Scientists at the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute showed that an experimental bariatric surgery can lower blood sugar levels in non-obese rats with type 1 diabetes. The study demonstrated that duodenal-jejunal bypass surgery activates novel nutrient-sensing signals in the jejunum, rapidly lowering blood sugar levels.
A randomized trial found that hypertonic saline did not reduce the rate of pulmonary exacerbations in young children with cystic fibrosis. The study also showed no significant effects on secondary end points such as weight and respiratory symptoms.
Scientists have measured a significant decline in Antarctic Bottom Water, a key driver of global ocean currents, with a 60% reduction estimated since 1970. The densest waters are becoming less saline, indicating rapid response to climate changes.
A substance in human mesenchymal stem cells promotes nerve restoration and myelin sheath repair in rodent models of multiple sclerosis. Hepatocyte growth factor, a key instigator, decreases inflammation and increases signaling molecules counteracting it, leading to neural cell growth and nerve rewinding.
A new 'super-high' oleic safflower has been developed by CSIRO, with the potential to provide over 100,000 hectares of sustainable plant oils. The oil contains over 90% of valuable oleic acid, making it suitable for industrial chemical production and direct use in lubricants.
A team of researchers from UCSF and UC San Diego has identified an approved arthritis drug, auranofin, that is effective against amoebas in lab and animal studies, suggesting it could offer a low-dose, low-cost treatment for dysentery worldwide. The drug has been shown to be 10 times more potent than the current treatment and could be ...
A new study reveals that a combination of three drugs used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis can lead to increased risk of death and hospitalization. The researchers found no improvement in lung function or slowing of disease progression with the treatment, highlighting the importance of rigorous testing methods.
Australian scientists detected changes in ocean salinity, indicating an acceleration in the global rainfall and evaporation cycle. The water cycle has strengthened by four percent from 1950-2000, with high rainfall regions becoming wetter and arid areas drier due to global warming.
A recent study found that male patients with pulmonary disease have a very high risk of osteopenia/osteoporosis, which can be reduced by routine screening and early intervention. The study included 46 patients, most of whom were male, and showed that those with more severe lung disease are more likely to also have bone disease.
Researchers have discovered biomarkers that predict response to treatment and proposed therapeutic solutions for patients who do not respond well. The study identifies the molecular mechanisms determining patients' response to certain drugs used in clinical trials.
Researchers at Stanford and Penn have developed an invisible photodetector that uses plasmonic cloaking to detect light. The device features silicon nanowires covered by a thin gold cap, which cancels out reflected light through destructive interference, rendering the device invisible.
A new NIH-funded study finds that concentrated saline therapy does not reduce antibiotic use in infants and preschoolers with cystic fibrosis. The study highlights the need for more research on treatments tailored to younger children with this disease.
Researchers found that a key brain structure acts as a learning hub, receiving information from other regions to improve its song, even when not directly controlling the action. This finding may help treat neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease.
A study presented at the American Urological Association Annual Meeting found that early stage prostate cancer treatment can alleviate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in a subgroup of men. Radical prostatectomy surgery was shown to improve urinary function, while radiation therapy and brachytherapy had less favorable effects.
Research funded by ESRC shows that soldiers who mutilate enemy corpses do so due to racist attitudes and military traditions. Human trophy-taking is a form of racially-motivated violence specific to military personnel in wartime.
A new software tool called Acacia has been developed to correct errors in DNA sequencing, allowing biologists to accurately interpret genetic information. The tool, created by CSIRO PhD student Lauren Bragg, uses statistical theory to analyze code for DNA bases and improve accuracy.
A new study reveals that prenatal exposure to air pollution can have persistent effects on lung function development in children with asthma. The research found associations between nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter exposure during pregnancy and lower pulmonary function growth in childhood.
The ASGE Crystal Awards recognize notable achievements in endoscopic research, teaching, and service. This year's honorees include Dennis M. Jensen, MD, for the Rudolf V. Schindler Award, and Ibrahim Mostafa, MD, for the International Service Award.
Researchers found that primary care-based management was comparable to specialist care in terms of ESS scores, FOSQ scores, and CPAP compliance. Home auto-titrating CPAP usage was also similar between the two groups. The study suggests a lower-cost alternative for OSA treatment, particularly beneficial for rural and remote regions.
