A study found African-Americans at greater risk after PCI with significantly worse outcomes, despite researchers' efforts to provide optimal care. Possible explanations include delayed treatment, advanced coronary disease, and poor medication adherence.
A new nanotube-coated power measurement device has been developed at NIST, enabling faster and more accurate calibration of high-power laser systems. The device uses a sprayed-on coating of carbon nanotubes to conduct heat hundreds of times better than conventional materials.
The Center for Proteomics and Bioinformatics at Case Western Reserve will expand its activities in HIV/AIDS research with a $989,108 grant from NIDA. The grant aims to develop reliable biomarkers for chronic immune activation during HIV disease and explore the effects of current or prior drug use on disease progression.
A new project aims to design advanced global models of aerosols, addressing uncertainty in climate change predictions. The study will quantify the levels of uncertainty of each process leading to aerosol production.
NASA's Hubble telescope will be upgraded with a new, high-performance Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) technology developed for the James Webb Space Telescope. The ASIC will enable improved repair and upgrade capabilities for Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) instrument.
The SLC25A38 gene is responsible for congenital sideroblastic anemia, a rare disease characterized by ringed sideroblasts in bone marrow. Researchers identified the causal mutation in zebra fish, showing its role in hemoglobin synthesis.
A recent clinical trial found that acyclovir, a widely used herpes treatment, did not reduce the risk of HIV transmission when taken by individuals with both HIV and HSV-2. However, the study did show a significant reduction in genital ulcers and modest decrease in HIV levels.
A new theory of social change and development by UCLA professor Patricia Greenfield explains how values and behaviors are shaped by societies. The world is moving towards a Gesellschaft direction, with immigrants adapting to urbanized, high-tech environments, leading to conflicts between traditional and modern values.
Dr. Casey Weaver receives the HudsonAlpha Prize for his groundbreaking work on T cell studies and immune disease. His research has identified a new class of T cells, called Th17 cells, linked to autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.
Researchers have discovered a novel method to create ferroelectric crystals on silicon, enabling the creation of non-volatile memory and temperature sensors. This breakthrough could lead to faster and more efficient electronics with instant-on capabilities.
A study of 188 school children found that daily exercise reduced the prevalence of obesity by 29% and improved levels of HDL-cholesterol. Regular physical activity also increased exercise capacity and decreased systolic blood pressure in the children, with significant benefits observed even after just one year.
Researchers at NIST discovered a new technique to measure key structural properties of nanoscale metal-oxide films using terahertz spectroscopy. The method allows for the detection of amorphous and crystalline structures in these films, which are crucial for predicting device performance.
Regular exercise has been shown to improve markers of heart disease in post-CABG patients, event-free survival rate in coronary patients compared to stent angioplasty, and endothelial function in heart failure patients. The benefits were seen regardless of age, with improvements in physical capacity, lipids, inflammation, and endotheli...
The European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) has awarded €11 million to the MiP Consortium to investigate new approaches to prevent and treat malaria in pregnancy. Researchers aim to develop more effective interventions that can prevent up to 50 million women at risk every year, saving lives and reducing ma...
A 30-year follow-up study found that smoking significantly increases the risk of death and cardiovascular disease, with heavy smokers facing a substantial increase in mortality rates. The study, which included over 54,000 participants, highlights the long-term impact of smoking on health and longevity.
A UNICEF-funded study found that sexual violence against female children in Africa is linked to a higher risk of lifetime STD contraction, pregnancy complications, miscarriage, and depression. The study suggests that prevention strategies should focus on men who perpetrate sexual violence against girls.
Researchers at NIST conducted experiments on wind-driven fires in high-rise buildings, finding that conditions can quickly spread smoke, heat, and gases through hallways and stairwells. Techniques such as blocking windows with fire-resistant materials and using 'floor below nozzle' systems showed promise in reducing hazardous conditions.
A recent study by NIST and USDA found that trees shading west and south sides of houses decrease summer electricity use, with fast-growing trees providing more benefit. London plane trees can reduce carbon emissions from electricity by up to 31% over 100 years.
Scientists at Caltech develop method to detect entanglement shared among multiple parts of an optical system, using the uncertainty principle. They demonstrate detection of entanglement in a W state with only a small number of measurements.
Researchers found a new frog species, Huia cavitympanum, with eardrums recessed in the skull, allowing it to detect and produce high-frequency ultrasounds. The frogs use both audible and ultrasonic calls for communication, which may have implications for improving human hearing aids.
A 25-year study found that 3/4 of Iceland's CHD mortality decrease was due to reduced cholesterol, smoking, and blood pressure levels, highlighting the importance of comprehensive strategies promoting tobacco control and healthy diets. Population trends showed worsening diabetes and obesity rates.
The Lancet Editorial highlights the balanced media coverage of the H1N1 outbreak, noting its relative morbidity and mortality. The article also commends health authorities for their measured responses to the crisis, preparing them for a potentially more devastating pandemic.
A new study found that job loss can lead to an increased risk of developing new health problems, such as hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes, even after finding a new job. Job churning, or high rates of job loss with low unemployment, also has negative health consequences for workers.
Researchers found that sending tailored nutrition materials through mail can significantly improve dietary habits, especially among less educated consumers. The study showed greater increases in vegetable and fruit consumption and reductions in fat intake among those receiving personalized guidance.
Researchers found that bacteria in mosquito's gut inhibit infection with Plasmodium falciparum, the malaria parasite. The study suggests that the microbial flora of mosquitoes stimulates immune activity protecting them from malaria infection.
A new study suggests that US obesity has been largely driven by increased energy intake, rather than reduced physical activity. The research found that if Americans had only consumed their recommended daily calorie intake, they would have gained approximately 10.8 kg less weight.
A novel PFO closure system has been found to be safe and effective at 90 days, with 89% of patients achieving complete or clinical closure. The FlatStent EF system is designed to reduce the risk of blood clots and other complications associated with current PFO closure systems.
Two Boston College physicists will lead a multi-university project to develop solid-state materials that transfer solar energy to electricity, with funding from the US Department of Energy. The project aims to reduce the cost of solar electricity generation and increase energy efficiency.
Dr. Gail Demmler-Harrison, a renowned pediatric virologist, received the Thomas Hazinski Award for her exceptional service to the Society for Pediatric Research. She has advanced the study of pediatric diseases through her dedicated work in laboratories and with patients.
A high-pressure form of ammonia borane has been discovered, which can store around 30 weight percent hydrogen by improving the hydrogen content of the material by roughly 50 percent. The new compound could potentially stabilize at or near ambient conditions with a large amount of hydrogen content.
A new dark energy model proposes a cosmological phase transition, where the universe 'froze' about 11.5 billion years ago, causing it to expand at an ever-increasing rate. This theory attributes dark energy to a field dubbed quintessence, which acts as an antigravity agent and is spread uniformly throughout space.
A recent study found that nearly one-third of healthy, young black adolescents have an impaired renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which regulates blood pressure. This dysfunction may lead to difficult hypertension in adulthood. Researchers hope to identify youth at risk using genetic mutations linked to hypertensive kidney disease.
A study found that vibration plate exercise, combined with a calorie-restricted diet, led to significant long-term weight loss and fat reduction. The intervention group lost an average of 10.5% body weight and 47.8 square centimeters of visceral fat, compared to the control group who gained weight.