A team of astronomers found that butterfly-shaped planetary nebulae are mysteriously aligned in the sky, with their long axes aligned along the plane of our galaxy. This surprising result hints at a more mysterious factor influencing the formation of these objects, possibly due to strong magnetic fields as the bulge formed.
Myocardial interstitial fibrosis is a major therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of heart failure. The FIBRO-TARGETS project will accurately identify key mechanisms involved in fibrosis and define therapeutic approaches to target these mechanisms.
A study published in JAMA Network found that aliskiren, a renin inhibitor, did not slow the progression of coronary artery disease in patients with prehypertension. The treatment had no significant impact on atheroma burden or regression of fatty deposits.
A new study from Washington University in St. Louis finds that IT monitoring can significantly reduce employee theft and fraud in the restaurant industry, resulting in a 7% increase in revenue per restaurant. The study used monitoring software to track sales data of employees and found a 22% drop in theft after implementation.
A recent study at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital found that Pedi-Flite improved outcomes for pediatric diabetic patients, reducing the need for hospital admissions. The system also saved over $760,000 by avoiding 439 ED visits and 115 admissions.
A new review of dozens of studies involving twins found that genetics significantly affect parenting behavior. Children's genetically-influenced characteristics influence how they are parented, with 23% of differences in parenting attributed to a child's genotype.
A study published in Cell identifies a subset of proteins in the brain that persist for longer than a year, potentially revealing the molecular basis of aging. These long-lived proteins are thought to be the 'weakest link' in the aging proteome and may play a role in cellular aging.
The study found that different PCV immunization schedules resulted in similar antibody levels in infants, with some schedules being superior for specific serotypes. The researchers conclude that optimal timing of the primary series is crucial to maintain optimal antibody levels during the period between the primary series and the boost...
A recent study by the European Society of Cardiology found that aliskiren did not improve coronary artery disease progression in patients with prehypertension. However, exploratory findings suggested potential benefits for patients with pre-existing coronary artery disease and blood pressure levels treated to goal.
Researchers have identified a potential new target for breast cancer treatment: ERBB3, an oncogene that promotes tumor growth. The study also found peritoneal dialysis to be effective in reducing brain damage after stroke by lowering glutamate levels.
Researchers at Indiana University found that asexual lineages are more susceptible to extinction due to fast-paced gene conversion processes. This process exposes pre-existing deleterious recessive mutations, contributing to the decline of asexual populations.
A study of nursing students in the UK found that 100% observed lapses in infection prevention and control practices during clinical placements. The most frequently observed events were hand hygiene violations, including failure to clean hands between patients and wearing nail polish or extensions.
A new study from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center shows that community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs can increase fresh fruit and vegetable access in under-resourced communities. The program provided participants with a weekly box of produce and educational sessions, resulting in increased consumption and satisfaction.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory identified a signature to look for in superconductors, suggesting that fluctuating charge stripes may play a role. The researchers used neutrons to analyze the material's electronic structure and found that the displacements from average structure persisted with increasing temperature.
An animal study shows that sleep increases the reproduction of oligodendrocytes, which form myelin in the brain and spinal cord, doubling their numbers during rapid eye movement sleep. This could lead to new insights into the role of sleep in brain repair and growth.
A multinational study of over 140,000 participants from 17 countries found a significant gap in hypertension detection and control, with only half aware of their diagnosis and one-third being treated effectively. The study highlights the need for substantial improvement in hypertension diagnosis and treatment.
A systematic review of 12 studies confirms a positive impact on cognitive function associated with higher adherence to a Mediterranean diet. However, results for mild cognitive impairment are inconsistent, highlighting the need for further research.
Researchers at BIDMC are investigating a new noninvasive therapy called Spinal Associative Stimulation (SAS) that combines TMS and peripheral nerve stimulation to activate weakened muscles in patients with spinal cord injuries. SAS aims to increase voluntary activation of residual undamaged spinal-cord fibers, promoting clinical recovery.
Researchers at Cardiff University have made a breakthrough in treating acute pancreatitis by reducing calcium flow into pancreatic cells, stopping the root cause of the disease. The study shows promise for developing an effective treatment for this often fatal disease.
