A systematic review found that hospital volume is associated with short-term mortality rates for certain cancer types, but individual studies often fail to show this association. The review concludes that case volume may be an imperfect proxy for healthcare quality and highlights the need for more direct quality measures.
Researchers at UC Davis discovered a material with unique electronic properties, exhibiting mass-like behavior in one direction and mass-less behavior in another. The discovery has potential applications in spintronics technology and could lead to new electronic devices.
Researchers discovered that the teeth contain crystals of magnesium calcite, which are smaller, harder and denser than those of pure calcite. The unique arrangement of these crystals in two different arrays allows them to be self-sharpening as they wear down.
A Purdue University study found that animals can easily access runway areas, increasing the likelihood of plane strikes. The study suggests enclosing airport perimeters with partially buried fencing and frequent maintenance to deter wildlife.
A longitudinal study found that children who watched more adult-targeted TV during childhood were more likely to become sexually active earlier in adolescence. The study tracked 754 participants from age 6 to 18 and found a 33% increase in sex among those exposed to adult content over two sample days.
Researchers found that lithium promotes DNA repair in healthy cells but not in brain tumor cells, protecting healthy hippocampal neurons from radiation-induced damage. This mechanism could provide a way to increase the radiation dose to kill tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue.
Research suggests that children who are consistently victimized by peers are more likely to develop psychotic symptoms in early adolescence. A study of over 6,400 participants found that chronic or severe peer victimization was associated with an increased risk of psychotic symptoms.
A study of over 2,000 children aged 6-18 found that those exposed to secondhand smoke had lower antioxidant levels, which can help defend against biological stresses. The researchers recommend a diet rich in antioxidants from fruits and vegetables to mitigate this effect.
A new study has found a positive association between obesity and allergies in children and adolescents, with obese kids being 26% more likely to have allergies. The study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and found that IgE levels were higher among obese children.
A Florida State University researcher has won a five-year federal grant to evaluate the effectiveness of an academically focused preschool curriculum for Spanish-speaking children. The study aims to provide evidence-based tools for enhancing school readiness and promoting academic success among this growing population.
Researchers discovered that the influenza virus can paralyze the immune systems of healthy individuals, leading to severe secondary bacterial infections like pneumonia. The study found that this immunological paralysis is long-lived and specific to influenza infection.
Researchers found that clusters of schistosomiasis infections occurred in the same areas ten years after a control program ended. Long-term stability in spatial distribution suggests reviewing historic data can aid planning targeted control programs.
Researchers found that particles and molecules have a tendency to separate from each other when mixed, forming small-scale phase separation. This phenomenon is counterintuitive, as one might expect different shapes to mix well without any special interaction or repulsion between them.
A new study found that iron deficiency in womb may delay auditory neural maturation in preemies, affecting sound processing and later language development. The research evaluated 80 infants over 18 months, revealing abnormal brain maturity in those with low iron levels.
A new study published in Hepatology found that women with a history of hypothyroidism are at a significantly higher risk of developing liver cancer. The study revealed that subjects with a prior history of hypothyroidism had twice the risk of liver cancer, particularly for females, and those who had it for over 10 years had a threefold...
A phase III study found that oral rivaroxaban is more effective than subcutaneous enoxaparin in preventing blood clots (venous thromboembolism/VTE) after knee replacement surgery. The study, published in The Lancet, showed a 31% reduction in relative risk for patients given oral rivaroxaban.
Research reveals that people with emerging symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are less efficient at remembering high-value information. Clinicians may be able to train them to improve their memory by teaching strategic and selective encoding techniques.
Researchers found that obstructive sleep apnea thickens blood vessels due to NADPH oxidase enzyme activation, increasing the risk of pulmonary hypertension and other heart diseases. In mice, inhibiting NADPH oxidase reduced hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension, suggesting potential treatment strategies.
A study by researchers at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that nearly all children admitted with concussions had abnormal brain function during testing. The hospital recommends a formal assessment before resuming exertional activities to prevent prolonging symptoms and repeat concussions.
Researchers are launching a multi-institutional effort to develop a test to detect early-stage lung cancer in lifetime nonsmokers. The project aims to create a better understanding of the biology of lung cancer and identify potential biomarkers.
Researchers have developed a microscope capable of live imaging at double the resolution of fluorescence microscopy using structured illumination. This advancement will help scientists study cellular behavior and mechanisms important for human disease with enhanced detail.
