Researchers describe a technique to determine tumor blood vessel leakiness using digital mammography, allowing prediction of chemotherapy efficacy. The method is closely correlated with the ability of clinically approved chemotherapy agents to enter tumors.
Researchers at Monash University have made a breakthrough in treating malaria by deactivating the parasite's digestive machinery. The discovery could provide treatment for millions of people worldwide and offers hope against drug-resistant malaria.
A new study identifies a hotspot for toxic harmful algal blooms (HABS) in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, which can trigger blooms and force shellfish bed closures. The research aims to provide early warnings to protect human health and reduce economic losses due to biotoxin accumulation.
Researchers compared four different strains of Coxiella burnetii to build a comprehensive picture of its genetic architecture and content. They found that strain virulence was associated with a smaller genome and the loss of genes, possibly due to pseudogene formation.
Researchers discovered that idiopathic QT interval prolongation significantly increases the risk of sudden death among coronary artery disease patients. The study found a five-fold increase in odds for abnormally prolonged QT intervals of unknown etiology, highlighting its potential as a predictor for sudden cardiac death.
Cuba's comprehensive model emphasizes healthy development before conception, continued support through preschool education programs. Dr. Wilbert Keon suggests integrating polyclinics, collaborative programs, and research to optimize health and well-being in Canada.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new technology that can detect how cancer cells respond to chemotherapy in just hours, rather than weeks. This allows for quicker diagnosis and potentially more effective treatment.
The Virginia Tech-CIMSS-PAC team develops a suite of new technologies to monitor bridge structural integrity. The proposed 'Bridge Prognostic System' uses piezoelectric materials and acoustic emission sensing to detect cracks, providing real-time data for decision-making.
A new technique combining CT with fiber-coated surgical microcoils successfully locates and removes small lung nodules using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The procedure results in less pain and faster recovery times compared to traditional thoracotomy, allowing patients to return to work within two to three days.
A comprehensive hospital discharge program reduced re-hospitalizations by 30% and improved patient self-perceived preparation for discharge. New immunochemical fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs) vary in detecting colorectal cancer, with sensitivity rates ranging from 25% to 72%.
Researchers at Brown University have successfully grown and assembled living microtissues into complex three-dimensional structures, advancing tissue engineering. The breakthrough could eventually reduce the need for certain kinds of animal research, with implications for basic cell biology, drug discovery, and tissue research.
A new study published in Epilepsia found that vigabatrin treatment in infancy may be effective in reducing infantile spasms with a lower risk of permanent visual field defects compared to adults. The study used kinetic perimetry to detect peripheral field defects and found normal visual fields in 15 out of 16 children.
The September 11 attacks caused heightened levels of stress and anxiety, particularly among those closest to the World Trade Center. This stress impacted day-to-day behaviors like driving, leading to a significant increase in traffic fatalities in the Northeast region.
Patients with intermittent claudication may benefit from supervised exercise instead of revascularization. After six and 12 months, patients experienced similar improvements in functional capacity and quality of life scores.
New rodent findings show that dietary zinc supplements throughout pregnancy can reduce some alcohol-related birth defects. Zinc supplementation also increases the mother's blood zinc to prevent fetal zinc deficiency and subsequent fetal damage.
Researchers found that exposing bacterial colonies to the same chemical signals they use to fend off competition causes them to kill each other, reducing their population. This strategy is unlikely to develop resistance and may offer a new hope for fighting bacterial infections.
Peter Serlemitsos, a NASA astrophysicist, has made significant contributions to the development of X-ray detectors and telescopes. His work enabled decades of scientific advances in high-energy astrophysics, including pioneering instruments aboard OSO-8 and ASCA missions.
A study forecasts drastic reductions in mammography professionals per woman age 40, threatening early detection rates for breast cancer. The number of radiologists and technologists is projected to decline significantly over the next 15-20 years.
Experts advise against routine cardiac imaging exams for those without heart disease symptoms due to low-dose radiation risks. However, scans are still recommended for patients with symptoms or at high risk of heart disease, as the benefits outweigh the small potential risks.
Genes and psychological adversity in childhood contribute to major depression, with current treatments limited by delayed onset and adverse outcomes. Research is needed to explore how genes interact with environmental variables to influence major depressive disorder risk.
