A new study found that daily volume of physical activity, measured by steps/day, is related to positive health outcomes and lower prevalence of MetS. Adults who maintain an active lifestyle by accumulating more steps are likely to have a lower risk of CVD factors.
A 12-year study has found that spouses who care for partners with dementia are six times more likely to develop the condition themselves. The increased risk is comparable to a well-studied gene variant associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Research reveals a stark social divide in assault-related deaths in Scotland, with the poorest facing a 32-fold increased risk. The study analyzed 1,109 certified deaths due to assault between 1980 and 2005, finding that violence costs the Scottish economy £3 billion annually.
Researchers found that bioprocessing wheat bran using enzymes and fermentation increased bioavailability of phenolic compounds, making it a better ingredient for nutritionally boosted cereal foods. The study aimed to improve sensory properties and increase European grain fibre intake.
Scientists found pathogens thrive in marine snow aggregates, which can skew water sampling procedures and predict disease transmission to humans. The study applies island biogeography theories to microscopic drifting aggregates.
Researchers have developed a non-invasive test for cardiovascular disease using VENDYS, a device that monitors finger temperature to measure an individual's risk. The test, which takes 15 minutes, can help identify vascular health issues and provide valuable feedback on progress.
Researchers at PMH discovered that progesterone alters breast stem cells, a finding with significant implications for breast cancer risk. The study shows how hormones affect breast stem cells during the reproductive cycle, providing a new pathway to understanding cell growth leading to breast cancer.
Leading physician policy experts propose several policy solutions to help the US prepare for an aging adult population. The proposed solutions include increasing funding for geriatrics in medical schools, leveraging Medicare's educational subsidy, and requiring practicing physicians to complete geriatric continuing education credits.
Researchers identified a rare mutation in a gene required for histamine production, which could lead to the development of new treatments for tics and Tourette syndrome. The study found that increasing brain histamine reverses repetitive behaviors similar to human tics.
A new water treatment system, developed by Penn State researchers, utilizes discarded materials and plant communities to remove pollutants from wastewater. The system has shown to be effective in reducing pollutants by over 90% within three days, making it a promising alternative for conserving global fresh water supplies.
Researchers developed tools for process monitoring to enhance nutritional properties of flours and ingredients by partial grain debranning, fine grinding, and classification. Flours made from peeled grains exhibited high contents of bioactive compounds and improved nutritional effects.
Researchers predict that a combination of drugs targeting three or more mutated strains of the hepatitis C virus is necessary to eradicate the virus. The findings suggest that a new treatment approach involving multiple direct-acting antivirals may be needed, potentially shortening treatment duration and improving cure rates.
Professor Pierre Jean Meunier received the prestigious Pierre Delmas Prize at the World Congress on Osteoporosis 2010 for his major scientific contributions to the study of bone and mineral diseases. The award honors his influential work in osteoporosis research, mentorship, and education.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have discovered that a compound in dark chocolate may protect the brain after a stroke by increasing cellular signals. The study found that mice who ingested epicatechin suffered significantly less brain damage than those who did not.
A study found that having a pathologist on-site during ultrasound-guided thyroid biopsies decreased the inadequacy rate from 13.5% to 5%. This improvement could reduce repeat biopsy rates by up to 60%, making more efficient use of resources. The study recommends using on-site pathology for large numbers of thyroid biopsies.
Researchers developed new xylanase enzymes to solubilize and produce short-chain arabinoxylan oligosaccharides (AXOs) from wheat bran. AXOs promote gut health by fermenting into butyric acid, a beneficial compound for intestinal mucosa cells.
New clinical trials demonstrate the health potential of wheat aleurone, a novel fraction with high levels of potentially beneficial compounds. The studies show significant changes in plasma biomarkers, including increased betaine, reduced homocysteine and LDL-cholesterol.
New research from the University of Leeds found that organic farming provides only a 12% increase in biodiversity compared to conventional farming, which produces higher yields. The study raises questions about how to balance food production with wildlife protection on agricultural land.
The dry powder, inhalable vaccine has been shown to be stable under challenging environmental conditions and is estimated to cost only 26 cents per dose. Phase One clinical trials are set to start in India this summer, followed by Phase Two trials involving a larger number of patients.
Researchers found the microscopic minimal threshold of coffee-ring formation, enabling standard setting for biosensor devices. This discovery guides the development of ultra-small biosensors that can perform multiple medical diagnostics on a single chip.
A study published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that high expression of CD24 is a negative independent prognostic factor for progression-free and cancer-specific survival in NSCLC. CD24-high expression was also associated with adenocarcinoma histology, higher risk of disease progression, and cancer-related death.
UBC researchers have developed a new biomaterial that closely mimics the elasticity of muscle, showcasing high resilience at low strain and toughness at high strain. The material's mechanical properties can be fine-tuned to develop biomaterials with diverse useful properties.
The Lawrence Livermore Microbial Detection Array (LLMDA) detects viruses and bacteria with probes in a checkerboard pattern, identifying over 2,000 viruses and 900 bacteria. This technology enables rapid detection of pathogens, improving biodefense, public health, and product safety.
Researchers found that adding virginiamycin to corn-soybean meal feed rations improves ileal amino acid digestibility, enabling pigs to utilize amino acids more efficiently. This increase in digestibility could lead to significant savings on formulation cost and lower diet costs for swine producers.
A new report in Cell Metabolism shows that insulin-resistant blood vessels develop plaques twice as large as normal ones and are more prone to atherosclerosis. Insulin signaling helps prevent fatty plaque buildup, suggesting treatments targeting blood vessels may be beneficial for people with diabetes.
Researchers at NC State University developed a set of guidelines to improve pest-risk mapping, including increasing international collaboration and incorporating climate change. The recommendations aim to increase the accuracy and consistency of pest-risk maps, which inform strategic and tactical management decisions. By addressing unc...
Researchers at Temple University's Center for Obesity Research are developing a new weight loss treatment that incorporates skills to address emotional eating. The program helps participants recognize and manage emotional triggers, such as boredom, frustration, or sadness, to break the cycle of overeating.
Historical research reveals Darwin's pioneering work on human perception of emotional expression, with implications for modern treatment of schizophrenia and autism. Snyder's study of previously unpublished notes shows that Darwin's experiment is a little-known forerunner for an entire modern field of study.
Researchers found that the brain's dorsolateral prefrontal cortex plays a key role in rational inference, but not emotions, in 'mindreading'. The study suggests that certain executive functions like cognitive flexibility may be important for processing what someone else is thinking.
A retrospective study found that vaccination is associated with earlier onset of seizures in children with Dravet syndrome, but does not affect the clinical outcome. The study analyzed 40 patients and found no difference in intellectual outcome or subsequent seizure type between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups.
Researchers examine data on minority and older populations to understand adherence to recommended screening guidelines. Studies find that virtual colonoscopies did not decrease the use of traditional optical colonoscopies for colorectal cancer screenings.
A new study found that PARL protein levels decline with age, contributing to muscle defects and insulin resistance. The researchers suggest increasing PARL levels may bring metabolic benefits, potentially leading to a new drug target for age-related diseases.
Researchers verified reductions in sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide emissions from Chinese power plants using satellite monitoring. The study also predicts the evolution of central Pacific El Niño events, finding links to thermocline depth and its impact on weather patterns.
A new study found that hospital interventions can be more effective when focusing on alcohol-attributable illnesses, especially among patients with less severe drinking habits. Researchers suggest that addressing the link between physical health and drinking may motivate patients to change their behavior.
A new study reviewing over 74,000 births found that a key measure of body fat composition in newborns increased significantly alongside pregnant mothers' body mass index from 1990 to 2005. Health care providers are advised to pay closer attention to pregnant women's BMI before pregnancy and weight gain during pregnancy.
Researchers at Stanford University and Brown University are developing new technologies to understand brain function and encourage recovery from injury. The project aims to create implantable devices that can sense brain signals and deliver optogenetic light pulses to neural tissue.
This special issue of Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases explores the connections between high-altitude medicine and low-altitude diseases. Studies have elucidated fundamental mechanisms involved in lung edema and hypoxic pulmonary hypertension, while also detecting vascular dysfunction in humans.
The Mayo Clinic research team identified genetic variants in serotonin genes that impact IBS, suggesting a complex molecular mechanism involving multiple genes. The study found several previously unknown associations between IBS and serotonin-related SNPs, providing new insights into the condition.
Researchers found trawl fish landings peaked in 1937 at 14 times higher than today and bottom-living fish availability fell by 94%. The decline in popular fish stocks such as cod, haddock, and plaice is more profound than previously thought. The study suggests a longer period of damage to fisheries has taken place
A new DNA barcoding technique has found that many garden ferns sold at nurseries are actually exotic species from other parts of the world. The technique identified three species of ferns as mistakenly labeled, with over 50% of collected plants being incorrectly identified.
