A new EU project, TargetBraIn, is investigating the potential of the immune system to aid in stroke recovery. The research seeks to balance the positive and negative effects of inflammation, with the goal of developing more effective treatments for this growing health issue.
Patients with high alcohol screening scores experience longer hospital stays, more ICU days, and increased return to the operating room compared to low-risk drinkers. Preoperative alcohol screening may identify patients at risk for increased postoperative healthcare resource usage.
The Planet under Pressure conference brings together 2,500 specialists to present scientific knowledge on the planet's state and potential solutions. Public events at science centers and museums worldwide will take place concurrently, giving the public a snapshot of the planet's state and scientific concern.
Prolonged space travel has been found to cause brain and eye abnormalities in astronauts, similar to those seen in intracranial hypertension of unknown cause. MRI scans revealed optic nerve expansion, eyeball flattening, and pituitary gland changes in astronauts exposed to microgravity for extended periods.
A German study found that antibiotic treatment with azithromycin significantly reduced the number of patients carrying E. coli bacteria and the duration of shedding in stool specimens. Long-term carriers were more common among untreated patients.
A Kessler Foundation study found that people with multiple sclerosis perform poorly in memory and processing speed tests on hotter days. The research suggests a link between outdoor temperature and cognitive performance, which could impact clinical trials and treatment decisions.
Asthma action plans are developed by experts without patient input, leading to poor understanding and adherence. A new approach using wikis empowers patients to co-create their own plans, improving engagement and outcomes.
A study of 99 men found an association between high total fat intake and lower total sperm count and concentration. Men who consumed more omega-3 polyunsaturated fats had better formed sperm than those who consumed less.
A University of Connecticut study reveals that growing economic uncertainty leads to decreased public belief in man-made global warming. Research found a strong correlation between unemployment rates and climate change skepticism, with jobless rates dropping skepticism among the public.
A Mayo Clinic study found that people with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder are twice as likely to develop mild cognitive impairment or Parkinson's disease within four years. Researchers used the Mayo Sleep Questionnaire to diagnose probable RBD in neurologically normal individuals.
A study published in PLOS Medicine suggests that women who have a previous caesarean section may benefit from a planned repeat caesarean section in terms of reduced bleeding and infant mortality. The research found that elective repeat caesarean sections were associated with lower risks of severe bleeding and serious infant morbidity.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has received a $277,044 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop software tools detecting student engagement in educational software. The project aims to improve learning outcomes by identifying specific types of disengagement.
Scientists have identified a new compound, Factor Qunolinone Inhibitor 1 (FQI1), that rapidly kills hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells by inhibiting an oncogene, while sparing healthy tissue. Laboratory experiments and mouse models demonstrate the compound's effectiveness without observable toxicity.
Biologists at Bielefeld University have developed a new method to quantify the impact of non-native species on ecosystem functioning. The study found that invasive species like the Sydney Golden Wattle can fertilize surrounding soil with nitrogen, extending beyond their occupied area and affecting native plants.
A study presented at the American Heart Association's 2012 Scientific Sessions found that cooling the palms of the hands during exercise improved exercise tolerance and cardiovascular fitness in obese women. Holding a cold bottle or using a cooling device may help exercisers work out longer and stick with their regimen.
A UC Davis report reveals that over 90% of human-generated nitrate contamination comes from agricultural activity, posing health risks to 1 in 10 people in the state's most productive agricultural areas. Fixes for drinking water systems could cost $20-35 million per year.
The Penn State Applied Research Laboratory and Sciaky, Inc. have established the Center for Innovative Metal Processing through Direct Digital Deposition as a Manufacturing Demonstration Facility. The center aims to provide an advanced design and simulation tool in a shared network for industry participants to evaluate the technology.
A University of Michigan team has identified a synthetic small molecule that can activate lysosome calcium channels, potentially treating rare inherited metabolic disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. The discovery could also provide insights into the aging process.
A study published in PLOS Medicine finds that the revised DSM-5 has been influenced by the pharmaceutical industry, despite a policy to disclose financial conflicts of interest. The authors argue that transparency alone cannot mitigate bias and recommend stricter safeguards to protect the revision process.
