A phase 2 study found that adding imatinib mesylate to regular chemotherapy increased three-year survival rates for children with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) from 30-35% to 87%. The drug was well-tolerated and showed no significant side effects.
A randomized trial found that milk protein lactoferrin supplementation alone or in combination with a probiotic reduced the incidence of late-onset sepsis in very low birth-weight infants. The supplement exhibited antimicrobial activity and was well-tolerated, making it a promising prevention strategy.
A Cochrane review found limited benefits of TENS for osteoarthritis pain and physical disability. Only small trials with poor quality data were available, casting doubt on the effectiveness of this treatment approach.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that applying a second brain protein, Reelin, can prevent excess beta-amyloid from silencing nerves and potentially fighting Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests a promising new tactic against the devastating illness.
Researchers found promising results for rapid viral diagnosis tests, reducing use of antibiotics and other blood tests in children with respiratory symptoms. Larger trials are needed to confirm the finding and evaluate cost-effectiveness.
Research at the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Annual Meeting found that electrosurgical units, lasers, and light cords are common igniters of operating room fires. The study, which surveyed 349 otolaryngologists, revealed that nearly 80% of fires occurred when supplemental oxygen was being used.
Researchers studied tree stomatal density, guard cell length, and water use efficiency in 27 trees over a century. They found stomatal density declined while guard cell length increased, but intrinsic water use efficiency remained unchanged.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have sequenced the genome of a biofuels yeast that thrives on turning sugar cane into ethanol. The findings could lead to more efficient biofuel production and aid research into converting cellulose from non-food crops like switchgrass into biofuel.
A study found Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map) in various wildlife and domestic ruminants, suggesting transmission between species. The bacteria causes severe diarrhea in ruminants and has been linked to Crohn's disease in humans.
A study by Purdue University researchers found that athletes who perform well perceive their targets as larger, while those who struggle see them as smaller. This effect is observed even when the actual optical information remains constant.
Researchers analyzed literature to find that aerosol particles interact with clouds in a complex way, affecting precipitation patterns. They suggest focusing on specific cloud systems and rethinking aerosol research to better understand the dust particles' role in climate change.
The NSF's Expeditions in Computing program supports research that promises significant advances in computing while yielding great benefit to society. The new projects focus on energy-efficient computers, customizable domain-specific computing, and robotic 'bees' for search and rescue operations.
A new study found that South Asians are more likely to develop insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes due to their body composition, specifically higher total body fat and lower muscle mass. Researchers measured insulin levels in four ethnic groups and discovered a strong association between body fat distribution and diabetes risk.
Scientists have recorded the first observations of albatrosses feeding alongside marine mammals at sea. The miniature digital camera attached to four black-browed albatrosses shows them foraging in groups while collecting food for their chicks, and provides the first observation of an albatross feeding with a killer whale.
A systematic review of 62 trials involving 7,101 women found minimally invasive synthetic suburethral sling operations to be just as effective as traditional open surgery for stress urinary incontinence. The procedures had shorter operating times and were more effective than a second type of open surgery.
Antiviral medications prescribed for Bell's palsy are no more effective than placebo, while corticosteroids offer significant benefits. The review suggests further research should focus on discovering alternative causes and treatments for the condition.
The study reveals that DNA hybridization is sensitive to sequence composition, with certain sequences binding rapidly and others through a diffusive process. Understanding this process can aid researchers in designing technologies like gene chips more effectively.
In the early 1960s, a Harvard-educated surgeon and US Air Force General proposed testing women in space due to their lighter weight, lower heart rate, and fewer reproductive system issues. A total of 19 women were enrolled, with 68% passing the tests, earning them the nickname 'Mercury 13'. The data from these women's physiological tes...
Georgia Tech's College of Computing has received a $1.4 million grant from the National Science Foundation to extend its Georgia Computes! program for two more years. The program focuses on expanding computing education across all levels in Georgia, with a special emphasis on underrepresented communities.
A team at NIST has discovered a large-scale compound that behaves like magnetic monopoles, enabling the testing of theoretical predictions about these elusive particles. The researchers created this compound by cooling a specific material to nearly absolute zero, forming spin ice crystals with balanced spins.
