The ASGE Crystal Awards recognize notable achievements in endoscopic research, teaching, and service. This year's honorees include Dennis M. Jensen, MD, for the Rudolf V. Schindler Award, and Ibrahim Mostafa, MD, for the International Service Award.
Researchers found that primary care-based management was comparable to specialist care in terms of ESS scores, FOSQ scores, and CPAP compliance. Home auto-titrating CPAP usage was also similar between the two groups. The study suggests a lower-cost alternative for OSA treatment, particularly beneficial for rural and remote regions.
Researchers discovered that the Notch pathway contributes to the development of rheumatoid arthritis by influencing the differentiation and function of inflammatory macrophages. The study also shows that drugs under development for cancer could potentially be used to treat RA.
A new study found that treating childhood OSA normalizes brain disturbances responsible for attention and executive function. Brain imaging showed improvements in verbal memory, attention, and frontal cortex metabolites after treatment.
A study from researchers in Sweden found that frequent asthma exacerbations are associated with higher doses of glucocorticosteroids, worse asthma control, and increased inflammatory markers. The study identified several risk factors for frequent exacerbations, including smoking history, lower quality of life, and body mass index >25.
A study presented at Heart Failure Congress 2012 found that statin therapy prevents cancer and reduces death from all causes in heart transplant recipients. Cancer is the leading cause of death late after heart transplantation, with skin cancer being particularly common.
A groundbreaking study found quantum dots to be safe in primates over a one-year period, with no signs of illness or toxicity. The results suggest that medical applications such as image-guided surgery and diagnostic tests could be viable with careful use.
Researchers from NUS have discovered how a drug-lead compound named BPTES can deprive cancer cells of energy and stop them from growing into a tumour. Building on these findings, they also derived positive results for a novel dual-drug treatment regime that kills kidney and breast cancer cells more effectively.
Researchers compared chest tube drainage and talc slurry for pleurodesis to indwelling pleural catheters in treating lung effusions. The study found no significant difference in dyspnea between the two treatments, but IPCs reduced hospital time despite increasing adverse events.
Researchers have identified a unique molecular subtype of prostate cancer associated with mutations in the SPOP gene, accounting for up to 15% of all cases. The study reveals that these mutations may lead to an accumulation of proteins driving cancer growth.
A study by the University of Wisconsin found an association between sleep disordered breathing and increased cancer mortality. The researchers analyzed data from 1,522 subjects and found that those with mild, moderate, or severe SDB had a higher risk of cancer mortality compared to those without SDB.
A Yale University study found that oxytocin increased brain function in regions processing social information in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. This breakthrough may lead to more effective treatments for core social deficits in autism.
A web-based video instructional program significantly improves patient compliance with colonoscopy screenings, cutting no-show rates by up to 40%. The study found that patients who watched the video were more likely to arrive prepared and cancel appointments less frequently, leading to better outcomes for cancer detection and treatment.
The European Society of Cardiology has released new guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure, emphasizing the importance of new device recommendations and increased use of left ventricular assist devices. The guidelines also highlight the benefits of cardiac resynchronisation therapy in patients with mild symptoms.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have developed a graphene-based composite that can replace toxic coatings with hexavalent chromium, reducing environmental harm and promoting safer industries. The new coating has shown significant improvements in durability, allowing treated steel to survive for months in harsh environments.
Researchers are working on developing a scalable quantum computer using electron spins and nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamonds. The goal is to overcome the limitations of silicon technology, enabling complex quantum calculations.
Researchers at KAIST develop microorganisms to produce natural and non-natural chemicals from renewable biomass through systems metabolic engineering. The study presents new general strategies for improving cellular characteristics and designing synthetic metabolic pathways, enabling high-efficiency production of desired chemicals and ...
Researchers from the University of Almería have developed a system to analyse substances quickly and precisely, detecting five veterinary drugs in milk powder and ten in meat products. The 'multi-residue' method allows several drugs to be detected at a time, using chromatographic techniques and mass spectrometry.
Researchers studied geological formations across the globe, including the Coast Range basalt province and the Faroe Islands. They discovered evidence of plume-influenced magmatism and fault rock types that can help model fluid migration and distribution. Additionally, a study on the Wairarapa fault in New Zealand investigated the geome...
A nurse practitioner-driven consultation improved cancer patients' emotional health and quality of life, with a significant improvement in those who received the intervention. The study suggests that incorporating palliative care discussions into oncology practices can lead to better patient outcomes.
The American Gastroenterological Association will showcase innovative data and advancements in treating gastrointestinal (GI) disorders during the Digestive Disease Week 2012. The presentation of exciting, cutting-edge information will help physicians diagnose and treat GI disorders more effectively.
A team of physicists and biologists discovered that protein Cdc42 oscillates throughout yeast cells, regulating shape and function. This oscillatory mechanism may be a general strategy among all self-organizing biological systems.
Recent studies explore how technology is changing the questions asked by psychological scientists, with a focus on data collection from social media platforms like Facebook. Researchers are leveraging smartphone sensors to gather insights into human behavior and environments, offering new avenues for scientific inquiry.
Scientists from the University of Cambridge and Toshiba Research Europe Ltd. developed an all-semiconductor quantum logic gate, a controlled-NOT (CNOT) gate, by coaxing nanodots to emit single photons of light on demand. This breakthrough brings researchers closer to creating powerful quantum computers.
Harvard scientists have developed a method to identify 'sea level fingerprints,' patterns of variation in sea level changes that can indicate the source of water contributing to rising sea levels. Using a Kalman smoother, researchers can determine where glacial melting is occurring and estimate its contribution to global sea level rise.
The Urologic Diseases in America report documents the significant impact of urologic conditions, such as urinary tract infections and prostate cancer, on the American public. The study reveals that these conditions result in substantial healthcare costs, with estimates suggesting $40 billion annually.
Researchers found that pollution strengthens thunderstorm clouds, causing them to capture more heat and warm the atmosphere. The warming effect dominated over cooling, with larger anvils trapping more heat at night.
Research shows that higher education significantly reduces the negative influence of community poverty and adversity on young adults' income, assets, and job quality. Education acts as a buffer, substantially mitigating the long-term effects of early life experiences.
A Georgia Tech research team has developed a novel technology that allows for the direct digital casting of complex, costly metal parts. The new method, called Large Area Maskless Photopolymerization (LAMP), uses high-resolution optics and precision motion systems to achieve extremely sharp features, reducing prototype development time...
Dartmouth researchers have found that exercise has different effects on memory and the brain depending on age, with potential therapeutic benefits for ADHD. The study identified a gene that mediates exercise's impact on mental health, offering new avenues for treatment.
A new study by Brigham Young University professor Sarah Coyne analyzed 40 teen novels and found that 88% of them contained at least one instance of profanity. The study also discovered that characters with higher social status, better looks, and more money were more likely to swear.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports documents the long-term ecological interactions between land and sea ecosystems. Researchers found that replacing native trees with non-native palms led to a cascade of effects, including fewer seabirds, reduced nutrients in waters, and decreased manta ray populations.
Researchers developed a tiny vacuum channel transistor with applications in hazardous sensing, medical diagnostics, and telecommunications; the device operates at low voltages, making it competitive with semiconductor technology.
A recent study found that 22% of student athletes who participated in contact sports scored significantly lower in memory and learning skills compared to non-contact sport athletes. The study suggests that repeated head impacts may have a negative impact on cognitive function, but the effects may not be permanent.
A study published in PLoS Pathogens found that the rabies virus evolves nearly four times faster in tropical bats than in temperate bats. The rate of evolution depends on the bat's ecological traits, including its geographical location and behavior.
The University of Iowa researchers created a non-invasive method to measure pH changes in the brain using MRI-based techniques. The study found that pH changes occur with normal brain function and can be detected using this new technique.
A recent study published in Annals of Neurology found that consuming high amounts of saturated fat was associated with poorer overall cognitive function and memory in women over time. In contrast, eating more monounsaturated fats, commonly found in olive oil, may help prevent decline in memory and cognitive performance.
Researchers at University College London have developed a new silicon oxide-based 'Resistive RAM' memory chip that can operate in ambient conditions, offering significantly greater memory storage and reduced energy consumption. The chip promises to be much faster than current technology, with potential applications beyond memory storage.
The Endocrine Society recommends large randomized controlled trials to test vitamin D's effects on chronic diseases such as autoimmunity, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Topical and oral vitamin D may be useful in treating skin disorders like psoriasis, but more research is needed.