Researchers discovered that the Notch pathway contributes to the development of rheumatoid arthritis by influencing the differentiation and function of inflammatory macrophages. The study also shows that drugs under development for cancer could potentially be used to treat RA.
A new study found that treating childhood OSA normalizes brain disturbances responsible for attention and executive function. Brain imaging showed improvements in verbal memory, attention, and frontal cortex metabolites after treatment.
A study from researchers in Sweden found that frequent asthma exacerbations are associated with higher doses of glucocorticosteroids, worse asthma control, and increased inflammatory markers. The study identified several risk factors for frequent exacerbations, including smoking history, lower quality of life, and body mass index >25.
A study presented at Heart Failure Congress 2012 found that statin therapy prevents cancer and reduces death from all causes in heart transplant recipients. Cancer is the leading cause of death late after heart transplantation, with skin cancer being particularly common.
A groundbreaking study found quantum dots to be safe in primates over a one-year period, with no signs of illness or toxicity. The results suggest that medical applications such as image-guided surgery and diagnostic tests could be viable with careful use.
Researchers from NUS have discovered how a drug-lead compound named BPTES can deprive cancer cells of energy and stop them from growing into a tumour. Building on these findings, they also derived positive results for a novel dual-drug treatment regime that kills kidney and breast cancer cells more effectively.
Researchers compared chest tube drainage and talc slurry for pleurodesis to indwelling pleural catheters in treating lung effusions. The study found no significant difference in dyspnea between the two treatments, but IPCs reduced hospital time despite increasing adverse events.
Researchers have identified a unique molecular subtype of prostate cancer associated with mutations in the SPOP gene, accounting for up to 15% of all cases. The study reveals that these mutations may lead to an accumulation of proteins driving cancer growth.
A study by the University of Wisconsin found an association between sleep disordered breathing and increased cancer mortality. The researchers analyzed data from 1,522 subjects and found that those with mild, moderate, or severe SDB had a higher risk of cancer mortality compared to those without SDB.
A Yale University study found that oxytocin increased brain function in regions processing social information in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. This breakthrough may lead to more effective treatments for core social deficits in autism.
A web-based video instructional program significantly improves patient compliance with colonoscopy screenings, cutting no-show rates by up to 40%. The study found that patients who watched the video were more likely to arrive prepared and cancel appointments less frequently, leading to better outcomes for cancer detection and treatment.
The European Society of Cardiology has released new guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure, emphasizing the importance of new device recommendations and increased use of left ventricular assist devices. The guidelines also highlight the benefits of cardiac resynchronisation therapy in patients with mild symptoms.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have developed a graphene-based composite that can replace toxic coatings with hexavalent chromium, reducing environmental harm and promoting safer industries. The new coating has shown significant improvements in durability, allowing treated steel to survive for months in harsh environments.
Researchers are working on developing a scalable quantum computer using electron spins and nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamonds. The goal is to overcome the limitations of silicon technology, enabling complex quantum calculations.
Researchers at KAIST develop microorganisms to produce natural and non-natural chemicals from renewable biomass through systems metabolic engineering. The study presents new general strategies for improving cellular characteristics and designing synthetic metabolic pathways, enabling high-efficiency production of desired chemicals and ...
Researchers from the University of Almería have developed a system to analyse substances quickly and precisely, detecting five veterinary drugs in milk powder and ten in meat products. The 'multi-residue' method allows several drugs to be detected at a time, using chromatographic techniques and mass spectrometry.
Researchers studied geological formations across the globe, including the Coast Range basalt province and the Faroe Islands. They discovered evidence of plume-influenced magmatism and fault rock types that can help model fluid migration and distribution. Additionally, a study on the Wairarapa fault in New Zealand investigated the geome...
A nurse practitioner-driven consultation improved cancer patients' emotional health and quality of life, with a significant improvement in those who received the intervention. The study suggests that incorporating palliative care discussions into oncology practices can lead to better patient outcomes.
The American Gastroenterological Association will showcase innovative data and advancements in treating gastrointestinal (GI) disorders during the Digestive Disease Week 2012. The presentation of exciting, cutting-edge information will help physicians diagnose and treat GI disorders more effectively.
A team of physicists and biologists discovered that protein Cdc42 oscillates throughout yeast cells, regulating shape and function. This oscillatory mechanism may be a general strategy among all self-organizing biological systems.
Recent studies explore how technology is changing the questions asked by psychological scientists, with a focus on data collection from social media platforms like Facebook. Researchers are leveraging smartphone sensors to gather insights into human behavior and environments, offering new avenues for scientific inquiry.
