A University of Utah study reveals that Paranthropus boisei, a 2.3 million-year-old human relative, had a diet of mainly tropical grasses or sedges, not nuts. The discovery upsets conventional wisdom and has implications for understanding the diets of other early humans and human relatives.
Scientists from North Carolina State University have created a device that enables precise steering of laser beams without moving anything. The technology uses polarization gratings to redirect light and has various potential applications, including free space communication and LIDAR.
The NCRP workshop aims to define circumstances for assessing the value of CT scanning while addressing issues of utilization patterns, radiation exposures, and overutilization. Participating organizations offer recommendations to control the inappropriate use of CT in emergency departments.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that an antioxidant called MitoQ can prevent damage to the liver caused by excessive alcohol consumption. The study suggests that MitoQ may be a useful agent for treating liver damage caused by prolonged, habitual alcohol use.
A recent study found that about 73% of injured children in the US were treated outside pediatric trauma centers, with many severe and life-threatening cases not receiving adequate care. The study's authors are calling for improvements in emergency medical services to ensure the best possible outcomes for young patients
Researchers discovered that anti-HIV inhibitors can kill Leishmania parasites by targeting the Ddi 1 protein. This finding suggests a potential new class of drugs for treating parasitic diseases like leishmaniasis and malaria, which could one day become lifesaving treatments.
A recent study suggests that successful genetic blueprints for mesodermal development are recycled by evolution, rather than being invented anew in different species. The researchers found highly conserved transcription factor binding sites across six fruit fly species, indicating a shared regulatory program.
Researchers found that blocking the action of a signaling protein in cardiac muscle cells halted serious ill effects of high blood pressure on the heart, including enlargement and scar tissue formation. Further tests revealed potential new treatments for heart failure by targeting specific proteins involved in disease progression.
A study found significant differences in math curricula across US states and school districts, placing some students at a disadvantage. The research, published in the American Journal of Education, suggests that less demanding curricula can lead to poor outcomes despite controlling for socio-economic status.
A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that even families with insurance face financial burdens that lead them to delay or forgo medical care. Excessive costs relative to family income and having a child with a limitation increase the likelihood of delayed care.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that being overweight or obese during middle age may increase the risk of certain dementias. Researchers found that people who were overweight or obese at midlife had an 80% higher risk of developing dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or vascular dementia in late life.
Kenji Taylor, a first-year medical student at Penn Med, has been named one of 15 Philadelphia Schweitzer Fellows for 2011-2012. He will launch the 'Cut Hypertension Program' to address hypertension in African American males through blood pressure screenings and preventive lifestyle coaching.
Ancient cave systems near Allgäu Mountains preserved oldest radiometrically dated dripstones from European Alps. The study quantifies erosion and uplift rates for northern rim of Alps over 2 million years, with significant altitudinal changes attributed to glacial erosion.
A team of researchers identified TIM-1 as the cellular protein that acts as a receptor for Ebola and Marburg viruses. An antibody targeting TIM-1 blocks infection by both viruses, potentially providing a way to prevent initial infection and limit outbreak spread.
Researchers have found that brain enlargement in autism is due to increased folding on the surface of the brain and not an increase in gray matter. Brain growth in children with autism begins as early as 1 year old and continues until age 2.
A new study found that using two blood tests can dramatically reduce the risk of delayed diagnosis in overweight children. Researchers discovered that a combination of hemoglobin A1C and oral glucose tolerance tests could catch more high-risk patients, missing nearly 2/3 with just one test.
A study found that early nutrition, specifically breast milk versus formula feeding, can impact a child's growth and metabolic profile. After four months, the protein content of infant formulas played a key role in inducing differences in blood insulin levels and growth patterns between groups.
Two new studies published in Annals of Internal Medicine explore treatments for older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and patients with severe allergic asthma. Long-acting inhaled beta-agonists were found to increase survival rates over anticholinergics, while omalizumab improved symptoms and quality-of-life sc...
A University of Illinois study suggests that increasing dietary calcium and vitamin D or taking supplements can significantly increase bone mineral density and reduce hip fracture risk. The researchers recommend a 'portfolio diet' with adequate protein, less sodium, and more magnesium and potassium for optimal bone health.
Researchers found that simvastatin significantly reduces lung damage and inflammation in severe abdominal sepsis. The study suggests statins may be of clinical value for patients with severe abdominal infections.
