A survey of patients who experienced adverse events during hospitalization found that those disclosed to were twice as likely to rank their care as good or excellent. Disclosure was associated with improved patient perceptions of higher-quality care, even when the event was preventable.
Researchers found that transplanted stem cells restored learning and memory to normal levels in rats four months after radiotherapy. The treatment showed promise in reversing radiation-induced damage of healthy tissue in the brain.
Between 1997 and 2006, median wait times increased by 36%, with emergent patients waiting 87% longer to be seen. The percentage of patients seen within the triage target time declined an average of 0.8% per year, particularly for emergent patients.
The TRMM satellite revealed most of Ida's heaviest rainfall was located just off the coasts of Nicaragua, Honduras, and Belize. The satellite data also showed that the heavy rainfall tapered off except for a few intense thunderstorms near the northeastern coast of Honduras.
A new study suggests that progression-free survival (PFS) is a reasonable primary endpoint for clinical trials of metastatic cancer when the median survival post-progression (SPP) is less than 6 months. However, PFS benefit does not always translate to overall survival (OS) benefit in cases where SPP is longer than 12 months.
African Americans are less likely to receive kidney/pancreas transplants than similar patients in other racial groups, despite increased Medicare coverage. Physician bias may be a contributing factor, with doctors assuming African Americans have type 2 diabetes when they may actually qualify for type 1 diabetes.
NASA's TRMM and QuikScat satellites provide critical data on Tropical Storm Ida's rainfall and wind patterns. The storm's center is expected to make landfall along the northern Gulf coast Tuesday morning.
Researchers at Kennedy Krieger Institute found that children with autism have poor handwriting quality due to fine motor control issues, particularly in letter formation. The study suggests training children on letter formation and fine motor skills can improve handwriting performance.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed nanocrystalline diamond probes that outperform commercially available silicon nitride probes by 10 times in terms of durability. The new probes can accurately predict wear and have applications in atomic force microscopy.
Research suggests that NSAIDs can prevent the early appearance of neuronal cell cycle events in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. However, treatment with NSAIDs does not reverse existing neuronal CCEs. Additionally, interstitial macrophages may play a role in preventing asthma by inhibiting LPS-induced immune responses.
A meta-analysis of major clinical trials found that clopidogrel significantly reduces cardiovascular events by 16% in men and 7% in women, with a greater benefit for women in reducing heart attack risk. However, both sexes experience a small but real increased risk of major bleeding.
Researchers from Australia and the UK call for a new approach to sports sponsorship debates, shifting the burden of proof to the alcohol industry. They argue that the industry should show that sponsorship does not cause unhealthy alcohol use among adults or encourage children to drink.
New studies reveal the high costs of implementing performance-reporting requirements for primary care practices, which can range from $1,000 to $11,100 per practitioner. Researchers also warn that undisclosed changes made to clinical trial outcomes threaten the integrity of scientific research. In contrast, early abortion care in famil...
Patricia Berry, a renowned palliative care expert, has been inducted into the American Academy of Nursing for her significant contributions to nursing. She will work with other leaders to address healthcare issues and promote humane care for individuals with life-limiting illnesses.
Researchers have successfully transplanted genetically modified hematopoietic stem cells into mice, allowing their developing red blood cells to produce a critical lysosomal enzyme and preventing or reducing organ and central nervous system damage from Hurler's syndrome. This approach has the potential to improve treatment options for ...
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a wet ethanol production method that produces more gallons of ethanol and usable co-products. This process involves soaking corn kernels, resulting in higher ethanol concentrations and better quality co-products compared to conventional dry fractionation methods.
Researchers have developed thin films of silver and copper that can kill bacteria, potentially helping to reduce hospital infections. The antimicrobial properties of these metals have been known for centuries, and a recent study found that combining them may work synergistically to better eliminate microbes.
A prospective study found obesity and hypertension to be independent predictors of left atrial enlargement, increasing the risk of atrial fibrillation, stroke, and death. Obesity was associated with greater increases in left atrial volume and incidence of LAE compared to hypertension.
