A new study published in The Lancet found that combination therapy does not improve overall or progression-free survival compared to single therapy for renal cell carcinoma. However, the combined regimen may still benefit a small number of patients by producing long remissions.
Cornel Sultan's research aims to develop new controllable structures with 'tensional integrity' using insights from cell biology. This could lead to improvements in tissue and organ reconstruction, energy harvesting and robotics applications.
Smallholder mixed farmers, who feed most of the world's poor people, are neglected by aid and policies. The authors urge wealthy countries to support small-scale farming systems that combine crop and livestock production, which can increase food production sustainably.
A Review of hot weather health effects highlights the need for more awareness on how certain drugs are affected by heat. The authors also question commonly given advice, such as avoiding alcohol consumption, and emphasize the importance of gradual acclimatisation for elderly individuals to build up their physiological defences.
Researchers found that sub-lethal doses of antibiotics trigger DNA mutations, producing germs resistant to multiple drugs. The study highlights the dangers of incomplete antibiotic treatment and calls for stricter regulations on its use.
A new study from Northwestern University has found that people with fragile X syndrome experience delayed development of the sensory cortex, leading to problems with brain wiring and tactile defensiveness. This delay may trigger a domino effect, causing further symptoms such as social withdrawal, hyperarousal, and anxiety.
A clinical trial is underway to determine if infusing stem cells from umbilical cord blood can improve the lives of children with cerebral palsy. The study will include 40 children aged 2-12, who will receive either a real or placebo infusion of cord blood.
Researchers have proven that subneutralizing levels of dengue virus antibodies exacerbate the disease, contradicting the normal function of antibodies. This finding has major implications for developing a vaccine against dengue virus, which annually infects 50-100 million people worldwide.
A new study published in Clinical Pediatrics suggests that childhood obesity often starts before two years of age, with some children gaining weight as early as three months old. The research recommends starting healthy eating habits and weight loss programs for children as early as infancy to prevent obesity-related complications.
Scientists have discovered a new gene, TSPAN12, that is faulty in patients with Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy (FEVR), a type of inherited blindness. The research found that mutations in this gene can cause FEVR by disrupting blood vessel development in the retina.
A Michigan State University researcher is creating a support intervention to help women in treatment for breast cancer identify effective alternative therapies. The study found that 57% of women use complementary and alternative medicines, and those who are sicker are more likely to use multiple therapies.
Researchers at Rice University developed an amplitude gating technique to improve PET/CT scanner efficiency. The method uses a flexible chest band to record breathing cycles during CT scans, creating sharper images with better tumor detection accuracy.
The world's population is projected to reach 9 billion by 2050, with a significant decline in crop yields due to rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns. To address this challenge, scientists are advocating for innovative agricultural systems that reduce land, energy, and water usage while minimizing pollution.
A team of mathematicians from Complutense University of Madrid develops a computer application to estimate the magnitude of natural disasters, providing useful information for NGOs. They also present an on-site humanitarian aid distribution model that could have been applied in the recent Haiti earthquake.
Researchers have developed a new material that can capture heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions using a synthetic DNA-like crystal. The discovery could lead to cleaner energy and potentially create materials that convert carbon dioxide into fuel.
A novel anti-cancer drug has been developed by binding to a molecular switch found in cancer cells and blood vessels, keeping it in the 'off' position. The new approach uses scaffold-based chemistry and supercomputer technology to identify potential drug candidates that can halt tumor growth.
To address global food security challenges, researchers recommend embracing agricultural biotechnology, aquaculture, and crop breeding to improve yields in dry areas. They also suggest using nitrogen more efficiently to reduce water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers developed a pilot program to integrate hands-on learning activities into routine lab work for undergraduate students. The program increased participants' interest in sustainable agriculture and found that farm visits were most important in making lab work meaningful.
A team of chemists at the University of New Hampshire has synthesized a stable derivative of nonacene, a compound with promising semiconductor properties. The new molecule is made possible by adding arylthio functional groups, which enhance its stability and solubility.
A recent study by an international working group of economists, marine scientists, and seafood experts emphasizes the need for sustainable fisheries to ensure global food security. The researchers highlight the complex environmental, political, and economic factors threatening global seafood supplies and livelihoods.
A University of Missouri researcher found a correlation between increased voter turnout in school board elections and state assessment scores. However, candidate competition and graduation rates have a negative correlation, suggesting low levels of citizen involvement in the education community.
Researchers have found evidence of a 1-meter high sea level stand around 81,000 years ago, contradicting previous estimates of low levels. This finding highlights the importance of natural sea level fluctuations and their potential impact on coastal populations.
A team of scientists is researching self-cannibalizing cancer cells to develop new therapies. Cancer cells can stop proliferating and consume themselves when stressed, allowing them to survive enormous amounts of stress.
Researchers found that individuals with multiple social connections, or hub nodes, are more likely to vaccinate themselves and contain the spread of epidemics. This voluntary vaccination method can lead to periodic outbreaks, but ultimately settle into a stable state due to the majority of individuals choosing vaccination.
A study by Texas A&M University researchers found that the internal daily clock of a tiny fruit fly influences its feeding behaviors, which may have implications for human eating habits and weight management. The flies' sensitivity to food varies with the time of day, with higher sensitivity to sugar during the day and lower at night.
A new study published in Sleep Medicine shows that cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia significantly improved sleep for patients with chronic neck or back pain. The treatment, delivered by nurse therapists, also reduced the extent to which pain interfered with daily functioning.
The COMICE study found that adding MRI to conventional triple assessment for breast cancer diagnosis had no impact on reoperation rates. Despite this, the study suggests that routine use of MRI in this population may not reduce health outcomes or costs, but rather increase them. The results have implications for healthcare providers an...
