Researchers have made a groundbreaking observation of cellular architecture using high-powered microscopes, revealing the structure of microtubules during gamete formation. The findings could impact the treatment of diseases caused by misregulation of microtubule structures, including Down syndrome and cancer.
AcademyHealth has awarded its inaugural Presidential Scholarship to five early-career researchers, offering them access to the Annual Research Meeting and exclusive mentorship opportunities. The scholarship program aims to nurture the careers of budding researchers in health services research.
A study by the Academy of General Dentistry found that sports and energy drinks cause irreversible damage to teeth due to high acidity levels. Energy drinks are twice as likely to destroy enamel than sports drinks.
Fossil discovery reveals ancient flea-like animals that could feed on dinosaur skin, leading to a painful bite experience. The creatures, similar to modern fleas but much larger, had flat bodies and long claws.
Researchers have discovered that the NKCC1 protein may hold key to understanding how glioblastoma, the deadliest type of brain cancer, moves and invades healthy brain tissue. Blocking NKCC1 with a cheap FDA-approved drug slows movement of glioblastoma cells, suggesting a potential new approach to treat this aggressive cancer.
Researchers at McLean Hospital have developed a new category of nanoparticles that can non-invasively cross the blood-brain barrier, transporting various types of drugs. These nanoparticles also outperform existing MRI contrast agents, offering a significant improvement in imaging performance and reduced gadolinium toxicity.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new smart gas sensor that can detect airborne chemicals with higher sensitivity and consume less power. The sensor uses a novel approach to separate chemicals in the gas mixture, allowing for more accurate identification and analysis.
A geneticist has developed a technique to test the functional differences of human gene variants using yeast cells. This method identified 37% of alleles associated with vitamin B6 supplementation for treating homocystinuria, a metabolic disease causing blood clots and mental retardation.
Computer scientists in India have developed a two-pronged algorithm to detect and block botnets. The standalone algorithm uses heuristic approaches to spot suspicious activity, while the network algorithm analyzes network traffic to identify malicious behavior.
The Livehoods project uses foursquare check-ins to map a city's neighborhoods, reflecting both geography and the people who frequent them. Researchers found diverse communities within neighborhoods, shedding light on urban dynamics.
A study found that 53% of children with asthma were exposed to secondhand smoke, resulting in higher odds of healthcare visits and sleep disturbances. This highlights the need for improved education and tools to help families reduce exposure and promote better health outcomes.
A large-scale analysis found that most clinical trials are small and have significant methodological differences, leading to concerns about the quality of evidence. The study's findings highlight the need for better trial design and data collection practices to ensure high-quality evidence for medical decision-making.
The University of California, Santa Cruz, has established the Cancer Genomics Hub to manage and analyze large-scale cancer genomic data. This hub will support research programs like The Cancer Genome Atlas and enable personalized cancer care by connecting specific genomic changes with clinical outcomes.
A decision support system translated into a high percentage of positive chest CT examinations, with 76% of patients showing a positive finding on their CT. The system's utility score helped referring physicians modify imaging requests, cancel exams, or order alternative tests.
A study of 2,000 U.S. infants born to HIV-positive mothers found that using the anti-HIV drug tenofovir during pregnancy did not result in smaller babies at birth, but those treated with the drug were slightly shorter and had smaller head circumference by age 1
A recent study has found that achieving Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) benchmarks for glycemic control among patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery may be irrelevant when perioperative continuous insulin infusion protocols are implemented. The researchers discovered that 6.6% of patients who received ...
The US government would benefit from investing more in eliminating socio-environmental risk factors than developing medicines for childhood disabilities. The study cites $76 billion annual disease cost and recommends creating healthy cities like Vancouver to prevent chronic diseases.
The Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings program has released its 2012 ratings for adult football helmets, with three models earning a 5-star mark. The top-rated helmets are the Riddell Revolution Speed, Rawlings Quantum Plus and Riddell 360, which demonstrate improved safety features.
The US approach to clean energy needs a reality check, according to Stanford researchers. Drs. Jeffrey Ball and Kassia Yanosek recommend driving down costs of key technologies and speeding up deployment to make renewable power economically viable. This will require targeted government policy and private sector investment.
A new study challenges traditional risk factors for contrast-induced nephrotoxicity, finding that patients with history of renal disease, hypertension, and heart disease are at greater risk. In contrast, diabetes is not a significant predictor of reduced renal function.
A Mayo Clinic study of 926 people aged 70-93 found that combining mentally stimulating activities like computer use with moderate exercise decreases the risk of memory loss. The study suggests a synergistic interaction between computer activities and exercise in protecting brain function, particularly for those over 70.
A new national poll reveals that significant gaps exist in primary care for older Americans, with only 7% receiving all seven recommended services to support healthy aging. The survey highlights the importance of counseling on falls prevention and accessing Medicare's Annual Wellness Visit to improve geriatric care.
A Michigan State University study found that citizens are injured 41% of the time when stun guns are used during apprehension, compared to 29% without stun gun use. Meanwhile, officers are injured only 5% with stun guns, but nearly 10% without.
New research confirms resveratrol's role in prolonging lifespan and health through SIRT1-activated mitochondrial function. Studies using mouse models show that without SIRT1, resveratrol has no beneficial effect on energy production.
Researchers develop a new method of polymer synthesis based on segregation and templating to achieve precise control over polymer structure. This approach enables tailored polymers with specific properties for applications in nanomedicine, nanotechnology, and materials chemistry.
