Researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Dioxide Materials have developed a chemical sensor using randomly stacked graphene flakes. The thin films of flaky graphene outperformed previous sensors made from carbon nanotubes or graphene crystals, detecting trace amounts of test chemicals with high reliability.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to determine safe distances from residential areas for livestock farms, taking into account factors like odor emissions and wind conditions. The model aims to simplify current guidelines and regulations by providing a single, conservative estimate of separation distances.
A new study reveals that predation on juvenile Steller sea lions is significantly underestimated and may be preventing the population from recovering. The study suggests that predators, such as orcas, are targeting more juveniles as populations decline, leading to a 'productivity pit' where breeding females are reduced.
A new study by University of Zurich researchers found that brain areas responsible for the left hand adapt to compensate for an immobile right arm. The study suggests using the undamaged arm to strengthen the affected one through therapy, offering a potential treatment approach for stroke patients.
A world-first study conducted by QUT and CSIRO found that temperature-related deaths in Brisbane account for 6,572 years of life lost annually. Improving housing conditions through better insulation can help mitigate this issue.
A study on post-Katrina New Orleans found that residents reject corporate gifts, viewing them as a threat to the community's cultural identity. The authors argue that corporations usurping community traditions erode the status and cohesiveness among community members.
A study found that messiness can lead consumers to prefer simpler products and think more clearly, particularly for conservative individuals. This effect is attributed to heuristic information processing, which simplifies product representations.
A recent study published by the American Sociological Association found that junk food sales in schools did not lead to an increase in weight gain among children between fifth and eighth grades. Despite a significant increase in junk food availability, obesity rates actually decreased during this period.
The Olympus supercomputer is helping scientists analyze future power grids and design better batteries for energy storage. It uses a water cooling system, resulting in reduced energy consumption and lower costs.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center identified the origin of esophageal adenocarcinoma as the gastric cardia, where bile acid and inflammatory cytokines activate stem cells. The study highlights possible targets for new clinical therapies, including inhibiting notch signaling.
A new study by Kessler Foundation found that memory retraining using the modified Story Memory Technique (mSMT) increases cerebral activation in patients with multiple sclerosis. This suggests that behavioral interventions can positively affect brain function in MS, validating the clinical utility of cognitive rehabilitation.
Researchers found that a new drug called cangrelor helped patients maintain platelet inhibition at higher rates than placebo before undergoing cardiac surgery. This was significant because premature discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy prior to surgery can lead to increased ischemic complications.
A new study suggests that targeted mass vaccination with RTS,S in low transmission settings may be more efficient than national-level introduction via EPI programs. In high transmission areas, distributing the vaccine to three-month old infants is the most efficient strategy.
A study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that presenting item quantity before price can make a package appear more appealing, while presenting price first can have the opposite effect. This is especially true when packages are large and unit prices are difficult to calculate.
Researchers found that using high-contrast colors on plates reduced serving sizes by 21%, while changing tablecloth color had a smaller impact. The 'Delboeuf illusion' plays a role in this phenomenon, where people perceive larger portions when served on larger plates.
The St. Baldrick's Foundation has awarded a grant of $47,000 to the Biopathology Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital to enhance its digital pathology services. This funding will enable researchers to conduct more studies and enroll more children in clinical trials, which are their best hope for a cure.
A recent study warns that counterfeit and substandard anti-malarial medicines are circulating in Africa, posing a significant threat to public health. The medicines may contain wrong active pharmaceutical ingredients or artemisinin derivatives at low levels, leading to drug resistance and increased mortality.
Researchers found that cold periods in the Northern Hemisphere are associated with increased precipitation in the Amazon Basin, while warm-cold climate oscillations influence South American rainfall. This study provides new insights into the relationship between Antarctic temperatures and Southern hemisphere rainfall cycles.
Researchers found that alpha-1-antitrypsin significantly reduced intense inflammation and increased T-regulatory cells, which play a positive role in immune responses. The drug may provide a potential new approach for treating graft-vs.-host disease.
Bioengineers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute receive $2 million NIH grant to study how chemicals in drugs and environment impact stem cells. The team aims to develop a new predictive safety screening tool that eliminates animal testing.
A study analyzing hospitalization data in the United States found that children with neurological impairment (NI) account for a significant proportion of inpatient resources. The impact of these children is growing within children's hospitals, necessitating a coordinated approach to ensure their needs are met.
