Recent findings published online first in Cancer Research show that obesity is associated with increased incidence and mortality of leukemia in children. The study reveals that fat cells can block chemotherapy drugs from reaching cancerous cells, leading to reduced treatment effectiveness.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center used magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to measure pancreatic fat in humans, finding a significant correlation between fat content and diabetes risk. The study suggests that measuring pancreatic fat could be an effective clinical tool for identifying high-risk individuals.
Researchers propose a new hypothesis for Alzheimer's disease: the myelin model. This theory suggests that degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's begin with normal brain maintenance and repair processes. The model suggests targeting earlier stages of myelination, potentially reducing dementia's burden.
A study of internal medicine residents found that those reporting higher levels of fatigue and distress were more likely to report medical errors. The study suggests that fatigue, sleepiness, burnout, depression, and reduced quality of life are independently associated with an increased risk of future self-perceived major medical errors.
Expert calls for a shift in cancer research priorities, focusing on prevention and non-drug treatments to combat the growing cancer burden. The global cancer cases are expected to rise, and improving early detection and primary prevention strategies hold the potential for significant gains.
Research finds that pathogenic E. coli are common in Michigan and Indiana streams, even with low fecal indicator bacteria concentrations. The study suggests that current methods for determining water quality may not accurately predict the presence of harmful pathogens.
The Wilson Center's Synthetic Biology project has received two National Science Foundation grants to support research on the implications of synthetic biology for sustainability science and policy. The projects will explore emerging issues in synthetic biology, including its potential contribution to sustainable development.
Research reveals women with atrial fibrillation are more likely to experience symptomatic attacks, have higher heart rates, and increased risk of stroke due to pooling of blood in the atria. A new gender-specific approach to therapy is recommended to prevent strokes and improve quality of life.
A new study from UAB researchers found that childbearing is associated with a higher incidence of the metabolic syndrome in women. Women who had gestational diabetes were nearly twice as likely to develop the syndrome as those without it. Lifestyle changes, such as exercise and healthy eating, may help prevent disease later in life.
Researchers aim to improve prostate cancer identification using MRI technology. Powerful high-resolution MRI can reveal cancerous tissue and pinpoint its location.
UCSF researchers found private cord blood banking to be cost-effective only for families with high likelihood of needing a stem cell transplant. The analysis revealed that the process is more expensive than expected, with an additional $1,374,246 per life-year gained.
Researchers at NIST developed a new reference material, Beryllium Oxide Powder (SRM 1877), which mimics the form of beryllium to which workers are exposed, enabling more representative toxicological studies and sensitive monitoring. This will facilitate effective clean-up of contaminated areas and aid in contamination control.
The Canadian Stem Cell Foundation has released a charter that unifies supporters of stem cell research, outlining five principles for advancing the field. The charter aims to promote responsible science, protect citizens, and empower the public to speak out on behalf of stem cell research.
Researchers from North America, Europe, Australia, and South America have solved the first one trillion cases of an ancient mathematics problem. The team developed a clever technique for multiplying large numbers, making it possible to calculate the area of right-angled triangles with whole number or fraction sides up to a trillion.
The International Osteoporosis Foundation reports a growing problem of osteoporosis in Asia, with hip fracture incidence increasing 2-to 3-fold over the past 30 years. Vitamin D deficiency and low calcium intake are widespread, resulting in significant personal suffering, lost productivity, and long-term dependence.
A Kansas State University geographer is researching how rural communities define and implement sustainability to improve civic and business leader decisions. She found that some leaders have a clear understanding of the term, while others struggle with its meaning.
Dr. Jue D. Wang and Dr. Iiris Hovatta have been awarded the Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Awards for their pioneering work on DNA replication regulation and neuropsychiatric diseases. They will receive a $75,000 award over three years to support their research.
Researchers found that nearly half of young adult women met the criteria for depression, obesity, or alcohol abuse at multiple time points. The study also discovered a significant link between obesity and depression in women, with those experiencing weight issues more likely to report depression later on.
A new study from the University of Toronto and UC San Diego found that many parents use deception to shape their children's behavior and emotions. The researchers surveyed U.S. participants in two studies about parental lying, revealing that even parents who emphasize honesty with their children often engage in 'parenting by lying.'
The University of Arizona is building a network of soil moisture probes to improve short-term and seasonal weather forecasting, with funding from the National Science Foundation. The project aims to provide more accurate forecasts by measuring low-energy neutrons produced when cosmic rays hit the soil.
