A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that vitamin E improved features of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), an obesity-related chronic liver disease. After 96 weeks of treatment, 43% of those treated with vitamin E met the primary endpoint compared to 19% of those who received a placebo.
Scientists have engineered Bacillus anthracis to produce higher-than-normal amounts of capsule depolymerase, releasing the protective capsule and leaving the bacterium vulnerable to detection and destruction by the immune system.
The European Society for Medical Oncology has approved a personalized treatment for lung cancer, based on tumor characteristics. This approach promises to improve patient outcomes and reduce toxicity compared to traditional treatments.
NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites provide critical satellite images of the Gulf oil spill to NOAA, helping track its extent. The MODIS instrument on these satellites captured the spill's dimensions on April 26, showing a 600-square-mile area affected.
Anna Whitfield, a Kansas State University plant pathologist, will receive a $1 million CAREER Award to study how viruses affect insect vectors. Her research may shed light on viruses that infect vertebrate animals as well as plants.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that endovascular stent implantation outperforms traditional open-chest surgery in treating thoracic aortic tears. Patients who received stents experienced less kidney failure, lower death rates, and shorter recovery times.
A Phase I trial combining pemetrexed with radiation and chemotherapy for stage III non-small-cell lung cancer demonstrates tolerability and efficacy. The regimen allows high cytotoxic doses during radiotherapy, increasing the chance of killing cancerous cells.
Researchers at NC State will use microbes that thrive in high-temperature environments to produce biofuels directly from carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The project aims to create a more efficient and flexible process for producing biofuels, which could be used in various applications.
A new meta-analysis reports that hyperfractionated and accelerated radiotherapy regimens improve overall survival in non-small-cell lung cancer patients by 3% after 5 years. Modified fractionation of radiotherapy also shows benefits for small-cell lung cancer patients, although the difference is not statistically significant.
A new study found that cochlear implants improve hearing for older adults with age-related hearing loss. However, the effectiveness of implants decreases with increasing age, highlighting the need to reassess implant criteria for elderly patients.
Researchers at Arizona State University and Indiana University found that communication improves joint outcomes when managing common-pool resources. In experiments with costly fines, participants improved their harvest output greatly when given a chance to communicate.
Researchers found that migratory birds have smaller brains than resident birds, contrary to the protective brain theory. The study suggests that migrating reduces energetic and cognitive costs, making brain size an adaptation for survival.
Researchers have developed fluorescent compounds that can light up tumors as they begin to form, signaling their transition to aggressive cancers. These compounds, called fluorocoxibs, could be used for early tumor detection, monitoring cancer progression, and defining tumor margins during surgery.
Physicist Hans-Otto Meyer's experiment reveals unexpected behavior of cryogenic electron emission at extremely low temperatures. Electron emissions increase in bursts as the temperature decreases, challenging current understanding of physics.
A significant study found that no single immunosuppressive drug regimen increases the risk of cancer among kidney transplant patients. However, factors such as age and smoking history contribute to increased cancer risk.
A new study in embryonic stem cells uncovered a transcription control mechanism that regulates expression of 80% of mammalian genes. The cancer-causing gene c-Myc plays a significant role in releasing transcriptional pausing, leading to hyper-proliferation characteristic of cancer cells.
Seamounts, previously thought to be rare, are found to be the most common ocean habitats, hosting a vast array of marine biodiversity. Researchers estimated that over 45,000 seamounts exist worldwide, covering an area larger than South America.
A U-M study reveals that socio-economic factors, particularly race and age, significantly influence the use of alternative therapies like acupuncture and biofeedback in chronic pain patients. As people age, they are more likely to seek alternative therapies to manage chronic pain.
A study by researchers at the University at Buffalo confirms that China's cyberculture is not conducive to political freedom and open speech. The growth of the Chinese blogosphere has actually facilitated the government's surveillance of its citizens, as it provides a vast amount of information on human behavior and preferences.
Research suggests that low vitamin D levels are associated with increased disability, brain atrophy, and cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis patients. Studies found that higher levels of vitamin D3 and its metabolism byproducts were linked to better scores on disability tests and fewer lesions on MRI scans.
A new guide from the USDA Forest Service provides a tool to calculate the benefits of urban trees in Northern California. The study found that large-stature trees produce the highest benefit-to-cost ratio and can provide $516,800 in benefits over 40 years.
