Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is now a global epidemic with prevalence exceeding 10% in most countries and as high as 50% in certain populations. CKD increases with age and is more common among black people, those with diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
A new study found that 93% of US law enforcement officer homicides were committed with firearms, highlighting the need for improved training procedures to reduce officer risk. The analysis, which used crime statistics from the FBI, identified high-powered weapons as a major contributor to officer fatalities.
Deliberate farmland fires were detected in Angola, primarily used by smallholder farmers to clear land and return nutrients. The widespread nature of the fires highlights their potential impact on air quality and soil health.
A new study found that only one-fifth of rheumatoid arthritis patients took their oral medications at 80% or greater. Researchers emphasize the importance of following the prescribed regimen to manage disease symptoms and prevent progression. Patients with better mental health status were more likely to adhere to their medication regimen.
A Baylor University study finds that fast-food availability near school magnifies negative effects on black and Hispanic adolescents, who are more likely to be overweight and receive less benefit from exercise. The study highlights the importance of targeted marketing strategies to promote healthier food environments.
Researchers found DBI calms key brain rhythms and could be valuable for developing novel therapies for epilepsy, anxiety, and sleep disorders. DBI binds to GABA receptors, enhancing inhibition, and its actions are tightly controlled to occur only in specific brain areas.
A new study finds that soccer training significantly improves the flexibility of the heart, reducing blood pressure and increasing exercise capacity in patients with type 2 diabetes. The study also shows reduced need for medication and improved physical condition.
A new study explains the widening mortality gap among US white women, attributing it to increasing economic circumstances and health behaviors, particularly employment status and smoking habits. The research highlights the importance of implementing work-family policies to address obstacles faced by low-educated women.
A randomized trial found that giving double doses of oseltamivir to patients with severe influenza infection offers no clinical or virological advantages over a standard dose. The study has implications for global guidelines on clinical management and stockpiling drugs for pandemic preparedness.
Scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute reviewed 6,000 measurements of ancient temperatures to understand the past impact of global warming on rainforests. They found that diversity increased during hothouse conditions, but surprisingly, rainforests never extended beyond the modern tropical belt.
Researchers at UCLA have identified TR4 as a key driver of tumor growth in Cushing disease. By knocking down TR4 in lab mice, they reversed tumor growth and excess ACTH production, paving the way for potential drug therapy.
A new compound, GLYX-13, has been shown to rapidly lift depression without the severe side effects associated with ketamine. The molecule activates NMDA receptors, leading to increased memory and learning, and has been found effective in patients who failed treatment with conventional antidepressants.
Researchers tested 10 popular Android antiviral products and found they could be easily circumvented by simple transformations, such as changing virus binary code or file names. The products' shortcomings are due to overly simple content-based signatures and lack of static analysis.
A new study by Tali Kristal suggests that the decline of labor unions is the main reason for the surge in corporate profits and decline in workers' wages. The study found that industries with high unionization rates saw a large decrease in labor's share of income, while lightly unionized industries experienced little change.
The disappearance of large fruit-eating birds from Brazilian forests has led to smaller, less successful seeds in nearby palm trees. The study found that the absence of these birds triggered a rapid evolution of forest palms, resulting in smaller seeds.
Glybera, first gene therapy drug approved in the Western world, was developed after a decade-long search for its genetic mutation. The European Medicines Agency granted marketing approval on November 2, 2012, after several rejections and appeals. Glybera's efficacy was questionable, but its safety was not an issue.
A study found that 33% of vaccination-related tweets carried a positive tone, while 54% were neutral. The majority (14%) contained medical information substantiated by scientific research. Reputable health organizations and news outlets dominated the most shared sources.
Wearable sensors and digital communication systems offer fast, inexpensive and efficient mobile health information, reducing extended hospitalization and in-patient costs. Big data and preventive healthcare are also being developed to enable personalized medicine practice and early therapeutic intervention.
Leading diabetes expert argues that 'Type 2 diabetes' is a category error, implying an entity that doesn't exist. This mislabeling has led to sub-optimal treatment for patients. Professor Edwin Gale proposes replacing the term with 'idiopathic hyperglycaemia', emphasizing individualized treatments based on varied causes.
Researchers at Lund University have developed a vaccine-based treatment that stimulates the immune system to fight brain tumors, with promising results in animal experiments. The treatment has shown significant effectiveness in curing rats of their brain tumors.
