Researchers have discovered a new protein, neuritin, that helps nerve fibers navigate towards muscles in zebrafish models of SMA. Artificially stimulating neuritin production improves axon branching and connection formation, leading to potential drug therapy options.
Researchers at Duke University have identified a brain function that governs the decision to stay or go in search of food, a fundamental problem in evolutionary history. The dorsal anterior cingulate cortex steadily increases its activity during foraging decisions until a threshold level is reached, prompting the individual to move on.
Researchers have successfully used oatmeal products radiolabeled with a medical isotope to image stomach emptying in molecular imaging studies. The study demonstrated that prior boiling and labeling of oatmeal improves radiolabeling efficiency, making it an effective alternative to egg meal for patients with dietary restrictions.
Researchers found that new neurons in adult monkeys take more than six months to mature, which challenges the notion that this process is related to the effectiveness of antidepressant medications. This finding suggests that the human brain may experience even longer maturation periods due to its larger size.
Researchers are advancing positron emission tomography (PET) as an effective method of early detection for Alzheimer's disease. Studies show that amyloid plaques build up slowly and are often present in healthy older individuals, with significant buildup linked to quicker memory decline and brain atrophy.
A University of Illinois study found that high-quality youth arts and leadership programs help teens develop strategic thinking skills, including learning to anticipate unexpected twists and turns. Teens who participated in these programs reported improved time management, goal-setting, and critical thinking abilities.
Rectal cancer patients may benefit from additional chemotherapy before surgery for better outcomes. City of Hope researchers also investigated the effectiveness of palliative care in late-stage lung cancer patients, finding significant gaps in current care.
A molecular imaging procedure using PET/CT and F18 NaF radiotracer accurately diagnoses and manages chronic back pain by pinpointing the source of abnormal bone reaction. In a study, this method was found to be highly effective in more than 85% of cases, providing relief for patients with hardware implants or bone grafts.
A new Ohio University study found that mice who switched between a high-fat and low-fat diet lived about 25 percent longer and had better blood glucose levels than obese animals. The yo-yo dieters' lifespan was comparable to that of a control group steadily fed a low-fat diet.
Jupiter's Grand Tack model reveals the planet's youthful travels profoundly impacted the solar system. The giant planet's migration toward and away from the sun altered the nature of the asteroid belt, making Mars smaller than expected. The new model suggests Jupiter perturbed objects in the asteroid belt instead of destroying it.
Researchers at Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência found that the actin-capping protein regulates the Hippo complex, leading to abnormal growth and tumour formation. The study provides insights into understanding proliferation gene activation in cancer research.
Researchers at UofL removed microRNA 21 from mice and found reduced skin tumor formation compared to control groups. The study suggests that miR-21 plays a role in cancer growth and that its removal increases the body's own tumor-suppressing ability.
Researchers found that a buried mangrove layer in the Caribbean dampens seismic waves, reducing liquefaction risk. A new active fault was also identified near Lake Tahoe using LiDAR technology, potentially threatening the area with a magnitude 6.4-6.9 earthquake.
A new multicenter study found that delaying intravenous (IV) feeding in critically ill patients who cannot tolerate tube feeding can enhance recovery and reduce complications. The study, which contradicts European guidelines, recommends waiting a week before initiating IV feeding to avoid hyperglycemia.
A Boston University School of Medicine study found that higher adherence to the DASH diet reduced excess weight gain in adolescent girls over a 10-year period. The study, which examined a racially diverse sample of girls aged nine and 10, discovered that those with the highest intake of DASH-like food groups had smaller gains in BMI.
A study of over 1,000 patients with colon cancer found that 13% received unproven chemotherapy regimens, resulting in unnecessary side effects and costs totaling millions. The researchers emphasize the importance of evidence-based treatment for cancer patients to avoid harming them with ineffective therapies.
Researchers at the National University of Singapore have invented a graphene-based polarizer that can broaden the bandwidth of prevailing optical fibre-based telecommunication systems. This innovation uses graphene to convert light beams into polarized light, enabling multiple-channel high-speed optical communications.
The ALPHA Collaboration has successfully stored a total of 309 antihydrogen atoms for up to 1,000 seconds, far exceeding the time ordinary atoms can be magnetically confined. This achievement opens a path to new experiments with antimatter and measures matter-antimatter asymmetry with precision.
Researchers found that carbon release into atmosphere today is nearly 10 times faster than during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, a 55.9 million-year-old event similar to current global warming. The study suggests this rapid change may not allow sufficient time for biological systems to adapt.
