A large-scale analysis of nearly half a million death records in South Africa reveals that the death rate from tobacco is more than twice as great in the coloured population. Smoking causes one in four deaths among middle-aged men and one in six deaths among middle-aged women in this group.
A new study confirms that arsenic exposure can impair lung function, with doses of 120 parts per billion causing damage comparable to decades of smoking. The study found significant impairment of lung function associated with lower concentrations than previously reported.
A recent review of research reveals that declining Arctic sea ice is leading to the greening of coastal areas, altering marine and terrestrial food chains. The study finds that changes in sea-ice cover are affecting animal migration patterns and plant growth, with some areas showing cooling trends and declines in vegetation productivity.
Researchers developed a new state-space model to analyze fish movement data collected by marine observation networks. The model quantifies uncertainty associated with imperfect locating systems, providing better information for marine conservation activities.
A Pacific-wide satellite view caught Tropical Storm Pewa moving westward, with a rounded circulation, near 23.6 north latitude and 169.3 west longitude. Another developing low-pressure area, System 94E, is also visible, with high chances of becoming a tropical depression.
Researchers found that AD mouse models with neurodegeneration have 25% more copper in their amyloid plaques than those without, suggesting altered copper regulation may contribute to neurotoxicity. Iron levels were also increased, particularly in the ferric state, and may serve as a biomarker for early-stage AD.
Research suggests that weight loss surgery in female rats prior to conception has no positive impact on the metabolic health of their offspring. In fact, the study found that the metabolic health of VSG-treated offspring was worse than that of obese controls, with lower birth weights and increased susceptibility to glucose intolerance.
A new UCLA-led study finds that substituting less expensive medications for brand-name counterparts can result in significant cost savings for Medicare beneficiaries. The study identified 50 common medications and found that 39% of patients receiving the low-income subsidy were eligible for generic or therapeutic substitutions, leading...
A large international clinical trial found pazopanib to be superior to sunitinib in terms of quality of life, with fewer side effects and lower risk of complications. The study's results suggest that pazopanib may become the preferred treatment for advanced kidney cancer patients.
A recent CME sent billions of particles into space, reaching Earth in one to three days, potentially causing geomagnetic storms and disruptions to communication signals and power grids.
The Daya Bay Collaboration has released new results on neutrino oscillation, measuring a key difference in neutrino masses known as mass splitting. The findings provide insight into the structure of matter and the evolution of the universe.
A new study analyzes dozens of tuberculosis genomes to understand why TB is so prevalent and how it evolves to resist countermeasures. The analysis shows that the bacterium takes advantage of human population growth and history, evolving to thrive in crowded and wretched conditions.
The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine has published a special issue on assistive technology, featuring research on exoskeletal-assisted ambulation, virtual reality-based simulators, and robotic wheelchairs. The issue covers various topics to improve the lives of people with spinal cord injuries.
Scientists successfully treated the Ebola virus in infected animals following onset of disease symptoms, demonstrating promise for developing therapies against the virus. The experimental treatment, known as MB-003, protected 43% of infected non-human primates.
Researchers found that generic substitutions result in $127-$160 annual savings, while therapeutic substitutions yield $389-$452 per beneficiary. Therapeutic substitutions have the potential to double or triple annual cost savings compared to generic substitutions.
Three projects aim to revolutionise farming methods by enabling crops to fix their own nitrogen, reducing the need for artificial fertilisers. Researchers will search for a lost bacterium with special properties, create synthetic biological modules to produce fertiliser, and engineer beneficial relationships between plants and microbes.
Fermi's extended mission will enable deeper studies of gamma-ray bursts, pulsars, and supermassive black holes. The telescope has already revealed giant bubbles above and below our galaxy, shedding light on the universe's most extraordinary phenomena.
A significant outbreak of eastern equine encephalitis occurred in Panama in 2010, marking a change in the virus's behavior in Latin America. The outbreak confirmed 13 human cases and one dual infection case, with a low case-fatality rate compared to US standards.
Researchers discovered a new aspect of the gene-splicing process that produces messenger RNA, controlled by the rare small RNA U6atac. This mechanism regulates hundreds of genes involved in cell growth, cell-cycle control, and global physiology.
A multicenter prospective clinical study is investigating the effects of chromosomal abnormalities found prenatally through microarray analysis on developmental delays and birth defects. Researchers aim to share genetic variances with parents during pregnancy, providing them with detailed genetic counseling.
