A study by Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Southern California found that states with increased high-speed internet access saw larger increases in prescription drug abuse admissions. The analysis suggests that easy online availability of controlled drugs may contribute to the soaring abuse levels.
Researchers discovered that estrogen receptors in the brain help turn off genes leading to chronic inflammation. This finding may lead to new treatments for multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative conditions.
The BABY HUG trial shows that hydroxycarbamide safely prevents early organ damage and reduces common complications of sickle cell disease in very young children. The study's findings suggest that hydroxycarbamide therapy should be considered for all young children with the disease, regardless of symptoms.
Researchers extracted 148 Medtronic Sprint Fidelis leads without major complications, showing successful extraction rates. The study provides new insights into the procedure's feasibility in large volume centers.
Adult planarians possess pluripotent stem cells capable of producing diverse tissue types, allowing for the rebuilding of entire organisms from a single cell. The discovery could lead to insights into human regenerative medicine, as many genes in the planarian genome have human counterparts.
A new analysis of NASA's Galileo data confirms the existence of a molten magma layer on Jupiter's moon Io, explaining its intense volcanic activity and shedding light on the Earth and moon's formation. The 'ocean' of magma is estimated to be 30 miles thick and features blistering temperatures of over 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Researchers at Duke University have traced rising salinity levels in the Yorktown aquifer to ancient fossil seawater, providing a long-term solution for desalinated tap water. The study found that reverse osmosis membranes can still effectively remove most dissolved salts, but may require additional treatment for boron and arsenic.
Researchers at Dalhousie University have found that sperm whales use distinct codas to communicate, with different sounds indicating individual identity and social status. The study also highlights the impact of human pollution on whale communication, which is crucial for their survival in the deep ocean.
A Stanford study suggests that digestive problems early in life may increase the risk of developing depression. Researchers found that laboratory rats subjected to mild stomach irritation showed signs of anxiety and depression, including changes in behavior and stress hormone levels.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that solar cells are more efficient than plants in capturing sunlight's energy. However, scientists aim to enhance plant efficiency using innovative approaches such as replacing photosystems with those from cyanobacteria.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have created a new porous, three-dimensional carbon that can be used as a greatly enhanced supercapacitor. This discovery offers promise for energy storage in various fields, including energy grids and electric cars.
Researchers at Whitehead Institute have discovered that planarian flatworms possess pluripotent stem cells called clonogenic neoblasts, which can differentiate into various tissue types and even replace all tissues in a host. This finding has significant implications for understanding regeneration in mammals.
A Nordic multicentre study found that pelvic organ prolapse surgery using synthetic mesh can restore genital anatomy and provide efficient symptom relief. However, the study also revealed an increased risk of complications with this method compared to traditional surgery.
Existing protected areas may be insufficient to safeguard sea turtles from fishing nets, according to a new study. International cooperation is needed to extend and manage the waters where olive ridley sea turtles spend most of their time.
The Eucalyptus grandis genome sequence provides a blueprint for efficient breeding programs, disease resistance, and wood quality improvement. Researchers aim to replace fossil fuels with biofuels and other alternative energy sources using cellulose-rich plants like eucalyptus trees.
Researchers at CAMH have identified a new gene associated with Joubert syndrome, a type of intellectual disability affecting brain functioning and leading to symptoms like kidney and eye problems. The TCTN2 gene defect is linked to this condition, which affects approximately 1 in 100,000 children.
A study by Salk Institute scientists reveals that insulin activates a factor called SIK3, which promotes lipid storage during daytime feeding hours by blocking fat breakdown programs. This link between glucose metabolism and lipid storage has potential applications in treating metabolic conditions such as obesity and type II diabetes.
Researchers found that heart-related hospitalizations among Medicare beneficiaries decreased from 1998 to 2008, with coronary artery disease and heart attack seeing significant declines. However, cardiac arrhythmia hospitalizations increased, while chronic bronchitis hospitalizations rose.
Rapid treatment with medication and surgical procedures is crucial for stroke patients, reducing recurrence risk by 20%. Rehabilitation care has improved significantly over the past two decades, but evidence gaps remain, particularly in addressing mobility and speech impairments.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered a protein that guides blood vessel development and may lead to a treatment to starve cancer cells of nutrients. The protein, Rasip1, is specific to blood vessels and essential for their formation, making it a potential target for blocking tumor growth.
