The study highlights the risk of dosing errors in pediatric medication, particularly with potent narcotics and sedatives. Researchers found that over a quarter of children studied experienced errors resulting from small volume stock solutions.
A study published in CMAJ found that showing clinical empathy to patients can improve their satisfaction of care and motivate them to stick to their treatment plans. Empathy is a distinct ability to understand another's experience and act in a helpful manner, which can be acquired and taught in medical school.
A new company, Fixed Phage Limited, has been launched to commercialize technology developed at the University of Strathclyde to tackle bacterial infections and contamination. The technology uses bacteriophages, naturally occurring viruses that are non-toxic but effective against bacteria.
A study of preschoolers found that they prefer foods high in salt, sugar, and fat, even from specific brands. Children as young as 3-5 years old can equate their taste preferences to brand-name fast-food and soda products.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has announced the 2011 fellowship recipients for international science journalists. The fellowships aim to promote international scientific dialogue and advance science news globally. This year's winners are from Chile, Egypt, Argentina, and China.
Researchers discovered that deep brain stimulation can lower blood pressure in people with difficult-to-control high blood pressure. The treatment used electrical pulses to send signals to the brain, resulting in a significant decrease in blood pressure and allowing some patients to stop taking all their blood pressure medications.
A brief behavioral treatment involving individualized instruction delivered by a nurse clinician improved sleep outcomes in older adults with insomnia. The treatment reduced symptoms and improved quality of life, even after six months.
Researchers used accelerated evolution to engineer enzymes that can efficiently break down nerve agents, providing protection against nerve gas attacks. The developed enzymes show near-complete protection against certain types of nerve agents.
Infants as young as 7 months old show a preference for frightening stimuli when exposed to fearful voices. Three-year-olds rapidly identify snakes in photographs, indicating an early bias towards detecting threats. These findings suggest that fear of spiders and snakes is quickly learned during infancy.
The Lancet series on health in Southeast Asia examines the region's diverse health systems, shifting disease burdens, and emerging infectious diseases. The series proposes increased regional cooperation for better maternal and child health outcomes.
A study by Christine Aurich's group found that altrenogest treatment reduces the risk of miscarriage in older, pregnant mares. The treatment has no effect on hormone levels but enables foetuses to recover and grow at a normal rate during critical periods of development.
Researchers at the Technical University of Munich have received prestigious ERC Grants to develop new therapies against multi-resistant germs, study interactions between cellular components, and improve algorithms for image processing. The grants total €9.8 million.
Male Schizococa ocreata wolf spiders adjust their signaling modes based on environment to increase mating chances. In natural habitats, vibrations on leaf litter were found to be significantly more effective than other substrates, leading to successful mating over 85% of the time.
A study published in CMAJ found that restricting angiotensin-receptor blockers could save Canada $77.1 million without negative effects on health. The policy would benefit from the cheaper and effective alternative, ACE inhibitors.
A University at Buffalo researcher's study suggests that teen drivers with ADHD are significantly more at risk for accidents when texting while driving. The study found that texting impairs driving abilities to the point of losing control, and teens often don't realize their behavior has severe consequences.
Research suggests that Frédéric Chopin's hallucinations were probably caused by temporal lobe epilepsy, a condition that can produce brief, fragmentary, and stereotyped visual hallucinations. The authors draw on the composer's own descriptions of his experiences and accounts from friends and pupils to support their claim.
Researchers at University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging are developing a treatment for Alzheimer's disease by targeting the protein kinase p38alphaMAPK. Their goal is to suppress overactive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which disrupt brain function in people with Alzheimer's.
A new study from Purdue University reveals that practicing retrieval, such as self-testing, is a more effective strategy than elaborate studying for improving long-term retention. The research found a 50% improvement in long-term retention scores for students who practiced retrieval compared to those who used elaborative studying.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University developed an IQ test to evaluate bacteria's 'social intelligence,' revealing high scores for certain strains. This breakthrough could lead to new antibiotics, powerful pesticides for agriculture, and better understanding of bacterial behavior.
Scientists at Purdue University found that many wheat lines carrying resistance genes are ineffective against Hessian flies in the southeastern US. The study suggests that combining two unreleased genes may be the best option to create more effective resistance.
The 20th Century Reanalysis Project has created a comprehensive reanalysis of global weather events from 1871 to the present day. The dataset provides key historical comparisons for our own changing climate, allowing researchers to understand the impact of extreme weather and climate events over time.
