New drugs, vaccines, biomarkers, and diagnostics could reduce TB incidence by 94% by 2050. Biomarker development is crucial for predicting treatment outcomes, while diagnostics advancements aim to improve case detection.
A significant number of fathers experience prenatal and postpartum depression, with the highest rates in the 3 to 6 month postpartum period. The study suggests that early paternal depression may have substantial effects on children and recommends a joint approach to screening and treatment for both parents.
Implementing the 3Is policy (Intensified tuberculosis case finding, Infection control, and Isoniazid preventive therapy) combined with earlier start of ART can prevent HIV-associated TB. Early diagnosis and treatment, along with a comprehensive package of HIV care, form the basis of prevention and control of HIV-associated TB.
Results from an Advanced Therapy Access Program demonstrate oncolytic viruses' ability to mediate anti-tumor immunity in humans. The therapy shows strong efficacy against solid tumor cancers, with a clinical benefit rate of 47% and favorable safety profile.
A new study by RAND Corporation found that physician cost profiles can vary widely depending on the attribution rules used by insurance companies. This variability has important implications for both patients and physicians, highlighting the need for transparency and consistency in cost profiling methods.
A new study found that focusing on the abstract reasons behind a goal leads to better decision-making and a higher likelihood of taking advantage of unexpected opportunities. By adopting a mindset that considers 'why' rather than just 'how', individuals can overcome obstacles and achieve their objectives more effectively.
The global burden of tuberculosis remains significant, with 11 million active cases in 2008, despite progress made since the start of DOTS era. Rapid expansion of TB diagnosis and treatment has saved up to six million lives, but further efforts are needed to eliminate the disease by 2050.
Experts warn that weak health systems are impeding global efforts to control tuberculosis, with rapidly introduced suboptimum reforms harming national targets. However, innovative solutions from countries like Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Tanzania, Thailand, and Vietnam have shown promise in addressing bottlenecks.
Physicists at the University of Innsbruck suggest that ball lightning observations may be caused by phosphenes induced in the brain by strong magnetic fields. These fields can produce sensations such as noises or smells and are similar to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) used in clinical practice.
A team of UCSB astrophysicists has discovered a unique eclipsing binary star system, confirming a theory about white dwarf stars. The researchers measured the size of a rare helium-core white dwarf for the first time, revealing it burns hotter and is larger than ordinary white dwarfs.
A recent study by University of Missouri researcher Tansel Yilmazer found that small business relationships with financial institutions affect loan applications and approvals. The study, published in Financial Management, suggests that good relationships can lead to lower loan rates during economic expansions.
Researchers reconstructed the initial 2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak in Ho Chi Minh City, finding that containment efforts may have delayed establishment of infection but did not prevent community spread. The study also showed that treatment clearance times varied depending on treatment timing and patient characteristics.
Azendohsaurus is redefined as a non-dinosaur, primitive reptile with convergent features to herbivorous dinosaurs. The species lived during the time of dinosaur origin and was an efficient herbivore.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have discovered gene signatures that explain the biology of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), a common and difficult-to-treat kidney cancer. They identified master genes lost in ccRCC that likely drive its development, as well as stem cell-like properties that contribute to its resistance to treatment.
A study reveals the European Common Fisheries Policy has promoted unsustainable fishing practices, including the expansion of fleets into vulnerable ecosystems. To reverse this trend, experts propose new regulations, such as creating marine reserves and adopting more sustainable fishing methods to protect marine biodiversity.
A new study found that subjective feelings of ease can increase or decrease consumer confidence depending on whether consumers are thinking concretely or abstractly. The researchers also discovered that abstract thinking determines the theory consumers adopt to interpret their subjective experiences.
A new study from Indiana University School of Medicine offers a blueprint for hospital systems, physicians, and caregivers to implement evidence-based research in patient care. The study highlights the need for healthcare providers to overcome end-zone hurdles and provides a framework for success.
A team of scientists found an intermediate state during the formation of fat cells, induced by hormones related to cortisol. This transition state could be targeted for new therapies to combat obesity and metabolic disorders.
T-ALL is caused by interplay of various factors including genetic errors that disrupt white blood cell formation. The study identifies PTPN2 as a tumor suppressor gene lost in leukemia patients, contributing to cancerous cell proliferation.
A new study by researchers found that measuring bone density before starting ADT can help prevent fractures and reduce costs. Another study suggests that CTCA can identify patients who need more invasive testing for heart disease.