A recent study found that bigger male gorillas are more successful at attracting mates and raising offspring. The research, conducted over 12 years in Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, revealed positive correlations between physical traits such as head-crest size and gluteal muscles with an adult male's average number of mates.
Scientists develop transforming mechanisms inspired by nature to create camouflage effects in soft, stretchy materials. The technology can be used in smart clothing, scaling up to an adaptable skin that stretches and deforms.
Researchers have discovered that NKCC1 protein facilitates the movement of glioblastoma cells, which are notoriously aggressive and deadly. The study also suggests that a cheap FDA-approved drug, bumetanide, could slow cell migration and contain tumor spread.
A research group led by Giulio Maria Pasinetti has discovered that misfolded tau released by neurons can spread to surrounding cells, promoting the progression of neurodegenerative disorders. A grape-seed extract enriched in polyphenols was also found to prevent cell-to-cell spread of tau pathology.
Researchers developed a mouse model of delirium, finding that systemic inflammation triggers short-term memory disturbance, which is reversed by treatment with donepezil. The study reconciles two long-standing hypotheses, shedding light on the condition's causes and potential treatments.
Surgeons successfully removed tumors from patients with unresectable abdominal cancers by using synthetic vascular grafts and re-implanting organs. All three patients are alive with no tumor recurrence after 2 to 4 years.
A national survey found that hospitals increased focus on CAUTIs and CLABSIs after the 2008 Medicare policy change. While most findings were positive, some IPs expressed concern about resource shifts and emphasis on physician documentation over patient outcomes.
The study found that dedicated pediatric imaging departments significantly reduce radiation doses in pediatric CT scans, with compliance rates improving and patient doses decreasing. The use of specialized technologists and protocols tailored to child size and organ system scanned contribute to these benefits.
A new study by Penn State researchers reveals that parenting behaviors and adolescents' substance-use behaviors are significantly correlated. Higher levels of parental knowledge and disciplinary consistency lead to a lower likelihood of substance use, while inconsistent parents and aware peers can increase the risk of substance use.
Researchers launch DC3 experiment to understand thunderstorms' influence on air just beneath the stratosphere, a little-explored region that affects Earth's climate. They aim to explore ozone formation and its impact on climate change by tracking pollutants and chemical reactions.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a novel screening technology to rapidly test metal-oxide nanomaterials for potential health hazards. The method uses high-throughput screening and predicts which materials are most likely to cause oxidative damage based on their electronic properties.
Dr. Timothy J. Collier received the 2012 Bernard Sanberg Memorial Award for Brain Repair for his work on cellular repair for Parkinson's disease, while Dr. Sean I. Savitz was honored with the Molly and Bernard Sanberg Memorial Award for his contributions to cell-based therapies for ischemic stroke.
The University of Houston will launch the Center for Health Equity and Evaluation Research (CHEER), a joint venture between the UH Graduate College of Social Work and MD Anderson Cancer Center. CHEER aims to investigate health disparities and develop real-world solutions for promoting health equity.
A Danish-British study published in PLoS Medicine reveals a direct correlation between high Body Mass Index (BMI) and the risk of developing heart disease. The research, based on data from 75,627 individuals, shows that obesity can damage heart health regardless of other factors.
Researchers at Hebrew University have identified specific genetic pathways involved in autism, highlighting their potential for early diagnosis and treatment. The study found that different genes tend to be involved in specific brain processes, explaining similarities in behavioral symptoms across individuals.
Researchers at Penn State developed a process to spin starch into fine strands for use in bandages and other medical dressings. The biodegradable bandages would degrade into glucose, eliminating the need for painful removal.
Researchers at MIT have developed a technique to mitigate side-channel attacks, which can steal computer secrets by analyzing time it takes for a computer to store data or measure its power consumption. This approach obscures computational details, making it difficult for attackers to infer information about the program.
A study found that large-bodied herbivores declined in biodiversity over the last 12 million years of the Cretaceous period. In contrast, carnivorous dinosaurs and smaller plant-eaters remained relatively stable or increased in diversity. The researchers used morphological disparity to analyze dinosaur groups and found that certain spe...
Michigan State University researchers are leading a clinical trial in Malawi to test the safety and feasibility of levetiracetam, an anti-seizure medication, to control seizures in children with cerebral malaria. The trial aims to improve neurologic outcomes for survivors, who often develop epilepsy or other neurologic disorders.
A study by Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center found limited use of family theories in pediatric obesity research, but suggests that increased use could lead to better treatments. The researchers propose a new approach that incorporates the entire family into treatment, rather than just focusing on individual patients.
Moffitt Cancer Center researchers identified 39 tyrosine kinases in sarcoma cells, which could drive tumor growth and survival. These enzymes were found to be expressed in multiple tumors, potentially limiting the effectiveness of targeted agents.
A recent study discovered a common genetic basis for touch and hearing, revealing that gene mutations affecting one sense can also impair the other. The research found that patients with Usher syndrome, a hereditary form of deafness, often experience impaired touch sensitivity due to a specific gene mutation.
A Mendelian randomization analysis found a continuous association between increased BMI and risk for ischemic heart disease, with no threshold below which BMI increase has no effect on IHD risk. The study's findings have important implications for public health policy.
Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center have identified a critical mechanism involving the TOR protein kinase and master gene regulator proteins SKN-1 and DAF-16, which can increase stress resistance and longevity in various species.