A new study shows that shark ecotourism generates over $314 million annually and is expected to more than double to $780 million in the next 20 years. The landed value of global shark fisheries has been declining for the past decade, with an estimated 38 million sharks killed per year to feed the fin trade.
Researchers have found conclusive proof that Ancient Egyptians used meteorites to create symbolic accessories. The evidence comes from a prehistoric iron bead discovered in Egypt, which was dated to around 3350-3600BC. Analysis of the bead's composition confirms its meteorite origins.
Researchers discovered that compounds derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3s) reduce inflammation in acutely injured blood vessels, promoting better artery healing after procedures like angioplasty and bypass surgery. These naturally occurring compounds could improve long-term results of cardiovascular procedures.
Research found that low birth weight and prematurity are linked to low nephron numbers, increasing the risk of high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease. The study suggests clinicians use birth weight as a parameter for screening patients.
A recent study published in International Journal of Modern Physics B suggests that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are responsible for global warming, contradicting conventional wisdom. The research, led by Qing-Bin Lu, reveals a strong correlation between CFC levels and global temperatures.
Researchers at UC Berkeley use a state-of-the-art atomic force microscope to take the first atom-by-atom pictures of chemical bonds, revealing how a molecule's structure changes during a reaction. This breakthrough technique will help chemists fine-tune reactions and study heterogeneous catalysis.
A $150,000 grant from Coalition Duchenne will fund a clinical trial investigating the use of cardiac stem cells to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients with heart disease. The experimental therapy has shown promising results in regenerating healthy heart muscle and reducing damage caused by heart attacks.
Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a heart attack are relatively common and associated with poor sleep quality. The study found that survivors with PTSD have a doubled risk of having another cardiac event or dying within one to three years.
A recent study published in Science provides insight into radiation hazards for deep space missions, including those to Mars. The research measures radiation exposure on the Curiosity rover's journey to and from Mars, revealing a significant risk to astronauts, with doses potentially exceeding career limits.
Researchers have captured the first three-dimensional crystalline snapshot of the initial step in actin filament formation, crucial for understanding cell shape and cancer. The study's dual-mutant approach helped overcome challenges in forming crystals, revealing critical contacts involved in nucleation.
A Michigan State University researcher found that parents' concerns are frequently ignored when closing urban schools, and that teacher quality and economic investment are key factors that are not considered. Khalifa's study argues that school administrators should consider community voices and vested interests when making decisions.
The new mathematical model by Professor Kostas Skenderis links flat space-time to negatively curved space-time, governed by laws similar to electromagnetism. The research aims to find a combined understanding of the Universe, combining individual theories to describe its nature.
The USGS has taken operational control of Landsat 8, the latest in a series of remote-sensing satellites that have been monitoring Earth's landscape since 1972. With this shift, at least 400 scenes will be collected daily to be processed and archived, supporting scientific research and decision-making on environmental issues.
A phase II clinical trial identified patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer who may not require full radiation doses. Most patients tolerated the treatment with low incidence of high-grade side effects, but larger tumors and heavy smoking history predicted worse outcomes.
Researchers have developed a new gene delivery method using magnetically targeted nanoparticles that can effectively deliver genes to injured arteries without causing side effects. The technique, which uses stents as a platform for magnetic guidance, shows promise in overcoming current limitations of gene therapy vectors.
A study published in Human Nature found that rural Indonesian Karo Batak people prefer women with big feet, challenging the one-size-fits-all theory of attractiveness. This cultural preference is linked to their ecological context and limited exposure to Western media.
Researchers used computer simulations to study how HIV-1 virus creates its capsid, a protective armor around the viral genome. The simulations provide new insights into the process, which could lead to better understanding and prevention of infection.
The GHIT Fund will screen Japanese pharmaceutical companies' and research institutes' compound libraries for new treatments of malaria, tuberculosis, and neglected diseases like leishmaniasis and sleeping sickness.
Researchers developed nanostructures made of graphene using a new, controlled approach to chemical reactions. They used atomic force microscopy to track individual carbon atoms and their bonds in real-time.
The new graphene sensor can detect broad spectrum light and is suitable for all types of cameras. It uses 10 times less energy and is estimated to be five times cheaper when mass produced.
Scientists at the University of Leeds have discovered a molecule that targets and destroys a key protein associated with the development of cervical and other cancers. The RNA aptamer latches onto the carcinogenic protein, significantly reducing its presence in cells in laboratory-derived cervical cancer cells.
