A UK study of 15-16 year olds found that cheap alcohol is strongly linked to harmful underage drinking, including violence, regretted sex, and public intoxication. Researchers recommend restricting consumption to lower frequencies and increasing the price of cheap alcohol products to reduce harm.
A new analysis from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center reveals that radiation costs can range from $1,700 for conventional techniques to over $16,000 for Cyberknife treatment. Fewer treatments have also been shown to be equally effective in relieving bone pain associated with cancer.
Researchers found that patients with mild to moderate liver coma survived nearly 2.5 times more with N-acetylcysteine treatment than placebo, offering a new glimmer of hope for those affected by non-acetaminophen acute liver failure.
Researchers found overexpression of leptin receptor in 80% of thyroid cancer samples, associated with poor disease survival, older age, larger tumor size, advanced stage, and metastasis. Leptin's role in stimulating growth and preventing death in cancer cells was also observed.
A University of Florida study found that exercise alone can improve body image, regardless of the actual physical benefits. The researchers discovered that people who don't meet fitness standards feel just as good about their bodies as those who are more athletic.
Penn State's College of Information Sciences and Technology has received a two-year, $1 million grant from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to further its research in areas related to national security. The award aims to produce students who can become leaders in the U.S. intelligence community.
Researchers at Medical College of Wisconsin successfully produced patient-specific liver cells from skin cells, enabling potential treatment of metabolic liver diseases. The study builds on previous work by James Thomson and colleagues, showing that skin cells can be reprogrammed into embryonic stem cells.
A comprehensive study on H1N1 virus impact in Australia and New Zealand reveals 20% ICU bed occupancy during peak epidemic. The study shares critical illness patterns, including unexpected effects on middle-aged individuals and pregnant patients.
Researchers measured the speed of magma rise during a Plinian eruption, revealing it could ascend from interior to surface within four hours. This rapid ascent raises concerns about the feasibility of timely evacuations and warnings before such eruptions.
Tropical Depression Parma has weakened but is still causing trouble in the Philippines with public storm warning signals in effect for many areas. The satellite image shows high, cold thunderstorm cloud tops in Parma, associated with moderate to heavy rainfall.
Sonith Peou, program director of the Metta Health Center in Lowell, Mass., is one of 10 Americans chosen to receive the RWJF Community Health Leaders Award for his work on culturally competent health care services. He has helped thousands of Cambodians, Laotians, and Vietnamese access quality healthcare.
Scientists used novel DNA sequencing technology to analyze bug splatters on car windshields, estimating insect diversity in the region. The study's metagenomic pipeline accurately identified sequences corresponding to various insect taxa, including significant differences between two trips.
Researchers discovered that T cells recognize a specific marker on insulin-producing cells to gain access to the islets, triggering inflammation and destruction. The findings suggest new approaches to halt or prevent type I diabetes by blocking T cell entry into the islets.
A study found that workers acknowledge gender discrimination is possible but often downplay its occurrence due to 'gender fatigue,' preventing productive discussion on inequalities between men and women. The researchers suggest exploring strategies to address this issue.
A recent study published by Oregon Health & Science University researchers found that uvopalatopharyngoplasty surgery can effectively treat certain patients with sleep apnea. The procedure is particularly effective for young patients with normal to mildly obese body mass indexes and moderate breathing stoppages per hour.
Researchers develop method to study and control energy transfer pathways in molecules, enabling faster identification of efficient photovoltaic materials. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and cheaper solar cells.
David Carey, a quadriplegic, received the RWJF Community Health Leaders Award for his advocacy work and establishment of Inspire Co-op, which helps people with disabilities lead independent lives. He also successfully worked with the city of Tempe to ensure safe public transportation options for persons with physical disabilities.
A Canadian study found that giving caffeine to newborn rats causes detrimental effects on sleep and breathing patterns in adulthood. Adult rats showed reduced sleeping time, increased time to fall asleep, and fragmented non-REM sleep. Breathing problems were also more common in caffeine-treated rats.
A Johns Hopkins study found that Hispanic children diagnosed with brain tumors receive specialized care at one-third the rate of other children, despite efforts to equalize access. The research highlights persistent gaps in care among certain patients and raises concerns about the future impact on this growing demographic.