Researchers have developed a novel microscopy method that allows for the observation of individual synapses and nerve contact sites in living mammalian brains. The study found that individual neurons integrate inputs from multiple synapses to produce a single output signal, making decisions by a single nerve cell.
A recent survey found that managed honey bee colonies nationwide experienced a 33.8% loss rate from October 2009 to April 2010, with starvation, poor weather, and weak colonies being the top reasons for mortality. The continued high losses pose an economic challenge for commercial beekeepers.
Dr Essi Viding, a UK-based developmental psychologist, has been named the winner of the 2010 British Academy Wiley Prize. She was recognized for her outstanding contributions to the field of psychology, specifically her research on the causes of violent antisocial behaviour in children and adolescents.
The ChemCollective website provides virtual lab and scenario-based learning activities to introduce students to chemistry, allowing them to engage with the subject like practicing chemists. The site makes chemistry resources available to students worldwide, particularly those in smaller or low-income schools.
A new HIV modeling system developed by Chinese researchers suggests that CD8+ T cells could be useful in developing an AIDS vaccine. The model incorporates random patterns in the virus' mutation and immune response, mirroring real-life clinical behavior.
Patients with hypertension who excrete slightly increased amounts of protein in the urine, known as microalbuminuria, have an elevated risk of developing heart and kidney problems. Microalbuminuria is associated with a higher risk of chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular complications in non-diabetic patients with hypertension.
The Scripps Research Institute has been awarded a $1.3 million grant to develop a series of tests at its Florida campus to explore the potential of GPR119, a protein that regulates glucose balance and weight gain. The goal is to identify small molecule compounds that can be used therapeutically.
A genetic study of island lizards reveals they freely exchange genes, contradicting the prediction that geographical isolation would lead to separate species. The findings suggest ecological speciation due to differences in environmental conditions may play a crucial role in speciation.
Thomas Miller, UCR entomologist, to advise State Department on biotechnology and pest management globally. He will also engage with non-specialists and travel to embassies to share expertise.
The Xenopus tropicalis genome has been nearly completely sequenced, providing a powerful model to study gene organization, regulation and function. The findings hold significant promise for improving human health by shedding light on the basic mechanisms of genetics.
A new approach detects rare but powerful causal gene variants, accounting for significant proportions of the 'missing heritability' problem in common diseases. The technique may identify individual patients with specific mutations, enabling more meaningful diagnostic results and potential treatments.
Researchers found that lung cancer patients whose tumors over-express the cell surface molecule CXCR4 have significantly worse clinical outcomes and shorter overall survival times. This suggests that CXCR4 could be a promising new target for personalized cancer therapy.
Researchers found liver transplant recipients develop premature immune senescence due to chronic immune stress. The study suggests that accelerated T-cell aging contributes to increased morbidity and mortality in established liver graft recipients.
An international team of astrophysicists has created the most complete atlas of nuclear rings, which are enormous star-forming ring-shaped regions that circle certain galactic nuclei. The catalogue includes 113 such rings in 107 galaxies and provides insights into their properties and relationships with galaxy structure.
Aphids have evolved two unique traits: producing essential carotenoids and breaking genetic barriers between kingdoms. They acquired carotenoid-producing genes from fungi through a rare gene transfer process.
A recent study from the University of Rochester found that humans rely on several brain regions to process sentences, not a single advanced area. The researchers used American Sign Language to investigate how different grammatical structures activate distinct brain regions.
Researchers found a combination of antibiotics to be an effective treatment for Chlamydia-induced reactive arthritis, with significant improvements seen in patients receiving a 6-month course of combination antibiotics. The results suggest potential for eradication of the persistent infection and improvement in clinical sequelae.
Analyzing Spanish gene expression data may help identify patients who will benefit most from treatment with angiogenesis-inhibitor drugs. Researchers found a correlation between high levels of VEGF-A and VEGFR-1 in tumor samples and poor prognosis, suggesting these genes could be used to tailor therapy to individual patients.
Scientists aim to prevent insects from spreading deadly diseases like Chagas' by manipulating physiology to stop the transmission of the illness. Researchers have identified genes controlling diuresis in kissing bugs and hope to create a peptide agonist to prevent waste and parasites from being left on wounds.