The Southwest Research Institute-led Radiation Assessment Detector made detailed measurements of the energetic particle radiation environment inside the spacecraft, providing important insights for future human missions to Mars. The data show an average galactic cosmic ray dose equivalent rate of 1.8 milliSieverts per day in cruise.
Researchers developed optics-based methods for determining viral load by counting individual virus particles, allowing for faster and cheaper testing. These new methods could conduct measurements in a medical office or hospital instead of a laboratory, providing rapid results and fast turnaround.
A new research study from Fox Chase Cancer Center presents a breakthrough in pain relief for patients with bone metastases. The MR-guided focused ultrasound technique shows promise in providing quick and largely tolerable side effects relief, with most patients reporting significant improvement within three days.
The Magnetospheric Multiscale mission team successfully assembled the fourth and final observatory for NASA's MMS mission. This achievement marks a new challenge in engineering, as the team built four identical spacecraft simultaneously, a feat rarely accomplished even by experienced professionals.
Hurricane Barbara strengthened into a hurricane before making landfall, but quickly weakened into a tropical depression after interacting with the Mexican coast. Satellite imagery showed cloud tops warming and thunderstorms fragmenting around the storm's center.
Research suggests that 70% of women with uncomplicated urinary tract infections improve within a week without antibiotic treatment. The study's findings indicate that women may be more willing to delay antibiotic use than expected, highlighting the potential benefits of alternative treatments.
The Mars Curiosity Rover has discovered strong evidence of flowing water on Mars, with rocks showing characteristics similar to those formed by rivers and streams. The findings suggest a warmer and wetter past environment on the planet, which may have supported life.
Researchers discovered that severe trauma injuries or burns lead to defective neutrophils, which contribute to septic complications. Measuring neutrophil motility could become a biomarker for predicting risk of septic complications and personalizing treatments.
A University of Michigan researcher has developed a new thermoelectric material that converts waste heat into power with increased efficiency. The material, engineered at the atomic level, boosts its ability to convert heat into power by 200 percent and its electrical conductivity by 43 percent.
Researchers have shown that interleukin-22 reduces lung inflammation during influenza A virus infection and protects against secondary bacterial infection. The study suggests that interleukin-22 may play an important role in maintaining epithelial integrity, providing a potential benefit for patients with flu.
Researchers at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology have developed a hybrid transparent and stretchable electrode combining graphene and silver nanowires. The new material exhibits high electrical and optical performance, preserving mechanical flexibility and resistivity even when bent or folded.
Researchers at Stanford University and Akira University in Japan have discovered a new hormone called R-spondin2 that promotes follicle development and stimulates ovary growth. The hormone, produced by human female eggs, may lead to new infertility treatment options when used with traditional Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH).
A nationwide poll of over 18,500 adults found that healthy behaviors like exercise and a balanced diet are associated with better self-perceived memory abilities. Those who engaged in more than three healthy behaviors were 111% less likely to report memory problems.
A new study finds that bright light therapy can improve sleep quality, reduce daytime sleepiness, and alleviate depressive symptoms in individuals with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). The treatment also shows changes in brain activation during cognitive tasks, suggesting potential improvements in brain function.
Researchers have discovered that turtles began living in shells around 40 million years ago, challenging previous estimates of their evolutionary history. The study, published in Current Biology, suggests that the earliest known species of turtles, Eunotosaurus africanus, had a shell-forming mechanism similar to modern turtles.
A 'hybrid' surveillance strategy, combining public health and clinical efforts, helped Virginia respond effectively to the contaminated steroid crisis. The approach involved close coordination between public health officials and healthcare providers, allowing for efficient tracking of nearly 700 exposed residents.
A multi-national study identified genetic markers associated with educational attainment using data from over 125,000 individuals. The research found that genetic variants could explain about 2% of the variation in educational attainment, highlighting the complex relationship between genetics and education.
Virginia Commonwealth University researchers have gained insight into how Hsp70, a key molecular player, binds with ATP to enhance its activity and efficiency. This understanding paves the way for designing efficient small molecule drugs to specifically modulate Hsp70's function, potentially treating cancers and neurodegenerative disor...
Researchers found only two technologies showed good evidence of effectiveness in reducing arsenic contamination, but most studies were of poor quality. The reluctance of users to adopt these technologies was also a major issue, with many people believing they would not be affected or finding them too difficult to use.