A study found that transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) can be successfully performed in high-risk patients with bicuspid aortic valves, with a higher rate of aortic regurgitation. Despite this, the procedure resulted in similar mortality rates as those with tricuspid aortic valves.
A recent analysis of 1432 patients found that women had a lower all-cause mortality at one year compared to men. Women's higher survival rate was attributed to their longer life expectancy and lower rates of comorbidity, with a hazard ratio of 0.75.
A gap in earnings between male and female US physicians has persisted for two decades, with no improvement in recent years. The study found that the gender pay difference decreased outside of the healthcare industry but remained consistent within it.
A Kansas State University study shows that the Clean Air Act has helped forest systems recover from decades of sulfur pollution and acid rain. The research found a clear shift in tree growth and physiology since the Clean Air Act was passed in 1970, with significant improvements seen after 1982.
The smart phone app uses data from over 100,000 heart attack patients to calculate the risk of repeat attacks within three years. This enables clinicians to tailor treatments to individual patients, reducing the risk of side effects and improving patient outcomes.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that maternal posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with an increased risk for child maltreatment. Mothers with comorbid PTSD and depression showed the highest levels of physically and psychologically abusive behaviors, highlighting the importance of measuring PTSD symptoms when a...
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine estimated the total annual costs for five major health care-associated infections (HAIs) at $9.8 billion. Surgical site infections were found to be the most costly HAIs, with central line-associated bloodstream infections coming in second.
Patients with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk have similar rates of cardiovascular events when treated with alogliptin compared to placebo, according to the Examination of Cardiovascular Outcomes with Alogliptin versus Standard of Care trial. The findings provide reassurance for clinicians treating patients with type 2 dia...
A Dartmouth-led team reveals that an asteroid impact in Quebec led to a global climate shift 12,900 years ago, causing the extinction of large mammals and prompting humans to adopt a hunter-gatherer diet. The study provides conclusive evidence linking extraterrestrial activity to environmental transformation.
A risk score calculation developed by Brigham and Women's Hospital researchers can help doctors predict which patients with rhabdomyolysis are at risk for severe kidney failure or death. The model uses routine clinical variables to identify patients who may benefit from different treatment options.
A study of 4,000 volunteers from 19 countries found that East Asian cultures value action and inaction more equally, whereas Mediterranean societies overvalue action. This balance is beneficial for public service announcements and health awareness messages.
A Facebook intervention led to increased HIV testing among high-risk men, with a peer-led group showing significant results. The study found that more participants requested an HIV testing kit after 12 weeks compared to the control group.
A new study led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that a proven drug effective for adults and children with sickle cell anemia reduced hospitalizations and medical costs for young children by 21% annually.
A Mediterranean-type diet was not associated with a delay in the clinical onset of Huntington's disease, according to a study. High dairy consumption and caloric intake were found to increase the risk of phenoconversion. The study suggests that modifying specific components of the diet may help delay the onset of the disease.
Research published by the European Society of Cardiology found that metabolically healthy women with a normal weight and those who are overweight but metabolically healthy have similar cardiovascular disease risks. The study followed over 260,000 women for an average of 5 years after childbirth.
Scientists used X-rays to determine that Gardiner's frogs use their mouth cavity and tissue to transmit sound to their inner ears. The frogs' unique auditory system allows them to hear other frogs despite lacking a traditional middle ear.
A recent study published in The Economic and Labour Relations Review reveals the exploitation of Indian immigrant workers in Australia on 457 visas. The researchers found that workers are often forced to work long hours for low pay under substandard conditions, with little choice but to sign revised contracts or face deportation.
Researchers discovered that the giant Triassic amphibian Metoposaurus had a two-seasonal climate and needed water for its lifestyle. The species used broad, flat head and forearms to burrow under the ground during dry season, while its growth pattern revealed unique adaptations.
A new study from Case Western Reserve University reveals the SRY gene master switch is vulnerable to change, allowing for variability in male development. This could explain why human males develop near the edge of sexual ambiguity, making them more prone to dramatic changes in fetal development.
The LEGATO project aims to advance long-term sustainable development of irrigated rice fields. New insights were presented on the future of rice ecosystem services, highlighting the importance of continuous discourse and local knowledge integration.
