US schools are not adequately prepared for pandemics due to a lack of written plans and coordination with local agencies. Researchers at SLU's Institute for Biosecurity surveyed over 2000 nurses and found that only 48% of schools address pandemic preparedness, emphasizing the need for annual reviews and nurse involvement.
Scientists at Duke University found that regions of the brain involved in planning and controlling complex vocal sequences are also necessary for memorizing sounds used in vocal imitation. This finding has broader implications for diagnosing and treating human developmental disorders.
Hospital-initiated transitional care strategies reduce unnecessary health services use and improve patient outcomes for adults with acute stroke or myocardial infarction. Electronic record use, medication reconciliation, and shared follow-up planning also enhance patient transition from hospital to primary care.
Typhoon Sanba made landfall in southern South Korea on Sept. 17, causing power outages, canceled flights, and ferries. The storm's extensive cloud cover stretched from South Korea to eastern Siberia, affecting over 67,000 homes in Japan.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College reveal that taxanes work by stopping protein movement in cancer cells, not just cell division. This understanding could lead to novel therapies and improved treatment outcomes for prostate cancer patients.
Cognitive training significantly reduces postoperative complications in coronary bypass surgery patients, improving attention and memory. Benefits are maintained over time, suggesting brain plasticity in older adults.
A study by Cornell Food & Brand Lab found that attractive names for vegetables, such as Power Punch Broccoli and X-Ray Vision Carrots, can increase consumption among elementary-aged children. The research suggests using attractive names is a low-cost solution to encourage kids to eat more nutritious foods.
A recent study published in CMAJ found that total sleep time and quality significantly predict fat loss in individuals enrolled in a weight loss program. Incorporating adequate sleep into lifestyle packages is now recognized as crucial for effective obesity management.
A study found sound levels around seriously ill patients in ICUs were significantly higher than WHO's recommended 30 dB. Patients experienced both positive and negative sounds, with uncontrollable alarms and treatments being most disturbing.
A Chinese research team found strong genetic evidence linking mevalonate kinase gene (MVK) mutations to disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP), a rare skin disorder. MVK mutations were not detected in other clinical subtypes of Porokeratosis, suggesting they may be specific to DSAP patients.
The Euro-26 study examined health, life expectancy, and lifestyles of 26 European cities, identifying major differences within individual urban areas. Key priority areas were found for each city, including depression and anxiety, cancer, and respiratory disease.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute and Sea Lane Biotechnologies discovered an unusual antibody, C05, that can neutralize various flu viruses by targeting the receptor binding site. The unique antibody uses only a single loop to grab this site, making it potentially useful for developing universal flu vaccines and therapies.
A new study published in Nature Climate Change warns that most coral reefs will be subject to severe degradation if global warming exceeds 2 degrees Celsius. Only a scenario with strong action on mitigating greenhouse-gas emissions and rapid coral adaptation could save two-thirds of coral reefs.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified a promising therapy for NRAS-mutant melanoma patients. By combining two drugs that inhibit proteins Mek and Cdk4, scientists found that the combination shrinks tumors in genetically engineered mouse models.
Wolfram syndrome is a rare disorder that causes diabetes, hearing and vision loss, nerve cell damage, and early death. Researchers have identified a mechanism related to mutations in the WFS1 gene that affects insulin-secreting beta cells, which could lead to new treatment targets for the disease.
Researchers found 155 regions of DNA with different tag patterns in bees, which were mostly regulatory genes known to affect other genes. The epigenetic marks were reversible and connected to the bees' behavior, with more than half of those regions already identified among the original 155 regions.
Researchers have developed a novel method to attach chemical probes to proteins, allowing them to study the biochemistry of naturally formed proteins. The technique enables scientists to understand the mechanisms behind creating better antibiotics, anti-cancer drugs, biofuels, and other natural products.
Nine Stanford researchers received seed grants to explore promising new technologies in clean energy and energy efficiency. These projects include the development of high-performance batteries, ultrathin solar cells, and methods for capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide. The research has the potential to impact energy production and use...
A pilot study found that breath testing can accurately discriminate between benign and malignant pulmonary nodules. The technique, using volatile organic compounds and chemical nanoarrays, identified 53 malignant and 19 benign nodules with high accuracy.
Researchers have identified a specially engineered steel surface that suppresses bubbling, reducing the risk of liquid explosions and fostering gentle heating. The textured surface maintains vapor layer stability, preventing boiling over and frost formation.
