Astronomers have two opportunities to detect planets around Proxima Centauri using a rare stellar alignment. The closest encounters in October 2014 and February 2016 will allow scientists to measure the mass of the red dwarf, which could indicate the presence of smaller terrestrial planets.
Current MS treatments focus on dampening the immune system, but Dr. Peter K. Stys suggests an alternative: addressing nervous system degeneration as a primary cause of the disease. Recent studies indicate that neuronal structures are also damaged in MS.
A randomized clinical trial of flaxseed supplementation in children with hypercholesterolemia found no significant effects on total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The study concluded that flaxseed remains an unverified strategy for managing cardiovascular risk factors in youth.
A new study found that wider retinal venules are associated with lower IQ scores and cognitive deficits in older adults, even after accounting for health and lifestyle factors. The findings suggest that the processes linking vascular health and cognitive functioning begin much earlier than previously assumed.
The Canadian government has launched a new program, Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP), to move genomics-based solutions from laboratories to the marketplace. The program aims to stimulate investment in projects addressing real-world challenges and opportunities in genomics, with a total investment of $90 million.
The ProMPT project distributed over 12 million mosquito nets, improving malaria prevention and treatment in Ghana. The initiative also strengthened health facilities' capacity to manage malaria, particularly during pregnancy.
Dozens of agricultural fires in central Africa were detected using NASA's MODIS satellite, highlighting the widespread use of slash-and-burn agriculture methods. These practices threaten biodiversity and air quality, producing smoke that can lead to deforestation and erosion.
Research published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine found that highly educated pre-Alzheimer's patients exhibit increased neural reserve and compensation, leading to better coping mechanisms. This suggests that education level plays a crucial role in determining cognitive reserve against the disease.
Researchers at Wayne State University are conducting a comprehensive study on the impacts of differential speed limits for cars and trucks on Michigan's state freeways. The study aims to determine whether raising truck speed limits would improve safety or have negative effects on air quality, pavement quality, and freight operations.
New UK coins made of nickel-plated steel will increase exposure to nickel, potentially causing a four-fold rise in skin allergies. Scientists analyzed the new coins and found that handling them for one hour can deposit four times more nickel onto the skin than copper-nickel coins.
A new lung probe using advanced technology will enable doctors to detect and monitor up to 20 key indicators of disease in critically ill patients, improving diagnosis and treatment. The probe will also help premature babies by replacing regular blood tests with real-time disease readouts.
A study found no correlation between interleukin 17F levels and treatment response to interferon beta-1b therapy in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. The study concludes that using immune-based biomarker signatures may help identify response markers.
A new personality rating scale for chimpanzees has been developed to address limitations of previous scales. The scale includes 41 behavioral descriptors and was used to assess 99 chimpanzees, showing the personality ratings were associated with differences in behavior.
A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that current use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics increases the risk of acute kidney injury by two-fold. The risk was highest with ciprofloxacin and moxifloxacin, and concurrent use with renin-angiotensin-system blockers further increased the risk.
Researchers at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center are testing the safety of Nivolumab, a PD-1 receptor blocking antibody, in combination with other drugs in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The study aims to assess safety and tolerability, as well as preliminary antitumor activity.
Physicians suggest sin taxes could reduce smoking, obesity, and excessive drinking by making unhealthy products more expensive. The potential revenue generated from these taxes could be used to subsidize healthcare for the uninsured and promote healthier lifestyles.
Researchers at Araclon Biotech have developed a blood test to measure beta amyloid peptides, which are associated with Alzheimer's disease. The test shows a high level of association between peptide levels and the disease, suggesting a potential biomarker for early diagnosis.
Researchers develop nanoparticles to block immune responses, enabling precise control of the immune system. The study's findings suggest a new approach to treating autoimmune diseases and allergies by targeting specific immune cells.
A cross-cultural study by Cornell University development psychologists found that American kids are more willing to acknowledge personal freedom from social obligations compared to Nepalese children. By age 10, American kids tend to view these obligations as choices that can be followed or disregarded based on personal desires.
The NIH is funding a new clinical research network focused on antibacterial resistance, led by Duke University. The network will design, implement and manage the clinical research agenda to strengthen existing research capacity and address pressing scientific priorities.
Researchers found participants in Florida's Family Transition Program had a 16% higher mortality rate compared to traditional welfare recipients, losing 9 months of life expectancy. The study highlights the nonmedical determinants of health affecting welfare time limits.