A new study suggests that a modest reduction in carbohydrate consumption can promote loss of deep belly fat, even with little or no weight change. The study, which involved 69 overweight but healthy individuals, found that those on a moderately carb-restricted diet lost more total body fat during a weight loss phase.
Researchers discovered large amounts of brown fat in adults and found it can be grown in labs, burning substantial calories. The discovery suggests brown fat could be used to treat obesity and diabetes, but cannot replace traditional approaches.
A new targeted therapy, G-1, has been shown to halt the growth of tumors in animals with advanced prostate cancer resistant to hormone therapy. The treatment works by targeting and activating protein GPR30, which sensitizes tumor cells to its inhibiting effects.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have discovered a peptide, CBD3, that short circuits a pathway for chronic pain without debilitating side effects. The peptide has been shown to block pain signals by interfering with calcium channels, making it potentially safer than addictive opioids or cone snail toxin.
A new therapeutic vaccine targets ghrelin to suppress appetite and increase energy expenditure in mice, reducing food intake by up to 82% after a single vaccination. The study suggests an alternate treatment approach for obesity that can be used in combination with diet and exercise.
Researchers from Columbia University found that evaporation from the land surface can modify the frequency of summertime rainfall, but not its quantity. This discovery is crucial for understanding prolongation of hydrological extremes like floods and droughts.
A recent study has linked subclinical hyperthyroidism in elderly individuals to a significantly increased risk of death. The research found that those with this condition were 65% more likely to die during a six-year follow-up period than those with normal thyroid function.
A research group led by Prof. Chaim Cedar from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has been chosen as one of the first three centers to receive funding under Israel's I-Core program. The center will focus on systems-level analysis of molecular biology and personalized therapy, with a goal of attracting top researchers back to Israel.
Researchers propose a new theory on Mars' small size and low mass, suggesting that Jupiter's early gas-driven migration stripped the region of formation materials. The 'Grand Tack Scenario' simulation explains properties of the asteroid belt and its compositional differences between inner- and outer-belt bodies.
Researchers have used a super-resolution fluorescence microscope to image T-cell molecules and identify the exact molecular switch that spurs T-cells into action. This breakthrough could lead to treatments for auto-immune diseases and cancer, overturning prevailing understanding of T-cell activation.
Researchers have tested a new asthma medication that improves fat and protein metabolism, increasing energy expenditure by over 10% and fat burning by more than 25%. The medication, formoterol, is selective for lung receptors and does not affect the heart rate, suggesting potential benefits for body composition and health.
Researchers have successfully stored antimatter atoms for over 16 minutes, a significant milestone in understanding this elusive substance. The breakthrough allows scientists to test hypotheses about antimatter's behavior and its potential impact on our understanding of the universe.
A Mayo Clinic study found that flaxseed does not significantly reduce hot flashes in breast cancer patients and postmenopausal women. The researchers suggest alternative uses for flaxseed, such as managing constipation.
The PARTNER Trial found that catheter-based aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is as safe and effective as open surgery for patients at high risk for surgery, with similar one-year survival rates. TAVR also showed improved recovery times and reduced risk of complications compared to open heart surgery.
A new study reveals that four common epilepsy medications associated with a dose-dependent increased risk of major birth defects. The research suggests that doctors should select the safest effective treatment for pregnant women with epilepsy by considering individual drug and dose options.
A hormone test measuring anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels can predict a woman's ovarian function after chemotherapy for breast cancer. Women with low AMH levels before treatment are more likely to experience infertility due to chemotherapy-induced damage.
Researchers at CERN's ALPHA experiment have successfully trapped antihydrogen atoms for up to 1,000 seconds, or 16 minutes and 40 seconds. This achievement allows for spectroscopic experiments on the antiatoms, which could help determine if their electromagnetic and gravitational interactions are identical to those of normal matter.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have shown that transplantation of adult stem cells enriched with IGF-I can help mend bone fractures not healing properly. The treatment speeds up the healing process, restoring bone formation and strength.
Two new studies show that light exposure enhances the brain's ability to organize nerve endings from each eye, leading to improved sorting of visual signals. Researchers discovered that a specific type of light-sensitive cell plays a crucial role in this process.
A low-cost healthy lifestyle program, including self-weighing weekly or monthly, has been shown to prevent excessive weight gain in pregnant women with pre-existing overweight. Regular monitoring of weight gain and simple health messages can reduce pregnancy complications, such as gestational diabetes and birth complications.
