Researchers at MU found that tiny increases in creatinine levels in pets' blood can indicate acute kidney damage. A new staging system helps veterinarians assess the severity of kidney injury and predict outcomes.
A PhD student in ecology and evolutionary biology is tracking how viruses spread from flying foxes to humans. Her research aims to fill gaps in bat population data using samples from museum specimens.
Repeated head trauma in hockey players causes irreversible brain damage and a condition called CTE. Experts urge a ban on intentional head trauma and severe deterrent penalties to protect player health.
A study at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that patients are overwhelmingly interested in accessing their doctors' notes, but doctors are cautious about the impact on their workflow. Patients reported benefits such as improved medication adherence and feeling more in control of their care.
Researchers have discovered a technique to keep normal cells and tumor cells taken from an individual cancer patient alive in the laboratory. This breakthrough could revolutionize personalized cancer medicine and regenerative medicine, enabling oncologists to find the right therapies for patients.
The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies has received a major grant to develop an innovative graduate training program in freshwater ecology, focusing on lake conservation and sustainability. The GLEON Graduate Fellows Program will train the next generation of scientists in leadership, research, and communication skills.
A 12-year longitudinal study found that 63% of women aged 50 and older reported persistent knee pain, with predictors including higher BMI and radiographic osteoarthritis. The study's findings confirm variable pain patterns and highlight the need for targeted treatment options.
A new kind of electro-thermal nanoprobe can independently control voltage and temperature at a nanometer-scale point contact. This probe enables the measurement of nanometer-scale properties of materials such as semiconductors, thermoelectrics, and ferroelectrics.
A study found a 44% increase in hospitals offering definitive emergency care for heart attacks since 2001, but only a 1% increase in access to that care. Regional variation is significant, with highest access in the Northeast and lowest in the South.
A unique chemical composition of a cockroach signal, emitting a sex pheromone, could help determine habitat suitability for an endangered woodpecker. The synthetic pheromone attracts large numbers of adult male cockroaches, suggesting that the area could be a suitable home for the red-cockaded woodpecker.
Research found that patients with high levels of nickel and selenium had a lower risk of pancreatic cancer, whereas those with high levels of lead, arsenic, and cadmium had an increased risk. These findings suggest a potential role of trace elements in pancreatic carcinogenesis.
Italian scientists at Catholic University of Rome discovered a molecule called CREB1 triggered by low-calorie diets, activating genes linked to longevity and brain functioning. Caloric restriction has been shown to extend life and prevent brain diseases in mice.
Physician-defined patient complexity differs from common diagnosis-based measures, highlighting social and behavioral contexts that impact primary care. Primary care physicians designated about one-quarter of their patients as complex, with older, more experienced physicians reporting higher proportions.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have shown that iPS cells can mirror the defining defects of Marfan syndrome as well as embryonic stem cells. This study advances the credibility of induced pluripotent stem cells for modeling human diseases and offers an ethically uncomplicated alternative to embryonic stem cells.
Researchers develop novel approach to enhance plant stress response, increasing crop yield under drought conditions. By modifying abscisic acid receptors, the team achieves prolonged activation of stress response pathways, paving the way for breeding more resilient crops.
Researchers found that blocking EETs production can eliminate blood vessels that feed cancer tumors, promoting metastasis. Increasing EET levels may help patients with vascular conditions, but excessive levels promote tumor growth and metastasis.
A new study from Northwestern University finds that a significant increase in blood pressure during middle age increases the risk of heart attack or stroke. Maintaining low blood pressure early on can reduce this risk, with those who keep their blood pressure low having a significantly lower risk.
A team of scientists discovered a sauropod dinosaur remains in Antarctica, suggesting the species may have been more widespread than previously thought. The finding improves our knowledge of the dinosaurian faunas during the Late Cretaceous period on this continent.
Scientists have discovered a new kind of metal in iron oxide at extreme depths, challenging previous assumptions about its behavior. The findings suggest that iron oxide can be both an insulator and a highly conducting metal depending on temperature and pressure conditions.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal article argues that routine HIV disclosure prosecutions are unnecessary and harmful. With highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the transmission of HIV from treated individuals is now extremely low, making criminal prosecution ineffective in preventing infection.
