Age-related macular degeneration is a progressive chronic disease causing vision loss worldwide. New treatments like Lucentis and Avastin have transformed management of the condition.
Researchers from Delft University of Technology have discovered a crucial step in the DNA repair process, revealing how a broken DNA molecule efficiently searches for a matching sequence. The discovery uses a dual-molecule technique to clarify why certain sequences lead to quick dissociation while others form strong bonds.
Researchers found a critical gene responsible for human brain features, duplicated around two million years ago. The partial copy's interaction with the original gene likely enabled cognitive changes and neuron development benefits.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharide can significantly reduce the severity of colitis in mice. The prebiotic stimulates beneficial bacteria growth, leading to a 50% reduction in inflammation and abnormal cells, precursors to colon cancer.
A recent study published at the EuroPRevent2012 meeting found that regular jogging increases life expectancy by 6.2 years in men and 5.6 years in women. The study analyzed data from over 20,000 participants and showed a significant reduction in mortality risk among joggers.
Researchers discovered that embryo brains exhibit waking-like activity up to 20% into the final stage of embryonic life, followed by emergence of sleep patterns. This finding may have significant implications for understanding complex fetal learning and developmental consequences in premature infants.
A new study shows that imaging surveillance is a suitable alternative to surgical excision in patients with benign papilloma diagnosed at breast core biopsy without cell abnormalities. The study found no cancer was detected in 66 lesions monitored for at least two years, while 53 lesions were surgically excised, including 50 benign cases.
The US Department of Health and Human Services has contracted with Archimedes Inc. to provide the advanced mathematical modeling tool, ArcheS, to its agencies for large-scale analyses of healthcare spending, treatment, and effectiveness. This will enable policymakers to make informed decisions on health care interventions.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study has identified a homegrown genetic variant responsible for naturally blond hair in the indigenous people of the Solomon Islands, distinct from European genes. The research found that the gene variant accounted for 50% of the variance in hair color among the islanders.
A new systematic assessment helps diagnose malnutrition in patients with chronic diseases and acute injuries, considering inflammation status. The approach aims to guide practitioners in selecting nutrition interventions and predicting outcomes.
Carnegie Mellon and McGill researchers argue that current research ethics frameworks fail to prevent biased evidence in phase IV drug trials. They propose policy options to expand FDA review authority and empower oversight systems to detect scientific bias.
Scientists use Schumann Resonance technique to study planetary atmospheres, gaining insights into the solar system's composition and formation. By detecting electromagnetic waves from above, researchers can measure global density of volatiles like water, methane, and ammonia.
Researchers from Columbia University Medical Center will present on grief and major depression, exploring the complexities of complicated grief. The session also delves into the ethics of psychiatric relationships with pharmaceutical companies, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to patient care.
Scientists at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have found that inhibiting the protein Cdc42 can reverse the aging of hematopoietic stem cells, restoring their functional efficiency. This breakthrough has significant implications for understanding and combating age-related diseases.
Researchers combine a blood test with CT imaging to screen for cancer, aiming to detect early-stage lung cancers while reducing biopsies and operations. The trial may improve survival rates and reduce the toll of lung cancer on patients.
Researchers at NIST have developed a novel method for generating superluminal light pulses through four-wave mixing, which can be used to improve communication timing and investigate quantum correlations. The technique introduces cleaner, less noisy pulses with increased speed, potentially enabling faster-than-light information transfer.
The European Society of Cardiology recommends eating oily fish at least twice a week to benefit from omega-3 fatty acids. Supplementation with pharmaceutical-grade omega-3 oils is also effective in achieving beneficial effects, but must be taken as prescribed by health professionals.
Touché, a new sensing technique, monitors capacitive signals across a broad range of frequencies to detect complex touch events and recognize body configurations. This enables objects to sense how they are being touched, enhancing everyday interactions.
Embryonic stem cells have a rapid suicidal response to DNA damage, eliminating them from the developing embryo. This adaptation prevents mutations from harming the organism and allows scientists to harness their potential for therapeutic use.
The new guidelines stress CVD prevention should be a lifelong effort starting in the womb, with greater emphasis on behavioral aspects. They highlight evidence from clinical trials and observational studies showing that 90% of heart attacks may be prevented through personal lifestyle choices.