Young black gay men are more likely to contract HIV due to their preference for masculine partners and misconceptions about HIV risk. Researchers found that these men perceive masculine men as lower risk, leading to increased unprotected sex with partners whose HIV status they often miscalculate.
A new study on adolescent wishes found that 85% had wishes for themselves, with boys wishing more for success and girls for happiness. Wealth was the most common theme, followed by material items.
A team of genome researchers has concluded that domesticated rice may have first appeared as far back as approximately 9,000 years ago in the Yangtze Valley of China. The study used large-scale gene re-sequencing to analyze the evolutionary history of domesticated rice.
A study found that young black males with male partners have twice the number of new HIV infections as other demographics, likely due to cultural beliefs about masculinity influencing condom use and HIV risk assessment. These cultural norms may lead to increased risk behavior with perceived 'masculine' partners.
A pair of Indiana University scientists analyzed regional climate models to assess future wind patterns in the US. They found that most areas will see little or no change in wind density, with high wind potential over the Great Lakes and parts of Mexico.
Ionita Ghiran's novel device uses magnetic levitation and cell phone technology to diagnose malaria outside the laboratory setting. The device is inexpensive, portable, and requires only a drop of finger-prick blood, providing a solution to the lack of suitable methods for malaria diagnosis.
Scientists have engineered a cheap and abundant alternative to platinum-based catalysts, enabling the production of hydrogen fuel from sunlight and water. This discovery is crucial for creating a sustainable green energy economy.
Research suggests that kids who specialize in one sport have a significantly higher average score on a sports specialization scale than uninjured athletes. Injured athletes tend to have more intense specialized training, making parents consider enrolling their children in multiple sports.
A study found that middle-aged adults who slept more or less than 6-8 hours per night experienced accelerated cognitive decline equivalent to four to seven years of aging. This association was seen in both men and women, with no beneficial effects observed for increased sleep duration.
Research found a significant link between low vitamin D levels and anemia in children, with black children at higher risk due to lower vitamin D levels. The study suggests that vitamin D deficiency may play a role in the development of anemia in this population.
A study of 367 mothers and infants found that prenatal exposure to BPA was associated with an increased risk of wheezing in childhood, particularly among the youngest group. High levels of BPA detected in women at 16 weeks' gestation were linked to wheeze in their offspring, but not after 3 years of age.
Research suggests that screening very preterm infants for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at 18 months of age is often inaccurate and can lead to false positives. In contrast, waiting until 30 months of age may provide a more accurate assessment. A study found that only 3% of infants who screened positive on all three screens at 30 mont...
Researchers identified two mutations responsible for hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type 1 (HSAN1), causing cognitive decline, hearing loss, and sensory impairments in young adults. The study provides insights into the disease's mechanisms and potential future research directions.
A recent study published at the American Radium Society Annual Meeting found that aspirin use lowers the risk of cancer recurrence in prostate cancer patients who have received radiotherapy. After 10 years, men taking aspirin had a 31% lower rate of biochemical failure compared to non-aspirin users.
Research suggests that obese pregnant women have impaired immune function, leading to fewer cells and proteins that help fight infections. This could have serious consequences for both the mother and newborn.
A new oral hygiene approach called Managing Oral Hygiene Using Threat Reduction (MOUTh) has been developed to help nurses care for dementia patients who resist care due to perceived threats. The technique focuses on making the patient feel comfortable and reducing threat perception, resulting in improved oral health outcomes.
A Yale study found that young children often acquire motor skills to unbuckle before developing cognitive understanding of restraints, posing a safety hazard. The study also revealed that 43% of self-unbuckling children use a five-point restraint, and parents often respond with immediate action when their child unbuckles while in motion.
A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics reveals that children under 6 years old often unbuckle themselves from car seats while in motion, tripling their injury risk. Parents frequently pull over and re-buckle their children, but this behavior highlights a need for safer restraint devices.
University of Cincinnati researchers have discovered the molecular system involved in weight gain linked to a class of diabetes drugs, finding it's also triggered by high-fat foods. The study may lead to modification of existing therapies and dietary recommendations.
The Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) has created the biggest 3-D map of the distant universe, using light from 14,000 quasars. The map demonstrates that it is possible to determine variations in the density of intergalactic hydrogen gas at cosmological distances and measure the effects of dark energy.
