Astronomers have identified a possible new class of supernovae that produces high levels of calcium, which could explain the element's abundance in galaxies and life on Earth. The 'calcium-rich' supernovae were discovered by detecting unusual elements in their spectra.
The TB Alliance has made significant progress in developing new TB drugs, with three co-developed by the organization and its partners, and two others currently being tested through the Critical Path to TB Regimens (CPTR) initiative.
Chronic kidney disease patients with depression are more likely to be hospitalized, progress to long-term dialysis treatments or die within a year compared to those without depression. Depression is associated with poorer health outcomes, including higher rates of hospitalization, dialysis, and mortality.
Researchers have found a way to estimate a victim's age at death using their teeth, which can help identify them among multiple possible matches. By analyzing the levels of carbon-14 in tooth enamel, scientists can calculate the birth date and year of death.
Research from UT Southwestern Medical Center found that heavy alcohol use and binge drinking significantly increase the risk of pancreatic cancer in men. Men who consumed large amounts of alcohol were up to 6 times more likely to develop pancreatic cancer compared to those who drank little or no alcohol.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a method to create synthetic antibodies that can bind with human proteins with high affinity and specificity. This technique, called synbody construction, involves combining random amino acid sequences to form a binding molecule that can target specific proteins.
Enterococci bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, posing a significant threat to hospital-acquired infections. K-State researcher Lynn Hancock is studying the formation of biofilms that enable these bacteria to resist antibiotics and cause severe infections.
Researchers developed a dynamic HIV testing device that eliminates human error and requires no technician intervention. The device is 100% accurate, inexpensive, portable, and self-contained, making it suitable for rural clinics and pharmacies in developing countries.
Researchers at the University of Georgia found that daily ginger supplementation reduces exercise-induced muscle pain by 25 percent. The studies also showed that heat-treating ginger does not enhance its pain-relieving effects.
Researchers at CIC bioGUNE and Universidad de Kentucky have discovered a new method to control the stability of prions responsible for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies in deer. This finding has significant implications for controlling the epidemic affecting deer in the USA and Canada.
A new study found that improved treatment of severe epilepsy could significantly reduce the overall cost of the condition. The study analyzed data from 9,163 epilepsy patients and found that non-AED related costs increased disproportionately with disease severity, while AED-related costs remained stable.
A University of Rochester study found a direct link between the androgen receptor and hepatitis B virus in causing liver cancer, explaining why men get the disease more often than women. Researchers showed that targeting the androgen receptor could lead to new treatment approaches for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
A study by UC Davis researchers has identified a blood component, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), as a predictor of coronary artery disease in African-Americans. The finding highlights the role of inflammation in vascular disease among this ethnic group and may lead to more targeted treatment approaches.
The Northern Indian Ocean cyclone season has begun with two tropical storms forming within a day of each other. Tropical Storm 02A had maximum sustained winds of 39 mph and was expected to track west-northwest and bring rains and wind to Yemen.
A three-year study found wild birds opt for conventional food due to its higher protein content, challenging the notion that organic food is preferred. The study's findings suggest that consumers may be misled about the nutritional benefits of organic food.
The Active and Healthy Schools Program, implemented by University of Missouri researchers, has helped increase kids' activity levels, improve attention span, and reduce discipline problems. The program includes regular activity breaks and encourages small changes to create a healthy environment.
Researchers discovered that adding proline and phenylalanine amino acids improves binding rates of synthetic fibrin knobs to holes, leading to a novel peptide mimic with 10-fold higher affinity. The study also identified structural properties contributing to functional knob-hole interactions.
Researchers found that particulate air pollution from PM2.5 exposure can affect heart electrophysiology up to six hours after inhalation, leading to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Elevated PM2.5 levels may trigger acute cardiac events and contribute to chronic heart disease.
Researchers have developed a novel influenza vaccine that could represent the next step towards a universal influenza vaccine eliminating seasonal immunizations. The vaccine uses headless hemaglutinin (HA) protein, inducing a broader and more robust immune response in mice.
Researchers developed an experimental rat model that mimics the plexiform lesion in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a life-threatening problem. The model is expected to reveal detailed cellular and molecular mechanisms of severe PAH.
Researchers at OU WaTER Center address global water dilemmas with focus on climate change, treatment and cleanup methods. The Center's work has impact in four areas: teaching, research, service, and international leadership.
