A Medical College of Georgia nurse researcher has received a two-year, $147,000 grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to investigate cocaine-related renal disease in African-Americans. The study aims to identify early signs of renal disease and develop targeted treatments for patients with cocaine addiction.
Integrative body-mind training (IBMT) alters blood flow and electrical activity in the brain, breathing quality, and even skin conductance, allowing for a state of relaxation, calmness, and reduced stress. IBMT improves connection between central nervous system structures and promotes integration of brain and body.
Scientists identify distinct subsets of pain-sensing neurons responsible for detecting heat and mechanical pain, challenging conventional wisdom that the brain disentangles these sensations. The study's findings have potential implications for understanding and treating conditions like diabetic neuropathy.
A real-time risk management system will be available globally after a Queensland company was awarded a license to commercialise the CSIRO technology. Nexsys allows underground coal mines to interrogate vast amounts of digital information from various sensors and systems, providing real-time risk management and decision support.
A study found that tamsulosin exposure is associated with an increased risk of serious postoperative ophthalmic adverse events, including retinal detachment and lost lens. Patients prescribed tamsulosin before cataract surgery had a 2.3 times higher risk of complications compared to those not taking the medication.
Researchers found that some corals can adapt to higher temperatures by hosting heat-resistant symbionts, potentially helping them survive global warming. The discovery suggests that with time, many corals may be able to match hotter environments.
An international collaboration has made identifying crucial proteins in diseases easier through improved protein analysis. The study, published in Nature Methods, reveals potential bottlenecks in current analysis techniques and highlights the importance of accurate reporting.
Researchers at Medical College of Georgia have identified a critical protein called erbin that regulates insulation in the peripheral nervous system. Impaired myelin formation is linked to neurological and psychiatric diseases, while erbin's role in cancer therapy provides a potential new site for targeted treatment.
Higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with a lower risk of all-cause death and coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease. A meta-analysis suggests that even a minimal level of CRF, above 7.9 METs, can provide significant prevention for these conditions.
The Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation has awarded over $2 million in grant funding since its inception, including $191,000 to 13 researchers. The grants support research training, seed grants, and academic development funding.
A randomized controlled trial of an e-mail intervention program found that employees who received tailored messages were more physically active, eating more fruits and vegetables, and reducing saturated fats and trans fats. The changes had a lasting effect four months after the intervention ended.
New estimates suggest latent TB infection screening should focus on high-risk populations, rather than the entire general population. Targeted screening efforts can effectively control tuberculosis, according to a study by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers.
Research synthesizes phylogenetic knowledge to understand species interactions and ecosystems, highlighting evolutionary processes as key drivers of biodiversity. The study provides a comprehensive framework for community ecology, essential for managing and restoring Earth's flora and fauna.
Scientists have successfully converted cellulose from plants directly into the building block HMF in one step, bypassing an earlier sugar-forming step. The single-step process generates a high yield of HMF and allows the use of raw cellulose as feed material.
During peak mating season, male fallow deer produce groans to attract mates and repel rivals, leading to vocal strain and hoarseness. Their call structure breaks down as they call repeatedly, causing physical exhaustion and weight loss.
A randomized study found that RISPERDAL CONSTA significantly delayed time to relapse compared to placebo in patients with Bipolar I Disorder. The median duration of treatment was nine months for the RISPERDAL CONSTA group, which had a lower rate of relapse during the double-blind phase.
Researchers find cocaine activates dopamine release in striatum, associated with increased addiction risk; potential target for treatment against addiction
A new study finds that following quality measures has a greater impact on patient outcomes than hospital volume for coronary artery bypass surgery. Patients treated by surgeons and hospitals with high adherence to six quality standards have better post-operative results, regardless of their volume, the research team found.
A new analysis by the MIT Integrated Global Systems Model suggests that climate change could be twice as severe as initially estimated, with a median probability of surface warming of 5.2 degrees Celsius by 2100. The study found that improved economic modeling and newer data on emissions are contributing to this increased risk.
A recent study found that genetic variations involving endothelial dysfunction and platelet aggregation contribute to depressive symptoms in individuals with heart disease. Researchers discovered a significant association between one marker within the vonWillebrand factor gene and depressive symptoms.