Researchers developed a theory of caregiving through the end of life, comparing it to a theory on bereavement. They found significant conceptual similarities between the two theories, validating both models. The study aims to help nurses provide timely support to family caregivers after a loved one's death.
Researchers at CAMH have identified 5-hmC, an epigenetic modification of DNA, as playing a key role in the brain's plasticity. The study found that 5-hmC is highly enriched in genes related to synapses, suggesting its involvement in learning and memory.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found that surgery itself has a profound impact on brain pathology and cognition in mice with human Alzheimer disease genes. Surgery causes a lasting increase in Alzheimer's pathology and significant cognitive impairment, primarily through inflammation.
NASA's TRMM satellite observed intense rain falling at 3 inches per hour around Super Typhoon Sanba, with powerful hot towering thunderstorms near its center. The storm is expected to make landfall on South Korea's south coast on September 17.
Scientists have identified the genetic building blocks behind the human heart's subtle control system, which shares similarities with birds and reptiles. The study reveals that a spongy inner tissue in fetal hearts stretches out to form a fine network of conductive tissue in adult animals.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute found a connection between the ghrelin peptide and brain cells involved in alcoholism. The study suggests that blocking ghrelin's activity could help dampen or turn off cravings in alcoholics, offering new possibilities for treating addiction.
Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Research have made significant breakthroughs in producing oil from algae, a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. The team aims to combine the slow-growing traits of Botryococcus braunii with faster-growing alga species to create a high-yielding oil producer.
Researchers found a single HPV protein necessary for cervical cancer and pre-cancer growths to survive. A gene-silencing technique may cripple the protein and eliminate cervical cancer and pre-cancerous growths in mice, offering a potential new treatment option.
A new X-ray study reveals that persister cells are regulated by toxins produced by the bacteria themselves, allowing them to enter a dormant state. This understanding can lead to the development of treatments that block toxin function and production, potentially improving outcomes in life-threatening diseases.
MIT engineers enhance skin permeability using ultrasound waves, enabling efficient transdermal drug delivery. The technology could pave the way for needle-free vaccinations and improve treatment of skin conditions like acne or psoriasis.
A recent study by University of Notre Dame researcher Timothy Judge found that genes play a significant role in job stress and health problems. He studied nearly 600 twins and discovered that shared genes were about four times more important than shared environments in shaping personality, stress, and health outcomes.
Researchers will analyze data from a unique NIH-funded repository to identify genetic variants associated with premature cardiovascular disease. The goal is to create new screening strategies and therapeutic targets to reduce the human and financial costs of cardiovascular disease.
A recent study found that symptoms of alcohol abuse, rather than dependence, are a better predictor of familial risk for alcohol use disorders. The researchers analyzed the clinical features of 1,120 twins and found that AUD-associated legal problems were the most consistent single predictor of familial risk.
A new study has outlined how interactions between genes, proteins and molecules direct the development of stem cells into mature heart cells. The research could help scientists better understand how genetic mutations lead to congenital heart defects and assist efforts to engineer artificial heart tissue.
A new study found that fetuses exposed to heavy maternal drinking required more trials to habituate and exhibited greater variability in test performance. This suggests that maternal drinking during pregnancy can damage the earliest fetal learning abilities, leading to impaired habituation and stability of performance.
Researchers at Oregon State University have confirmed the potential of zinc tin oxide for use in resistive random access memory (RRAM), a 'memristor' technology that could replace traditional flash memory. This new approach offers significant advantages, including smaller size, faster performance, and lower cost.
Researchers at University at Buffalo have discovered a novel set of genes essential for the growth of potentially lethal, drug-resistant bacteria A. baumannii. The study reveals multiple new drug targets for this human infection and suggests that laboratory conditions may not be ideal for identifying antimicrobial drug targets.
A new study suggests that a simple, structured risk assessment tool can improve the accuracy of clinicians in evaluating the risk of violence among patients with severe mental illnesses. The tool, called HRC-20-C, has been shown to be effective in reducing errors and improving safety for staff and patients in high-risk settings.
Dr. Lorne Parnes, a renowned Canadian otolaryngologist, has won the American Academy of Otolaryngology's Distinguished Service Award. He is recognized for his extensive contributions to the field, including pioneering treatments for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and direct drug delivery implementation.
Tropical Storm Kristy is weakening due to adverse atmospheric conditions and cooler waters, while another system is developing with a 50% chance of formation over the weekend. Environmental conditions are expected to improve for the second low-pressure area, but satellite data shows it has become disorganized.
