Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that both real and sham acupuncture reduce hot flashes and other symptoms in breast cancer patients taking an aromatase inhibitor. The study suggests that acupuncture may be a reasonable alternative to drug therapy with fewer side effects.
A new study suggests that testosterone levels may affect the body's response to vaccines, with men often experiencing weaker antibody responses than women. Researchers found that men with high levels of testosterone had suppressed immune responses, which could be linked to their sex-specific differences in infections and vaccinations.
Researchers have developed a new technique for addressing vertex-connectivity problems, which could lead to communications protocols that coax as much bandwidth as possible from networks. The approach is based on decomposing the network into connected dominating sets, allowing for faster information flow and increased robustness.
A new study finds that cone snail species are under increasing threat of extinction, with 67 species currently threatened or near-threatened worldwide. The loss of these creatures could rob future generations of an undiscovered reservoir of powerful neurotoxins used in life-saving drugs.
In a public goods game, participants preferred institutions with punishment for tax evaders to increase cooperation. A majority decision ensured the institution was established, promoting group benefits. Democratic choices led to more cooperative behavior and greater profits.
Researchers at the University of Melbourne have identified a genetic marker that signals increased susceptibility to emerging influenza strains. This breakthrough allows clinicians to develop early intervention strategies for high-risk patients.
A study published in JAMA Neurology found that inosine treatment increases blood and cerebrospinal fluid urate levels in early Parkinson disease patients, suggesting a potential strategy to slow disability progression. The treatment was also shown to be safe and tolerable, with minimal serious adverse events.
The ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies has been awarded $28m for research on sustainable coral reef management. The centre will focus on understanding the interaction between coral reefs and people, with a goal to foster their sustainable use.
Researchers found that transitioning epithelial cells to mesenchymal cells improved cardiac regeneration by reducing infarct size. The study showed that this process enhanced the cardioprotective effects of human amniotic epithelial cells.
A new study found that preoperative antibiotic therapy administered within two hours of cardiac surgery decreased the risk of developing surgical site infections (SSIs) significantly. SSIs were less common among patients who received prophylaxis during the optimized period than those who received it at a different time.
A recent study suggests that routine preoperative lab testing is not associated with improved outcomes in low-risk patients undergoing cataract surgery. Effective communication between healthcare providers can help reduce unnecessary testing and high-value care.
The CANHEART health index found that 9.4% of Canadian adults and 16.6% of youth were in ideal cardiovascular health, while 37.3% of adults and 49.7% of youth had poor heart health. The study suggests that addressing behaviours can reduce cardiac risk factors.
Researchers found that hypoxic preconditioning reduced infarct volume and impaired neurological function in a mouse model of cerebral infarction. Increased vascular endothelial growth factor and CD31 expression promoted angiogenesis, leading to improved outcomes.
Researchers developed a gene delivery method targeting tumor blood vessels in mice, avoiding healthy tissues. The approach uses a deactivated virus carrying a gene of interest to hijack abnormal blood vessels and alter the tumor microenvironment.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have found that beatboxers use the whole vocal tract to produce a range of sounds, spreading the energy among several structures and minimizing wear on any single part. This technique may be protective of the vocal folds and could help singers relieve stress on their vocal cords.
A study found that preoperative medical consultation for cataract surgery became more common among Medicare patients, with significant variations in referral rates by patient age, race, and location. The research highlights an area of opportunity for reducing unnecessary healthcare resources.
A team from MIT and Stanford University identified a 'runaway process' in which the sliding of rocks at great depths causes surrounding temperatures to spike. This influx of heat encourages more sliding, generating an earthquake.
A Johns Hopkins systematic review of 66 research papers found most skin ulcer treatments are technically flawed, with weak evidence supporting some treatments over standard compression therapy. The review suggests a need for well-designed studies to compare current minimally invasive surgical interventions to gold standard care.
Researchers developed a magnetic nanoparticles-based method to extract DNA from saliva and blood samples of stroke patients. This non-invasive method was used to screen for the C677T polymorphism in the MTHFR gene, which is a risk factor for stroke.
Researchers have developed a comprehensive library of guide RNAs that can be used to identify the role of every gene in different cell types. This library was created using CRISPR technology and found that 50 out of 52 guide RNAs successfully cut both copies of specific genes, leading to a thorough understanding of how resistance occurs.
