This study analyzed data from over 1.3 million middle-aged women in the UK, finding that moderate alcohol consumption was associated with a lower risk of lymphoid malignancies. Smoking, on the other hand, was linked to an increased risk of these cancers.
A drug originally developed to prevent organ rejection has been shown to dramatically reduce a particular kind of brain tumor in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). The study found that 35% of patients experienced at least a 50% reduction in tumor volume after treatment with everolimus.
Scientists warn that plants and soils could react to warming by releasing additional carbon dioxide, increasing greenhouse gas concentrations. The study found vast potential range in future terrestrial carbon storage, posing challenges for climate change risk management.
A mid-level solar flare, classified as M6, was observed by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on November 13, 2012. The flare caused a moderate radio blackout affecting GPS and communications signals for several minutes to hours.
Scientists predict that Greenland's ice sheet will lose more ice and snow to melting than it will accumulate over the next century due to warming temperatures. Basins on the southwest and north coasts will suffer the greatest losses, with temperatures only needing to increase by 0.6-2.16C for net loss.
A new study reveals that consumers presented with options one at a time tend to be less satisfied and committed to their choices. The authors found that this is due to the uncertainty of future alternatives, leading to a feeling of hope that undermines satisfaction levels.
Experts Simon Chapman and Jeff Collin disagree on the need for a smoker's license, with Chapman arguing it would limit access to tobacco products and encourage quitting, while Collin argues it would stigmatize smokers and shift focus away from the industry
Researchers have identified early liver function changes as a potential indicator of severe sepsis. The study found that these changes occur hours before conventional markers and are linked to clinical outcomes. This breakthrough has significant implications for diagnosing and treating patients with critical illness.
A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine finds that pictorial health warnings on cigarette packaging are effective in warning against cigarette smoking. The research, led by James F. Thrasher, PhD, found that graphic imagery is more credible and effective than text-only labels among smokers with low health l...
A new digital mammography technique has been shown to improve the accuracy of breast cancer screening, reducing both false positive findings and recalls. The stereoscopic method uses a unique workstation and polarizing lenses to identify lesions at different depths within the breast volume.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a technique to increase storage density in hard disk drives by using self-organizing substances known as block copolymers. The team has made significant progress, shrinking dots small enough to double storage density and achieving processing times under 30 seconds.
A study published in Functional Ecology found that grasshoppers living beside noisy roads produce different songs with elevated frequency components. This adaptation helps them make themselves heard above road traffic, potentially disrupting the grasshopper's mating system.
A new study reveals that the primary cilium plays a crucial role in guiding interneurons to their correct locations during brain development. This navigation system is disrupted in individuals with Joubert syndrome, a rare neurological disorder linked to autism spectrum disorders and brain structure malformations.
Researchers from PNNL develop new algorithm to identify similar patterns in data, reducing processing time by seconds. A software called Bamboo is also presented, which translates MPI code to speed up data-crunching and reduce communication bottlenecks.
A new systematic review found that people who received mobile phone-based smoking cessation services were more likely to stay away from cigarettes for six months. The review analyzed data from five studies involving over 9,000 participants, showing a nearly doubling of quit rates in intervention groups compared to control groups.
A private-market approach to delivering malaria treatments has increased access to care and reduced the use of less effective treatments in Africa. The 'Coca-Cola' model, which uses shops and market stalls to distribute affordable medications, has been shown to broaden the availability of effective therapies.
USDA researchers have created toxic sugar-based baits luring mosquito death; five compound classes kill all three mosquito species. Scientists also discovered how repellents work by disrupting chemical attractants in mosquito receptors.
Researchers discovered that fruit flies can develop and be fertile in the absence of histone H3.3, challenging established models of gene regulation. Additionally, they found that histone modification is not essential for activating genes, but rather plays a role in regulating their expression.
Ramanujan's remarkable life and work are celebrated with new articles by top experts. His notebooks have fueled mathematical activity for decades, with his impact continuing to grow.
Researchers found that preschoolers with persistent nighttime fears were less able to distinguish reality from fantasy. Therapies like using a 'huggy puppy' toy can help children overcome their fears by leveraging their strong imagination. This study aims to develop interventions for clinicians and parents.
UCI researchers found that histone proteins stored in lipid droplets can target and kill bacterial infections, providing a novel approach to fighting bacterial growth. This discovery could lead to new treatments for patients with bad bacterial infections.