Dr. Uwe Jacobs, a clinical director at Survivors International in San Francisco, has been recognized for his work with torture victims from around the world. His program has demonstrated that survivors of gender-based violence have comparable levels of trauma to those of torture victims.
Researchers at Princess Margaret Hospital map a high-risk group for aggressive, 'hidden' prostate cancer, utilizing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to reveal tumors on the top of the prostate. The study identifies men with elevated PSA levels who benefit from MRI-guided biopsies.
Researchers propose six categories to describe genome sequence quality, from 'Standard draft' to 'Finished', addressing concerns over data integrity and reliability. The new standards aim to standardize sequencing technologies and help researchers know the quality of publicly available genomes.
Typhoon Melor underwent rapid intensification before reaching Category 4 intensity, but later weakened due to wind shear. TRMM captured detailed images of the storm's eyewall structure and rain distribution, shedding light on its behavior as it approached Japan.
A UCF study will interview and observe over 360 native Cantonese speakers with aphasia to create a database of linguistic symptoms and non-verbal behaviors. The research aims to improve assessment methods and treatment guidelines for Chinese speakers worldwide.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation announced the 2009 recipients of its Community Health Leaders Award, honoring individuals who improved healthcare access for disadvantaged communities. The awardees worked on projects such as expanding dental care services and providing primary care to low-income individuals.
A new article reviews published research and finds no convincing evidence supporting a relationship between vaccines and autism. The onset of autism occurs prior to age three, with various possible associations examined but no clear cause identified.
A cheap, locally produced oral cholera vaccine has been proven safe and effective in preventing clinically significant cholera cases in young children and older individuals. The vaccine demonstrated nearly 70% protection against cholera for at least 2 years after vaccination.
New research shows vitamin A is crucial for mitochondrial energy production, while excessive use can cause cell growth and death issues. Vitamin A plays a key role in regulating energy production, but its overuse or deficiency can have devastating consequences.
A human liver fluke contributes to the development of bile duct (liver) cancer by secreting granulin, a growth hormone that causes uncontrolled cell growth. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies the parasite as a Group I Carcinogen.
The University of Guam has received a five-year, $8M grant to support cancer research and education, with a focus on addressing health disparities among minority populations. The grant aims to increase research capabilities, provide training opportunities, and promote awareness of cancer prevention.
Researchers found that vaccinating boys would be less cost-effective than vaccinating pre-adolescent girls, with a higher cost-effectiveness ratio of $290,290 per QALY. The study suggests prioritizing HPV vaccination of girls and continued cervical cancer screening in adulthood.
Researchers at the University of Manchester discovered two types of brain cells with distinct electrical properties that differ significantly between day and night. One type contains a key gene and can survive high levels of excitability, while the other cannot, contradicting accepted theory on how the daily clock works.
The Russian government should continue funding harm reduction programs for injecting drug users, as they are crucial for tackling the HIV epidemic. These programs have been instrumental in reducing deaths and improving health outcomes among this vulnerable population.
The report found significant differences in health insurance coverage for adults, with a decline in many states, while children's coverage expanded or held steady. National efforts to publicly report performance led to quality improvements in hospitals and nursing homes.
For kidney disease patients, regular physical activity may prolong life and reduce mortality risk. A recent study found that active patients were 56% less likely to die than inactive counterparts.
A clinical trial found that a supplement containing SE5-OH and Natural S-equol improved menopausal symptoms, including reducing hot flashes by 58.7 percent, in postmenopausal Japanese women. The study also showed positive improvements in other menopause symptoms.
A RAND Corporation study reveals inadequate access to health care among D.C. children, particularly those with publicly insured plans. The study emphasizes the need for partnerships between private and public sectors to address health promotion efforts.
Researchers have identified a 'Getting-Out-of-Bed' (GoB) measure to assess motivation and life outlook in older adults. The study found that women with higher GoB scores were more likely to have good health-related quality of life, self-perceived health, and regular exercise at 6 months.
Lynne Holden, a NYC ER doctor, is honored for her work in creating a more diverse health care workforce. Her organization Mentoring in Medicine has inspired nearly 6,000 students to pursue careers in healthcare.
A Vanderbilt biologist is using genomic data from over two dozen yeast species to identify reliable methods for determining evolutionary relationships. The goal is to apply these principles to other clades, including mammals.
A study of 166 breast cancer patients found nearly 70% had low vitamin D levels, increasing fracture risk. High-dose supplements improved levels and boosted bone mass, helping mitigate disease symptoms.
