Researchers have identified a specific section of chromosome 2 that regulates von Willebrand factor levels, a key substance in blood clotting. The findings may lead to improved diagnosis and treatment for bleeding disorders.
A study published in Brain and Language found that six weeks of intensive language therapy improved naming objects and cognitive potential in seniors with chronic aphasia. The therapy also integrated the default mode network, a brain system involved in 'on standby' activity, suggesting long-term recovery potential.
A new study shows that fewer than one-in-five healthcare providers meet Medicare PQRS requirements. Radiologists are nearly twice as likely to qualify for bonuses, but face penalties if they don't improve their documentation and reporting. The study found that radiologists collectively may face penalties totaling over $100M in 2016.
The Irene Diamond Fund's gift will support Brown's Program in Public Health in developing and disseminating successful interventions for older adults. The initiative aims to improve quality of life and reduce care costs through collaborations with healthcare providers and community health centers.
A recent study found that many teenagers who received a complete hepatitis B vaccine series as infants can still contract the virus, especially if they have high-risk mothers or weak immune systems. Researchers suggest that a booster shot at age 15 may be necessary to prevent reinfection.
A team of astronomers analyzed Kepler mission data and found that 17% of sun-like stars have planets one to two times the diameter of Earth, orbiting close to their host stars. These planets may be rocky and habitable within the Goldilocks zone.
A new study proposes a possible pathway to benefit from drugs for lung cancer prevention by identifying microRNA-34c as a surrogate endpoint. Changes in its expression six months after treatment correlate with benefit from the drug, potentially speeding up the pace of discovery and bringing new agents to market.
A simulated Mars mission revealed rhythmic fluctuations in sodium levels with 7-day and monthly cycles, suggesting sodium storage and implications for blood pressure control. The study found that nearly all ingested salt was excreted in urine, but not daily, and that hormonal responses also fluctuated with these cycles.
A Mayo Clinic-developed two-hour training course increased adenoma detection rates among experienced endoscopists, lowering colorectal cancer risk. The study found that even non-academic physicians can benefit from the training.
A study found that taking a triple combination of blood pressure drugs and common painkillers increases the risk of serious kidney problems, especially at the start of treatment. Patients taking this combination are 31% more likely to develop kidney injury.
A new study by Oregon State University researchers reveals that Hmong women often make their own health decisions, but in an environment where screening is not discussed. The study found higher rates of breast and cervical cancer screenings among the Hmong population compared to national averages.
Obese individuals are more prone to asthma due to the regulation of airway diameter by leptin. Leptin therapy may provide a new treatment option for body weight-associated asthma, with existing drugs targeting parasympathetic signaling already available.
Tropical Depression Sonamu is showing signs of weakening due to increased wind shear, with maximum sustained winds near 30 knots. The storm's slow movement to the southeast is expected to continue until landfall on Jan. 10 in Malaysia.
For the first time, researchers have observed how reducing dimensions affects ferroelectrics' susceptibility to size- and strain-induced effects. This work provides a detailed modeling and experimental study of pyroelectricity, with direct implications for next-generation devices.
Researchers at Rice University and Moscow State University found that graphene oxide can bind to natural and human-made radionuclides, removing them from liquids. This discovery could be used to clean up contaminated sites like Fukushima nuclear plants, reduce costs of fracking, and revive rare earth metal mining.
Scientists used Cluster data to study the spatial characteristics of turbulence in the solar wind, finding evidence of small 'current sheets' that dissipate magnetic energy into heat. These current sheets play a crucial role in the dissipation of turbulence, contributing to the overall heating of the solar wind.
A University of Illinois study found that global warming could lead to increased nocturnal activity in ratsnakes, making them better adapted to warmer temperatures. This shift could result in a population expansion and altered ecosystem dynamics, with potential impacts on native bird populations.
A new study suggests introducing shareholder liability could reduce lock-in in the energy economy and spur a shift towards sustainable energy. The study argues that fossil fuel companies' profits are not tied to environmental damage, leading to a lack of incentive for change.
Cancer death rates in US men and women declined between 2000-2009, while incidence rates increased among children under 14. The report highlights progress in childhood cancer mortality rates since 1975 but notes the need for improved early detection strategies.
A new study from the University of Warwick found that people from low socio-economic positions in Britain consume more salt than their wealthier counterparts, regardless of where they live. This association is significant and suggests a need for targeted interventions to address social inequalities in salt intake.
