Global surface temperatures in 2010 tied 2005 as the warmest on record, with the next warmest years being statistically tied for third warmest year. The climate has warmed by approximately 0.36F per decade since the late 1970s.
A new study published in The Lancet shows that starting treatment with two medicines instead of one produces better and faster results, and fewer side effects. This challenges popular medical practice and could change clinical practice worldwide.
A new software developed by Queen Mary University of London's Centre for Digital Music allows drummers to speed up or slow down pre-programmed music. The 'B-Keeper' software gives artists more freedom to vary the rhythm, resulting in a better atmosphere and more loyal live followings.
Researchers at Helmholtz Association create ultrafast image sequences of nanostructures, enabling real-time observation of molecules and nanostructures. The breakthrough method uses X-ray pulses to capture images at femtosecond intervals, paving the way for new insights into fundamental processes in natural sciences.
A Baylor University study reveals that different households in coastal communities in Belize adapt and cope with climate-related events through various behaviors and strategies. The results highlight the importance of empowerment, access to resources, and collective thinking in enhancing resilience.
Rice University researchers have developed a method to enhance the effectiveness of a common disinfectant, increasing its ability to degrade aerosol- and water-borne viruses by more than three times. The new technique involves adding silicone to titanium dioxide, which is widely used in paints, sunscreen, and food coloring.
The modENCODE project has made significant breakthroughs in understanding the epigenome, a complex system that regulates gene expression in eukaryotic organisms. By analyzing the epigenetics of fruit flies and round worms, researchers have gained insights into how DNA packaging affects organism development.
A recent study by the University of Miami found that 35% of children experienced moderate to severe posttraumatic stress symptoms almost two years after Hurricane Charley, and those who still showed signs of stress at nine months were likely to persist with symptoms another year later. Social support from peers was also found to be cru...
A Caltech-led team has developed a new alloy that combines the strengths of metals and glasses, demonstrating unprecedented level of combined toughness and strength. The palladium-based alloy shows high toughness and strength, making it suitable for biomedical implants such as dental implants.
Four Dartmouth professors, including three from Medical School, were elevated to AAAS Fellows for their outstanding work in protein trafficking, cholesterol metabolism, and bacterial secretory protein translocation. This recognition honors the individual and interdisciplinary achievements of these scientists at Dartmouth.
A survey of Midwest School Social Work Council members found that nearly all agree cyberbullying deserves more attention from schools, but just over half feel empowered to deal with it. The study highlights the need for evidence-based training and policies on cyberbullying.
Implementing a computerized radiology workflow with customer service representatives leads to faster report delivery, reduced anxiety for patients, and increased productivity for radiologists. The study's findings support the cost-benefits of adding these representatives to alleviate administrative burdens.
Scientists have developed a new ultra-light form of 'frozen smoke,' a carbon nanotube aerogel, with impressive strength and surface area. The material has potential applications in sensors, chemical reactors, and electronics components, and can detect pollutants and toxic substances.
A new assessment by Professor Nicholas Ambraseys and Professor Roger Bilham reveals that corrupt building practices are responsible for most earthquake-related deaths globally. The study found a strong correlation between wealth and corruption, with less wealthy nations being the most corrupt.
Research at UCLA reveals that coffee's protective effect against type 2 diabetes may be linked to increased SHBG levels. Women who drink four cups of coffee daily are less than half as likely to develop diabetes compared to non-coffee drinkers.
Researchers at the University of Calgary have made a significant breakthrough in creating quantum networks by storing information in entangled photons. This achievement brings the field closer to reality and has the potential to enable building quantum networks in a few years.
A new study in BioEssays reveals that the H1N1 pandemic challenged the conventional ideal of antigenic shift, where a virus emerges from an existing subtype. The research suggests that pandemics can result from a shift within lineages of existing subtypes, not just the introduction of a new strain.
The Planck satellite mission has provided unprecedented all-sky coverage of cosmic dust, offering insights into dust evolution in different environments. The data will help researchers understand the complex history of our universe and its present form.
A team of researchers has successfully demonstrated the molecular evolution of two competing functions from a single gene, AFP III, which helps Antarctic fish survive in frigid waters. The study confirms the ancestry of antifreeze proteins and validates a decades-old hypothesis about gene duplication.
Researchers at UBC-VCH have discovered that excess production of RCAN1 protein sets off a chain reaction killing brain cells in people with Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease. This finding provides a potential new target for drugs to prevent dementia in both populations.