Researchers analyzed X-ray data from space telescopes to understand the relationship between a black hole's accretion rate and ionization state of its surrounding disk. The study found a linear dependence on the rate of accretion, contradicting theoretical predictions.
A new study suggests that weight loss due to bariatric surgery may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease by lowering the expression of genes related to the condition. After a significant weight loss, patients showed a 22% decrease in amyloid precursor protein expression and a 31% decrease in messenger RNA for APP.
Researchers developed a stem cell treatment enriched with insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) to mend non-healing bone fractures. The study showed that the treated cells became bone cells and helped repair fractures in animal models.
Young female athletes who stop menstruating may experience weakened bone structure and increased risk of fractures despite regular exercise. A new study found that amenorrhea in athletes can lead to abnormal bone microarchitecture, a significant public health concern.
Researchers find that melanoma cells can develop an invasive phenotype when exposed to anti-melanoma drugs, leading to relapse. Blocking CCL2 or its upstream effectors may represent a novel therapeutic approach.
A meta-analysis of 10 randomized clinical trials found that topiramate-treated patients lost 11.8 pounds more on average than placebo group members, with a higher success rate for weight loss over 28 weeks.
Girls with anorexia nervosa saw significant increases in bone density at the spine and hip after receiving physiological estrogen therapy, according to a new study. However, they still had lower bone density than healthy-weight controls.
A new study by Indiana University finds significant differences in physical fitness levels between patients at safety net community health centers and members of a medically affiliated fitness center. The research highlights the importance of access to exercise opportunities for vulnerable populations, particularly those without health...
A pilot study at Indiana University found that yoga significantly improved balance items and confidence in veterans with stroke. The participants showed a 17% improvement in balance and a 34% increase in confidence after eight weeks of group yoga classes.
A new study found that adding radiation therapy to breast-conserving surgery improves disease-free survival and reduces cancer recurrence in women with early breast cancer. The treatment significantly lowered the rate of recurrences in the breast and lymph nodes, as well as in other parts of the body.
A survey of 541 ED residents found that 84% think it's acceptable for female residents to have children during residency, and 82% would rearrange their schedule to help a pregnant colleague. The study suggests that most emergency medicine residents are supportive of their colleagues having children during residency.
A new study finds daily BPA exposure lowers male fertility in mice, causing reduced sperm counts and testosterone levels. Mice exposed to twice the recommended safe dose showed structural defects in their testicles and were considered subfertile.
Researchers identified genetic mutations associated with lower cancer risk (e.g., MSH6) and increased risk (e.g., MLH1, MSH2) for ovarian and endometrial cancer in individuals with Lynch syndrome. The study provides age- and gene-specific risk estimates for each tumor type.
A study found that formoterol improves fat burning and protein metabolism in men, increasing metabolism by over 10% and fat oxidation by nearly 25%. The results suggest potential benefits for preventing obesity and muscle loss in humans.
Research shows bariatric surgery significantly increases fracture risk, with patients experiencing a 2.3-fold higher chance of bone fractures compared to the general population. Patients who underwent gastric bypass surgery had an increased risk of fractures at nearly all skeletal sites, including feet and hands.
A clinical trial of 78,216 women found no reduction in ovarian cancer death risk with screening. Instead, screenings led to more invasive medical procedures and higher complication rates. The study suggests that annual screening may not be effective in detecting cancers early enough to reduce mortality.
A study presented at The Endocrine Society's annual meeting found that women with worse facial wrinkles during early menopause tend to have lower bone density. This association was independent of age and body composition, suggesting a potential link between skin health and bone quality.
Long-term risks of subsequent primary neoplasms were investigated in childhood cancer survivors, with digestive and genitourinary neoplasms showing the highest absolute excess risks. The study found a 3- to 6-fold increased risk for survivors compared to expected rates.
A new glioblastoma vaccine has demonstrated safety and effectiveness in a Phase 2 clinical trial, extending median survival to 11 months for patients with recurrent brain cancer. The vaccine was found to induce an immune response against tumor-specific targets, suggesting potential for improved treatment outcomes.
A Mayo Clinic study has found that a mutant gene thought to accelerate tumor growth actually inhibits the spread of malignant cells, showing promise for novel cancer therapies. The PAX8/PPARγ fusion protein functions as a tumor suppressor by upregulating anti-tumor agents.
A study published in JAMA found that delays in starting adjuvant chemotherapy after colorectal cancer surgery are associated with poorer survival outcomes. The research suggests that clinicians should prioritize timely access to chemotherapy to improve patient outcomes.