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is offering a unique option to prepubertal boys with cancer: testicular tissue biopsy and freezing. Parents are receptive to the procedure, despite its experimental nature. Success in animal models has scientists hopeful for human results.
Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center have successfully grown replacement penile erectile tissue in rabbits, enabling normal sexual function and offspring production. The engineered tissue has the potential to benefit patients with congenital abnormalities, penile cancer, and some cases of erectile dysfunction.
A one-year study found that participants on a low-fat diet experienced improved mood and well-being compared to those on a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet. The study suggests that the low-carb diet may have detrimental effects on mood due to its structured nature and potential social challenges.
A recent study found that adding capecitabine to a standard chemotherapy regimen for breast cancer improves recurrence-free survival, but at the cost of increased adverse events. The treatment was associated with more cases of diarrhea and hand-foot syndrome, while also causing more severe neutropenia.
Researchers at Southwest Research Institute have created a new proof-of-concept dental restorative material made with zirconia nanoplatelets, which are super hard due to the arrangement of atoms in the material. The new fillings aim to replace amalgam, containing mercury, and offer improved durability and ease of use.
Researchers found that surfboard-shaped nanoparticles stay closest to blood vessel walls, offering a potential solution for targeted cancer therapy. The study suggests that current transfusion techniques may not be ideal, and alternative methods could establish proper blood arrangement faster.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new warning system to spot financial statement fraud by evaluating easily verifiable nonfinancial measures such as employee growth, facility square footage, and industry-specific metrics. This method shows promise in detecting fraudulent companies with inflated revenue cla...
Osedax marine worms feast on submerged bones using symbiotic bacteria, with unique sexual and digestive habits and diverse habitats across the world's oceans. Recent research discovered up to twelve further distinct evolutionary lineages exist beyond the five species already described.
Scientists have identified a key mechanism behind the binding action of HIV antibodies 2F5 and 4E10, which could lead to the development of more effective vaccines. The study found that successful docking requires attachment to the virus's membrane containing lipid.
Researchers found that marine reserves replenish harvested species outside the reserve, producing larger fish and more plentiful populations. The establishment of reserves also supports larval production, benefiting fished populations.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have found that robotic sacrocolpopexy surgery dramatically reduces patient hospital stay and recovery time. The procedure also shows fewer postoperative complications, shorter hospital stays, and faster postoperative recovery compared to traditional abdominal sacrocolpopexy.
A study of postmenopausal women found that the risk of hip fractures steeply rises with age, being seven times higher in 70-74 year olds than in 50-54 year olds. The study also discovered a slightly increased risk for early menopause before age 45.
Rutgers computer scientists are developing a new approach to strengthen online security by asking users activity-based personal questions, making it harder for intruders to guess answers. Early studies suggest these questions related to recent activities are more robust than traditional security questions.
A study of 970 older adults found that those with weaker muscles were more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease and experience cognitive decline. Muscle strength was also linked to the development of mild cognitive impairment, suggesting a common pathogenesis underlying loss of muscle strength and cognition in aging.
Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center have identified hundreds of genes linked to patient survival in advanced melanoma. The study used DNA-microarray technology to find genes involved in the immune response and gene proliferation, providing a new framework for personalized medicine.
Primary care visits in the US increased in quality and duration between 1997 and 2005, with average visit times rising from 18 to 20.8 minutes. Researchers attribute this increase to the growing complexity of patient populations, rather than increased efficiency.
Norbert Koster and colleagues have developed a way to sterilize medical tools by sealing them in vacuum bags and then using electromagnetic fields to remotely ignite plasma inside the bag, killing bacteria and viruses. This technique could replace traditional autoclave methods for certain instruments.
A prospective case-control survey found that male factor infertility is associated with a higher rate of medical comorbidities, as objectively scored with the Charlson Comorbidity Index. The study suggests that men with male factor infertility may be less healthy than age-comparable fertile men, regardless of their underlying causes.
Researchers found that population movement is a critical factor in dengue's spread in Rio de Janeiro. The study, published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, revealed that areas with high levels of people traffic have higher risk of transmission.