A team of scientists finds that global warming is unlikely to expand the range of malaria due to effective control measures, urbanization and economic development. Malaria control efforts have reduced the disease's prevalence over the past century despite a global temperature rise.
The Dr. John A. McAdams Jr. Space Center is a unique educational/research facility designed to teach science, math, and technology to K-12 students. The center features state-of-the-art robotics, teleconference systems, and Internet2, aiming to increase STEM competitiveness in the US.
Researchers have identified a genetic link between the CISH gene and increased susceptibility to tuberculosis, malaria, and serious bacterial infections. The study found that a single genetic variant in the CISH gene increases disease risk by 18% compared to those without the variant.
Research at the University of Texas Medical Branch found that elderly people's muscles don't respond to insulin by expanding their blood vessels like younger people do. This response is necessary for muscle protein synthesis and growth, with implications for improving strength and health in older adults.
A tightly controlled University of Rochester study found that eliminating gluten and casein from children with autism had no impact on their behavior, sleep or bowel patterns. Despite this, some subgroups of children may receive benefits from dietary changes, particularly those with significant gastrointestinal symptoms.
Researchers found that increasing BMPR2 levels reduced pulmonary hypertension and strain on the heart in rat models of the disease. The study suggests that boosting BMPR2 levels could offer a new therapeutic target for treating PAH.
Research at Princeton University found that caloric restriction impairs long-term memory in early adulthood but does not further decline it with age. In contrast, reducing insulin signaling improves learning ability and maintains it better with age. The study has implications for treating cognitive decline associated with aging.
A University of Arizona study found that the state's 2007 smoking ban led to a significant reduction in hospital admissions for conditions related to secondhand smoke, including acute myocardial infarction, stroke, asthma, and angina. The ban resulted in estimated savings of $16 million in hospital charges.
A new study found significant racial and ethnic disparities in family-centered care for children with special health care needs. African American and Latino children are less likely to receive adequate time with their provider and culturally sensitive care compared to white children.
A new nanopore method for DNA sequencing has been developed by Boston University researchers, enabling ultra-fast and low-cost genetic analysis. The technique uses solid-state nanopores to detect DNA molecules, achieving readout rates of up to 200 bases per second.
A recent study published in Journal of Palliative Medicine found that living wills often do not accurately reflect patients' actual treatment preferences at the end of life. The authors propose revising living wills to include more realistic scenarios and estimates of treatment effectiveness to guide advance care decisions.
The Inova Life Sciences Research Collaboration Fund – George Mason University has awarded $16 million in life sciences research grants to teams of joint Inova-Mason researchers. The grants focus on chronic disease management, obesity, heart disease, and other medical issues.
A study by Kennedy Krieger researchers found that 64% of children with ASD belong to a two-parent family, compared to 65% without ASD. The study suggests that parenting a child with autism can be stressful, but does not necessarily lead to divorce.
A study by Dr. Ferran Barbé Illa found that CPAP usage can reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events and hypertension in non-sleepy patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The risk of cardiovascular event decline was observed in patients who used CPAP for at least four hours a night.
The National Geothermal Institute will provide training and education in geothermal energy production through a series of short courses and curriculum developed by top geothermal schools. The institute is expected to augment the University of Nevada's Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy with research and trained graduates.
Researchers found nearly 20% of cryptococcosis patients had mixed infections with multiple strains of C. neoformans, evolving during infection. This challenges the traditional concept of a single pathogen causing disease.
The EUREKA ITEA 2 project developed advanced digital technologies for robust analytical algorithms, a scalable platform, and content presentation that adapts to devices, users, and content. Key innovations include automated video content analysis for surveillance, medical diagnostics, and multimedia applications.
Men experiencing impotence should undergo thorough medical assessments due to significant proportion exhibiting early signs of coronary artery disease. The authors suggest that the link between the two conditions could be due to atherosclerosis, leading to restricted blood flow.
Researchers have created new analytical procedures for detecting and measuring phytonutrient concentrations in potatoes, which may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, respiratory problems, and certain cancers. Phytonutrient levels in potatoes range from 100 to over 1,500 milligrams per 100 grams dry weight.
A new method uses isotopic analysis to distinguish olive oil from shark-derived squalene and squalane, a potential solution to stop commercial fraud and protect sharks. The technique could also promote the production of plant-based squalene, discouraging shark fishing.
