Researchers found that value-based insurance design (VBID) can increase benefits from healthcare without increasing costs. By waiving consumer payments for highly effective treatments and raising them for less effective ones, VBID could provide a substantial improvement in health outcomes and reduce the number of uninsured individuals.
A new study found that women overwhelmingly choose to read true stories about serial killings and random murders, whereas men are more likely to choose books about war or gang violence. Women prefer true crime stories over violent nonfiction because they provide information that could help them avoid potential attackers.
A University of Pennsylvania-led study found that mindfulness training improved mood and working memory in high-stress US Marines. The more time participants spent practicing daily mindfulness exercises, the better their mood and working memory became.
A Johns Hopkins researcher warns that medical safety checklists are no magic wand and require a culture change to be effective. Checklists can work in certain situations, such as central-line infection prevention, but over-reliance on them can lead to distractions and errors.
Researchers at Children's Hospital will engineer human cells into new tissues to treat blood diseases, cancer, and other disorders. Two NIH grants focus on developing embryonic stem cells for platelet supplies and induced pluripotent stem cells for custom-tissue production.
May R. Berenbaum, a renowned entomologist, has been awarded the AAAS Public Understanding of Science and Technology Award for her extraordinary ability to integrate scientific discovery with public outreach. Her work has had a significant impact on fields such as chemical ecology, agriculture, and environmental conservation.
A systematic review found that neonatal and infant circumcision is relatively safe, with minor adverse events common but severe complications rare. The risk of complications increases with inexperienced providers or inadequate equipment, highlighting the need for improved training and safety measures.
Researchers found a new genetic risk factor, TMEM106B, associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration, a subtype of early-onset dementia. The study suggests that alterations in this protein may contribute to the development of FTLD.
Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have created a low-cost, fast, and accurate DNA test that can identify a person's risk of developing certain inherited diseases. The technology uses chemical analysis and can analyze DNA in a saliva sample, potentially leading to improved personal diagnosis and prompt treatment.
Diola Bagayoko, a Southern University professor, received the 2009 AAAS Lifetime Mentor Award for increasing African-American Ph.D. degrees in physics and chemistry. He has mentored 21 undergraduate students to receive Ph.D.s in these fields through his Timbuktu Academy.
A study by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that sleepiness at the wheel and poor sleep quality significantly increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents in adolescents. The study suggests that education programs targeting improving sleep habits are essential for reducing this risk.
A new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that HPV vaccination benefits decline with age and frequent screening for women over 41 is likely to be low. The study suggests that newly detected HPV infections do not progress to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse, regardless of age.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center discover a compound found in feverfew may block pro-survival signals in breast cancer cells resistant to tamoxifen. This finding provides insight into the biological roots of resistance and tests a novel way to overcome it.
Researchers mapped chicken retinas, discovering a complex pattern of color receptors that maximizes their ability to see colors. This superior vision may help birds find mates and feed on colorful fruit, and could lead to insights into treating human genetic disorders.
New analyses confirm that combination hormone therapy increases the risk of heart disease in healthy postmenopausal women, particularly those who begin therapy within 10 years of menopause. The risk is more pronounced among women who start therapy 10 years or more after menopause.
In this study, researchers discovered autoantibodies that target the natural protein Trib2 in narcolepsy patients with cataplexy, indicating that narcolepsy may be an autoimmune disorder. Additionally, a team of researchers identified a potential therapeutic target for neuroblastoma by studying human neuroblastoma cells and mice.
A study of 56 patients who underwent revisional bariatric surgery found a higher risk of complications compared to the initial procedure. Patients experienced significant weight loss and resolution of nutritional complications, but also faced serious issues like internal leakage and pneumonia.
Helene Muller-Landau's tolerance-fecundity model reveals why different species make strikingly different reproductive choices. The model suggests that varying levels of stress favor different strategies.
A study found that racial and ethnic disparities exist in surgical care, with minority patients facing lower volumes of procedures at higher-quality facilities. White patients were more frequently treated by high-volume surgeons and at high-volume facilities than their minority counterparts.
Dr. Nancy Olivieri, a professor at the University of Toronto, was honored with the 2009 AAAS Scientific Freedom and Responsibility Award for her courage in defending patient safety and research integrity. She faced severe consequences after reporting potential life-threatening side effects of a medication during a clinical trial.
Researchers achieve temperature of about 4 trillion degrees Celsius, hotter than the center of the Sun, creating a freely flowing liquid composed of quarks and gluons. This 'quark-gluon plasma' is similar to the substance that filled the universe after its birth 13.7 billion years ago.
Researchers found that patients who walked at least two bouts of 1500 steps each on three days a week reported significantly less arthritis pain and improved physical function. Glucosamine sulphate supplementation also showed benefits, with both groups achieving significant improvement in symptoms.
Researchers found that La Vanguardia newspaper devoted more headlines to forest fires and droughts than floods, despite floods being more frequent and damaging. The study created a database of natural hazards allowing users to search for meteorological phenomena.
Researchers found that pipe and cigar smoking is associated with decrements in lung function consistent with obstructive lung disease. HRT use also increases the risk of coronary heart disease, even after six years.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered that a simple urine test for four proteins might be able to detect early kidney disease in people with lupus. The findings suggest the tests could pinpoint kidney disease better than existing tests, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment.
UCSF researchers identified a protein called B1N1 that helps the heart contract. This discovery sheds light on how individual heart cells organize to pump blood through the body.
The zone-plate array optical detection system can analyze nearly 200,000 droplets per second and is scalable and reusable. This technology integrates high performance optics with microfluidics to enhance lab-on-a-chip devices, making them more practical for disease detection and environmental sensing.
The AAAS/Subaru Science Books & Film (SB&F) competition recognizes authors who convey the excitement of science, fostering scientific literacy in readers of all ages. The 2009 winners included books on photosynthesis, microbes, and a real-life amphibian scientist.
Researchers identified a molecular repair pathway that involves white blood cells called macrophages responding to tissue injury by producing Wnt7b, leading to tissue regeneration and repair in injured kidneys. The study suggests the pathway may be important for tissue repair in other organs.
Researchers report the first hints of profound symmetry transformations in quarks and gluons produced in RHIC's most energetic collisions. The new results suggest that 'bubbles' formed within this hot soup may internally disobey mirror symmetry, a fundamental rule governing interactions of quarks and gluons.
A preliminary study suggests that botulinum toxin type A injections can reduce migraine frequency in patients with crushing and ocular headaches, but not those with exploding headaches. The treatment reduced migraine frequency from an average of 6.8 to 0.7 days per month.
A study published in Sexually Transmitted Infections found that badly fitting condoms can lead to reduced sexual pleasure for both partners. Researchers surveyed 436 men who reported using poorly fitting condoms, finding a significant link between poor fit and increased rates of breakage, slippage, and penile irritation.
A new anode material made from titanium Nanonets coated with silicon particles demonstrates higher speed, capacity and longevity. The material shows a charge/re-charge rate five to 10 times greater than typical Lithium-ion anode materials.
A new study identifies autoantibodies targeting Trib2 protein in narcolepsy patients with cataplexy, supporting the theory that narcolepsy is an autoimmune disorder. Elevated levels of these antibodies were found in narcolepsy patients, furthering research on the underlying causes of the condition.
Katepalli R. Sreenivasan, immediate past director of the International Centre for Theoretical Physics, has been recognized by AAAS for his role in promoting cutting-edge science globally. He was awarded the 2009 AAAS International Scientific Cooperation Award for mentoring students and young scholars from developing countries.
Researchers discovered diverse corals harboring unusual, thermally tolerant algae species in the Andaman Sea. These findings suggest some coral reefs may persist despite future global warming.
Researchers at Vanderbilt and Yale universities have successfully transplanted most of the mosquito's 'nose' into frog eggs and fruit flies. The goal is to develop novel ways to inhibit the spread of malaria by targeting specific olfactory receptors.
Researchers have identified NT-3 and its binding molecule TrkC as potential therapeutic targets for treating neuroblastoma. The study found that blocking the interaction between NT-3 and TrkC inhibited tumor growth and metastasis in animal models.
A new study finds that induced pluripotent stem cells differentiate less efficiently and faithfully than embryonic stem cells, which are considered the 'gold standard' for all pluripotent stem cells. Despite their limitations, induced stem cells can still be used for certain applications, such as testing potential new drugs.
Researchers developed peptide vaccines that stimulate T cells to attack cancer cells in mice, achieving 100% tumor-free survival for at least 60 days. The successful vaccines stimulated T cells recognizing both the peptide vaccine and natural antigens, producing a large population of activated T cells.
The development of guidelines for better reporting of health research is crucial for understanding study importance and accuracy. The authors, key developers of several important guidelines, have created a substantial new resource to promote better reporting.
A Purdue University study found that inserting a human protein important in cancer development into plants revived dying plants, showing an evolutionary link between the two species. The discovery could advance understanding of this class of proteins and offer new options for studying their function in humans.
Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute have discovered that stem cells intentionally break and repair their own DNA as a mechanism of activating genes that promote tissue development. This novel process, crucial for muscle tissue development, may also be important for the development of most other tissues.
A study by University of California, Berkeley scientists found that California's coastal fog has decreased significantly over the past 100 years, from 56% to 42%, due to a decline in the coast-inland temperature gradient. This change may lead to drought-stress for redwood ecosystems and potentially impact recruitment of new trees.
Researchers developed a simple and inexpensive device to measure reaction time, which showed slower reaction times after concussions. The test was found to be effective in determining readiness to return to play for Division I college athletes.
Astronomers have found that typical galaxies still hold sufficient quantities of gas and dust for star formation, but their efficiency has slowed down over cosmic time. This means that present-day galaxies form fewer stars due to a decrease in gas and dust supplies rather than a change in their ability to make stars.
A recent study found that infants with positional plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) had lower scores than typical infants in observational tests of cognitive and motor development. This suggests that babies with flat head syndrome should be screened early for possible motor and cognitive delays.
Researchers at the University of Washington studied brain signals in eight patients awaiting epilepsy surgery, finding that imagined movements can strengthen brain activity. After less than 10 minutes of practice, brain signals from imagined movement became significantly stronger than when actually performing the physical motion.
Two research teams from McGill University Health Centre and McGill University will analyze the effects of brominated flame retardants and phthalates on human reproduction. The five-year study aims to understand the mechanisms underlying these substances' toxicity and their potential impact on future generations.
Scientists have visualized a donut-shaped structure of an enzyme involved in degrading proline, a key amino acid in metabolism. This discovery will aid in understanding the enzyme's function and developing drugs to inhibit its activity.
Current tobacco users with HPV-positive tumors are five times more likely to experience cancer recurrence than non-users. Researchers suggest that current or former tobacco users may need a more aggressive treatment regimen.
A third of seniors over 65 wait too long for lifesaving kidney transplants because their doctors don't list them for organs suitable for younger patients but not for themselves. Older adults have shorter life spans than younger recipients, but accepting older kidneys can increase survival rates.
The study found that more specialized hospitals had better outcomes for patients undergoing hip and knee replacement surgery, with fewer serious complications and deaths. Hospitals that performed a higher volume of orthopedic surgeries were categorized as more specialized.
Researchers at Iowa State University have won a total of $16.38 million in federal grants from agencies such as the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. These grants support research projects focused on advanced biofuel production, public health intervention programs, and scientific research.
A new study by Oregon State University researchers concludes that free trade reforms have caused declining food production and increased poverty in African nations. The reforms, which began in the mid-1980s, eliminated critical support systems for poor farmers, leading to food riots and a hunger crisis.
Luis Colón, a University at Buffalo chemistry professor, received the 2009 AAAS Mentor Award for his efforts to recruit and mentor Hispanic-American students in chemistry. His initiatives led to an increase in Ph.D. degrees awarded to Hispanic-Americans in chemistry.
A team of researchers at Kansas State University has identified genes in mosquito blood cells whose expression changes with malaria infection. Understanding these genes could help develop new prevention strategies for the disease. The study sheds light on the mosquito's immune system and its ability to defend against parasites.
A team of researchers at the University of Illinois has discovered a potent inhibitor for malaria parasites and disease-causing bacteria, including tuberculosis. The compound, PPP, is 1,000 times more potent than previous inhibitors and targets an enzyme called IspH, which promotes the synthesis of essential compounds.
According to a study published in Archives of Dermatology, regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is not associated with an increased risk of squamous cell skin cancer. The study found that NSAID users were not at a higher risk for squamous cell carcinoma regardless of duration or dose.
Clive Svendsen's team develops specifically-engineered stem cells that stall nerve cell degeneration in ALS patients. The award will fund novel ex vivo gene therapy approaches to treat the disease.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a system using gold nanoparticles that can kill cancer cells by targeting their nuclei, preventing cell division and inducing apoptosis. This breakthrough offers a promising treatment for cancers in areas inaccessible to traditional laser-based therapies.
Three young scientists will receive financial support to attend the AAAS Annual Meeting to present their research on topics including a science teaching strategy, HIV medication synthesis, and DNA integrity analysis. The award aims to help them attain careers in their chosen fields.
Chemists at Max Planck Institute develop enzyme that converts diverse molecules enantioselectively, producing desired biological activity. By modifying amino acids distant from the reaction site, they create an optimized catalyst with improved efficiency and selectivity.
Gold and silver nanowires can form strong bonds without the need for heat, a breakthrough that could simplify the creation of high-density electronic devices. The discovery was made by Rice University researchers who observed the self-healing process under an electron microscope.
Using hydrogels to deliver small interfering RNA (siRNA) into cancer cells has been shown to effectively target and kill them. The technique inhibits EGFR growth, increasing programmed cell death and enhancing the effects of traditional chemotherapy.
Researchers investigated Norwegian Red cattle's performance and health in free-stall and tie-stall systems. Free-stall cows in small herds produced significantly less milk due to increased fighting time, while larger herds offset this loss.
A new multi-targeted treatment regimen combining chemotherapy and targeted drugs improves progression-free survival and tumour response in patients with metastatic renal-cell carcinoma. The study found a clinical benefit rate of over 90% with manageable side effects.
A new study reveals that chromatin proteins defective in RTT, CdLS, and ATR-X syndromes are associated with each other and regulate imprinted genes. This cooperation may explain similarities between the associated human syndromes.
A new study confirms that single-dose nevirapine can lead to HIV treatment failure in women, but only if they start full antiretroviral therapy within a year after the dose. The risk of failure decreases significantly after 12 months.
Francis S. Collins, M.D., has been selected to receive the 2009 AAAS Philip Hauge Abelson Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to science. He is recognized for his exceptional skills as a scientist, communicator, and leader, as well as his pioneering work on the Human Genome Project.
Researchers at OHSU have discovered a mechanism that detects and destroys faulty G-protein coupled receptors, which can cause disease. The discovery increases understanding of how these receptors work and will lead to better therapeutic development.
Bone-anchored hearing aids significantly improved scores on both hearing tests and questionnaires for children with single-sided deafness. The complication rate was 17%, but the treatment has been shown to be beneficial in counseling children and their families regarding treatment options.
Researchers analyzed data from over 30,000 participants to investigate the genetic basis of tinnitus. The study found low correlations between family members and no strong evidence of inherited tinnitus.
Indiana University researchers have identified a mechanism used by the tuberculosis bacterium to evade the body's immune system and discovered a compound that can block its survival. The IU team synthesized the compound I-A09, which successfully blocked the TB bacterium's activity in laboratory tests.
Researchers found daclizumab, a monoclonal antibody, can reduce new lesion formation in relapsing multiple sclerosis compared to standard interferon beta treatment. The study suggests expanding regulatory CD56bright natural killer cells may play a key role in daclizumab's effects.
Experts say altitude affects athletes' times due to less oxygen delivery to muscles and reduced air density, impacting speed skating, ski jumping, and skiing events. Athletes need time to adjust to changes in projectile motion and breathing at high altitudes.
The 2009 AAAS Newcomb Cleveland Prize was awarded to Christian Marois and colleagues for their direct imaging of multiple planets orbiting HR 8799, a distant star. The discovery, made using the Keck and Gemini North telescopes, reveals a system resembling our solar system's outer portion.
Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer Science has joined the Open Cirrus test bed, a global open-source initiative for cloud computing research and education. The new facility will provide additional resources for researchers worldwide, enabling them to explore new applications and innovations in Internet-scale computing.
Researchers found that 18% of people with an initial stroke had a recurrent stroke within four years, and the risk of recurrence rose steadily after one year. The study highlights the need for better secondary stroke prevention strategies to reduce mortality and morbidity rates.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) significantly decreases the frequency of nightmare recall. The study involved 393 patients with high-frequency severe OSA and reported a decline in frequent nightmare recall as sleep apnea severity increased.