Researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that compounds derived from turmeric and pepper can decrease stem cells while having no effect on normal differentiated cells. This suggests a potential role for curcumin and piperine in preventing breast cancer by targeting stem cells.
A new computer model explains why certain drugs released from stents can cause blood clots and heart attacks, by predicting drug distribution in branched arteries. The findings could aid the FDA in its approval process for stents and lead to safer stent designs.
A study has identified three key factors linked to the choice of infant sleep position: physician recommendations, fear of choking, and comfort concerns. Back sleeping remains the most effective means to reduce SIDS risk, with a significant decrease in rates since the Back to Sleep campaign began.
MIT chemists develop a new platinum compound called mitaplatin that selectively destroys tumor cells while leaving normal cells intact. The compound combines cisplatin and dichloroacetate to target cancer cells' altered mitochondrial properties.
A new UK study found that delinquent boys are more likely to die or become disabled by age 48, with 16.3% experiencing this outcome compared to 2.6% of non-delinquent peers. Early antisocial behaviors and parental factors were linked to various health outcomes 40 years later.
A study found that individuals who experienced psychological or social adversity in childhood may develop lasting emotional, immune, and metabolic abnormalities that increase the risk of age-related diseases. Adverse childhood experiences were linked to depression, high inflammation levels, and metabolic risk factors in adulthood.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new method to tune terahertz quantum cascade lasers, enabling the creation of compact and tunable scanners capable of identifying explosives. The technique involves manipulating the transverse mode of the laser using a mechanical lever, allowing for precise control over the emitted frequency.
State agencies and universities nationwide will receive funding to upgrade their volcano monitoring networks, producing high-resolution maps of high-threat volcanoes and analyzing recent eruption data. This investment aims to provide more reliable information for emergency responders and create jobs in the equipment manufacturing sector.
Asthmatic smokers may be able to reverse damage to their lungs by quitting cigarettes. The research found that cigarette smoke increases the thickness of lung lining and negatively affects nitric oxide levels, leading to more severe symptoms.
Researchers have identified genes that switch their nuclear position in tumor cells, offering a potential new method of diagnosing cancer. The study found that eight genes consistently relocated in the nuclei of invasive breast cancer cells, allowing for accurate diagnosis with success rates similar to current clinical tests.
A new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists increases the risk of incident diabetes among men of all ages diagnosed with local or regional prostate cancer. The study also found an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including coronary hear...
Researchers found that broad differences in gene activity between humans and chimps are coordinated by about 90 transcription factors, which affect nearly 1,000 genes. This suggests a unique regulatory mechanism in the human brain that allows for larger brains and different organ functions.
A study found that long-chain omega-3 fatty acid intake was linked to a reduced risk of distal large bowel cancer in white participants. However, the association was not observed among black participants. The researchers suggest an increase in dietary omega-3 fatty acids may be beneficial for colon cancer prevention.
Researchers have successfully demonstrated the world's smallest semiconductor laser, paving the way for ultra-sensitive bio-detection, nanoscale optics, and enhanced communication systems. The breakthrough technology has potential applications in various fields, including healthcare, optics-based telecommunications, and optical computing.
The University of Guam and the Guam Navy have partnered to conserve the endangered fadang cycad species on Tinian, which faces threats from alien insect invasions. The donation of over 200 plants aims to establish a safe haven for the species in case all plants on Guam are killed.
Researchers demonstrate how aneuploidy, or abnormal number of chromosomes, causes cancer by eliminating tumor suppressor genes. The findings provide a new understanding of the mechanism underlying cancer development and may lead to targeted therapies.
Charles M. Perou has been awarded the AACR's 2009 Outstanding Investigator Award for his groundbreaking research on breast cancer subtypes and racial disparities in diagnosis. His findings have led to a reevaluation of treatment approaches, with his work being incorporated into clinical practice worldwide.
A new class of materials may allow nanoscale machines to overcome mechanical friction by harnessing a quantum phenomenon known as the Casimir effect. Chiral metamaterials have been found to exert a repulsive force when placed in close proximity, enabling potential applications in industry, energy, and medicine.
The experiment aims to understand the durability of advanced materials and electronics when exposed to vacuum, solar radiation, atomic oxygen, and extreme temperatures. The results will provide insights into increasing the performance and useful life of next-generation satellites and launch systems.
