Researchers at OU WaTER Center address global water dilemmas with focus on climate change, treatment and cleanup methods. The Center's work has impact in four areas: teaching, research, service, and international leadership.
A team of scientists finds that global warming is unlikely to expand the range of malaria due to effective control measures, urbanization and economic development. Malaria control efforts have reduced the disease's prevalence over the past century despite a global temperature rise.
The Dr. John A. McAdams Jr. Space Center is a unique educational/research facility designed to teach science, math, and technology to K-12 students. The center features state-of-the-art robotics, teleconference systems, and Internet2, aiming to increase STEM competitiveness in the US.
Researchers have identified a genetic link between the CISH gene and increased susceptibility to tuberculosis, malaria, and serious bacterial infections. The study found that a single genetic variant in the CISH gene increases disease risk by 18% compared to those without the variant.
Research at the University of Texas Medical Branch found that elderly people's muscles don't respond to insulin by expanding their blood vessels like younger people do. This response is necessary for muscle protein synthesis and growth, with implications for improving strength and health in older adults.
A tightly controlled University of Rochester study found that eliminating gluten and casein from children with autism had no impact on their behavior, sleep or bowel patterns. Despite this, some subgroups of children may receive benefits from dietary changes, particularly those with significant gastrointestinal symptoms.
Researchers found that increasing BMPR2 levels reduced pulmonary hypertension and strain on the heart in rat models of the disease. The study suggests that boosting BMPR2 levels could offer a new therapeutic target for treating PAH.
Research at Princeton University found that caloric restriction impairs long-term memory in early adulthood but does not further decline it with age. In contrast, reducing insulin signaling improves learning ability and maintains it better with age. The study has implications for treating cognitive decline associated with aging.
A University of Arizona study found that the state's 2007 smoking ban led to a significant reduction in hospital admissions for conditions related to secondhand smoke, including acute myocardial infarction, stroke, asthma, and angina. The ban resulted in estimated savings of $16 million in hospital charges.
A new study found significant racial and ethnic disparities in family-centered care for children with special health care needs. African American and Latino children are less likely to receive adequate time with their provider and culturally sensitive care compared to white children.
A new nanopore method for DNA sequencing has been developed by Boston University researchers, enabling ultra-fast and low-cost genetic analysis. The technique uses solid-state nanopores to detect DNA molecules, achieving readout rates of up to 200 bases per second.
A recent study published in Journal of Palliative Medicine found that living wills often do not accurately reflect patients' actual treatment preferences at the end of life. The authors propose revising living wills to include more realistic scenarios and estimates of treatment effectiveness to guide advance care decisions.
The Inova Life Sciences Research Collaboration Fund – George Mason University has awarded $16 million in life sciences research grants to teams of joint Inova-Mason researchers. The grants focus on chronic disease management, obesity, heart disease, and other medical issues.
A study by Kennedy Krieger researchers found that 64% of children with ASD belong to a two-parent family, compared to 65% without ASD. The study suggests that parenting a child with autism can be stressful, but does not necessarily lead to divorce.
A study by Dr. Ferran Barbé Illa found that CPAP usage can reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events and hypertension in non-sleepy patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The risk of cardiovascular event decline was observed in patients who used CPAP for at least four hours a night.
The National Geothermal Institute will provide training and education in geothermal energy production through a series of short courses and curriculum developed by top geothermal schools. The institute is expected to augment the University of Nevada's Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy with research and trained graduates.
Researchers found nearly 20% of cryptococcosis patients had mixed infections with multiple strains of C. neoformans, evolving during infection. This challenges the traditional concept of a single pathogen causing disease.
The EUREKA ITEA 2 project developed advanced digital technologies for robust analytical algorithms, a scalable platform, and content presentation that adapts to devices, users, and content. Key innovations include automated video content analysis for surveillance, medical diagnostics, and multimedia applications.
Men experiencing impotence should undergo thorough medical assessments due to significant proportion exhibiting early signs of coronary artery disease. The authors suggest that the link between the two conditions could be due to atherosclerosis, leading to restricted blood flow.
Researchers have created new analytical procedures for detecting and measuring phytonutrient concentrations in potatoes, which may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, respiratory problems, and certain cancers. Phytonutrient levels in potatoes range from 100 to over 1,500 milligrams per 100 grams dry weight.
