A Brown University professor has won a federal research grant to investigate the effectiveness of topiramate in reducing marijuana addiction among high-school students. The two-year study aims to enroll 60 adolescent males and females and assess the drug's tolerability and efficacy.
Scientists have developed a non-intrusive scanner that uses electromagnetic waves to detect concealed guns and knives without putting police officers in harm's way. The device uses neural network technology to identify the weapon and ignore everyday items, making it a potential game-changer for mobile gun detection.
A new colon cancer screening technique created by Northwestern University researchers has shown a high sensitivity in detecting precancerous lesions, potentially rivaling the effectiveness of colonoscopy. The technique uses optical technology to analyze tissue samples, identifying the 'fingerprint' of carcinogenesis.
The study reveals that human impacts, such as dams and agriculture, are the main cause of sediment accumulation in Catalan rivers. Global warming also exacerbates the problem by reducing river discharge.
Researchers at Oregon State University have made a groundbreaking discovery about bird physiology, finding that birds' lung structure and musculature are critical to their flight capacity. This study suggests that birds did not descend from theropod dinosaurs but instead evolved on a parallel path.
A new study found that approximately 50% of radiologists surveyed reported never having their vision tested or it had been 24 months or longer since their last exam. The study, conducted at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, emphasizes the importance of regular eye exams for radiologists to maintain optimal visual accuracy.
A study analyzing the mutator hypothesis found that cancer cells' efficient pathways to cancer are often driven by genetic instability, supporting the hypothesis. This discovery has implications for cancer therapy, as it may enable cancer cells to rapidly evolve resistance.
A global study found colorectal cancer incidence rates for males and females increased in 27 countries between 1983 and 2002. The rise is attributed to Westernization and lifestyle changes, including obesity, physical inactivity, and diet.
A four-year UCLA study found significant impacts on quality of life for prostate cancer patients treated with radical prostatectomy, seed implants, or external beam radiation. The study developed 'probability plots' to predict when side effects will return to normal or if a patient will fully recover.
A study published in Obesity Surgery found that severely obese individuals exhibit little habituation to food cues, resulting in impaired satiation and increased food consumption. This impairment may contribute to poor weight loss outcomes after bariatric surgery.
A new embryology study clarifies the role of retinoic acid in limb development and finds that it controls forelimb budding but not hindlimb patterning. The research may lead to new therapeutic measures for congenital limb defects such as Holt-Oram syndrome.
UC Berkeley researchers have found that Betelgeuse, the bright reddish star in the constellation Orion, has steadily shrunk over the past 15 years. The star's diameter has decreased by more than 15% since 1993, a change that is striking to observe.
Research found that OSA is common among non-obese patients, especially those in their 50s and 60s. The study also showed that moderate to severe OSA was more prevalent in males with larger neck sizes.
New research in Australia shows that alcohol advertising self-regulation is ineffective in protecting children and youth from exposure. The study found that underage teens were exposed to more TV ads than young adults, with popular branding tactics including animated characters and pop music.
Top HIV/AIDS researchers at NIAID outline a test-and-treat strategy that could reduce HIV incidence by 90% within 10 years. The proposal also involves pre-exposure prophylaxis, latent virus control, and improved prevention strategies.
A new study has found that autoantibodies are not strongly associated with improved outcomes in melanoma patients treated with interferon. The CAPRA score was accurate in predicting bone metastasis, prostate cancer-specific mortality, and all-cause mortality at diagnosis of localized prostate cancer.
A study found that 50-60% of patients with chronic insomnia experienced improvement after cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-I), with significant reductions in sleep disturbances. CBT-I was effective even when anxiety and depression were present, suggesting its potential as a treatment for complex cases.
Australian researchers have developed gene expression biomarkers that can accurately detect pre-cancerous and cancerous colorectal growths from non-cancerous controls. This breakthrough is a result of a collaborative study involving CSIRO, Flinders University, and Clinical Genomics Pty Ltd.
