A new study by University of Notre Dame biologist Beth Archie and colleagues reveals that high-ranking male baboons have better wound healing rates. The researchers found that factors associated with high rank, such as chronic stress and age, suppress immune function in low-ranking males, making them more susceptible to illness.
A new study found that nearly all COPD patients have two or more comorbidities, with most having four or more. The presence of these comorbidities can complicate treatment and affect patient outcomes. Future guidelines should address the management of comorbidities in COPD patients.
Researchers have made a significant discovery that the pandemic 2009 H1N1 vaccine can produce antibodies against not only the H1N1 virus but also other influenza virus strains including H5N1 and H3N2. This breakthrough brings the team closer to developing a pan-influenza vaccine that can reliably induce broadly cross-reactive antibodies.
Rheumatoid arthritis patients face a higher risk of early death and cardiovascular disease due to inflammation. Conventional predictors of risk are inadequate for estimating this risk, emphasizing the need for more accurate tools to assess heart disease danger in these patients.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a method to repeatedly encode, store and erase digital data within the DNA of living cells. This breakthrough enables the creation of a binary digit equivalent to a 'bit' in data parlance.
Researchers discovered a novel mechanism regulating breast cancer bone metastases and found that heparin-like compounds can inhibit bone destruction and tumor growth in bone. A promising heparin-like compound has reduced anticoagulant activity, improving its applicability as a potential cancer therapeutic agent.
A study led by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center researchers found a novel approach to inhibit cancer cells using an inexpensive 'orphan drug', originally developed for sleep disorders. The compound, CSNK 1 epsilon, kills cancer cells while sparing normal tissue, offering new hope for treating Myc-driven cancers.
A new study has shown that giving a daily low-dose of the chemotherapy drug carboplatin at the same time as radiotherapy significantly prolongs survival in elderly patients with lung cancer. Patients who received combined chemoradiotherapy were nearly a third less likely to die than those given radiotherapy alone.
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research have elucidated the action mechanism of castor oil, revealing that ricinoleic acid activates the EP3 receptor to stimulate intestinal activity and labour. This discovery could lead to a reassessment of its clinical use and potentially open new areas of application.
Researchers from Seattle BioMed, University of Copenhagen and University of Edinburgh report findings that could lead to new treatments for severe malaria. The studies identified specific parasite proteins associated with the disease, offering potential targets for drugs.
A new study found that people who used statins before and during their hospital stay were more likely to return home than those who did not, with 57% of statin users returning home compared to 47% of non-users. Statin use was also associated with a lower risk of dying in the hospital.
A decade after the Women's Health Initiative stopped a widely used hormone therapy, experts have reassessed its benefits and risks. The new research supports the use of hormone therapy near menopause to alleviate symptoms and reduce the risk of heart disease and fractures for most women.
A new study suggests that tailored advertising campaigns can be more effective when targeting specific personality traits, rather than just demographic groups. By highlighting motivational concerns associated with each trait, advertisements can be designed to resonate with individual consumers and increase their persuasive appeal.
Researchers found an association between bisphosphonate use and atypical femur fractures in patients age 50 years and older. The study suggests that the risk is significantly higher for patients treated with bisphosphonates for longer periods, supporting the notion of a causal link.
The Lancet review finds that poor-quality antimalarial drugs are a major threat to global efforts to control and eliminate malaria. In Southeast Asia, over a third of analyzed drugs failed chemical testing, while in sub-Saharan Africa, nearly half were found to be fake or contained incorrect active ingredients.
A systems approach to preventing childhood obesity is proposed, beginning in pregnancy and continuing through early life. The strategy combines behavior change interventions with environmental changes to support healthy parents, infants, and toddlers.
A new study found that active tuberculosis is an independent predictor of lung cancer death in the elderly. The research analyzed data from 61,239 subjects aged 65 years or older and found a significant association between tuberculosis and lung cancer mortality.
Researchers at Mercer University are developing an oral vaccine that can be delivered in spherical bead-like particles to enhance innate immune recognition, offering a cost-effective alternative to current options. The vaccine aims to prevent meningitis and ovarian cancer recurrence by generating immunity against specific bacteria.
A University of Colorado study found that increases in parasite diversity lead to a decrease in the infection success rate of virulent parasites, including one that causes malformed limbs and premature death. Higher biodiversity can help protect against certain diseases by acting as a buffer against virulent pathogens.