The Switch programme, a family-, school-, and community-based intervention, promotes children's fruit and vegetable consumption and lowers 'screen time'. Researchers found modest but significant results in reducing screen time and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption in the experimental group.
The sun undergoes intense fluctuations every 11 years, but most of it remains invisible to human eyes due to its high-energy EUV radiation. The new EVE sensor will improve our understanding of the sun's behavior and potential changes by measuring EUV emissions with unprecedented accuracy.
A Purdue University researcher developed a fiber-optic sensor capable of measuring oxygen intake rates in real-time. The self-referencing optrode has broad applications across disciplines, including biomedical science, agriculture, and material science.
Researchers developed formulas and models to predict boiling behavior in microchannels, allowing for more efficient cooling systems. The new technology can be used to cool high-power electronic components in vehicles, improving performance and reducing overheating.
Researchers found a six percent higher mortality rate for patients admitted on the first Wednesday in August compared to the previous Wednesday. The study of nearly 300,000 patients suggests a possible link between the influx of newly qualified doctors and increased mortality rates, but further research is needed.
Researchers have found a candidate quantum bit in diamond that can sense atomic-scale variations in magnetism, hinting at the possibility of MRI-like devices for probing individual drug molecules and living cells. This technology could sidestep the need for cooling, making it suitable for medical applications.
A Mayo Clinic study found that distress and fatigue among medical residents significantly contribute to self-perceived medical errors. The research used standardized survey tools to measure burnout, symptoms of depression, sleepiness, and fatigue, and found that both factors increased the risk of errors.
Researchers are conducting a phase II gene therapy trial using CERE-110 to treat patients with mild Alzheimer's disease. The study aims to determine the safety and benefits of injecting the gene into the brain, which produces Nerve Growth Factor to help nerve cells survive.
Researchers at LSU Health Sciences Center are working on a study to prevent nerve cell death in people with uncontrolled diabetes, which causes neuropathy. The team aims to understand the mechanism of nerve cell survival after inflammatory or neuropathic insult to develop new treatment and prevention strategies.
A recent analysis of Central American frog surveys reveals the devastating impact of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a microscopic fungus, on frog communities. The study shows that the fungus is causing a 'vast homogenization' of species, leading to significant losses in biodiversity and regional extinctions.
A study found that 60% of US medical schools reported incidents of students posting unprofessional content online, with 13% reporting incidents involving violation of patient confidentiality. Many schools lack policies to address these issues, and only 38% have formal professionalism curricula.
Researchers from PNNL have developed a DNA-graphene nanostructure that can detect diseases, toxins, and pathogens. The biosensor has potential applications in cancer diagnosis, food safety, and biodefense due to its stability and high sensitivity.
Researchers found that adding graphene to titanium dioxide-based batteries enhances their performance, with electrodes containing graphene charging and discharging faster than those without. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more efficient lithium-ion batteries using inexpensive materials.
The mosaic image reveals stellar evolution, bright young stars, and a supermassive black hole at the Galactic center. Giant X-ray flares from Sgr A* have occurred about 50 and 300 years earlier.
A new study by University of California - San Diego researchers found that parents regularly lie to their children to promote good behavior and make them happy. The practice, known as 'parenting by lying,' is more common among Asian-American parents.
A mathematical model suggests that improved community-based access to life-saving drugs like misoprostol and antibiotics can prevent up to 59,000 maternal deaths across sub-Saharan Africa per year. The study found that the poorest women would benefit most from these interventions.
Researchers have uncovered the genetic switch that controls macrophage polarization, essential for muscles to regenerate properly. Macrophage polarization allows them to shift from clearing debris to promoting repair in damaged areas.
A study of over 20,000 young drivers found that those living in rural areas are more likely to be involved in serious crashes than urban counterparts. Rural roads pose significant risks due to curved sections and speeding.
A self-awareness program for physicians has been shown to improve personal well-being, emotional exhaustion, and attitudes associated with patient-centered care. The program, which included mindfulness meditation, narrative medicine, and appreciative inquiry, resulted in positive changes in empathy and psychosocial beliefs.
Training in mindfulness meditation and communication can alleviate physician burnout, improve patient-centered care, and enhance a doctor's capacity to relate to patients. The program combines techniques of meditation, narrative medicine, and appreciative dialogues to promote a more open and nonjudgmental outlook.
