A study by Fox Chase Cancer Center found that patients with Medicare are less likely to undergo kidney-sparing surgery for renal cell carcinoma compared to those with private insurance. This disparity affects the quality of care and has implications for healthcare reform.
The 157th ASA Meeting explores various disciplines and unique sounds. Wimps hear dangerous noises differently due to physical fitness, while fish living in darkness have exceptionally sensitive ears. Researchers also study medical devices using sound to treat disease, a long-gone whale's comeback, and cowards' evolution.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a new target for maintaining healthy blood pressure. Mice that lack the receptor for PG F2-alpha, a type of prostaglandin, have lower blood pressure and less atherosclerosis than their non-mutant counterparts.
A large clinical trial found that long-term treatment with Gamunex improves and maintains physical and mental component scores in patients with CIDP. Improvements were observed in all domains, including physical functioning, role-physical, social functioning, and mental health.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have discovered a new drug that inhibits neuroblastoma blood supply, reducing tumor growth by 75%. The drug, AMD3100, blocks interaction between SDF-1a and its receptor CXCR4, preventing tumors from growing rapidly by disrupting their blood supply.
Locteron showed a significant reduction in flu-like symptoms compared to PEG-Intron, with patients experiencing an 80% lower severity score. The trial demonstrated comparable anti-viral effects and tolerability with the controlled-release interferon alpha.
A study of liver transplant patients found that HIV positive individuals have similar survival rates to those who are HIV negative. However, co-infection with hepatitis C virus significantly predicts poorer outcomes in this patient group, emphasizing the need for targeted antiviral therapy.
A team of scientists has identified Llysyl oxidase as an enzyme involved in fibrous tissue accumulation and cardiac deterioration in patients with chronic heart disease. This discovery opens new possibilities for treating patients with heart disease by inhibiting the enzyme.
The Malaria Elimination Group provides a roadmap for countries pursuing malaria elimination, reviewing operational, technical and financial decisions. The guidance aims to support countries in achieving universal coverage of preventive and treatment measures by 2010.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have discovered a new drug combination that significantly hinders neuroblastoma tumor growth in pre-clinical tests. The combination of vandetanib and 13-cis-retinoic acid reduced tumors by 86 percent, offering new hope for children with this childhood cancer.
A new study from Temple University graduate student Maureen Dzanis found that extracurricular activity participants, particularly student council presidents and glee club members, are more likely to experience bullying in urban schools. The research surveyed 1,203 students and explored the role of program quality on violence.
Researchers at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have discovered a drug, AZ23, that reduces AML cell burden by 50% in mice with no immune system. The study also found 60% of treated mice had long-term survival without leukemia cells.
Researchers at USC and Rhenovia Pharma will use large-scale computer modeling to predict synergistic interactions within glutamate systems that might be targets for new drugs. The goal is to find a way to home in on specific neural cells without disturbing others, addressing malfunctions in diseases like schizophrenia.
Researchers found high osteopontin levels in patients with interstitial lung disease and healthy smokers, while healthy non-smokers produced no osteopontin. Osteopontin expression could be stimulated by nicotine treatment, leading to immune cell recruitment and symptoms similar to smoking-related lung diseases.
Scientists have discovered that the bovine genome contains over 2,800 billion DNA building blocks and around 22,000 genes. The study found that cows share about 80% of their genes with humans, providing valuable insights into human biology.
Comets are analyzed using Swift's Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope, which separates wavelengths of ultraviolet light to study gases surrounding the icy bodies. Cometary X-ray emission is also detected, providing insights into the process of charge exchange between solar ions and comet gases.
Notch1 contributes to lung fibrosis by increasing myofibroblasts, while SOCS-1 inhibits prostate cancer growth. TIP30 prevents lung cancer metastasis, and SPARC accelerates kidney disease progression. These findings highlight potential new therapeutic targets.
The Fermi telescope captured a hypnotic froth of gamma rays, revealing active galaxies called blazars flare up and fade out. The movie shows the entire sky as northern and southern halves, with bright colors indicating greater numbers of detected gamma rays.
A new study shows radioembolisation to be a safe and effective treatment for patients with advanced HCC, achieving partial response rates of up to 80% and comparable survival rates to systemic therapy. The technique may offer a novel palliative therapeutic approach for those with limited options.
A new report reveals a significant increase in the number of people diagnosed with cancer in Ireland, but also shows that survival rates are rising for certain types of cancer. The report highlights the importance of prevention and early detection in reducing the burden of cancer.