A PDL-1 antibody could help the immune system fight off influenza viral infection by blocking its impact on T cells, which are crucial for a effective response. The study found that treating mice with an antibody against PD-1 significantly improved their ability to clear the virus.
Researchers identify azithromycin as a potential therapy for meibomian gland dysfunction, leading to improved treatment options for dry eye disease. The study suggests that topical azithromycin could directly stimulate the function of human meibomian gland epithelial cells.
A large longitudinal study found that postmenopausal women with RA and anti-CCP antibodies had a significantly higher mortality rate compared to those without these antibodies. The main cause of death was cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease and stroke.
Tropical Cyclone Bruce's eye showed distinct features on December 21, but became cloud-filled two days later. The cyclone weakened rapidly due to wind shear and was expected to turn extra-tropical by December 25.
Researchers mapped a large aquifer in southeast Greenland using Operation IceBridge radar data, covering an area larger than West Virginia, with the potential to raise sea levels by 0.016 inches per inch. The perennial aquifer is a heat reservoir for the ice sheet, and its filling and discharging mechanisms are not yet fully understood.
A group of Chinese experts collaborated to establish a standard for the management of acute thoracolumbar spine and spinal cord injury. The consensus, published in Neural Regeneration Research, provides guidelines for evaluating and treating these injuries based on evidence-based medicine and clinical experiences.
A small study found that both real and sham acupuncture eased hot flashes and side effects of anticancer drug treatment in postmenopausal breast cancer patients. Researchers noted improvements in depression, quality of life, and menopausal symptoms in both groups.
A new study from Boston Children's Hospital found that a quality, payment initiative positively impacted pediatric care by improving preventive and acute care quality for the sickest pediatric patients. The study showed that children with chronic illness experienced higher quality gains.
The LLCD mission demonstrated error-free communications during broad daylight, operating as well as any NASA radio system. It also showed that wind and atmospheric turbulence did not significantly impact the system, enabling reliable communications through thin clouds.
A study by researchers from the University of Basel found that individuals with high motor excitability have better working memory than those with low excitability. The research used transcranial magnetic stimulation to measure motor cortical excitability and its correlation with working memory performance, revealing a positive correla...
Tropical Cyclone Amara weakened significantly after encountering wind shear, dropping from Category four hurricane to a minimal tropical storm. The cyclone lost maximum sustained winds near 35 knots/40 mph/62 kph and is expected to dissipate into a remnant low-pressure area in the next day or two.
Researchers constructed an evolutionary tree of flowering plants and found that many species acquired characteristics to thrive in colder climates before encountering freezing conditions. Plants like birches and poplars developed narrower water transport cells to protect themselves from blockage during freezing and thawing.
Researchers accurately predicted the magnitude 7.6 Nicoya earthquake in Costa Rica, allowing for improved building codes and reduced damage. The study used GPS data to map out the likely extent of an earthquake rupture along a subduction megathrust, providing valuable insights into plate tectonics.
EPFL scientists have discovered optical dissipative solitons in small millimeter-size optical resonators, producing extremely short and high-rate light pulses. This breakthrough has significant implications for applications such as astronomy, chemists' analysis, and telecommunication networks.
The study identified three repeated evolutionary shifts: seasonal shedding of leaves, thinner water-conducting pathways, and avoiding cold seasons. Researchers used a comprehensive 'timetree' with 32,223 species to model the evolution of these traits and climate surroundings.
A new study suggests that many flowering plants, including crops, may not have the necessary traits to rapidly respond to human-induced climate change. Researchers used a large dated evolutionary tree of flowering plants to identify three repeated evolutionary shifts that allowed them to tolerate cold temperatures.
Scientists have identified a way to stop malaria parasites from multiplying by targeting the NMT enzyme, which is essential for various processes in the parasite. The discovery raises hopes for new treatments and could be effective against multiple species of malaria parasites.
Researchers discovered a new aquifer in the Greenland Ice Sheet that holds liquid water all year long, covering 27,000 square miles. This find is crucial for understanding the contribution of snowmelt and ice melt to rising sea levels.
Scientists from Moscow State University have made significant breakthroughs in generating stable femtosecond pulses and microwave signals using microresonators. These discoveries hold promise for compact and affordable optical pulse generators, critical for applications such as broadband spectroscopy, telecommunications, and astronomy.
A new study found that bird species living together are more similar than different, challenging a widely-held theory on species evolution. The research suggests that competition may not be the driving force behind species differences, instead promoting the evolution of similar traits.