A new study compares brain activity in adolescents with and without a family history of alcoholism, finding that those at risk for alcohol use disorder show weaker activation in key brain regions. This suggests an increased vulnerability to poor decision-making regarding future alcohol use.
Researchers at Princeton University have achieved a 100-fold increase in maintaining control over the spins of billions of electrons for up to 10 seconds, a key step towards ultrafast quantum computers. This breakthrough uses a highly purified sample of silicon and minimizes magnetism's effect, allowing for longer coherence.
A study by Plymouth University found that preparing to act can improve the way people process visual information, which could help children with severe learning difficulties communicate more effectively. The research used a change blindness game to test participants' ability to detect changes in pictures of different sizes.
Researchers identified two biomarkers, NGAL and Kim1, that predict poor outcomes in hospitalization and require dialysis treatment. Early detection of acute kidney injury is crucial to devise an adequate treatment strategy for patients.
A study by the American Cancer Society finds that recent declines in melanoma mortality rates are largely confined to the most educated individuals. The study reveals a widening disparity in melanoma mortality rates by education, with higher death rates among those with lower levels of education.
A new surgical technique called HAFGM has been developed to treat eardrum perforations in children and adults, offering an effective alternative to traditional methods. The procedure can be performed in 20 minutes at an outpatient clinic without general anesthesia, making it more accessible and cost-effective.
Researchers at UBC have found a way to block infection from the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the liver, leading to new therapies for those affected by this and other infectious diseases. The approach could benefit millions of people globally.
Researchers at Vienna University of Technology distinguish different sources of quantum uncertainty, including fundamental uncertainty rooted in the particle itself. The study confirms the validity of Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle while revealing a more nuanced understanding of quantum mechanics.
Researchers devise a new Bell test to reveal correlations between high-energy particles, shedding light on 'spooky action at distance.' The study's findings have significant implications for understanding particle physics and the link between symmetries and particle correlations.
Italian researchers found a DNA sequence called enhancer HS1.2 that accelerates the activity of genes involved in Lupus, an autoimmune disease affecting 60,000 people in Italy. The discovery could lead to more effective therapies against severe cases of Lupus.
A 40-year retrospective analysis by Concordia University researchers found that technology has a small to moderate positive impact on both learning and attitude. The study suggests that technology works best when students are encouraged to think critically and communicate effectively.
Researchers found that vitamin D reduces inflammation and debris buildup in mouse eyes, improving vision. Vitamin D also triggers macrophages to change configuration, reducing damage and promoting clear vision. The study suggests a potential simple way to prevent age-related macular degeneration.
The American Cancer Society, Union for International Cancer Control, and Japanese Cancer Association are supporting the launch of a new open access journal. The journal aims to provide rapid publication of cutting-edge cancer research from global biomedical and clinical researchers.
A University of Alberta researcher found that people are willing to lie to help a friend protect their reputation or save face. The study suggests that friends with closer relationships may be more likely to fib on behalf of their friends.
Female feticide in Canada is a small but significant issue, with some ethnic groups and immigrants choosing to abort female fetuses due to preference for sons. Prohibiting fetal sex disclosure until after 30 weeks of pregnancy can help curb this practice, according to Dr. Rajendra Kale.
Research on vitamin D supplementation in patients with severe COPD found no benefit, while CPAP treatment reduced mortality risk in women with obstructive sleep apnea. The American College of Physicians recommends discussing the benefits and harms of screening and diagnostic tests to improve healthcare quality.
MDC researchers found that both forms of therapy are highly effective against large tumors, but T-cell therapy also destroys the tumor blood vessel system, impeding nutrient supply and eradicating resistant tumor cells. This breakthrough may improve future clinical trials and cancer treatment
New studies published in The Lancet Oncology and The Lancet show that combining lapatinib with trastuzumab is almost twice as effective as single-agent therapy, but causes more side effects. Lapatinib is less beneficial than trastuzumab for single-agent therapy.
Researchers found that patients with 'matted' lymph nodes had a 69% survival rate over three years, compared to 94% for those without matted nodes. The study's results may help doctors identify patients at higher risk and reduce standard treatment side effects.