Research by Daniel Kruger found that young men in areas with more women than men are less likely to marry, while older men take advantage of their physical attractiveness to lure younger partners. As a result, proportionately more older men get married when women outnumber men.
Researchers discovered that ultracool subdwarfs have unique and diverse orbits around the Milky Way, with some stars traveling at speeds of over a million miles per hour. One star may be an intergalactic visitor, originating from another galaxy.
A new study found that fetal exposure to influenza B virus may lead to cognitive problems at age 7 among children later diagnosed with psychosis. The association was not observed in children who did not develop psychotic disorders.
Researchers at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center found a new protein SFRP2 that stimulates angiogenesis in various tumor sites. The discovery provides a potential target for developing new drugs to starve tumors of blood supply and destroy them.
A new species of pink-winged moth, Lithophane leeae, has been identified by University of Arizona biologist Bruce Walsh in the Chiricahua Mountains. The discovery highlights the region's vast biodiversity and suggests that more individuals may exist, considering the moth's habits.
Researchers analyzed 24 clinical trials involving over 6,000 AML patients to find that donor stem cell transplant (SCT) in first remission significantly improves survival and reduces disease relapse for those with intermediate-risk disease. This approach is now considered the preferred treatment for this group.
A new diagnostic test using RT-PCR technology has been developed to detect both seasonal influenza A virus and the emerging H1N1 swine-derived influenza A virus in human clinical samples. The test is fast, sensitive, and cost-effective, allowing for rapid identification of infected individuals and expedited antiviral therapy.
Musicians who play high resistance woodwinds like the oboe have a lower risk of obstructive sleep apnea. The study suggests that playing these instruments for longer hours per week is key to lowering this risk.
Researchers have discovered a novel approach for treating cognitive impairments associated with schizophrenia by preventing the inactivation of D-serine. This method enhances the efficacy of D-serine, a previously used treatment, and may lead to improved therapeutic outcomes.
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation provides significant overall and relapse-free survival benefits for adult patients with intermediate- and poor-risk acute myeloid leukemia in first complete remission. However, its benefit varies by cytogenetic risk, with no significant advantage for good-risk AML.
Researchers found that regulatory T lymphocytes (Treg) can ameliorate hypertension-induced cardiac damage in mice by reducing inflammation, fibrosis, and abnormal heart rhythms. The study provides insight into the role of the immune system in organ damage during hypertension.
A study by James Gangwisch found that later parental-mandated bedtimes for teens are associated with increased risk of depression and suicidal thoughts, likely due to reduced sleep duration. The research suggests that adolescents require more sleep than previously thought, and inadequate sleep can lead to depression.
Researchers estimated the probability of male carriers having a child with Huntington's disease, finding it ranges from 1/6,241 to 1/951. This estimate provides a baseline for genetic counselors and high normal allele carriers for family planning.
Patients with chronic primary insomnia have higher levels of brain activation compared to normal sleepers, particularly in areas responsible for visual-spatial attention and cognitive processes. This increased activation may help PIs compensate for their sleep difficulties and maintain performance on tasks.
A recent study has identified a specific neurochemical abnormality in adults with primary insomnia, providing new insights into the condition's pathology. GABA levels were found to be reduced by nearly 30% in individuals with primary insomnia for more than six months.
Researchers have detected a peptide in cerebrospinal fluid that can indicate the onset of Alzheimer's disease, potentially allowing for earlier diagnosis and treatment. This discovery raises new opportunities for combating the disease, which currently requires treatments to be started after significant brain damage has occurred.
Researchers from USC's Keck School of Medicine have developed a Mobile Body Area Network that monitors obesity indicators in minority youth. The KNOWME device uses wearable wireless sensors to measure physical activity, stress, and body fat, providing immediate feedback for interventionists and health professionals.
Research reveals a genetic connection between stress-induced sleep problems and intrusive thoughts, highlighting the importance of reducing sleep reactivity to stress. The study suggests that treatments designed to reduce sleep reactivity may improve insomnia related to rumination.
Researchers at Northwell Health have identified a new risk factor gene, REL, associated with rheumatoid arthritis. The study found that this gene is common in people in North America and may confer an important survival advantage.