Loyola University Health System neurologists Dr. José Biller and Dr. Michael J. Schneck predict an 'explosive growth in potential medical therapies' for age-related neurological disorders. New treatments and diagnostic tests have led to an increased demand for neurologists and interest in the field.
Research suggests that smoking before menopause may be associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Women who smoked more or longer had a higher risk of breast cancer, while passive smoking was not linked to an increased risk.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine finds that current legal restrictions hinder the effectiveness of advance directives, which allow patients to specify their end-of-life care preferences. The researchers propose reforms to relax these restrictions and promote universal acceptance of oral advance directives.
Researchers have identified a link between mitochondrial fusion and a cell death pathway, with implications for treating heart disease and stroke. The study found that the proteins MFN1 and MFN2 regulate mitochondrial behavior, promoting or preventing apoptosis, depending on their combination.
Scientists identified a viral infection that causes high mortality among soft-shell crabs, which can result in significant financial losses for Chesapeake Bay watermen. By developing a genome-based technique to detect the virus, researchers aim to help improve the soft shell harvest and bring more profitable products to market.
Researchers found specific DNA regions, including those related to the Notch pathway, responsible for hypoxia resistance in flies. Gain-of-function mutations resulted in over-expression of the Notch domain and increased hypoxia tolerance.
A multidisciplinary faculty group at Tufts University School of Medicine recommends a strategic approach to teaching personalized genomic testing in medical school curricula. The group emphasizes the need for responsible use and privacy protection when introducing personal genotypes into education.
Researchers found that humans' unique throwing ability is tied to the size-weight illusion, which primes children to learn throwing. This skill enabled early humans to hunt effectively and survive, contributing to their species' success.
Research suggests that reduced exposure to seasonal cold may contribute to rises in obesity due to minimized energy expenditure and reduced body heat production. Increased indoor temperatures may also lead to a loss of brown fat, reducing the body's capacity to burn energy.
The research aims to mitigate Arctic climate change by reducing black carbon emissions at mid-latitudes and Europe. The study will assess the impact of black carbon on Arctic climate and its links with warming caused by carbon dioxide.
Glioblastoma cells can transform into blood vessel cells when oxygen is scarce, making treatment efforts less effective. This transformation allows the tumor cells to continue receiving nutrients and oxygen, leading to a resurgence of cancer growth.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a tiny slide-sized model of the female breast, dubbed 'breast on-a-chip,' to test nanomedical approaches for detecting and treating breast cancer. The model mimics the branching mammary duct system where most cancers begin.
A cognitive behavioral therapy program focusing on stress management appears to decrease the risk of recurrent heart attacks and cardiovascular events in patients with heart disease. The study found that the program was associated with a 41% lower rate of fatal and non-fatal heart events, as well as fewer recurrent heart attacks.
Researchers at UBC have created a global map of surface permeability, which could lead to new insights into water supply and climate modelling. The map, published in Geophysical Research Letters, provides critical data for managing groundwater resources and evaluating the impact of groundwater on climate.
Scientists at the University of East Anglia discovered a rogue gene, WWP2, that attacks and breaks down natural inhibitors preventing cancer cell spreading. Blocking WWP2 boosts these inhibitors, keeping cancer cells dormant.
A new species of parrot-sized dinosaur, Linhenykus monodactylus, has been discovered in Inner Mongolia with only one finger. The fossil found preserved bones from the vertebral column, forelimb, and hind limbs. It is believed that this feature may have been used for digging into insect nests.
Research suggests that dietary factors such as antioxidant intake, n-6 to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid consumption, and vitamin D status may contribute to the development of childhood asthma. A Mediterranean diet with high content of vegetables, fruits, and olive oil was found to be less likely to cause asthma symptoms.
A five-year study of 288 participants found that a combination of physical activity and weight loss improved mobility by 5-20% in older, obese adults. This counteracts the common belief that weight loss is unhealthy for older adults. Community-based programs can effectively provide seniors with poor mobility
Researchers will compare non-transplant eligible patients with implanted devices to those with current medical therapy, examining potential benefits for patients less advanced than current LVAD recipients.
Researchers are developing efficient spectrum-sensing technologies to support high-speed internet in rural areas and enable super Wi-Fi networks. The goal is to efficiently use limited radio spectrum resources to meet the growing demand for wireless technologies.
Researchers have developed a new microscopy technique, electrochemical impedance microscopy (EIM), that can explore subtle features of cell adhesion, apoptosis, and electroporation. EIM provides sub-micron spatial resolution and is label-free, making it non-invasive to samples.
