Research reveals that teenagers' brains respond differently to drugs than adults, with greater cognitive shortfalls and altered stress responses. Long-term effects of adolescent drug use on brain chemistry are also being explored.
Researchers have identified about a thousand brassinosteroid target genes, revealing molecular links between the steroid and various cellular functions. The study provides the first comprehensive action map for a plant hormone, accelerating basic plant science and crop research.
The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) presented several awards to researchers and students for their contributions to the pharmaceutical sciences. The awards included AAPS Presidential Citation, Dr. Rainer Hoffman Product through Science Award, and AAPS Community Service Award among others.
A recent study published in Neurology found that children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are unlikely to outgrow handwriting problems into their teenage years. Researchers at the Kennedy Krieger Institute also discovered that perceptual reasoning skills are a key predictor of handwriting performance in adolescents with ASD.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and UT Austin used molecular evolution analysis to identify the source of HIV infections in two criminal cases. They found that a single virus, with up to 75% of infections resulting from a single ancestral strain, could be linked to the infected individuals.
New brain machine technologies show promise in restoring vision, controlling prosthetics with thoughts, and regaining limb function after injury. An artificial retina may restore vision more effectively than existing prosthetics.
Researchers at the University of Missouri discovered a previously unknown level of genetic cross talk between plant proteins that fight off bacterial infections. The study found that certain proteins physically associate, enabling them to communicate danger signals to the cell's nucleus.
Despite a high frequency of cardiac risk factors, many patients presenting with acute heart attacks are not on primary prevention medications. The study found that nearly 400,000 patients present annually with ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) in the US, highlighting the need for improved preventive care.
A study of 68,505 premenopausal US nurses found a positive association between child/teen abuse and higher incidence of uterine fibroids. The researchers discovered that physical and sexual abuse increased the risk of fibroid tumors by 36% among those with severe cumulative abuse in childhood.
Researchers identified irregular heartbeat in pacemaker recipients as a potential stroke risk factor. Meanwhile, disparities in cardiovascular care persist despite healthcare reform, with African-Americans and those with lower socioeconomic status receiving fewer invasive procedures. Stress tests using exercise electrocardiography and ...
A study by Donald Redelmeier and colleagues found that male teenagers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, or oppositional defiant disorder are more likely to be seriously injured in a road traffic crash. The researchers suggest that practical recommendations, such as avoiding excess speed and using seatbelt...
Researchers found that using erythropoietis-stimulating drugs with Herceptin resulted in reduced effectiveness of the cancer treatment. The study suggests that these drugs may activate similar downstream pathways as trastuzumab, causing antagonism between the two treatments.
Researchers developed a data mining method to identify children with serious lifelong chronic conditions using hospital discharge data. This allows hospitals to improve care quality and reduce costs for these patients.
A study of 90 patients with bullous pemphigoid found that nearly half had at least one neurologic disease, including cerebrovascular disease and dementia. The condition was often diagnosed after the neurologic disease, suggesting a potential predisposition.
Researchers used multidimensional scaling to create a graphical plot of amino acid sequence data for all strains of H3N2, predicting the dominant strain with high accuracy. The new method can predict whether a new flu strain will become dominant as little as two weeks after its appearance in GenBank, outperforming current methods.
Researchers at NC State University have developed a sensor that allows engineers to assess scour potential of soils without excavation. The 'in situ scour evaluation probe' (ISEP) measures scour rates and behavior, helping authorities prepare for and minimize impact of natural events.
Research published in PLOS Medicine reveals that prescribed medicines are responsible for over 3% of road traffic crashes in France. The study found that drivers taking level 2 and 3 medicines were at higher risk of being involved in a crash, with a fraction of crashes attributable to these medicines being 3.3%.
Professor Brian Cantor to receive honorary membership for distinguished services in metallurgical education and research. He will also deliver a keynote memorial lecture on Multicomponent High-Entropy Alloys, honoring his late colleague P Ramachandrarao.
Researchers at Yale University used fMRI to identify three distinct 'neural signatures' in children with autism and their unaffected siblings. These patterns, including reduced activity in certain brain regions and enhanced compensatory activity, may help with earlier and more accurate diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.
Researchers found that overexpressing TRIB1 in the liver decreases lipid production, while lack of Trib1 increases it. This suggests TRIB1 regulates lipid metabolism in the liver.