Researchers identified five distinct dietary patterns among US adults based on demographic factors such as age, race, region, gender, income, and education. These patterns include the Southern, Traditional, Healthy, Sweets, and Alcohol diets, which have clear differences in food choices across demographic groups.
A Wayne State University study found that children of parents with schizophrenia exhibit reduced brain network communication and disordered responses to emotional faces. These findings suggest a potential predictor for the onset of emotional problems in later life.
The book reveals startling neuroscientific and genetic findings that explain how clusters of mental illness traverse family generations. Victoria Costello shares her personal journey and discovers the earliest signs of mental illnesses that can be passed on from grandparents to parents and grandchildren.
A new study found that a brief, daily yoga meditation program reduced depressive symptoms and improved mental health in caregivers. The program also showed increased telomerase activity, slowing cellular aging.
Scientists have discovered an invisible wave interacting with Jupiter's jet streams, revealing a connection to Earth's atmosphere and influencing the planet's weather. The Cassini spacecraft's high-resolution images showed the wave's oscillation, tied to Rossby waves and gravity inertia waves.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have created early retina structures containing proliferating neuroretinal progenitor cells using induced pluripotent stem cells derived from human blood. The structures showed the capacity to form layers of cells, which possessed the machinery to communicate information.
A study by Dr. Lorraine Hope found that less than 60 seconds of physical exertion can severely impair a police officer's ability to remember details of an incident, including recognizing the person involved. This can lead to inaccuracies in witness accounts and potentially affect an officer's credibility.
A new research center, AU RECEIV, will study the impact of maternity/paternity and health visitor schemes on infant health and development. The center aims to understand how these schemes affect parental involvement, daycare institutions, and long-term child outcomes.
A team of scientists has identified a key player in the amplification of pain signals in the spinal cord, which could lead to the development of novel treatments for chronic pain. By removing an enzyme called PKG-1 from pain-sensing nerves, researchers found that LTP was abolished and pain-related memory and behavior were also altered.
US Army researchers have successfully tested antibody-based therapies in monkeys infected with Ebola and Marburg viruses, demonstrating full protection even when treatment was delayed until two days post-infection. This breakthrough provides proof-of-concept for developing filovirus therapies for human use.
The NIH and Lilly are collaborating to create a publicly available resource profiling thousands of approved and investigational medicines. This comprehensive database will enable researchers to better predict treatment outcomes and improve drug development.
Scientists have identified a paradoxical function of the gene Chk1, which is typically known for its anti-cancer properties. In this study, researchers found that extra copies of Chk1 actually facilitate tumor growth in mice, highlighting the complex role of this gene.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have identified a major barrier to faster graphene devices, finding that charged impurities on the surface of graphene scatter electrons. By using electrically neutral liquids, they achieved record-levels of room-temperature electron mobility, three times greater than previous graphene-based devices.
Researchers have found that both humans and rats make more accurate decisions when presented with combined multisensory information, suggesting a statistically optimal combination of sensory stimuli. This discovery could provide insights into how the brain processes multisensory information in individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
Researchers found that proteins and RNA molecules evolved together, contradicting the long-held 'RNA World' hypothesis. The study suggests that proteins were present before ribosomal RNAs were recruited to aid in protein synthesis.
Men who consumed daily sugar-sweetened beverages had a 20% higher risk of heart disease compared to non-drinkers. The study also found associations with increased triglycerides and CRP levels, but not HDL levels.
A new study found that over 93,000 US children under 5 were treated in emergency departments for stair-related injuries from 1999-2008. The study recommends measures to prevent these injuries, including educating parents and modifying building codes.
Seven mammalian species have lost the sense of sweet taste, including strict carnivores like cats and sea lions, due to defects in their sweet taste receptors. This finding suggests that dietary specialization can lead to evolutionary trade-offs in sensory perception.
A new study by the University of Leicester has demonstrated that botulinum toxin is an effective treatment for overactive bladder, providing relief from symptoms such as urinary incontinence and urgency. The study found that 4 in 10 women became completely continent again after six weeks and a third remained continent after six months.
A Nationwide Children's Hospital study found that inhaled nitric oxide treatment varies greatly across US NICUs, with no standardization in its use. Despite the lack of evidence supporting its routine use, iNO treatment remains common among premature infants.
