Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) therapy provides anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory benefits through its diverse antibody content, benefiting patients with autoimmune diseases and potentially expanding to Alzheimer's treatment options.
Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism by which normal stromal cells around ovarian cancer cells are converted into cancer-promoting cells. Altering microRNA expression in these cells enhances tumor growth and metastasis, providing new potential therapeutic targets.
Bioinformatician Professor Terry Speed has received a 2012 Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation for using statistics to solve biomedical research questions. His work has led to new techniques in cancer, infectious diseases, immunology, and inherited diseases.
Research suggests that the fine crafting of handaxes by Homo erectus/ergaster in the Lower Palaeolithic period was driven by a desire to prove trustworthiness rather than physical fitness. The 'trustworthy handaxe theory' proposes that attention to detail is about demonstrating emotional reliability and capacity for strong relationships.
Researchers at MIT developed a new method to predict Arctic sea ice extent by combining models and observations, revealing an important interaction between sea ice and ocean currents. The study provides a valuable tool for climate scientists and industries, enabling better prediction of sea-ice growth and transport.
Researchers at the US Department of Agriculture have developed a deficit-irrigation strategy for early-season peaches, which reduces post-harvest water levels by 25% without significantly affecting next year's yield. The study also found that subsurface drip irrigation systems had minimal effects on yield and fruit quality.
A UCSB anthropologist studied reciprocity among chimpanzees and bonobos, finding that favors are often exchanged over long periods of time. The study suggests that humans also engage in long-term reciprocal relationships, but with the capacity for more contingent reciprocity.
Studies show that hummingbirds using more energy to feed from vertically oriented flowers, challenging previous hypotheses on flower evolution. Researchers suggest other factors dictate flower orientation, including excluding less efficient pollinators and nectar dilution.
Physicists at TUM and University of Michigan demonstrate the construction of synthetic membrane channels made entirely of DNA. The resulting pores exhibit electrical conductivity comparable to natural ion channels, suggesting potential applications as molecular sensors, antimicrobial agents, and nanodevices.
On Nov. 20, 2012, a coronal mass ejection (CME) was observed by NASA spacecraft, with speeds of 450 miles per second, a slow to average speed for CMEs. The event had significant space weather implications and was closely monitored by NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center.
Researchers have identified hundreds of small regions of the genome uniquely regulated in human neurons, distinguishing us from other primates. These regulatory differences may hold the key to understanding human intellectual prowess and susceptibility to 'human-specific' diseases such as autism and Alzheimer's.
A phase 3 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests there are benefits to both blood and marrow stem cell transplants, but no significant survival differences were found. Researchers from John Theurer Cancer Center played a key role in this groundbreaking study.
The LLLight'in'Europe project aims to measure employee strengths in solving complex problems, fostering innovation and attracting new talent. The four-year study will assess Complex Problem Solving Skills (CPS) capabilities in 4150 individuals across Europe.
A study found that patients with online access to their medical records and secure email communication with clinicians had significantly increased use of clinical services, including office visits and telephone encounters. This contradicts the assumption that online access would substitute for traditional health care services.
Researchers discovered a ribosomal protein, rpL40, that regulates viral protein synthesis and could represent a target for antiviral treatments. This finding reveals the ribosome's active role in regulating protein translation and offers new insights into combating fatal viral infections such as rabies.
A new breast imaging technology, tomosynthesis, significantly improves radiologists' diagnostic accuracy and reduces false positive recall rates when combined with standard digital mammography. The study found a 10.7% increase in diagnostic sensitivity and a 38.6% reduction in absolute recall rates.
Researchers discovered a molecule called sncRNA715 that suppresses myelin basic protein synthesis, crucial for myelin formation. This finding may help explain myelination failures in neurological illnesses like multiple sclerosis.
Researchers created a culturally relevant guidebook to improve Hispanic health and behaviors, focusing on physical activity and nutrition. The guidebook was well-received by community residents and addressed the Latino Paradox, highlighting the shift in healthy eating habits when immigrants arrive in the US.
Researchers found a low risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) following intrauterine device (IUD) insertion. Women who were screened for gonorrhea and chlamydia on the same day as IUD insertion had an equivalent risk of PID to those who were not screened.