A study of patients undergoing elective facial plastic surgery found that older patients and those currently being treated for depression are more likely to be satisfied with the results. However, optimism and pessimism do not appear to be related to satisfaction.
A new study from UCLA's Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Program found significant improvements in surgical outcomes for pediatric epilepsy patients over the past two decades. The researchers attribute the success to advancements in diagnostic technology and experience in selection and operations.
A study published by Greek researchers found that electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) can prevent critical illness polyneuromyopathy (CIPNM), a common complication of ICU stay. EMS reduced the risk of CIPNM and improved muscle strength in patients, shortening weaning periods and ICU stays.
Researchers link bacterial spacing to photosynthesis, providing new insights into ancient fossils and the evolution of life. By studying microbial mats, they discovered a consistent one-centimeter spacing that records the maximum distance bacteria can compete for nutrients.
A recent study from Stanford University found that DFA testing for H1N1 influenza is unreliable in critically ill patients. The test was more accurate in non-critical cases, with a 26% positive rate in ICU patients compared to an 82% positive rate in non-ICU patients.
A new study suggests that reducing nitrogen pollution in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta could help restore the endangered California delta smelt population. The research found that high levels of nitrogen from wastewater treatment plants are affecting the food web and altering the ecology of the system.
The US Navy has selected Scripps Institution of Oceanography to operate a new scientific research vessel, advancing science and education in the decades ahead. The Ocean Class ship will lead ocean expeditions advancing knowledge on global climate change, submarine warfare, and more.
Scientists have developed an immune-deficient mouse model to study CCHF virus behavior in humans, a significant step towards vaccine and antiviral development. The model can help evaluate the safety and effectiveness of potential treatments, addressing the lack of suitable animal models for testing.
A recent study found that teenagers with treatment-resistant depression can become symptom-free within six months of switching medications or combining a medicine switch with cognitive behavioral therapy. Those who showed improvement in symptoms early on were more likely to experience lasting benefits.
A new international trial is testing a 1-a-day combined 'polypill' to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The Red Heart Pill contains low-dose aspirin, statins, and blood pressure-lowering medicines, potentially saving millions of lives across the world by making cardiovascular drugs more accessible to low-income countries.
A recent study published in Pediatrics found a connection between exposure to organophosphate pesticides and symptoms of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children. The research, which focused on 1,139 children from the general U.S. population, measured pesticide levels in their urine and found that exposure to common ...
Researchers at UCLA developed two PET scanning probes that target different cells in the immune system with high specificity. The probes work better when used together, revealing the extent and cellular composition of an immune response and its effects on various diseases, including cancer and auto-immune disorders.
Two surgical techniques for female stress incontinence were found to be equivalent in efficacy but differed in side effects. The retropubic procedure had a higher rate of urinary dysfunction requiring surgery compared to the transobturator procedure. These findings will help guide care for women undergoing stress-incontinence surgery.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that consuming processed meat, such as bacon or sausages, increases the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes by 42% and 19%, respectively. In contrast, unprocessed red meat is not associated with these health risks.
Researchers found that vaccinia immunization reduces HIV replication, suggesting it could provide protection against subsequent infection. The decline of smallpox vaccination in the mid-20th century may have led to a loss of this protection, contributing to HIV's rapid contemporary spread.
Researchers Jane Siegel and Jeff Perdue are leading an initiative to develop business-centric measures of cloud computing benefits and risks. The goal is to provide chief information officers with a standardized method for comparing internal and external providers.
The lake's surface waters have warmed by 3 degrees F since 1900, driving a decline in productivity and impacting the fishery. The research provides a detailed record of temperature and its impacts on a tropical African ecosystem.
A study by the University of Washington found that Google Flu Trends is less accurate in estimating laboratory-confirmed influenza cases compared to CDC surveillance. The analysis revealed a 25% error margin during the 2003-04 flu season, with greatest deviations occurring during periods of high media attention or unexpected activity.
A new article proposes a three-pronged strategy to address conflicts of interest in clinical guideline development, emphasizing intellectual and financial conflicts equally. The approach aims to balance expert insights with the avoidance of inappropriate influence from experts with financial or intellectual conflicts.
A study by Cardiff University found that climate change is putting trout and salmon at risk due to warmer water and lower river levels. The research, published in Global Change Biology, suggests that both species face major problems if climate warming continues.
