The NIGMS has awarded 14 GO grants to scientists across 13 states, totaling $42.3 million. These grants focus on various areas of biomedical science, including personalized medicine, gene expression, and drug development.
Only 2,300 children out of 30,000 to 40,000 in care are adopted annually; youth in care face higher hospitalization rates and justice system involvement. Experts advocate for easier adoption processes, including support for adoptive parents and breaking down provincial barriers.
A study of 160 kidney transplant patients found that social support was lower in the later transplant period, while medication side effects had a significant impact on quality of life. Researchers highlight the need for more social support and interventions to alleviate medication side effects.
A new MEMS sensor can detect changes in bulk resistance for plaque characteristics and identify spots where back currents may be promoting plaque formation. This technology has the potential to improve heart attack treatment by distinguishing between stable and unstable plaque.
A new study found that exposure to airborne metals like nickel and vanadium, as well as diesel exhaust particles, are associated with respiratory symptoms in young children. The study controlled for other risk factors and suggests improved regulatory action is needed to protect urban children.
A meta-analysis of 22 studies found that sedatives and hypnotics, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines significantly increase the risk of falling in older adults. The study suggests that psychotropic medications contribute to falls and fracture risks, emphasizing the need for careful medication management in elderly populations.
Male circumcision significantly reduces HIV infection risk by 60% in rural Uganda men. The removal of foreskin tissue containing HIV target cells explains most of the protection. Circumcision also reduces genital ulcer disease by lowering rates of trauma-induced ulcers, not just those caused by herpes.
The article emphasizes the need for a more methodologically robust approach to evaluating eHealth systems. Researchers must recognize the importance of combined quantitative and qualitative work when assessing IT systems.
A University of Utah scientist argues that energy conservation doesn't save energy, but instead spurs economic growth and accelerated energy consumption. The study finds a constant link between global energy use and accumulated economic productivity, tied to a physical constant of 9.7 milliwatts per inflation-adjusted dollar.
A recent study by Loyola University Health System found that one out of five adults with Type 2 diabetes is morbidly obese. The rate of morbid obesity among people with diabetes increased by 141% between 1976 and 2006, highlighting the growing public health implications.
Researchers found that common human bacteria, specifically Porphyromas gingivalis, produce unique lipids that can enhance inflammatory responses and exacerbate autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis. These lipids may serve as new markers of MS disease activity and targets for therapeutic intervention.
New research reveals that European forests and grasslands can only compensate for 15% of the continent's carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel burning. Methane and nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural land and peat-lands cancel out almost all carbon sink, leaving a net effect of only 2%.
Scientists have demonstrated that stem cells found in amniotic fluid can form three-dimensional aggregates of cells known as embryoid bodies, which suggests they may be useful for treating a wider array of diseases and conditions. The findings suggest that the amnion cells have greater potential than thought and may be able to form man...
Galaxy Zoo Mergers allows citizen scientists to compare real images of colliding galaxies with millions of simulated images. This project aims to understand why the universe contains its mix of galaxies, including spiral arms and compact star balls.
Researchers produced single-molecule resolution images of peptide-mineral interaction, revealing mechanisms that molecules use to bind to surfaces. Peptides slow down or speed up crystal growth depending on conditions, offering potential solutions for pathological mineralization and kidney stone treatment.
Genome-wide association studies are increasingly conducted in developing countries, raising ethical concerns about data release, privacy, and security. A study developed a 'managed' approach to oversee open access, define acceptable uses of data, and guide the timing of data release.
A UBC study found significant associations between sedatives, antidepressants, and anti-psychotics with falling among seniors. Safer alternatives like counseling and less-sedating therapies may be more appropriate for certain conditions.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that amyloid-beta is necessary for normal day-to-day information transfer through nerve cell networks in the brain. The study suggests that removing amyloid-beta may impair neuronal function and accelerate Alzheimer's disease progression.
The USDA has awarded a two-year grant of $908,280 to Virginia Tech and the University of Minnesota to complete sequencing the genome of the domesticated turkey. The project aims to identify genes and functions in the final genome sequence, providing invaluable information for disease prevention.
Researchers have identified the reaction inside the lungs that can trigger coughing when exposed to certain air pollutants and irritants. The study found that switching on receptor proteins called TRPA1 on nerve endings in the lungs triggers a cough reflex, which could potentially be treated by blocking these receptors.