A study led by Oxford University reveals that humans selectively favor beneficial gut microbes through the release of nutrient-rich secretions. This process allows for efficient control of the microbiome without requiring excessive host resources.
A rapid Xpert test for tuberculosis (TB) could reduce TB deaths and improve treatment outcomes in southern Africa. Implementing the test is expected to prevent an estimated 132,000 TB cases and 182,000 TB deaths over 10 years, but would increase health service costs by US$460 million.
The Ottawa Statement on the Ethical Design and Conduct of Cluster Randomized Trials provides detailed guidance on CRTs, addressing issues such as informed consent, risk-benefit assessments, and data management. Researchers can benefit from this new framework to improve the ethical quality of their cluster randomized trials.
Biologists at Bielefeld University have confirmed that certain algae species can draw energy from other plants by digesting cellulose, a previously thought exclusive trait of fungi and bacteria. This groundbreaking discovery has significant implications for bioenergy production.
A diabetes drug initially used to treat insulin resistance has shown promise in improving cognitive performance in some people with Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found that rosiglitazone enhanced learning and memory while normalizing insulin resistance by reducing the negative influence of Alzheimer's on brain-signaling molecules.
Researchers have developed new tiny probes called BRIGHTs that bind to biomarkers of disease and light up to reveal their location when swept by an infrared laser. These probes, made of gold nanoparticles with Raman reporters, create an electromagnetic hotspot that boosts the reporters' emission by a factor of nearly a trillion.
A £16M initiative will develop ways to improve the sustainability of vital food crops in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. The projects aim to increase sustainable crop yields and improve global food security.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center conducted a pilot study on a non-invasive approach using musical tones to balance brain activity and reduce insomnia. The study found that participants who received HIRREM therapy experienced a 10.3 point drop in Insomnia Severity Index scores, indicating improved insomnia symptoms.
A UAlberta researcher has developed 'homing beacon drugs' that selectively kill cancer cells while sparing healthy ones. These smart drugs use nano-technology to identify cancer cells based on a unique protein found only in them, allowing for targeted treatment and potential reduction in side effects.
A novel coronavirus most closely related to viruses found in bats has been identified, prompting concern over potential human transmission. The virus is believed to have originated from an animal source, with similarities to viruses isolated from Asian and European bat species.
Vermilion flycatchers change song lengths in response to urban noise, unlike some other bird species that alter their songs by frequency. This adaptation helps them cope with noisy conditions and improve acoustic communication during breeding season.
The Collaborative Home for Oral Heath, Medical Review and Health Promotion (CHOMP) project brings together dental and nursing students to deliver one-stop patient care. CHOMP will provide oral exams, health screenings, and treatment for acute health issues, as well as referrals to local health providers.
Researchers have identified a molecular pathway driving Alzheimer's disease progression, revealing new targets for drug discovery. The study found that clusterin acts to switch on a signalling pathway associated with tau tangle formation and cognitive defects.
Researchers at Northwestern University have implicated toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the development of tissue fibrosis, a hallmark of scleroderma. The study found that mutations in the TLR4 gene made mice resistant to experimental scleroderma and that patients with scleroderma had abnormal TLR4 levels in affected tissues.
A new Swedish study reveals that adolescents with lower peer status are at a higher risk of becoming regular or heavy smokers in adulthood. Researchers found that marginalized students, those nominated few times by their classmates, were more likely to adopt smoking as a behavior.
A study found that extreme rainfall in the UK is expected to shift later in the year, especially in the south-east, where it will peak in autumn. This could lead to an increased risk of flooding, particularly when river catchments are at their maximum water capacity.
A study of over 1,200 participants found no significant improvement in cognitive and functional status for those treated with citicoline after traumatic brain injury, contradicting its widespread use as a neuroprotective agent.
A new system can identify a single target molecule from millions of water molecules within milliseconds by trapping it on gold nanoparticles. The technology has potential uses in detecting illegal substances and pollutants, offering a compact, reusable, and easy-to-assemble solution.
A new rapid test for tuberculosis has been found to substantially reduce TB deaths and improve treatment in southern Africa. The study found that implementing the test would prevent an estimated 132,000 TB cases and 182,000 TB deaths over 10 years.
Researchers recommend that mobile phone operators record users' dates of birth and implement age-based content classifications to block access to adult sites. The study also suggests that the government should work with families and schools to promote awareness campaigns on proper mobile phone usage.
