A study published in Brain Stimulation found that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an effective, long-term treatment for major depression. The therapy was shown to be durable in the majority of patients and prevented relapse when reintroduced as an adjunct to medication.
A 55-million-year-old extinct mammal, Labidolemur kayi, has been found to share a common ancestor with rodents and primates. The study reveals minute details in the skull, including bone structures smaller than one-tenth of a millimeter, which provide valuable information for understanding the origin of primates.
Researchers at Heidelberg University Hospital developed a therapy concept to treat high-risk patients with sensitized kidneys, achieving comparable transplant survival rates as non-immunized patients. After one year, 95% of transplanted kidneys were still functioning.
A study by Dr. Hatem Azim found that breastfeeding is safe for women after breast cancer treatment, contrary to common advice. Successful long-term breastfeeding was associated with type of breast surgery and post-delivery lactation counseling.
Scientists from Scripps Research Institute uncovered new evidence challenging the current theory of ligand-protein interaction in modern drug design. The study found that ligands can adapt to changing protein structures, binding productively to both active and inactive forms.
The European Science Foundation recommends creating a virtual research institute to focus on RNA research and its applications in treating diseases. The institute would promote superior training of young scientists and deliver dedicated education programs for RNA research.
Researchers at the University of Western Ontario discovered a causal link between enhanced visual abilities and reorganization of brain areas in congenitally deaf cats. Visual localization and motion detection are the two specific abilities that are enhanced in deaf individuals.
A novel approach to delivering small bits of genetic material into the body has been developed by researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University. The thioketal nanoparticles successfully targeted inflamed intestinal tissues, reducing inflammation and promoting healing.
Research found a decline in global evapotranspiration, a key component of the global climate system, over the past decade, mainly in the Southern Hemisphere. The shift coincided with reduced precipitation and increased drought stress on vegetation.
Researchers found that an enzyme associated with fat storage in liver cells is required for HCV infectious activity. DGAT1 inhibitors may be effective against HCV, with several already in early clinical trials to treat obesity-associated diseases.
A new melanoma treatment has shown a robust activity in shrinking brain metastases in patients with advanced disease. The drug, GSK2118436, targets the BRAF protein mutation common in human melanomas and has been found to control and reduce brain tumor size in nearly all patients.
Researchers reported that adding cetuximab to a three-drug chemotherapy regimen for first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer did not improve response rates, progression-free survival, or overall survival. The NORDIC VII study included 566 patients and found no statistically significant differences between the treatment groups.
A new study found that both high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplant and conventional treatment with lenalidomide achieved positive responses in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. The study showed improved quality of response compared to induction alone.
In a phase II study, patients with locally advanced and metastatic NSCLC experienced significant increases in survival time when treated with TTF therapy in combination with chemotherapy. The therapy has also been shown to have clinical efficacy in human trials for other solid tumors, including recurrent glioblastoma.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have made a groundbreaking discovery about contact allergy, which affects nearly 20% of Europe's population. The study found that fragrances can cause allergic reactions when exposed to oxygen in the air, leading to eczema in some individuals.
Researchers identified 18 new gene sites associated with overall obesity and 13 that affect fat distribution, providing insights into the underlying biology of obesity susceptibility. The studies, involving nearly a quarter of a million participants, confirm that genetics play a significant role in individual differences in weight gain.
Researchers found that patients with pectus excavatum have reduced chest wall motion near the deformity and compensate by using abdominal muscles to draw in more air. The study suggests these patients may experience shortness of breath and easy fatigability due to the dysfunctional upper chest wall motion.
A study of Italian women with breast cancer found that most cases were diagnosed in people over 50 and had not spread to lymph nodes. The disease was hormone-receptor positive and HER2-negative, indicating a classical endocrine-responsive type. Treatment choices were influenced by tumor stage rather than biological factors.
Researchers discovered that the North American comb jellyfish generates a hydrodynamically silent feeding current using microscopic cilia. This allows it to approach and capture copepod plankton with ease, despite their acute escape response.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have discovered how sunscreens break down in sunlight, leading to an increase in contact allergy. The study has led to the development of a new test for photocontact allergy, which could help patients avoid substances that cause allergic reactions.