A new study by the RAND Corporation found that Hispanic seniors are less likely to be immunized against flu and pneumonia compared to similar White seniors. Researchers discovered that Hispanic seniors who prefer speaking Spanish and live in linguistically isolated communities have the lowest immunization rates.
A study by Ohio State University found that 100% of pharmacy professors who had Facebook profiles would not send friend requests to their current students. The study suggests that faculty benefit from clear guidelines on social networking use to decrease discomfort around handling student friend requests.
A study by Elisabetta Rapiti found that women taking tamoxifen had 87% fewer lung cancer deaths than the general population. The research supports a hormonal influence on lung cancer and estrogen's role in patients' prognosis.
A long-term study found that children with lower self-control at age 3 were more likely to have health problems, substance dependence, and financial troubles by age 32. Self-control can be taught, reducing healthcare and criminal justice costs.
GRIN plasmonics combines transformation optics and plasmonics to control strongly confined light waves. The technique uses an isotropic dielectric material on a metal substrate to create efficient plasmonic devices, including Luneburg and Eaton lenses.
A new study by Michigan State University sociologist Zachary Neal challenges conventional wisdom on economic development. According to Neal's research, attracting business air-travel passengers first can lead to a significant increase in jobs.
A study by University of Chicago scholars finds that women in Congress consistently deliver more federal projects to their home districts and sponsor more legislation than men. Women's higher performance is attributed to voter discrimination against female candidates, leading only the most talented females to run for office.
The Micropilot software brings machine learning to microscopy, analyzing low-resolution images and automatically performing complex experiments when cells with interesting features are detected. It has been used to uncover the roles of proteins in cell division and will be a key tool for European systems biology projects.
A new study explores the impact of sun dimming on atmospheric teleconnections, which are crucial for predicting weather regimes. The research suggests that a dimmed sun could alter the link between tropical temperatures and extra-tropical circulation, potentially affecting prevailing weather patterns.
A new study found that 72% of patients in early-phase cancer trials accurately understood the trial purpose, but exhibited unrealistic optimism in response to specific questions. This bias may interfere with applying information realistically and compromise informed consent.
A UBC study has identified genes that allow the blue stain fungus Grosmannia clavigera to bypass lodgepole pine's natural fungicide, enabling it to infect and kill trees. This knowledge could inform strategies to prevent future outbreaks of mountain pine beetles.
A new study reveals that a biomarker test for DNA methylation is technically feasible and could aid in earlier and more precise diagnosis of melanoma. The test distinguishes malignant melanomas from non-malignant moles, with high predictive value.
Antennal drumming behavior has been linked to development of social caste in a native paper wasp, Polistes fuscatus. The new work shows that exposure to simulated antennal drumming biases developing larvae toward the physiological characteristics of workers rather than gynes.
Researchers have re-examined the assumption that organic molecules in the air evaporate quickly, discovering that they actually evaporate much slower than expected. This finding could significantly impact climate and air quality models, suggesting that there may be no missing source of atmospheric organics.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed synthetic antibodies that can be used for diagnostic tools. By optimizing binding affinity using random peptide sequences, these synbodies show promise in detecting diseases early on.
Grand Challenges Canada and Canadian partners have joined forces to tackle Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) affecting over 1 billion people worldwide. Researchers will develop new drugs using compounds from African botanical and microbial sources, collaborating with African scientists.
Researchers at TU Delft are developing an objective, quantitative method to assess MRI scans for Crohn's disease activity. This new method aims to improve disease monitoring and reduce the need for colonoscopies, a stressful procedure.
Researchers from UC Davis and UC Berkeley have discovered a new dinosaur, Eodramaeus, that lived 230 million years ago in South America. The carefully dated fossils suggest dinosaurs existed alongside other animals during the same periods of extinction, challenging the prevailing hypothesis about their origin.
Researchers from Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization found that the brain's activity patterns are highly chaotic, with information lost at a rate of one bit per active neuron per second. This high deletion rate indicates that the cerebral cortex is tailored to process brief snapshots of sensory input.
A new study finds that Candida albicans responds to pheromones from multiple species, not just its own, leading to same-sex mating and biofilm formation. This adaptability could increase drug resistance or altered pathogenic properties, making it a potential target for infection prevention strategies.
A new study found that Black and Hispanic young women are screened for chlamydia at a significantly higher rate than young white women, contributing to nationwide reporting of higher rates of this sexually transmitted disease among minority young women. Screening likelihood varied by insurance status and age.