Researchers found that patients with chronic hepatitis C who have achieved a sustained viral response often still carry miniscule amounts of the virus in their bodies. These trace remainders are thought to be infectious, posing a risk to others.
Even mild acute kidney injury is associated with reduced patient and graft survival, while the strictest definition linked to poor outcomes including cardiovascular events and end-stage renal disease.
Researchers discovered the chlorophyll molecules' structure, enabling artificial photosynthetic systems. The chlorosomes contain up to 250,000 chlorophylls and have unique internal structures.
Richard Junghans, MD, has been awarded a $5.9 million grant from the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program to research gene therapy techniques to modify patients' T cells and create 'designer T cells' to fight breast cancer.
The May issue of Cold Spring Harbor Protocols features a set of methods to analyze protein complexes, including Blue-Native PAGE and differential in-gel electrophoresis. Additionally, researchers can generate viral vectors using adenovirus technology for efficient gene delivery.
Researchers found that exercise programs significantly reduced lung cancer symptoms in patients who completed the study, with no deterioration in functional capacity or muscle strength. The study suggests that community-based or shorter exercise programs may be more feasible for lung cancer patients to complete.
New research by Princeton University geoscientist Gerta Keller suggests that volcanoes, not an asteroid, were the likely culprits in the demise of the Earth's giant reptiles. The study found 'biotic evidence' and 'aftermath' sediments indicating a massive die-off occurred much later than previously thought.
The Fermi telescope has detected a class of pulsars, probed gamma-ray bursts and watched flaring jets in galaxies billions of light-years away. The data may imply the presence of a nearby object beaming cosmic rays our way.
The LUMINATE trials demonstrate the ability of LX211 to significantly improve chronic eye inflammation in patients with uveitis. The study results also show a safety profile for LX211, allowing it to be suitable for chronic use as the first oral treatment for this sight-threatening inflammatory eye disease.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have identified a potential new treatment for retinopathy in premature infants using JNK1 inhibitors. The study found that inhibiting JNK1 reduced abnormal blood vessel growth and vision loss in mouse models of ROP.
Researchers identified BCL2, p53, and high microvessel density as molecular factors associated with increased risk of death from prostate cancer. Additionally, a study found that news reports often sensationalize medical research, potentially misleading the public about its relevance to human health.
A randomized controlled trial found that zinc and copper supplementation was no more effective than placebo in treating acute diarrhea in children. The study's authors suggest that baseline serum zinc concentrations may not be a reliable measure of body zinc status, contributing to the lack of effect.
Research at Washington University in St. Louis found that the average age of autism diagnosis is nearly six years old, three to four years after possible diagnosis. Early diagnosis is often linked to more severe cognitive impairment and is less common for females and minority groups.
A new method for testing drugs predicts toxicity in some people, with genetic variations being key factor. The approach has potential to improve the development process and reduce costs.
Scientists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and RIKEN institute developed a computer simulation to design nanostructured surfaces with superhydrophobic properties. This technology can help create self-cleaning materials and water-striding robots, which are inspired by nature's ability to repel water.
A UCLA archaeologist finds that eBay's online auction house has an unexpected chilling effect on looting of antiquities, diverting villages to producing fake artifacts instead. The proliferation of these copies reduces incentives to loot and depresses the market for real items.
A study found that women with severe premenstrual syndrome are more likely to relapse after stopping antidepressant medication, and shorter treatment durations may contribute to this risk. Women who achieved symptom remission during treatment were less likely to experience a relapse.
A recent study found that infants who receive the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) after the DPTaP-Hib vaccine experience less pain than those who receive it first. The authors suggest varying the order of vaccine administration to reduce pain.
Researchers at EMBL and PSI create ACEMBL, a new technology that produces multiprotein complexes with reduced effort and materials, speeding up structural studies and deciphering molecular mechanisms of health and disease. The system will be adapted for eukaryotic cells to study human origins and complex drug targets.
The Goldberg Center for Community Pediatric Health at Children's National Medical Center has been recognized as a national leader in improving immunization compliance rates and preventive care visits. The center achieved a significant increase in targeted immunizations from 75% to 88% among 19-35 month-old patients.
New research highlights large disparities in breast cancer care and treatment for African-American women, with a significantly lower five-year survival rate compared to Caucasian women. Socioeconomic barriers also hinder access to advanced treatments.
