The CLASS Act has the potential to transform long-term care financing in the US by introducing a voluntary, federally administered insurance program. This program would provide middle-class Americans with the choice to plan ahead for personal care and supportive service needs.
Researchers are developing a new vaccine technology using MHC tetramers to accelerate bovine vaccine creation, promising faster and more accurate development of vaccines for East Coast fever and foot-and-mouth disease. The goal is to provide basic science insights needed for better disease control in developing countries.
Researchers found that hospitalized patients with dysphagia averaged a 40% longer hospital stay than those without the condition. Dysphagia is severely underreported and can lead to complications such as aspiration pneumonia and increased end-of-life costs.
A recent study finds that workplace relationships after retirement are vital for maintaining social interaction and personal ties. Those who retired recently were more likely to keep work-related connections, highlighting the importance of networking throughout life.
A CSHL-led team found that increased IL-6 secretion can lead to decreased sensitivity to Tarceva, a targeted therapy for lung cancer. They also discovered that tumor cells with up-regulated TGF-β and increased IL-6 secretion were resistant to treatment independently of the EGFR pathway.
A recent study estimates that investigating allegations of scientific misconduct can cost up to $525,000 per case. The authors also found that annual reported cases in the US could exceed $110 million. By prioritizing prevention, academic institutions can reduce these substantial costs and promote a culture of integrity.
Researchers from the Antwerp Institute of Tropical Medicine found that targeted disease campaigns often displace basic healthcare services, leaving patients without access to curative care. Only a few health centers with experienced staff were able to integrate campaign work into their daily duties.
A study examines the impact of energy drink consumption on athletic performance and body composition, finding that caffeine is a key contributor to performance enhancement, while weight loss benefits are uncertain and may be linked to diminishing returns.
A study by Ryotaro Uemura found that people without a religious affiliation hold less favorable opinions about the US. In contrast, ethnic minority groups and first-generation US citizens do not necessarily exhibit significant differences in national attitudes.
A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found that traditional approaches to cancer education are ineffective for Hmong communities due to cultural differences. The team developed a new strategy based on community-participatory research, which led to a better understanding of the community's needs and perspectives.
The prevalence of hearing loss among US adolescents increased significantly, with 1 in 5 adolescents affected in 2005-2006. The majority of hearing loss was slight, and females were less likely to demonstrate any hearing loss.
Researchers at Georgia Tech Research Institute developed a system to measure high-energy laser beam power and spatial energy distribution. The reusable target board and beam diagnostic system enables simultaneous measurement of power and energy distribution, optimizing lasers for national security.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that probabilistic models are as effective as physician reviews in establishing cause of death from verbal autopsy data. The models were more internally consistent and faster, with no differences in public health policy conclusions. This approach is recommended for incorporating death data into ...
Most hospitals surveyed have adopted hand-hygiene practices to prevent MRSA spread. The study found that nearly all hospitals review antimicrobial prescription orders to reduce bacterial resistance.
A new study explores the impact of alcohol intoxication on reasoning and problem-solving abilities. Researchers found that executive functions don't recover as quickly as subjective feelings of drunkenness, explaining why many individuals feel they can drive after drinking.
A Mediterranean diet high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to reduce the damaging effects of UV rays on the skin. Foods such as olive oil, fish, fruits and vegetables can provide essential nutrients to protect against skin cancer, while regular sunscreen applications and protective clothing are also crucial.
The Virginia Bioinformatics Institute's COPASI software package has been made open source, allowing global access and use. The new license agreement enables commercial users to freely use the software, while also enhancing its compatibility with other academic programs.
A study of 140 overweight children found that those with signs of poor blood sugar regulation had less bone mass, a measure of bone strength. Higher abdominal fat was linked to lower bone mass and more body fat overall was associated with higher bone mass.
The new atlas identifies areas with urgent need for mass treatment and predicts infection risk in data-lacking areas. The Global Atlas of Helminth Infections aims to improve sanitation and health education to control worm infections.
A new study by NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center researchers found that the birth control pill works equally well in women with obesity and thinner women. The study's findings strengthen the message to patients that the pill will only work if it is taken every day.