A new study by the Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy found a significant decline in pediatric drowning hospitalizations, with rates decreasing 51% from 1993 to 2008. The study suggests that public efforts to reduce drowning risk, such as pool fencing and swim lessons, may have contributed to this decrease.
A recent UBC study reveals that 9.6% of Canadians report not filling their prescriptions due to cost concerns, with those without drug insurance facing significant challenges. Individuals without insurance are 4.5 times more likely to avoid prescribed medications, while those with low incomes are 3.3 times more likely to skip doses.
A devastating neurodegenerative disease has been traced to defects in mitochondria, the energy-producing power plants of cells. The study found that mutations causing ARSACS are linked to mitochondrial dysfunction in neurons.
Researchers found that a defect in energy production in the nervous system may be the cause of Parkinson's disease, particularly in younger adults. The study used fruit fly models to discover that a key protein, parkin, is linked to mitochondrial failure and oxidative stress.
A team of MSU researchers has identified slow-wriggling alpha-synuclein proteins as the cause of protein clumping, a key step in Parkinson's disease progression. They found that these proteins aggregate when they rearrange at a slower pace, leading to cellular damage and disease progression.
Despite virtual imaging advancements, traditional autopsies are still essential for determining cause of death. Current imaging technologies often miss common diagnoses when compared to autopsy findings.
Researchers at UH Case Medical Center have discovered a novel treatment approach for cutaneous T-Cell lymphoma, which is a chronic and progressive disease affecting the skin. The new study finds that adding O6-benzylguanine to carmustine enhances topical chemotherapy efficacy, reducing toxicity and improving treatment outcomes.
A study by the University of British Columbia and others found that one in four people without drug insurance cannot afford to fill prescriptions. Researchers analyzed data from over 5,300 participants who reported cost-related nonadherence due to lack of affordable medication options.
A leading cancer researcher highlights high levels of doctor-patient trust and confidence within the NHS. Closer clinical relationships between physicians and patients are crucial for coping with treatment and diagnosis. However, cost-cutting measures risk eroding this trust if not carefully implemented.
A new study found high hospital-patient acceptability of and comfort with nurse-delivered brief alcohol interventions, also known as SBIRT. Acceptability was higher among patients who felt they could determine and reduce their own health risks, indicating the importance of patient-centered care.
A new study has discovered that medications targeting the protein Mcl-1 can rapidly kill aggressive AML cells without harming non-cancerous blood cells. This finding provides hope for improved treatment options and potentially better patient outcomes for AML patients.
A new study finds that La Niña conditions in the equatorial Pacific precede four major flu pandemics, including 1918, 1957, 1968 and 2009. The researchers theorize that altered bird migration patterns promote genetic reassortment of the influenza virus.
Researchers found increases in brain areas compensating for the injured side and decreases in areas not being used due to the cast or sling. This study supports current trauma surgery guidelines recommending immobilization 'as short as possible, as long as necessary',
A Yale University study found that factors like chronic conditions, low physical activity, and hospitalization increase the likelihood of elderly disability. Women are also more likely to become disabled in later years.
A study has identified a protein called hepsin that may trigger the spread of breast cancer in certain cases. Hepsin, a protease enzyme, was found to free tumor cells from their native tissue matrix, allowing them to invade other tissues and grow into aggressive tumors.
Researchers found that combining lapatinib and trastuzumab improved pathologic complete response rates in early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer patients compared to single-agent treatment. The study suggests dual HER2 blockade as a more effective approach for patients with early, non-metastatic HER2 breast cancer.
Professor Masao Matsuoka has been awarded the 2011 Retrovirology Prize for his exceptional work on the HBZ genes in HTLV-1 associated diseases. His research showed that HBZ promotes T cell proliferation and induces lymphomas and inflammations.
A Michigan State University study found that antibiotics in pig feed increase the number of antibiotic-resistant genes in gastrointestinal microbes in pigs. This could contribute to the development of strains of microbes resistant to conventional antibiotics, which are potentially harmful to humans and animals.
Researchers at the University of Granada have identified genetic and phenotypic changes that lead to tumor progression and metastasis. Circulating tumor cells can adapt to hostile environments and resist treatment, causing metastasis.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have debunked a widely held misconception about an often-prescribed drug, discovering that it works by binding to a lipid molecule essential to yeast's physiology. This finding could lead to better treatments for fungal infections and diseases caused by ion channel deficiencies.