A new study found that early temporary ART for HIV-infected infants can delay the need for life-long treatment and prevent damage to their immune system. Infants who received short-term ART delayed the start of long-term treatment by 33 weeks, while those who received longer-term ART delayed it by 70 weeks.
A study by Robert Rudolf of Korea University found that reducing working hours has no significant impact on overall job and life satisfaction for married couples with children. Despite cutting work weeks by four hours, women face higher work-family role conflicts and rising work intensity demands, offsetting any positive effects.
Genome researchers at Bielefeld University have successfully sequenced the Chinese hamster genome, providing valuable data for biopharmaceutical production. The decoded genome consists of eleven pairs of chromosomes and is comparable in magnitude to the human genome.
A new study models how baby corals disperse in the world's oceans to understand their responses to changing sea conditions. The researchers used a computer model to simulate the paths of coral larvae worldwide, revealing that some may travel thousands of kilometers across open ocean.
Researchers have developed a 'dark channel mechanism' to explain binding processes in biochemical materials, allowing for deeper understanding of molecular interactions. The discovery, combined with ab initio calculations and high-resolution spectroscopy, provides new information on the chemistry of life.
A study finds that almost 80% of soot pollution in East Asia comes from incomplete combustion of fossil fuels such as coal briquettes used in home cookstoves and automobile exhaust. The research identifies these sources as major contributors to air pollution responsible for 500,000 premature deaths annually in China.
Early Neolithic and pre-Neolithic hunter-gatherers used spices for flavor, challenging the traditional view that plants were exploited solely for energy requirements. Garlic mustard, with its strong flavor but little nutritional value, was identified as a primary spice in European prehistoric cuisine.
Typhoon Trami is expected to make landfall near Fuzhou, China, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to the region. The storm's maximum sustained winds are near 70 knots/80 mph, with tropical-storm-force winds extending out 100 nautical miles.
A survey of 139 Alzheimer's clinical trial leaders found that a majority supported disclosing test results to study participants, citing the need for guidance and counseling. The study suggests that as biomarkers improve, experts want to share valid results with participants, while also addressing potential harms and benefits.
Research reveals that maternal mitochondrial DNA can influence an individual's aging process, accelerating it. The findings suggest that inherited genetic mutations from mothers contribute to the aging process and potentially impact brain development.
Research from Monell Center reveals that carbonation's bite comes from the conversion of free carbon dioxide into carbonic acid in the mouth. Bubbles enhance this sensation through stimulation of the sense of touch.
The GEMINI studies found vedolizumab to be an effective treatment for patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The study suggests that the drug may provide people living with these conditions an additional option for inducing and maintaining clinical remission.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine developed a 3D computer model that analyzes a child's unique anatomy and pinpoints the best location for a defibrillator before implantation. The virtual heart model predicts optimal device placement in children with tiny or malformed hearts, reducing repeat procedures.
A team of astronomers has developed a new type of telescope camera that makes higher resolution images than ever before, capturing details as small as 0.02 arcseconds across. The new technology has enabled the observation of planetary formation processes and addressed longstanding questions about how planets form.
Researchers found that CTE primarily affects behavior and mood, while memory and thinking abilities are also impacted. The study suggests that athletes with CTE experience symptoms at a younger age, with mood/behavior problems appearing at an average age of 35.
Researchers have found that a mother's genes can influence an individual's aging process. The study suggests that mild DNA damage transferred from the mother contributes to the aging process and that reducing mutations may help extend lifespan.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have discovered a faulty 'switch' between brain regions that may cause psychotic symptoms in people with schizophrenia. The study suggests that detecting this disconnection could help identify patients with the condition, and potentially lead to more effective treatments.
A study of 36 male athletes with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) found that the disease initially affects behavior or mood and later impacts memory and thinking abilities. The researchers discovered notable differences in symptoms between those experiencing behavior problems and those with memory and thinking issues.
A new study highlights the economic benefits of knee replacement surgery, finding that patients can save nearly $40,000 in indirect costs, resulting in lifetime societal savings of $10,000-$30,000. The study estimates that total knee replacement surgeries will exceed 3 million by 2030 due to an aging population.
Two studies found that vedolizumab resulted in remission and reduced use of prednisone for patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The medication blocks immune system cells that trigger inflammation, reducing side effects commonly associated with other treatments.