Researchers discovered that optical illusions, like the Rotating Snakes illusion, activate the brain's motion-perception area, suggesting a bottom-up process rather than imagination. This finding has implications for designing instrument panels and multimedia content to avoid motion sickness.
Research suggests that positive contact between groups can lead to improved attitudes towards the advantaged group, but also reduces awareness of inequality and decreases support for social change. Encounters emphasizing both common connections and problem inequalities can promote intergroup understanding and recognition of change.
A study found that individuals with mental illness were more likely to report violence if they also had a history of substance abuse or dependence. However, severe mental illness alone did not predict future violent behavior.
A clinical decision model using MR spectroscopy can help patients avoid unnecessary biopsies and treatments by identifying whether a new lesion is due to a recurrent tumor or post-radiation changes. The technique analyzes ratios of three metabolites, including choline, creatine, and NAA, to determine the likelihood of a recurrent tumor.
Jeffrey Sachs, director of Columbia's Earth Institute, wins the 2009 Green Book Award for his book 'Common Wealth,' which proposes solutions to extreme poverty and related global problems. The award recognizes the book's practical value in addressing environmental issues.
A study of 93,297 15-year-olds across 31 countries found that those who frequently went out with friends were more likely to report using marijuana. The decline in marijuana use among adolescents may be attributed to a decrease in evenings spent out with friends.
A study published in JAMA found that dexmedetomidine reduced delirium prevalence and improved extubation times compared to midazolam, a commonly used sedative drug. The medication also showed a lower risk of bradycardia but higher tachycardia rates.
A new study reveals how US News & World Report rankings discipline and punish law schools, forcing them to compromise their missions or be excluded. Law schools with public service or disadvantaged student missions are particularly affected, highlighting the transformative impact of rankings on educational institutions.
A meta-analysis of 8 large-scale observational studies found that SSRIs significantly reduced the risk of completed or attempted suicide in adults with depression. The study suggests that prescribing SSRI medications is safe for patients with major depression, but children and adolescents should be closely monitored.
A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that despite strict abortion laws in Peru, nearly 12% of women reported having induced abortions. The study, which surveyed over 8,000 women aged 18-29, highlights the need for improved access to contraception and education to reduce abortion rates.
Researchers developed peptide-guided hollow gold spheres that target and penetrate melanoma cells, then kill them when exposed to near-infrared light. The nanospheres achieve an 8-fold increase in tumor destruction compared to untargeted nanoparticles, demonstrating potential for minimally invasive cancer treatment.
Researchers found that women with elevated levels of corticotrophin-releasing hormone in mid-pregnancy are at higher risk for postpartum depression. The study, conducted by UC Irvine researchers, suggests that identifying these women early could help prevent or treat the condition.
Archaeologists have found significant evidence of an ancient altar and cult activity on Mt. Lykaion, dating back to the Late Helladic period around 3,300 years ago. This supports the theory that Zeus was born in Arcadia, as suggested by ancient Greek poet Callimachus.
The Arctic region is at risk of maritime accidents and oil spills due to limited infrastructure and increasing ship traffic, according to a new report. The report calls for strengthened international cooperation, improved logistical support, and updated weather data to mitigate these risks.
A Cardiff University research project found a link between prenatal smoking and anti-social behavior in children, but only when the mother was genetically linked to the child. The study suggests that factors other than smoking during pregnancy influence anti-social behavior.
Iowa State University researchers have developed a technique called tape-FISH that can test produce for Salmonella contamination in about two hours. This approach uses adhesive tape to collect a sample from the skin of the produce, which is then analyzed using Fluorescent In-Situ Hybridization.
Research challenges common perception that mental illness alone increases risk of future violence, instead finding mental illness combined with substance abuse to be a significant predictor. Other factors such as history of past violence, unemployment, and parental criminal history were found to be more predictive of future violence.
A recent study found that early soybean planting from April to May consistently resulted in higher yields. However, oil concentration was higher at early plantings, while protein concentration was better when planted later in the season.
A Weill Cornell Medical College study reveals that proBDNF, a neural growth factor, is present during the perinatal period when brain circuitry and memory-encoding regions are refined. The research provides new insights into how the brain is wired and how this wiring is refined, particularly during developmental stages.