A new study from the Consortium on Financial Systems and Poverty examines the role of spatial component in economic growth. The findings show that a high concentration of enterprise in an area predicts high subsequent growth, while entrepreneurial activity decreases with distance from centers of economic concentration.
CLiPS program, led by Case Western Reserve University, receives $40 million NSF funding renewal for its transformative polymer research and educational programs. The program supports underrepresented students in STEM careers through the Polymer Envoys program.
Researchers have successfully created a nano-bio PEC electrode, consisting of iron oxide conjugated with a protein from blue-green algae, which is twice as efficient in water splitting as iron oxide alone. The use of phycocyanin, a light-harvesting protein, improves the electrode's ability to absorb photons and generate photocurrent.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends expanding Medicare coverage for medical nutrition therapy (MNT) services, which demonstrate significant health benefits and cost-effectiveness. MNT can help manage chronic conditions, such as hypertension, obesity, and cancer, and improve quality of life.
Researchers have found that bone marrow-derived stem cells can contribute to various neural cell types in different areas of the brain, including the olfactory bulb, through mechanisms of plasticity. This discovery suggests a new potential for using these cells for repairing damaged brain tissue and restoring lost neural function.
A study found that emergency contraception misinformation is common in low-income neighborhoods, with pharmacies incorrectly stating the age limit for over-the-counter access. This misinformation can restrict access to emergency contraception, a vital service for adolescents and individuals of childbearing age.
The authors argue that Internet pharmacies play a substantial role in prescription drug abuse due to their ease of access and lack of regulation. Increasing physician awareness and education on the dangers posed by these pharmacies is crucial to addressing the issue.
Manuela Veloso, a prominent AI and robotics researcher at Carnegie Mellon University, has been named an Einstein Chair Professor by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. As an Einstein Chair Professor, Veloso will present lectures on symbiotic autonomy, a concept she pioneered, which enables robots to proactively ask for help from humans.
Researchers found that hatcheries rapidly select for fish with exceptional survival and adaptation abilities, at the cost of their reproductive success in the wild. This study confirms 'domestication selection' as a primary driver of genetic changes in hatchery-born salmon.
Researchers at UC Irvine and UT Arlington discovered how spinning microparticles can guide nerve fiber growth, enabling directed growth of neuronal networks on a chip. The study shows promise for treating spinal or brain injuries by directing regenerating axons to their destinations.
A simple physician notification system improves postfracture care for osteoporotic patients, increasing bone mineral density tests by 13% and pharmacologic treatment initiation by 5%. Researchers suggest additional strategies may be more effective in combination.
Researchers at Salk Institute find connection between cryptochromes and glucocorticoid receptors to regulate sugar metabolism, potentially avoiding side effects of asthma, allergies, and arthritis drugs. The discovery may lead to new therapies targeting the biological clock.
A Wayne State University study shows that soybean compounds can make radiation treatment of lung cancer more effective while helping to preserve normal tissue. The compounds, known as isoflavones, block DNA repair mechanisms and molecular survival pathways in cancer cells, making them more vulnerable to ionizing radiation.
Researchers found that surgery to snip nerves related to the sympathetic nervous system on both sides of the chest can help control dangerous incessant ventricular arrhythmias. Four out of six study patients completely responded with no more arrhythmias, and one patient had a partial response.
African-American men do not reap the same career benefits from mentoring and networking as Caucasians, a new University of Georgia study reveals. Despite this, it emphasizes the need for women and minorities to think broadly about their mentors and networks.
Ultrafast laser pulses create precise patterns in metals and ceramics, but new research reveals an early plasma forms immediately before the mushroom cloud, hindering performance. Eliminating this interference could unlock new applications in manufacturing, materials science, and more.
Researchers at UCF developed a novel quantum dot probe that quickly detects and tracks cancer cells, speeding up the effectiveness of cancer treatments. This breakthrough technique uses electronic probes to emit a signal when attached to cancer cells, allowing for rapid imaging and measurement of treatment outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Delaware are studying Antarctic worms to understand how they adapt to changing environments and survive in a warming world. By analyzing epigenetic changes in DNA methylation, scientists hope to gain insight into the impact of global warming on marine ecosystems.
Using a mathematical model, scientists found that spatial tissue structure slows down genetic mutation accumulation, delaying cancer onset. The study suggests that structured populations take longer to reach critical mutations, reducing the risk of cancer.