A study published in the Journal of Cell Biology reveals that a mutated Alzheimer's-related protein called presenilin helps form and maintain nerve cell connections. The findings suggest that failing nerve transmission might be an early step in the disease's pathology.
Howard J. Federoff has received the Bernard Sanberg Memorial Award from the American Society for Neural Therapy and Repair (ASNTR) for his significant contributions to the field of neural therapy and repair. The award recognizes his research on gene therapy and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
A new study published in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that injecting testosterone undecanoate monthly can effectively prevent pregnancy. After thirty months, the cumulative contraceptive failure rate was 1.1 per 100 men.
Children with high blood pressure are more likely to have learning disabilities and ADHD, with a four-fold increased risk. The study also found that hypertensive children have difficulties in goal-directed tasks and working memory.
Research highlights novel strategies for improving vaccine uptake and effectiveness, including social marketing and accelerating dosing schedules, to combat declining vaccination rates and disease burden
Gold nanorods can detect and treat tumors by absorbing near-infrared light, heating them up to kill cancer cells, while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. The technology has shown promise in studies using mice, where tumors disappeared within 15 days of treatment.
A study published in the Journal of Urology found that cognitive therapy is an effective management strategy for urge incontinence, with patients experiencing a substantial improvement in symptoms. Cognitive therapy employs deep-breathing and guided-imagery exercises to train the brain to control the bladder without medication or surgery.
Researchers identified a new anticonvulsant compound that eliminates seizures in a model of epilepsy by inhibiting ion channels associated with the disease. The study found that blocking these channels can prevent subsequent seizures, offering a promising treatment for epilepsy.
A new study found that electronic prescribing systems can significantly reduce order implementation and entry times, leading to lower personnel requirements and costs. While medication errors were not statistically significantly reduced, the system's efficiency gains translate to long-term cost savings.
The Monell Center has received a $100,000 Grand Challenges Explorations grant to investigate the role of mosquito taste in malaria transmission. The project aims to identify new strategies to deter mosquitoes from biting humans by understanding how human skin tastes to them.
Researchers have discovered protein aggregates in Sanfilippo syndrome type B that are similar to neurofibrillary tangles found in Alzheimer's disease. This finding suggests that new dementia treatments may also benefit patients with this rare genetic disorder, offering hope for improved treatment options.
A new UW program aims to correct misconceptions about mental health, highlighting the use of derogatory language in media reports. The project's report found nearly one-third of stories used negative terms, while only 6% employed positive language.
A study found that patients diagnosed with lung cancer through CT scans had a significantly higher 5-year survival rate (91.2%) compared to those diagnosed with x-rays (77.8%). The study suggests that early detection of the disease using CT scans improves patient prognosis.
A new gene called DEAR1 has been found to be genetically altered in breast tumors and may provide a new prognostic marker for breast cancer patients, particularly those with early-onset cancer. The research suggests that DEAR1-negative staining could help identify young women at high risk of cancer recurrence.
The University of Cincinnati has developed a novel 'lab on a tube' monitoring device capable of continuously monitoring multiple physiological parameters in neurotrauma patients. The device, which can drain excess cerebrospinal fluid and deliver medications, aims to revolutionize patient care by enabling real-time monitoring.
A series of symposium papers explore AquaCrop and other agronomic models that estimate water use efficiency under varying conditions. The models were shown to adequately simulate WUE under well-watered conditions but tend to overestimate or underestimate WUE under water stress, limiting their usefulness for deficit irrigation scenarios.
A recent study found that an average of nearly 15,000 children younger than 18 years old visited emergency departments annually for furniture tip-over injuries from 1990-2007. The majority of injuries occurred among children younger than 7 years of age and resulted from televisions tipping over.
Researchers found that short-term calorie restriction with a low-carbohydrate diet caused greater changes in liver fat content and metabolic function compared to a high-carbohydrate diet. Long-term calorie restriction improved skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity, while cellular insulin signaling increased.
A study has found a genetic marker linked to the risk of acetaminophen-induced liver injury in humans. The researchers used a genetically diverse population of mice to identify a gene called CD44, which is significantly associated with elevated serum ALT levels.
Since 2004, private Medicare Advantage (MA) plans have received $43 billion in extra payments, averaging $1,138 per beneficiary. This represents a 34% increase from 2008 payments and raises concerns about the cost-effectiveness of privatization.
A magnetic resonance imaging study found that toddlers with autism tend to have an enlarged amygdala, a brain area associated with processing faces and emotion. This brain abnormality is also linked to improved joint attention ability in children with autism.
