Researchers found no clear benefit of repairing patent foramen ovale in patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery, but rather an increased risk of postoperative stroke. Patients with newly discovered PFO were more likely to be women and have a history of stroke or atrial fibrillation.
A recent study published in Radiology found that obesity is strongly associated with an increased risk of rapid cartilage loss in the knees. The study, which analyzed data from over 3,000 participants, identified baseline BMI as a key predictor of rapid cartilage loss.
The Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology has consistently high quality and influence, ranking in the top half of 90 radiology journals. The Society of Interventional Radiology offers an International Affiliate Program with online-only access to professionals outside North America.
A major electronic collection of articles about uterine artery embolization is now available, providing information on the treatment's benefits and technical aspects. The collection includes studies that demonstrate the procedure's lower cost compared to traditional surgery.
Recent JAMA studies on brain cancer and altered genes have made significant progress in understanding the root causes of this deadly disease. Researchers identified seven genes linked to survival among glioblastoma multiforme patients, paving the way for potential new therapies.
NASA's TRMM satellite provides forecasters with a 3-D look at Hurricane Carlos's cloud heights and rainfall, aiding forecasting. Carlos regained hurricane status as a Category One storm on July 14, 2009, with maximum sustained winds near 75 mph.
The NYU-HHC CTSI aims to leverage individual expertise, support education and training, and enhance community ties to promote evidence-based medicine and reduce healthcare disparities. With the grant, researchers will focus on discoveries in the lab that can be rapidly translated to the bedside and into communities.
A recent study published in International Immunopharmacology reveals that Pycnogenol inhibits the generation of COX-2 and 5-LOX enzymes associated with inflammation. This finding suggests that Pycnogenol can decrease pain and reduce inflammatory conditions by shutting down specific enzyme production.
A group of addiction scientists argue that the death penalty for drug trafficking is ineffective and violates human rights. The editorial cites the UN statement on capital punishment's limited scope and emphasizes the need to abolish this practice. Addiction experts, including lead author Professor Griffith Edwards, call for scientists...
A study suggests that 19th century infant deaths attributed to smothering and overlaying were likely caused by Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The analysis of mortality schedules from 1850-1880 found that these deaths shared similar characteristics with known SIDS cases, including age, gender, and racial patterns.
A survey of surgical residents found that nearly half consider duty hour regulations a significant barrier to their education. Senior residents are more likely to desire longer work hours than restrictions allow.
A recent study published in Medical Teacher found that medical students who participated in simulated medical emergencies showed improved knowledge retention compared to those who received traditional lectures. The simulation exercises helped students learn and apply basic science concepts more effectively.
A team of experts, including Dr Chris Wade from the University of Nottingham, have presented evidence that planktonic foraminifera may have survived mass extinction by taking refuge on the sea floor. Genetic and geochemical data show that these species can thrive in both surface waters and sediment habitats.
Researchers create mathematical model to predict optimal blood vessel size for tissue transfer, ensuring successful flap transfer and reducing failures. The model takes into account variables such as oxygen pressure and capillary spacing to provide a more accurate estimate of required blood vessel diameter.
A new theory proposes that male lemurs deposit a solid plug in the female's reproductive tract to prevent rival males from mating, allowing them to focus on other females. This strategy is thought to be advantageous when females have short receptivity periods and are the same size as males.
Researchers have identified a combination of brain imaging, memory tests, and protein analysis that can accurately diagnose early-stage Alzheimer's disease. The study used data from the ADNI initiative and found that combining these methods resulted in classification accuracy rates of up to 95.7%.
A UBC study found that people's early-life experiences can lead to chronic diseases later in life by affecting gene expression and inflammation responses. The researchers identified a link between low socioeconomic circumstances in early life and increased risk of infectious, respiratory, and cardiovascular diseases.
McDonald's Dollar Menu has been instrumental in maintaining the chain's reputation as an affordable luxury, even in today's tough times. The menu puts price control and consumer motivation in one wrapper, with clever pricing and uniformity across all franchise outlets.
Researchers observed paracrine signaling in Bacillus subtilis, a novel mechanism for maintaining two differentiated cell populations within a bacterial community. This discovery opens doors to developing strategies to reverse differentiation in antibiotic persister cells.
Researchers found that HDAC8 deletion causes cranial NCC deficiency, leading to skull dysmorphism and perinatal death. HDAC8 represses homeobox transcription factors that pattern the frontal skull, highlighting its crucial role in epigenetic control of vertebrate skull development.