The US Department of Homeland Security's study on Brain Music aims to enhance emergency response performance through neurotraining. Human Bionics LLC creates customized music compositions from brain waves to promote relaxation, alertness, and productivity.
A Temple-led study found that a two-phased program combining body image group counseling sessions and nicotine patches was more effective in helping young women quit smoking and maintain weight loss. The program showed an 18% rate of smoking cessation, compared to 8% for the exercise-only group.
Researchers at PTB found that with xenon, a whole light-wave packet seems to knock out a huge number of internal electrons, dependent on material properties. This discovery challenges current models of the photoelectric effect and has significance for future experiments in materials research.
Combining a mainstay antibiotic with drugs to deprive bacteria of iron boosts infection killing, according to Dartmouth researchers. Their study found that using two FDA-approved iron chelators and tobramycin eradicated biofilms by 90 percent.
The American Cancer Society has awarded 143 national research and training grants totaling over $51 million to investigators at 83 institutions nationwide. The grants support groundbreaking research into the molecular genetics, biochemistry, and cell biology of cancer.
A Temple University study found that middle-class parental involvement in urban education can have a positive impact when parents focus on making the school better for everyone. However, the study also shows that this influence can sometimes be exclusive to their own children's needs at the expense of working-class students.
Lice parasites have been found to modulate the immune system of wild wood mice, suggesting a potential link between parasite exposure and reduced autoimmune disease risk. This research implies that modern humans, lacking natural parasite exposure, may develop less regulated immune systems leading to increased disease susceptibility.
Researchers at Brown University found MR enterography to be an effective tool for evaluating and guiding treatment of Crohn's Disease patients without exposing them to unnecessary radiation. The test was shown to provide valuable information for guiding patient management, with physicians overwhelmingly preferring it over CT scans.
A study at the University of Washington found that cardiac CT is a cost-effective approach to diagnose low-risk chest pain patients, reducing costs by 44% and shortening hospital stays by up to 20 hours. The new technique uses lower-dose cardiac CT options, allowing for faster evaluation and discharge in under six hours.
A new study found that a novel compound decreases rats' preference for cocaine-associated environments during subsequent tests. This process is called extinction learning, where the brain creates new associations instead of retrieving old ones.
A study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics found a significant evidence for a gene on chromosome 9q21 that may contribute to pelvic floor disorders. The researchers analyzed DNA from 70 women from 32 families with at least two cases of pelvic floor disorders and found significant evidence for a genetic predisposition.
New research reveals that methane clathrate stores beneath the ocean and in permafrost are more stable than previously thought, reducing concerns over climate change. A 10% release of methane would have an equivalent impact on global warming as a ten-fold increase in carbon dioxide concentration.
A study by American College of Radiology found that educating physicians about ventilation-perfusion (VQ) scanning reduced patient radiation exposure from 11.5 mSv in 2006 to 8.9 mSv in 2007. VQ scanning is now preferred for patients with normal chest x-rays suspected of having pulmonary embolism.
A University of Washington computer scientist has led a statistical study comparing the pattern of symbols in the Indus script to various linguistic scripts and nonlinguistic systems. The results found the Indus script's pattern is closer to that of spoken words, supporting the hypothesis that it codes for an as-yet-unknown language.
A trove of Benjamin Franklin letters has been discovered in the British Library, dating from 1755. The letters, written by Thomas Birch and copied by him in 1757 or 1758, provide new insights into the 'wagon affair' and Franklin's involvement in the French and Indian War.
Researchers have found promising results with stem cells obtained from a patient's own adipose tissue in treating multiple sclerosis. The treatment, known as stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cell therapy, has shown dramatic improvement in symptoms for three patients with MS.
UC Davis establishes Mountain Gorilla One Health Program to conserve gorillas & address human health, livestock, and agricultural issues. The program aims to improve gorilla health & prevent disease from affecting human populations.
Researchers have identified a common genetic variation associated with the risk of colorectal cancer and its functional implications. The study found that this variation causes the expression of a nearby gene, SMAD7, to decrease, leading to critical signaling events that can set cells on the path to cancer.
A pioneering study has successfully implanted autologous tissue-engineered vascular grafts in dialysis patients, with a majority of the grafts functioning for six to 20 months after implantation. The novel approach uses cells harvested from the patient's own skin to create the grafts without synthetic scaffolds or biomaterials.