A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that many parents with smoking habits in cars have a hard time enforcing no-smoking rules. The result is that children are exposed to toxic chemicals, which may cause severe asthma attacks and respiratory infections.
Research found that exposure to secondhand smoke is associated with increased blood pressure in boys, while girls showed lower blood pressures. The study suggests that preventing children's exposure to tobacco smoke is an important cardiovascular health measure.
A new study confirms that infants wake up taller after sleep, with longer sleep bouts predicting increased weight and body-fat composition. The research also found sex differences in sleep patterns related to growth, with boys exhibiting more sleep bouts and shorter ones than girls.
New research shows that parents who are involved and communicate effectively with their children are less likely to have kids who bully others. Factors like parental anger and emotional problems in children increase the risk of bullying, while parent-child connection and mental health matter.
A new study by the American Academy of Pediatrics reveals that improving living conditions, sanitation, and community organization can significantly reduce child malnutrition rates. In rural Guatemala, families who received non-agricultural land and housing experienced a decline in malnutrition rates, while those who remained in squatt...
The US EPA is collaborating with the United Nations University to develop strategies for managing electronic waste (e-waste) in Africa and Asia. The five-year agreement will support research, tracking, data collection, analysis, and information sharing to improve e-waste refurbishment and disposal.
A new high-performance method has determined the structure of protein molecules in several cases where previous methods failed. This breakthrough aids in fields like nanotechnology, drug design, and disease research by understanding a protein's molecular shape and function.
A daily physical activity program that incorporated classroom lessons resulted in improved test scores for students at an elementary school. The percentage of students reaching their goal score increased from 55% to 68.5% after the program was initiated.
Researchers have developed a new material sensor that can detect when carbon filters in respirators become saturated with toxic vapors, providing a more accurate warning for emergency workers. The sensor uses photonic crystals made of carbon nanofibers, which change color as the filter absorbs chemicals.
Scientists discovered a gene linked to angle-closure glaucoma (ACG), a medical emergency that can cause rapid vision loss. The gene's activity is associated with abnormal eye development and increased intraocular pressure.
Russell Chesney, a pediatric nephrologist, has received the prestigious John Howland Medal for his significant contributions to pediatrics. He is also known for his research on amino acid taurine and its role in transport by renal epithelial cells.
A new study published in the journal Sleep has found that infants who experience irregular bursts of sleep have significant growth spurts in their body length. The study suggests that longer sleep corresponds to greater growth, and that increased sleep episodes increase the probability of a growth spurt by up to 43%.
Boston College and MIT researchers created high-performance nanotech materials on a flat panel platform, demonstrating seven to eight times higher efficiency than previous solar thermoelectric generators. The innovation enables the simultaneous generation of hot water and electricity, potentially shortening payback time by one-third.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that combining two antidepressant medications does not hasten recovery from depression in a national study involving 665 patients. The study revealed similar remission and response rates across three treatment groups, but higher side effects in the third group.
Researchers found that temsirolimus strongly blocked mTOR-mediated signals and had a cytostatic effect on all mesothelioma cells. The study suggests using mTOR inhibitors as a novel anti-mesothelioma strategy, particularly in combination with chemotherapy.
Researchers found that exposed children were almost five times more likely to need intensive care and more than 11 times more likely to need intubation. Children's length of stay in the hospital was significantly associated with smoke exposure and chronic conditions.
Researchers found that higher BPA concentrations at 16 weeks of pregnancy were associated with wheezing in children, while effects diminished as they aged. More research is needed to confirm the correlation between BPA and wheezing in children.
A new scale used to assess newborn behavior may help identify children who were exposed to methamphetamine prenatally and are at risk of developing problems later in life. The Infant Development, Environment, and Lifestyle (IDEAL) Study found that these children were hard to arouse but had difficulty calming down once awakened.
A study suggests that animal-assisted therapy can decrease patient anxiety in the pre-MRI setting, potentially reducing the need for anti-anxiety medications. The research, conducted at Monmouth Medical Center, involved 28 patients who interacted with a certified therapy dog before undergoing MRI scans.
The Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine will establish an extension campus in Columbus to address the shortage of primary care physicians and the growing diabetes epidemic. The new campus will enroll 50 new students annually, with plans to graduate 200 students by 2019.