A team of scientists from Oregon State University has documented for the first time that animals can consume Archaea, a type of single-celled microorganism. This finding adds a wrinkle to scientific understanding of greenhouse gas cycles and opens up new avenues of research into the roles of Archaea in ecosystems.
A study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found that tweens are ambivalent about cigarettes and alcohol, with both positive and negative associations. This ambivalence makes them susceptible to social influences and media portrayals, increasing their risk of substance use.
Researchers at the University of Southern California have identified the role of stem and progenitor cells in liver regeneration. Bone marrow-derived progenitor cells were found to be required for liver regeneration following surgical removal, shedding light on liver complications associated with suppressed bone marrow tissue.
Two University of Houston students, Emilio Herrera and Victoria Reyes, have received the Hogg Foundation Bilingual Scholarship to pursue graduate studies in social work. The scholarship supports bilingual mental health services in Texas and attracts high-quality students from underrepresented communities.
Researchers successfully redirect an electrical discharge from its intended target to a normally less-attractive electrode using a virtual lightning rod created with femtosecond pulses of laser light. This feat demonstrates the potential of using laser-based lightning rods for research and protection.
A new study found that genetically diverse honey bee populations produce healthier colonies with a greater variety of active bacterial species, including beneficial probiotics and helpful microbes. This diversity is linked to improved nutrition and reduced loads of pathogenic bacteria.
A new analysis suggests that circumcision before a male's first sexual intercourse may reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. Men who were circumcised had a 15% lower risk of developing prostate cancer compared to uncircumcised men, with reduced risks for both less aggressive and more aggressive cancers.
Scientists have discovered how to control the Ruby gene, which is associated with improved cardiovascular health and reduced obesity. This breakthrough could lead to genetically engineered blood oranges that can thrive in warmer climates without cold dependency.
The Northern Forests Futures Project reports a 28% increase in forest coverage in the northern US, benefiting from carbon emissions collection and forestry jobs. However, threats to forests in the coming decades could undermine these gains due to invasive plants and diseases.
A major study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation has identified a method to stop bladder cancer from metastasizing to the lungs. The study found that adding the protein RhoGDI2 to tumors reduces versican production, blocking the ability of cancer cells to grow in the lungs.
Researchers from the University of Reading have designed a novel sunlight-measuring tool to detect cloud boundaries with greater precision. The device uses the natural swinging motion of a rising weather balloon to distinguish between clouds and clear air.
Researchers propose incorporating a lens made from new artificial materials to boost inductive coupling, increasing wireless power transfer efficiency. This could improve the efficiency of systems like cordless electric toothbrushes and mobile phones.
A study by researchers at Providence Health Care and the University of British Columbia found that medically prescribed heroin is more cost-effective than methadone for treating long-term street heroin users. The study attributed most of the economic benefits to recipients staying in treatment longer and spending less time in relapse.
A new study from Harvard School of Public Health found that red meat consumption is associated with an increased risk of total, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality. Substituting other healthy protein sources was associated with a lower risk of mortality.
A network approach improved outcomes for children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), increasing remission rates from 55% to 68%. The ImproveCareNow network implemented quality improvement efforts, leading to improvements in care processes and patient outcomes.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that higher red meat consumption is associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Substituting other protein sources like fish, poultry, and legumes can lower this risk.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh produced a previously unseen uranium molecule, which could help improve nuclear waste clean-up processes. The butterfly-shaped compound is robust and may play a role in forming clusters of radioactive material in waste.
Researchers have identified microRNA-155 as a molecule that controls the severity of acute graft-versus-host disease in leukemia patients who receive bone-marrow transplants. Reducing or blocking miR-155 expression decreases GVHD severity and increases survival, suggesting a new strategy for treating the condition.
A study found that smartphone-based data collection was more accurate than traditional paper methods, with fewer errors and faster turnaround times. The method also saved resources and reduced costs, making it a promising tool for disease surveillance in the developing world.
A recent study found that stemmed metal-on-metal (MOM) hip replacements fail at much higher rates than other types, especially in women and those with larger head sizes. The authors call for a ban on the use of stemmed MOM implants due to poor implant survival.
The largest-ever study of childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) reveals a remarkable improvement in the five-year survival rate, increasing from 83.7% in 1990-1994 to 90.4% in 2000-2005. This significant advancement is attributed to better treatment and drug optimization, not the introduction of new drugs.