Researchers identified new functions of cohesin SA1 relevant to human disease, including efficient chromosome duplication and regulation of gene expression during embryonic development. This work offers new clues to understand the pathologies observed in CdLS patients and may lead to a better understanding of cancer.
A new study has identified the Nkx2.5 gene as the first gene linked to congenital asplenia, a rare condition where babies are born without a spleen and are at risk of fatal infections. The discovery raises hopes for genetic prenatal screening to alert parents to potential issues.
A new study found that women with benign breast biopsies do not require close surveillance at six or twelve months, and may not need follow-up care at all. The study suggests an annual mammogram could replace the need for follow-up examinations.
Traditional forms of polygamy are inherently unequal due to a central spouse dividing rights and obligations among multiple spouses. Modifications like polyfidelity and molecular marriage could eliminate these inequalities by promoting equal sharing of rights, responsibilities, and benefits among all spouses.
The American College of Rheumatology has released new guidelines for the screening, treatment, and management of lupus nephritis. The guidelines include methods for identifying renal disease, newer therapies, and treatment of pregnant patients with kidney involvement. Patient survival rates are significantly lower when lupus nephritis ...
The JQI switch can steer a beam of light from one direction to another in 120 picoseconds using only 140 photons, requiring minimal power. This achievement marks a significant step toward creating ultrafast and low-energy on-chip signal routers.
A nanotech-based system called SAMMS captures carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere within submarines, providing a more environmentally friendly removal process. The technology has potential applications in air rejuvenation systems and energy efficiency.
A tidal wave of myopia is sweeping across East Asian countries, with up to 90% of school-leavers affected. Lack of outdoor exposure is thought to be the major cause, while increased schooling and environmental factors also play a role.
Researchers are developing hybrid NEM devices to improve performance and reduce power consumption in electronics. While individual NEM devices show high performance, scaling up production is a challenge due to the need for reliability over millions of cycles. New material selection methods have been demonstrated to enhance robustness.
Research explores treatment options, disorder management, and memory for children with ADHD and autism. The studies shed light on the challenges of learning and school performance for these children.
Researchers found that film casting methods can affect the ordering of block copolymers in thin films. Spin casting led to fewer residual stresses and improved cylinder alignment for computer memory devices, suggesting a potential route for enhanced device performance.
Researchers used stalagmites to reconstruct a history of the tropical West Pacific's climate over four glacial cycles, finding no evidence of a sudden shift in peak interglacial conditions following a key event. Instead, they found extreme drying in the tropics coincided with abrupt climate changes in high latitudes.
A new study shows that digital breast tomosynthesis reduces recall rates for routine mammography, particularly for asymmetries and calcifications. The technology allows for a more detailed examination of the breast tissue, resulting in lower recall rates and reduced anxiety for patients.
Researchers reveal that Langerhans cells can perform either immunosuppressive or immunostimulatory functions depending on the situation. They found that LCs induce proliferation of regulatory T cells to maintain tolerance under normal conditions, but also stimulate protective immune responses against pathogens.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in understanding the biological differences between individual breast cancers, highlighting the importance of biomarkers in identifying new targets for therapy. Studies also explored the mechanisms behind endocrine resistance and proposed a new approach to predicting response to treatment.
A new UCSF study questions the previous analysis of varenicline's safety, finding no clinically or statistically significant increase in serious adverse cardiovascular events. The researchers analyzed data from 22 trials with over 9,200 participants, concluding that the risk difference is only 0.27 percent.
A recent OHSU study sheds light on the process of passing mitochondrial genes from mother to child, revealing a narrow window of early embryonic development where these genes are transferred. The research challenges existing genetic testing methods, which may not accurately diagnose certain genetic disorders.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have identified a protein called calpain that allows Listeria bacteria to spread infection within human cells. By blocking this protein, new anti-infective drugs may be developed to combat antibiotic resistance.
Community-engaged research raises numerous ethical issues, including conflicts between academic and community partners, risks to groups not directly participating in the research, and distress among community partners. The authors propose several best practices and a detailed research agenda to address these concerns.
Researchers develop a new technique to predictably generate complex wavy shapes from hydrogels, which may help design more efficient drug-delivery systems. The technique uses an experimental setup that projects images onto a photosensitive hydrogel, causing it to assume the desired shape.