Pituitary centers of excellence could provide optimal clinical management for patients with pituitary tumors, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary collaborative environments. The proposal suggests three key missions: comprehensive patient care, residency training, and research contributions.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales have developed a non-toxic nanoparticle that can deliver nitric oxide to specific cancer cells, reducing chemotherapy doses by a factor of five. This could lead to improved treatment outcomes and reduced side effects for neuroblastoma patients.
Classic studies on obedience and conformity have been revisited to show that people do not blindly conform but actively identify with and believe in the authority's actions. The authors' own prison experiment found that participants only acted in terms of group membership and empowered themselves to resist their assigned position.
Researchers found that eccrine sweat glands store adult stem cells that can quickly aid wound healing. This discovery advances understanding of the normal healing process and paves way for designing better targeted therapies.
The Vision for Change project aims to increase cocoa yields and improve farmer livelihoods through agroforestry practices, research on improved varieties, and market support. By leveraging private-public partnerships, Mars Inc. and ICRAF hope to scale up the initiative to millions of farmers across West Africa.
Patients who attended five follow-up office visits lost an average of 113 pounds, compared to 57 pounds for those with only two follow-ups. The study highlights the importance of patient follow-up in achieving optimal weight loss after gastric bypass surgery.
A new study reveals that climate change is altering the Northern hardwood forest ecosystem, affecting maple syrup production, wildlife health and timber resources. The research highlights the need for long-term studies to understand and manage these complex effects.
Scientists at UCLA have created a new type of solar cell that produces energy by absorbing infrared light, making it 66% transparent. The technology is lightweight, flexible, and can be produced in high volume at low cost.
A new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health links impulsivity in first grade to problem gambling in late adolescence. The research found that high-impulse boys were twice as likely to meet criteria for at-risk and three times more likely to meet criteria for problem gambling.
Middle-aged adults are experiencing a significant increase in suicide rates, particularly through hanging/suffocation. Suicide by firearm remains the leading cause of injury death, but hanging/suffocation has increased dramatically, especially among middle-aged men and women.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that patients with online access to their medical records had a significant increase in office visits and telephone calls compared to those without online access. This association was seen across different age groups, including those with asthma or diabetes.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered a natural fungus, Beauveria bassiana, that can effectively control bed bugs. The study found that the fungus infects and kills bed bugs within five days, even when they are in close proximity to uninfected individuals.
Researchers at Butler Hospital and Bradley Hospital found a sharp decline in the availability and use of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) for severe depression in general hospitals across the US. The annual number of hospital stays where ECT was administered fell by 43% over 17 years, from over 1.2 million to 720,000.
Researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering have developed a robotic fish that can attract live zebrafish using real-time visual feedback. The study found that zebrafish are more attracted to robots that replicate the behavior of informed fish, demonstrating the effectiveness of real-time visual feedback in influencing live animal ...
A Swedish study of 112 adolescent girls found that regular dance training significantly improved self-esteem and reduced symptoms of depression and fatigue. The results persisted at follow-ups four and eight months after the dance training ended.
Researchers developed nanoparticles that generate heat to kill cancer cells using infrared light. The new particles showed no toxicity and were able to withstand repeated heating cycles.
The Journal of Forensic Nursing, published by Wolters Kluwer Health, will continue its quarterly publication schedule and introduce a new iPad app edition. The journal presents original research, reviews, and editorials addressing healthcare, legal, and ethical issues in forensic nursing.
Researchers at Durham University found that some grey seal mothers adopt a flexible parenting style, adjusting their behavior to local conditions. This approach allows them to give their pups a better chance of survival, but also carries risks if they misjudge the environment.
The foundation has awarded $400,000 grants to researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center to identify subsets of AML cells resistant to chemotherapy. Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College and The University of Chicago will receive $400,000 to study a new type of AML.
Researchers discovered that thrombin activity propagates through blood in steady waves, crucial for sealing large wounds but potentially leading to complications. This finding sheds light on the mechanisms behind severe bleeding in hemophilia patients and has implications for other cardiovascular disorders.
Scientists have developed a new 'smart material' made from Scotch tape that can change shape in response to humidity and collect water samples. The innovation uses laser-machined fingers to capture droplets of water, making it ideal for environmental testing.