Research found that mothers who smoked heavily during pregnancy had kids who were more likely to become repeat criminal offenders as adults. The study, which tracked over 4,000 adults from 1959-1966, showed a 30% increased chance of arrest among children whose mothers smoked heavily.
A new study found a 30-40% higher risk of colorectal cancer among men treated with hormone-based therapy for prostate cancer. The study suggests continued routine preventive care, including colorectal cancer screening, is essential during prostate cancer treatment.
A new study finds that consumers are often confused by zero values when comparing products, leading to unexpected choices. The Zero-Comparison Effect reveals how relative differences matter more than absolute ones in decision-making.
University of Illinois researchers developed microsensors that can track individual cells' masses and divisions over time. They found that cells grow faster as they grow heavier, rather than at a fixed rate throughout the cell cycle. The sensors also allow for imaging and tracking of cellular processes in conjunction with changes in mass.
A Tel Aviv University researcher discovered that a consumer's religiosity has a significant impact on their likelihood of choosing particular brands. Secular populations are more prone to defining their self-worth through loyalty to corporate brands, while religious consumers are less likely to display explicit brand preference.
Research found that women with high job strain have a 40% increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and the need for procedures to open blocked arteries. Job insecurity was also associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure, increased cholesterol, and excess body weight.
A new protocol significantly reduced radiation exposure in children undergoing electrophysiology procedures, with a 22% reduction in X-ray machine time and 52% reduction in dose entering the skin. The protocol also showed a 51% reduction in median effective dose, correlating to decreased lifetime cancer risk.
Researchers discovered that connections in the spinal cord regrew spontaneously and extensively after a mild spinal cord injury in primates, restoring 60% of original connections. This finding holds significant promise for developing new treatments for patients with spinal cord injuries.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center discovered neurons in bats' brains that 'shush' irrelevant signals and amplify relevant ones, allowing bats to filter out background noise. This finding may help humans better understand how we process sound in complex environments.
Recently bereaved individuals experience elevated heart rates and potentially harmful heart rhythm changes, increasing the risk of heart attack and sudden cardiac death. These effects tend to normalize within six months.
A Mayo Clinic study found that morbidly obese heart failure patients who underwent bariatric surgery experienced significant improvements in disease symptoms and quality of life. The surgery led to better breathing during exercise and reduced swelling in the legs, even if most patients remained obese after weight loss.
The proportion of adult smokers dropped dramatically from 32.8% to 12.2% over the past three decades, with greater decreases among adults with higher income and education levels. Current smokers were smoking less, with a decrease in average daily cigarette consumption.
A new therapeutic implant has been proven to synchronize and strengthen a fading heart beat, reducing the risk of death by 24% compared to current treatment. The device therapy, called cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), also improves quality of life and reduces hospital admissions for worsening heart failure.
Researchers found a significant decrease in macrophage activity at spinal cord injury sites in mice without spleens, indicating the spleen's role in promoting inflammation. Understanding how these cells function and manipulating their release could improve treatment options for spinal cord injuries.
Researchers created a nanoscale light sensor that can be combined with electronic circuitry to produce hybrid optic and electronic devices. The device can detect optical properties at the nanoscale and deliver this information in electronic form.
A brain scan can predict which children with anxiety disorder will respond to talk therapy, potentially avoiding psychiatric medication. The study found that children who show fear when looking at happy faces on a screen have the least success with cognitive behavioral therapy.
Patients on dialysis face a heightened risk of sudden cardiac death from cardiovascular disease, with mortality rates as high as 43%. Research is underway to understand the connection between renal disease and cardiovascular disease, with medicinal options and dialysate prescription modification being explored as prevention methods.
A University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine study reveals that chest compression rates are lower and pauses longer during nighttime in-hospital cardiac arrests compared to daytime efforts. This disparity may be attributed to factors such as fatigue, lower staffing levels, and lack of supervision from supervising physicians.
A fully defined culture system has been developed to grow human embryonic stem cells in the lab, reducing guesswork and increasing safety. The system uses a synthetic substrate and defined growth medium, allowing for up to three months of cell culture with minimal batch-to-batch variability.
As children develop, brain regions that make up the default-mode network start functioning together, leading to increased introspection and perspective-taking. This development coincides with emerging introspective mental activity during adolescence.