The US preterm birth rate dropped for the fifth consecutive year in 2011 to 11.7 percent, giving thousands more babies a healthy start in life and saving billions in health and social costs. Four states earned an 'A' on the March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card, while the US earned a 'C', despite progress.
A study published in the European Heart Journal found that relatives of young people who died suddenly from a heart-related problem are at greatly increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The study suggests that close relatives of these victims should be screened to detect those who would benefit from preventive treatment.
Researchers at Imperial College London confirm the life-saving role of specialist heart attack centres through a new study. The findings show that primary angioplasty reduces death rates from heart attacks by 22% when bias is accounted for, highlighting the importance of making these centres widely available.
Researchers will explore how the brain exerts 'cognitive control' over thoughts and behavior, revealing its role in tasks like planning and problem-solving. The study aims to improve cognitive control in healthy individuals and restore it in neuropsychiatric disorders.
Researchers found that neurotics with high levels of conscientiousness had lower inflammation levels, fewer chronic health conditions, and healthier body mass indices. This suggests that 'healthy neuroticism' may provide a protective effect against long-term health problems.
A study by the University of Alberta found that older farmers (45-64 years) spend more time operating tractors and combines, increasing their risk of serious injury. The study also highlighted the importance of newer machinery with better safety features to reduce injury risks.
African Americans who practiced Transcendental Meditation regularly had a 48% lower risk of heart attack, stroke or death compared to those in a health education class. Regular meditation also lowered blood pressure and reduced stress and anger.
A new international collaboration sheds light on the timing mechanism of vertebrae formation in vertebrate embryos, revealing the crucial role of molecular oscillators. The study provides real-time visual evidence of how these 'clocks' operate at the level of individual cells.
Researchers at EPFL's Computer Graphics and Geometry Laboratory have created an algorithm to control the 'caustic' effect, a natural optical phenomenon that generates clear images on transparent surfaces. The technique allows for the creation of complex representations such as faces or landscapes from simple forms like stars.
The Geological Society of America's GEOLOGY journal has posted 35 new studies online, covering various disciplines such as volcanology and paleoclimatology. These studies explore topics like super-eruptions, vegetation change, and geochemical asymmetry in hotspot volcanoes.
A new trauma program at St. Michael's Hospital has shown significant improvements in outcomes for elderly patients admitted for trauma. The program, which provides geriatric consultations within 72 hours of admission, has reduced the risk of delirium by 10% and decreased the likelihood of discharge to long-term care facilities.
Researchers identified PUMA, NOXA, and TRB3 as executors of glutamine-starved cells in Myc-mutant cells. The team showed that drugs targeting these proteins induced cell death in assays using neuroblastoma cells and inhibited tumor growth in transgenic mice.
A new study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers found that patients who discussed end-of-life care several months before their death were less likely to receive aggressive therapy and more likely to enter hospice care. These conversations enabled patients to think through their options more carefully, leading to better quality ...
Researchers found that stress-related problem drinking is linked to a specific combination of neural circuit functioning, including highly reactive reward circuits and hypo-reactive threat circuits. This imbalance can lead to excessive drinking in response to stress, as the brain struggles with opposing drives for pleasure and fear.
Experts in PLOS Medicine recommend new signal functions to track the quality of routine and emergency newborn care. The new methods aim to improve maternal and newborn care in low- and middle-income countries, helping to meet Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5.
A new health-economic model shows that increasing dairy food consumption can prevent osteoporotic fractures and reduce healthcare costs. The study found that France, Sweden, and the Netherlands could potentially save millions of euros in healthcare costs by boosting dietary calcium intake.
In a study, MIT physicists found that cooperative yeast members outperform cheaters when competing with bacteria in an experimental setup. This is because cooperators have easier access to sugars and can spread less due to population density constraints.
A new study reveals that metalloacid-coated surfaces exhibit strong antimicrobial activity against various microorganisms, including those resistant to multiple antibiotics. The coating's ability to produce acidic pH through oxonium ions significantly limits the survival of microbes on coated surfaces.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology challenges the benefits of planned home birth, citing higher rates of unexpected complications, emergency transports, and perinatal mortality. The authors argue that a hospital-based approach can provide a safer and more satisfying experience for patients.