A new method uses isotopic analysis to distinguish olive oil from shark-derived squalene and squalane, a potential solution to stop commercial fraud and protect sharks. The technique could also promote the production of plant-based squalene, discouraging shark fishing.
A five-year study in Bangladesh found that women's use of sari cloth to filter household water reduced cholera incidence by 48% in their own households. Neighboring households not filtering water also saw a lower incidence of disease, highlighting the indirect benefit of the practice.
Researchers discovered that bats can differentiate between their own and different species using individualized echolocation calls, similar to how humans recognize voices. This ability may provide an advantage in hunting grounds, while also influencing community-level interactions.
A study by researchers at the University of Malaga found that 62.7% of early childhood and primary education teachers suffer from voice disorders on a daily or weekly basis. The study highlights the psychosocial dimensions associated with these disorders, including less social support, role conflict, and reduced respect for their work.
A University of Tennessee study found high-risk water sources in East Tennessee contain fecal contamination, including E.coli, coliforms, Bacteroides, and infectious viruses. This highlights a potential health hazard for rural residents who drink untreated groundwater.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new method to manufacture thin films of gallium arsenide, a highly efficient semiconductor material, that could expand its applications in solar devices. The technique allows for the production of bulk quantities of material more rapidly and cost effectively.
The study found that patients with mild disease responded favourably to oseltamivir treatment, reducing viral clearance and transmission. Containment measures may have delayed large-scale transmission by at least three weeks in Vietnam.
Young victims under age 15 account for over three-quarters of firearm accident fatalities, with most shots fired by a friend, relative, or acquaintance. The study highlights the need for gun safety measures to reduce unintentional shootings among youths.
Zoltan Takacs, a herpetologist and toxinologist, has been named National Geographic Emerging Explorer for 2010. He develops toxin-based drugs from venomous snake toxins, which have the potential to treat various diseases including cancer, circulatory disorders, and autoimmune diseases.
A recent study by S. Eggener et al. discusses the significance and impact of focal therapy for low-risk prostate cancer patients, highlighting its potential as an alternative to whole-gland treatment. The study reviews patient selection criteria, diagnostic imaging, biopsy schemes, and treatment modalities available for focal therapy.
A Tel Aviv University researcher has developed a tool to measure tissue damage in the bed-ridden and paralyzed, aiming to alleviate discomfort and pain. The Soft Tissue Stress Monitor can detect when a load is too heavy, alerting caregivers to make adjustments to prevent permanent damage.
Boehringer Ingelheim announces new data on flibanserin in pre-menopausal women with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), showing significant improvements in sexual desire and overall functioning. The study found that 48.3% of women receiving flibanserin reported feeling very much improved, compared to 30.3% on placebo.
Scientists from the University of Miami found that Greenland's ice is melting rapidly, causing the land underneath to rise by nearly one inch per year. The study suggests that if current trends continue, this acceleration could lead to a significant increase in global sea level rise.
A new global approach reveals that climate change played a major role in causing mass extinction of mammals in the late quaternary era. The study shows that continents with larger 'climate footprints' experienced more extinctions, supporting the idea that past climate changes contributed to global extinctions.
The Alzheimer's Solution proposes community centers for dementia care, addressing the need for novel solutions to address this disease. The centers would provide programs of care, treatment, and prevention, taking a family-oriented and personalized approach.
A new study found that gene fusions are a specific 'bad actor' in prostate cancer and should be targeted by treatments, rather than the androgen receptor. The research suggests that blocking these fusions can prevent normal prostate cell development, allowing cancer to develop.
A team of scientists from Scripps Research Institute has discovered a natural molecule in the body that counters the progression of osteoarthritis. MicroRNA 140 (miR-140) acts as a regulator in bone development and is found to be reduced in cartilage samples from osteoarthritis patients.
Researchers have successfully imaged the internal tissues of a soft-bodied marine worm using micro-computed x-ray tomography (micro-CT) without dissection or destructive methods. This technique allows for high-definition images and three-dimensional rotating views, enabling detailed study of functional anatomy.
A single-center study found that early percutaneous tracheotomy (EPT) in ICU patients on mechanical ventilation did not reduce mortality, hospital length of stay, or frequency of infectious complications. However, EPT was associated with fewer unscheduled extubations and earlier bed-to-chair transfer.
