A nationwide study reveals that enforcing federal and state laws against tobacco sales to minors drastically decreases underage smoking rates, with daily smoking rates among 10th graders falling by half between 1997 and 2003.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that calcium dobesilate did not prevent the development of clinically significant macular oedema (CSME) in patients with mild-to-moderate diabetic retinopathy. In fact, patients who received calcium dobesilate were more likely to develop CSME than those given a placebo.
A new evolutionary study of the X chromosome shows that it plays an active role in sex chromosome differentiation. The researchers found that the X chromosome undergoes periods of intense adaptation as it compensates for the degeneration of the Y chromosome, which has lost many genes since it stopped recombining with the X. This findin...
A team of researchers identified two critical microRNAs that lead to abnormal ear development and progressive hearing loss when removed. The study also found potential for using these molecules as a regenerative tool to treat deafness and balance disorders.
Researchers have identified a group of cells as direct targets of deep brain stimulation (DBS) using optogenetics, which reduces disease symptoms by preferentially activating neurons linked to the subthalamic nucleus region. The technique allows precise stimulation and measurement of treatment effects simultaneously in animals with Par...
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found a way to change one cell type into another by flooding it with specific messenger RNAs from another cell type. This approach, called Transcriptome induced phenotype remodeling (TIPeR), offers the possibility for a new type of cell-based therapy for neurodegener...
Researchers have identified Mcl-1 as a critical protein in melanoma cell resistance to anoikis, enabling metastasis and survival. Depletion of Mcl-1 makes melanoma cells susceptible to apoptosis, suggesting a viable treatment strategy.
Researchers developed a novel approach to isolate high-quality RNA from Kupffer cells, overcoming technical obstacles. The method uses laser capture microdissection with India ink labeling, resulting in enriched mRNA and significant gene expression changes.
A new study published in Neurology found that prenatal meth exposure is associated with abnormal white matter structure and maturation in the developing brain. This can lead to delays in developmental milestones, increased stress and lethargy, and poorer quality of movement in infants.
A new study found that early prenatal exposure to the Hong Kong flu may have interfered with fetal cerebral development and caused reduced intelligence in adulthood. The study involved over 180,000 men born between 1967 and 1973 and showed a significant association between prenatal exposure to the virus and lower intelligence scores.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that treating sleep disorders in adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI) may not lead to improvements in daytime sleepiness. Despite significant reductions in sleep apnea severity, participants showed no changes in mood, quality of life, or cognitive performance.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new method to produce mass quantities of graphene nanoribbons, which are essential for electronics applications. The technique uses plasma etching to slice open carbon nanotubes, creating uniform ribbons with smooth edges.
The University of Miami's 5th annual Underwater Photography Contest attracted over 918 images from 23 countries, with winning entries chosen by a panel of experts. The Best Overall winner was Marchione Giacomo for his image of Boxer crabs, while student winners included Neil Hammerschlag and Evan D'Alessandro.
The study suggests that neural pathways governing sensory and motor associations accomplish task switching through learning and communication of distinct populations of MT neurons into a downstream decision system. This finding is important for understanding both normal cognition and psychiatric disorders.
Scientists at the University of Cincinnati have identified the RGS17 gene as a major suspect in familial lung cancers. Further investigation may lead to genetic testing for high-risk patients, enabling early detection and treatment.
The World Federation of Hemophilia launches a video podcast on comprehensive care, emphasizing the need for multidisciplinary teams to provide accurate diagnosis, prompt treatment, and support for families. Comprehensive care is crucial in both developing and developed countries to improve patient outcomes and prevent complications.
The new California Solar Energy Collaborative aims to establish consensus among key stakeholders, develop efficient solar technologies, and create an ambitious energy policy for the state. UC San Diego and UC Davis will utilize the grant to collect existing research, facilitate gap areas, and track evolving solar technology development.
A multicenter study found EUS elastography to be highly sensitive and specific in distinguishing benign from malignant tissue, with a sensitivity of 92.3% for pancreatic lesions and 91.8% for lymph nodes. The technique may help characterize pancreatic masses after negative EUS-FNA and increase the yield of EUS-FNA for lymph nodes.
A landmark study found that three-year-olds exposed to valproate during pregnancy had average IQs six to nine points lower than those exposed to other antiepileptic drugs. The study recommends women with epilepsy try alternative treatments before taking valproate.