The Oregon Farm to School bill aims to improve state residents' health by creating new farm-industry jobs and increasing access to fresh, local food in schools. The bill has the potential to create at least 800 new agricultural jobs and improve students' satisfaction with school meal offerings.
Researchers found that a small RNA pathway is required to establish DNA methylation, a process that silences genes. This discovery may lead to new therapies for cancer and other diseases by reactivating silenced tumor-suppressor genes.
Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine found that disease-causing germs survive on commonly shared wind instruments for one to two days. To minimize germ growth, instrumentists should have their own instruments and use proper cleaning methods.
A new study from Family Process reveals that family business succession is an emotionally charged process, influenced by internal and interpersonal factors. The research highlights the importance of trust, worldview, and relationships in facilitating or hindering successful succession.
A new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society recommends a disease screening program for farm-raised caiman in Argentina's caiman ranches. The researchers found Salmonella bacteria in 77% of samples, posing health risks to humans and wild animal populations.
A new study shows hydroxyurea reduces acute pain episodes, pneumonia-like illness, hospitalization time, and other symptoms in young patients with sickle cell anemia. The treatment is safe and effective for infant and toddler patients, raising hopes for improving patient quality of life.
Researchers argue that increased discussion is needed to monitor the ecological effects of human activities on deep-sea ecosystems. Advances in underwater monitoring equipment enable real-time data sharing, facilitating sustainable resource use and early warning systems.
Researchers report a decline in the proportion and concentration of diclofenac in cattle carcasses in India, slowing the annual population decline of vultures by approximately 60%. However, illegal use of diclofenac remains a challenge to be addressed.
A new study at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging identifies N-acylethanolamines (NAEs) as a novel metabolic signaling pathway that coordinates the aging response to nutrient availability. This discovery suggests a link between endocannabinoids, dietary restriction, and aging that may be conserved across species.
A new longitudinal study found that children who feel more responsible to their parents stay engaged in school and perform better. The study, conducted in the US and China, suggests that parents should communicate to teenagers the importance of acting responsibly as they enter middle school.
A Kaiser Permanente study found no evidence that receiving the zoster vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine on the same day compromises the immune response necessary to protect against herpes zoster, also known as shingles. The study's findings challenge previous information in the zoster vaccine manufacturer's package insert.
Researchers from Case Western Reserve University are rethinking participation criteria in biomedical studies to make them more inclusive of people with disabilities. They argue that excluding people with disabilities from research can lead to missing crucial scientific evidence and health-related differences.
A new genomics study has identified genetic patterns in children with CVID, a complex and unpredictable immune disorder. The researchers have developed a predictive algorithm that can distinguish CVID from healthy controls with 99% accuracy.
Yale researchers have found that a decoy receptor called serum sEGFR might limit the effectiveness of cancer 'smart drugs' like Cetuximab. This could explain why some patients do not respond to these treatments, even though the drug is supposed to target specific cancer cell growth drivers.
Research by Demaree and Schmeichel found that people with high working memory capacity are better at controlling their emotions after receiving harsh criticism. They use a coping mechanism to make themselves feel better, resulting in less negative emotions.
The Affordable Care Act is expanding health insurance coverage to nearly all uninsured women, addressing the issue of millions unable to afford needed healthcare. The law includes premium subsidies and new rules protecting women from high costs, aiming to increase access to preventive care and reduce medical debt.
Researchers found that bottlenose dolphins and beluga whales accumulate more chemical pollutants when living and feeding in waters near urbanized areas. POPs were detected in the highest concentrations, with PCBs being the most prevalent pollutant.
Clemson University is conducting a design-feasibility study for a vertical farm in downtown Charleston, powered by solar and wind energy. The project aims to promote sustainable food systems and community connectivity.
Three new vaccine formulations show potential in preventing long-term relapse and reducing costs associated with methamphetamine addiction. The formulations produce a good immune response in mice, offering a unique approach to treating the highly addictive substance.
Researchers discovered that ants use chemical signals on their host tree to distinguish it from competing plant species. The team found that the ants more aggressively attacked papers coated with extracts from a closely related species, demonstrating the high degree of specificity for their host tree.