The GEO-PICTURES project combines state-of-the-art satellite communication, navigation, and earth observation to provide accurate optical field observations and tagged position, transferred via satellite-optimized protocols. The platform will be developed in Oslo with several partners and hosted on the CERN campus in Geneva.
A new study has found that children with hearing loss in one ear tend to have poorer oral language scores than their peers with normal hearing. The researchers discovered a significant link between unilateral hearing loss and lower language skills, particularly among disadvantaged children.
Adolescents exposed to prenatal smoking are at a higher risk for use of all psychiatric drugs, especially those treating depression, ADHD, and addiction. Smoking exposure during pregnancy may interfere with brain development, leading to increased need for psychotropic medications in childhood and young adulthood.
Researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found that postpartum blues are associated with elevated brain monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) levels in healthy women. Higher MAO-A levels can lead to feelings of sadness as it accelerates the removal of chemicals like serotonin, contributing to depression.
The University of Adelaide's Environment Institute has ranked countries based on their environmental impact using seven indicators. The study found that total wealth is the most important driver of environmental impact, contradicting the Kuznets curve hypothesis.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that HPV vaccine uptake among grade 6 girls in British Columbia, Canada is lower than expected. The study suggests that concerns about safety and lack of information are major factors hindering vaccine adoption. Positive parental attitudes towards vaccination and education level can incre...
A study found that hospitals with higher rates of following up patients within one week after discharge for heart failure treatment have lower readmission rates at 30 days. Early follow-up evaluation is critical for assessing patient clinical status outside the hospital setting.
Researchers report that patients who undergo non-cardiac surgery within six weeks of receiving a coronary stent are more likely to experience reduced blood flow to the heart, heart attack, and death. The risk is higher for those with recent heart attacks.
A Mayo Clinic study reveals a 50% decrease in the number of patients listed for a second liver transplant within three years, indicating improved treatment outcomes for some patients with hepatitis B. Researchers found that new medications have improved ability to control hepatitis B recurrence.
A University of Illinois study monitored rat snakes and bird nests in fragmented forest areas, finding that rats spend more time on edges than thought, making interior nests safer. The study suggests preserving unfragmented forest habitats to conserve birds.
A study by Kaiser Permanente found that pneumococcal vaccination was not associated with a reduced risk of acute heart attack and stroke in men aged 45-69. The study, which included over 84,000 participants, showed no significant difference in myocardial infarction or stroke events between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
A PLOS Medicine article examines the challenges of increasing global access to influenza vaccines, citing disagreements between developed and developing countries as a major obstacle. The author calls for further research on ways to address these issues through collective action.
A field study found that intermediate testosterone production is associated with increased survival and reproductive success in male dark-eyed juncos. The researchers also discovered that high and low testosterone levels lead to decreased survival rates, contradicting previous expectations.
Researchers found that flaxseed-enriched diets decreased late-stage ovarian tumor severity and increased survival rates in hens. The study also showed improved weight control and reduced metastatic spread in hens fed the flaxseed diet, suggesting potential benefits for human ovarian cancer treatment.
Researchers found that older adults with late-life depression don't respond normally to emotional stimuli, making treatment more challenging. This study highlights the importance of emotion in understanding late-life depression and developing effective therapies.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have made a breakthrough in understanding how butyrate helps the intestine grow and become more functional. Butyrate increases the creation of intestinal cells and fortifies them by increasing the transcription of a protein called GLUT2, which plays an important role in intestinal function.
A recent study found that gastric cancer incidence has declined globally over the past 30 years for all age groups and races, except for young white adults. The majority of noncardia gastric cancers are attributed to chronic Helicobacter pylori infection.
Research at Mayo Clinic reveals stool DNA testing can identify two types of colorectal pre-cancers in IBD patients and serrated polyps. The tests show a high detection rate for these precancerous lesions, offering promise for improving colon cancer prevention.
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that traumatic experiences alter genes involved in stress response and immune system, leading to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study identified six to seven times more unmethylated genes in individuals with PTSD, most related to the immune system.
Researchers found significant differences in hemoglobin A1c response to blood glucose between African-American and Caucasian children with diabetes. The study suggests that doctors may be misinformed about blood glucose levels in African-American patients, leading to life-threatening hypoglycemia and increased complications.