The 'Dust Alert' sensor measures dust, pollen, and toxins in the air, providing real-time contamination levels and precise chemical composition analysis. This invention can help improve air quality, mitigate health risks, and provide critical information for urban planners.
A major study into adults living with autism has found that one in every hundred adults in England has the condition, similar to child prevalence rates. The study also reveals distinct characteristics of individuals with autism, including employment status and housing type.
A study ranked obstetrical residency programs based on maternal complication rates, finding that top-quintile programs had significantly lower complication rates compared to bottom-quintile programs. The rankings were consistent across individual types of complications, suggesting that these rates may reflect overall quality.
The team found that the particles' interactions allow them to heat up better when exposed to an alternating magnetic field, destroying cancer cells without harming surrounding tissue. This breakthrough could lead to more effective treatment methods and design of better nanoparticles.
Researchers have found northern brown bears feeding on migrating broad whitefish in a stream in the Mackenzie Delta region. This discovery highlights the importance of considering the impact of development activities on these bears' diets and survival.
A new study found that targeted heat therapy significantly improves overall survival and reduces cancer recurrence in patients with locally advanced soft tissue sarcomas. The treatment, which involves heating the tumor to kill cancer cells, also makes chemotherapy more effective and improves blood flow.
An international body of earth scientists has agreed to move the Quaternary age boundary by 800,000 years, formalizing a natural event marking the start of global climate cooling. This decision ends decades of controversy and provides a fixed point for geological research.
Exercise counseling combined with fitness center-based training improves muscular strength and exercise capacity in people with type 2 diabetes, comparable to supervised exercise programs. Physical therapists can effectively prescribe this approach for patients with type 2 diabetes.
A team of researchers has created the first full-star simulation of a white dwarf star's final hours leading up to a Type Ia supernova explosion. The simulations, run on supercomputers, provide detailed insights into the process and may be critical in understanding how these massive stellar explosions occur.
Scientists have used single-molecule techniques to study the tethered lactose repressor protein, revealing how flexibility within the protein influences its ability to form DNA loops. The results suggest that limiting flexibility limits protein function in this case.
A Georgia State University professor will use a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to develop an integrated model that combines wildfire, weather, and operational models. The model aims to provide firefighters with a decision-making tool for combating wildfires more effectively.
A new study by Clemson University researchers contradicts global warming claims by finding that hurricane frequency is increasing in the Atlantic Basin, but their individual strengths are not growing stronger. The study analyzed changes in tropical cycle records between 1851 and 2008 and found no evidence of increased storm strength.
Researchers have found that transhumant sheep farming is crucial for griffon vulture conservation, as it provides an important trophic resource. The study shows that the presence of transhumant cattle in mountain passes gives vultures access to up to six times more food than local livestock.
Researchers have discovered that all shoot tips on a plant can influence each other's growth, allowing the strongest branches to thrive. By understanding the action of hormones like auxin and strigolactone, horticultural practices can be developed to promote optimal branching patterns in crops.
Elsevier won 26 prizes in the 2009 British Medical Association Medical Book Competition, with Gray's Anatomy for Students and Elsevier's Rheumatoid Arthritis taking top honors. The company congratulated its authors and editors on their achievements, highlighting its commitment to quality content.
A new CU-Boulder study found that people tend to view their immediate emotions as more intense and important than previous ones when assessing risks. This can lead to overlooking more mundane threats like global warming in favor of highly publicized dangers.
A study published in Genetics suggests that superoxides from the air can harm muscle tissue, leading to problems like aging and Parkinson's disease. Researchers found that introducing a mitochondrial enzyme helped protect muscle cells, increasing survival rates in fruit flies.
Researchers found that stimulation of inner ear balance organs affects brain blood flow in opposition to changes in blood pressure. The study may lead to new treatment options for conditions such as aging-related vestibular loss and orthostatic intolerance.
A new study found that hormone therapy for prostate cancer increases the risk of developing heart problems, including coronary heart disease and heart attacks. The study suggests that doctors should consider heart-related side effects when prescribing endocrine therapy and refer patients to a cardiologist before starting treatment.
A $10.25 million study will investigate the causes of kidney failure and the need for dialysis in patients with nephrotic syndrome. The research network will focus on understanding the mechanisms behind minimal change disease, focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis, and membranous nephropathy.