Researchers evaluated the effectiveness of contracting private providers and cash incentives to increase healthcare use in poor countries. Strong evidence shows positive health impacts from cash incentives, while contracting out services had relatively weak results.
The new center will leverage expertise from diverse groups to develop innovative public health information tools, improving patient care and expanding data exchange between physicians and public health agencies. Initial work focuses on newborn screening, immunization data, and public health alert delivery.
Biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs are effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis, but direct comparisons of their effectiveness are needed. The researchers found that all biologics were very effective, with varying degrees of improvement in symptoms and adverse effect profiles.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has introduced a novel calibration technique for entire waveforms, enabling more accurate measurements in oscilloscopes. This new method improves the characterization of diverse waveforms, particularly in high-speed devices, and offers potential cost savings in industries such a...
A study found that trunk flexibility is associated with arterial stiffness in middle-aged and older adults, suggesting a potential indicator for cardiovascular risk. Regular stretching exercises may slow age-related arterial stiffening, according to the authors.
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Louisiana Tech University a $951,000 grant to support cyber education programs in northern Louisiana. The Cyber K-12 project aims to provide professional development opportunities for K-12 educators and increase the number of teachers with expertise in cyber education.
Researchers found that physical activity in adolescence was associated with a 36% lower risk of glioma, the most common type of brain cancer. Participants who were obese during adolescence had an increased risk of glioma, while height was linked to twice the risk.
The Arctic sea ice extent has reached its third lowest point on record, with a minimum area of 5.10 million square kilometers. The ice cover has declined by about 34 percent since satellite measurements began in the late 1970s.
Scientists have characterized the detailed structure of prions using unconventional X-ray diffraction methods. The results show significant structural differences between natural and synthetic prions, which may explain their infectious behavior.
A new study found that resveratrol improves diabetes by targeting the brain, potentially leading to orally-delivered medications. Activating sirtuins in the brain mediates resveratrol's beneficial effects, which could lead to more effective targeted diabetes treatments.
A University of Alberta researcher has discovered 70 million year old evidence of dinosaur cannibalism in southern Alberta. The jawbone of a Gorgosaurus contained a tooth from another meat-eating dinosaur, suggesting a violent encounter between two dinosaurs.
Abatacept, a new biologic drug, is effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis by blocking immune cell actions, reducing pain and swelling. The review of seven trials found significant improvements in patients' symptoms and joint health, with no progression of joint damage at 12-month follow-up
Studies found that antidepressant medication exposure during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth and low five-minute Apgar scores. Exposure was also linked to a higher risk of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The study suggests that treatment of depression during pregnancy may be warrant...
Researchers have defined a molecular mechanism underlying impaired inflammatory responses in mice lacking Hfe. Altering iron levels may provide a new approach to controlling inflammation, as seen in studies with drugs mimicking altered iron distribution.
New research shows that daily fluctuations in glucocorticoids directly synchronize the biological clock and regulate blood sugar levels. This finding may help doctors reduce debilitating side effects of glucocorticoid drugs and aid diabetics in controlling their blood sugar levels.
A new species of horned tyrannosaur, Alioramus altai, has been discovered in Asia, exhibiting a unique set of adaptations for meat-eating. The fossil, found in the Gobi Desert, shows a gracile cousin of Tyrannosaurus rex with slender teeth and small muscle attachments.
A new study found that African-Americans living in southern states account for the highest proportion of chronic rhinosinusitis outpatient treatment. Female outpatients also have a significantly higher prevalence compared to men in all regions, with primary care specialties being the most frequently visited.
The NIH is expanding its Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network with a new $117 million funding round. The network aims to understand the natural history, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of over 95 rare diseases through clinical studies involving more than 5,000 patients.
Researchers at LA BioMed will investigate the potential of ESAI's drug, KRONOS IV, to activate adult stem cells and provide long-term correction for male erectile dysfunction in an aged population. The study aims to understand how the drug works on tissue repair and identify potential systemic effects.
Researchers at University of Toronto have discovered a previously unidentified form of circulation within the human eye, which may provide important new insights into glaucoma. The discovery overthrows the idea that the eye is an immune privileged site due to the lack of lymphatics.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have discovered that a DNA test can identify individuals with a higher risk of developing head and neck cancer. Nearly two thirds of tonsil tumour samples showed evidence of the HPV-16 gene, which may trigger protein production that increases cancer development.
A study of 2,293 adolescents found that depression, ADHD, and social phobia predict Internet addiction, with sex differences in predictive factors. Hostility was a significant predictor for male adolescents, while social phobia was a key predictor for female adolescents.
Researchers created the first self-sustaining meander in a laboratory using alfalfa sprouts to represent vegetated stream banks. They found that vegetation on the outer bank is crucial for slowing down erosion and allowing bars to grow on the inner bank.
Primary care physicians face limitations when evaluating patients with voice problems, including hoarseness. New research reveals that only a third of physicians routinely assess voice issues, highlighting the need for improved methods to identify and treat these patients.
A UBC research team has identified dendritic cells as a crucial part of the immune system's defense against bacterial infections. The study reveals that dendritic cells use cross-presentation to activate the immune system, and deactivating this process can lead to severe compromise in fighting Listeria infections.
A new study by Stanford University scientists found that starting a vaccination campaign a few weeks earlier could save almost 600 lives and over $150 million. Vaccinating sooner rather than later provides the best strategy to save lives and dollars in flu pandemics.
Virginia Tech's CyberInfrastructure Group receives funding to integrate pathogen data, provide key resources and tools, and analyze genomic and proteomic data. The Pathogen Portal will serve as a centralized gateway for biomedical researchers.
Theoretical biologist Peter Turchin and ancient historian Walter Scheidel developed a mathematical model using coin hoards to project population dynamics before and after 100 BC. The model suggests that the Roman population declined after 100 BC, contradicting the 'high count' hypothesis of vigorous growth.
Buruli ulcer is caused by mycobacterium ulcerans and primarily affects poor rural communities in tropical countries. The new study aims to identify the natural reservoir for the disease, its activation, and transmission to humans.
Researchers aim to control electromagnetic forces that can destroy future particle accelerators. They propose two approaches: heavy damping and light damping with detuning, to mitigate the effects of extreme wake fields. Detuning is compared to acoustics, where ringing bells at different frequencies reduces overall sound amplitude.
A new study by Ruth Nalumaga reveals that female parliamentarians in Uganda still face significant information challenges, hindering their ability to perform duties effectively. Despite improved social position, women's roles are often confined to domestic responsibilities, limiting their time and preparation for parliamentary work.
Researchers identified KLF17 as a key gene involved in breast cancer metastasis. The study found that expression of KLF17 together with Id1 accurately predicts whether the disease will spread to the lymph nodes.
A recent Florida study found that black and Hispanic students are less likely to enroll in advanced courses due to lower scores on eighth-grade exams, but gaps exist between poor and non-poor students. The findings suggest investments before high school age can close these disparities.
The Group Health Research Institute will receive more than $15 million in federal stimulus funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The institute's success rate for these competitive awards surpassed its typical rate of about 30 percent.
The Partnership for Research and Education in Plants (PREP) has received a $1.3 million Science Education Partnership Award from the NIH to expand benefits to more students and high schools. Students are collecting real data on Arabidopsis thaliana, making discoveries acknowledged in grant proposals and publications.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and local institutions receive $16 million in federal stimulus funding to conduct comparative-effectiveness research on cancer diagnostics, genetic tests, and breast imaging. The projects aim to determine the optimal choices for balancing benefits and harms.
A comprehensive study of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) finds that men are 2.5 times more likely to develop the condition than women, with married white non-Hispanic men representing the highest risk group. The study analyzed data from over 5,000 individuals and found NIHL to affect approximately 24 million Americans.
Researchers estimate ancient Rome's population declined after 100 B.C. based on a unique method using coin hoards, bundles of buried Roman coins. The study suggests intense internal warfare led to the decline, with implications for understanding current Roman history and social structure.
Scientists at the University of Leeds discovered that acidic clouds can convert large particles of iron from dust into small, soluble nanoparticles that plankton can use. This finding highlights a previously unknown source of bioavailable iron delivered to the Earth's surface in precipitation.
A new study finds that spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) is a promising therapeutic target for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The research integrates genetic and proteomic approaches to identify Syk as a potential treatment option.