A study found that vaccine records of internationally adopted children may not guarantee immunity against diseases such as polio, measles, and hepatitis B. The predictive value of immunization records is limited and associated with birth country, due to reasons like falsification, inaccurate entries, and lack of vaccine potency.
A recent study by Prof. Zvi Livneh reveals the two-step mechanism of stopgap DNA repair, a major source of mutations in cells. Understanding this process can lead to enhanced treatment options for individuals with deficient natural DNA repair, as well as improved chemotherapy effectiveness against cancer.
Research published in Neurology shows that Alzheimer's patients who develop delirium experience rapid cognitive decline, with a rate three times faster than those without. The study suggests that preventing delirium may improve or delay memory problems.
Scientists find novel salt storage site in the skin and a gene regulator controlling blood pressure regulation. A high-salt diet leads to increased lymphatic vessels, but the process behind this storage and its relevance to human disease are not yet fully understood.
Researchers are working on a novel flu vaccine that uses cell culture-based technology to produce immune-boosting signals on the surface of the virus. The goal is to provide better protection against viral pneumonia, especially in elderly populations.
A study by Indiana University researchers found that women who are aware of both a negative and positive stereotype related to performance identify more closely with the positive stereotype, improving their performance. The study demonstrated how the negative stereotype can encroach on working memory, but the positive stereotype had no...
A panel of experts reviewed studies on the link between DDT and human health, expressing concern over high levels of exposure in regions where malaria is endemic. They called for increased efforts to reduce exposure and develop alternatives to using DDT.
A University of Rochester Medical Center survey found teens lack knowledge about over-the-counter pain medications, with only 35% correctly identifying acetaminophen and Tylenol. Chronic misuse can lead to liver damage and accidental overdose
A new analytical approach can reveal latent connections and patterns in terrorist networks, potentially helping investigators gather information on associates and bring perpetrators to justice sooner. The technique uses graph theory and computational data processing to analyze networks and identify critical nodes.
The Shilatifard Lab has provided new insight into H3K4 methylation, a crucial activity associated with MLL protein and chromosomal translocations. The study sheds light on how this process contributes to the development of aggressive infant acute leukemias.
Weizmann Institute scientists have discovered that white blood cells use a unique method of movement, similar to millipedes, to crawl along the lining of blood vessels. The cells create tiny 'legs' that attach and detach in sequence, allowing them to move rapidly while keeping a good grip on the vessel's sides.
The VORTEX2 project, a collaborative international study, aims to gain a better understanding of tornado formation and damage patterns. By deploying advanced weather-sensing tools, researchers hope to identify the characteristics of severe thunderstorms that produce tornadoes, ultimately leading to more accurate tornado warnings.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have identified a protein called oct3 that plays a critical role in both Parkinson's disease and addictive drugs. The protein helps toxic chemicals reach dopamine neurons, leading to cell death in patients with Parkinson's disease.
Chevron-shaped dunes are not indicative of mega-tsunamis, contrary to popular speculation. Microbial life extends fossil record by 1.5 billion years, while nanoscale cristobalite fibers in volcanic ash hint at adverse health effects. The largest trilobites ever found provide insight into Earth's first animals and fossil evidence.
A new study suggests that human behavior, such as installing large domestic water tanks, may enable the dengue mosquito Aedes aegypti to re-emerge in Australia and expand its range of possible infections. By 2050, the risk of dengue fever is expected to be high in all capital cities around the country.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that an episode of delirium rapidly accelerates cognitive decline and memory loss in Alzheimer's patients. The study, which analyzed data from 408 patients, revealed that the average decline on cognitive tests nearly doubled to 4.9 points per year following an episode of delirium.
Progress has been made in vaccinating low-income children on schedule, with significant increases in timely vaccination coverage for varicella and hepatitis B vaccines. However, disparities between low- and high-income children remain, particularly for the DTaP-DTP vaccine.
A new study by Penn State professor Donna Korzick explores the link between estrogen deficiency and increased risk of heart disease in women. Researchers hope to identify proteins that respond to low-estrogen environments, which could lead to new treatments for heart disease.
Researchers analyze chlorotrinitromethane molecule to reveal extremely short carbon-clorine single bond of 1.69 Angstroms, breaking previous measurements. Theoretical calculations confirm electrostatic interactions between atoms contribute to this unusual bond length.