The journal PLoS Medicine is calling for international action to address the crisis of malaria drug shortages across Africa. The 'third wave' of malaria activism aims to raise awareness of the issue and find solutions.
A new study finds climate change could boost the incidence of civil war in sub-Saharan Africa by over 50 percent. Rising temperatures and crop failures may lead to huge potential costs to human livelihoods, with some regions experiencing a 55% increase in conflict likelihood by 2030.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics create a system called information field theory (IFT) to reconstruct incomplete image data. IFT asks two questions to determine the probability of images based on measured data and prior knowledge, allowing for optimal reconstruction in areas where telescopes are blind.
A lack of quantity and quality of health data from poor settings threatens global research, warns Peter Byass. Alternative strategies to improve health data representativeness are discussed.
Johns Hopkins researchers found that a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is responsible for the cell overgrowth in chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps. This discovery gives scientists a new target for treating this form of the disease, which typically resists current treatments.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered novel molecular interactions at the surface of platelets that regulate blood clotting. The study found that sulfatides bind to Disabled-2 protein, preventing it from inhibiting clotting, while also recycling the protein for future use.
A new study by U of T researchers reveals that forest trees use different drought response gene programs at different times of the day, not just in the middle of the day as previously thought. This critical finding has implications for conserving and breeding drought-resistant trees.
The International Menopause Society consensus statement emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about cardiovascular disease risks in postmenopausal women. The statement also concludes that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is generally safe and may have cardioprotective effects, particularly for younger women.
A Mayo Clinic-led study found that nearly 9% of US surgeons reported making a major error in the past three months, with burnout and depression being key factors. The researchers suggest that reducing work hours may not be enough to limit errors unless addressing burnout is also prioritized.
Patients treated with team-based care involving pharmacists achieved lower blood pressure levels and were more likely to reach blood pressure control goals compared to those without this approach. The study found significant improvements in mean blood pressure and overall blood pressure control rates.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences challenges the long-held notion that fish obtain up to 50% of their carbon from terrestrial sources. Instead, researchers found that algae provide a much more nutritious and abundant diet for fish and other aquatic life.
A new technique using infrared spectroscopy can accurately determine the gender of six-week-old turkey poults with over 95% accuracy, potentially saving millions of male chicks from being killed shortly after birth. This method could be used by the breeding industry to identify female eggs for breeding and select female turkeys.
Researchers have discovered that SIV induces a vigorous immune response in both natural and susceptible hosts, but only in natural hosts is the response brought under control. This study provides new insights into how to control HIV infection of humans by understanding the mechanisms behind SIV's rapid control of immune activation.
A new study published in Pediatrics reveals that low-income children who lack continuity with a regular health care provider are significantly more likely to have unmet health care needs. The study found that 79% of children without a usual source of care had an unmet need compared to 45% who reported having a usual source of care.
Clemson University has received a $45 million grant from the US Department of Energy, combined with $53 million in matching funds, to build a large-scale wind turbine drive train testing facility. The testing facility will create at least 134 jobs and generate 568 indirect jobs, supporting South Carolina's emergence as an industrial hu...
A new study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) for clopidogrel had no significant effect on sales, contributing to a $207 million price increase for Medicaid. The study suggests that pharmaceutical companies may be passing on ad costs to consumers through higher prices.
A study identified a gene variant associated with elevated baseline blood pressure, suggesting it may be a good target for drugs to alleviate stress-induced hypertension. The researchers also found that the protein generated by this gene influences sympathetic activity and prevents stress-induced hypertension in both mice and humans.
Millions of sanitary sewer overflows are caused by hard deposits made up of fat, oil, and grease (FOG) that clog sewage pipes, posing dangers to human health and the environment. A new project aims to discover fundamental chemical reactions leading to FOG buildup and develop models to identify potential hot spots where deposits may form.
A recent review highlights the need for improved asthma control in preschoolers, with key findings including the use of inhaled corticosteroids as a regular therapy for children with severe symptoms. The authors emphasize the importance of considering alternative conditions if children do not respond to optimal therapy.
Dr. Beverley J. McKeon's work on simplified models of turbulence under different pressure gradients has garnered the Presidential Early Career Award. Her research aims to improve understanding of turbulence in various technologies, including commercial aviation and industrial flows.
Researchers identify phosducin's role in modulating blood pressure in response to stress, finding increased baseline and stress-dependent blood pressure in mice and humans. The study suggests phosducin as a promising target for developing drugs to alleviate stress-induced hypertension.
