A new clinical study from Stanford University School of Medicine and Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute found that pre-diabetic patients respond to self-directed lifestyle interventions, such as a take-home DVD, with similar effectiveness to coach-led programs. The study offers a practical way for primary care physicians t...
A recent study published in Archives of Ophthalmology found that working-age adults with vision insurance are more likely to have regular eye exams and report better vision. The research suggests that having vision insurance may be an important factor in preventing eye impairment, particularly among individuals with pre-existing condit...
A new targeted prostate biopsy technique using magnetic resonance ultrasound fusion has been shown to improve diagnosis of prostate cancer and aid in selecting patients for active surveillance. The study found that the biopsies identified 90 out of 171 men with prostate cancer, highlighting its potential as a more accurate and efficien...
University of Illinois researchers have refined a model to describe the relationship between root injury caused by corn rootworm pests and yield loss. The model suggests that yield is reduced by 15% for each node of roots lost, with location and experimental error having statistically significant effects.
Researchers develop experimental small molecule agent MI-2 that irreversibly inactivates MALT1 protein responsible for cancer cell growth. The treatment shows promise in animal models without toxicity, paving the way for combination therapy regimens to reduce treatment toxicity and improve patient outcomes.
Joslin scientists have discovered that brown adipose tissue has beneficial effects on glucose tolerance, body weight, and metabolism. The study showed improved insulin sensitivity, lower body weights, and decreased fat mass in mice with BAT transplantation.
A new study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science found that glaucoma patients read slower when reading silently for long periods, with a 16% decrease in reading speed. The research suggests technological solutions like e-readers could help alleviate reading difficulties, paving the way for potential app development.
A University of Rhode Island researcher has discovered that orlistat strongly alters the therapeutic potential of anti-cancer drugs and blood thinners like aspirin. The drug's inhibition of a key enzyme can lead to severe toxicity in internal organs such as the liver and kidney.
Infants with severe RSV disease may have a dysfunctional innate immune response that relates to the severity of their disease. Immune monitoring could help identify children at high-risk for severe disease, and may lead to the use of immune stimulant drugs to reverse innate immune suppression.
A study published in Optometry and Vision Science found that replacing extended-wear/continuous-wear contact lenses in the morning reduces overall adverse event rates by about four percent compared to nightly replacement. Morning lens replacement also significantly lowers mechanical adverse events, such as corneal scratches.
Researchers have developed a real-time CT-scan test rig for ceramic composites at ultrahigh temperatures, enabling the analysis of mechanical properties and microcrack damage. The test rig provides crucial information to predict ceramic composite structural integrity and safe lifetime.
A recent study found that palliative care services significantly reduced emergency room visits and depression among seniors in long-term care. The intervention provided improved end-of-life quality of care by treating pain and symptoms, decreasing hospitalizations, and supporting patient-centered care.
Experts say setting minimum prices for alcohol increases health and economic benefits, with research showing a reduction in overall consumption, deaths, and hospitalizations. Heavy drinkers are targeted by pricing strategies, which can also generate revenue for the government and industry profits.
Studies have shown that the autonomic nervous system plays a crucial role in regulating insulin secretion from beta cells in the pancreas. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet successfully grafted beta cells into mice eyes to study their function, revealing how the autonomic nervous system influences blood glucose levels.
Researchers found metformin improves body mass index (BMI) and fasting glucose levels in obese children at risk for type 2 diabetes. The study's results suggest a potential treatment option for preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes in childhood, offering hope for reducing long-term health risks.
The Optics Express Special Issue on ECOC 2012 features in-depth versions of 134 papers from the conference, covering topics such as multicore components and hybrid optoelectronic devices. The issue includes submissions from 37% of authors of the 350+ papers presented at the conference.
Research suggests that unresponsive or over-intrusive parenting can contribute to commitment-phobic adults. These individuals often adopt an 'infant-mother' intimacy model in adult relationships, seeking validation and a sense of security from their partners.
A phase 3 trial by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found an experimental drug combination for preventing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) did not significantly improve outcomes compared to the standard regimen. The treatment had some benefits, including reduced mucositis and faster engraftment, but also increased veno-occlusive disease risk.
Healthcare professionals often view medication reconciliation as a 'checklist' task, but it's actually an opportunity to consider patients' entire therapeutic plans. Effective collaboration is key to ensuring patient safety and accuracy in medication regimens.