A study of over 13,000 students found that only children were selected as friends by their peers just as often as those with siblings. The researchers suggest that children learn essential social skills through interactions in school and extracurricular activities.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that the University of Michigan's full disclosure program for medical errors resulted in a significant decrease in new claims, time to resolution, and liability costs. This improvement in transparency and compensation led to reduced malpractice costs and enhanced patient safety.
Researchers found that fields amended with poultry litter can accumulate significant levels of arsenic, which can then migrate into nearby streams and rivers. The study highlights the importance of controlling point sources of arsenic and suggests management practices to protect local regions from agricultural pollutants.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center discovered that the MDM2 oncogene is regulated by a complex signaling pathway involving enzymes CKI and beta-TRCP1. This finding suggests a 'dimmer switch' control mechanism, which could lead to new drug targets for killing tumors.
Researchers at Rice University are developing a genomic test that can quickly determine whether a disease outbreak is caused by a natural pathogen or one engineered in a lab. By studying how bacteria evolve in the lab, they hope to find common patterns that indicate domestication.
Researchers found that human behavior adapts to varying levels of uncertainty, trading off between input and output. This study demonstrates the existence of input-output trade-offs in human information processing.
Researchers find that increasing Antarctic sea ice extent is due to stabilization of the upper ocean by increased precipitation, which reduces melting from both above and below. Climate models predict faster melting in the future, leading to a potential decrease in sea ice extent.
A new study published in The Journal of General Physiology reveals that HCN channels play a crucial role in regulating heart rate during stress. The research provides insight into the mechanisms behind the 'flight-or-fight' response, offering new understanding of this complex physiological process.
A new study by Berkeley Lab researchers reveals that ozone can react with nicotine in secondhand smoke to form ultrafine particles, a potential threat to asthma sufferers. These particles become major components of thirdhand smoke and can carry and deposit harmful organic chemicals deep into the lower respiratory tract.
A new device can transmit American Sign Language over US cellular networks, allowing for fast and reliable communication. The tool has been tested by deaf and hard-of-hearing students, who found it to be a game-changer for their daily lives.
The Kavli Prize Science Forum brings together influential science policy figures to discuss the role of international cooperation in addressing global challenges. The event aims to facilitate high-level discussion on major topics in science and science policy, with a focus on balancing cooperation and competition.
Health risks from Gulf Coast oil spill include toxic vapors, oil slicks, tar balls, and contaminated seafood posing respiratory problems, skin irritation, mental health concerns, and neurological impairment. The risk factors are improving as the oil leak has been stopped.
A new study finds that presidential election outcomes directly influence suicide rates among voters. In states where the majority supported the winner, suicide rates decreased, but more dramatically in states where the majority supported the loser, with a 4.6% lower rate for males and 5.3% for females.
A University of Gothenburg study reveals that involuntary childlessness has a significant negative impact on quality-of-life and wellbeing for both men and women who have undergone failed IVF treatment. Men often feel frustrated by unknown causes of infertility, while women experience bereavement-like emotions.
A study by the University of Houston team suggests that higher exposure to estrogens may be connected to gallbladder cancer. The research found that eliminating estrogens prevents tumor development in a specific animal model, leading to potential new drugs and understanding individual risks.
Researchers demonstrate that rationally guided human adult stem cells can effectively heal, repair, and regenerate damaged heart tissue. The study shows improved heart function recovery, reduced scars, and increased survival rate in mouse models with heart failure.
A diagnostic test of eight short questions can detect depressive thinking patterns in women who care for an adult family member with a serious mental illness. The test has been found valid in different groups and cultures, and its successful completion can lead to prevention of serious depressive illness.
A recent study published in Psychological Science discovered that individuals who face restrictions on emigration tend to rationalize their country's system and justify its flaws. This reaction is linked to feelings of system inescapability, particularly among those experiencing poverty.
Researchers discovered that galectin-3 promotes angiogenesis by binding to specific cell-adhesion proteins, suggesting potential therapeutic targets. Targeting the protein with inhibitors significantly reduced angiogenesis in mice, offering new approaches for treating diseases caused by excessive blood vessel growth.
Researchers found that only a subset of pre-transplant HCV viruses can infect the new liver, with these viruses having mutations in their surface protein that evade the immune response. This discovery may lead to new ways to prevent reinfection after liver transplant.