An interdisciplinary team is developing a novel drug detection technology that uses software to analyze biomolecules and determine an individual's history of drug abuse. The system, which can characterize millions of biomolecules, has potential applications in treating addictive behavior and identifying effective new treatments.
Researchers created a new strain of mice with outstanding hearing as they age, studying the phenomenon known as golden ears. The study offers clues about maintaining good hearing while aging and provides a new tool to explore protective factors that allow some organisms to retain their hearing for their whole lives.
Researchers design nanowire-based beads that release drugs in the gut, improving absorption and reducing degradation. The technology may also be used for delivering drugs to mucosal tissues like the nose, lungs, or vagina.
A recent study by Mitchell S. V. Elkind and colleagues found a possible link between cumulative exposure to five common infection-causing pathogens and an increased risk of stroke. The study followed 1,625 adults over a median of 7.6 years, with 67 participants experiencing strokes during the follow-up period.
Physicists from the Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information produced a Bose-Einstein condensate of strontium atoms, outperforming competitors in an international race. The breakthrough was achieved using the isotope 84Sr, which has ideal scattering properties for this phenomenon.
A large-scale meta-analysis has found a clear connection between depression and reduced bone density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. The study, conducted by Hebrew University researchers, reveals that young women are particularly at risk, especially those with clinical depression.
Researchers found that taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen can prevent the early sign of Alzheimer's disease in mice. However, these same drugs do not reverse existing neuronal cell cycle events in affected animals.
Researchers from Lehigh and Rice universities have developed a novel electron microscopy imaging study to shed light on the nanostructure and nanoscale behavior of a tungstated zirconia solid acid catalyst. The team successfully identified active species, including tungsten oxide clusters, that can improve catalytic performance.
Researchers found no significant endothelial cell loss after LASIK and PRK procedures. The study suggests that corneas after these surgeries are suitable for transplantation, with no difference in cell loss compared to normal eyes.
The Malawi government has introduced a national program to deliver effective pneumonia treatment, known as standard case management, to children. This initiative aims to reduce the high mortality rate of childhood pneumonia in low-income countries by providing timely and appropriate antibiotic therapy and oxygen support.
A recent study published in PNAS found that the brain regions responsible for decoding spoken words also process wordless gestures. This discovery challenges traditional theories about the evolution of language and suggests that these brain regions may play a broader role in symbol interpretation.
A study published in JCI Journals reveals that PKC-theta protein is required for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) but not for GVL responses or protection against infectious agents. This finding provides a potential new approach to prevent GVHD while preserving beneficial immune responses.
A new study has identified a gene essential to age-related hearing loss, which is linked to oxidative stress and programmed cell death. The researchers found that oral antioxidants can prevent the condition, providing hope for future treatments.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that dementia is often associated with mixed pathological changes, including Alzheimer's and vascular dementia. The researchers estimated that drugs targeting specific pathologies may have limited impact on the overall burden of dementia.
University of Missouri health experts emphasize the need for effective intervention strategies to address immigrant and refugee violence. The recommended prevention and intervention strategies include considering cultural and language barriers and using qualified interpreters.
A new imaging technique developed by a team of researchers could lead to the discovery of new antibiotics, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-cancer drugs. The method uses mass spectrometry to analyze chemical communication between microorganisms.
Lung interstitial macrophages (IMs) produce IL-10, which inhibits LPS-induced DC activation and prevents Th2 responses. Mice with depleted IMs develop severe asthmatic reactions to innocuous airborne allergens.
Dr. Gail Harrison receives the March of Dimes Agnes Higgins Award for her groundbreaking research on maternal-fetal nutrition, particularly in developing countries. Her work has led to advances in understanding fetal growth and the importance of nutrient-rich diets during pregnancy.
Scientists discovered how plant hormone ABA interacts with protein PYR1 to trigger drought response. This interaction enables PP2C molecules to be hijacked, allowing plants to increase water uptake and storage while decreasing water loss. The study offers new approaches for increasing crop tolerance to water shortages.
Gary Wells, a noted scholar on eyewitness misidentifications, is conducting two new studies to explore the thought processes of eyewitnesses when their memory fails. The studies aim to understand how mistaken identifications occur and develop a better theoretical understanding to improve police procedures.