A study tracking water quality in the Thames River basin over 140 years found significant rises in nitrate concentrations since World War II. The researchers suggest it may take several decades for any reduction in nitrate levels, highlighting the need for long-term sustainable groundwater management practices.
A nationwide Danish cohort study suggests women with endometriosis are 50% more likely to develop inflammatory bowel disease, a condition that affects the bowel and causes abdominal pain. The risk persists for over 20 years after diagnosis and is linked to common causes or treatment effects.
Researchers have discovered a new strategy to treat Parkinson's disease by injecting a viral protein that stabilizes mitochondria in rats with a PD-like disease. The approach has shown promising results, as rats treated with the protein performed better on behavioral and motor function tests.
A new study has detailed the skin microbes of the endangered Ozark Hellbender giant salamander, which may be contributing to its declining health and population loss. The research provides a baseline for understanding the impact of changing ecosystems on amphibians worldwide.
Legume plants allow nitrogen-fixing bacteria to breach their cell walls, enabling the bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form. The discovery sheds light on how plants promote nitrogen fixation, a crucial process for agriculture and food production.
Researchers may have unraveled the mystery of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's lifelong chronic illness, which shares symptoms with hypokalemic periodic paralysis. Her daughter's experience with the muscle disorder has provided a unique lens to view her letters and diary entries.
A team of researchers found that raising levels of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) in mice stimulated primary tumor growth and metastasis, suggesting potential risks for humans. EET antagonists may provide a new approach to preventing and treating cancer-related metastasis.
Most patients need several sequential treatment steps to achieve remission from major depression. The Lancet review highlights the importance of primary care providers recognizing and addressing depression in chronic physical disorders. Deep brain stimulation holds promise as a future treatment option.
A study found that a combined immunosuppressive regimen improved the survival of human spinal stem cells in ALS rats. The results suggest that this treatment approach may be a potential therapy for ALS, a degenerative neurological disease.
Scientists found that the Nile crocodile is not a single species but rather two distinct species living side-by-side. The discovery highlights the need for separate conservation strategies for each species due to their unique characteristics and declining populations.
The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) awarded Intel the Daniel H. Wagner Prize for its innovative use of analytics and operations research to optimize product design and scheduling, resulting in improved business processes and overall profit optimization.
A German-based project, reBiND, rescues and archives biodiversity data at risk of being lost due to lack of documentation or outdated digital storage systems. The project uses the Biological Collections Access Services (BioCASe) software package to transform data into XML files and make them accessible globally through the GBIF network.
A recent survey of doctors and patients found contrasting opinions on electronic records, with PCPs worried about increased demands and patient confusion, but patients expressing enthusiasm for sharing notes. Meanwhile, the US Preventive Services Task Force reviewed evidence on vitamin D supplementation for fracture protection and canc...
Researchers at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine discover that malaria patients' immune system is selectively weakened, making them more susceptible to fatal salmonella infections. The team identifies Tin Protoporphyrin as a potential candidate for prevention, but further testing is needed.
Scientists isolate thermoelectric effect in magnetic materials, enabling control of spin information via heat flow. The discovery provides opportunities to study electron-magnon interactions and may aid energy conversion applications.
Research reveals that the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere facilitate the transformation of elemental mercury into oxidized mercury, which can be deposited into aquatic ecosystems. This process enables mercury to enter the food chain, posing environmental risks.
A study by Cornell University reveals that over two-thirds of cohabitating couples fear dealing with divorce's social, legal, emotional, and economic consequences. Middle-class subjects are more favorable towards marriage than their working-class counterparts, who view it as having little benefits.
Researchers at UC San Diego created a living 'neon sign' composed of millions of bacterial cells that glow in unison, synchronized by fluorescent proteins. The bacteria can detect low levels of arsenic and other toxins, providing a real-time update on the presence and concentration of toxins.
Treatment with Sirt1 overexpression may slow brain cell loss in Huntington's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder. Increased Sirt1 expression protected against neurodegeneration and huntingtin aggregation in mouse models.
Researchers discovered a 'viscoelastic regime' in isolated protein molecules, exhibiting both elastic and viscous behavior. This finding opens up new avenues for understanding complex materials and potentially leading to advancements in protein engineering.
A new science rigorously evaluates the effectiveness of team training in improving safety, decision-making, and communication. The study shows that training can produce results and improve clinical outcomes.