Over the past two decades, heightened awareness of emerging infectious diseases has improved diagnosis, treatment, and prevention through advances such as rapid genome sequencing. The complex interactions between microbes and human hosts are being better understood, leading to new insights into disease development and countermeasures.
A Canadian hospital detected New Delhi Metallo-ß-lactamase-1-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (NDM1-Kp), a multidrug-resistant bacteria. The bacteria was found in seven patients, acquired through direct contact with an index patient.
A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that bedroom TV viewing is associated with increased waist circumference and obesity risk in children. The research suggests that having a TV in the bedroom may disrupt healthy habits, such as sleep and regular family meals, contributing to weight gain and obesity.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have found that blocking myeloid-derived suppressor cells and regulatory T-cell reconstitution improves adoptive T-cell therapy for melanoma. This blockade is achieved after total body irradiation eliminates these cells, leading to delayed tumor growth and enhanced survival in mice.
Researchers have demonstrated a feasibility study for activating hemoglobin unaffected by the sickle cell mutation using an animal model. The study showed a five- to 20-fold increase in fetal hemoglobin production, paving the way for further research on correcting disease using gene therapy.
A study by Sliman Bensmaia and colleagues found that the timing and frequency of vibrations in the skin transmit specific messages about texture to the brain, similar to how sound is perceived. This new understanding has implications for simulating tactile sensations, such as haptic rendering and prosthetic technology.
Consumers believe that life-saving products like vaccines and cancer medications are priced based on need rather than profit. This perception can lead to an increased perceived health risk when prices are low, even if the product is still necessary.
Researchers found postpartum women exhibit reduced stress response to images unrelated to their babies compared to childless women. Oxytocin nasal spray administration showed similar brain activity and reduced subjective stress in childless women, suggesting its role in these changes.
A team of international marine researchers found evidence of a sharp decline in coral diversity near the equator, with only 50-60% of species present further away. The study suggests that warming temperatures may lead to corals retreating towards the poles during warm periods and retracting towards the equator in cooler times.
Scientists observed and measured the tiny distortion in a star's light caused by Venus passing in front of it. The effect, known as the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect, is difficult to detect but holds promise for studying exoplanets. Measuring this effect will aid in understanding the history of exoplanet formation.
A team of researchers has identified KNDy neurons as a likely control switch of hot flushes, suggesting that hormonal changes in menopause trigger vasodilation and increased body temperature. The discovery provides a crucial step towards developing more effective treatments for hot flushes.
Researchers found that primary care physicians provide higher quality care to diabetes patients by altering medications and offering lifestyle counseling more frequently. This study highlights the importance of a consistent primary care physician in managing chronic conditions like diabetes.
Researchers sequenced DNA molecules directly without library preparation, using less than one nanogram of DNA. The technique has potential for fast and efficient identification of organisms in hospitals and healthcare settings.
Researchers have discovered a jerky, non-smooth energy transfer from a meteorite or missile to sand and dirt grains during impact. The study shows that the sound wave and grains behave differently than previously assumed, with pulses moving along networks of grains, or force chains.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have identified a new class of molecular acceptors that can be used to replace fullerenes in organic solar cells, improving their efficiency and reducing costs. This breakthrough could unlock the door to more efficient and cheaper solar cells.
The study found a significant increase in the risk of developing eBL in young children with a distinct pattern of antibody responses to several different recombinant Pf malaria antigens. Antibodies to SE36, a vaccine candidate protein, were associated with a decreased risk of eBL.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have created Access4Kids, a wireless input device that translates physical movements into fine-motor gestures to control tablets. The device allows children with fine motor impairments to access off-the-shelf apps and custom-made apps for therapy and science education.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered that the madder plant's purpurin can be used as a natural cathode for lithium-ion batteries, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional batteries. The team has built a half-battery cell with a capacity of 90 milliamp hours per gram after 50 charge/discharge cycles.
A Phase 2a trial is being conducted to assess the effectiveness of AZD5847, a new test drug for patients with tuberculosis, including those with HIV co-infection. The study aims to improve treatment options for TB, a leading infectious cause of death among people with HIV/AIDS.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that combining diagnostic tests more accurately predicts Alzheimer's in patients with mild cognitive impairment. The combination of MRI, FDG-PET, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis reduced misdiagnoses by 28.4% compared to individual tests.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease, finding that a diabetes drug can restore memory in brain cells. The team tested the drug on animal models with Alzheimer's and found significant improvements in memory function.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have devised a system to capture and study circulating tumor cells, which carry cancer around the body. The device uses nanoscale roughness to trap cancer cells regardless of their surface proteins or physical sizes.