A study by Indiana University found that using lubricants during sex significantly improves the pleasurable and satisfying aspects of sexual activity for both men and women. The research also showed that vaginal tearing is rare when lubricant is used, occurring in less than 1% of cases.
Researchers found that patients with more difficult-to-treat forms of hepatitis C are less likely to initiate treatment, with marital status and comorbidities being significant factors. Mount Sinai is now launching a program to increase support systems for patients, aiming to improve treatment rates.
The EU has funded a 3-year project called CAMbrella to study complementary medicine, with TUM university hospital coordinating the 12-nation initiative. The network will focus on building international cooperation and fostering patient needs, legal conditions, and terminology.
Researchers from Scripps Research Institute found that cycling between sweet and regular food can activate the brain's stress system, generating overeating, anxiety, and withdrawal-like symptoms. The study suggests a vicious circle of compulsive eating and anxiety, where repeated dieting can lead to increased stress levels.
A new study of 519 junior tennis players found that specialization increases the risk of injury. Players who had experienced an injury or illness in the past year were 5.4 times more likely to withdraw from a tournament due to medical reasons.
Researchers discovered two distinct short-term memory networks: one independent of the hippocampus and another dependent on it, which are impaired alongside long-term memory. Patients with impaired long-term memory have a significant short-term memory burden.
Experts suggest replacing industry sponsorship with a dedicated tax modelled on tobacco to fund healthy community activities. They argue that current practices encourage unhealthy drinking among sportspeople and fans, citing a 2008 study's findings.
The US is losing its leadership in discovering and growing new crystalline materials due to a decline in industrial research labs and foreign investment. The National Academy report highlights the Ames Laboratory as a center for new materials research and training ground for young researchers.
Scientists from British Antarctic Survey have discovered a new natural carbon-absorption mechanism in Antarctica, where large blooms of phytoplankton are thriving in areas left exposed by rapid glacier melting. This process stores approximately 3.5 million tonnes of carbon each year, which could help mitigate climate change.
A special issue of a medical journal examines Latino health disparities, including chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes. It also highlights the lack of access to primary care services and patient-centered medical homes among Latinos.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that only 13% of service members with back pain returned to duty, despite treatment. The low success rate is attributed to psychosocial factors and the limited availability of pain management options in war zones.
A new study by Université de Montréal scientists has developed a simple way to decouple one cellular network from another, allowing researchers to distinguish between different cell functions. This discovery could have applications in cancer research, where blood-thirsty cells can be targeted and their growth slowed.
Scientists at Rutgers University and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution discover a previously unknown lipid that causes rapid death of phytoplankton in the North Atlantic. The lipid may also hold promise in cancer research by inducing programmed cell death in healthy cells.
A study of 28 children aged 8-13 found that half with autism scored below 80% on handwriting assessments, compared to only one child without autism. Therapies targeting motor skills may help improve handwriting in children with autism, essential for school success and self-esteem.
Primary HPV DNA screening with cytology triage is more sensitive than conventional screening for detecting cervical lesions, especially among older women. This approach can lead to fewer colposcopy referrals and follow-up tests.
The NASA GOES Project provides real-time satellite animations of the eastern Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, offering a panoramic view of hurricanes in HDTV wide-screen format. The animations display several weather regimes simultaneously, including easterly winds, daily thunderstorms, and prevailing westerly winds.
The 2009 Semantic Web Challenge recognized four outstanding applications that demonstrated practical applicability to real-world issues. The winners were awarded cash prizes sponsored by Elsevier, promoting the dissemination of knowledge from academia to society.
A new study from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has found that certain types of aggressive tumors lacking p53 protein can be stopped in their tracks when TAp63, a sister protein, steps in. Researchers were able to shut off tumor growth by increasing TAp63 levels, which induced senescence and prevented cancer cell division.
Scientists tracked the movement of pollen between African fig trees using genetic tests and field work. The research found that trees pollinated by similar insects can survive if isolated through deforestation due to their increased resistance to forest fragmentation.
