A daily pattern of rising and falling amyloid beta levels in spinal fluid echoes the sleep cycle, with younger individuals exhibiting stronger highs and lows. As people age, this pattern flattens, potentially providing an opportunity for the body to clear away the Alzheimer's marker.
A new study found that 38% of patients with chronic conditions changed their preferences for CPR and mechanical ventilation over a year. Patients' decisions are influenced by factors such as health status, mobility, anxiety, and depression, highlighting the need for regular re-evaluation of advance care planning.
Researchers have discovered a compound that destroys several viruses, including the deadly Spanish flu, by activating a human antiviral protein called REDD1. This finding offers new hope for treating flu strains resistant to anti-influenza drugs and could potentially lead to the development of a new drug.
A study from Tufts University found that social status cues can alter the perception of race, revealing a complex process influenced by context and pre-existing stereotypes. The researchers used computer simulations to demonstrate how subtle effects of status cues emerge in a system similar to the human brain.
The report highlights the urgent need for simplified and integrated patient treatment pathways, new models of care with lower cost bases, and a whole new approach to expensive interventions. Radical action is required to make cancer care fair and affordable for all citizens.
Hurricane Hilary is experiencing its heaviest rainfall in the northwest quadrant, with rain falling at 2 inches per hour. The storm is also showing signs of strengthening, with cloud tops cooling and towering clouds indicating increased power.
A study found that men over 75 with prostate cancer are being undertreated, while those with a single comorbid condition are being overtreated. The study suggests that individual medical problems impact survival more than age alone.
The article explores the ethics of gallows humor in medicine, with author Katie Watson arguing that some joking between medical professionals can be beneficial. She suggests that the key to deciding when gallows humor is okay lies in understanding the intent and impact of jokes on patients and power dynamics.
The Texas Advanced Computing Center announces the deployment of Stampede, a world-class supercomputer with comprehensive computing and visualization capabilities, made possible by a $27.5 million NSF grant. The system will support over 1,000 projects in computational and data-driven science, enabling researchers to explore complex phen...
A Wayne State University professor is developing multifunctional therapeutic agents to slow Parkinson's disease progression and alleviate symptoms. The research aims to promote survival of dopamine neurons, which degenerate in the disease.
The Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network has received a $12 million federal grant to continue its work in supporting clinical research, developing best-practice guidelines, and providing tool kits for families and physicians. The funding will also support the development of additional research within the ATN, including clinical trial...
A LSU research team found dramatic biological responses in fish exposed to oil constituents, even at very low concentrations. Genome expression and tissue damage indicate potential reproductive impairment and developmental abnormalities.
A newly identified DNA repair defect may leave some young leukemia patients less likely to benefit from chemotherapy, increasing the risk of relapse. The study found low levels of a key protein and missing regulatory genes in leukemia cells, suggesting a potential new marker for high-risk patients.
Researchers found that ground beetle larvae use a unique method to attract and feed on amphibians, tricking them into thinking they are tasty prey. This phenomenon has significant implications for understanding the environmental impact of invasive species.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University found that African-American women develop functional health challenges earlier than others, with a faster rate of reported physical limitations. This disparity is linked to intersectional factors such as gender, race/ethnicity, education, and socioeconomic status.
A game-changing catalyst has been discovered by University of Alberta researchers, offering a potential solution to the chemical industry's environmental and economic challenges. The new catalyst produces minimal waste and can achieve multiple turnovers, reducing the industry's ecological footprint.
Researchers explore how 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' has been referenced and reinterpreted in over 100 films, plays, and musicals, revealing shifts in attitudes towards African Americans. Sharon Dean's research highlights the evolution of representations, from demeaning stereotypes to more sympathetic portrayals of diverse groups.
Two key Southern California fisheries have collapsed due to a combination of overfishing of spawning areas and changes in oceanographic conditions. The study found that despite stable catch rates, the population sizes of barred sand bass and kelp bass decreased by 90% since 1980.
A study of 1,520 patients found that those with asthma admitted to hospital with H1N1 had less severe outcomes, including lower mortality rates and fewer intensive care needs. This was attributed to prompt admission, appropriate treatment, and regular inhaled steroid use.
