A new study found that romiplostim, a drug mimicking the effects of thrombopoietin, is more effective than standard care in treating immune thrombocytopenia. The treatment significantly improved platelet levels and reduced the need for splenectomy in patients, enhancing their quality of life.
A large cohort study found that consuming fructose-rich beverages like sugar-sweetened soda and orange juice increases the risk of gout among women. The study, which analyzed data from over 78,000 women, also found a significant association between increasing orange juice intake and gout risk.
Researchers found a common genetic alteration in AML patients who died quickly from the disease. DNMT3A mutations were associated with poor survival rates, and patients with these mutations may benefit from aggressive treatment such as bone marrow transplantation.
The GRiSP initiative is expected to lift 150 million people out of poverty by 2035 and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide. The partnership will deploy rice's genetic diversity, break the yield barrier in rice production, and breed climate-ready rice.
The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) is convening a Summit on the Nephrology Workforce to address the growing crisis in kidney care. The summit aims to increase interest in nephrology careers, particularly among underrepresented minorities and women.
Researchers have discovered distinct neuronal circuits within the central nucleus of the amygdala involved in acquisition and control of behavioral fear responses. The study found that specific inhibition cells play a key role in regulating fear behaviors.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that an individual's normal genetic constitution plays a key role in driving changes in tumors during cancer development. The study compared genetic profiles of tumors from the same individual with those from other individuals, revealing similar yet distinct patterns of DNA changes.
Researchers discovered that activated T cells play a key role in IRIS, producing excessive interferon gamma and triggering an exaggerated immune response. A new animal model also confirmed the involvement of macrophages in sparking IRIS. These findings may lead to targeted prevention or therapy for HIV patients developing IRIS.
A University of Colorado at Boulder-led study found that specific stem cells can prevent the loss of muscle function and mass with aging. The transplanted stem cells doubled in mass and sustained themselves for two years, suggesting a potential treatment for humans with chronic degenerative muscle diseases.
A study found that playing Tetris after viewing traumatic images reduced memory flashbacks in healthy volunteers. However, playing a word-based quiz game increased flashbacks. The researchers suggest that Tetris competes with the brain's perceptual information channel, reducing traumatic memories.
Researchers at NIST have developed a suite of standard reference materials for measuring organic acids in dietary supplements formulated with Vaccinium berries. These materials can help prevent economic adulteration by identifying the type and amount of berry used in products.
A new analysis by ACS Environmental Science & Technology warns of a toxic toys crisis due to hazardous substances in children's products, including lead and cadmium. The report recommends banning or restricting the use of toxic substances and industry-wide measures to ensure product safety.
Researchers have successfully delivered a protective protein called erythropoietin into the brain using a Trojan Horse approach, overcoming the blood-brain barrier's ability to block it. This breakthrough has potential for treating stroke patients, traumatic head injuries, Parkinson's disease, and other chronic brain disorders.
A boom in developing chemical coatings is protecting seeds from destructive insects and diseases, with the worldwide market growing at 10-12 percent annually. These new seed treatments, also known as biologic seed defenders, use microorganisms to promote earlier and more vigorous growth.
A new study shows that bihemispheric transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) coupled with physical and occupational therapy significantly improves motor function in stroke patients. The therapy rebalances brain activity on both sides of the brain, enhancing recovery.
US science educator Piyush Swami shares his expertise on US preparation of science teachers and the emphasis on inquiry skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving. He also looks forward to learning from Chinese colleagues about their approaches to science education and teacher preparation.
Scientists at Caltech have identified a delicate balance in the brain that controls fear output from the amygdala. Two neural subtypes act like a seesaw to regulate fear levels, with PKCδ+ neurons forming one end and inhibiting outflow from the region.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a new method to analyze biopsies from heart transplant patients by examining their genes, allowing for early prediction of treatment success. This approach uses software algorithms to reduce data to key numbers necessary for diagnosis and prognosis.
Research strengthens evidence of link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and childhood asthma. The study found that prenatal paracetamol exposure may depend on antioxidant genes in the mother, increasing the risk of childhood asthma.
Researchers identify skills, attitudes, and behaviors associated with successful households, including high education levels, younger household heads, and a preference for formal financial markets. Successful households also exhibit persistence in their financial management, leading to significant net worth growth over time.