Tropical Storm Ida is expected to make its official landfall during the early morning hours on Tuesday, November 10. The storm has weakened, with cold thunderstorm cloud tops not as cold as they were when Ida was a hurricane.
A new study by American Cancer Society researchers reveals that women with high breast density are at increased risk of cancer recurrence, up to 40% higher in those without radiation. Women with low breast density may not need additional therapies following surgery.
Natural historians can now share and manage their data using the Scratchpads platform, which serves over 1100 users across 100 sites. The system allows users to create virtual workbenches to study aspects of organisms, promoting biodiversity informatics approaches.
A study found no association between cataract surgery and worsening of age-related macular degeneration in individuals with non-neovascular AMD. The rate of progression to advanced AMD was similar among participants' other, cataract-free eyes over time.
Researchers found that dieters exhibit increased corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) gene expression when abstaining from palatable foods, similar to the brain's response in drug addicts. This stress-related response contributes to relapse eating among dieters.
Researchers found that the first association between a smell and an experience leaves a lasting impression in the brain. After one week, they could predict which associations would be remembered based on brain activity alone.
Researchers at UCSD have made a breakthrough discovery that enables the experimental annotation of genomes. By combining multiple genome-scale measurements, they can identify the location and use of genomic elements with precision. This innovation has significant implications for metabolic engineering, disease research, and drug design.
A study at Tufts University found that training local leaders in research practices, especially human subjects protections, improves university-community relationships. Community-based participatory research partnerships strengthened the ability of local organizations to seek additional funding and conduct independent research.
A study published in International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics found that yoga practitioners exhibit higher heart rate variability compared to non-practitioners. This suggests a strengthening of parasympathetic control, indicative of better autonomic function and a healthier heart.
A study found that computerized alerts can reduce the prescription of heavily marketed sleep medications by 23.3% compared to generic equivalents. The alerts provided additional information on co-payments and patient education, leading to a change in clinician behavior.
A community-based policing effort launched in 2001 has been largely successful in reducing violent crime by an average of 13% in 26 cities. The Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative also received $1 million in stimulus funding to help fight illegal drugs.
A University of Illinois study found that firms with heavy long-term debt that came due during the recent credit crisis slashed investment more than three times as much as companies whose paybacks dodged the meltdown. This can have a ripple effect on the overall economy, leading to reduced employment and profits in the future.
The project aims to address barriers to adopting dust control technologies in the construction industry. Researchers will target three components: workers, small firms, and large firms with tailored interventions. The goal is to reduce respiratory disease risks and improve worker health.
Researchers found that low doses of amyloid beta protein improved learning and memory in healthy mice, while blocking the protein caused learning impairment. The study suggests that the optimal amount of amyloid beta is crucial for maintaining cognitive function.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison used two FDA-approved drugs to eliminate and prevent cervical cancer in mice. The drugs, which block estrogen's ability to bind to cells, cleared precancerous growths and prevented cancer onset in mice with HPV-positive lesions.
Hurricane Ida's large cloud cover stretches over the Gulf of Mexico, extending from Florida's west coast to eastern Texas. The storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall, storm surge, and strong winds to the affected areas.
A study published in Neurology found that teenage women who are obese may be more than twice as likely to develop multiple sclerosis as adult women compared to female teens who are not obese. Weight during adolescence, rather than childhood or adulthood, is critical in determining the risk of MS.
A team of researchers completed the first draft of the cassava genome, which contains an estimated 95% of cassava genes. The availability of this sequence enables the development of a genome variation database to aid farmers in improving cassava resistance to CBSD.
A £3.2m, three-year research project is underway at the University of Exeter to develop new technologies based on the physical properties of butterfly wings. The team aims to create innovative solutions in anti-counterfeit technology, radio-frequency identification, wi-fi efficiency and security.
A UCI embryonic stem cell treatment has shown promise in restoring limb function in rats with neck spinal cord injuries. The therapy may also benefit individuals with cervical damage, which currently lacks effective treatments.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have discovered a new use for a chemical compound that can be transformed into a thin film insulator, blocking electricity flow but inducing large electric currents. The material, called solution-deposited beta-alumina, has important applications in transistor technology and e-book readers.