The Rim Fire has grown to become the fourth largest fire in California's history, spanning over 231,000 acres. Burnout operations have shown success on the northern and southern portions of the fire.
Researchers found that brain patterns for both tasks correlated, suggesting they use the same area of the brain. This study provides evidence for the co-evolution of language and tool-making skills, a theory proposed by Darwin.
Scientists have uncovered strong evidence that soot from industrial Europe caused the abrupt retreat of mountain glaciers in the European Alps. The research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, resolves a longstanding debate about why the Alps glaciers retreated beginning in the 1860s.
Researchers at KU Leuven have identified a series of chemical compounds that are highly potent inhibitors of dengue virus replication. The compounds will be further developed by Janssen into a first-in-class drug candidate for the prevention and treatment of dengue infections.
A team of Penn biologists offers a mathematically based explanation for why cooperation and generosity have evolved in nature. Generous strategies, which involve cooperating with opponents but also forgiving defectors, are shown to be the only approaches that resist defectors over the long term.
Dr Robert Gess discovered a 350 million year old fossilized scorpion in the Eastern Cape, named Gondwanascorpio emzantsiensis. This find confirms that land-living invertebrates existed in Gondwana during the Devonian period.
An international study found that people in high-income countries have lower risk factors for cardiovascular disease but fewer cases of serious heart conditions. In contrast, those in low-income countries face more severe cardiovascular problems despite having fewer risk factors.
A new study shows that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can stage the degree of damaged heart tissue and help predict whether treatment will be successful. Patients with early-stage atrial fibrosis have a higher chance of being cured, while those with late-stage fibrosis have a lower success rate.
The study found that edoxaban was non-inferior to warfarin in treating VTE, but efficacy was superior in patients with pulmonary embolism and right ventricular dysfunction. Edoxaban also showed reduced bleeding rates in high-risk sub-groups.
Researchers found that platelets activate a screening process allowing lymphocytes to exit the bloodstream without causing bleeding. This discovery opens avenues for further research into the role of platelets in vascular health and inflammation.
The TASTE trial found that aspiration of the blood clot causing a heart attack does not improve survival rates compared to balloon dilation and stenting alone. The study enrolled over 7,200 patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) from Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland.
A new study reveals that global warming is causing crop pests to spread towards the North and South Poles at an alarming rate. Currently, 10-16% of global crop production is lost to pests, with losses from fungi alone amounting to enough to feed nearly nine percent of today's global population.
Researchers suggest that extreme events like tropical storms and cloudy weather can trigger coral regrowth on degraded reefs. By adopting a more resilient management approach, it may be possible to restore living coral cover to these systems.
A study published by the European Society of Cardiology found that listening to favorite music improves endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), leading to increased exercise capacity. The combination of music and exercise training resulted in the most significant improvement in endothelial function.
A randomized study found that prasugrel pre-treatment in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) significantly increases the risk of life-threatening bleeding without reducing major ischemic events. This shift away from pre-treatment may lead to changes in treatment strategies.
A study of 2,589 patients found that mechanical chest compressions with defibrillation did not improve survival rates compared to manual CPR. However, the device was deemed safe and showed promise in increasing efficiency and safety for emergency personnel.
A new study reveals that the average height of European males has grown by 11cm between the mid-nineteenth century and 1980. This increase is attributed to factors such as decreased infant mortality rates, smaller family sizes, increased income per capita, and better living conditions.
The PRAGUE 14 trial found no correlation between pre-surgical interruption of antithrombotic therapy and perioperative cardiovascular or bleeding complications. Instead, factors like high platelet count, prosthetic valve presence, age, and acute surgery were identified as independent risk factors.
Researchers found that antibiotics create a nutrient surplus in the gut, allowing pathogens to establish themselves. The study suggests that friendly gut bacteria compete with pathogens for nutrients, and when this defense falters, harmful microorganisms can thrive.
Researchers discover how Helicobacter pylori suppresses human beta defensin 1 production, allowing bacteria to colonize and cause tissue damage. The study found that patients infected with H. pylori had ten times less hβD1 than uninfected patients.
Life expectancy among women aged 50 years and older has increased significantly in developed countries over the last 20-30 years due to improved measures for reducing noncommunicable diseases. Despite this progress, the study highlights a growing gap in life expectancy between rich and poor countries.