The new strategy enables rapid selection of chemical compounds with a desired effect on cells and highlights the underlying biological mechanisms. Researchers identified a compound, WWL113, that shows promise for treating obesity-linked diabetes and also inhibits a previously untargeted enzyme, Ces3.
Researchers at the University of York have discovered a family of enzymes that can degrade difficult-to-digest biomass into its constituent sugars. This breakthrough enables the production of second-generation biofuels from sustainable sources such as waste plant matter, potentially alleviating food price stability concerns and increas...
A new scientific study by the University of Edinburgh found that variations in heat from the sun do not strongly influence climate change. Volcanic eruptions were the primary cause of periodic changes in climate until 1800, and greenhouse gases have been the main driver since then.
Researchers used high-resolution fMRI to identify where Alzheimer's disease starts, spreads from the lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) to other areas of the cerebral cortex. LEC dysfunction occurs when changes in tau and amyloid precursor protein (APP) co-exist, damaging neurons that then spread to adjoining regions.
Researchers discovered that six autoimmune diseases arise from DNA changes located outside genes. Multiple genetic switches controlling gene expression are affected in each disease, leading to incorrect gene expression. The study provides a new model for understanding the genetic causes of common complex diseases.
Engineered immune cells, called CARTmeso cells, have shown antitumor activity in two patients with advanced cancers that failed prior treatments. The temporary CARs are safe and trigger a response against the patient's own tumor, providing a new tool for solid cancer therapy.
Researchers identified a fungal surface protein that promotes host cell invasion in mucormycosis, while others found that melanocytes from light-skinned humans secrete a molecule promoting angiogenesis. These findings could lead to new treatments and biomarkers for diseases associated with increased vascularization.
Researchers discovered that melanocytes from light-skinned humans and albino mice secrete high levels of fibromodulin, which promotes angiogenesis. Fibromodulin's potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target for diseases with increased vascularization is discussed.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a method to grow liquid crystal 'flowers' using silica beads as templates, creating a lens-like structure with potential applications in optics and optoelectronics. The new approach demonstrates directed assembly and paves the way for the creation of custom optical components.
Researchers have found a potential new strategy to selectively kill pancreatic cancer cells while sparing healthy ones, using energy supply disruption. By blocking glycolysis, they observed a toxic calcium overload and cell death in cancer cells, but not in normal cells.
Physicists at Wayne State University have observed 'charm mixing' in particles, a rare process where charm quarks change into their antiparticles. The discovery could reveal new insights into the universe's matter-antimatter imbalance.
Researchers develop new treatment for pancreatic cancer by using a drug that breaks down the protective barrier surrounding cancer tumours. The approach enables T cells to get through and kill cancer cells, resulting in almost complete elimination of cancer cells in initial tests.
The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is part of a new NIH Stroke Research Network aiming to expedite stroke clinical trials and build expertise in stroke prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. The school will receive a $1.3 million grant to develop a collaborative research infrastructure.
Researchers have calculated the force of molecular motors acting on organelles in biological cells, finding discrepancies with physical laws due to complex biological processes. The study used non-equilibrium statistical mechanics to analyze the motion of motor proteins in living cells, providing new insights into the transport mechanism.
A new study by Robert J. Brulle exposes the organizational underpinnings of the climate change denial movement, revealing a web of funding from conservative foundations and 'dark money' sources. The study found that donations to denial organizations have shifted towards untraceable pass-through foundations.
A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition & Metabolism found that algal extracts from Health Enhancement Products, Inc. improved plasma cholesterol profile despite a hypercholesterolemic state induced by a high fat diet. The extracts increased 'good' cholesterol levels and decreased 'bad' cholesterol concentrations.
Researchers at the University of Iowa have developed a new vaccine that targets staph toxins, providing almost complete protection against staph infections. The vaccine was tested in an animal model and found to be effective even against high doses of bacteria.
A study of over 10,000 people found that seeing a specialist increased quit rates by three times compared to self-trying. Buying nicotine patches or gum did not improve success rates.
Researchers at UBC-VCH have developed a potential cure for aniridia, a rare eye disease affecting 5,000 people in North America. They formulated the drug Ataluren into eye drops and found it restored normal vision in mice with the condition.
A new study describes a mechanism by which microRNAs are encapsulated and exported in nanovesicles, facilitating intercellular communication. The researchers identified EXOmotifs, specific nucleotide sequence patterns, that enable the export of miRNAs from human T lymphocytes.