Researchers have created a gel that can be painted onto blood vessel walls to form a protective barrier, potentially preventing rupture and inflammation. The gel's 'sheer strength' could shore up weakened vessel walls and prevent the formation of blood clots.
A recent UT study examined how academic achievement relates to physical fitness in middle school students. The study found that students with the highest fitness levels performed better on standardized exams and earned higher grades. By being active, kids may be able to raise their grades without sacrificing academic instruction.
A new study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers make emotional assessments when making decisions closer to their future. The study suggests that companies should tailor their messages to appeal to feelings or objective assessments based on the proximity of the decision outcome.
Hepatitis C virus triggers liver cell entry through PI3K and AKT pathway activation, potentially leading to cancer, cirrhosis, or organ failure. Researchers identified a novel target for anti-HCV drugs by disrupting the PI3K-AKT pathway.
A new study reveals that consumers seek to punish fellow shoppers who break rules, yet make exceptions depending on the situation. Consumers are less likely to punish someone if they've been punished by a store employee or have experienced adversity themselves.
An international team of researchers has discovered a new species of ostracod, a type of crustacean, in 425 million-year-old rocks. The fossils are exceptionally well-preserved, including the shell and soft tissues such as body, limbs, eyes, gills, and alimentary system.
Children born prematurely are at increased risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and chronic exposure to acid reflux. The study found that being small for gestational age or having a short duration of gestation also increases the risk of esophagitis.
Researchers have reconstructed DNA and proteins from prehistoric yeast cells to examine evolutionary forces that shaped modern-day enzymes. They found that copying existing genes led to the emergence of new enzymes with different sugar-b Breaking down different sugars.
A systematic review found that children and teenagers diagnosed with PTSD showed signs of improvement up to three months following treatment. Psychological therapies, particularly cognitive behavioural therapy, have been shown to be effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder in children, reducing anxiety and depression symptoms.
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust is providing a $6.2 million grant to Ben-Gurion University of the Negev to establish an ABC Robotics Center, focusing on medical, service, industrial, and agricultural robotics. The center aims to develop fully autonomous robots with human-like cognitive capabilities.
Researchers found that an ancient algal structure is used by deadly parasites like malaria and toxoplasmosis to replicate inside hosts. Altering this fiber-like structure can prevent parasite replication, potentially leading to new treatments.
Women leave academia at higher rates than men in biology due to intense competition for tenure-track positions, particularly when they have children. In contrast, medicine's earlier competition period may contribute to lower attrition rates among women scientists.
Stay-at-home fathers are mobilizing to build greater legitimacy for their marginalized gender identity by aggressively pursuing recognition from mainstream institutions. They attempt to avoid feminizing associations by masculinizing domesticity, instead enacting a rebel dad persona and portraying themselves as a gender vanguard.
The Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) has released MostPixelsEver: Cluster Edition, an open source software tool that enables interactive multimedia visualizations on high resolution, tiled displays. This software aims to make visualization tools more accessible for humanities researchers.
Recent advancements in lung cancer treatment focus on targeting specific genetic mutations, resulting in improved patient response rates (70-80%) compared to traditional chemotherapies. However, challenges remain in securing funding for clinical trials and staying ahead of the disease's rapid mutation rate.
The study found that disruption to public health infrastructure was the primary factor contributing to infectious disease outbreaks, accounting for 40% of cases. The authors recommend prioritizing development funding over emergency funding to strengthen surveillance and diagnostic capacity in developing countries.
Researchers found that sex-specific epi-marks can lead to homosexuality when they escape erasure and are transmitted from father to daughter or mother to son. This study solves the evolutionary riddle of homosexuality, suggesting that epigenetics is a critical factor contributing to the phenomenon.
A clinical trial led by researchers at Case Western Reserve University will enroll 75 men and women with drug-sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis to test the investigational TB drug AZD5847. The study aims to determine whether the drug reduces TB bacteria counts in participants, with a focus on patients co-infected with HIV.