Researchers discovered that learning a new task alters the brain's spontaneous activity patterns, particularly in regions involved in attention and visual processing. This 'anti-correlation' between brain areas improves task performance and facilitates future skill retrieval.
A new study found that Archaeopteryx, the iconic first bird, actually grew much slower than modern birds and had more reptilian features. This challenges the long-held assumption that rapid bone growth was necessary for flight.
Hugh 'Trey' Daly III, a senior attorney at IQ Solutions, Inc., has worked tirelessly to ensure thousands of low-income and sick people in southwest Ohio have access to health care services. His efforts have prompted local hospitals to end abusive medical debt collection practices.
Researchers analyzed ancient air bubbles trapped in Antarctic ice to determine the composition of Earth's atmosphere 20 million years ago. They found that carbon dioxide levels were similar to today's only during this time period, when global temperatures were 5-10 degrees Fahrenheit higher and sea levels were 75-120 feet higher.
The US must prioritize defending its critical computer networks from cyber attacks due to the difficulty of preventing such attacks and the unclear motivations of attackers. The RAND study highlights the need for diplomatic, economic, and prosecutorial efforts against cyber attackers rather than investing in strategic cyber warfare.
Scientists discovered that early hominid Ardipithecus ramidus took its first steps towards bipedalism in a wooded landscape, not the open savanna. The discovery was made using carbon isotope analysis of soil and teeth, which revealed a diet rich in woodland and forest ecosystem.
Scientists aim to detect hydrogen in lunar soil, which may be icy leftovers or accumulated from the solar wind. The LCROSS mission will create a debris cloud near the moon's south pole to observe its behavior.
Researchers at the University of Washington discovered security weaknesses in three popular household robots, including WowWee Rovio and RoboSapien V2. The study highlights the need for improved robot security and privacy measures to prevent misuse by bad actors, who can exploit these vulnerabilities to harm users or their environments.
Despite evidence of low-cost diarrhea treatments, many countries lag behind in implementing these life-saving techniques, leaving few children treated appropriately. The analysis reveals a significant gap between policy change and effective program implementation, making it difficult to secure necessary supplies like zinc supplements.
Kraken, the National Institute for Computational Sciences' supercomputer, has achieved petaflop performance, accelerating science and placing it among the top five computers in the world. The system enables researchers to simulate complex phenomena such as core-collapse supernovas with unprecedented realism.
Scientists have developed a simple and portable method to detect tuberculosis (TB) bacteria using light, which may help identify people with latent infections. The technology, if refined, could be used in the developing world where most TB cases occur.
Researchers found that adding budesonide to tiotropium resulted in a 62% reduction in severe exacerbations and significant improvements in lung function, signs and symptoms, and quality of life. Triple therapy also improved morning activities and reduced hospitalizations.
University of Michigan mathematicians have identified the signal sent by the brain to control biological rhythms, a finding that challenges the long-held theory about our internal clock. The discovery could lead to breakthroughs in treating sleep problems and diseases influenced by the internal clock.
Archived patient tissue specimens can be used to indirectly test biomarkers, providing a more efficient alternative to traditional prospective studies. The authors argue that this approach can help establish the medical utility of prognostic and predictive biomarkers.
A ten-year study found that up to 70% of female alligators remained loyal to their mates, a similarity with bird mating habits. This discovery sheds light on the ancestral mating systems of birds and dinosaurs.
Researchers identified tumor-suppressing genes ESR1 and HIC1 that predict late-stage laryngeal cancer and shorter survival in patients. Genetic abnormalities can aid in refining cancer staging and length of survival, potentially improving treatment options.
Researchers at North Carolina State University aim to create fuels that can be used in place of conventional diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel. They plan to genetically modify Dunaliella algae to produce fatty acids that can be converted into fuels, with the goal of creating a cost-competitive, renewable energy source.
University of Washington researchers have made significant improvements in engineering heart repair patches from stem cells, connecting to rodents' heart circulation with pre-formed blood vessels. The new patches successfully delivered rat blood to the transplanted graft, showing remarkable viability and functional capabilities.
The American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America will recognize individuals with outstanding contributions to education, national and international service, and research. The 2009 award recipients include Donald Graetz, David Mengel, Robert G. Hoeft, and others.