A new study from Research Australia found that moderate to heavy alcohol consumption during pregnancy increases the risk of behavioral issues in children, including anxiety, depression, and aggressive behaviors. The study suggests that both timing and intensity of alcohol exposure affect the type of behavior problems expressed.
A study by researchers at the University of California, San Diego reveals that normal skin bacteria trigger a pathway preventing excessive inflammation after injury. This mechanism involves staphylococcal lipoteichoic acid and Toll-like receptor 3 activation, providing new therapeutic approaches for inflammatory skin diseases.
Stiffer and stickier red blood cells cause anemia and joint pain in malaria patients. Researchers developed models to predict the disease's progression by analyzing temperature fluctuations and cell stiffness.
Researchers successfully produce PLA and copolymers through direct microbial fermentation, reducing production costs and environmental impact. This innovation could lead to the development of sustainable plastics based on renewable resources.
A group of researchers at City College of New York is developing a new way to generate power for planes and automobiles based on piezoelectrics, which convert kinetic energy into electricity. The devices might be mounted on cars or airplanes and would produce an output voltage that could run small electronic devices.
Researchers estimate that swimming animals generate extensive 'biogenic' mixing in the ocean, which may impact climate models. The effect is primarily due to animal displacement, not turbulence, and affects even deep-sea creatures.
Researchers at Carnegie Institution create unique hydrogen-storage material by combining xenon with molecular hydrogen under pressure, offering a new family of materials to boost hydrogen technologies. The discovery reveals unusual bonding chemistry and potential applications in synthesizing energetic materials.
Researchers at Agios Pharmaceuticals have discovered that the mutated IDH1 gene produces a metabolite called 2-hydroxyglutarate, which contributes to the formation and progression of gliomas. This finding validates cancer metabolism as an approach to identify new ways to treat cancer.
Researchers Konstantin Kornev of Clemson University have developed artificial probes inspired by the butterfly's proboscis to sample fluid inside cells. The probes use capillary action, similar to a paper towel, to draw up viscous liquid, overcoming pressure limitations.
Researchers found that a commonly inherited gene deletion can increase the risk of immune complications following bone marrow transplantation. The study analyzed 1,300 donor-recipient pairs and identified UGT2B17 as a key factor in graft-versus-host disease.
A new compound, PU-H71, has been discovered that may prove to be a powerful target for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The compound was found to suppress tumor formation in lab testing and animal models.
A phase 2 trial investigates the effectiveness of a combined chemotherapy regimen of gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (GEMOX-B) plus bevacizumab in treating advanced biliary-tract cancers, showing an overall response rate of 40% and stable disease in 29%. Whole-body PET scans show promising results for monitoring treatment response.
Scientists at the Brain Research Centre have discovered a new mechanism for brain cell death after a stroke, involving the over-activation of NMDA receptors and a protein called SREBP-1. A potential therapy has been found, using a drug that stabilizes Insig-1 to inhibit SREBP-1 activity.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests that burned-out and depressed surgeons are more likely to report major medical errors. The research found a significant association between burnout, depression, and self-reported medical errors, highlighting the need for better support for surgeons struggling with mental health.
Researchers at MIT have created a simple robot that can dig into mudflats at a rate of 1 cm per second, inspired by the burrowing mechanisms of Atlantic razor clams. The robotic clam is small, lightweight, and energy-efficient, making it suitable for underwater applications.
A new study from the University of Chicago Medical Center found that purchasing prescription drugs in three-month supplies rather than one-month supplies can reduce out-of-pocket costs by an average of 29% for patients. The total savings, including third-party payers, averaged 18%, with estimated annual savings of $148.6 million.
Scientists at VIB have identified a bacterial defense mechanism that repairs damaged proteins caused by oxygen. The discovery, using the intestinal bacterium E. coli, has implications for human cells and may provide new insights into protein protection against oxidation.
A team of researchers has created a technique using traditional GPS satellite signals to measure snow depth and soil/vegetation moisture. This new method has the potential to benefit climate modelers, atmospheric researchers, farmers, and water resource managers by providing accurate and relatively inexpensive data.
The AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards recognize innovative storytelling on scientific topics. The 2009 winners include 'Diamond Factory,' a TV feature on lab-grown diamonds, and 'A Very Lucky Wind,' a radio story exploring randomness and probability.