The US Department of Energy's NREL and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory released reports examining solar photovoltaic (PV) pricing in the US. The reports indicate that PV system prices have been falling rapidly over the past decade, with soft costs accounting for 40-50% of residential and commercial PV prices in 2010.
A study by Keith Wilcox and Andrew T. Stephen found that Facebook usage can lead to reduced self-control, resulting in unhealthy snacking, increased body mass index, and higher credit card debt among users with many close friends. The research highlights the potential negative impact of social media on consumer well-being.
Scientists have identified a 'histone code' in honey bees that helps control cell development and explains why they are sensitive to environmental changes. The discovery may also shed light on how royal jelly affects the sex of honey bee larvae.
A new code solves crystal structures automatically and sheds light on solids' fundamental properties. By integrating prediction and solution methods, Northwestern University researchers have developed a promising algorithm to understand the arrangement of atoms in solids.
A new system developed by NCAR combines satellite data and computer weather models to predict potentially dangerous atmospheric conditions. The system provides pilots with critical information about storms, turbulence, and lightning, helping to improve flight safety over remote ocean regions.
Researchers found that tyrosine kinase inhibitor-resistant leukemia stem cells accumulate DNA damage, potentially leading to disease relapse. Identifying this source of genomic instability may help develop new treatment strategies against CML and other resistant diseases.
Researchers have found that Salmonella bacteria change key cells in the intestine to cross the gut wall and infect vital organs. This allows Salmonella to thrive and cause severe symptoms like diarrhoea, fever, and even death in young children.
A new statistical method called bootstrapping has been used to calculate uncertainty intervals for child mortality rate estimates in 174 countries. This approach provides more insights into countries' progress in reducing child mortality, enabling a categorization of countries based on the evidence for progress.
A mobile app named Picaa has been developed to support children with autism-related disorders or Down Syndrome. The application has shown significant improvement in perception, vocabulary acquisition, phonetic and syntactic performance, memory development and eye-hand coordination among its users.
DNDi will receive a $17.3 million grant from UNITAID to accelerate the development and delivery of child-adapted antiretroviral therapy (ARV) formulations for babies and toddlers with HIV/AIDS, including those co-infected with tuberculosis. This support aims to improve treatment accessibility and outcomes for young children affected by...
A study found that brain changes in children who suffered a concussion persisted for over three months, despite the disappearance of symptoms. The researchers used advanced imaging techniques to monitor recovery and suggested that using these methods could help diagnose and treat concussions in children.
Researchers from City College of New York have developed a non-toxic and sustainable lithium-ion battery powered by purpurin, a natural plant dye extracted from the madder plant. The battery's production process is simpler and less expensive than traditional Li-ion batteries, with fewer environmental risks.
Researchers found that a weekly dose of the targeted drug inotuzumab ozogamicin reduces side effects and maintains its effectiveness against acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in patients. The treatment showed an overall response rate of 57% with manageable toxicities.
Studies show that when faced with a threat, our bodies respond with fight-or-flight responses and engage perceptual biases to misperceive objects as being closer. However, this effect is absent in cases of disgust. These findings support the threat-signal hypothesis, suggesting that perception can be biased to promote functional action.
A new coronavirus, hCoV-EMC, has been linked to severe disease in humans and can infect cells from various bat species and pigs. The virus uses a different receptor than SARS, but its ability to transmit between animals and humans repeatedly remains uncertain.
A study found that consumers are more likely to buy a product they previously focused on, while ignoring a product decreases its purchasing chances. Companies can exploit this by drawing attention through advertising or packaging to gain long-term advantages.
Women who smoke even light-to-moderate cigarettes are at higher risk of sudden cardiac death, with the risk climbing by 8% for every five years of continued smoking. Quitting can significantly reduce and eliminate this risk over time.
Researchers suggest that the large size of sauropod dinosaurs may be attributed to a high C/N ratio in their plant-based diet. This theory proposes that young sauropods had a metabolism similar to modern mammals, while adults might have relied on humps of fat reserves instead of heat dissipation due to overheating.
A combination of diagnostic tests, including MRI, PET and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, can improve the prediction of conversion from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease. The study found that combining these tests reduced false classifications and increased accuracy compared to clinical testing alone.
Patients with depressive disorders and borderline personality disorder have significantly higher unemployment rates than those without the condition. Persistent unemployment poses a significant public health burden, with 13.4% of patients missing up to two years or more from work.