Researchers found a human gene associated with the presence of Prevotella bacteria in the gut, which could have implications for treating diseases like Crohn's. The study suggests that genetic variations may influence the makeup of the gut microbiota.
Farhad Zadeh has discovered a new tool for detecting dusty clouds and stars using radio waves, allowing astronomers to image exotic features in the galaxy's center. The technique reveals dark features that indicate interactions between cold gas clouds and hot radiation fields.
A study found that individuals with age-related macular degeneration exhibit decreased focus on internal facial features, leading to difficulty in recognizing faces. The researchers used optical coherence tomography/scanning laser ophthalmoscopy to examine the interior of the eye in nine patients with AMD.
A new 33-item protocol checklist has been released to enhance trial protocols' content and quality, providing crucial information for critical appraisal and interpretation.
A new study found that only 39% of four-year colleges and universities require physical education, compared to 97% in the 1920s. Research shows that exercise improves cognitive performance and reduces obesity, but institutions are not embracing their own research.
Researchers using NASA's Kepler spacecraft have found that about 17% of stars have an Earth-sized planet in an orbit closer than Mercury. This means there are at least 17 billion possible Earth-like planets in the Milky Way, with 50% of stars having a planet of Earth-size or larger in a close orbit.
The Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovation Award funds cancer research by exceptionally creative thinkers with 'high-risk/high-reward' ideas, selected through a rigorous process. Seven awardees aim to develop new approaches to fighting cancer, including virus-based treatments and single-cell sequencing tools.
A research team has described the architecture of human transcription factor TFIID, revealing its inner workings for the first time. The study used a novel approach inspired by viral replication to produce highly abundant and correctly assembled complexes of the core scaffold.
Astronomers have found gamma-ray flares originating 70 light-years away from a galaxy's central black hole, contradicting the long-held theory that such events occur only close to the black hole. The 2011 flares from galaxy 4C +71.07 provide the clearest evidence of this phenomenon.
Experts urge a broad public health strategy to reduce US gun violence, drawing on evidence-based strategies from other public health threats. The authors suggest over a dozen recommendations, including taxes, smart guns, and education, to address the root causes of gun violence.
A study by Michigan State University found captive hyenas excel at solving novel problems, suggesting limitations in applying captive animal results to the wild. The researchers, led by Sarah Benson-Amram, discovered that captive hyenas were more willing to tackle challenges and explored solutions.
A new method for cutting DNA using a bacterial enzyme and RNA binding has been demonstrated to work in human cells, overcoming a major bottleneck in genome engineering. The technique, known as CRISPR-Cas9, is precise, inexpensive, and easy to program, holding promise for treating genetic diseases and curing AIDS.
New research suggests racial stereotypes and creativity share a common mechanism: categorical thinking. Racial essentialism leads to closed-mindedness, reducing domain-general creativity, according to a study published in Psychological Science.
A large-scale Swedish study has found that oesophageal cancer patients who undergo surgery by high-volume surgeons have a significantly lower long-term mortality rate. The study's main finding is that centralization to fewer surgeons results in better survival after esophageal cancer surgery.
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have identified a key link between stem cell factors that fuel ovarian cancer's growth and patient prognosis. The study reveals a connection between Lin28 and BMP4, which has implications for developing novel targeted therapies.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that higher spending on breast cancer screenings does not result in improved outcomes for older women. The research team analyzed Medicare expenditures and screened female beneficiaries over two years, discovering substantial geographic variation in costs.
A new fossil discovery reveals a bird with specialized teeth for eating hard prey, greatly expanding the known diversity of tooth shape in early birds. The find suggests that dietary differences may have contributed to the decline of enantiornithine birds during the Cretaceous period.
A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that timely reminders from state or local health departments are more effective at increasing immunization rates among preschool children than those from primary care practices. The study suggests that partnerships between public health departments and primary care provid...
Jonathan Wisco, associate professor at Brigham Young University and UCLA, receives the Basmajian Award for his outstanding contributions to teaching and research in anatomy. He has increased teaching responsibilities and established a laboratory to support translational anatomy research.
A new RAND Corporation analysis suggests that healthcare must be reengineered to focus on the benefits of health information technology to realize its potential. Key findings include the need for interconnected systems and patient access to their electronic health records, with the goal of improving patient care and reducing spending.
