LSUHSC has received a $2.1 million grant to study the role of T-helper cells in preventing Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, a life-threatening infection linked to HIV/AIDS and other immune deficiencies. The research aims to identify effective vaccines that can activate these cells to prevent or treat PCP.
Italian scientists have successfully completed preclinical trials for a gene transfer treatment that can correct the lack of beta-globin in patients' blood cells, a major step towards treating beta-thalassemia. The treatment uses genetically corrected stem cells to restore haemoglobin production and overcome the disorder.
Researchers found that men with high-risk prostate cancer lose significantly less bone mineral content as they age compared to healthy men. The study, published in BJUI, suggests a possible link between prostate cancer and bone health, which could lead to new prevention strategies.
Tropical Storm Conson has been downgraded to a typhoon after interacting with the northern Philippines' land surface, with maximum sustained winds near 75 mph. The storm is now expected to continue weakening due to increased wind shear and interact with southern China.
Researchers found 323 unique genes influenced by smoking, with a strong involvement in processes related to cancer, cell death, and metabolism. The study's results indicate that exposure to cigarette smoke alters gene expression, leading to a sobering scale of influence on human disease risk.
Scientists have observed the first real-time measurements of a rare gas atom and halogen molecule dissociation. The study found that adding vibrational energy to the bromine-stretching vibration led to rapid direct dissociation, while higher excitation resulted in a more complex mechanism.
Researchers found that consumers overconfidently predict their learning curve before trying out skill-based products, then become underconfident after gaining experience. This under-prediction has consequences for consumer behavior, such as a willingness to pay less for a product after initial use.
Penn State's Liwang Cui leads a seven-year, $14.5 million project to combat malaria in Southeast Asia. The center will address research needs in regions with high malaria morbidity and mortality rates.
A survey of over 1,900 physicians found that more than one-third did not agree that reporting incompetent colleagues is always necessary. Many physicians feel unprepared to deal with impaired or incompetent colleagues, citing reasons such as lack of knowledge about reporting obligations and fear of retribution.
A study found that antibiotics prolong survival but do not improve comfort for patients with terminal dementia and pneumonia. Aggressive treatment can cause greater discomfort, suggesting a need to balance survival and comfort goals.
Researchers found that hearing the name of an object improves participants' ability to see it, even when flashed onscreen in conditions that render it invisible. The effect was specific to language and did not depend on visual preview or pre-experiment familiarity with the target.
Chen, a renowned scholar, has been recognized for his tireless efforts to apply research to policy making. He has participated in numerous White House Conferences and presented testimony to congressional committees.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that women who developed gestational diabetes during their first and second pregnancies have a higher risk of developing it again. Hispanic and Asian Pacific Islander women are particularly at risk compared to white counterparts.
A study by researchers at St. Michael's Hospital found that a five-minute advice session at the nine-month well baby checkup can lead to a dramatic drop in babies still using bottles at age two. Most stop using the bottle by their first birthday, compared to 16 months for those who received no instruction.
New research evaluating nine popular slimming supplements found no evidence that they facilitate weight loss beyond the placebo effect. The studies, led by Dr. Thomas Ellrott and Dr. Igho Onakpoya, tested various supplements against placebo pills in randomized controlled trials.
Tropical Storm Conson has formed in the northwestern Pacific Ocean with maximum sustained winds near 60 knots (69 mph) and is forecast to make landfall on July 13. The storm's track is expected to take it north-northwest over the next couple of days, bringing heavy rainfall and gusty winds to the northern Philippines.
Companies that prioritize sustainable management of biodiversity are seen as winners in resource-constrained worlds, while those neglecting it risk being out of step with the market. Consumers are increasingly aware of biodiversity loss and are willing to stop buying from companies disregarding ethical sourcing practices.
Over half of UK swine flu hospital admissions and inpatient deaths were from people with no underlying health issues or obvious risk factors. The data support the government's priority vaccination strategy for high-risk groups, but also suggest that everyone with asthma might benefit from vaccination.
A study by Johns Hopkins University researchers confirms IGF-1's crucial role in coordinating puberty onset in mice. Administration of IGF-1 to normal female mice triggered pubertal development, highlighting its importance in timely triggering of pulsatile GnRH production.
Researchers from A*STAR made three groundbreaking discoveries in fight against cancer: a mechanism to prevent metastasis, biomarkers for breast cancer, and improved detection of cervical cancer. Their work sheds light on key areas of cancer research, offering new strategies to combat this devastating disease.
A team of investigators has identified a series of proteins that may make it easier to diagnose the more metastatic forms of prostate cancer. The study uncovers a protein named Siah2, which initiates a cascade of molecular events that turns a non-malignant tumor into a metastatic neuroendocrine tumor.
Chagas disease affects 10-12 million people in Latin America, killing 15,000 annually. Dogs can spread the disease and may help control it by acting as sentinels for health officials.
A new study found that those who expect unexpected events are no better at detecting them than those who don't, and may even be worse. The study used a video featuring basketball players and a gorilla, and showed that familiarity with the original experiment did not improve detection of other unexpected events.
A 29-year follow-up study of Finnish men and women found that individuals with higher vitamin D levels had a significantly lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The study suggests a potential link between chronic inadequacy of vitamin D and the development of Parkinson's disease.
Large mammal populations in African national parks have declined by up to 59% since 1970, with some species experiencing dramatic decreases. Despite this, improved management and conservation efforts in southern Africa offer a glimmer of hope for the long-term survival of these iconic species.
A study found that the human brain regions growing during infancy and childhood are similar to those with the most changes when comparing humans to apes and monkeys. This research helps assess adverse effects of premature birth on brain development, including increased risks of learning disabilities and cognitive impairments.
Researchers identify pedunculopontine nucleus as key brain region in Parkinson's disease-related gait disorders. Targeting acetylcholine-producing nerve cells may alleviate falls and improve walking abilities.
A study found that deleting a viral element from human genes can increase production of fetal hemoglobin in red blood cells, which could help alleviate symptoms of sickle cell disease. The researchers believe this natural mechanism may be the key to developing targeted therapies for patients.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have discovered a new epigenetic player that affects gene activity in boys with X-linked mental retardation and facial birth defects. The study reveals an enzyme, PHF8, works to maintain active gene transcription.
Dr. Hui Shao has received a grant from the Research to Prevent Blindness organization to study Sjogren's syndrome, a chronic autoimmune disease affecting millions of Americans. Her team has discovered a protein called Klk22, which may play a role in the development of the disease.
Ada C. Mui, PhD, has been recognized for her outstanding commitment and dedication to mentoring minority researchers in the field of aging. She will receive the Task Force on Minority Issues in Gerontology Outstanding Mentorship Award at GSA's 63rd Annual Scientific Meeting.
Researchers at Biogen Idec Inc. have found that targeting the TIM-1 protein may be effective in treating asthma. The study used a humanized mouse model to show that an antibody binding to a specific region of TIM-1 reduced inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness.
A six-month weight loss intervention program improved flushing symptoms in overweight and obese women with menopause-related hot flushes. The study found that decreases in weight, BMI, and abdominal circumference were associated with improvements in self-reported hot flushes.
A new study from North Carolina State University has developed a predictive model that can identify anomalies in large-scale hosting infrastructures, allowing for swift corrective actions and improved accuracy.
A study by neuroscientists at USC found that volunteers practicing a challenging arm movement with related tasks showed better retention of the skill. The prefrontal cortex was necessary for consolidating the memory, while constant practice focused on a single task did not retain the skill as well.
A new guideline recommends using diffusion MRI scans instead of CT scans for diagnosing acute ischemic stroke within 12 hours. MRI scans are found to be more accurate in detecting stroke damage and identifying severity, leading to faster diagnosis and treatment.
A study published in JCI Online found that targeting acetylcholine-producing nerve cells in the pedunculopontine nucleus may alleviate gait disorders and falls in Parkinson's disease patients. Meanwhile, another study suggests that blocking TIM-1 protein could provide therapeutic benefits for asthma patients.
A recent study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that head and neck cancer patients with poor sleep quality had more symptoms of chronic pain and complaints of dry mouth related to radiation treatments. The researchers suggest that reducing these factors may be warranted to improve sleep hygiene and enha...
Researchers have identified the genes necessary for producing a highly potent and clinically unexploited antibiotic, microbisporicin. The study enables the engineering of bacteria to produce similar but better molecules, improving pharmacological properties.
The new guidelines recommend daily supplements of 400 to 1000 IU for adults under 50 without osteoporosis, increasing to 800-2000 IU for those over 50. Canadians can safely take daily vitamin D supplements up to 2000 IU without medical supervision.
Researchers at Oregon State University have found that stimulating the production of fatty acid elongase-5 enzyme in mice can cure mild diet-induced diabetes. The study suggests a new approach to diabetes therapy, with potential applications for human treatment and management of related conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
A multicentric clinical phase II study led by Professor Dr. Peter Dreger found that allogeneic stem cell transplantation significantly improved tolerance and cured nearly half of patients with therapy-resistant chronic leukemia, regardless of genetic risk profile or prior treatment outcomes.
A Johns Hopkins review of nearly 150 randomized controlled trials on children found that 40-60% of the studies failed to minimize risk for bias or properly describe those measures. The study urges pediatricians to critically read studies, asking how researchers reached conclusions and whether analysis was unbiased.
A new study found that a culturally specific intervention program based on the African concept of Eban increased condom use and reduced acts of unprotected sex among heterosexual African American couples with differing HIV status. The program aimed to improve communication, relationship health, and community respect.
Topology optimization enables creation of patient-specific, case-by-case designs for tissue-engineered bone replacements in facial reconstruction. The technique accounts for variables like blood flow and chewing forces to optimize structure and function.
Researchers developed a model predicting the architecture of nanoparticle ensembles and their properties. The findings could lead to more efficient production of nanostructures with complex architectures.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology successfully establish conditions for decoding fly brain's motion vision mechanisms. They use fluorescence molecules and state-of-the-art microscopes to observe nerve cell activity, revealing that L2-cells transform data and relay information about light intensity reductions to subseq...
Scientists use topological optimization to create experimental 3D structures for facial bone replacement, which can withstand chewing forces and facilitate speaking and swallowing. The team plans to grow bone around these lightweight structures using tissue engineering techniques.
A recent study published in Neurology found that individuals with larger heads who have Alzheimer's disease tend to exhibit better memory and cognitive skills. The research suggests that brain reserve, or the individual capacity to withstand changes in the brain, plays a crucial role in protecting against Alzheimer's symptoms.
A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that disrupting two genes controlling circadian rhythms can lead to diabetes. The researchers discovered that mice with defective CLOCK and BMAL1 genes developed pancreatic cells unable to release sufficient amounts of insulin, leading to diabetes.
A new study suggests that drinking tart cherry juice daily can reduce insomnia severity and improve sleep efficiency in older adults. The researchers found significant reductions in reported insomnia severity and an average of 17 minutes saved on wake time after going to sleep.
Research from the Sleep Heart Health Study found that severe obstructive sleep apnea raised the risk of heart failure and coronary heart disease in men. Men with the most severe OSA faced a 58% higher risk of developing heart failure and a 68% higher risk of developing coronary heart disease compared to those without OSA.
A second-generation anti-obesity drug has shown promise in reducing body weight in rodents without causing psychiatric side effects. The drug targets peripheral tissues and organs, avoiding significant brain exposure. This finding raises the prospect of reviving CB1 receptor blockade for fighting obesity and related diseases.
Krause received the award for his book 'Aging in the Church: How Social Relationships Affect Health,' which explores the relationship between church-based social support and physical/mental health outcomes. The GSA recognized his work as state-of-the-art thinking in aging and life course development.
A study found that corporate directors tend to ignore anonymous whistleblower allegations, especially if they threaten their reputation. In contrast, non-anonymous allegations are more likely to trigger investigations and resource allocation.
A history of sexual abuse is associated with an increased risk of multiple psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The study found that survivors of rape had strengthened associations with these disorders.
Researchers have identified associations with the HLA-B51 region of the MHC and variants on chromosome 1, including a known variant of the IL10 gene. These findings suggest that low levels of IL-10 protein may be a risk factor for Behcet's disease.
A Stanford study found that arsenic trioxide can block the Hedgehog pathway, a signaling cascade involved in various cancers. The compound inhibits the expression of certain genes, making it harder for cancer cells to mutate and evade treatment.
A recent galactic survey suggests that ultralight neutrinos may be at most half as massive as initially estimated. The MegaZ DR7 map of over 700,000 galaxies indicates a reduced upper limit for neutrino mass.
The study reveals that a single squall line killed between 441 and 663 million trees across the Amazon basin, equivalent to 23% of annual carbon accumulation. The region near Manaus experienced up to 80% tree mortality in affected plots.