Researchers identified specific mutations that enable a common plant virus to infect new species, shedding light on the viral-host interface. The study's findings could inform strategies for breeding resistant crops and understanding animal disease emergence.
The Transport and Environment – Science Technology (TEST) Network aims to strengthen scientific and technological support for sustainable transport policies in Sub-Saharan Africa. The three-year project will enhance research capacity, share knowledge, and improve road safety, air pollution, and traffic congestion.
A new screening system for hepatitis C has been developed by Texas A&M University researchers, allowing for the study of all aspects of the virus's life cycle. The system enables the discovery of small, low-cost molecules that block the HCV life cycle, which could lead to more effective and affordable therapies.
Researchers identified critical phases in brain development that may be mistimed in people with Fragile X Syndrome, a leading known cause of autism. The study found these changes occur midway through a baby's development in the womb, which could inform the timing of effective treatments.
A Scripps-led study found that extremely long waves originating along Pacific coasts may destabilize Antarctic ice shelves. The researchers propose that infragravity waves could initiate ice shelf collapse by opening crevasses and reducing ice integrity.
A study found that parents of children with asthma often recognize signs of an impending attack but delay treatment, leading to missed opportunities for early intervention. Researchers suggest that education and awareness can help parents identify early warning signs and take action sooner.
Researchers from the University of Innsbruck have identified a primitive cancer gene in a fresh water polyp, revealing similar biochemical functions to those found in humans. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of cancer and its relationship to stem cells.
A study analyzing three studies on chocolate and stroke found that eating chocolate may reduce stroke risk by up to 46% and lower the risk of death after suffering a stroke. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings.
Researchers found tiny single-celled creatures called foraminifera living in the Challenger Deep build their homes using material that sinks down from near the ocean surface. The discovery challenges previous assumptions about the environment and composition of agglutinated foraminifera tests.
Researchers have discovered the bacterial protein VpsT as the key player in biofilm formation by Vibrio bacteria. This breakthrough provides new opportunities to disrupt biofilm creation and combat enteric disease, with potential applications for therapeutic interventions.
A Johns Hopkins Hospital campaign made seasonal flu vaccinations free and convenient, resulting in a double national average vaccine rate of 71.3% among staff. The hospital's policy requiring employees to wear face masks if not vaccinated also encouraged vaccination.
Physicists at JILA have observed chemical reactions near absolute zero, demonstrating that chemistry is possible at ultralow temperatures. By controlling ultracold molecules' internal states and molecular motions, scientists can study how the molecules scatter or interact with each other quantum mechanically.
Researchers at Queen's University suggest examining GHG emissions implications for energy infrastructure to optimize greenhouse gas emission reductions. They propose using dynamic life-cycle analyses to determine carbon-neutral growth rates, which could help policy makers restructure renewable energy production.
A retrospective study of Red Cross donor and hospital data found that patients receiving female-donor plasma had better lung function, reduced risk of death within 30 days of surgery, and longer hospital stays compared to those who received male-donor plasma.
A biologist at UC San Diego discovered a 'stop' signal in honey bee communication that warns nest mates about dangers. The signal reduces recruitment to dangerous food patches and is an example of negative feedback in superorganisms.
The Marmot Review advocates for proportionate universalism to address health inequalities, emphasizing fairness and social justice. By reducing health disparities, England could gain up to 2.5 million extra years of life, highlighting the importance of addressing socio-economic inequalities.
Researchers at GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research developed an ion trap device that measures atomic mass with unprecedented accuracy, enabling the discovery of long-lived elements on islands of stability. The team successfully trapped atoms of element 102, nobelium, and measured its atomic mass with a 0.000005% uncertainty.
A new chemical compound has been discovered that may help treat and prevent diastolic heart failure, a condition where the heart is unable to relax after contraction. The research found that adding tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) to blood vessels can restore function to the heart and prevent the disease from developing.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology developed a single-step process to produce both n-type and p-type doping of large-area graphene surfaces. The technique uses commercially-available spin-on-glass material and electron-beam radiation, providing precise control over the amount of radiation applied.
A randomized multicenter study of 190 patients shows stent grafts are more effective in treating blocked access in kidney failure patients undergoing dialysis. The study found nearly 51% of dialysis accesses remained open at six months with stent grafts, compared to just 23% with balloon angioplasties.
A new model of ancient ocean chemistry suggests a stratified marine basin with oxygen-rich, sulfidic and ferruginous water layers. This discovery challenges traditional theories on early animal evolution and provides insights into the earliest life on Earth.
A University of Georgia study has found that monarch butterflies from long-distance migrating populations have evolved significantly larger and more elongated wings than their stationary cousins. This suggests that traits known to enhance flight ability in other migratory species are favored in these insects.
New data provides conclusive evidence that a link between the exploration well and the Lusi mud volcano was the trigger for the 2006 eruption. The scientists found five critical drilling errors that led to the disaster, including pulling the drill string out of an unstable hole without verifying a stable mud column.
A complex dietary supplement has been developed to offset ageing processes in mice by increasing energy supply and reducing free radicals. The formula maintains youthful levels of locomotor activity into old age, preventing key symptoms of ageing.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a versatile DNA reader that can distinguish between the four core chemical components of DNA. The device uses nanotechnology and scanning tunneling microscopes to detect unique electrical signatures from each base, enabling faster and cheaper genome sequencing.
Patients admitted to high-intensity end-of-life care hospitals live longer than those with low-intensity approaches, according to a University of Pittsburgh study. The researchers found a survival benefit up to 30 days post-admission, but this benefit decreased over time.
Researchers at Queen's University have developed a new calibration curve that extends radiocarbon dating back 50,000 years, providing valuable insights into human evolution and climate change. The INTCAL09 curve improves earlier parts of the calibration curve and will be used worldwide by archaeologists and earth scientists.