The study reveals that Australia and South Korea have some of the highest annual rates of decline in adult mortality. Iceland and Cyprus rank as the lowest risk countries for men and women, respectively. However, the HIV epidemic and social dysfunction in former Soviet states have contributed to high mortality rates in many countries.
Researchers have discovered that Darwin's work on heterostylous flowers, a complex breeding system found in flowering plants, has significant economic implications. The study highlights the unique characteristics of heterostyly, which affects plant morphology, ecology, and evolution.
A randomized clinical trial found that Octreotide slowed the growth of cyst-filled livers in patients with polycystic liver disease (PLD) caused by autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The treatment also improved kidney function and health perception in these patients.
Michigan State scientists are developing an electromagnetic trap to capture fleeting matter, aiming to reveal the nature of the universe. The new technology will provide researchers with access to rare isotopes produced in high-speed particle collisions.
Researchers have developed a new vaccine strategy using the Giardia parasite's surface proteins to prevent or mitigate future infections. The engineered parasites work as effective vaccines when given orally to gerbils, offering a promising approach for delivering oral vaccinations in developing countries.
Invasive mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki will expand northward due to climate change, affecting native species and ecosystems. The study found temperature affects the abundance and reproductive cycle of the species.
African wild dog populations decline due to domestic dogs' presence, illustrating the impact of human behavior on disease transmission. Human behavior, such as range differences and animal husbandry practices, shapes disease risk and is a key driver of emerging infectious diseases.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have used a healthy person's complete genome sequence to predict their risk for dozens of diseases and how they will respond to common medications. The study provides a cumulative risk report that can help physicians make concrete clinical recommendations, improving the efficiency of medicine.
Research found an association between leisure time physical exercise and a future risk of developing fibromyalgia. Women who exercised regularly had a lower risk of developing the condition compared to inactive women. High BMI is also identified as an independent risk factor for future development of FM.
Researchers discovered that aphids can produce carotenoids, essential nutrients crucial for vision, skin health, and bone growth. The yellowish-green aphid strain produced carotenoids by acquiring a fungal gene through lateral transfer, challenging conventional wisdom on animal nutrient production.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed nanoparticles that can enhance MRI scans and surgical procedures for brain tumor removal. The magnetic and fluorescent nanocomposites can help doctors visualize tumors before surgery, allowing for more precise removal.
A multicenter NIH trial led by the University of South Florida found combination antibiotics to be effective in treating Chlamydia-induced reactive arthritis. The study showed significant improvement in patients treated with combination antibiotics, with 22% experiencing complete remission and no adverse side effects.
A study finds that cancer risk in kidney transplant recipients is similar across different immunosuppressive medications, suggesting no single medication is to blame. Patient characteristics such as age and eye color are associated with increased cancer risk.
The institution has received recognition from the Louisiana Dietetic Association (LDA) through awards to students and faculty. The LDA has presented two scholarships to Louisianatech undergraduate nutrition and dietetics students, while another student was awarded the 2010 Outstanding Dietetic Intern Award.
Researchers have identified key eye characteristics to determine which premature infants are most likely to benefit from early treatment for retinopathy of prematurity, resulting in improved vision and reduced risk of blindness. This new approach aims to improve the lives of thousands of children born prematurely each year.
A breakthrough finding from Tel Aviv University may lead to earlier diagnosis, more effective intervention, and perhaps even a cure for multiple sclerosis. Researchers have uncovered new ways of detecting MS in the blood through their research at Sheba Medical Center, allowing for potential early treatment.
Researchers found African-Americans were less likely to have a varus thrust but more likely to have a valgus thrust than Caucasians. This disparity may help explain differences in knee osteoarthritis (OA) involvement at the knee.
Researchers use whole-genome sequencing to identify increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers in a patient. The study also reveals genetic variants associated with good response to statins, resistance to clopidogrel, and lower maintenance dosing of warfarin.
A study published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology found that manipulating intestinal microbiota with probiotics and prebiotics could improve celiac disease quality of life. The research also discovered that different types of gut bacteria influence inflammation to varying degrees.
Veterinary scientists at Penn have successfully used a viral vector to target rod cells in the retina, a critical step towards developing gene therapies for inherited blindness. The study demonstrates the potential of this approach to correct diseases such as X-linked and autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa.