A new study from UT Southwestern Medical Center found that deaf children with cochlear implants report a similar quality of life to that of normal-hearing peers. The earlier a child is implanted and wears the device, the better their overall quality of life and school performance.
A research team led by Dr. Velusamy Rangasamy and Dr. Ajay Rana has identified a key protein that can serve as a target for estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer treatment. This finding could lead to the development of more targeted therapies to improve chemotherapy effectiveness.
Scientists are conducting three expeditions to Haiti to assess the potential threat of more large earthquakes and understand which segments of the fault ruptured during the Jan. 12 quake. The expeditions aim to collect valuable geologic evidence and provide insights to prepare communities for future hazards.
Researchers at the University of Western Ontario have identified a protective pathway in the brain that may help explain why symptoms of Huntington's disease appear later in life. This finding could lead to new treatments for the devastating genetic disorder, which is caused by cell death in specific brain regions.
Researchers found that African-Americans are more likely to hold fatalistic beliefs and be reluctant to seek medical attention for lung cancer symptoms. The study suggests that targeted public health messages are needed to address racial disparities in lung cancer treatment outcomes.
A study by Harvard University researchers reveals that changes in beak length and depth can explain the morphological diversity of Darwin's finches. The team used mathematical models and genetic analysis to show that scaling transformations, shear, and gene expression are key factors in shaping the birds' beaks.
A study published in Genome Research has identified 11 novel gene fusions and 12 cases of chimeric transcripts in melanoma tumors. These genomic alterations, including rearrangements of genes and altered protein function, may play a role in the disease.
Studies investigate various team configurations and dynamics in hospitals to improve patient care and safety. Researchers found that effective teamwork leads to reduced medical errors and improved patient satisfaction.
Professor Maxwell Boykoff warns that mass media amplifies extreme claims and presents them as equal to scientific data, distracting from critical issues. He argues that a more nuanced approach is needed to address climate change skepticism.
A new study published in Archives of Internal Medicine estimates that sepsis and pneumonia caused by hospital-acquired infections kill nearly 50,000 people each year, with healthcare costs totaling $8.1 billion in 2006. The conditions can be prevented with better infection control measures, reducing both deaths and healthcare expenses.
Researchers measured protein mobility in retinal rod photoreceptors and found delayed axial diffusion in each compartment compared to aqueous solution. This study sheds light on selective barriers imposed by sensory cilia.
A new Excel-based application, Spatio-Temporal Animal Reduction (S.T.A.R.), aims to optimize culling strategies for invasive species in Australia. The model was developed by ecologists at the University of Adelaide to improve the success of wildlife managers tasked with eradicating feral animals.
A new synthetic magnesium supplement has been found to improve memory in young and aging animals, increasing synapses in the brain. Existing over-the-counter magnesium supplements do not work as they fail to penetrate the blood-brain barrier.
Acute stroke care has improved significantly at hospitals participating in the Get With The Guidelines–Stroke program, with overall composite care improving from 72% to 93%. Hospital participation made a big impact on stroke death rates, reducing the risk-adjusted odds of in-hospital mortality by 10%.
A study by Garvan Institute of Medical Research reveals epigenetic changes in prostate cancer cells, silencing nearly 3% of the genome and targeting tumor suppressor genes, making treatment far more complex than imagined.
A study by a University of Michigan researcher found that treadmill training can help infants at risk for neuromotor delays walk on the same trajectory as normal children. The intervention reduced toe-walking in affected infants and showed a critical window for improvement between 10-18 months.
Researchers have identified a potential therapeutic target for brain cancer, the A20 protein, which is highly expressed in glioblastoma stem cells. Decreasing levels of A20 in these cells reduces their growth and induces cell death, increasing survival rates in animal models.
A special issue of NeuroRehabilitation presents a comprehensive review of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HI-BI), including neuropathophysiology, neuroimaging assessment, and management strategies. The issue highlights the challenges of treating HI-BI patients and provides insights into current research.
A study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that MRI accurately identified 28 malignant and 7 benign lesions, enabling accurate estimation of local disease extent in patients with malignant tumors. This noninvasive diagnostic tool may improve patient care by reducing unnecessary surgical procedures.
Researchers have discovered that aphids lack critical immune genes, instead relying on reproduction to protect themselves. This finding could lead to new methods for controlling these pests and better understanding human health.
A new survey finds that African Americans are more likely to hold misconceptions about lung cancer, which could interfere with prevention and treatment. The study suggests that tailored public health messages are needed to address these disparities.
Researchers report that black women are significantly more likely to develop peripartum cardiomyopathy, a potentially deadly weakening of the heart muscle around childbirth. The study found that African-American race was the most important predictor, with 93% of those who developed cardiomyopathy being black.
A University of Illinois marketing study found that companies emphasizing technology tend to generate fewer innovative products. In contrast, firms focusing on customer needs or competitors produce more new product suggestions, but these often lead to minor advances rather than breakthroughs.
Christine Aikens, a K-State assistant professor, received the National Science Foundation CAREER award to improve undergraduate laboratory experiences and conduct research on clean energy sources. Her work will focus on developing materials and processes that can split water into hydrogen and oxygen using light.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have found that disrupting the SDF-1/CXCR4 interaction can prevent the recruitment of vasculogenic cells to the tumor site, blocking postirradiation development of functional tumor vasculature and tumor regrowth. This approach may be applicable to treating glioblastoma multiforme.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that hospitals with lower costs did not necessarily compromise on the quality of care, but rather focused on improving efficiency. The researchers found that low-cost hospitals had comparable or slightly higher readmission rates compared to high-cost hospitals, while patients ini...
A recent study by North Carolina State University found that African-American assistant coaches in college football face challenges advancing in their careers due to the nature of their social connections. Building a diverse range of contacts rather than a close-knit network can improve job opportunities for black coaches.
GOES-P is the third and final spacecraft in the GOES N Series, continuously providing weather monitoring and forecast operations. The satellite will also help monitor solar conditions with its Solar X-Ray Imager instrument, improving forecasts for solar disturbances and protecting billions of dollars worth of assets.
A Stanford University study found that acupuncture significantly reduced depression symptoms in pregnant women. The treatment was associated with a 63% response rate, compared to 44% for other groups. The researchers hope to raise awareness of the problem and provide an alternative to antidepressants.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that blocking blood vessel formation prevents brain tumor recurrence in mice. Disrupting the SDF-1/CXCR4 interaction prevented tumor regrowth by abrogating functional tumor vasculature.
A new study published in Journal of Adolescent Health found that immigrant children from multiethnic, disadvantaged neighborhoods are up to 3.5 times more likely to smoke. The study highlights the need for intervention programs to prevent unhealthy behaviors among young immigrants.
Research at University College London found that genetic differences are responsible for the majority of variation in face recognition ability among individuals. Identical twins showed a stronger correlation in their face recognition skills compared to non-identical twins, indicating a significant role of shared genes.
A study published in Diabetes Care found that brain function slows in individuals with type-2 diabetes and high stress hormone cortisol levels. Higher cortisol levels have been associated with cognitive decline in this population.
The Global Report on Preterm & Stillbirth identifies known causes and 21 proven interventions to improve these outcomes. A new repository of tissue samples will contribute to global research, helping to understand the causes of preterm birth and stillbirth.
A key mechanism that makes certain brain cells become tumorous has been identified by researchers. The tumours occur most often spontaneously but can also be part of inherited disease Neurofibromatosis type 2.
Researchers identified a distributed neural system for general intelligence, with specific brain regions and connections linked to performance on various tests. The study's findings support an existing theory about intelligence as a whole-brain function, integrating different processing abilities such as working memory.
Rutgers University researchers have demonstrated a new security threat against smart phone users, showing how malware can eavesdrop on calls, track locations, and drain batteries. The study highlights the vulnerability of mobile operating systems to attacks similar to desktop computers.
A study found that 12% of Chinese children exposed to melamine-contaminated dairy products experienced kidney damage. The majority recovered, but long-term follow-up is needed to assess the impact on children's health.
A four-year project funded by the National Cancer Institute investigates the effect of food advertising on children's weight outcomes, separating it from TV watching time. The study found that 98% of child ads were for high-fat, sugar, or sodium foods.
A five-person team from the University of Washington assessed damage in Haiti after a magnitude-7 earthquake. The team found that much of the loss of human life could have been prevented by using earthquake-resistant designs and construction.
A new special issue of Oceanography presents groundbreaking research on seamounts, highlighting the importance of these underwater mountains for marine life and global ocean health. The study reveals devastating impacts from overfishing and habitat destruction, emphasizing the need for sustainable management practices.
Iowa State University researcher is developing a micro-algal platform to stack desirable traits in algae, leading to increased oil production and hydrocarbon conversion for more sustainable biofuels. The goal is to create a flexible source of biofuels with reduced environmental impact.
A team-based approach to intensive care units (ICUs) can improve patient outcomes even when specially trained intensivist physicians are not available. Studies have shown that multidisciplinary care teams, with or without an intensivist, result in a 16% reduction in the odds of death compared to single-specialist teams.
Researchers found a surprising connection between ancient caribou bones and a massive volcanic eruption that blanketed the region with ash 1,000 years ago. The study suggests that changes in local wildlife may have been linked to environmental changes caused by the eruption.
Researchers at Stanford University have discovered a way to prevent glioblastoma cells from growing back after radiation by blocking their access to oxygen and nutrients. The discovery, using the small molecule AMD3100, has shown promise in preventing tumor recurrence.
A survey of 381 US internal medicine residency program directors found that 61.9% report accepting pharmaceutical industry support, despite expressing it as undesirable. Acceptance was associated with lower rates of program graduates passing the American Board of Internal Medicine exam.
Physicians can deny patient requests for antidepressants using patient-centered approaches, such as exploring the context of the request and recommending alternative diagnoses. These strategies are associated with higher visit satisfaction rates.
A new study found that genetic interactions between avian H5N1 influenza and human seasonal influenza viruses can create hybrid strains with increased virulence. The researchers identified a key gene segment, PB2, which is responsible for the increased pathogenicity.
The seventeenth tropical depression formed in the South Pacific Ocean on February 21 and strengthened into Tropical Storm 17P by February 22. TS 17P has created 15 foot-high waves in open waters and is expected to track through the region, potentially impacting some land areas with gale winds.
A research program aimed at understanding malaria infection and developing effective treatments and vaccines has been awarded $12.7 million. The program will investigate the parasite's ability to evade the immune system and develop resistance to existing drugs.
A new automated cluster detection tool identified hospital infection clusters that were not detected by routine methods, providing valuable real-time guidance. However, the rate of T cell count drop was found not to be helpful in deciding when to start HIV treatment.
The article recommends a package of care for ADHD in low- and middle-income countries, including screening high-risk groups, psycho-educational interventions with caregivers, and behavioral interventions. The authors propose this approach to improve recognition and management of ADHD conditions.
Researchers found that adolescent brains are more sensitive to internal and environmental factors, leading to compulsive behavior. The study suggests that teenage impulsiveness and psychological disorders may stem from this susceptibility.
Researchers Ivette Perfecto and John Vandermeer argue that small family farms in tropical regions can provide a better way to meet both food production and biodiversity preservation goals. They propose an alternative model, the matrix quality model, which enables plants and animals to migrate between remaining forest fragments.
Research shows that eye position has no effect on speed and agility in mammals, with some species able to travel as fast as cheetahs without blurring vision. The vestibulo-ocular reflex is adapted through muscle switching, allowing the brain to cope with changing eye positions.
A new study found that typhoid fever bacteria form persistent communities on gallstones, making carriers particularly hard to treat. The infection is transmitted through fecal-oral contact and can lead to hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide each year.
Marine biologist Helen Nilsson Sköld and her colleagues found that the number of internal pigment cells is linked to transparency levels in fish. Plaice have a high number of internal pigment cells, but are not transparent, leading to a bewildering display of colour.
A new study found that testosterone deficiency after chemotherapy or radiation therapy affects male cancer survivors' quality of life and energy levels. Young male cancer survivors with low testosterone may benefit from replacement therapy.
A new study published in PLoS Biology found that absolute humidity is the underlying cause of seasonal influenza outbreaks. The researchers used 31 years of observed data to drive a mathematical model of influenza and found that the model simulations reproduced the observed seasonal cycle of influenza throughout the United States.
A new study reveals that chromatin regulatory proteins, Smc2 and Smc4, play a crucial role in maintaining genome stability in embryonic stem cells. The authors found that condensins promote mitotic progression and interphase chromatin compaction, leading to massive DNA damage and cell death when blocked in these cells.