Two Brown University faculty members are awarded federal funding to investigate brain development in infants and children with bipolar disorder. The research aims to identify biological and behavioral markers that distinguish between full-blown and sub-syndromal bipolar disorder, which could lead to more specific diagnoses and treatment.
The study examines crustal melting during continental subduction, revealing evidence of igneous diapirism and its impact on mountain belts. Researchers also investigate the weight of the Andes affecting the continental crust and correlate the Mocha fracture zone with orogenic uplift.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have found a promising new approach to treating sickle cell disease by silencing a gene that suppresses fetal hemoglobin production. Inactivating the BCL11A gene led to a significant increase in gamma-globin production, potentially compensating for defective adult hemoglobin.
Researchers identified a critical pathway that stimulates Mdm2 production, binding to and extinguishing tumor suppressors like p53. Preventing Mdm2's destruction is crucial to preventing cancer from spreading within the body.
Researchers combined large datasets from Milwaukee and New York City to estimate swine flu severity, finding most deaths occur in non-elderly adults. The study suggests the autumn-winter pandemic wave should have a death toll only slightly higher than or lower than seasonal influenza.
Researchers found that feeding amino acids to brain-injured mice restored cognitive abilities and improved learning capacity. The study suggests that dietary intervention could restore a proper balance of neurochemicals in the injured part of the brain.
A new University of Pittsburgh study reveals that cigarette craving disrupts an individual's meta-awareness, making it harder to notice when the mind has wandered. Participants who craved cigarettes were more likely to acknowledge mind-wandering episodes, but their ability to recognize these episodes was impaired.
New research from Purdue University finds that middle-aged parents help each of their grown children with many types of support every few weeks. Parents are particularly eager to help the child they consider most successful, indicating a complex dynamic where parental involvement is motivated by a desire for reflection and validation.
Researchers have found that specific waves in EEG signals can reliably predict neural activity in the brain. By combining EEG and direct neuron recordings, scientists identified a link between 'frequency band coupling' and cell firing rates.
Researchers have identified a peptide called iRGD that specifically targets and penetrates cancerous tumors, delivering diagnostic particles and medicines. This breakthrough could improve cancer treatment and reduce side effects.
A phase III trial showed that defibrotide was markedly more effective than standard treatment in post-stem cell transplant patients with hepatic veno-occlusive disease. The mortality rate 100 days after transplant was reduced to 62 percent for patients receiving defibrotide.
Researchers have discovered a link between a genetic variant and childhood obesity, which may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. The study suggests that this gene variant raises the risk of being overweight during childhood, potentially setting the stage for type 2 diabetes in adulthood.
Research at Yale University and the University of Chicago found that socially isolated female rats developed more tumors and more malignant types than their group-living counterparts. The study suggests a link between social isolation and cancer susceptibility, particularly in psychiatric disorders.
A study emphasizes the need for dedicated management capacity to address blindness in sub-Saharan Africa. The region has 20% of global blindness despite having only 11% of the world's population, highlighting the importance of effective management systems.
Men with prostate cancer who engage in moderate exercise have improved overall survival, while vigorous exercise may decrease death rates from prostate cancer. Researchers found that three or more hours of physical activity per week lowered mortality risk by 35%.
A new study suggests that cost-effectiveness analyses based on data from randomized clinical trials may not be realistic enough to accurately inform policy. The researchers found a significant difference in cost-effectiveness between two painkillers when using routine clinical practice data compared to trial data.
A team of researchers from Arizona State University has developed a process that removes a key obstacle to producing lower-cost, renewable biofuels. The team has programmed a photosynthetic microbe to self-destruct, making the recovery of high-energy fats and their biofuel byproducts easier and potentially less costly.
Autopsies show that the 2009 H1N1 virus causes damage to both upper and lower respiratory tracts, with evidence of secondary bacterial infection present in over half of victims. The study also highlights the impact on younger people and the importance of identifying and treating severe infections.
Researchers identified 18 single-point genetic variations linked to recurrence and secondary cancer in early-stage head and neck cancer patients. Genetic variations in miRNA biogenesis genes and binding sites were associated with an increased risk of recurrence or secondary primary tumors.
The study documents spatial and temporal distributions of atmospheric CO2 over China, with varying levels of human activity influence. Long-term observations show changes in CO2 mixing ratios at multiple sites, shedding light on carbon source and sink distribution.