A study found that in-hospital mortality measures can be biased due to discharge practices, which may disadvantage large academic hospitals and those with a high proportion of commercial HMO patients. Discharge bias was greater in small hospitals and non-teaching hospitals, affecting hospital rankings.
Researchers discovered a strong correlation between pollen count and allergen release, but found significant variations in grass pollens across Europe. The study suggests measuring allergens may be more useful than forecasting pollen counts for allergy sufferers, offering new hope for treatment.
A University of Michigan Health System study reveals that Bcl10 is necessary for the harmful effects of high-fat foods on insulin action and blood sugar regulation. The findings suggest that even short-term changes in diet can induce insulin resistance, highlighting the importance of understanding the body's response to indulgent eating.
New research reveals that obese adolescents, even those without symptoms of heart disease, already have structural and functional changes to their hearts. The study found that measures of heart size and function were increased in parallel to BMI, indicating damaged hearts with thicker walls and impaired systolic and diastolic function.
A new study suggests that a protein called heat shock factor-1 (HSF-1) is involved in chemotherapy-related heart damage. Researchers propose targeting HSF-1 in the heart as a potential therapy to prevent cardiac damage, potentially leading to improved outcomes for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
A Harvard University study reveals that circumpolar rivers are the primary source of toxic mercury in the Arctic, surpassing atmospheric forces. The discovery has significant implications for protecting the health of northern populations and the environment.
Research suggests that federal programs promoting healthy marriages in poor couples are ineffective, with some even causing detrimental effects. The programs failed to address more pressing concerns such as poverty, education, and healthcare.
A community health center in Joplin, MO, survived a tornado by having comprehensive disaster planning and robust electronic medical record systems. The study highlights the importance of data security and preparedness for interruptions to care and information access during disasters.
A new study found that breast-fed babies have a more diverse bacterial colonization than formula-fed babies, leading to changes in the expression of genes involved in their immune system. The study also showed a link between the expression of genes in the bacteria and genes of the immune system in the baby.
A Mayo Clinic study found a significant increase in C. diff infections in children between 2004 and 2009, with 75% of cases acquired in the community. The study also highlights the importance of prevention measures to reduce the spread of this environmental infection.
A materials scientist at Michigan Technological University has discovered an exothermic reaction that converts carbon dioxide into solid carbon nitride and lithium cyanamide, a precursor to fertilizers. The process releases significant energy, potentially mitigating climate change by utilizing CO2 instead of fossil fuels.
Researchers found Nordic walking with poles increased oxygen consumption and peak heart rate in both healthy adults and patients with heart failure compared to walking without poles. This low-cost, accessible form of exercise may be a more effective training method than traditional walking for these groups.
A new study at Northwestern University found that a single brief therapy session for adults with a lifelong debilitating spider phobia resulted in lasting changes to the brain's response to fear. Participants were able to touch or hold a tarantula in their bare hands six months after treatment, showing the effectiveness of short exposu...
Researchers found that statin users had less prostate growth compared to non-users, regardless of whether they took dutasteride or a placebo. The effect was relatively small and tapered off after two years.
A large population-based randomized trial found that flexible sigmoidoscopy screening reduced overall colorectal cancer mortality by 26% and incidence by 21% compared to usual care. The test detected 24% of diagnosed cancers with fewer side effects than colonoscopy.
Researchers have identified a new genetic signature associated with basal-like breast cancer, which is more prevalent in African Americans. The discovery suggests that combination therapy targeting multiple pathways could be an effective treatment strategy for this aggressive subtype.
A review of medical records suggests that obese patients present with more advanced stage and aggressive forms of papillary thyroid cancer. The study found that higher BMI was associated with more advanced disease stage at presentation, particularly in the obese and morbidly obese categories.
A new study by the University of Arizona reports that exposure to parental smoking in childhood increases the risk of persistent respiratory symptoms, including cough and chronic cough, into adulthood. The study found that 52.3% of children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke had persistent respiratory symptoms.
A systematic review found that low-dose computerized tomography (LDCT) screening can reduce lung cancer mortality rates among high-risk individuals. The study analyzed 8 randomized controlled trials and 13 cohort studies, with the National Lung Screening Trial demonstrating a significant benefit. However, potential harms of LDCT screen...
A new study reveals that MRSA nasal colonization is associated with longer hospital stays and an increased risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery. The researchers found that 70% of wound infections in MRSA-positive patients stemmed from the bacterium.