A new study by the American Cancer Society finds a strong inverse association between caffeinated coffee intake and oral/pharyngeal cancer mortality. Consuming more than four cups per day was associated with a 49% lower risk of death from these cancers.
Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Center have identified liposarcoma tumors that can be imaged by PET scanning using a tracer substance known as FAC, and found these tumors are sensitive to chemotherapy. This discovery has translational potential for liposarcoma patients and may lead to more effective treatment strategies.
A study by Sabrina McCormick found that citizen science can quickly identify hazards and provide specific local information, often missing from official reports. The Spill Map collected over 2,600 online reports and in-person interviews, capturing real-time data on oil spill impacts and health problems.
A new study found that the asteroid collision that killed the dinosaurs also led to the extinction of a newly identified lizard species, Obamadon gracilis. The impact wiped out nearly 83% of all snake and lizard species, with no species larger than one pound surviving.
A new study by the University of Delaware and Delaware Technical Community College suggests that a well-designed combination of wind power, solar power, and storage can fully power a large electric grid 99.9 percent of the time by 2030. The study's findings break conventional wisdom on renewable energy being too unreliable and expensive.
A study found that adding a personal digital assistant and telephone coaching to a standard weight loss program significantly enhanced short-term weight loss outcomes. Participants in the intervention group lost an average of 3.9 kg more than those in the control group at each weigh-in, with notable improvements at three and six months.
Researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to monitor activity in brains of sleep-deprived volunteers. The study found decreased activity in specific brain regions, including the anterior cingulate cortex, linked to feelings of mental fatigue. This discovery could lead to the development of new measures for assessing...
Two diabetes lifestyle interventions led to significant weight loss and improvements in waist circumference and fasting plasma glucose levels for overweight or obese adults. The adapted Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) lifestyle interventions resulted in a 2.2-2.9 BMI reduction over usual care at month 15.
Researchers have found that onion and garlic waste can effectively remove heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and cadmium from contaminated materials. The optimal conditions for this process include a pH of 5 and contact time of half an hour at 50 degrees Celsius.
This new book examines Richard Oastler's fight to limit working hours and prevent child labour in Yorkshire's industrial towns during the early 19th century. The book features contributions from six historians exploring Oastler's impact on British society.
A study published in Ecology reveals that elk bones can provide baseline ecological data on animal populations, complementing aerial counts and adding a historical component to live observation. The research found moderate shifts in elk habitat use despite recent changes at Yellowstone, including wildfires and wildlife reintroduction.
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that a mother's vitamin D level is positively related to birth weight and head circumference. Additionally, a deficiency in vitamin D during the first trimester was negatively associated with the risk of a baby being born small for gestational age.
Researchers found that elevated galectin-1 levels correlate with tumor burden and adverse clinical characteristics in newly diagnosed Hodgkin lymphoma patients. The study suggests using galectin-1 as a biomarker to predict patient outcomes and inform treatment decisions.
Researchers discovered that brown fat transplants significantly decreased body weight and improved insulin sensitivity in mice fed high-fat diets. The study also found that the transplanted brown fat secreted hormones that mediated metabolic effects throughout the body.
A new study by Scott Wright and Joseph A. Carrese examines ethical dilemmas for physicians when patients make financial donations to medical institutions. The researchers found that doctors are concerned about the potential impact on their relationships with patients and the purity of the doctor-patient bond.
A Phase 2 clinical trial found that combining ibrutinib and rituximab produced profound responses in high-risk CLL patients with minimal side effects. Researchers hope to further develop the treatment for this aggressive form of leukemia.
Deborah Young-Corbett's research highlights the importance of Prevention through Design in reducing health risks in construction. By designing tools, equipment, and facilities to eliminate occupational hazards, the industry can improve worker safety and reduce illnesses and fatalities.
Researchers identified microRNAs associated with oligometastatic progression, which differ from those associated with widespread metastatic disease. These findings suggest a biological basis for oligometastasis and potential use in identifying patients suitable for curative interventions.
A study by Nationwide Children's Hospital identified alpha arrestins as crucial regulators of G-protein coupled receptor signaling. Targeting these proteins could lead to more effective and side-effect-free drugs, potentially revolutionizing the pharmaceutical industry.
Rivers erode at an estimated 80 billion metric tons yearly, with 20 billion ending up in ocean water via rivers. Researcher Panos Diplas studies river mechanics to improve erosion process understanding and develop measures to control scour around bridge foundations.