Researchers found that exposure to environmental bacteria triggers a mild inflammatory response in pregnant mice, rendering their offspring resistant to allergies. This protective mechanism could potentially prevent allergies in people by conditioning the developing immune system to tolerate microbes and allergens.
Researchers found a 3.3-fold increase in cancer risk among isolated rats with naturally occurring mammary tumors. Isolation and stress led to higher production of corticosterone, a stress hormone, and increased tumor growth. The study suggests a causal relationship between social interaction and disease.
An international team of scientists led by François Paquay found high iridium concentrations in sediments but could not replicate results. Additional lines of evidence failed to support an impact theory for the onset of the Younger Dryas cold period, contradicting a previously proposed conceptually appealing theory.
Researchers developed a universal method to analyze complex networks, including social networks, protein-protein interactions, and air transportation networks. The method accurately predicts missing and spurious connections by averaging all possible groupings of nodes, giving each grouping a weight that reflects its explanatory power.
A selenium-based antioxidant compound supplementation decreased the risk of developing new colorectal metachronous adenomas in individuals who previously had polyps removed. The study found a 40% reduction in metachronous adenoma incidence after 13 years of follow-up.
A Temple University study found that 70% of Head Start programs only serve non-fat milk, 94% offer vegetables daily, and 97% provide fruit daily. The program also provides over 60 minutes of unstructured physical activity per day.
BG-12, an investigational oral therapy, shows promising results in reducing inflammation and neuroprotection in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The compound has activated the Nrf2 pathway, which defends against oxidative-stress induced neuronal death and supports myelin integrity.
Researchers from the University of Toronto have discovered that the hippocampus is only activated when context cues enable memory recall. This finding sheds light on the mysterious process of retrieving memories, particularly in individuals with damage to the hippocampus, such as those with Alzheimer's or Epilepsy.
Researchers found a strong inverse association between coffee consumption and the risk of lethal and advanced prostate cancers. Men who drank the most coffee had a 60% lower risk of aggressive prostate cancer.
Scientists at Weizmann Institute of Science have developed a new method for transplanting bone marrow-based stem cells from mismatched donors, restoring the immune system faster and improving cure rates for leukemia patients. The procedure involves infusing regulatory T cells into cancer patients before receiving donor stem cells, lead...
Research shows that the majority of first mammograms in this study were for screening purposes, rather than evaluation of a breast problem. False positive rates from diagnostic mammograms varied widely between ethnic groups, raising concerns about the impact on women's future mammography use.
Researchers found that college football linemen are at risk of obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome due to their high body fat percentage. The study suggests that athletes concerned about maintaining a large size should prioritize healthy weight management and nutrition strategies.
Researchers found high levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds along the Athabasca River and its tributaries, with concentrations increasing near major oil sands up graders. The study challenges government and industry assertions that pollution is a naturally occurring seepage.
A study published in PLoS Medicine found that drivers with tighter glycemic control were more likely to be involved in motor vehicle crashes. The research suggests that a patient's HbA1c level is not necessary or sufficient for determining fitness-to-drive, questioning current traffic laws.
A large prospective study of over 20,000 Dutch men and women aged 20-65 found that accurately measured BMI and waist circumference can predict the risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular disease. The associations between BMI and waist circumference with heart disease were equally strong, explaining half of all fatal and one quarter ...
Children from military families experience more emotional and behavioral difficulties than their peers, particularly when a parent is deployed overseas. Longer parental deployments are linked to greater emotional challenges for both children and non-deployed parents.
Rice University Professor Junichiro Kono and his team discovered a plasmonic material that can either stop or let through terahertz beams with adjustments to temperature and/or magnetic field. This finding helps close the knowledge gap in the electromagnetic spectrum between electronic and photonic devices.
Researchers found that religious searching behaviors remained mainstream and technologically savvy, despite secularization trends. Search engines poorly delivered relevant content, likely due to localized religious websites.
Researchers have discovered a urine test technique that can determine whether a child has obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or habitual snoring. The study found that certain proteins are differently expressed in children with OSA compared to those with habitual snoring or healthy non-snoring children.
Scientists found an inverse relationship between gene duplication and alternative splicing in plants, with implications for diversity in animals and humans. The study reveals distinct defense strategies between fast-growing and woody perennial trees.
A new study estimates the severity of the H1N1 flu during the autumn-winter flu season in the US, finding it may be less severe than initially thought. The study suggests that young children and non-elderly adults are at higher risk of complications from the illness.