A new study examines different ways to secure brand loyalty, finding that evaluative conditioning can occur in two forms: direct transfer and indirect transfer. This technique involves associating a brand with positive stimuli, such as celebrity endorsements or event sponsorships, to generate favorable feelings.
Amy Bower, a physical oceanographer at WHOI, created an expedition website and made herself available to Perkins students as a role model. Her partnership has greatly benefited the students, providing them with hands-on science experience and access to her research.
A new Australian study found that mainstream consumers value prudence and self-control, but lack sympathy for those with high credit card debt. The research suggests consumer advocacy is a top-down phenomenon driven by governments and media, leading to limited personal action.
Researchers found that nearly half of healthy children experience lung dysfunction after intense exercise, with symptoms linked to bronchoconstriction and airway constriction.
Researchers found that longevity treatments have different impacts on learning and memory in C. elegans, a nematode species. Dietary restriction improved early adult memory but declined with age, while reduced Insulin/IGF-1 signaling enhanced memory performance but failed to preserve it with age.
Scientists have found a way for pathogenicity islands to detect viruses and eliminate repression, allowing them to transfer virulent genes to other harmless bacteria. This discovery could lead to new treatments for bacterial infections and diseases caused by toxins.
A randomized trial found that combining behavioral counseling with varenicline (Chantix) increases smoking cessation success. The study shows web- and phone-based counseling to be effective tools when combined with Chantix, improving early cessation rates and medication adherence.
Guy Rouleau has been awarded a $100,000 NARSAD Distinguished Investigator grant to study schizophrenia in 10 Pakistani families. The funding will support whole exome sequencing to identify genes associated with the disorder.
The Lancet series highlights the need to assess interventions for social and economic determinants of TB, including malnutrition, alcohol use, and poor housing. Community engagement is crucial to overcome this community disease, and a progressive model is needed to harness community participation.
The article highlights the growing concern of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) becoming a dominant strain worldwide. MDR TB poses a major threat to existing TB control programmes due to its association with lower cure rates and higher mortality rates than drug-susceptible TB disease.
Researchers at MIT and Hebrew University identified specific classes of neurons in songbirds that match those in mammalian basal ganglia. The study suggests that the same brain circuits underlie learning in both species, with implications for human biology and disorders like Parkinson's disease.
Researchers found that inhaled N-acetylcysteine (NAC) preserves more lung function in some patients with mild idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis than no therapy. This novel study provides encouraging evidence to pursue a potential treatment for IPF, a lung disease characterized by progressive scarring.
A new study identifies a crucial gene in pediatric high-grade glioma, which may lead to the development of more effective drugs. The research found that the PDGFRA gene is unusually active in childhood cancer and is likely to be an important drug target.
Researchers successfully convert glial cells into two main classes of cortical neurons, paving the way for a potential therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. The discovery uses selective transduction of specific proteins to regulate DNA transcription and yields functioning synapses.
Researchers found that even tiny urban woodlots are valuable for Swainson's Thrushes and other migrant landbirds, providing food and protection. The study revealed that birds stayed in these sites for an average of four days, with the duration varying depending on factors such as calendar date, weather, and body mass.
A multisite study found comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics (CBIT) significantly reduced chronic tics and tic-related problems in children. CBIT was compared to supportive counseling and education, showing similar improvement rates as anti-tic medication studies without side effects.
The USDA has released a new biocontrol, Megamelus scutellaris, to help control the invasive water hyacinth. The planthopper is highly host-specific and does not pose a threat to native or economically important species.
The commentary emphasizes the need for improved TB diagnosis and treatment access, surveillance, and investment in new drugs, diagnostics, and a vaccine. Migrants face significant health disparities due to inadequate treatment and poor public health infrastructure.
Researchers have discovered a new nanoscale electrical phenomenon that allows for nondestructive transmission of electricity through glass, enabling the development of faster and less expensive portable diagnostic devices. This breakthrough could also enable significant advancements in building micro-mechanical and lab-on-a-chip devices.
Research explores the specific impact of shyness on marital quality, finding a link between prior shyness and later marital difficulties. Shyness can make it harder for people to enter social relationships, leading to lower confidence in dealing with marriage's inevitable problems.
A unique depression care program implemented by Henry Ford Health System has resulted in a 75% decrease in suicide rates among patients. The program, which includes various interventions such as cognitive behavior therapy and access to support services, has achieved zero suicides per 100,000 patients for over two years.