A large-scale review of DBE found a pooled detection rate of 68.1% for all small intestinal diseases, with inflammatory lesions and vascular lesions being the most common findings in suspected mid-gastrointestinal bleeding patients. The study concluded that DBE is a valuable modality with acceptable detection and complication rates.
A new study by the University of Michigan Health System found that subtle non-verbal clues exert an influence on medical care, with patients relying on these cues to evaluate the doctor-patient relationship and doctors using them to inform their medical judgments. The study's method shows promise for improving medical decision making.
Physicists from the University of Pisa and the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche have put an end to the debate on the glass transition temperature of water. They found that the magic number is approximately 136 Kelvin (-137 Celsius) using a thorough study of water's dynamics, supporting traditional views and refuting recent claims.
Research identifies a new gene regulatory region on chromosome 17 involved in testicle formation in individuals with XX or XY chromosomes. The discovery sheds light on the complex mechanism of human sex development, revealing a missing link in the testis development system.
Rommie Amaro, UCI assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences and computer science, has been selected by President Obama for the Presidential Early Career Award. Her work employs large-scale computing resources to discover new drugs and explore complex biological mechanisms.
Researchers have determined the architecture of the mitochondrial RNA polymerase, revealing its molecular copy machine mechanism. The discovery provides new insights into the evolution of mitochondria and their genome, shedding light on how they produce energy for cells.
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center found a link between low vitamin B12 levels and reduced brain volumes in older adults. Cognitive tests revealed lower scores among participants with high vitamin B12 deficiency markers.
A study by Columbia Business School researchers finds that women's lower negotiation outcomes are driven by heightened concerns about social backlash, rather than a lack of capability or motivation. To address this, training programs should focus on coaching role shifting and reframing self-advocacy as other-advocacy.
A new 'CAP50' regimen combining chemotherapy and radiation before surgery shows promise in reducing rectal cancer recurrence risk by 88% three years after treatment. The study found that the increase in radiation dose did not extend treatment duration, while avoiding side effects.
Researchers from Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health are part of a $10 million grant to examine the consequences of alcohol on HIV disease. The study aims to understand how alcohol affects HIV clinical manifestations and develop more effective treatments.
A study by CSHL and USC researchers reveals that methylation patterns are dynamic and can influence cell fate. The team observed that subtle changes in methylation within specific regions can lead to the activation of genes associated with particular cell types, challenging traditional views on epigenetics.
A recent study by Brigham Young University researchers found that electoral vulnerability and Twitter use are unrelated, with age and party leadership encouragement being key factors. The majority of Congress members use Twitter, but many delegate their accounts to staff, who post links to speeches and interviews.
Researchers at Delft University of Technology have developed a cheap and efficient quantum dot solar cell by understanding electron movement in linked semiconductor nanoparticles. The discovery was published on Nature Nanotechnology, paving the way for more sustainable energy solutions.
University of Texas at Austin researchers have discovered an optimal algorithm to extract information from individual images to determine focus error. This breakthrough could improve auto-focusing in digital cameras and deepen understanding of human depth perception.
The university aims to help students address fundamental issues of sustainability in vehicle design and development. The GATE Center will integrate graduate education and research to overcome technology barriers, fostering an engineering workforce capable of commercializing advanced automotive technologies.
A powerful X1.9-flare has been recorded from sunspot 1302, which is growing and showing no signs of quieting down. The flare could deliver a glancing blow to Earth's magnetic field on September 26.
A recent study found that mutations in the SF3B1 gene are associated with a milder form of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and better overall survival rates. The researchers also discovered a close relationship between the mutated gene and the presence of ring sideroblasts, abnormal precursors to red blood cells, which can cause anaemia.
Researchers identified human cytomegalovirus as a potential target for treating medulloblastoma. The antiviral drug valganciclovir reduced tumor cell growth in both vitro and xenotransplantation in mice.
Researchers found that invasive species like the European green crab may have a major advantage when starting at the upstream edge of their range, particularly in environments with strong prevailing directions of water or wind currents. This can help inform control efforts and conservation strategies for native species.
Researchers at UCLA discovered that a gene variant can predict the success of naltrexone treatment for alcoholism in Asians. The OPRM1 gene variant is associated with better clinical outcomes when taking naltrexone, making it an effective medication option for this population.
