate significant relationships with other measures.
Researchers at UT School of Public Health found that patients given the travelers' diarrhea vaccine were significantly less likely to suffer from clinically significant diarrhea. The study showed only three cases of moderate or severe diarrhea among vaccinated individuals, compared to two dozen in those who received a placebo.
Researchers have discovered that apolipoprotein E enhances the degradation of amyloid beta protein in the brain, which may lead to a powerful new treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The study found that activating liver X receptors increases lipidated ApoE levels, resulting in reduced A? plaque levels and improved memory.
A study by Matthew T. Billett and Yiming Qian found that CEOs who exhibit self-attribution bias tend to overcredit their role in successful deals and underestimate the impact of luck, leading to more value-destructive acquisitions. The authors advise CEOs to be cautious and boards to ensure proposed deals are judged on their own merits.
A study found that moderate aerobic exercise reduces sleep onset latency and wake time, increasing total sleep time and efficiency, while decreasing anxiety state in insomnia patients. This breakthrough suggests a non-medication approach to treating insomnia, improving quality of life for millions worldwide.
Researchers developed an algorithm that finds symmetries in equations, speeding up solutions to fundamental computer science problems. The new method can capture millions of symmetries in under a half-second, whereas previous methods took days or minutes.
Poor readers achieved brain activation levels seen in skilled readers after 100 hours of extra training. Remedial instruction increased the struggling readers' activation to near normal levels, changing the way their brains activated when comprehending written sentences.
A study by Angela Jackman and colleagues found significant differences in heart rate and heart rate variability among children with primary snoring compared to controls. The results suggest that primary snoring may impact cardiovascular functioning equivalent to that of moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
A researcher at Penn State is examining how users choose a search engine, evaluate its performance, and react to individual results. The study aims to build a multi-layer model of branding in search engine selection and final web page evaluation.
Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of NIAID, will be honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his decades-long work on HIV/AIDS research and treatment. The award recognizes his efforts to advance human knowledge and bring hope and healing to millions worldwide.
Researchers have successfully synthesized the elusive carbene hydroxymethylene (HCOH) molecule, shedding light on its behavior and potential uses in organic chemistry. The discovery, reported in Nature, involved trapping HCOH at extremely low temperatures and observing its decay to formaldehyde through quantum tunneling.
The Greenland Ice Sheet's melting rate is accelerating, with projected fresh water flow into the North Atlantic Ocean increasing from 438 cubic kilometers to 650 cubic kilometers by 2100. This will cause sea levels to rise at a faster rate of 1.6 millimeters per year.
A new study reveals that ownership increases value by enhancing the salience of possible loss, explaining the aversion to parting with possessions. The endowment effect is linked to increased activation in brain regions associated with predicted gain and loss.
Researchers surveyed 39 tree species and found nearly constant temperatures in leaf samples. This discovery challenges the assumption that leaf temperatures are equal to ambient air conditions, suggesting adaptations towards achieving optimal temperature for photosynthesis.
Three biotech companies, 454 Life Sciences, Applied Biosystems, and Illumina Inc., will contribute to the 1000 Genomes Project by sequencing hundreds of human DNA samples. The project aims to create the most detailed map of human genetic variation for medical research.
Researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and Penn State Hershey College of Medicine identified a novel ceramide that reduces sterile inflammation in the cornea. The nano-sized package allows for easy application as an eye drop, providing an effective alternative to steroid use.
A study by Lee Ritterband found that an online cognitive behavioral intervention for insomnia improved sleep efficiency and reduced symptoms of insomnia in adults. The six-week program led to significant improvements in sleep quality, with participants increasing their total sleep time by 80 minutes.
A systematic step-up DMARD treatment schedule led to remission in 38.8% of early RA patients at week 24 and 52.1% at week 36. The researchers achieved these results through a tightly regulated treatment scheme involving methotrexate, sulfasalazine, adalimumab, and other medications.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered a link between sleep apnea and memory loss, finding nearly 20% smaller mammillary bodies in patients with the disorder. This suggests a long-lasting brain injury from repeated drops in oxygen, leading to cell death and inflammation.
Recent studies suggest that specific immunotherapy can be an effective treatment for allergies, reducing symptoms and adverse reactions. The Institute also found that certain measures, such as quitting smoking and taking probiotics during pregnancy, may help prevent allergies in children.
A new study published at SLEEP 2008 found strong associations between disturbed rest/activity rhythms and mortality rates in older, community-dwelling men. The research, which included 3,053 men aged 67 years and older, showed that those with lower amplitude (i.e., weaker) rhythms had higher mortality rates than those with stronger rhy...
A study by Ohio State University found that pigs raised outdoors without antibiotics carried higher rates of Salmonella and parasitic disease than conventionally raised pigs. This poses a risk to human health if pork is not cooked thoroughly, according to federal guidelines.
A study found Mexican Americans and women are more likely to experience subarachnoid hemorrhage due to differences in tobacco use and hypertension treatment. Researchers identified 107 cases over seven years among 29,907 people in southeast Texas.
A study by Christine Percheski reveals that professional women's employment levels have made steep gains over time, especially for mothers of young children and women in historically male professions. The study shows a shrinking employment gap between mothers and childless women, with more women working full-time year-round.
Researchers propose using oil and gas flare-off energy to release water from gypsum deposits, creating a vast source of clean drinking water. The process has been successfully tested and could solve the water shortage problem in dry areas, enabling irrigation and fertility improvement.
A study by Jodi Mindell found significant differences in sleep patterns among young children worldwide, with predominantly Caucasian countries exhibiting longer bedtimes and more sleep. In contrast, Asian countries saw shorter total sleep times, increased parental perception of sleep problems, and higher rates of room-sharing.
A study of 28 spousally bereaved seniors found significant sleep disruption, with grief-related differences in alertness and reduced daytime regularity. The research highlights the importance of maintaining good sleep hygiene to mitigate the negative effects of disturbed sleep on mental health.
A new study from the University of Michigan Stroke Program reveals that women and Mexican-Americans are at a higher risk of suffering a type of stroke related to a ruptured brain aneurysm. Women had a 74% greater chance, while Mexican-Americans had a 67% greater chance, compared to non-Hispanic white men.
A Penn State team has shown that non-magnetic materials can have more properties than previously thought, thanks to their unique structure and symmetry. The researchers found that certain non-magnetic materials can exhibit roto second harmonic generation, a property previously associated with magnetic materials.
A study by the University of Chicago found that restricting bedtime led to increased energy from snacks, including more carbohydrates. This behavior may be driven by changes in reward-seeking and motivation. Getting adequate sleep is essential for maintaining a healthy weight.
Researchers at Stanford University have made significant progress in understanding how the TRiC molecule folds proteins, a crucial step for cellular health. The study reveals that the TRiC lid opens like an iris, transferring rotation to the interior of the chaperonin, where protein folding occurs.