The USF College of Nursing is conducting a clinical trial to test a brief intervention, COPE, which aims to teach cancer patients management skills for improving symptoms they identify as the highest priority. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of COPE in alleviating moderate to high-intensity cancer symptoms causing distress.
Scientists use antigen-decorated nanoparticles to prevent immune over-reaction in mice, while also developing a potential gene therapy for Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IIIA. Meanwhile, researchers discover a new target for castration-resistant prostate cancer by blocking mutant androgen receptors.
Researchers propose a new model for the eruption of Yellowstone Park's Old Faithful geyser, based on three stages of convective boiling in the conduit. The model reproduces the geyser's bimodal eruption pattern, with long and short eruption intervals followed by similar durations.
The Powerhouse Fire in California has burned approximately 46 square miles of the Angeles National Forest, destroying at least six homes and damaging 15 more. Evacuation orders are in place for large portions of the fire area, including several communities, as 975 personnel fight to contain the rapidly spreading blaze.
Researchers at Wake Forest University found that tiger moths can detect an increase in a bat's cry rate and sound intensity, triggering the moth's defense mechanism. The study shows that the tiger moth's tymbal can jam the bat's sonar up to 93% of the time, allowing it to evade attack.
The Tres Lagunas Fire has burned over 7,476 acres in New Mexico and forced evacuations for hundreds of homes and primary residences. The fire started on May 30 due to a downed power line and is currently uncontained.
A study found that testosterone therapy prescriptions increased significantly over 10 years, with 2.29% of men in their 40s and 3.75% of men in their 60s taking some form of testosterone therapy. The trend is driven by direct-to-consumer marketing campaigns and the expansion of low-T centers.
Researchers have discovered a new oncogene, NTRK1, that drives a subset of lung cancers. A novel targeted treatment approach has been proposed, with preclinical studies showing effective silencing of mutated NTRK1 genes using specific compounds.
A multi-institutional team of researchers pinpointed the genetic traits of cells giving rise to gliomas, a common form of malignant brain cancer. They identified a core set of genes and pathways dysregulated during tumor progression, providing rich new potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
Scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution provide a new model for understanding the geological source of silent earthquakes along California's San Andreas fault. Creep events originate closer to the surface, a shallower source along the fault, according to the study published in Nature Geoscience.
A UK study reveals that despite national recommendation, only 47.4% of terminally ill patients are placed on the Liverpool Care Pathway for end-of-life care. Lack of knowledge and staff support may be contributing factors to its underutilization.
The Duke Clinical Research Institute is part of a $62 million NIH-funded initiative to combat antibiotic resistance. Researchers will focus on developing new treatments for MRSA and E. coli, improving diagnostics, and stewardship practices. The goal is to reduce the reliance on antibiotics and improve patient care.
New work from Carnegie scientists reveals the details of a surprising new form of solid hydrogen under high pressure and temperature conditions. The research found that hydrogen takes a form with two different types of molecules, one interacting weakly with neighbors and the other forming planar sheets.
Tel Aviv University researchers used a method to modify the levels of the protein tomosyn in the mouse hippocampus, leading to a decline in learning and memorization abilities. The study suggests that adjusting tomosyn levels may help increase cognition and combat memory loss in Alzheimer's patients.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that cancer drug shortages have left physicians unable to prescribe standard chemotherapies for a range of cancers. As a result, many doctors are forced to delay or substitute treatment, leading to increased costs and potential harm to patients.
A Singapore research team has identified a protein enzyme, MNK kinase, as a key player in the progression of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) to its deadly terminal stage. The researchers found that targeting this enzyme could help prevent cancer stem cells from developing drug resistance and improve patient survival.
A Mayo Clinic study suggests that dimming smartphone brightness and holding devices at least 14 inches from the face can reduce light exposure's impact on melatonin levels, leading to better sleep. The research found that only high brightness settings posed a risk to sleep, while mid or low settings were safe.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab identified the microenvironment surrounding microvasculature as a niche where dormant breast tumor cells reside. The study reveals that stable microvasculature suppresses growth and creates a dormant niche, while sprouting neovasculature sparks micrometastatic outgrowth.
The first virtual community to launch thanks to a federal grant at Brigham and Women's Hospital enables healthcare professionals to share innovative ways to deliver evidence-based care to underserved US communities. The program aims to facilitate cross-pollination of ideas and disseminate new knowledge.