A new study found that adults with diabetes in Ontario are getting significantly fewer government-funded eye exams than they were a decade ago. The decrease is an unintended consequence of the provincial government's decision in 2004 to delist routine eye exams from the Ontario Health Insurance Plan for healthy adults under age 65.
Current technology cannot provide the carbon-neutral power needed to address climate change; a minimum of 31 new wedges of renewable energy are required. The Department of Global Ecology at Carnegie Institution aims to develop sustainable solutions for environmental issues, including climate change.
Scientists studied fruit fly 'love song' to understand auditory system, discovering a protein-based sodium/potassium pump similar to battery compartments. This finding sheds light on the human ear's ion balance and potential mechanisms for hearing disorders.
Research at Michigan State University found that even brief interruptions can significantly impact accuracy on complex tasks. The study, which involved 300 participants and a sequence-based procedure, discovered that interruptions lasting just three seconds doubled the error rate. This finding has significant implications for professio...
The Southern Medical Journal's special issue explores physician preparedness, healthcare system readiness, and patient care in disasters. Experts share lessons learned from real-life experiences and provide guidance on improving preparedness.
A meta-analysis of 67 studies confirmed IL28B polymorphisms impact natural HCV clearance and PEG-IFN/RBV treatment response. Favourable genotypes equated to more than double the probability of achieving sustained virologic response, supporting personalized medicine approaches.
A study published in BMC Biology has generated interactive 3D models of the zebra finch's syrinx, a complex vocal organ. The models reveal the delicate balance between strength and lightness required to control sound production at superfast speeds.
A recent study by the American Psychological Association found that 80% of teachers reported being victimized at school at least once in the past year, with 44% experiencing physical attacks. The authors recommend a national registry to track incidents and standardized licensure requirements for educators.
Researchers engineered blue-green algae to grow chemical precursors for fuels and plastics, a step towards replacing fossil fuels. The U.S. Department of Energy aims to obtain a quarter of industrial chemicals from biological processes by 2025.
Scientists at the University of Manchester have developed a camera that takes powerful three-dimensional colour X-ray images, enabling rapid detection of contraband, corrosion, and cancer. The technology uses hyperspectral imaging to identify chemicals and compounds within large objects, reducing scanning time by minutes.
A national survey found that over a third of US physicians fulfill patient requests for brand-name drugs, which are up to 80% more expensive than generics. Industry marketing relationships and personal connections with pharmaceutical companies also contribute to this practice.
A Wayne State University researcher is leading a federally funded project to better understand the connection between roadway safety and available sight distance at intersections controlled by stop signs. The study aims to determine if there's a relationship between crash occurrence and amount of available sight distance.
Researchers found no link between untreated Parkinson's and impulse control disorders. However, studies suggest that exposure to dopamine-related drugs may increase impulsive behaviors in patients with the disease.
A team of researchers used cutting-edge 3D imaging techniques to study the syrinx, a unique vocal organ found in songbirds. The detailed structure reveals how birds can produce superfast trills and stabilize their sounds while moving.
Research reveals that thoughts of death increase conviction in world views for all groups, with agnostics finding acceptance of multiple beliefs. A study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found common goals among believers seeking a coherent world view to manage fear of death.
Scientists found that impure domains in polymer-based organic photovoltaic cells can lead to improved performances if made sufficiently small. By studying the trifecta of ALS beamlines, they discovered a happy medium between purity and domain size that should be easier to achieve than ultra-high purity.
A new study by University of Colorado researchers found significant differences in eligibility criteria for Part C early intervention services among US states. The study highlights the need for more uniform criteria to ensure that all eligible children receive necessary services.
The US Department of Agriculture is working on a biocontrol method for the brown marmorated stink bug, which has caused significant damage in homes and gardens. Researchers have identified an aggregation pheromone that attracts males, females, and nymphs to feeding sites.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that black and Hispanic patients are less likely to complete substance abuse treatment programs compared to white patients. The study suggests that socioeconomic factors, such as unemployment and housing instability, contribute to these disparities.
Autism Speaks funds 14 new research projects, including technology-based initiatives, environmental epidemiology studies, and basic clinical research to better understand autism causes, prevention, treatment, and cure. These grants aim to enhance early screening, diagnosis, and access to interventions.