A new re-engineered hospital discharge program, RED, has been designed to reduce hospital utilization within 30 days of discharge. The study found that the intervention resulted in a 33.9% lower observed cost for patients who received the program compared to those in the usual care group.
A study found that American consumer awareness of trans fats increased significantly between 2006 and 2007, with 92% of consumers aware of the term. However, despite this increase, many respondents struggled to identify food sources of trans fats.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics has published a new book on emerging science of novel propulsion concepts like space drives and warp drives. Researchers Marc Millis and Eric Davis cover NASA's Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Project, enabling human voyages to other star systems.
Research by the University of Exeter found that delivering organic vegetable boxes can result in lower carbon emissions than visiting a local farm shop, especially for customers making long-distance trips. The study suggests that a more nuanced approach is needed to understand the environmental impact of food production and distribution
A new study from the University of Minnesota suggests that smaller chimpanzees use political behavior, such as grooming, to secure top positions rather than relying on physical aggression. This finding is based on 10 years of observations of dominant male chimpanzees in Gombe National Park, Tanzania.
A drug used to treat stroke patients may also improve learning and memory and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study. The active form of the parent drug Fasudil improved spatial learning and working memory in middle-aged rats.
A graphical analysis assesses the vulnerability of different US crops to pests, identifying soybean and maize as highly connected, while cotton and wheat are less connected. The study suggests encouraging cropping patterns that disrupt connectivity to minimize pest spread.
Astrophysicist Neil Gehrels receives the Henry Draper Medal for his groundbreaking work on gamma-ray bursts and active galactic nuclei. His leadership of NASA's Swift Mission has significantly advanced astronomers' understanding of these phenomena.
A University of Delaware study published in Arthritis Care & Research found that strengthening exercises for the quadriceps after knee replacement surgery significantly improves function and can even surpass that of a healthy adult. The study's results suggest that patients should be encouraged to participate in progressive quadriceps ...
Researchers found that asthma patients exhibit chronic airflow changes in their lungs, even with medication use. The study used MRI to visualize airway obstruction and revealed that many airways remained narrowed over time.
The Springer textbook has been recognized for its comprehensiveness and uniqueness in covering stratosphere-troposphere interactions. It provides information on various physical processes involved in the coupling between the two layers of the atmosphere.
A new study confirms that estrogen and progesterone increase the risk of breast cancer more than estrogen alone. The study suggests a two-year safe period for hormone replacement therapy.
Researchers use novel tools to quantify ecosystem services, including pollination and flood protection, with promising results for conservation efforts. High levels of biodiversity often correlate with enhanced ecosystem services, suggesting preservation as key to unlocking their value.
A US study found that most healthy children taking daily vitamins don't require them due to adequate nutrition from their diets. The study also revealed that children who face the greatest risks of vitamin deficiency are less likely to take supplements.
A new study published in Neurology, a journal of the American Academy of Neurology, found that higher education levels do not slow down the rate of memory loss. Despite initial improvements in memory and thinking skills with more education, these advantages did not translate to slower decline over time.
Researchers found that insulin shields neurons from toxic proteins in Alzheimer's disease, preserving memory-forming synapses. This discovery suggests a novel approach to treating the devastating disease by increasing insulin sensitivity in the brain.
Researchers at Rice University have successfully created nanocars that can move and operate at room temperature using fluorescent imaging. The breakthrough, led by Stephan Link, allows for the possibility of adapting these tiny machines to various applications beyond their original heated requirements.
A study found that African American parents are more likely to report distrust of medical research, which may present a barrier to enrolling their children in clinical trials. The authors suggest strategies such as culturally appropriate recruitment materials and community research advisory boards to overcome this distrust.
A new Mayo Clinic study reveals that younger men with erectile dysfunction are twice as likely to develop heart disease as those without the condition. Men with erectile dysfunction also face an 80% higher risk of heart disease over a 10-year period.
A study of 18,000 students found notable gender bias in student ratings of high school science teachers, with female teachers receiving lower evaluations than their male counterparts. Despite being equally effective at preparing students for college, female teachers were undervalued by both male and female students.
A study by Stanford University School of Medicine found that an 11-gauge needle is more effective in breast biopsy procedures compared to a 14-gauge needle. The results showed significantly fewer false-negative diagnoses with the 11-gauge needle, which also produces larger and more accurate specimens.