Scientists have extended the trapped particles' useful life more than tenfold by using a refined technique for trapping and manipulating nanoparticles. The new approach, which involves a control and feedback system that nudges the nanoparticle only when needed, increases the lifetime of the particle while reducing its tendency to wander.
Researchers at NIST developed a new protocol for communicating with biometric sensors over wired and wireless networks using web services. This protocol, WS-BD, simplifies setting up and maintaining secure biometric systems by enabling interoperability among devices.
Researchers at Seattle Children's Research Institute have discovered a genetic pathway causing rare facial malformation syndrome in children. The study identified two defective genes PLCB4 and GNAI3 as the primary cause of auriculocondylar syndrome (ACS), a condition that can lead to breathing and eating difficulties.
Brown-headed cowbird females are attracted to less intense wing spreading, feather puffing, and bowing during a display. This study reveals the opposite of what was previously predicted by sexual selection theory. The researchers used audiovisual recordings to investigate the female's response to male displays.
Scientists trim fruit fly males' spines using precision laser surgery and monitor mating success, finding spines aid reproduction before sex. The study sheds light on the evolution of male genital traits, suggesting a similar process to secondary sexual traits.
Researchers have found that measuring progesterone receptor expression can improve hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer management. The study identifies a subpopulation of patients with high survival rates when treated with endocrine therapy alone, and could lead to a more personalized medicine approach in breast cancer.
A University of Michigan study finds that over 60% of young adults between 19-22 received financial assistance from their parents. The average amount was around $7,500 per year, with significant variations by family and individual characteristics.
A gene duplication, occurring 2.4 million years ago, allowed maturing neurons to migrate farther and develop more connections. This extra copy of the SRGAP2 gene interfered with its original function, effectively giving neurons more time to wire themselves into a bigger brain.
A new analysis by French researchers identified patients with low phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3K) levels and low expression of the protein LKB1 as likely to benefit from everolimus treatment in breast cancer, contradicting initial hypotheses.
A new University of Minnesota study reveals that each species plays a crucial role in maintaining a productive ecosystem when considering long-term effects. The research found that increasing plant diversity led to gradual increases in both soil fertility and biomass production over a 14-year period.
Researchers from the University of Minnesota have effectively treated muscular dystrophy in mice using human stem cells derived from a new process that makes the production of human muscle cells efficient and effective. The study outlines a strategy for developing a rapidly dividing population of skeletal myogenic progenitor cells, set...
Researchers at Queen's University have developed TeleHuman, a life-size 3D videoconferencing pod that allows people to interact with each other in a Star Trek-like holodeck environment. The technology uses existing hardware and can be used for interactive 3D anatomy exploration through BodiPod.
Researchers at the University of Georgia found that long-term lack of oxygen in cells may be a key driver of cancer growth. Cancer cells switch to glycolysis for energy production, leading to a vicious cycle of increased hunger and growth.
Researchers blocked learning from past experiences in rats, impairing memory-guided decision-making. Awake mental replay is critical for linking immediate and earlier past experience to the reward.
SPECT/CT scans have been shown to change clinical management in thyroid cancer patients by improving staging and risk stratification. The technology has been used both post-operatively and pre-ablation to identify metastatic lesions and adjust treatment approaches, leading to avoidance of unnecessary therapy.
Researchers discovered dynamic changes in gene regulation in human stem cells, affecting their ability to serve as models for human disease and development. The study found that these cells can change their epigenomes, leading to unexpected outcomes in cell-based models of diseases like Lesch-Nyhan disease.
UCSF researchers identified brain activity patterns in rats that play a role in memory formation and decision-making. These patterns, known as sharp-wave ripples, are critical for recalling past experiences and making informed decisions.
Researchers have found that levels of certain proteins in the blood are associated with a greatly reduced risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. High levels of IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2 were linked to a significant reduction in diabetes risk, suggesting these proteins may help stratify people at risk for diabetes.
Researchers are analyzing lake cores for pollen, charcoal, and organisms to understand past biotic changes over 500,000 years. They aim to improve models predicting how life will adapt to today's environmental pressures and inform state planning on climate change.
A study found that in-person counseling improved purchasing of fruits and green and yellow vegetables, resulting in healthier food choices. The study suggests that supermarket interventions can promote meaningful health benefits by encouraging shoppers to choose nutritious options.