Researchers watched a fundamental process of cellular organization in living plant cells, where protein complexes create the microtubule cytoskeleton. They observed that these complexes are distributed at the cell membrane and interact with other microtubules to organize the cell shape and structure.
A new meta-analysis shows that continuing chemotherapy after bringing cancer under control can increase survival time and reduce disease progression in metastatic breast cancer patients. The analysis found a 34% reduction in disease progression and a 9% reduction in death rates for patients who received longer chemotherapy durations.
The final phase-II results show that iniparib plus chemotherapy significantly improves overall survival from 7.7 to 12.3 months, offering a promising new treatment option for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer patients. Over half of patients experience clinical benefit, and there is little increase in adverse events.
Researchers have found that cancer cells are accompanied by growth-enabling stromal cells when they travel to new sites in the body. This discovery challenges current understanding of metastasis and has implications for effective treatments.
A new definition of Alzheimer's disease has been proposed to diagnose the condition earlier and select patients for trials of disease-modifying treatments. The revised definition includes biomarkers as a key diagnostic feature, enabling diagnosis at an earlier stage, and allows for more precise selection of patients for clinical trials.
Physicists at Rutgers University have discovered new properties in a material that could result in efficient and inexpensive plastic solar cells. The discovery reveals that energy-carrying particles generated by packets of light can travel much farther in organic semiconductors, increasing the practicality of solar-generated electricity.
Research finds that tsunamis can be triggered by moderate earthquakes on strike-slip faults, posing a significant threat to coastal cities. In Haiti's case, three-quarters of tsunamis are generated by submarine landslides, unlike the previously estimated 3% globally.
A study presented at the ESMO Congress found that a patient's overall survival time is linked to the time to treatment failure for each line of chemotherapy. Analyzing data from 980 women with metastatic breast cancer, researchers identified this key factor as the most significant determinant of overall survival.
UK scientists have reported direct evidence that taking up smoking results in epigenetic changes associated with cancer. A study funded by Cancer Research UK found women who started smoking had a higher risk of acquiring p16 methylation, a type of epigenetic change linked to tumor suppressor genes.
Researchers have identified a natural substance in a fungus that infects a common weed, showing potential as the first stinkbug repellent. The substance repelled up to 90% of stinkbugs and was almost twice as effective as naphthalene, a gold-standard for measuring insect repellents.
Research reveals that budgetary constraints have led to a less rigorous FDA inspection process, failing to provide necessary oversight and guidance to the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. This can result in manufacturers taking advantage of the system and prioritizing complaints over addressing actual safety issues.
Researchers report a new surgical technique, balloon kyphoplasty, offers quick pain relief and improves quality of life for patients with vertebral compression fractures. The procedure, which involves inflation and injection of bone cement, shows sustained improvements in disability and mobility.
Erlotinib has been shown to improve progression-free survival in patients with advanced lung cancer carrying EGFR activating mutations. The OPTIMAL trial found that erlotinib nearly tripled progression-free survival compared to a standard chemotherapy combination. Safety analyses also showed lower rates of adverse events with erlotinib.
A new drug targeting the MET receptor added benefit to erlotinib in patients with advanced lung cancer who express MET, improving overall survival and progression-free survival
Two clinical trials show that intensive lifestyle interventions with diet, physical activity, and behavioral support can result in significant weight loss and improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors. The studies found that weight loss was more pronounced in the first six months, but similar at 12 months, with reductions in waist c...
A randomized controlled trial found that a structured weight loss program with free prepared meals, combined with one-to-one counseling, resulted in significant weight loss (up to 16 pounds) for participants. The program was maintained at two-year follow-up, suggesting long-term effectiveness.
Researchers found that individuals who dine at establishments labeled as healthy tend to underestimate their actual caloric consumption and subsequently indulge in high-calorie treats. To combat this effect, experts suggest doubling estimated calorie counts for meals served at these restaurants.
A Phase II clinical trial of MLN8237, a selective Aurora A kinase inhibitor, demonstrates single-agent activity with durable disease control in some patients with ovarian cancer resistant to platinum-based chemotherapy. The study found encouraging responses in several patients, suggesting potential for future combination therapies.
The Lancet Series on Critical Care assesses the future of intensive care services amid increasing demand. Authors highlight the need for improved productivity, prevention efforts, and better-designed studies to address challenges in rationing care.