Scientists have created a microcontainer that can hold thousands of individual 'carrier units' - a 'capsosome'. These are polymer capsules with embedded liposomes, combining the advantages of both systems. The capsosomes were produced by several steps and demonstrated successful transport of an enzyme model cargo.
Researchers have developed new processes using microorganisms to convert organic waste into biodegradable plastics. These bioplastics can be produced at rates up to three times faster than existing processes and have potential applications in various industries.
A GIS-driven digital map pinpointed malaria outbreak hotspots in Madhya Pradesh, leading to a 5% reduction in cases. The system enabled timely preventive action and dynamic data updating, highlighting the effectiveness of electronic monitoring and mapping in malaria management.
A Northwestern University study found that bilingual participants mastered nearly twice the number of words as monolinguals when learning an invented language. The research suggests that early exposure to two languages carries far-reaching benefits, making bilingual individuals better language learners in general.
Researchers have developed a unique bulls-eye electrode that can interpret brain signals, allowing paralyzed patients to control their environment. The device is also being studied as a means of delivering a stimulus to control epileptic seizures, with potential applications in treating status epilepticus, a life-threatening condition.
A plant MinD protein has been found to rescue the oscillating cell division of E. coli by localizing to its polar regions without oscillation. This finding suggests that the conserved Min proteins between bacteria and plants have different functions.
Researchers at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute have identified a set of brain proteins responsible for various neurological disorders. These proteins are found to be defective in molecular machines that control communication between nerve cells and learning processes.
Researchers found that a specific region of the brain, orbitofrontal cortex and ventral striatum, is associated with higher levels of social reward dependence and emotional warmth. This discovery may help understand why some people are more sociable than others.
A combination of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and zolpidem improved sleep for patients with persistent insomnia, but CBT alone was more beneficial for longer treatment periods. The study found that combining therapies resulted in higher remission rates compared to extended zolpidem use.
A £400,000 project is using flour beetles to experimentally evaluate the impact of inbreeding on population viability. The research aims to identify which reproductive traits are affected by inbreeding and how they can be managed or reversed to rescue endangered populations.
A recent study found that children of mothers who smoked during pregnancy and early childhood years are at a higher risk of taking up smoking as teens and young adults. The researchers also discovered that offspring of mothers who smoked during this critical period were less likely to quit smoking in adulthood.
Medical simulation training at MU's Russell D. and Mary B. Shelden Clinical Simulation Center emphasizes lessons in patient safety and quality of care. The program integrates students from various healthcare backgrounds to interact and understand each other's roles, reducing the risk of errors.
A study by Duke University Medical Center found that only 64% of low-income women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer filled any prescriptions for hormonal therapy within 12 months after diagnosis. The researchers also discovered that 40% of the women stopped taking their medication regularly, and 20% stopped using it altogether.
The study found a decrease in facial fracture incidence over the years, likely due to advancements in vehicle safety features. Individuals restrained with seat belts alone or with airbags were less likely to sustain facial fractures, highlighting the importance of restraint use in injury prevention.
The study found that non-genetic variation acquired during an organism's life can be passed on to offspring through epigenetic means, affecting traits such as eye outgrowths and reproductive hormones. This phenomenon has significant implications for the study of evolution, heredity, and development.
A study found that Asian Americans who adopted more aspects of Western culture were more likely to engage in sun exposure behaviors, such as deliberate sunbathing and getting more sun on weekends. This association may lead to increased risk of skin cancer among this population.
A web-based system allowing general practitioners to confer with specialists about skin conditions has been shown to reduce referrals to dermatologists by approximately 20%. The study found that in-person consultations were preventable for 39% of patients who received teledermatologic consultations, compared to 18.3% in the control group.
A Stanford University study found that disrupting the interferon pathway, a critical immune signaling mechanism, can lead to cancer progression and impaired immune response. This defect was detected in patients with breast, melanoma, and gastrointestinal cancers, suggesting a possible explanation for treatment failures.
World-renowned virologist Professor Albert Osterhaus emphasizes the importance of preparedness in the face of swine-origin flu. He stresses that there is room for improvement in influenza vaccine production and that adequate stockpiles of antibiotics, antivirals, and vaccines are crucial for effective treatment.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have discovered a natural compound that can stop malaria parasite growth, interacting with the parasite's MetAP2 protein. The compound, fumarranol, was found to be less toxic than existing medications and showed promise in treating malaria in mice.