The Thompson Ridge Fire, located in the Valles Caldera National Preserve, has burned approximately 1,906 acres as of May 31, 2013. The Tres Lagunas Fire, started by a downed power line, has burned over 7,400 acres and is currently uncontained.
Researchers found that climate change can have both positive and negative effects on eelgrass meadows, depending on the presence of small algae-eating crustaceans. Without these crustaceans, higher water temperatures and ocean acidification pose a greater threat to the ecosystem's survival.
A new study reveals that human ancestors began consuming tropical grasses and sedges around 3.5 million years ago, marking a significant shift in their diet. This change is believed to have set the stage for the development of modern diets featuring grains, grasses, and meat from grazing animals.
A new analysis by the USDA Forest Service emphasizes managing forests as consumers of water, reducing risk of water stress. This shift in thinking helps maintain resilience and health in a changing climate.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that early life risk factors, such as rapid infant weight gain and early introduction of solid foods, contribute to racial/ethnic disparities in childhood obesity. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among black and Hispanic children is significantly higher than among white children.
A new study reveals that Southeast Asian monitor lizard species are being harvested and traded in unsustainable volumes, threatening their survival. The trade, particularly for pet owners, has led to over-exploitation and extinction, with many species facing critical threats.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that women view sexually permissive peers more negatively than chaste women, even if they personally have liberal attitudes about casual sex. In contrast, men's perceptions are more dependent on their own promiscuity, with less promiscuous men favoring less experienced men as friends.
Researchers found that daily sunscreen use significantly slows skin aging, with a 24% decrease in photoaging compared to discretionary application. In contrast, a survey of 1,820 physicians revealed that only about 43% had basic electronic health record systems and 10% met meaningful use criteria, highlighting challenges in EHR adoptio...
A phase III non-inferiority trial found that axillary radiotherapy provides excellent regional control and reduces the risk of lymphoedema compared to axillary lymph node dissection. The study also showed no significant differences in overall or disease-free survival between the two treatment arms.
A new study estimates that employers pay an average of $5,816 annually above the cost of a person who never smoked for each employee who smokes. The highest costs are due to lost productivity and health-care expenses exceeding insurance costs for nonsmokers.
A recent study published in Tobacco Control found that employers in the US pay an average of $5,816 (£3,865) extra per year for employees who smoke compared to non-smokers. The main factors contributing to these increased costs are absenteeism, smoking breaks, and healthcare expenditures.
A study found statin use may be associated with an increased likelihood of diagnoses of musculoskeletal conditions, arthropathies, and injuries. Statin users had a higher odds ratio for these conditions compared to non-users, but the association was not significant for osteoarthritis/arthropathy.
A series of scientific papers reveals early human species like Australopithecus afarensis and Kenyanthropus platyops began eating grasses, sedges, and succulents around 3.5 million years ago. The findings show that early humans acquired a taste for C4/CAM plants after their environments seemed similar to their ancestors.
A new study by University of Alberta researcher Johanna Darrah found that babies' rolling abilities have not been impaired by the 'back to sleep' campaign. The study of 725 Canadian infants aged one week to eight months confirms that gross motor skills emerge in the same order and at the same ages as 20 years ago.
A study from University of Michigan Health System reveals black patients in segregated areas are up to 96% more likely to have surgery at low-quality hospitals, living nearly twice as close to high-quality facilities as white patients. The results suggest separate but unequal hospitalization patterns exist, with potential solutions inc...
A study of over 70,000 Seventh-day Adventists found that vegetarian diets were associated with a 12% lower risk of death. Men showed significant reductions in cardiovascular disease mortality and ischemic heart disease deaths compared to non-vegetarian diets.
The article emphasizes that improving data quality in large online databases depends on a combination of automated checks and capturing expert knowledge. The authors argue that addressing issues requires collaboration between 'aggregators' and the broader expert community.
A team from The Scripps Research Institute has developed a new technique to selectively repress unwanted immune reactions without disabling the immune system as a whole. This method exploits a natural mechanism to target B-cells responsible for Factor VIII rejection, preventing an unwanted immune response in mice for several months.
Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin found that lookdown fish can manipulate polarized light to create a more effective camouflage system, surpassing the traditional 'mirror' strategy. This discovery has implications for the development of new materials and technologies inspired by nature.
New study using VLBA reveals Local Arm is a significant branch of the Perseus Arm or an independent arm segment. The research uses parallax method to accurately measure distances and space motions.