A study found that older adults undergoing spinal stenosis surgery are at higher risk of major medical complications. Preoperative factors such as ASA class and spinal fusion significantly increased the risk of heart attack, stroke, pneumonia, and sepsis.
The proposed system combines ultracold trapped ions and fermionic atoms to emulate solid state physics, including the Peierls transition and phonon-mediated interactions. This hybrid system may simulate complex quantum systems beyond current computing power.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has selected 10 outstanding members to receive the Fellow of ASTRO designation. These distinguished individuals have made substantial contributions to the field of radiation oncology through research, education, patient care, and leadership.
A Michigan State University study demonstrates that birds communicate via scents and that odor reliably predicts reproductive success. Researchers found that males with a 'male-like' smell and females with a 'female-like' smell had higher genetic reproductive success, influencing mate selection.
Researchers developed a new method to control genes by targeting transcription, allowing for positive and negative regulation with the same protein. The technique has the potential to enable complex synthetic biology circuits and applications such as disease detection and drug production.
Scientists at the University of Sheffield have identified a synthetic drug, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), that may slow down Parkinson's progression by making faulty mitochondria work normally again. This breakthrough discovery has the potential to improve symptoms and possibly halt disease progression.
A global study has found that many patients don't know they have hypertension and, even if they do, too few are receiving adequate drug therapy for their hypertension. The study found 46.5% of those with hypertension were aware of the diagnosis, while blood pressure was controlled among 32.5% of those being treated.
A new study from the University of Southern California examines how teenagers' online social networking sites influence their smoking and alcohol use. The researchers found that exposure to friends' online pictures of partying or drinking was significantly associated with both smoking and alcohol use.
A University of Missouri study found that posting crisis information on Facebook can improve an organization's public image and reduce perceived severity of the crisis. Researchers measured participants' attitudes before and after exposure to Facebook posts from fictional universities' main accounts.
The AQUARIUS trial found that Aliskiren reduced major cardiovascular events and slowed atherosclerosis progression in patients with prehypertension. The study suggests these patients may benefit from more aggressive treatment of their blood pressure to reduce risk of death, stroke, and heart attack.
Fires burned extensively across Bolivia in late August, fueled by agricultural blazes. The MODIS satellite captured high-resolution images of the infernos, showing thick smoke plumes blocking visibility.
A study of 98,658 Chinese adults found nearly 12% had diabetes and 50% were at risk for prediabetes. The prevalence varied by age, sex, urban vs. rural residence, and economic development.
A study found that iron supplementation among children in a malaria-endemic area did not increase the incidence of malaria. However, hospital admission rates were higher in the iron group compared to the no-iron group.
Researchers discovered a population of neurons in juvenile songbirds that enable the birds to recognize and learn vocal sounds. This finding could provide valuable insights into the neural mechanisms underlying human infant language acquisition.
Researchers successfully resynchronized cardiac motion following a heart attack using engineered stem cells, preventing heart failure. The breakthrough introduces 'biological resynchronization' as a novel means to treat cardiac dyssynchrony.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that nearly 54% of individuals diagnosed with HIV presented late to clinics, with some populations experiencing increased late presentation. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for better health outcomes and reducing the risk of transmission.
A Johns Hopkins study reveals that only 245 robotic surgery complications were reported to the FDA out of 1 million procedures since 2000. The researchers found that many incidents went unreported, and a standardized reporting system is needed to improve safety.
Researchers developed a diagram of the brain circuitry enabling interplay between motor system and auditory system. This discovery could provide insight into schizophrenia and mood disorders, where individuals hear voices others do not.
Employers view visible tattoos as a stigma, perceiving them as making employees look dirty or unsavory. However, certain innocuous symbols like flowers or butterflies are seen as acceptable. The stigma surrounding tattoos is expected to decrease over time as younger generations increasingly get tattoos.
International experts agree on priority areas for preconception care, including cost-effective integration into health programs, increasing healthcare provision through community workers, and reducing tobacco smoke exposure. The goal is to improve pregnancy outcomes by preparing women for optimal health before conception.
Dermatomyositis patients with antibodies against NXP-2 and TIF-1γ have a high risk of cancer, according to new tests developed by researchers. The assays detect these specific proteins in patient blood samples, helping clinicians identify those at highest cancer risk.