Researchers develop new imaging method using nonlinear crystals, allowing for data encryption and higher resolution images. The technique enables capture of wide-view photos with high resolution, promising applications in various fields including optical systems, microscopes, and dynamical imaging.
Researchers at TUM have identified a unique pathway in aggressive microorganisms, such as tuberculosis and malaria pathogens, that may be vulnerable to custom-tailored antibiotics. The discovery opens a promising approach for developing new reaction steps vital to microorganisms but irrelevant in humans.
A recent study found that adding a wood stove to a home can significantly reduce heating costs, with savings ranging from 25% to 60%. The carbon emissions associated with wood stoves are also negligible, making them a more environmentally friendly option than traditional gas heating systems.
A recent study published in JAMA Network has found a network of altered genes that appear to play a crucial role in the development and progression of brain tumors. The researchers identified seven landscape genes that are associated with patient prognosis and survival.
Researchers discovered an unexpected concentration of a certain isotopic molecule in parts of the stratosphere, which could help understand the carbon cycle and its response to climate change. The finding suggests that air from the mesosphere may be mixing with air from the stratosphere, leading to elevated concentrations of 16O13C18O.
A study at a UK hospital found that smokers who break the rules are more addicted and less likely to believe in second-hand smoke protection. Researchers suggest screening staff for smoking behaviors and offering evidence-based workplace interventions to improve compliance and quit rates.
The University of Florida has been awarded nearly $26 million to speed up the transformation of scientific discoveries into medical advances. The grant will support multidisciplinary research in various fields, including biomedical informatics and gene therapy.
A study by Indiana University found that geography knowledge among college freshmen has not improved despite increased K-12 support. The test scores were two percent lower in 2002 than in 1987, reflecting a national trend.
The NASA Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has discovered a third class of active galaxies that emit gamma rays, opening a new window in the field. The telescope has detected gamma rays from dozens of galaxies beyond our own, including Seyfert galaxies and blazars.
Researchers discovered a drug that blocks transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) receptors can prevent brain changes associated with epilepsy in rats. This treatment halts hyper-excitability and prevents gene expression changes, offering hope for preventing epilepsy in humans after severe brain injury.
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has successfully reintroduced critically endangered Chinese alligators into the wild, with the population now multiplying on their own. The reintroduction effort, which started in 1999, included captive-bred animals from North American zoos and partner agencies in China.
A new Mayo Clinic study found that clinical criteria for mild cognitive impairment are better at predicting Alzheimer's disease than a single memory test. The study identified individuals aged 70-79 years who were cognitively normal or had slight memory impairment as being most likely to develop Alzheimer's disease.
Smaller plant species thrive under the canopies of large host plants, utilizing resources and establishing quickly. This challenges traditional views on the role of plant size in competitive ability and community assembly.
Kansas State University researchers developed online teaching modules addressing epidemiology and statistics, accessible to over 30,000 international students. The modules help train plant pathologists in developing countries, overcoming software and language barriers.
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research is working on airborne solar cells using flexible films and transparent conductive electrodes. These cells have shown promise in powering small aircraft, and the team hopes to develop large, flexible DSSCs with higher energy conversion efficiency.
A team of researchers from Ben-Gurion University and UC Berkeley have identified a TGF Beta Blocker that prevents epilepsy in rats after brain damage. The blocker blocks hyper-excitability and gene expression changes that lead to epilepsy.
A K-State researcher is studying protein interactions in the lens of the eye to understand how they trigger cataracts. The goal is to screen drugs that can inhibit or reverse abnormal processes causing cataracts, potentially leading to a nonsurgical method for restoring sight.
Young API gays and lesbians face rejection from families and stigmatization by the larger Asian community due to ancestral cultures and Western values. Researchers developed a new model of identity formation that explores ethnic and gender differences in four stages.
Women taking hormone therapy have a 38% increased risk of ovarian cancer, with risks increasing by 44% for epithelial tumors. The absolute risk is approximately 1 extra ovarian cancer for every 8,300 women taking hormone therapy annually.
Ben-Gurion University researchers have identified a key signaling pathway in intra-abdominal fat that contributes to obesity-related disorders. The study found that this pathway is activated in response to fat accumulation in the abdomen, correlating with increased cardio-metabolic risk and whole-body insulin resistance.