Scientists from the University of Cambridge and Toshiba Research Europe Ltd. developed an all-semiconductor quantum logic gate, a controlled-NOT (CNOT) gate, by coaxing nanodots to emit single photons of light on demand. This breakthrough brings researchers closer to creating powerful quantum computers.
Harvard scientists have developed a method to identify 'sea level fingerprints,' patterns of variation in sea level changes that can indicate the source of water contributing to rising sea levels. Using a Kalman smoother, researchers can determine where glacial melting is occurring and estimate its contribution to global sea level rise.
The Urologic Diseases in America report documents the significant impact of urologic conditions, such as urinary tract infections and prostate cancer, on the American public. The study reveals that these conditions result in substantial healthcare costs, with estimates suggesting $40 billion annually.
Researchers found that pollution strengthens thunderstorm clouds, causing them to capture more heat and warm the atmosphere. The warming effect dominated over cooling, with larger anvils trapping more heat at night.
Research shows that higher education significantly reduces the negative influence of community poverty and adversity on young adults' income, assets, and job quality. Education acts as a buffer, substantially mitigating the long-term effects of early life experiences.
A Georgia Tech research team has developed a novel technology that allows for the direct digital casting of complex, costly metal parts. The new method, called Large Area Maskless Photopolymerization (LAMP), uses high-resolution optics and precision motion systems to achieve extremely sharp features, reducing prototype development time...
Dartmouth researchers have found that exercise has different effects on memory and the brain depending on age, with potential therapeutic benefits for ADHD. The study identified a gene that mediates exercise's impact on mental health, offering new avenues for treatment.
A new study by Brigham Young University professor Sarah Coyne analyzed 40 teen novels and found that 88% of them contained at least one instance of profanity. The study also discovered that characters with higher social status, better looks, and more money were more likely to swear.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports documents the long-term ecological interactions between land and sea ecosystems. Researchers found that replacing native trees with non-native palms led to a cascade of effects, including fewer seabirds, reduced nutrients in waters, and decreased manta ray populations.
Researchers developed a tiny vacuum channel transistor with applications in hazardous sensing, medical diagnostics, and telecommunications; the device operates at low voltages, making it competitive with semiconductor technology.
A recent study found that 22% of student athletes who participated in contact sports scored significantly lower in memory and learning skills compared to non-contact sport athletes. The study suggests that repeated head impacts may have a negative impact on cognitive function, but the effects may not be permanent.
A study published in PLoS Pathogens found that the rabies virus evolves nearly four times faster in tropical bats than in temperate bats. The rate of evolution depends on the bat's ecological traits, including its geographical location and behavior.
The University of Iowa researchers created a non-invasive method to measure pH changes in the brain using MRI-based techniques. The study found that pH changes occur with normal brain function and can be detected using this new technique.
A recent study published in Annals of Neurology found that consuming high amounts of saturated fat was associated with poorer overall cognitive function and memory in women over time. In contrast, eating more monounsaturated fats, commonly found in olive oil, may help prevent decline in memory and cognitive performance.
Researchers at University College London have developed a new silicon oxide-based 'Resistive RAM' memory chip that can operate in ambient conditions, offering significantly greater memory storage and reduced energy consumption. The chip promises to be much faster than current technology, with potential applications beyond memory storage.
The Endocrine Society recommends large randomized controlled trials to test vitamin D's effects on chronic diseases such as autoimmunity, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Topical and oral vitamin D may be useful in treating skin disorders like psoriasis, but more research is needed.
Researchers from IDIBELL have discovered a new mechanism in cell division regulation through protein Zds1. This finding has significant implications for developing targeted and direct therapies against cancer by understanding the molecular mechanisms of mitosis.
Engineers developed glucose-sensing microbeads using droplet microfluidics, allowing for non-invasive monitoring of cell cultures. The technique enables detection of local glucose concentrations and gradual changes due to cell metabolism.
Results from the first-in-human studies show meaningful and sustained low clinical events after treatment with the Parachute system, demonstrating a near-full New York Heart Association (NYHA) class improvement at two years.
A new crane fly species, Tipula recondita, has been discovered in Northwestern Europe, specifically in Finland and the Russian Far East. The species is highly disconnected, with Finnish and Russian populations separated by over 6500 km. DNA barcoding confirms a single but disjunct species.