A randomized trial found that a fixed-dose combination medication for blood pressure, cholesterol, and platelet control resulted in significantly improved medication adherence after 15 months. The study also showed modest but significant improvements in systolic blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.
Researchers at University of Bristol found that removing the carotid body, a small nodule on each carotid artery, reduces blood pressure in rodents with high blood pressure. The discovery has potential to revolutionize treatment for millions suffering from the condition.
Researchers at Penn University have developed a computer model to optimize the properties of metal nanowire networks for flexible touchscreens. The model helps identify the optimal balance between transparency and electrical resistance, leading to improved device performance.
A recent report by the American Academy of Neurology highlights a significant increase in strokes among adolescents and young adults, with approximately 532,000 cases occurring between ages 18-44 in the US. The study emphasizes the need for greater awareness and research into reducing the economic burden of strokes on this age group.
A team of researchers from the University of Michigan discovered that the loss of motor ability associated with aging begins in neurons and spreads to muscles. By stimulating neurons, they were able to reverse the decline in motor ability in roundworms and potentially develop a new treatment for human muscle decline.
A study of French Tour de France cyclists found they lived 41% longer than the general population, with cancer and cardiovascular disease being less common causes of death compared to the general public.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that replication-dependent histone isoforms have distinct cellular functions and play a role in cancer development. The study showed that changes in expression of these isoforms can influence cell proliferation and tumor growth.
Researchers found that ERBB3 expression was enhanced in luminal breast cancers compared to other subtypes. The addition of an ERBB3 antibody promoted cancer cell death and decreased tumor growth in vitro.
Researchers created a synthetic polymer that mimics the binding of HIV to immune system cells, effectively blocking the virus from entering the body. The study suggests this polymer could be used in condoms or vaginal gels to prevent the spread of HIV by sexual contact.
Research presented at ESC Congress found that underweight women with coronary artery disease (CAD) have a 2-fold increased risk of death. Maintaining weight or gaining weight may help reduce this risk in obese women, while losing weight increases the risk in underweight women.
Researchers at UC San Francisco discovered a potential epilepsy drug in zebrafish bred to mimic Dravet Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. Clemizole, an antihistamine, showed efficacy in preventing seizures in the fish, offering a glimmer of hope for families affected by this debilitating disease.
Researchers have discovered a key role for the follistatin/activin-1-2 switch in regulating regeneration in planarian flatworms. The more severe the tissue loss, the higher the expression of follistatin, which inhibits activin proteins and allows regeneration to begin.
Concordia University has received a $2 million funding to develop new techniques for reducing building energy consumption. Researchers will test smart features, solar panels, and heat-storage technologies to make buildings more efficient and sustainable.
A recent trial by Cleveland Clinic found that the drug RVX-208 failed to improve coronary health in patients with low HDL cholesterol, contradicting previous hopes for an 'HDL-raising' treatment. The study used intravascular ultrasonography to assess plaque buildup and found no significant difference between RVX-208 and placebo.
An Iranian telegraph operator named Yusef proposed an earthquake early warning system in 1909, suggesting a local warning system to save lives. He noticed anomalies in the magnetic needle and used it to urge fellow dwellers to evacuate during a six-second warning period.
Elsevier has launched a new journal dedicated to publishing fundamental and applied research on marine and ocean energy. The first volume is now available for free on ScienceDirect, covering topics such as fluid mechanics, design, and environmental assessment.
Four UCLA researchers received significant funding to advance promising stem cell therapies for HIV/AIDS, prostate cancer, and sickle cell disease. Drs. Jerome Zack, Robert Reiter, Donald Kohn, and Gerald Lipshutz will use the grants to develop innovative treatments with potential to revolutionize disease care.
Scientists have observed water ice and ammonia ice in Saturn's atmosphere for the first time. The new findings suggest that clouds of different chemical compositions can coexist, with water ice making up 22% and ammonia ice 55%.
A new study published in the Journal of Athletic Training found that women who land stiffly or in a 'knock-kneed' position are at higher risk of ACL injuries. The researchers used motion analysis software to monitor landing strategies of 82 physically active men and women, revealing a significant gender disparity in ACL tear rates.
A new study by University of Florida researchers highlights the need for more effective methods in storing genetic data. The study finds that about 70 percent of published genetic sequence comparisons are not publicly accessible, hindering research efforts worldwide.