A recent article in Nature Chemistry outlines why chemistry has a tarnished public image, citing 'chemophobia' as the reason. The authors propose five communication strategies to improve public engagement with chemistry, including practice research-driven communication and framing key messages to prompt engagement.
This emerging technology uses diffusion tractography to visualize white matter in the brain, offering a new window into human brain anatomy. Recent developments may tackle limitations and challenges, revealing the architecture of the human brain and its breakdown in disease.
Researchers at Salk Institute have discovered how a hormone turns on molecular switches inside the pancreas, increasing insulin production. The finding raises the possibility of new designer drugs to help Americans with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetic insulin resistance.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have identified a key communication breakdown between nerves and muscles that may lead to new treatments for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and other motor neuron diseases. The study found that nerve signals are disrupted before reaching muscle ends, which could inform targeted treatments.
Researchers at Cruces Hospital describe a new syndrome of limited family intellectual disability caused by the duplication of the RPS6KA3 gene. This discovery highlights the importance of genetic research in understanding rare conditions, particularly those with limited intellectual impairment.
A team of professors has received $1.5 million to study a groundbreaking idea that could revolutionize the electronics industry by reducing power consumption and increasing computing speed. The approach involves encoding information using collective states formed by charge-density waves, which can help reduce energy needs per computation.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health identified a hidden cause of heart attacks in women without significant coronary artery disease. Plaque disruption, a rupture or ulceration of cholesterol plaque in a coronary artery, was found to be the mechanism behind myocardial infarction in some women.
Researchers found that passive viewing of 2D images can lead to sustained changes in nerve cell connections, facilitating the expression of persistent hippocampal long-term depression. This discovery has implications for developing strategies to improve digital learning and reduce apathy towards traditional teaching methods.
A survey of US primary care physicians reveals that nearly half believe their patients receive too much medical care, while 52% think the amount is just right. The authors suggest that reimbursement systems should encourage longer visits to reduce pressures on physicians.
Researchers at Michigan State University have created a new malaria vaccine that combines an immune-stimulating gene with a disabled cold virus, increasing the immune response against the parasite. The vaccine was found to be more effective than previously developed systems in animal models, paving the way for human clinical trials.
Christian Bauer and Feng Wang are among 13 DOE PECASE winners, recognized for pioneering research on ultrafast optical characterization of carbon nanostructures. They were awarded the prestigious award for their contributions to advancing sustainable energy, protecting human health, and revealing the origin and fate of the universe.
Patients with uncontrolled diabetes saw faster blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol level control with more frequent primary care visits every two weeks. The study found that doubling the time between physician encounters increased median times to reach treatment targets by 35-87%.
New research suggests that prenatal exercise improves brain plasticity, decreases toxic protein deposits and inflammation in mice, which wards off Alzheimer's disease. Exercise during pregnancy may have a lifetime benefit for the health of newborns.
Alean Al-Krenawi's project aims to bring together Israeli and Palestinian human service providers to facilitate reconciliation and forgiveness. The program will teach tools and techniques to promote understanding, tolerance, and forgiveness in the volatile region.
The researchers aim to create a flexible power distribution system that can adapt to changes in rooftop solar panels. They are developing a holonic multiagent system that can monitor the power grid and negotiate with other agents to maintain balance between loads and generation.
A study by Concordia University and the University of Manitoba found that most boys aspire to have an average physique rather than an idealized, lean, or muscular body. The research suggests that boys are critical of unrealistic beauty standards and view sculpted bodies as unnatural.
Researchers at UC Riverside discovered that stacking three layers of graphene creates a 'knob' for tuning its electrical properties. The team found that some trilayer graphene devices were conducting while others were insulating, depending on the layer order.
The primary structure of NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission has been completed, marking a significant milestone in the project. The spacecraft will undergo static load testing before propulsion subsystem integration begins.
Research at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that couples counseling significantly improves sexual satisfaction and function for prostate cancer survivors and their partners. Internet-based sexual counseling was shown to be equally effective as traditional sex therapy.
A new study found that underweight COPD patients are 1.7-times more likely to die than those with a normal body weight. Additionally, heart disease and cardiac failure increase mortality rates among COPD patients.
A large study found that high blood pressure is associated with a higher risk of developing cancer and dying from the disease, particularly in men. The study analyzed data on blood pressure and cancer incidence and death in over 289,000 participants.