Scientists at the University of Illinois Chicago have found a gene expression mechanism that contributes to drug resistance in aggressive ER-positive breast tumors. The study reveals how estrogen and inflammatory proteins work together to drive cancer progression.
A GSU professor received a $225,000 USDA grant to explore the dynamics of childhood obesity from childhood to adolescence. The research aims to identify causal effects of prior weight gains on future weight outcomes and assess the impact of food assistance programs.
A Texas Tech University biologist has identified a possible cause of the sudden death of bee colonies across North America: a combination of an insect virus and a fungus. The researchers' study published in PLOS ONE found an association between the two pathogens and high mortality rates among bees.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered how stem cells and other cells repair damaged spinal cord tissue in mice. The study identified ependymal cells as a key player in this process, which is crucial for developing therapies for spinal cord injury.
Researchers found that certain neurons represent accumulation of evidence to a threshold and others represent evidence itself, driving decision-making. The study offers potential insights into psychological disorders, such as ADHD, where impairments in decision-making occur.
University of Missouri researchers create a National Botanical Research Center to investigate the safety and efficacy of botanical dietary supplements, focusing on five key plants that may aid in preventing strokes, prostate cancer, and infectious diseases.
The University of New Hampshire has been awarded a $487,000 grant from NASA to develop high school climate change curriculum. The project will utilize data from NASA and other federal agencies to create classroom-friendly materials, aiming to provide teachers with a scientifically sound means of teaching climate change issues.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have created an experimental vaccine that stimulates more than 10 times as many antibodies against beta-amyloid as similar DNA vaccines. The new approach shows promise in generating enough antibodies to be useful clinically in treating patients.
The device uses piezoelectric material and carbon nanotube films to harness light and thermal energy, allowing small electronic devices to operate autonomously. The technology has the potential to impact wireless sensory networks and enable perpetual micro/nano devices.
A new study found significant inconsistencies in bloodstream infection surveillance methods across hospitals, making it challenging to compare performance. The variations have implications for pay-for-performance and reimbursement, as well as the accuracy of publicly reported data.
Researchers found that alienation increases aggression in children who feel like outcasts after being rejected by peers. The study recruited students aged 10-13 and found they were more aggressive when receiving negative feedback.
Cassel is honored for his sustained technical contributions to missile systems, including hypersonic flight regimes and navigation systems. He developed innovative solutions such as jet interaction in hypersonic flight, aerodynamic control configurations, and optical sensors.
The European Society for Medical Oncology launches OncologyPRO, a unique scientific portal providing instant access to high-quality scientific knowledge. The platform offers a range of services tailored to the specific needs of cancer specialists, improving their efficiency and patient outcomes.
The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite is nearly ready for a December delivery to the Curiosity rover on NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Once deployed, SAM will become an automated laboratory, assessing whether Mars ever supported microbial life.
Researchers discover that CD4+ T cells release interleukin-21, instructing B cells to produce antibodies targeting helminth-derived products. This signaling pathway is specific to worm infections and may hold key to treating diseases like asthma and allergies.
A new study by Northwestern University researchers uses complex systems and computer modeling to better understand educational policies. The approach, which treats education as a complex system, has been applied to school choice and student tracking, revealing promising results in understanding policy implications.
A UCSF study confirms that a woman's race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status impact whether healthcare providers recommend the most effective form of contraception. The interaction between these factors also plays a role in clinicians' decisions.
A study published in PNAS reveals that large predatory fish and vascular plants emerged around 400 million years ago, coinciding with a significant increase in oxygen levels. This finding suggests that animals evolved under lower oxygen conditions than previously thought.
A study by researchers at the University of Missouri has found that students' spatial abilities are crucial for success in sonography. Students with greater spatial abilities were more likely to score high on scanning proficiency tests over two semesters.
New research evidence reveals gold nanoclusters can break the O-O bond by forming a novel one-dimensional gold-oxide phase. This mechanism is predicted to dominate at ambient conditions, enabling catalysts to use ambient oxygen in reaction processes.
A consensus statement from The Endocrine Society and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls for improved testosterone testing standards. The recommendations aim to increase accuracy, reliability, and comparability of measurements over time.