A special supplement to Medical Care presents a progress report on the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) surveys, which capture patients' perspectives on healthcare. The CAHPS project aims to move beyond simple patient satisfaction surveys by asking patients about their experiences with health care services.
The FMC Corporation has funded STEM career days for approximately 1,200 Philadelphia public school students and their teachers. The events aim to showcase career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.
A team of scientists has developed integrated arrays of optical vortex beams on a silicon chip, which can be used to transmit multiple streams of information. This breakthrough could enable the creation of compact and high-density devices for applications such as sensing and microscopic particle manipulation.
A study led by Kaiser Permanente found that drospirenone-containing birth control pills increase the risk of arterial thrombotic events and venous thromboembolic events. The study suggests that these drugs should be used cautiously for women seeking hormonal contraception, with alternatives available to minimize risks.
Researchers at Caltech have successfully simulated the biological function of a protein channel called the Sec translocon, which allows specific proteins to pass through membranes. The new computational model reveals that both equilibrium and kinetic effects play a crucial role in determining the fate of proteins entering the translocon.
A $5.4 million grant from the Cure Alzheimer's Fund will support state-of-the-art whole genome DNA sequencing to better understand Alzheimer's disease genetics. The research aims to identify genetic switches controlling the disease, with findings made freely available to the scientific community.
Two new studies provide insights into the formation of the European Alps and ancient sanukitoids. Reconstructing pre-glacial topography reveals most glacial erosion occurred in lower parts of the Alpine catchments, while aseismic creep has begun on major strike-slip faults like the North Anatolian Fault.
Australian scientists unveil new mathematical theory explaining ball lightning, citing ion accumulation on glass windows as key factor. The theory suggests a driving electric field of about a million volts is required to form a ball discharge.
Researchers have successfully created functional 'organoids' that can carry out kidney functions when implanted into rats. The breakthrough could lead to more options for individuals with kidney failure and better tools for understanding and treating complex kidney diseases.
Grandmothers Against Poverty and AIDS (GAPA) empowers grandmothers caring for HIV/AIDS-affected families with peer support, income-generating activities. Studies show GAPA members experience higher self-esteem and reduced poverty, stigma in their community.
Researchers found that earthquakes generate most of their sound by pumping the atmosphere like a loudspeaker. This discovery has significant implications for assessing damage in the immediate aftermath of an earthquake, as infrasound can reveal important details about ground shaking.
The University of Cincinnati will conduct a clinical trial studying the immunosuppressant tacrolimus against two generic manufacturers in liver and kidney transplant patients. The study aims to address concerns over the quality, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic efficacy of generic drugs compared to brand-name products.
A new paper by Dr. Leonard Mermel reveals that microgravity weakens the immune system while increasing antimicrobial resistance in some microorganisms. In a spacecraft, germs can remain airborne for longer periods and spread more easily due to power limitations and recirculated air.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have discovered a way to utilize diagnostic prenatal amniocentesis cells to regenerate damaged blood vessels and repair injured organs. The study, published in Cell, shows that reprogrammed endothelial cells can be frozen and banked for potential use in patients with vascular diseases.
Researchers found that elevated hormone levels, except for DHEAS, tracked closely with increased risk for HR-positive breast cancer. Women in the highest 25 percent of SHBG levels had a 30% lower risk for breast cancer compared to those in the lowest 25 percent.
Dr. Paul Keim's research in pathogen genomics and microbiology has been recognized for its importance in bolstering the nation's biodefense and preventing outbreaks of infectious diseases. His work has led to significant advancements in genomic investigations, including the detection of antibiotic resistance and antiviral resistance.
Mosquitoes use alternative splicing to combine immunoglobulin domains into pathogen-binding proteins, increasing diversity and specificity. This mechanism could lead to new ways to prevent spread of mosquito-borne illnesses like malaria.
Guang Yue's 2-year NIH grant aims to investigate the impact of chemotherapy on white matter integrity and corresponding neurophysiological function. The study will explore structural changes in the corpus callosum and corticospinal tract, shedding light on the underlying causes of neurological side effects.
A new study at the University of Rochester has discovered that lipid droplets store histones, making them available for chromosome assembly. The findings suggest that binding to lipid droplets protects histones from being toxic to cells. This research challenges existing theories on histone balance and its mechanism.
A new study published in PLOS Computational Biology found that up to 21% of herds in Great Britain may be hiding bovine Tuberculosis despite restrictions. The study used mathematical models to estimate the efficiency of cattle-based controls for the disease, which had previously been eliminated in the UK.
Researchers applied 'lean' manufacturing principles to streamline stroke care at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, reducing treatment time from 60 minutes to 39 minutes. The streamlined process resulted in a 78% increase in patients receiving clot-busting agent tPA within one hour of arrival.
A study by Columbia University researchers found that African-American and Mexican-American seniors living in predominantly ethnic neighborhoods had lower rates of heart disease and cancer compared to those living in more mixed areas. Cultural factors such as shared values and close-knit family structures may contribute to these findings.
A new study uses geographic social risk index to predict asthma readmission risk in children, highlighting the importance of addressing socioeconomic disparities. The researchers found that children from high-risk areas were 80% more likely to be rehospitalized or visit emergency rooms.
A nested case-control study found increased concentrations of estradiol and progesterone during early pregnancy associated with a heightened risk for HR-negative breast cancer. The study, presented at the 11th Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research, included 223 cases and 417 controls.
A study by Adam Hancock and colleagues found that college students with parents who argue about finances are more likely to have multiple credit cards and higher credit card debt. The researchers analyzed data from over 400 undergraduate students, discovering that parental influence plays a significant role in shaping financial behavio...
A recent study published in the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry found that high-risk children adopted from foster care do equally well with gay, lesbian or heterosexual parents. Children in these households achieved significant gains in cognitive development and stable behavior problems.
The study suggests that a thorough reassessment of land availability for bioenergy production is needed to account for environmental and socio-economic constraints. Policy recommendations aim to resolve conflicting land-use demands and promote sustainable development.
A new damping technique has been developed to combat painful vibrations in baseball bats, targeting the sweet spot where vibrations between 600-700 Hz cause pain. The technique involves a mass-spring device that quickly eliminates these painful oscillations, reducing shock and discomfort for players.
Researchers have identified a new therapeutic target for diabetic nephropathy, the leading cause of kidney failure, by activating liver x receptor (LXR) to inhibit osteopontin expression. Activation of LXR with a drug named T0901317 improves kidney health and function in diabetic mice.
A new study found that newborn rats' whisker twitches are linked to bursts of brain activity, suggesting a crucial role in developing sensorimotor systems. The discovery sheds light on the importance of involuntary movements during sleep in infant brain development.
A ranking system of the ten most important phytopathogenic fungi has been developed by 495 international researchers. The rice blast fungus is at the top of the list, followed by Botrytis cinerea and Fusarium oxysporum.
Tropical Storm Maria is experiencing strong wind shear that is limiting its rainfall to the east of its center. The low-level center of the storm is now exposed, and with cooler sea surface temperatures, the combination is expected to dissipate by October 19.
Scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center are developing atom-optics technology to directly detect gravitational waves, which could revolutionize astrophysics. The technology uses atomic interferometry to measure minute changes in space-time.
A new approach for assessing fracture risk combines bone density measures with body size and bone size, predicting risk accurately regardless of race or ethnicity. The study found that this composite bone strength index performed just as well as traditional methods in a group of nearly 2,000 women.
A MU study found that female Pulitzer Prize winners have greater qualifications than male winners, with key factors including majoring in journalism, earning a graduate degree, and working for elite publications.
A study found that linezolid, an antibiotic used to treat severe bacterial infections, proved largely effective in treating extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) when added to ongoing treatment regimens. However, 82% of patients experienced significant adverse events that may have been related to the drug.
The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes the need to keep guns out of reach of children and teens, citing scientific evidence that storage reduces risk. Pediatricians offer safe-gun-storage counseling as part of family guidance, and support legislative approaches to reduce gun accessibility.
A Yale University study found that residents in areas with existing solar installations are more likely to adopt the technology, with a 54% increase in adoption when the installed base grows by 10%. The visibility of panels and word-of-mouth also play a role in larger installations.
Researchers extracted cores from Japan's Lake Suigetsu, containing organic material that provides a direct record of atmospheric carbon, extending the radiocarbon dating record by over 40,000 years. This discovery enables scientists to pinpoint more accurately the timing of events such as Neanderthal extinction and modern human migration.
A study of over 300 nursing homes found that norovirus gastroenteritis outbreaks significantly increased hospitalization and death rates among residents. The researchers also identified a specific association between lower daily RN hours per resident and increased mortality during outbreaks.
The study determines the three-dimensional structure of the transcription initiation complex, revealing how the molecular machine recognizes and binds to specific sites on DNA. This breakthrough provides a foundation for understanding bacterial transcription initiation and developing new antibacterial agents.
Scientists have identified a genetic mutation causing punctate palmoplantar keratoderma (PPPK), a rare skin disorder characterized by thick patches on hands and feet. The AAGAB gene mutation leads to hyperproliferation of skin cells, similar to common warts.
The 2002 Exophiala dermatitidis meningitis outbreak highlights the dangers of contaminated injectable corticosteroids. Without proper sterility, fungus can grow aggressively and cause invasive mycosis with a potentially long incubation period.
A WSU researcher found that 10 hours of engaging science instruction improved test scores in fourth-grade students, increasing their average math percentile rank from 53.2 to 63.4 and language arts percentile from 42.8 to 60.3.
A study at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that breastfeeding significantly reduces the risk of ER/PR-negative breast cancer. Women who breastfed their children had no increased risk of this aggressive tumor subtype.
Researchers from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln played quarter-second-long white noise clips to test subjects working on arithmetic problems. The researchers found that louder noises caused lower performance and higher levels of annoyance, with sound level ranges affecting participants' perceptions.
A long-term study found that radiotherapy after surgery significantly improves biochemical progression-free survival and local control for high-risk prostate cancer patients. However, its effects on clinical progression-free survival and overall survival are less clear.
Researchers predict that global warming will acidify saltwater sufficiently to make low-frequency sound travel twice as far as it currently does. This could lead to a clearer understanding of the sound environment of marine mammals and the effects of human activity on their habitats.
Tropical Storm Prapiroon experiences heavy rainfall due to interaction with a frontal system over Japan. The storm has weakened significantly, with maximum sustained winds dropping near 35 knots.
A study reveals that kidney failure patients have less of the sugar coating on their blood vessels, leading to high levels of its constituents in the blood. This damage may contribute to their increased risk of heart problems.
A study involving over 1,400 office visits found that quarterly monitoring and feedback nearly halved inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for pneumonia from 16% to 4%. The intervention used electronic health records to provide clinicians with updated prescribing guidelines and comparing their habits to others within their practice.
A new report by IOF calls for the implementation of coordinator-based post-fracture care to prevent secondary fractures. The report highlights a significant care gap in diagnosing osteoporosis and assessing falls risk among fracture patients.
Ozone's impact on forest watersheds amplifies drought and alters stream flow, reducing available water supplies. Forest ecosystems and people dependent on water flow during dry seasons will be affected.
A UCLA-led team of experts found the proposed criteria to be reliable and valid in helping mental health professionals diagnose hypersexual disorder. The study accurately classified 88% of patients as having the disorder, with significant consequences including job loss, relationship end, and emotional distress.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin suggests that individuals who have their first sexual experience later than average may have more satisfying romantic relationships in adulthood. These participants were also less likely to be married and had fewer romantic partners.
Researchers from Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle Children's Research Institute, and University of Virginia are joining forces to study the genetic causes of Type 1 diabetes. The study aims to identify immunologic pathways involved in the disease, which can be targeted for diagnosis and therapy.
A European-wide network aims to improve GMO regulatory systems through systematic environmental impact assessments. The network addresses public concerns and creates confidence in the ENSyGMO results by analyzing GM crop effects using integrated approaches and methods at various scales.
The Otton frog uses a pseudo-thumb with sharp spikes to fight and mate, with males demonstrating larger thumbs and jabbing responses during combat. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary origins of this unique trait.
Researchers from the University of Florida have developed a new technique for growing new materials from nanorods, enabling the creation of sophisticated structures and materials. The breakthrough could revolutionize industries such as data processing and human medicine by increasing efficiency in polarized LED displays up to 50%.
Researchers developed a diagnostic tool identifying breast cancer cells' ability to spread, based on their lipid profile. The technique, Raman microspectroscopy, has shown promise for routine cytological diagnosis and may be extended to other tumors.