A meta-analysis of over 1 million people found that both low kidney filtration rate (GFR) and high albumin: creatinine ratio independently predict mortality risk in the general population. Low GFRs were associated with increased risks, with those below 60 mL/min/1•73 m² experiencing a 57% increased risk of death.
Researchers found that male African cichlid fish exhibit a fear response when fighting their own reflections, characterized by increased activity in the amygdala region of the brain. This discovery suggests that fish may have more complex cognitive abilities than previously thought.
The Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research has received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop nanoparticles that release vaccine active ingredients through skin perspiration, potentially bypassing traditional vaccines. The project aims to stimulate mucosal immune responses and prevent infectious diseases.
New images reveal electrons flowing primarily along crystal grain boundaries, providing clues to the origin of superconductivity in pnictides. The discovery may help physicists develop better high-temperature superconductors that could save energy and enable innovative applications.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have constructed a powerful phylogenetic tree for the gamma-proteobacteria using hundreds of genes and integrating more information than traditional single-gene approaches. The consensus tree provides a tool for predicting shared biology and analyzing bacterial adaptations to their environments.
Dr. Gregory Downey received the Recognition Award for Scientific Accomplishments for his outstanding contributions to respiratory disease research. He has published over 190 papers and is a leading expert in innate immunity, lung injury, and repair.
A comprehensive study identifies significant cognitive and anatomic differences in Alzheimer's disease patients with and without the APOE ε4 gene, affecting memory, attention, language, and executive function. The findings have important implications for early diagnosis, treatment, and personalized medicine approaches.
Researchers found that ICU-acquired infection rates do not correlate with death rates for at-risk patients, despite being used as a measure of quality in hospital report cards. Hospitals with high infection rates had similar survival rates to those with low infection rates, highlighting the limitations of using these rates as a metric.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have found a new mechanism by which CD8+ T cells control HIV. The discovery highlights the antiviral activity of prothymosin-alpha, a tiny protein that stimulates interferon production to block viral replication.
A new study by the Hebrew SeniorLife Institute for Aging Research has found a link between altered blood flow in the brain and slow gait and falls in elderly people. Seniors with abnormal blood flow changes were more likely to experience falls, highlighting the importance of exercise and treatment for high blood pressure in preventing ...
Providing oral health education to mothers and families is essential for teaching children healthy habits and preventing early childhood tooth decay. A general dentist can provide families with oral health literature designed to educate both the parent and child, promoting a positive self-image and improving their quality of life.
Researchers at Caltech have found a way to improve the efficiency of wind farms by using vertical-axis turbines in strategic arrays. By studying the vortices left behind by schools of fish, they discovered that alternating turbine rotations and staggering their placement can increase energy extraction up to 10 times.
Researchers from North Carolina State University developed a software tool that translates traditional computer programs for efficient use on graphics processing units (GPUs), significantly boosting computing performance. The tool, called a compiler, can increase program execution speed by up to 30% compared to manual GPU optimization.
Researchers have identified a previously undiagnosed condition and treated it with a stem cell transplant, saving the patient's life. The key to unlocking the reason for the patient's symptoms was contracting a rare version of glandular fever.
A study of 600 subjects found that consuming 67 grams of nuts per day significantly lowered total and LDL-cholesterol levels, as well as triglycerides. Pistachios' unique nutrient profile provides significant heart health benefits.
A Johns Hopkins study found that nearly 40% of children with infantile spasms became seizure-free after being on the high-fat ketogenic diet for at least six months. The diet, which is rich in fat and low in carbohydrates, works by triggering biochemical changes that eliminate seizure-causing short circuits in the brain.
Researchers found that traditional aerobic fitness training improved systolic blood pressure, rating of perceived exertion, and peak VO2 levels compared to pedometer-based walking programs. Participants in the supervised fitness program also showed greater adherence rates.
The University of Cincinnati's School of Design contributed 22 new signage symbols to the 'Signs that Work' project, which aims to create a universal system for hospital signage. The new symbols will be integrated into a total of 50 symbols and tested at four national hospital sites.
A recent study by Brandeis researchers found that medicalizing human problems has led to substantial economic costs, with $77.1 billion spent on conditions like menopause and ADHD in 2005.
A study found that nurses in Belgium frequently act outside of the law by administering life-ending drugs without a patient's explicit request. In euthanasia cases, 48% of nurses helped prepare drugs and 56% were present during administration, mostly without physician co-administration.