The NIST sensor detects many different trace gases at fast rates with high sensitivity, built from off-the-shelf technology for portability and commercial potential. The key is using radiation at terahertz frequencies to rotate gas molecules uniquely for identification and measurement.
A new technology fusion of MRI with real-time 3D ultrasound improves targeted biopsy accuracy for prostate cancer diagnosis. The system identifies suspicious areas in the prostate and provides a roadmap for biopsy needle guidance, increasing cancer detection rates by five times compared to conventional biopsies.
Researchers at the University of Georgia identified the biochemical pathway that controls how bacteria release sulfur compounds into the ocean and atmosphere, a discovery that could help mitigate global warming. The study found that the pathway is widespread among bacterioplankton in the ocean and non-marine environments.
Researchers use a genetically re-engineered herpes virus that selectively infects cancer cells, prompting them to secrete a biomarker that can be detected. The technology has the potential to improve cancer diagnosis and monitoring, especially in less developed parts of the world.
A longitudinal study of 140 children aged 4-13 found that younger children's earliest memories changed over time, while older children became more consistent in their recollections. Children who were between 4 and 7 years old showed little overlap between memories recalled at two different ages.
Daily practice enhances tactile sensitivity in blind participants, with proficient Braille readers showing exceptional performance. The study's findings challenge the long-held assumption that vision loss alone contributes to improved tactile abilities.
Arizona State University will lead a consortium to develop clean energy training programs worldwide, benefiting thousands of people in several countries. The program aims to create curricula around decentralized clean energy technologies, including solar and micro-grid systems.
Research by Dominic Williams reveals no direct relationship between business rates and economic activity, despite politicians suggesting a link. Councils with higher rates income are mainly large cities, while growth is often driven by smaller councils with new businesses.
Researchers find that marine diatoms have a functional urea cycle, allowing them to recycle carbon and nitrogen from their environment. This discovery reveals a surprising evolutionary link between diatoms and animals.
A study published in PLoS ONE found that a shorter anogenital distance may indicate impaired testicular development and function. The research suggests that this non-invasive measurement could be used to evaluate patients with reduced reproductive potential, potentially linking gestational exposures to adult testicular function.
Research studies found that vulnerable individuals with genetic deletions on chromosome 22, known as velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS), are at risk for developing schizophrenia. Progressive brain abnormalities emerge during adolescence, including deficits in the volume of temporal cortex gray matter, which predicts psychosis.
Three University of Houston students will lead health-related service initiatives for underserved individuals and communities through the Houston-Galveston Schweitzer Fellows Program. The program aims to address social determinants of health, partnering with community-based organizations.
A UK study found that 81% of single homeless people lived independently 18 months after resettlement, with most reporting improved lives and rebuilding their relationships. Help from tenancy-support workers was crucial in the first months of resettlement.
Researchers discovered losartan improves muscle regeneration and prevents wasting away from inactivity in geriatric mice. The study suggests losartan may have broader clinical applications in protecting against immobilization atrophy in older adults.
Scientific data show alarming changes in Arctic snow, water, ice, and permafrost, posing risks to human populations and the world at large. Climate change could also open up new areas for mineral and oil exploration, but this must be balanced against the enormous challenges it poses.
A McGill research team identified two distinct disease-causing mutations in the IRF8 gene, which causes severe immunodeficiency and disseminated BCG infection. These findings led to a successful stem cell transplant that saved the life of a three-month-old baby girl.
A new study reveals that 39 additional marine species beyond those under federal protection are at risk of extinction due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The researchers advocate for priority protection and restoration efforts for these globally threatened species.
NC State physicist Dean Lee and colleagues create simulations using effective field theory to calculate low-lying states of carbon-12, confirming the Hoyle state's existence. The research provides a better understanding of 'fine-tuning' in stellar processes that produce essential elements for life.
Researchers developed a transgenic mouse model of the rare neurodegenerative disorder HDL2 to study its pathogenesis. The study found overlapping polyQ-mediated mechanisms with Huntington's disease and identified a novel expanded polyQ protein driving disease progression in HDL2 mice.
Research reveals that lone male black bears are the primary cause of fatal attacks on humans, with a significant increase in attacks linked to human population growth. The study also found that familiarization with humans and previous bear encounters do not necessarily lead to increased attack rates.