Sanford-Burnham researchers found that different brain tumor cell types respond to distinct treatments due to varying growth factor regulation. This discovery offers potential for more effective and less harmful treatments tailored to individual tumors.
A study at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston aims to enhance ER care by reducing information overload and improving communication among healthcare teams. The researchers will test new electronic health record systems and communication prototypes to help doctors make informed decisions.
The 2012 Collegiate Inventors Competition awarded over $100,000 to students for their groundbreaking inventions in medical devices, cancer therapies, and more. Inanc Ortac's Nano-Wiffle-Balls for Cancer Therapy and Leslie Myint's FastStitch suturing device were among the top winners.
A recent study found that consumers tend to favor warranties expressed in standard units, such as years. When presented with alternative units, like days, consumers' evaluations of cell phone warranties were negatively impacted. This shift in perception occurred mainly when individual products were shown in isolation.
Researchers at the University of Innsbruck propose a novel method for powering lasers through heat, which could provide internal cooling and revolutionize microchip technology. The concept involves using temperature gradients to separate cold and warm areas in the laser, allowing for efficient energy transfer.
Aerobic exercise can help relieve fatigue associated with cancer and treatment, balancing rest with physical activity may reduce fatigue. The new review adds 28 studies, including those in breast cancer patients, showing that aerobic exercise benefits those with solid tumours during and after treatment.
When conflicts end, in-group solidarity in alliances rapidly disappears as former comrades fight over spoils. Economist experiments demonstrate that alliance members expend less effort when anticipating future distributional conflicts, highlighting the collective action problem faced by alliances.
A network of marine zones in the Pacific Ocean could significantly improve numbers of heavily overfished bigeye tuna and local economies. The study found that restricting longline fishing in tuna-spawning areas and managing fish-aggregating devices are key measures to effectively conserve Pacific bigeye tuna.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute have discovered how external signals regulate vascular remodelling through G protein-mediated signalling pathways. These pathways work together in other contexts but act as antagonists in blood vessel remodelling, balancing cell growth and regression.
A study on young children's use of British Sign Language found that iconic signs were comprehended and produced more by younger children, with the benefit increasing for older children. This suggests that iconicity may play an important role in language acquisition, providing a mechanism for early sign learning.
Research found that people with diabetes who have adequate vitamin D are less likely to develop clogged arteries. In contrast, insufficient vitamin D leads to immune cells binding to blood vessels and trapping cholesterol.
Researchers explored the benefits of adding radionuclide therapy to cancer treatment regimens for patients with advanced disease. Studies found improved tumor control rates and longer patient survival without significant side effects, suggesting a potential paradigm shift in cancer control.
Researchers have developed a new artificial lens that mimics the natural lens of the human eye, enabling incremental refraction control. This breakthrough could improve performance in implantable lenses and consumer vision products, as well as enhance ground and aerial surveillance technology.
UT Southwestern Medical Center is one of only two academic medical centers in the US to receive a Patient Voice Award and a Summit Award for outstanding patient satisfaction scores. The hospital achieved high levels of excellence in patient care, with recognition for its communication, responsiveness, and pain management.
Researchers at Aalto University have developed a cost-effective and environmentally friendly process for producing lithium batteries. By replacing the hazardous methylpyrrolidone solvent with water, they reduced production costs by up to 5%.
A UT research team will investigate the effects of education on lifelong health, employment, and mortality outcomes in a three-year study of over 14,800 individuals born between 1964-65. The grant aims to provide insights into public policy areas like healthcare, economics, and education reform.
Researchers have developed a low-energy defibrillation scheme that significantly reduces the energy needed to re-establish a normal rhythm in the heart's main chambers. This novel electrotherapy could be less painful than existing implantable defibrillators and may even fall beneath the threshold at which patients begin to perceive pain.
A new study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies found that disease disrupts daily functioning is associated with reduced happiness. The study used a direct measure of disability and found a three-percent reduction in unhappiness for every one-point increase in freedom-from-debility score.
A study by Temple University found that fast food menus have doubled in size, but calorie counts have changed little between 1997 and 2010. The average calorie content of foods offered by major U.S. fast food restaurants remained stable, while entree salads and sweetened teas became increasingly popular additions to the menus.
A study found that plus-sized consumers create a collective identity as 'fatshionistas' and mobilize for greater inclusion by identifying influential designers and retailers. The authors identify institutional entrepreneurs like Beth Ditto who inspire the movement.