A study at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that excluding the lateral view in chest radiograph screenings decreases radiation exposure by 67%. No abnormalities were detected in the lateral view that weren
Joe Kotarba, University of Houston sociology department chairman, has received the George Herbert Mead Award for his lifetime achievement in symbolic interaction. He will be honored at the SSSI/American Sociological Association meeting in San Francisco this August.
A new cancer drug, 3-BrOP, has been found to reduce neuroblastoma growth by 75 percent in pre-clinical studies. The drug works by blocking the main energy source, glucose, thereby starving cancer cells and disrupting their ability to grow.
A recent study reveals that Texas' farms, ranches, and forests are losing land, with 156 counties losing 2.1 million acres between 1997 and 2006, according to Dr. Neal Wilkins and American Farmland Trust.
A study found that most ordering physicians underestimate radiation doses from CT scans and overestimate their cancer risk, according to the American College of Radiology. The study suggests that improved radiation education is needed for medical professionals.
The bovine genome consists of at least 22,000 protein-coding genes, with significant rearrangements compared to human and mouse genomes. The sequence provides new insights into ruminant evolution, unique traits making cattle useful to humans, and the mechanisms behind genetic changes.
Researchers found a layer on top of subducted plates where S-waves are 30-50% slower than typical oceanic crust, indicating high water saturation levels. This ultra-slow-velocity layer is linked to slow earthquakes and non-volcanic tremors, providing clues about their causes.
A study published in Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology found that patients with more knowledge about dialysis are more likely to use permanent vascular access. The researchers also identified factors associated with lower knowledge, including age, education level, and race.
A new study suggests that teenagers with a strong parent-child relationship may start drinking at a later age and be less likely to develop alcohol problems. The study found that high-quality relationships can 'trigger a spiral of healthy development' during adolescence, leading to lower risk of substance abuse.
A recent study on the bovine genome has provided valuable insights into potential new developments in cattle research. The project identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that can help researchers identify favorable traits, leading to improved disease resistance and meat quality.
A new report reveals that fire influences global warming more than previously thought, with human-caused fires contributing significantly to the greenhouse effect. The study estimates that deforestation due to burning by humans releases an amount of carbon dioxide equal to 50% of fossil fuel combustion.
The completed cow genome provides insights into mammalian evolution, cattle-specific biology, and the genetic bases of milk. Researchers discovered over 22,000 protein-coding genes and 500 miRNAs, highlighting potential for breeding more sustainable livestock.
A new computer algorithm assesses mammographic breast density by automatically segmenting breast tissue from background, removing muscle, and using region growing to determine dense areas. This method provides objective and accurate recommendations on further imaging or monitoring, reducing variability among radiologists.
A study using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) reveals new details about the brain's white matter tracts, allowing radiologists to better understand conditions such as tumors, hemorrhages, and strokes. DTI provides a comprehensive view of brain anatomy, including connectivity between regions.
A research team found that potassium ions strongly bound to the surface of titania nanotubes improve their performance in solar cells producing hydrogen gas from water. By controlling potassium deposition, engineers can achieve significant energy savings.
In the past two years, significant strides have been made in malaria control and elimination, with many countries setting ambitious strategies to achieve low transmission and mortality rates. Research into vaccines, drugs, and other interventions continues to flourish, offering hope for a future malaria-free world.
Researchers have discovered that fish can harbour and spread PKD, a debilitating condition causing severe inflammation of the kidneys. The discovery paves the way for effective control measures against the disease, which has devastated the UK's fish farming industry.
Bioengineers at UC San Diego have developed a novel method for sequencing-based methylation profiling, enabling more efficient and cost-effective methods for studying certain diseases. The breakthrough could fuel personalized regenerative medicine and help address concerns about stem cell tumors.
A new MR procedure using diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) can correctly identify 50 of 60 malignant lesions and 23 of 25 benign lesions, potentially reducing false-positive rates. This technique may help save women from unnecessary breast biopsies by characterizing benign from malignant lesions.
The University of Melbourne's bionic eye project received a $50 million funding boost from the Federal Government, with plans to conduct its first clinical test within two years. The project aims to develop a high-resolution bionic eye that can differentiate between objects beyond current capabilities.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute successfully generate embryonic-like stem cells from adult cells using chemical programming, overcoming safety concerns associated with genetic manipulation. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize personalized stem cell-based medicine for various diseases.