A new study published in the journal Addiction found that energy drinks do not offset the sedating effects of alcohol and do not improve sustained attention or reaction times. The study suggests that public education and warning labels should be considered regarding the safety of caffeinated alcoholic beverages.
Patients with high blood pressure respond better to combination therapy from the start of treatment, with a mean reduction in systolic blood pressure of 6.5 mm Hg. After switching to combination therapy, patients who initially received monotherapy show improvement but not to the same extent as those on combination therapy from the start.
Researchers at the Jewish General Hospital's Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research in Montreal found that robotic surgery dramatically improves outcomes in patients with uterine, endometrial, and cervical cancer. The procedure also reduces post-operative complications and hospital stays, resulting in cost savings.
Researchers found that SIK2 suppressed CREB-mediated gene expression after oxygen and glucose deprivation, increasing neuronal survival in mice lacking SIK2. The SIK2-TORC1-CREB signaling pathway may serve as a potential therapeutic target for promoting neuron survival.
A study by Colorado University's Sleep and Chronobiology Laboratory found that missing a night of sleep burns approximately 135 calories. Eight hours of sleep, on the other hand, saved the same amount of energy. The findings demonstrate a direct correlation between the sleep-wake cycle and energy expenditure.
Researchers at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh found that antibiotics are more effective than a placebo in relieving symptoms of middle-ear infections in young children. The study, funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, involved 291 children between 6 and 23 months old with acute middle ear infections.
Researchers at Penn State are designing a fast service lane option called meal deals for school cafeterias, which will limit the time spent in line and offer predetermined side selections. The goal is to create an environment where students can make healthier food choices by choosing familiar options.
Researchers developed a method to yield more information from archived newborn blood spots, enabling studies on population health patterns and diseases present at birth. The new method detected approximately 9,000 activated genes in adult blood samples from Guthrie cards, tripling the amount found in previous studies.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have developed a new treatment for tinnitus, a debilitating hearing impairment affecting millions. Targeted nerve stimulation, paired with sounds, eliminated tinnitus in rats and shows promise for human clinical trials.
Researchers found that up to 20% of the most distant galaxies appear brighter than they actually are due to strong gravitational lensing. This effect enables astronomers to detect more galaxies but requires correction to ensure accurate tallies.
Gravitational lensing distorts the view of very distant galaxies, making them harder to detect and study. The distortion can be as much as an order of magnitude, potentially boosting the number of visible galaxies by up to 10-30.
A new drug has been found to reduce the persistent memory of fear conditioning in mice previously exposed to traumatic situations. The study suggests that this drug could be an effective treatment for disorders such as PTSD, panic attacks, and phobias.
A new study found that people's personalities play a significant role in determining their future emotional reactions, contrary to predictions made about external events. Positive individuals tend to be more accurate in forecasting their own happiness due to their natural disposition.
A Georgetown University Medical Center study found that tinnitus is caused by the brain's inability to repair itself after hearing loss, resulting in phantom ringing sounds. The researchers also discovered a link between tinnitus and other perceptual disorders, such as chronic pain and altered mood states.
Researchers have identified 16 binary systems consisting of supermassive black holes that are hundreds to thousands closer together than previously observed. This discovery sheds new light on how these cosmic behemoths and their host galaxies merge, a crucial aspect of understanding the universe's evolution.
A new NIH study projects that cancer costs will increase to at least $158 billion in 2020 due to the growing US population and cancer trends. The projected costs are based on an aging population and the introduction of new, expensive cancer treatments.
A recent study published in Inorganic Chemistry found that eye drops containing pirenoxine reduced cloudiness in lens solutions by up to 38% in some cases. The results suggest using PRX as an anti-cataract agent and warrant further biological studies.
The PARSPORT trial found that intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) spares the major salivary glands, reducing xerostomia and improving quality of life in head and neck cancer patients. IMRT significantly reduces the incidence of dry mouth and leads to recovery of saliva secretion.
Key findings show that patients fear fractures but do not always adhere to treatment, while doctors underestimate their patients' adherence and concerns. Community-based online support programs have a great potential to fill information gaps and improve patient-doctor dialogue.
A new ultrasound technique, elastography, can accurately predict cancer in patients with BI-RADS category 4 masses by measuring tissue softness. The study found an 79% accuracy rate in identifying cancer, suggesting that this method could reduce unnecessary breast biopsies.
Researchers found that people perceive a threat to their control when observing an increase in partner hard emotion, while perceiving neglect when partner flat emotion decreases. This perception influences one's own emotions, with perceived neglect having stronger effects than perceived threat.
