Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered how a cow rumen bacterium breaks down hemicellulose into simple sugars, with implications for human health, nutrition, and biofuel production. The study provides an enzyme cocktail that can release simple sugars from plant cell walls, advancing the biofuels industry.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that multivitamin use did not impact colon cancer outcomes in patients with stage III colon cancer. Multivitamin use had no beneficial effect on patients' survival rates but may have a small association with survival benefits for younger patients and those who are obese.
A new study suggests that excessive drinking is associated with poor brain health due to obesity. Researchers found that high body mass index (BMI) was linked to lower brain metabolite levels and poorer brain function in individuals with alcohol dependence.
The NIH is expanding its Pharmacogenomics Research Network (PGRN) with a $161.3 million investment over five years. The network aims to develop novel research methods and study the use of pharmacogenetics in underserved populations, including rheumatoid arthritis and bipolar disorder.
Children exposed to nevirapine at birth who achieved viral suppression later switched to nevirapine showed better virologic suppression compared to those on protease inhibitors. This could lead to cost savings and improved adherence in low-resource settings.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded $42 million to expand eight demonstration projects investigating the link between changes in the human microbiome and health, as part of the Human Microbiome Project. The expanded studies will also support technology development to improve microbiome identification and characterization.
A study found that Ritalin improved impaired brain function and enhanced cognitive performance in people addicted to cocaine. The medication combined with cognitive interventions may have a role in facilitating recovery from drug addiction.
The Endocrine Society recommends that every newborn be screened for CAH, and positive results be followed up with confirmatory tests. The guideline also outlines treatment recommendations, including minimizing glucocorticoid dosage and considering patients' quality of life.
A new clinical trial led by University of Pennsylvania researchers will study the impact of genetic makeup on quitting success for smokers. The study, which will analyze 1350 adult smokers, aims to develop a personalized medicine approach to improve quit rates.
Scientists studied soil moisture, porewater salinity, and hydrological relationships in a historically freshwater floodplain forest to develop restoration plans. They found that conditions in the vadose zone are crucial for seedling survival in coastal floodplain ecosystems.
A St. Jude researcher has received a $8.6 million NIH grant to study how genes affect responses to medicines in leukemia, with the goal of developing personalized treatment plans for kids. The project will partner with the Children's Oncology Group and move pharmacogenetic testing into real patient care.
The Ohio State University will enhance drug response rates and reduce adverse reactions with a $9.1 million grant for a five-year study on expression genetics in drug therapy. The project aims to identify genetic differences among individuals to predict optimal treatment and prevent side effects.
A new Cochrane Systematic Review found that longer antibiotic treatment courses in children with middle ear infections slightly reduce the risk of treatment failure. However, this benefit comes at a significant cost to society, as overuse of antibiotics contributes to drug resistance and increased healthcare expenditure.
A retrospective study found that obese women who undergo bariatric procedures before pregnancy are 3 times less likely to develop gestational diabetes than those who have bariatric operations after delivery. Additionally, deliveries after bariatric procedures were associated with reduced odds of cesarean section.
The UCSF team will receive two grants totaling $15.1 million over five years to expand their research into how genes affect medication response. The goal is to pave the way for personalized medication, allowing for safer and more effective treatment.
A new study suggests that weight-based criticism in pre-teens can lead to negative body perceptions, lower self-esteem, and increased risk of internalizing problems. The research highlights the need for early identification and intervention efforts at schools to address this issue.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles found that obesity increases the risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in both mouse models and older animals, suggesting an association between excess weight and cancer progression.
A study found that hand washing without thorough drying increases the risk of bacterial transfer, while using paper towels or a rapid air jet hand dryer reduces the risk. Rubbing hands together during drying can counteract hand washing effects.
Chronic drinking increases levels of stress hormones called glucocorticoids, associated with neurotoxicity during abstinence after withdrawal from alcohol dependence. Glucocorticoid receptor antagonism may represent a pharmacological option for recovery.
A team of scientists has created a brain atlas that maps the connections between different parts of the human brain. This atlas will help researchers better understand disorders such as autism and schizophrenia, which are believed to be caused by abnormal connections among different regions within the brain.