Researchers found that chromatin, a protein complex, regulates genes in the liver to sync with circadian cycles. The study suggests connections between dietary schedules and chronic diseases, such as high blood sugar and cholesterol.
A Kaiser Permanente study found a significant link between prenatal oxygen deprivation and an increased risk of developing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in childhood. The study examined electronic health records of nearly 82,000 children ages 5 and found that exposure to birth asphyxia, neonatal respiratory distress s...
Researchers found that the development of hands and feet occurred through the gain of new DNA elements activating specific genes. This discovery helps understand the power of gene expression in shaping bodies and may shed light on genetic diseases associated with limb formation.
Researchers found point-of-care ultrasound to be highly specific (97%) and sensitive (92%) for diagnosing pneumonia, outperforming the traditional method of auscultation by stethoscope. Ultrasound can also detect small pneumonias that a chest x-ray may miss, making it a valuable tool in pediatric care.
A randomized controlled trial found that iron supplements reduced behavioral problems like ADHD in low birth weight infants by 9.8 percentage points compared to those without supplementation. The study concluded that early iron supplementation has long-term health benefits for marginally low birth weight infants.
Research found that sickle cell patients experience a significant increase in emergency department visits and hospitalizations as they transition from childhood to adulthood. The study, which analyzed data from over 3,200 patients, showed that emergency room visits tripled between ages 15-24.
A recent University of California, Berkeley study found that reframing environmental rhetoric according to conservative morals can reduce partisan polarization on ecological matters. When pro-environmental messages focus on protecting the natural environment from harm, conservatives are more likely to feel disgust and support environme...
A new Northwestern University study found that a mobile app tracking calories and activity, combined with regular nutrition and exercise classes, helped participants lose an average of 15 pounds and maintain weight loss for at least a year. The technology alone was not enough to achieve significant weight loss.
Researchers found that rates of violence increased significantly in James Bond films over a 46-year period, with severe violence increasing by nearly three times.
A recent study finds that uncontrolled blazes in the Peruvian Amazon are driven by depopulation, increased road networks, and drought, leading to devastating forest, farm, and village losses. Researchers suggest that government policies promoting oil palm plantations could help mitigate these effects.
A computer-based design program, SketchUp, helps develop spatial and visual acuity in youth on the autism spectrum. It also improves relationships between grandparents and their grandkids, creating a more supportive environment. The technology provides common ground for grandparents to engage with others, sharing experiences and joys.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have made skin cells in senior citizens act like younger cells again by adding more filler to the surrounding extracellular matrix. The study shows that this approach can trigger a signal for cells to wake up and respond positively to alterations in their environment.
The FASEB MARC Program has awarded $3,700 to two students and their faculty mentors at the ISCB Rocky 2012 meeting. The program aims to increase diversity in biomedical research by promoting participation of underrepresented minority students and scientists.
Researchers have identified specific brain areas that interact to compute confidence in decisions, allowing individuals to assess their choices. The study used fMRI to measure activity in the brains of volunteers while they made food choice decisions.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in optimizing stem cells and transplant approaches to treat patients with blood disorders. A new study has shown that the addition of vorinostat to standard therapy can safely reduce the incidence and severity of graft-versus-host disease, a life-threatening complication associated with h...
A new study by Nayuta Brand and Michel Chapuisat found that queen sweat bees restrict the amount of food provided to their first brood, resulting in smaller female workers. This 'choosing' behavior ensures that daughters become workers rather than queens.
Researchers block DNA repair pathway in leukemia stem cells by targeting protein RAD52, which is crucial for fixing genetic mistakes. This approach may lead to a new strategy to overcome drug resistance in cancer patients.
Researchers found high concentrations of gold in termite mounds, indicating a larger deposit underneath. These insects bring up small particles containing gold from the deposit's fingerprint and stockpile it in their mounds.
A new study finds that a reduced intensity conditioning regimen before marrow transplant significantly boosts disease-free survival rates among older AML patients. With a rate of 39%, this approach outperforms traditional methods in preventing relapse and improving patient outcomes.
Researchers present promising results from a Phase II study on quizartinib, a targeted therapy that may turn treatment-resistant leukemia into manageable conditions. The study shows great potential in turning fatal disease subtypes into chronic conditions with regular treatment.
Exposure to second-hand smoke significantly increases the risk of invasive meningococcal disease in children, with doubled risks at home and tripled risks for those born to smoking mothers. The study estimates an extra 630 cases of childhood invasive meningococcal disease per year.