The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) has awarded $19 million in grants to harness nanoscale technologies to dramatically reduce the cost of DNA sequencing. The goal is to address challenges such as speed, accuracy, and price, enabling widespread use of genomics in research and clinical care.
Researchers develop new silicon resonator for ultra-stable laser, enabling narrower optical absorption lines and better optical atomic clocks. The stability of the laser is critical for these applications.
23andMe is opening its API to third-party developers, enabling them to create new web-based interactive tools using the company's DNA data. Approved developers will receive an authentication key to access the platform.
Researchers at UMass Amherst investigate the value of preschool naps to understand their effects on memory, behavior, and emotions in young children. The study aims to determine if napping enhances physical and emotional learning, particularly for children who don't get optimal overnight sleep.
A Temple University study reveals that 45% of highly paid professionals who were laid off would consider returning to their previous employer, emphasizing the need for fair and transparent layoff decisions. The research also highlights the impact of layoffs on survivors' attitudes towards their former employer.
Researchers have created the first detailed 3D model of the PRC2 protein complex, shedding light on its role in embryonic development and cancer. The model reveals how PRC2 interacts with chromatin and other proteins to regulate gene expression.
Scientists at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility used X-ray analysis to identify a hitherto unknown degradation process at the interface between paint and varnish. The study found that the presence of lead-based siccative in the varnish led to the formation of anglesite, an opaque compound causing discoloration.
Three new projects will study athletes' vision, movements, and cognitive skills to develop improved training methods for elite athletes across all sports. The research also aims to provide insights into how to train or retrain people who have lost daily skills due to ageing or disease.
Researchers found that individuals with Huntington's gene mutation exhibit increased learning efficiency, which is more pronounced in those with stronger mutations. This paradoxical effect suggests that neurodegenerative changes can lead to improved cognitive function.
Tropical Storm Nadine continues to battle wind shear and dry air that are keeping it under hurricane status, with maximum sustained winds near 70 mph. Satellite imagery shows Nadine has grown in size but appears more ragged and disorganized, with decreasing convection around the center of circulation.
China's unique deployment of modern conventional ballistic missiles has a decisive effect on its war plan, creating critical uncertainties. The country's military considers conventional missiles as a fundamental source of political and military strength, but this also generates risks of escalation.
Scientists from CNIO describe natural selection at the cellular level, where tissues and organs select the 'best' cells to fend off disease processes. The study reveals the role of haemocytes in eliminating cell residues, shedding light on mechanisms of homeostasis and potential cancer detection.
A new study finds that rural Americans are more likely to be obese than city dwellers, with cultural diet and physical isolation identified as key contributors. The research highlights the need for cultural change in rural areas to promote physical activity and healthy eating habits.
A new study by experts at CRAMC University reveals that newborns exposed to nicotine from active and passive smoking mothers show poor physiological, sensory, motor, and attention responses. The researchers analyzed the behavior of 282 healthy newborns using the Neonatal Behavioural Evaluation Scale.
Adult cystic fibrosis patients with lower socioeconomic status are less likely to be accepted for lung transplant after initial evaluation. The study found that Medicaid insurance, income zip codes, and education level were associated with increased odds of rejection.
Dr. Chiaravalloti discusses the potential of functional MRI and behavioral therapies to target cognitive deficits in MS patients. Research suggests that these approaches may be effective in improving learning, memory, and processing speed in individuals with MS.
Rodal's lab aims to understand the interplay between neuronal firing and growth factor transport in neurons, with potential applications for ALS and Alzheimer's treatments. She will use a fruit fly model system to study the relationship between electrical activity and receptor trafficking.
A University of Alberta study estimates that Canadian homes are a kill zone for up to 22 million birds annually. The research suggests that bird fatalities from window collisions can be prevented by adjusting feeder placement distance from windows. Factors influencing collision frequency include tree age and feeder feeding habits.
A whole-genome scan can help identify large-scale chromosomal damage, enabling doctors to choose the most effective treatment option for children with neuroblastoma. The study recommends that all children diagnosed with neuroblastoma worldwide have a whole-genome scan as part of their treatment.
A recent study by Harvard researchers found that deep sleep plays a crucial role in the onset of puberty. The study suggests that inadequate or disturbed sleep in children and young adolescents may interfere with normal pubertal maturation, particularly for those with sleep disorders.