Doctors at Georgetown University Medical Center successfully treated four patients with amanitin poisoning using an IV preparation of milk thistle seeds. The treatment prevented liver failure and allowed all patients to fully recover without significant consequence.
A new study published in Breast Cancer Research found that panobinostat selectively targets and destroys triple negative breast cancer cells. The HDAC inhibitor also reduces tumor growth in mice and partially reverses the morphological changes in cells to a more epithelial type.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine have identified an existing drug, auranofin, that effectively targets the Entamoeba histolytica parasite. The parasite causes over 70,000 deaths worldwide each year, and current treatment with metronidazole has adverse effects.
A new study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found a significant association between sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and increased risk of cancer mortality. Patients with severe SDB had a nearly five times higher incidence of cancer deaths compared to those without the disorder.
Scientists at the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute showed that an experimental bariatric surgery can lower blood sugar levels in non-obese rats with type 1 diabetes. The study demonstrated that duodenal-jejunal bypass surgery activates novel nutrient-sensing signals in the jejunum, rapidly lowering blood sugar levels.
A randomized trial found that hypertonic saline did not reduce the rate of pulmonary exacerbations in young children with cystic fibrosis. The study also showed no significant effects on secondary end points such as weight and respiratory symptoms.
Scientists have measured a significant decline in Antarctic Bottom Water, a key driver of global ocean currents, with a 60% reduction estimated since 1970. The densest waters are becoming less saline, indicating rapid response to climate changes.
A substance in human mesenchymal stem cells promotes nerve restoration and myelin sheath repair in rodent models of multiple sclerosis. Hepatocyte growth factor, a key instigator, decreases inflammation and increases signaling molecules counteracting it, leading to neural cell growth and nerve rewinding.
A new 'super-high' oleic safflower has been developed by CSIRO, with the potential to provide over 100,000 hectares of sustainable plant oils. The oil contains over 90% of valuable oleic acid, making it suitable for industrial chemical production and direct use in lubricants.
A team of researchers from UCSF and UC San Diego has identified an approved arthritis drug, auranofin, that is effective against amoebas in lab and animal studies, suggesting it could offer a low-dose, low-cost treatment for dysentery worldwide. The drug has been shown to be 10 times more potent than the current treatment and could be ...
A new study reveals that a combination of three drugs used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis can lead to increased risk of death and hospitalization. The researchers found no improvement in lung function or slowing of disease progression with the treatment, highlighting the importance of rigorous testing methods.
Australian scientists detected changes in ocean salinity, indicating an acceleration in the global rainfall and evaporation cycle. The water cycle has strengthened by four percent from 1950-2000, with high rainfall regions becoming wetter and arid areas drier due to global warming.
A recent study found that male patients with pulmonary disease have a very high risk of osteopenia/osteoporosis, which can be reduced by routine screening and early intervention. The study included 46 patients, most of whom were male, and showed that those with more severe lung disease are more likely to also have bone disease.
Researchers have discovered biomarkers that predict response to treatment and proposed therapeutic solutions for patients who do not respond well. The study identifies the molecular mechanisms determining patients' response to certain drugs used in clinical trials.
Researchers at Stanford and Penn have developed an invisible photodetector that uses plasmonic cloaking to detect light. The device features silicon nanowires covered by a thin gold cap, which cancels out reflected light through destructive interference, rendering the device invisible.
A new NIH-funded study finds that concentrated saline therapy does not reduce antibiotic use in infants and preschoolers with cystic fibrosis. The study highlights the need for more research on treatments tailored to younger children with this disease.
Researchers found that a key brain structure acts as a learning hub, receiving information from other regions to improve its song, even when not directly controlling the action. This finding may help treat neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease.
A study presented at the American Urological Association Annual Meeting found that early stage prostate cancer treatment can alleviate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in a subgroup of men. Radical prostatectomy surgery was shown to improve urinary function, while radiation therapy and brachytherapy had less favorable effects.
Research funded by ESRC shows that soldiers who mutilate enemy corpses do so due to racist attitudes and military traditions. Human trophy-taking is a form of racially-motivated violence specific to military personnel in wartime.
A new software tool called Acacia has been developed to correct errors in DNA sequencing, allowing biologists to accurately interpret genetic information. The tool, created by CSIRO PhD student Lauren Bragg, uses statistical theory to analyze code for DNA bases and improve accuracy.
A new study reveals that prenatal exposure to air pollution can have persistent effects on lung function development in children with asthma. The research found associations between nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter exposure during pregnancy and lower pulmonary function growth in childhood.