A study found that meditation improved subjective sleep quality and reduced symptoms of hyperarousal in individuals with chronic insomnia. Deep relaxation techniques during the day can help improve sleep at night.
A new study from UC Davis found that retirement-aged Americans in lower-status occupations tend to have higher rates of hypertension. The researchers analyzed data from over 22,000 Americans and found a strong correlation between occupation and hypertension, suggesting that job history may be an important factor in understanding the de...
PTEN-deficient cells have defective checkpoints that allow them to bypass DNA repair and continue growing despite radiation damage. Researchers found that correcting faulty checkpoint processes could increase radiation sensitivity in tumors with PTEN mutations.
Astronomers study SNR 0104, a Type Ia supernova remnant in the Small Magellanic Cloud, showing an unusual structure. The object's two bright lobes of emission suggest strong asymmetry in its formation.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that snakes use their scales to generate friction with the ground, allowing them to move efficiently. By redistributing their weight, snakes are able to maximize thrust and propel themselves forward with minimal effort.
A relocation experiment using Hurricane Katrina led researchers to conclude that moving away from a crime-producing environment reduces the likelihood of re-incarceration for parolees. The study found ex-prisoners who relocated were 15% less likely to be re-incarcerated within the first year.
Researchers at MIT created a model to describe and predict phantom traffic jams, which form when high-density traffic becomes self-sustaining. The model could help engineers design roads with enough capacity to prevent such jams, as well as identify safe speed limits and hot spots for accidents.
A new study by Imperial College London aims to use a technology initially developed for the ExoMars mission to process unconventional energy resources. The technique involves using surfactants to liberate organic matter from rock, potentially unlocking an enormous impact on the UK and global economy.
The Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI) study will follow a cohort of up to 1,200 pregnant women who already have a child with autism to investigate early risk factors for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Researchers will collect data on possible environmental risk factors and their interplay with genetic susceptibility duri...
Researchers at the University of New South Wales used a simple contact lens to rehabilitate damaged eye surfaces by cultivating patients' own stem cells. The procedure significantly improved sight within weeks and has potential applications in other organs.
A study by Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine found nearly 1 in 10 patients with obstructive sleep apnea experience 'parasomnia' symptoms. Researchers examined records of 537 adult sleep apnea patients, finding 51 reported parasomnia symptoms, including sleep paralysis and hallucinations.
Researchers developed the PhonePoint Pen application, which uses built-in cell phone accelerometers to recognize human writing. Users can write short notes or draw diagrams in mid-air, with plans for future improvements including real-time feedback and character recognition.
Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) show a higher prevalence of parasomnia symptoms compared to those without OSA. Researchers found that 9.5% of OSA patients experienced parasomnias, significantly higher than the general population.
A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found a more-than-sevenfold increase in computer-related injuries from 1994 to 2006. The majority of injuries occurred at home and were caused by tripping or falling over equipment, hitting against or catching on computers, or computer equipment falling on patients.
African bird species are at risk of getting stuck in environments that will become too hostile for them to survive due to climate change. The research found that natural features of the landscape, such as mountain ranges and tropical forests, create barriers that many birds cannot cross.
Vanderbilt physicists have developed a method to create freestanding nanoparticle films without additives, revolutionizing semiconductor fabrication and flexible display technology. The films exhibit high cohesion and resistance to cracking, making them ideal for applications in transistors and flat panel screens.
Warmer weather has favored larger birds and generalist species, which are well-positioned to respond to climate change. The analysis of the annual Christmas Bird Count data reveals that only one of three predicted outcomes holds true for North American birds over the past quarter century.
A new study identified 43 valid quality indicators for pancreatic cancer care, with significant variation in patient and hospital adherence. The findings suggest that there is considerable room for improvement in the quality of care delivered to patients with pancreatic cancer.
Researchers found that implementing new techniques to reduce radiation exposure from cardiac computed tomography angiography did not compromise image quality. The study showed a 53.3% reduction in patient radiation doses, with increases in low-volume imaging centers and improved use of lower tube voltage.