Researchers installed two observatories in the ocean floor to run innovative experiments at the bottom of the sea. The CORKs will help scientists find answers about how ocean crust sections connect and interact with each other. The experiments will provide direct evidence of active flow pathways and rates in the ocean crust.
A longitudinal study of over 4000 subjects found that occupational exposure to substances like flour or disinfectants is a significant risk factor for adolescents developing persistent neurodermatitis. The study also highlights the importance of considering career choices in patient care and counseling.
Researchers have developed a new device that can eliminate phase noise and cross talk in optical communication networks, enabling improved data transmission. The device uses phase sensitive amplification and regeneration to restore signal quality, allowing for increased network capacity and reduced energy consumption.
The NIH is expanding its Pharmacogenomics Knowledge Base (PharmGKB) to analyze genomes and identify genetic variations associated with disease risk and adverse drug reactions. The goal is to develop tools that automatically extract information from biomedical literature and databases to improve the safety and efficacy of medicines.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have discovered a major mechanism underlying the development of tolerance to chronic morphine treatment. They identified changes in the brain and spinal cord that occur during the development of morphine tolerance, providing a therapeutic target for preventing it.
A new study by the RAND Corporation found that up to 27.1% of hospital emergency department visits could be treated at retail medical clinics or urgent care centers, which could save $4.4 billion annually in healthcare costs. These conditions include minor infections, strains, fractures, and lacerations.
Primary care physicians' rankings on common quality measures appear to be associated with patient characteristics, such as socioeconomic status and insurance coverage. Adjusting rankings based on these factors significantly changed the quality rankings for many physicians.
The premier issue of Childhood Obesity aims to provide physicians, nurses, and policymakers with actionable content on environmental and policy changes, patient education, and clinical advances in the field. The journal features an editorial by US Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin and a series of essays on addressing childhood obesity.
A genetic signature has been identified that can help doctors determine which patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer are at high risk for developing disease recurrence and may benefit from chemotherapy after surgery. The study found that the 15-gene signature predicted aggressive disease in 62 patients, and those with agg...
Physicist Adilson E. Motter and colleague Katrin Gelfert show that chaos is absolute in the universe's early expansion, disagreeing with previous studies' relative views. The study implies that the early universe experienced erratic changes between red- and blue-shift directions, confirming chaotic behavior.
Researchers have identified dendritic cells in zebrafish, opening up new possibilities for studying the complexities of the human immune system. The discovery provides another model for investigating the mammalian immune system, particularly with regard to humans.
Researchers have created a new cancer treatment that uses conditional small RNA molecules to selectively kill cancer cells. The approach exploits characteristics of DNA and RNA to separate diagnosis and treatment steps, potentially eliminating unwanted side effects.
A study of 203,829 individuals in Sweden found that urban living is associated with a higher incidence of schizophrenia and other nonaffective psychoses. Social fragmentation and deprivation were key factors explaining the association.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have found that bacteria that do not cooperate with their infection-causing colleagues can reduce infection severity. By exploiting this selfish behavior, QS-deficient bacteria can outnumber and outcompete other bacteria, leading to reduced toxin production and milder infections.
The study found that 82 doctors treated 2567 athletes, reporting 287 injuries and 185 illnesses. The highest risk sports were bobsleigh and short track, with injury rates of 15% and 35%, respectively.
A new study published in Neurology shows that mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is 1.5 times higher in men compared to women. MCI often leads to Alzheimer's disease and the study found nearly 14% of participants had MCI, with men being more likely to experience it.
A University of Calgary scientist proposes two novel geoengineering approaches to mitigate global warming: releasing engineered nano-particles and sulphuric acid. These methods aim to reduce the negative effects of sulphates, which are blunt instruments for climate engineering.
Researchers from the University of Edinburgh are studying proteins to understand how they clump together with age, a process linked to several conditions. The goal is to design drugs to prevent this aggregation, which causes brain plaques in Alzheimer's and cloudy vision in cataracts.
A study of over 86,000 families in the UK found that parents are at high risk for depression in the first year after a child's birth, with mothers experiencing significantly higher rates than fathers. The findings highlight the need for better detection and support for parental depression to improve children's outcomes.
A new Australian study found that almost one in four mothers introduced fruit juice, biscuits, and cakes to their infants by six months of age. This early introduction to unhealthy foods is a concern as it can lead to lifelong eating habits and an increased risk of obesity.