Researchers found that xanthelasmata, cholesterol deposits on eyelids, are an independent marker of underlying artery disease and predict a higher risk of heart attack, ischemic heart disease, and death. Additionally, women who slept for 10 hours or more had a 63% increased risk of stroke compared to those who slept seven hours per night.
Biophysicist Stuart Lindsay's new technique uses recognition molecules to grasp each base in turn, generating a distinct electronic signal that identifies each base. This allows for the reading of individual bases without interference from neighboring bases, including recognition of epigenetic modifications.
Researchers track how brains navigate and remember settings using video game-inspired technologies. Studies show that speed of exploration alters memories, while exercise in virtual environments improves stroke patients' arm function.
Researchers found that individuals with poor sleep quality had higher levels of inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein, even after adjusting for known risk factors. Chronic lack of sleep may contribute to cardiovascular mortality, but the exact mechanism remains uncertain.
New human research suggests oxytocin influences feelings of well-being, sensitivity to advertising, trust, empathy, and reduces anxiety in stressed animals. Oxytocin is linked to happiness, resilient individuals are less likely to be depressed.
A study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions found that light to moderate drinking among male coronary artery bypass patients was associated with 25% fewer subsequent cardiovascular procedures and death compared to non-drinkers. However, heavy drinkers were twice as likely to have subsequent cardiovascular ...
A study of nearly 50,000 people has identified DNA sequence variations associated with cardiac electrical activity, which may lead to novel approaches to prevent or treat serious rhythm disorders. The findings provide new clues about the biologic pathways that influence cardiac conduction and identify genes and genetic pathways involve...
A new report from Johns Hopkins Medicine finds that low levels of vitamin D increase the risk of stroke in white adults, but not in black adults. Despite higher rates of vitamin D deficiency in African Americans, they have a lower likelihood of severe strokes due to other factors such as hypertension and diabetes.
Studies show that prenatal drug exposure, maternal smoking, and early-life infections can alter brain development, increasing the risk of learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and mental disorders. The research highlights the importance of educating mothers on avoiding harmful substances during pregnancy.
A pioneering lighting system has been developed to combat hospital infections by decontaminating air and surfaces with a narrow spectrum of visible-light wavelengths. Clinical trials show significantly greater reductions in bacterial pathogens compared to cleaning and disinfection alone.
A study of 7,981 black and white adults found no link between fatal strokes and vitamin D deficiency among blacks. In contrast, whites with deficient vitamin D levels had a doubled risk of dying from a stroke compared to those with higher levels.
A gene-silencing pathway in fungi protects their genomes from unwanted genetic mutations during mating, which could be used to develop new treatments for fungal infections. The discovery of this pathway may also provide insights into the mechanisms of fungal disease.
Research reveals high-fat diets cause lasting brain changes impairing healthy eating. Food and drugs of abuse engage the same brain systems, highlighting potential treatments for obesity and addiction.
Researchers project a significant reduction in high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke among adults if teenagers consume less salt each day. A study suggests that reducing sodium intake by 3 grams per day can decrease hypertension rates by 44-63% and coronary heart disease cases by 7-12%.
Researchers at Northwestern University have produced an atomic picture showing how RNase P recognizes and cleaves transfer RNA, revealing the versatility and complexity of RNA as a catalyst. The study supports the idea that RNA played a crucial role in the emergence of life.
A study of over 4,000 participants found that having a first-degree relative with atrial fibrillation increases the risk of developing AF. The risk is approximately 40% higher than those without familial AF.
Researchers found that cardiac arrest patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia may experience substantial neurological awakening, which can start as early as day three but becomes apparent at day seven. This challenges the current paradigm of withdrawing care based on a 72-hour neurological exam.
A study suggests that patients who received therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest took longer to wake up and showed improved brain activity compared to those who did not receive the treatment. The results challenge current guidelines for withdrawing care from comatose patients.
Scientists have identified an ingredient in cilantro that can effectively remove the foul odor of chitlins. The compound (E,E)-2,4-Undecadienal was found to suppress the unpleasant smell at concentrations as low as 10 parts per billion.
Dr. Mortimer Mishkin, chief of NIMH's Section on Cognitive Neuroscience, is the first NIMH intramural scientist to receive the National Medal of Science for his pioneering work on brain processing and memory. His research has greatly advanced our understanding of how learning and memory are processed in the primate brain.