Researchers from IDIBELL have discovered a new mechanism in cell division regulation through protein Zds1. This finding has significant implications for developing targeted and direct therapies against cancer by understanding the molecular mechanisms of mitosis.
Engineers developed glucose-sensing microbeads using droplet microfluidics, allowing for non-invasive monitoring of cell cultures. The technique enables detection of local glucose concentrations and gradual changes due to cell metabolism.
Results from the first-in-human studies show meaningful and sustained low clinical events after treatment with the Parachute system, demonstrating a near-full New York Heart Association (NYHA) class improvement at two years.
A new crane fly species, Tipula recondita, has been discovered in Northwestern Europe, specifically in Finland and the Russian Far East. The species is highly disconnected, with Finnish and Russian populations separated by over 6500 km. DNA barcoding confirms a single but disjunct species.
Researchers aim to understand how much space dust reaches the Earth's surface, estimating it could be as high as 300 tonnes per day. The project will also explore cosmic dust's interaction with clouds causing ozone depletion and its potential impact on climate models.
Researchers created Navatar, a low-cost accessible navigation system that uses digital maps and smartphone sensors to navigate users with visual impairments. The system combines probabilistic algorithms and user input to detect landmarks and provide step-by-step instructions.
Researchers identified 57 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with an increased risk of autism in siblings of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The study used a combination of statistical and functional genomic data to predict the risk of autism in unaffected siblings.
Research ecologist Katherine Elliott and her team found that cutting and burning sites reduces heavy fuel loads, improves soil nutrient status, and opens the canopy for restoration of shortleaf pine communities. However, poor pine regeneration was observed due to drought, seed production issues, and hardwood competition.
Researchers developed a simple and inexpensive method to detect more cases of tuberculosis using vacuum filtering a sputum sample through a small filter. The new technique detected 89% of cases in Brazil, compared to 60% detection with the traditional method.
Rural residents may face a digital divide due to the increasing adoption of technology that replaces copper lines with faster, cheaper, and more convenient alternatives. While cellular phones offer an affordable option, most cell phone companies charge per minute, and service can be unreliable.
Researchers at Kennedy Krieger Institute found that infants with weak head and neck control are more likely to develop language and social developmental delays, suggesting a potential early indicator of autism. The study adds motor skills evaluation to existing screenings, improving early detection of developmental delays.
A recent NIH-led study found that receiving genetic test results does not significantly impact the demand for follow-up health services. The researchers analyzed electronic health records and found no increase in healthcare usage among participants who underwent genetic testing compared to those who did not.
A study by University of Michigan anthropologists finds that religious rituals can foster cooperation among group members, while sacred values can sustain intractable conflicts. However, participation in collective religious ritual can also increase parochial altruism and opposition to compromise.
Naval Postgraduate School professor Moshe Kress' article reviews quantitative approaches to modeling military operations and threat situations. The piece discusses historical, classical, present, and future conflict models, including dynamics of today's insurgencies.
The incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among troops is surprisingly low, thanks to new programs and treatments. The Army's Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program and Battlemind training have helped soldiers build resilience and cope with stressors before deployment and after returning home.
A new study found that genetic testing does not significantly drive up demand for expensive medical care, even if individuals receive risk information. Researchers analyzed electronic health records of 217 healthy adults and compared their healthcare use before and after genetic testing.
A minimally invasive procedure called renal denervation disrupts overactive sympathetic nerves, lowering blood pressure in CKD patients with hypertension. The study found no worsening of kidney function, indicating the procedure is safe for those with CKD.
Researchers found that mental distractions, especially those requiring cognitive effort, reduce pain perception by inhibiting early spinal cord responses to painful stimuli. This effect is mediated by endogenous opioids, naturally produced by the brain.
Researchers describe a new extinct giant turtle species found near the world's largest snake, providing insights into climate change impacts. The study reveals that tropical ecosystems are crucial for understanding regional biodiversity and conservation.
In a phase I clinical trial, dabrafenib successfully shrank tumors in 9 out of 10 patients with brain metastases. The drug also showed activity in other cancer types with the BRAF mutation. Researchers recommend an oral dose of 150 mg twice daily for future trials.
A study published in Cancer Research found that RalA and RalB proteins are associated with aggressive cancer characteristics in human tumors. The signature of genes changed by these proteins predicts poor outcomes. Removing these proteins from cancer cells may stop the genetic changes that cause aggressive cancer.