Scientists have identified powerful antibiotic properties in cockroach and locust brains, effective against MRSA and E. coli without harming human cells. These novel molecules could lead to new treatments for multi-drug resistant bacterial infections.
New research reveals that employees with control over their workspace are happier, healthier and more productive. Studies showed that personalized offices lead to improved attitudes towards jobs, reduced physical discomfort, and increased efficiency.
Scientists discovered antibiotic properties in cockroach and locust brains, killing over 90% of MRSA and E. coli bacteria without harming human cells.
A study of over 1,900 children found that short nighttime sleep duration was associated with an increased risk of overweight or obesity. The authors suggest that there is a critical window prior to age 5 when nighttime sleep may be important for subsequent obesity status.
A team of researchers discovered HMGB1 as a critical pro-autophagic protein that enhances cell survival and limits programmed cell death. This finding suggests blocking HMGB1 could benefit cancer patients by preventing tumor cells from revving up autophagy to withstand chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation treatment
Researchers have found a new potential treatment target for bone disease osteomyelitis by interrupting the bacterial death signal that instructs bone cells to die. Blocking this signal could prevent or treat painful bone infections resistant to antibiotics.
A blood test analyzing individual immune responses to infection shows promise for quickly diagnosing respiratory viral illnesses, including flu. The test boasts over 95% accuracy in pinpointing the cause of disease.
Researchers found that a low-carb diet based on animal protein may increase death risk compared to a vegetable-based diet. Additionally, patients often overestimate the benefits of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and radiation-free magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) offers an accurate diagnosis for peripheral arterial disease.
Research found that young white homosexual men contribute significantly to local HIV spread, highlighting high-risk behavior as a major factor. The study's findings suggest targeted prevention programs focused on this group are needed to combat rising infections.
A study found that organic farms have more butterflies than conventional farms, but a combination of conventional farming and nature reserves could support even more butterflies. The research suggests that the trade-off between food production and wildlife conservation depends on the quality of the spare land.
Researchers have revised estimates of Greenland and West Antarctica ice cap melting rates using GRACE satellites, GPS measurements, and glacial isostatic adjustment data. The corrected estimate shows the ice caps are melting at approximately half the predicted speed, resulting in a lower average sea level rise.
A study found that children and teens exposed to nonstick cookware compounds PFOA and PFOS have higher total and LDL cholesterol levels. The compounds were associated with increased total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol, but not triglycerides.
Researchers found that psilocybin improved mood and reduced anxiety in advanced-stage cancer patients, with benefits lasting up to six months. The study provides new hope for alleviating psychiatric symptoms in patients who often do not respond well to conventional treatments.
Researchers created high-resolution maps of carbon storage and emissions in the Peruvian Amazon, revealing patterns that differ among forest types and geology. The study's findings could inform the United Nations' REDD initiative and provide financial incentives to reduce deforestation and degradation.
A Mayo Clinic study found that mild cognitive impairment was 1.5 times higher in men than women, affecting 16% of individuals aged 70-89 without dementia. The study highlights the need for early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention to address the growing prevalence of dementia.
Research finds that linking financial incentives to quality improvement has improved primary care in the UK, leading to reduced heart disease deaths and hospital admissions. Practices with higher quality scores had lower death rates and fewer hospital admissions, especially in deprived areas.
A new study reveals that CEP290 is crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of the ciliary gate, a key component of cilia. This discovery could lead to targeted gene therapy for cilia-related disorders, including Meckel syndrome and Joubert syndrome.
Kaj Blennow receives the 2010 ECNP Neuropsychopharmacology Award for his influential contributions to Alzheimer's disease research. His work focuses on developing laboratory measures for clinical diagnosis and therapy monitoring, holding significant implications for drug development and patient care.
A new study published in Palliative Medicine reveals that German physicians do hasten death in some cases, against current ethical guidelines, and often without sufficient patient involvement. Physicians with extra qualifications in palliative care were less likely to report deliberate actions to hasten death.
A study published in Archives of General Psychiatry found that toddlers with autism spend more time examining dynamic geometric patterns than social images. This preference was observed as early as 14 months in infants at-risk for autism, and was associated with a higher risk of developing an autism spectrum disorder.