A Princeton-led team of scientists has found that denitrification is the dominant process in returning nitrogen to the air in low-oxygen ocean environments. The team's research confirms the importance of conventional denitrification and suggests that the current mainstream view on the nitrogen cycle may be based on a false impression.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has launched two new clinical trials to investigate the optimal use of antimicrobial drugs in various clinical settings. The trials aim to determine if shorter treatment durations can be effective while reducing the risk of bacterial resistance.
A Pew poll shows that 90% of Iowa voters believe the government should have stronger food protections. The survey also found that half of respondents had lost confidence in the safety of US food due to high-profile outbreaks, and more than half of seniors shared this sentiment.
A 'surviving sepsis' program improved patient outcomes by increasing compliance with guidelines and reducing in-hospital mortality. The study found a significant improvement in intensive care unit patients, with a notable 45% risk reduction for death.
Six NTU projects have received funding from the National Research Foundation (NRF) for research and innovation in wireless sensing, power converters, photonic micro electromechanical systems, electro-generated chemi-luminescence, antenna solutions, and anti-reflective coatings. The funded projects aim to develop core technologies for s...
New research from Purdue University raises concerns about estrogen supplements claiming to improve bone health in postmenopausal women. While some plant-derived isoflavones show modest effects, many supplements lack efficacy or are less effective than current treatments for osteoporosis.
Chimpanzees in the Congo have developed specialized tool kits to forage for army ants, showcasing a rare example of multiple tool use. The research suggests that these 'sustainable' harvesting techniques allow chimpanzees to reduce ant aggression and revisit the same food source.
Assoc Prof Lam has won a S$20,000 fellowship to support her research on self-assembling biomolecules for sensing applications. The award recognizes her contributions to the advancement of science and research in Singapore, building on her expertise in understanding and designing materials.
A new study confirms associations between SNPs and increased prostate cancer risk in Japanese men, similar to findings in European populations. Men with six or more risk alleles had substantially higher risk for prostate cancer.
The NSF grants will scale up Stevens' 'BUILD IT' project to four new regions, launching an underwater robotics curriculum in underserved audiences. The grants also support an education research study to develop engineering curricular modules for high-school biology and chemistry courses.
A study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that resident duty-hour reform has led to an increase in perioperative complications for hip fracture patients, especially in teaching hospitals. The study also noted longer hospital stays and increased costs.
Ruggero Gabbrielli's new structure is composed of four different shapes that fit together, closer to natural foam structures than previous solutions. His method uses a partial differential equation and has sparked international interest among mathematicians and physicists.
The MADIT-CRT study found that CRT-D therapy reduces the risk of heart failure or death by 34% compared to ICD-only therapy, with benefits seen across various patient sub-groups. This results validate a new indication for CRT-D therapy in preventing heart failure in at-risk patients.
A systematic review of 18 studies found corticosteroids alone reduce unsatisfactory recovery by 9%, while combined therapy with antiviral agents may offer a 5% absolute risk reduction. Corticosteroids are also associated with reduced synkinesis and autonomic dysfunction.
A new study published in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that adolescent and young children of obese mothers who underwent weight-loss surgery prior to pregnancy have a lower prevalence of obesity and improved cardio-metabolic markers. The research suggests that the intrauterine environment ...
For the first time, researchers have induced antibodies that neutralize HIV-1 and simultaneously recognize both HIV-1 envelope protein and lipids. The study employed widely used, clinically acceptable, well-tolerated and relatively inexpensive generic antigen-adjuvant constituents.
A new study projects that California's bird communities will undergo significant changes by 2070, with some species shifting distributions and others forming novel assemblages. This could have far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and biodiversity management strategies.
Research identifies six factors that can lead to student disengagement, including inadequate academic support and irrelevant coursework. Experts recommend solutions such as reducing class sizes, clarifying discipline policies, and increasing personal contact between administrators and students.
A new study found that expanded insurance benefits and comprehensive case management increased hospice care use among patients with advanced illnesses. The study, published in Journal of Palliative Medicine, reported a 70% increase in hospice use and mean number of days in hospice care.
A study reveals that dynamic changes in DNA, known as epigenetic marks, play a crucial role in the development of diabetes. Researchers found that these changes occur rapidly and can be influenced by environmental factors such as diet and physical activity.
A study found discrepancies between primary trial outcomes registered and published, with 31% of adequately registered trials showing evidence. Most discrepancies favored statistically significant results or omitted nonsignificant outcomes.
A new study published in Annals of Epidemiology found that the waist-to-hip circumference ratio was a better indicator of obesity in high-functioning adults over 70 than BMI. The research also showed a significant link between increased waist size and higher mortality risk in both men and women.
Adults living in areas with high fast food concentration who don't own a car are at increased risk of excess body mass index and weight gain. Not owning a car in these areas is associated with a 12-pound weight difference compared to those living without fast food outlets.
A laboratory study by University of Maryland researchers suggests the H1N1 pandemic variety prevails and out-compets other flu strains in a lab setting, reproducing twice as much on average. The findings support vaccinating against the pandemic flu virus this season due to its high communicability.
A new therapy called cardiac resynchronization can significantly delay the onset of heart failure symptoms and hospitalization for up to 41% with pacing therapy. The treatment improves heart-pumping efficiency, enabling patients like Rosemary Jakubowski to engage in physical activities without fatigue.
A study found that children in Ethiopia who received azithromycin for trachoma had a 49% lower odds of death compared to those who didn't receive the antibiotic. The treatment may have reduced mortality from pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria, major causes of death in children in trachoma-endemic areas.
Experts Peter Cox and Hazel Jeffrey examine potential geoengineering initiatives, including carbon-dioxide removal and solar-radiation management, as a crucial alternative to common mitigation methods. The schemes have different benefits, costs, and risks associated, but may offer a better benefit-to-cost ratio than conventional methods.
A new study found that low-alcohol prices in college bars pose a threat to public health and safety. The research, published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, suggests that cheap drinks lead to higher intoxication levels and related consequences.
Researchers found novel human genes that originated from non-coding DNA in flies, yeast, and primates, with approximately 18 human-specific genes estimated to have arisen during human evolution. These genes are unlike any other human genes and may play a crucial role in human-specific traits.
A new approach to medical practice that incorporates the interactions between human genetics, environment and behavior could result in more precise diagnosis, earlier intervention and individualized care. However, concerns around data protection, sociolegal implications and economic costs must be addressed.
A surgically implanted capsule-sized pump has been developed to provide continuous pain relief for big cats, reducing the need for daily injections. The pump was successfully used on two leopards at a Tennessee sanctuary, demonstrating its effectiveness in delivering pain medication quickly and efficiently.
Researchers found that mice lacking protein S suffered massive blood clots and defective blood vessels, highlighting the protein's dual role in coagulation and inflammation. Protein S also binds to receptors that regulate immune responses, suggesting new targets for gene therapy.
Effective reperfusion therapy in AMI patients can cut individual risk of dying by half and save millions of European lives. Modern catheter-based reperfusion strategies are more effective than fibrinolytic agents, reducing infarct-related mortality by up to 37%.
Researchers have made significant findings in understanding the effects of diet on cognitive performance in pilots, with high-fat diets showing improved flight performance scores. Additionally, a new approach to treating spinal cord injury using stereotactic X-irradiation has shown promise in improving locomotor function.
Researchers identified Hexokinase 2 as a key player in glucose metabolism and cell survival for breast cancer patients with brain metastases. Patients with high levels of Hexokinase 2 expression in their brain metastasis had significantly lower median survival rates compared to those with lower expression.
Current international strategies overlook the role of inland waters in carbon cycling, but a new study highlights their disproportionate impact. The study suggests that rivers and lakes can alter the fate of terrestrial carbon, leading to significant changes in global carbon budgets.
Professor Nicole Darnall's report provides a 'road map' for the new administration to encourage widespread green production. The report recommends strategies such as mandatory environmental product labels and online sustainability tools to help businesses implement eco-friendly practices.
Scientists have developed a new mouse model of X-linked nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, a severe kidney disease. The model shows that selective EP4 receptor agonists alleviate the symptoms of the disease, suggesting these compounds as potential therapeutics.
Researchers at Medical College of Georgia have found that deleting or mutating the gene PTP1B puts mice at risk for hypertension by interfering with an endogenous mechanism that should prevent it. The study suggests that PTP1B is a vulnerability gene, and its status could help identify individuals at risk for hypertension.
Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a leading cause of death in the Western world, with prevalence expected to rise in developing countries. Primary PCI can open more vessels than thrombolytic therapy, saving more lives but requiring specialized facilities and collaboration.
GS-101 demonstrates significant inhibition and regression of corneal neovascularisation in a phase II study. The treatment is generally well-tolerated with no serious side effects, offering a new approach to managing ophthalmic angiogenesis.
A three-month practice period of playing Tetris led to greater brain efficiency and a thicker cortex in adolescent girls, with increased gray matter observed in areas associated with critical thinking and reasoning. The study suggests that mental practice may increase cortical thickness and improve cognitive skills.
A new study found that losing just one hour of sleep can pose serious consequences for workers in hazardous environments. The research, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, analyzed data from 1983 to 2006 and showed a 68% increase in lost work days after the switch to daylight saving time.
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory will lead a $6.8 million study to examine the environmental impacts of marine and hydrokinetic power. The project will investigate risks to wildlife and habitats, conduct laboratory and field experiments, and predict long-term effects.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new design program called FEAsy that analyzes designs from raw sketches to speed up parts creation. The program uses finite-element analysis to test designs in the sketching stage, allowing for faster improvements and changes.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have found that early stage cancers of the esophagus can be treated effectively with less-invasive, organ-sparing endoscopic therapy. This approach was compared to traditional surgical removal of the esophagus and showed comparable overall mortality rates.
NC State will offer intensive language training courses in Arabic, Chinese, Urdu, Persian, and Russian. The program aims to prepare military leaders for global conflict by providing them with hands-on experience in critical languages and cultures.
Researchers have identified a new mechanism underlying sex-specific gene expression in mice, with PPAR-alpha repressing genes involved in immunity and steroid production. The study also found that this repression is mediated by sumoylation, a process only occurring in female mice, and suggests potential new approaches to prevent estrog...
A Spanish study reveals that 31% of doctors believe the Internet complicates their relationship with patients, while 96% have been questioned by patients about online information. Doctors recommend websites to almost a third of their patients, but many see the Internet as undermining patient independence and credibility.
A study found that 1 in 8 patients thought to have epilepsy or unsure diagnosis actually had a heart rhythm issue causing fainting. Eighty percent of those who underwent pacemaker insertion were symptom-free after 9 months.
Researchers found that acid refluxing at night results in sleep arousal 89 percent of the time in participants with and without GERD. GERD patients experience longer acid reflux events, leading to increased risk for complicated disease and esophageal cancer. This association suggests a bi-directional link between sleep problems and GERD.
A recent study by Universite de Montreal researchers found that weight gain after age 20 increases breast cancer risk, with gains of over 15.5 kilos seen in a 68% increase in risk. Regular physical activity was also shown to decrease cancer risks by 52 percent for pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women.
Scientists at Eastern Virginia Medical School have identified a vital step in the development of Type 1 diabetes and hope to develop a novel therapeutic approach by blocking an enzyme called 12-LO. Preliminary results are promising, and further research is underway.
A landmark study published in NEJM found that a new therapy combining CRT-D reduces the risk of death or heart failure by 34%, with a significant reduction in heart failure hospitalizations. This trial demonstrates the effectiveness of CRT-D therapy for patients with mild cardiac disease, improving both survival and quality of life.
A new computational method called CHASM sorts through hundreds of genetic mutations to highlight those most likely to promote cancer. The tool enables researchers to focus on the mutations with the highest risk of triggering tumors, speeding up efforts to identify genetic cancer risk factors.
Scientists Ron Kwok and Drew Rothrock extend Arctic sea ice record by combining ICESat satellite data with U.S. Navy submarine records, revealing a 53% decline in sea ice thickness since 1980. The study provides insights into the impact of climate change on Arctic ecosystems and global climate.
The PreSCD II registry found that patients protected by an implantable cardioverter defibrillator after a heart attack showed a non-significant lower mortality rate. In those with severely reduced heart function, mortality was reduced by 47% in patients with ICD implantation one month or more after MI.
A significant decline in heart attack mortality rates has been observed in Europe over the past 25 years, primarily due to organisational changes in the pre-hospital phase. The successful implementation of these measures can lead to a reperfusion rate of over 75% and reduce mortality to below 5%.
A new study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that biotransformed blueberry juice has strong anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects. The juice was tested on mice prone to obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and hypertension, and showed a significant reduction in food intake and body weight.
Researchers discovered that PPAR-alpha's sumoylation process regulates gender-specific gene expression and protects female mice from estrogen-induced liver disease. This finding suggests potential new approaches to prevent this condition by targeting PPAR-alpha agonists.