A Northwestern Medicine study found that stressed dopamine-releasing neurons in the brain die prematurely, triggering Parkinson's disease symptoms. The research suggests that controlling this stress with a drug already approved for high blood pressure may delay disease progression.
Research on self-fertilization reveals that it may not always be an evolutionary advantage but can evolve as a side-effect of drought-avoiding life cycles. Flower shape evolution is also influenced by pollinator preferences, with different shapes preferred by different types of insects.
A survey of 11,888 Quebec adults found that nearly 70% have gambled in the past year and spend an average of $483. Researchers also identified higher risks among video lottery terminal users and online gamblers.
The Global Rice Science Partnership (GRiSP) launches a research initiative to improve rice yields and reduce environmental impact. The project aims to lift 150 million people out of poverty by 2035 and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide.
A new camera technology uses multimode imaging in thermal infrared to visualize bloodstains and other substances, overcoming limitations of existing luminol tests. The camera can detect even diluted blood and distinguish between various chemicals, making it a potential game-changer for crime scene investigations.
Researchers have developed ultra-clean nanowires with a perfect cubic crystal structure, allowing for higher efficiency in nano-electronic devices. The breakthrough is achieved by growing wires on a silicon substrate without metal catalysis.
University of Cincinnati researchers found that pleasurable activities like tasty foods and sex can reduce stress by weakening anxiety responses in the brain. The findings suggest a long-term benefit and could potentially provide strategies for intervening in metabolic disorders.
A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that campus-community interventions were successful in reducing college drinking. The Safer California Universities study showed significant declines in intoxication rates, with students from intervention universities being 6-15% less likely to drink to intoxication...
A team of researchers proposes a new way to measure urban exceptionality, suggesting that traditional per-capita measures are flawed. They found that cities tend to be persistent in their performance, with features like wealth and safety pairing up, and highly exceptional cities being smaller and more monocultural.
Researchers reconstruct carbon dioxide levels during the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum, a 400,000-year period of extreme global warming. They found that atmospheric carbon dioxide levels doubled, leading to temperature increases of 4-6 degrees Celsius.
A study in mice reveals that loss of the protein MeCP2 in inhibitory nerve cells reproduces nearly all features of Rett syndrome, a devastating neurological disorder. The lack of MeCP2 impairs communication between neurons, leading to cognitive deficits, breathing difficulties, and repetitive behaviors.
The Merck Childhood Asthma Network is investing $4 million in four high-risk cities to manage childhood asthma through evidence-based science, case management, and asthma trigger removal plans. Programs aim to reduce missed school days, symptom days, and improve access to quality healthcare.
Research in Tanzania found a significant association between fumonisin exposure and stunting/underweight in infants, highlighting the need for food screening. The WHO maximum tolerable daily intake is often exceeded, especially with maize-based complementary foods.
Chronic disease death rates are increasing in developing countries, with 23 million deaths annually. A new framework proposes national surveillance strategies to monitor trends and improve actions on chronic diseases.
A novel program in Livingston County, NY, uses EMS technicians to identify and address unmet needs of elderly residents, resulting in high patient satisfaction rates. The program's success highlights the potential of innovative collaboration between healthcare providers and social services to improve quality of life for seniors.
Researchers have developed 140 hemlock hybrids that are tolerant to the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), a devastating insect affecting eastern US forests. The most tolerant species is T. chinensis and its hybrids, which show good vigor and shape, providing a potential solution for saving US natural ecosystems.
Researchers at Iowa State University found that single-cropping sorghum grass yields more ethanol than double-cropping systems. The study suggests using sorghum as a sole crop could meet up to 25% of the US energy needs, surpassing corn-based fuels.
A Finnish study found that infant feeding with a highly hydrolyzed casein-based formula reduced the emergence of diabetes-predictive autoantibodies by about 50% among high-risk children. The study suggests that early dietary intervention can substantially reduce the initiation of the disease process leading to Type 1 diabetes.
Researchers have developed a device that uses sound waves to detect bacteria in water, potentially speeding up the process by 15% compared to existing methods. The device broadcasts ultrasound waves into the liquid, exerting pressure on bacteria that pushes them into a collection pocket for identification.
A team of researchers led by Michigan State University will investigate the effects of increasing doses of mercury on yellow perch. The study aims to shed light on the negative repercussions of low-level pollutants on fish populations.