A five-year study in Bangladesh found that women's use of sari cloth to filter household water reduced cholera incidence by 48% in their own households. Neighboring households not filtering water also saw a lower incidence of disease, highlighting the indirect benefit of the practice.
Researchers discovered that bats can differentiate between their own and different species using individualized echolocation calls, similar to how humans recognize voices. This ability may provide an advantage in hunting grounds, while also influencing community-level interactions.
A study by researchers at the University of Malaga found that 62.7% of early childhood and primary education teachers suffer from voice disorders on a daily or weekly basis. The study highlights the psychosocial dimensions associated with these disorders, including less social support, role conflict, and reduced respect for their work.
A University of Tennessee study found high-risk water sources in East Tennessee contain fecal contamination, including E.coli, coliforms, Bacteroides, and infectious viruses. This highlights a potential health hazard for rural residents who drink untreated groundwater.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new method to manufacture thin films of gallium arsenide, a highly efficient semiconductor material, that could expand its applications in solar devices. The technique allows for the production of bulk quantities of material more rapidly and cost effectively.
The study found that patients with mild disease responded favourably to oseltamivir treatment, reducing viral clearance and transmission. Containment measures may have delayed large-scale transmission by at least three weeks in Vietnam.
Young victims under age 15 account for over three-quarters of firearm accident fatalities, with most shots fired by a friend, relative, or acquaintance. The study highlights the need for gun safety measures to reduce unintentional shootings among youths.
Zoltan Takacs, a herpetologist and toxinologist, has been named National Geographic Emerging Explorer for 2010. He develops toxin-based drugs from venomous snake toxins, which have the potential to treat various diseases including cancer, circulatory disorders, and autoimmune diseases.
A recent study by S. Eggener et al. discusses the significance and impact of focal therapy for low-risk prostate cancer patients, highlighting its potential as an alternative to whole-gland treatment. The study reviews patient selection criteria, diagnostic imaging, biopsy schemes, and treatment modalities available for focal therapy.
A Tel Aviv University researcher has developed a tool to measure tissue damage in the bed-ridden and paralyzed, aiming to alleviate discomfort and pain. The Soft Tissue Stress Monitor can detect when a load is too heavy, alerting caregivers to make adjustments to prevent permanent damage.
Boehringer Ingelheim announces new data on flibanserin in pre-menopausal women with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), showing significant improvements in sexual desire and overall functioning. The study found that 48.3% of women receiving flibanserin reported feeling very much improved, compared to 30.3% on placebo.
Scientists from the University of Miami found that Greenland's ice is melting rapidly, causing the land underneath to rise by nearly one inch per year. The study suggests that if current trends continue, this acceleration could lead to a significant increase in global sea level rise.
A new global approach reveals that climate change played a major role in causing mass extinction of mammals in the late quaternary era. The study shows that continents with larger 'climate footprints' experienced more extinctions, supporting the idea that past climate changes contributed to global extinctions.
The Alzheimer's Solution proposes community centers for dementia care, addressing the need for novel solutions to address this disease. The centers would provide programs of care, treatment, and prevention, taking a family-oriented and personalized approach.
A new study found that gene fusions are a specific 'bad actor' in prostate cancer and should be targeted by treatments, rather than the androgen receptor. The research suggests that blocking these fusions can prevent normal prostate cell development, allowing cancer to develop.
A team of scientists from Scripps Research Institute has discovered a natural molecule in the body that counters the progression of osteoarthritis. MicroRNA 140 (miR-140) acts as a regulator in bone development and is found to be reduced in cartilage samples from osteoarthritis patients.
Researchers have successfully imaged the internal tissues of a soft-bodied marine worm using micro-computed x-ray tomography (micro-CT) without dissection or destructive methods. This technique allows for high-definition images and three-dimensional rotating views, enabling detailed study of functional anatomy.
A single-center study found that early percutaneous tracheotomy (EPT) in ICU patients on mechanical ventilation did not reduce mortality, hospital length of stay, or frequency of infectious complications. However, EPT was associated with fewer unscheduled extubations and earlier bed-to-chair transfer.
A new study examines different ways to secure brand loyalty, finding that evaluative conditioning can occur in two forms: direct transfer and indirect transfer. This technique involves associating a brand with positive stimuli, such as celebrity endorsements or event sponsorships, to generate favorable feelings.