Research at LSU Health Sciences Center found that vitamin D can reduce allergic responses to Aspergillus fumigatus, a common mold that causes severe allergic symptoms in asthmatics and Cystic Fibrosis patients. Vitamin D also increased production of proteins promoting tolerance.
Dysphagia is associated with a poorer prognosis, increased risk of death and prolonged hospital stays among hospitalized patients. The condition can lead to aspiration pneumonia, which may precipitate a significant decline in patient outcome.
Researchers at Indiana University found that terminology and framing efforts had no effect on public opinion concerning the ongoing debate over legalizing same-sex marriage. Beliefs and values held sway, not rhetoric or word choice, according to the study.
A recent study found that narrowband UV-B treatment can increase serum levels of vitamin D in patients with psoriasis while clearing the condition. The study also showed significant improvements in psoriasis severity scores and dermatology-related quality of life.
Research by Elizabeth Sweeney examines how biomedical tests diagnose and define pain, leading to emotional suffering for patients with unexplained conditions. The study analyzes over 20 articles from the journal Pain®, highlighting challenges in diagnosing chronic pain.
A recent study by Michigan State University psychologist Jennifer Watling Neal found that the difference in peer group sizes between boys and girls disappears by the eighth grade. As children get older, their interactions with members of the opposite sex increase, leading to more similar-sized peer groups for both genders.
Recent climate change causes blue mussels to shrink their range from North Carolina to Delaware due to rising temperatures. As a result, populations north of the new limit experience higher mortality rates.
A team of researchers at the University of Washington has developed a method for rapid and cost-effective DNA sequencing using nanotechnology, paving the way for personalized medicine. The new technique has the potential to provide detailed genetic information for specific conditions and diseases.
A $1 million grant from the University of California, Riverside Extension will provide $30,000 professional development grants for teachers in Riverside, Orange, San Diego, and Imperial counties. The grants aim to support sustained professional development, which is increasingly difficult due to budget cuts by California school districts.
This article explores various geological phenomena, including the origin of rhyolites from South Mountain, Pennsylvania, growth faults in the Kaiparowits Basin, Utah, and extension of the Anaconda metamorphic core complex. The studies provide new information on volcanic magmas, tectonic deformation, and Earth's crust behavior.
Researchers discovered that microRNAs primarily disable mRNA templates to control protein production. This allows for easier study of gene targets through mRNA levels rather than protein levels.
Researchers at VCU Massey Cancer Center have discovered a new link between chronic inflammation and cancer, highlighting the importance of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in regulating inflammation. S1P is found to be a missing cofactor required for TRAF2's activity, which controls inflammation and cancer.
A study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that reminder systems encouraging prompt removal of urinary catheters reduced CAUTIs by 52%. The researchers suggest that low-cost interventions like nurse-empowered catheter stop orders could be effective in reducing infections. Hospitals can implement these strategies to improve...
A study by Indiana University researchers found that beliefs and values held sway over rhetoric in the debate about legalizing same-sex marriage. The findings suggest that framing efforts may have limited impact on public opinion, while emphasizing the importance of addressing key issues related to same-sex families.
A new study finds that young adolescents with delinquency problems are more likely to develop long-term crime, alcohol use disorders, and risky sex behaviors. Early intervention among disadvantaged youth may help prevent these outcomes.
A team of researchers has developed an approach to repairing spinal cord injuries using manipulated neural stem cells. In a mouse model, the cells were combined with valproic acid and resulted in impressive restoration of hind limb function. Further work is needed to determine if this approach can be used in human patients.
Regular beer consumption is linked to an increased risk of developing psoriasis. Non-light beer drinkers have a higher risk compared to those who don't drink beer or consume light beer.
A new study by Cornell University Ph.D. candidate Christin Munsch found that men who are economically dependent on their female partners are five times more likely to cheat than those who contribute equally. In contrast, women who rely financially on their male partners are less likely to engage in infidelity.
Neural stem cells can repair damaged spinal cords by promoting nerve cell generation, restoring hind limb function in mice. Vitamin D may help prevent allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in cystic fibrosis patients.
Research suggests SSRIs affect more than one cellular process, including phospholipid membranes and vesicle trafficking, in yeast cells. This discovery could lead to new therapies and explain why different people respond differently to the same medication.