Scientists seek to create rat poisons that specifically target rats without posing a threat to people, pets, or wildlife. Researchers are working on tracking rodent consumption and studying resistance mechanisms to develop safer alternatives.
Scientists have developed Australia's first adult induced pluripotent stem cell lines for the rare genetic disease Friedreich Ataxia, enabling the development of new treatments. The iPS cells were characterized to become specific cell types, including heart and nerve cells, which are affected by the disease.
Researchers have discovered the molecular mechanism of measles virus infection, which could lead to a targeted cancer therapy. The study found that modifying the attachment protein is crucial for infectivity, and this discovery brings the dream of using measles virus as a cancer weapon closer to reality.
The Bipolar CHOICE trial will evaluate the real-world advantages and disadvantages of quetiapine compared to lithium for treating outpatients with bipolar disorder. The study aims to inform day-to-day practice in psychiatry with a focus on effectiveness, not just comparing treatments.
A new study reveals that women who have had chlamydia are at greater risk of an ectopic pregnancy due to a lasting effect of the infection. Researchers found that infected women produce more PROKR2 protein in their Fallopian tubes, increasing the likelihood of implantation.
A recent study by McGill University Health Centre demonstrates that single-patient rooms in Intensive Care Units (ICU) significantly reduce the acquisition of infections such as C-difficile, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus. The results show a 50% reduction in infection rates and a 10% decrease in length of stay.
Scientists at Cornell University have identified the genes related to leaf angle in corn, a key trait for closer planting, leading to an eight-fold increase in yield since the early 1900s. The study used a genomewide association study method to analyze genetic variation across the maize genome and predict traits with high accuracy.
A Swedish study found that PSA screening nearly halves prostate cancer mortality after 14 years. However, the screening was associated with a risk of impotence and urinary incontinence, albeit at lower rates than expected.
The zoster vaccine has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of herpes zoster (shingles) in older adults, with a 55% lower incidence rate compared to unvaccinated individuals. The vaccine was also found to reduce the risk of ophthalmic herpes zoster and hospitalizations coded as herpes zoster.
Researchers at The Peggy and Charles Stephenson Oklahoma Cancer Center have found a way to stop early stage pancreatic cancer in research models, offering a promising approach for high-risk patients. A clinical trial has been launched, and the FDA-approved drug Gefitinib is expected to be tested nationwide within a year.
Researchers have successfully demonstrated a solution-based method for inducing the self-assembly of flexible polymer membranes with highly aligned subnanometer channels. The new technique uses organic nanotubes and block copolymers to fabricate porous thin films with tailored channel sizes and shapes.
A study by Penn State researchers found that loyal brand fans react negatively to logo changes, decreasing their attitude towards the brand. Conversely, casual customers view redesigns as a positive development, with their attitudes increasing after seeing new logos.
Dr. Sena-Esteves is investigating gene therapy techniques to replace the faulty gene causing Tay-Sachs Disease, a devastating neurological disorder. He's part of the Tay-Sachs Gene Therapy Consortium aiming to translate current results into a human clinical trial within three years.
A BRNI study reveals underlying causes of Alzheimer's degeneration and identifies promising pharmaceutical solutions by normalizing the Alzheimer's brain. Treatments that target synapse growth and preservation have shown to prevent disease progression, shifting focus from amyloid plaques.
Nationwide Children's Hospital has been awarded a $11.5 million contract extension to continue its role as a Biospecimen Core Resource for The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). This award will enable the hospital to analyze tumor specimens, extract DNA and RNA, and distribute these samples to researchers nationwide.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have developed new methods to identify diagnostic markers for allergic disorders by analyzing medical databases. These methods could reduce the need for animal trials and personalize medication, leading to more efficient clinical studies.
Research suggests that stimulating alpha-7 nicotinic receptors could enhance cortical function and improve symptoms of schizophrenia. Two studies found that low doses of AZD0328 and DMXB-A produced significant improvements in spatial working memory tasks, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for cognitive impairments.
A recent study published in Psychological Science found that people's perceptions of gender are influenced by their sense of touch. When touched by a hard object, individuals were more likely to categorize neutral faces as male, while soft textures led them to perceive these same faces as female.
A European study funded by the ECDC and coordinated by EpiConcept found that one dose of the pandemic flu vaccine provided good protection against H1N1 influenza, particularly in people under 65 and those without chronic conditions. The authors suggest that future studies should focus on the new trivalent vaccine for the 2010-11 season.