The discovery enables rapid localization and measurement of cells within living environments at the nanoscale, such as changes to a single cell in response to chemical signals. The ultra-sensitive nanoparticles, or SuperDots, can detect individual particles with thousand times more sensitivity than existing materials.
A case study published in the Medical Journal of Australia reveals that life insurance companies have made incorrect risk-assessment judgments based on genetic information. The authors call for a more collaborative approach between industry, government, and researchers to address these issues.
A recent study published by the European Society of Cardiology found that quitting smoking reduces the risk of heart attacks and death to levels seen in never smokers. However, it does not reduce the presence or severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). The study examined over 13,000 patients from around the world and found that activ...
A large-scale study found that levels of several cardiovascular risk factors, such as blood pressure and waist circumference, were higher in winter and lower in summer. This seasonal pattern may explain the observed seasonality in deaths from cardiovascular disease.
Scientists have mapped the structure of a protein that helps bacteria evade the immune system. Understanding this protein, called BamA, could lead to new treatments for diseases like gonorrhoea and chanchroid. The discovery brings researchers closer to stopping infection before it takes hold.
High waist circumference and severe obesity are associated with increased mortality in heart attack survivors. Losing abdominal fat through lifestyle interventions is crucial for reducing long-term cardiovascular complications.
A study published in Nature Methods demonstrates Droplet Digital PCR's ability to precisely and reproducibly quantify microRNA in plasma and serum across different days. This technology can improve the development of miRNA-based blood-based biomarkers, such as those for cancer diagnosis.
The PRAMI trial found that preventive PCI resulted in a two-thirds reduction of primary outcome events compared to culprit-only PCI. This new evidence suggests considering revising current guidelines for patients with multivessel disease and ST elevation myocardial infarction.
A study found that patients with a first degree relative registered with aortic stenosis have a 2.04-fold increased risk of developing the condition. This risk is doubled in those with ischaemic heart disease and family history, highlighting the importance of genetic factors and familial clusters in the development of aortic stenosis.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that otamixaban, a novel anticoagulant, did not reduce ischemic events but increased bleeding among patients with non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The trial compared otamixaban with unfraction...
A nationwide study found that cold weather increases heart attack risk, with temperatures below 10°C significantly correlated. Unlike air pollution, which has a negligible effect, temperature plays a crucial role in triggering acute myocardial infarction.
Research from the University of Hawaii at Manoa reveals that greenhouse gases and aerosols have similar spatial patterns of climate responses, leading to changes in ocean-atmospheric feedback structures. This finding challenges previous distinctions between aerosol-induced and greenhouse-gas-induced changes in rainfall.
A study of 2,656 Finnish men found that regular physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness are key factors in reducing the risk of sudden cardiac death. Men with low cardiorespiratory fitness who engaged in regular physical activity had a significantly lower risk of SCD compared to those with high CRF and LTPA.
Researchers from the University of California reveal that Emperor Penguins can dive to over 500m and stay underwater for up to 27 minutes. They also discover a unique heart rate response, slowing down to as low as 10 beats per minute to conserve energy.
Researchers at McGill University have created DNA 'cages' that can encapsulate small-molecule drugs and release them in response to a specific stimulus. The discovery has the potential to revolutionize drug delivery methods, offering precise control over drug release and reducing toxicity.
Researchers used phylogenetics to analyze whole genome sequences of TB, revealing 39 new genes associated with elevated drug resistance. The findings suggest a multistep process for acquiring resistance and implications for targeted detection methods.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis originated in Africa at least 70,000 years ago. The bacteria have a strikingly close genetic match with humans, suggesting a long history of co-evolution. This has led to the development of new strategies for disease control and may help predict future patterns of the disease.
Research presented at ESC Congress 2013 found that out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates are low, with only 7% of patients surviving. Therapeutic hypothermia and early coronary reperfusion were both linked to improved survival outcomes in patients.
A University of Utah study found that higher-intensity activity, even in short bouts, can lower the risk of obesity and promote weight loss. The research used data from over 4,500 adults and showed that daily minutes spent in high-intensity activity can offset up to half a pound of weight.