A network of 31 mutated genes has been identified as the driving force behind glioblastoma growth. Annexin A7, a vital guard gene, is lost in most cases, allowing tumors to flourish. The discovery offers new therapeutic targets and potentially extends patient survival.
Researchers found that a 'heart healthy' diet, rich in whole grains, vegetables, low-fat dairy, and nuts, may slow cognitive decline. Ongoing moderate physical activity was also associated with improved cognitive function in older adults.
Researchers say a standard calculation for estimating flu deaths may not accurately reflect true figures due to factors like underreporting and varying disease severity. The study highlights the need for more sophisticated data collection and analysis methods to provide healthcare planners with accurate predictions.
The study reveals cell-type specificity of PI3K signaling in the mammalian brain, with PTEN tumor suppressor protein playing a crucial role. PDK1 deletion shows selective increase in AKT phosphorylation in glial cells, suggesting personalized cancer treatment approaches.
Researchers found that low scores on a memory recall test and low glucose metabolism in brain regions can predict a 15-fold greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The study used cognitive tests and brain scans to identify early warning signs of the debilitating disease.
Researchers from Brown University and Harvard School of Public Health found that Brazil's efforts to treat people living with HIV/AIDS using generic medicines saved the country over $1 billion. The study also showed that the country was able to contain the virus, minimize its spread, and provide treatment to over 660,000 Brazilians.
Researchers identified a potential biological mechanism for reduced effectiveness of oral contraceptives in obese women, as it takes twice as long to reach the necessary blood concentration levels. The study's findings have important implications for approximately 30% of adult Americans who are obese and rely on birth control pills.
Researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa conclude that shark cage diving enterprises in Hawaii have a negligible effect on public safety. The study analyzed logbook data from two Oahu operations and found no increase in shark attacks since cage diving began.
A new study published in Nature Geoscience suggests that scientists' best predictions about global warming may be inaccurate. Researchers analyzed records from the Palaeocene-Eocene thermal maximum (PETM), a 55-million-year-old period of rapid global warming, and found that climate models can only explain half of the observed heating. ...
The American Association of Physicists in Medicine meeting will explore ways to minimize radiation dosage in children, adults, and health professionals. Studies have shown that lower doses can be effective in detecting abnormalities, reducing the risk of cancer among medical professionals.
Two Brookhaven Lab scientists, Jason Graetz and Paul Sorensen, have been recognized for their pioneering research in hydrogen storage and heavy-ion collisions. Graetz's work focuses on developing new materials with improved hydrogen-storage properties, while Sorensen's research explores the properties and phases of quark-gluon plasma.
The National Institutes of Health has expanded its national consortium for transforming clinical and translational research, awarding $171 million to seven institutions over five years. The consortium aims to accelerate laboratory discoveries into treatments for patients and engage communities in clinical research.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that a reminder program using electronic health records and personalized outreach increased mammography rates among women aged 50-69. Mammography rates jumped from 63% to over 80%, with 75% of women completing their screenings within 10 months.
Researchers at the University of Miami found that internal reinforcement with glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars improves concrete column performance, allowing for limited use in harsh environments. The study's results provide a compelling case to modify existing design guidelines and allow for GFRP bar usage.
Research from the University of Minnesota indicates that a baby born to an older mother may have a slightly increased risk for many childhood cancers. The study found that advancing maternal age may be a factor in why some children develop cancer, with risks increasing by 7-10 percent for every five-year increase in maternal age.
Scientists have successfully detected a harmful algal species and its toxin below the ocean's surface using a robotic instrument called the Environmental Sample Processor. This achievement represents a major breakthrough in monitoring harmful algal blooms (HABs) and their effects on coastal ecosystems and human health.
A special issue of Trends in Microbiology publishes reviews on the Gene Ontology, a powerful language that enables researchers to describe disease-related and beneficial interactions between microbes and their hosts. The Gene Ontology provides a shared vocabulary for scientists to link experimental results to computer-readable language...
The University of Illinois Chicago's Center for Clinical and Translational Science has received a five-year, $20 million NIH grant to accelerate translational research. The center will facilitate collaborations among researchers, community partners, and national peers to move basic science findings into clinical trials.
A study found that a person's IQ explained over 20% of the difference in mortality between people from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds and those from more advantaged backgrounds. IQ was an additional factor to known risk factors like smoking and obesity.
A study found that elderly individuals with growing white matter changes were more likely to develop persistent cognitive impairment and dementia. Researchers followed 49 participants for an average of 9.5 years, tracking brain scans and thinking skills tests.