Researchers explore Arctic river deltas as a potential source of information about past and future climate change. The sediments deposited in these delta regions can record data on sea level, productivity, storminess, and human factors affecting sediment delivery, providing valuable insights into the global carbon cycle.
A study examining employment trends in Minnesota cities with different types of clean indoor air policies found no significant economic effect on bar and restaurant jobs. Despite this, the researchers conclude that comprehensive public health policies are still beneficial for protecting employees from secondhand smoke exposure.
Researchers have developed a new 3-minute test that measures the level of citrate in fluid samples from the prostate gland to detect prostate cancer. The technique uses light energy and can provide an accurate way to screen and diagnose the disease, particularly in its early stages.
Researchers have developed a new computer simulation model that captures the human immune response to influenza type A, predicting treatment design and pandemic preparedness. The model reveals that drugs and vaccines targeting dendritic cell presentation of antigens have a significant impact on patient outcomes.
A new study found a link between childhood sexual abuse and early onset of menstruation, with 26% increased risk for 1-3 incidents of abuse. The study analyzed data from over 35,000 African-American women aged 21-69 years.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a Nanofountain Probe that can precisely deliver tiny doses of drug-carrying nanomaterials to individual cells. The tool enables targeted cancer treatments and improves drug delivery by reducing side effects and increasing targeting accuracy.
Researchers have developed a method to quickly identify shRNA that turns genes on and off, enabling complex genetic screens at minimal cost. The tool has the potential to revolutionize the study of gene function in mammals, paving the way for targeted therapeutics.
Researchers created a mathematical formula that incorporated equations describing tumor evolution and growth, predicting oxygen consumption rates and cell growth. The computational model was validated with human brain tumor samples and successfully mimicked natural biological tumors.
The study compares genetic structures of Arabidopsis thaliana and Persea americana to understand how the first flowering plants evolved from non-flowering plants. Researchers found significant overlap among organ types, suggesting a genetic 'fossil' that allowed for flower transformation.
INTUNIV demonstrated significant efficacy in treating ADHD symptoms, particularly in children aged 6-12 years with oppositional behaviors. The study showed improved symptom reduction on various rating scales, including the ADHD Rating Scale-IV and Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement.
Researchers found that glucocorticoids induce production of PGD2, which protects rodent hearts from ischemia/reperfusion injury. Synthetic glucocorticoids may be more beneficial for humans following a heart attack than traditional ones.
Dr. Michael Holick's work revolutionized the understanding of vitamin D and its role in disease prevention, redefining vitamin D deficiency as a national epidemic.
A new method has been found to accurately determine the intrinsic brightness of Type Ia supernovae, enabling better cosmic distance measurements. This breakthrough uses a spectroscopic ratio and eliminates uncertainty caused by intervening dust or host galaxy type.
A new study suggests that women may be more vulnerable to the harmful effects of smoking due to smaller airways and gender differences in metabolism. The research analyzed data from a Norwegian case-control study, including 954 subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 955 controls.
A Canadian research team has developed a lithium-sulphur battery that can store and deliver over three times the power of conventional lithium-ion batteries. The breakthrough involves using mesoporous carbon to improve the contact between sulphur and the conductor, resulting in exceptional electrochemical performance.
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has won the 2009 Gates Award for Global Health, recognizing its commitment to leadership and cutting-edge research in resource-poor settings. The award will enable the school to expand its distance learning programme and provide scholarships.
Excess phosphorus and nitrogen from human activities harm aquatic life and ecosystems; a dual nutrient strategy is needed to tackle both issues. The study highlights the need to consider the entire freshwater-marine continuum for effective nutrient control.
Researchers have identified a potential new focus for treating osteoporosis and periodontitis by inhibiting nuclear factor-kB, a master protein controlling inflammation and immunity. This balance is crucial in bone formation and resorption.
A new study estimates that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) costs the UK more than £27 billion a year, with £2.7 billion spent on children's support and £25 billion on adults. Researchers call for increased early intervention and policy review to address these significant economic impacts.
Plant physiologists use UV LEDs to create darker, redder lettuce rich in antioxidants, potentially improving human health. The effect is most noticeable at specific wavelengths and increases with light intensity.