A citywide smoking ban has been shown to significantly decrease the prevalence of maternal smoking and pre-term births. In a study comparing Pueblo and El Paso County in Colorado, researchers found a 23% decrease in preterm births and a 37% decrease in maternal smoking after the ban took effect.
A circuit in the brain regulating serotonin-receptor signaling may explain anti-diabetic actions independent of body weight and feeding. Reactivating this receptor in specific neurons protects mice from insulin resistance and metabolic problems.
Dr Guillaume Lessene has been awarded the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute's inaugural de Burgh Fellowship to translate research findings into new cancer treatments. The $AUD150,000 fellowship supports his work on developing inhibitors for Bcl-2 proteins and other targets, with the goal of treating various types of cancer.
The NCD Alliance warns that ignoring chronic diseases will lead to a future where healthy people are in the minority, while unhealthy children die before their parents. The alliance calls for effective actions on diet, physical activity, risks, and determinants related to non-communicable diseases.
A new approach called Desktop Medicine involves clinicians gathering and analyzing risk factor information to prevent disease onset. This model has substantial implications for educating, training, and practicing medicine, including incorporating bedside and desktop medicine in office visits.
The 2010 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards recognized journalists who reported on environmental issues, memory, and science. Charles Duhigg won the large-newspaper award for his toxic waters series, while Hillary Rosner took home the small-newspaper award for her piece on the endangered razorback sucker.
Experiments with artificial stomach suggest that taking Sprite with an oral anticancer drug improves its absorption and effectiveness. The study found that the soft drink helps control stomach acidity, allowing for better absorption of the drug.
Researchers found similarities between wolf-elk interactions in Yellowstone National Park and shark-dugong interactions in Shark Bay, Australia. These interactions control prey populations and affect their behavior, with ripple impacts on the ecosystem.
Research by University of Sheffield finds that deaf adults can react more quickly to objects at the edge of their visual field than hearing people. Children born deaf initially have slower reaction times, but improve as they age and develop better-than-normal peripheral vision by adulthood.
Researchers at NIST used a neutron beam to analyze the compound PZT, revealing its crystal structure and how it works. They found that PZT's behavior changes gradually rather than sharply, and may lead to designing better piezoelectric materials.
Researchers found that an early part of the brain's visual system rewires itself through pattern training, independent of higher-order conscious processing. This discovery could improve training programs for detecting subtle patterns, such as in medical imaging or air traffic control.
Researchers use a tightly focused, low-power laser beam to optically scan the area and identify target locations by minute changes in scattered light. This technique solves the 'needle in a haystack' problem of nanoscale microscopy, finding nanoscale objects with precision.
New studies from researchers at the University of Cincinnati show that certain measurement tools for assessing non-clinical work intensity can also be used to determine physician work intensity in clinical settings. This could lead to improved health care delivery, increased efficiency, and higher quality of care.
A multi-tiered effort to stem binge drinking at Indiana University reduced average drinks consumed and percentage of students engaging in binge drinking. The study's results indicate an ecologically guided approach is critical for success, but highlight the need for further research.
A Tel Aviv University scientist has developed a small, portable sensor that can detect multiple kinds of explosives with unprecedented reliability and efficiency. The sensor, which uses nanotechnology advances, is more sensitive and reliable than any sniffer dog and can detect explosives at a distance.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center are using mathematical modeling to study potentially deadly flu viruses and develop new vaccines and therapies. The five-year contract aims to enhance human immune responses and identify areas for investigation into treatments for lethal viruses.
A growing burden of chronic disease threatens low-income and middle-income countries; weak national health systems hinder effective interventions. Strengthening health systems can improve responses to chronic diseases, benefiting other health services as well.
Researchers found that removing MECP2 from GABA-producing neurons reduces neurotransmitter production by 30%, reproducing Rett symptoms. The study suggests a possible pathway to understanding neuropsychiatric disorders and potential therapeutic intervention.
Scientists have developed a new fuel-cell catalyst with a palladium core that protects precious platinum and enhances its reactivity. The new catalyst maintains high levels of activity even after 100,000 cycles of testing, compared to conventional catalysts that lose nearly 70% of their reactivity.
The NSF-funded ADVANCE Program aims to increase women's representation in STEM at the University of Maryland. The program will implement interconnected strategies to transform academic environments and promote the professional growth of all women faculty members.