Researchers successfully transferred a gene to produce a protein necessary for healthy muscle fiber growth, increasing muscle-fiber size and producing the needed protein for at least six months. The findings demonstrate the feasibility of gene therapy for treating limb-girdle muscular dystrophy and other muscle disorders.
Researchers discover that Trypanosoma brucei breaks its DNA to change its surface coat, a key strategy for avoiding immune cells. This finding suggests a common mechanism for DNA rearrangement in parasites and humans.
Scientists at MIT and Brown University developed a microfluidic device to separate right-handed from left-handed bacteria, which can lead to safer pharmaceuticals. The discovery could also impact industries like agriculture and food production.
The discovery of a well-preserved temple in Turkey's Tayinat site has revealed that ruling dynasties survived the Bronze Age collapse, contradicting traditional views. The temple's Luwian hieroglyphics and extensive remains suggest strong cultural connections with the Aegean world during the early Iron Age.
The American Institute of Physics (AIP) awards the 2009 Dannie Heineman Prizes to Carlo Becchi, Alain Rouet, Raymond Stora, and Igor Tyutin for their discovery and exploitation of BRST symmetry in gauge theories. Lennox Cowie receives the astrophysics prize for his innovative observations of the distant universe.
Studies using brain imaging have identified distinct regional vulnerabilities within five intrinsic networks, suggesting a class-wide phenomenon of network degeneration. These findings support the hypothesis that spatial patterning of disease relates to structural or physiological aspects of neural network biology.
Researchers at UT Houston are conducting a Phase I safety trial using patient's own stem cells to treat strokes. The study aims to reduce disability in patients and could be an exciting new therapeutic approach.
A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found a common genetic variant linked to increased ischemic stroke risk in the US, affecting approximately 20% of whites and 10% of blacks. This discovery may lead to new strategies for detecting at-risk individuals and developing targeted treatments.
The American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) awarded 15 students with the 2009 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship to conduct meaningful research in plant biology. The fellowship recipients included Kevin Cooper, Ying Goh, Sharon Holifield, Emily Lin, Dianne Pater, Evan Pratt, and Shelley Sianta, among others.
Dr. Piera Pasinelli has received a $300,000 grant from the Margaret Q. Landenberger Research Foundation to investigate critical aspects of drug delivery in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The research aims to overcome the limitations of current treatments by finding ways to inactivate multi-drug resistance transporters.
A new report emphasizes the importance of retrofitting existing UK buildings to reduce carbon emissions. The UK's 24 million existing buildings would need significant attention to reduce their emissions by just 40%, with large-scale refurbishment being only part of the answer.
Researchers identify specific brain regions affected by each disease, suggesting a common disease process among all forms of neurodegeneration. The discovery could lead to earlier diagnoses and novel treatment-monitoring strategies.
Researchers found strong conservation of gene expression in brain tissue across five species, including mammals and non-mammalian vertebrates. This suggests that neurons play a more central role in functional interactions than cells in other tissues.
Researchers identified two genetic variants associated with an increased risk of stroke, providing strong evidence for specific genes involved. The study, funded by the NHLBI and other NIH institutes, analyzed over 19,000 participants and replicated results in independent samples.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine suggests that sleep problems lead to increased ratings of pain and fatigue in cancer patients. The research indicates that addressing sleep issues may improve pain management for this patient population.
Researchers found that cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce the frequency of seizures in patients with PNES, improving their overall quality of life. The study also showed significant improvement in depression, anxiety, and psychosocial functioning.
The DECIPHER database has revealed its developing role in revolutionizing both clinical practice and genetic research, providing a key to unlock the causes of illnesses. The data from around 100 centres has been shared openly worldwide, benefiting researchers, clinicians, and patients.
A team of chemists at Vanderbilt University has successfully synthesized Serratezomine A, a potentially anti-cancer herbal alkaloid, in six years through an efficient process. This achievement could lead to the development of new treatments for cancer and other diseases.
A large and solitary congenital arterioportal fistula (APF) was diagnosed in a 73-year-old woman. Transcatheter closure using multiple coils was initially successful but resulted in two subsequent episodes of alimentary tract hemorrhage, suggesting that APFs with significant collateral circulation may be challenging to treat.
The Hypersonic Control Modeling and Simulation Tool (HyperCMST) will be used for control studies of planetary atmospheric entry and descent, aerodynamic orbital capture, and aerodynamic gravity assist. The tool allows engineers to model optimal control trajectories for hypersonic vehicles.
The PNWRCE will focus on identifying potential therapeutic targets for infectious diseases, including those caused by pathogens categorized as A, B and C. Researchers will study defects in the immune system caused by aging and disease-host interactions through genomics and genetic analyses.
A study published in Biology and Fertility of Soils found that the rate at which a dried soil is rewetted affects phosphorus loss into surface water. High phosphorus concentrations can lead to harmful algal blooms and disrupt food webs, affecting drinking water quality and recreational activities.
Researchers have developed a new culture system to isolate and proliferate liver stem cells from bone marrow cells, achieving six passages of the stem cells. The method uses a selecting culture system containing cholestatic serum to purify the stem cells, providing an easy and efficient way to separate them.
A University of Iowa biologist is studying how picoeukaryotes, tiny ocean plants, adapt to changing environments in response to climate change. The research found that despite sharing similar morphology, these organisms have distinct gene pools and unique genetic features that allow them to thrive in different ocean regions.
Researchers at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Hospital found hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) to be as safe and effective as standard laparoscopy. The procedure allows for a human touch, facilitating complex surgical maneuvers and reducing post-operative complications.
A study of 298 black and 945 white male patients found that blacks with moderate and advanced chronic kidney disease lived longer than whites once they reached later stages. Blacks had a lower prevalence of cardiovascular disease, which contributed to their better survival rates.
A study by the University of California, San Diego found that 67% of injection drug users in Tijuana test positive for TB, which increases their risk for HIV infection. The analysis highlights the urgent need for TB screening and treatment for this high-risk population.
A team of researchers at the University of Michigan and the University of California, San Diego, have resolved a long-standing debate about how Alzheimer's disease kills brain cells. They found that amyloid-beta peptides form pores in brain cell membranes, allowing calcium ions to enter and trigger cell death.
UC Riverside researcher Kerry Knudsen discovered a new species of lichen on Santa Rosa Island, California, and named it Caloplaca obamae in honor of President Obama. The discovery highlights the importance of preserving public lands and studying biodiversity on the island.
The fourth round of data from the Global Project on Anti-Tuberculosis Drug Resistance shows a significant regional variation in drug-resistant TB prevalence. The majority of MDR-TB burden falls in China and former Soviet states, with the highest prevalence reported in these regions.
Researchers studying HIV-infected individuals with effective HLA genes found that the virus mutates and evolves in response to immune pressure. The study suggests that a successful vaccine should induce responses to multiple epitopes, or combinations of HLA molecule and viral protein.
A new study led by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center compares traditional 'open' surgery to laparoscopic gastrectomy, a minimally invasive procedure. The findings demonstrate that laparoscopic surgeries yielded shorter hospital stays and fewer complications after surgery while maintaining similar rates of recurrence-free survival.
Researchers discover HIV counteracts human cell protection by marking proteins for rapid destruction, but not in rats. Disrupting this interaction could be a promising strategy for therapy to increase cells' protective mechanisms.
The University of Washington is leveraging cloud computing to facilitate data-intensive research on oceans and galaxies. Researchers are using the platform to explore climate simulations and analyze astronomical images, which previously were too large for individual computers to handle.
A recent study published in Osteoporosis International found that the bone density of vegan Buddhist nuns was identical to that of non-vegetarian women, despite lower protein and calcium intakes. The researchers noted that fruits and vegetables may have positive effects on bone health.
Patients with hepatitis C and B-cell clonality in the liver are at high risk for developing malignant lymphoproliferative disease. Antiviral treatment is suggested as a strategy to prevent this outcome.
A new University of Minnesota study reveals that ethanol production in the Midwest uses far less water than similar processes in drier states like California and South Dakota. Iowa's 6 gallons of water per gallon of ethanol is significantly lower than California's 2,100 gallons.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have created a slow-release anesthetic drug-delivery system, showing promise for prolonged pain relief without toxicity in rats. The formulation, using liposomes to package saxitoxin, produced nerve blocks lasting two days or seven days when combined with dexamethasone.
Researchers at UCSB are developing new techniques for manipulating single electron spins in diamond, aiming to build ultra-secure communication systems and lightning-fast database searches. The project will also focus on creating synthetic crystal diamond and heterostructure materials and devices.
Researchers discovered that red pandas prefer artificial sweeteners like aspartame, which may reflect unique structural variations in their sweet taste receptor. This finding could lead to insights into individual differences in human taste function and nutritional health.
A study found that over-the-counter melatonin supplements significantly improve sleep quality in children with autism and Fragile X Syndrome. Children who took melatonin experienced longer total night sleep durations and earlier sleep-onset times, reducing stress on families.