A recent study published in the Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization found that life satisfaction decreased significantly in communist-bloc countries after the fall of the Iron Curtain. Despite economic growth, people experienced a decline in work-life balance, family life, and health, while their material circumstances improved.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have discovered a synthetic DNA binding compound that effectively kills bacteria within two minutes. The compound's ability to target and coil DNA makes it a promising approach to combatting drug-resistant bacteria.
A recent study found that severe nightmares are independently associated with elevated suicidal symptoms after accounting for depression. The research suggests that nightmares stand alone as a suicide risk factor, emphasizing the need for a more thorough assessment of sleep among acutely-ill patients.
The first study of a rare egg-laying mammal, the long-beaked echidna, reveals elusive habits and provides new data on nocturnal foraging behaviors and home-range sizes. The research, published in Journal of Mammalogy, informs conservation strategies for the species threatened by hunting and habitat loss.
Dr. Jonathan Losos has made significant contributions to the knowledge of Caribbean ecosystems through his research on anole lizards. His work highlights the importance of natural selection, competition, and niche evolution in shaping assemblages of Anolis species.
A Kansas State University professor is studying new theories about the origin and future of life in the universe. He suggests that artificial black holes could play a part in the evolution of life and potentially spread it throughout the galaxy.
A recent review of contaminated waters found high concentrations of pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, in natural and drinking waters. The study warns that increased farm usage of anti-infectives may augment levels in future agricultural wastewater, posing a risk to aquatic biota and human health.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered changes in 1,141 genes that induce the formation of new structures such as blood vessels and nerves in prostate cancer patients. These gene changes may explain why men with reactive stroma face a more aggressive disease.
A study found that evening chronotypes are associated with poorer sleep hygiene and lower academic performance in high school students. These students tend to perform worse in college, with a significantly lower first-year GPA compared to morning and intermediate types.
A US Navy study found that the workplace culture, particularly among young recruits, contributes to heavy drinking among sailors. The research used mixed methods to analyze survey data, interviews, and observations, highlighting the role of bonding, recreation, and stress relief in drinking habits.
A study of 320 children found that those who slept less consumed more caffeine, had more screen time, and had a higher body mass index. Reduced sleep duration was also associated with increased symptoms of sleep disorders.
Researchers at VBI developed a new one-step bioanalytical approach to profile protein changes in breast cancer cells treated with hormones or cancer drugs. The method identified 16 differentially expressed proteins, linking them to cancer-related biological processes.
A genetic analysis found that high levels of lipoprotein(a) are associated with an increased risk of heart attack, even after adjusting for other factors. The study suggests that reducing lipoprotein(a) levels may help lower the risk of heart attack.
Two studies found that patients with cancer aged 65+ experience a significant decline in physical and mental health, leading to lower overall quality of life. The impact on HRQOL was quantified by analyzing changes in patients' well-being before and after diagnosis.
Astronomers from Queen's University Belfast have proposed a new physical interpretation of the 2008 supernova SN2008ha, suggesting it could be from a massive star. The team, led by Dr. Stefano Valenti, found a weak explosion with unusual properties that differ from those associated with white dwarf stars.
Researchers at UNSW found that internet-based therapy programs are as effective as face-to-face treatments for depression. The Sadness program required minimal clinician contact, making it convenient for patients to access treatment without stigma or location barriers.
A University of Rochester Medical Center study found that dioxin exposure during pregnancy can cause premature cell death and alter milk-producing genes in mammary glands. This may explain why some women struggle with breastfeeding or produce inadequate milk, affecting an estimated three to six million mothers globally.
Research suggests that individuals with insomnia and objective short sleep duration are at increased risk for developing diabetes. A study involving 1,741 participants found that those with insomnia who slept five or fewer hours had the highest risk of diabetes, followed by those who slept five to six hours.
Research reveals that teens are more likely to use drugs if their mothers have also used drugs and don't pressure them against it. Moms who admit to using drugs may be doing their kids a favor by opening up about the topic.