A new survey found that 7.8 million young adults gained new or better coverage through the Affordable Care Act, but millions are at risk of remaining uninsured due to lack of awareness about health insurance marketplaces and Medicaid expansion. Young adults from low- and middle-income households are disproportionately affected.
Research found that teens with anorexia nervosa had larger insula and orbitofrontal cortex brain areas, which may contribute to their ability to starve themselves. These brain regions process taste and body perception, potentially leading to a distorted sense of hunger and fullness.
Climate change projections suggest warming Antarctic seas could reduce krill growth habitat by up to 20%, affecting wildlife and fisheries. The Southern Ocean region, including South Georgia, is expected to be worst affected, with potential losses of up to 55% in krill habitats.
Research published in PLOS ONE reveals that native Brazilian fruits, including 'wolf apple', contain higher proportions of bioactive compounds and pigments than conventional Red Delicious apples, making them a potentially nutritious food source.
Researchers used genetic sequencing to trace the source and evolution of the avian H7N9 influenza virus infecting humans. Domestic ducks and chickens played distinct roles in its genesis, with strains exchanging genes that led to outbreaks among chickens and human infections.
A new study reveals an unexpected role for a protein in the integration of opposing attractive and aversive gustatory stimuli in fruit flies. The findings demonstrate that the protein inhibits the activity of sugar-activated receptors when bitter compounds are present, reducing attraction to sugars.
UK research found that half of all seven year olds are sedentary for six to seven hours a day, with only half reaching the recommended minimum of moderate to vigorous physical activity. Girls, children of Indian ethnic origin, and those in Northern Ireland were the least active.
A new study has identified a fundamental biological process controlling the body's circadian clock, which could lead to breakthroughs in treating circadian clock-related disorders. The research found that removing a repressor protein improved brain clock function, enabling mice to adapt to time zone changes faster.
Researchers found that a combination of calorie restriction and targeted therapy may increase cancer survival. Calorie restriction decreased Mcl-1 protein activity, sensitizing lymphoma cells to treatment. This study suggests a potential new approach to improve cancer treatment efficacy.
Scientists have discovered that breast milk contains beneficial bacteria from the mother's gut, which is essential for establishing a healthy gut microbiome in babies. This finding confirms the importance of breastfeeding and highlights the need to develop formula milk that mimics nature.
The US Pharmacopeial Convention has introduced new limits on 15 elemental impurities and procedures for measuring levels, updating tests used to ensure safe products. The changes require drug companies to install multiple systems at multiple sites, potentially increasing costs.
A new study found that poor oral health is associated with an increased risk of oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which can cause oropharyngeal cancers. Good oral hygiene practices can help prevent HPV infection and its related cancers.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital found that invading bacteria themselves are the cause of pain during skin infections, rather than the body's immune response. The study also showed that activated pain neurons suppress the immune system, potentially helping bacteria become more virulent.
A new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society found that 13 species of crocodilians consume fruit, including berries and legumes. The researchers suggest that these animals may function as significant seed dispersal agents in freshwater ecosystems, contributing to forest regeneration.
Researchers at the University of Washington have accurately determined a solid-state triple point in vanadium dioxide, a material that rapidly switches between conducting and insulating states. This discovery could lead to breakthroughs in electrical and optical switch development.
A study conducted at CU-Boulder and Cornell University found that artificially darkening the breast feathers of female barn swallows decreases levels of oxidative damage to DNA, proteins, and fats. This suggests that the outward appearance of these birds has an influence on their physiological health.
Researchers found that immune cells called monocytes are recruited to the brain in response to stress and promote anxiety-like behavior. Monocytes travel to specific regions of the brain, generating inflammation that causes anxiety.
Landsat satellites analyze post-fire images to estimate burn severity, helping crews focus restoration efforts on high-risk areas. By analyzing maps created with Landsat data, teams can identify areas at risk of post-fire flooding and implement restoration projects to mitigate damage.
A study of 72 volunteers found that playing real-time strategy games like StarCraft improved cognitive flexibility and strategic thinking. The researchers suggest that these games can promote the ability to think on the fly and learn from past mistakes.
A recent study of nearly 6,000 adult twins found that genetic factors contribute to both alcoholism and certain eating disorder symptoms, such as binge eating and purging habits. The study suggests that genes explain 38-53% of the risk of developing these disorders.