Researchers at Mayo Clinic found that patients with gout who initially experience pain in other joints, such as the knee or elbow, are at higher risk of future flare-ups. Additionally, chronic blood pressure variability and smoking are linked to increased cardiovascular risk in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have successfully generated human liver cells in a lab setting that are equally effective as those used to assess drug safety, offering a renewable and uniform alternative.
Researchers at The University of Manchester used X-ray experiments to reveal new insights into the evolution of plumage and preservation of feathers in ancient birds. They found chemical traces of original 'dinobird' and dilute pigments, shedding light on the bird's plumage pattern.
New research published by the University of Oxford found that breast cancer screening programs do not reduce mortality rates, contradicting previous findings. The study analyzed data from England over nearly 40 years and concluded that there is no evidence of a benefit from mammographic screening on breast cancer mortality.
A new study found temperature-sensitive L-type calcium channels play a key role in febrile seizures. Nimodipine, a commonly available drug, dramatically reduced the incidence and duration of febrile seizures in animal models.
A £3.5 million project aims to reconstruct primitive musical instruments and reach conclusions about the type of music played on them using archaeological evidence and specialist performers.
A team of NIH-supported researchers has identified a two-step process that occurs during the growth and regeneration of inner ear tip links. The discovery provides a possible mechanism for potential interventions that could preserve hearing in individuals with genetic disorders related to tip link dysfunction.
Two IU studies reveal that workplace and financial stress can lead to increased smoking, decreased exercise, and unhealthy eating habits. Researchers call for workplace wellness programs to address work-family conflict and financial strain as a way to promote healthier behaviors.
People in India who walk or cycle to work are less likely to be overweight or obese, have diabetes or high blood pressure. The study found similar patterns for rates of high blood pressure and diabetes, highlighting the importance of active modes of transport.
Scientists from UNH and SwRI report that lightweight materials like plastics provide effective shielding against the radiation hazards faced by astronauts during extended space travel. This finding could help reduce health risks to humans on future missions into deep space.
Researchers found that including parasites in food web models changes the distribution of feeding links per species, average shortest feeding chain between pairs of species, and proportion of omnivores or cannibals. Most changes occur due to increased diversity and complexity, rather than parasite-specific effects.
A study of 61,650 participants found that elevated levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and leukocyte count are associated with an increased risk of COPD exacerbations. The risk is even higher in those with milder COPD and no previous exacerbations.
A Johns Hopkins study of 50 pregnant women found associations between higher exposure to DDT and other contaminants and increased fetal motor activity, as well as reduced fetal heart rate accelerations. The findings suggest the developing fetus is susceptible to environmental exposures, highlighting the need for prenatal protection.
A new study warns that peer support schemes for people with chronic diseases may have negative effects if not handled sensitively. The research found that mentors can be at risk of emotional entanglement and may need support after the relationship is severed.
Researchers found that normal-weight babies plateaued at about two months and rarely deviated from their weight over height until age 5. In contrast, overweight or obese babies crossed the 17th percentile much later and continued an upward climb.
Scripps Research Institute scientists have identified key triggers of an important cancer-blocking mechanism in cells, known as oncogene-induced senescence. The study reveals a cascading interaction of three enzymes necessary to initiate this response.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered evidence of prehistoric copper mining leading to high levels of lead pollution in northern Michigan lakes. The study reveals that human activities contributing to environmental lead pollution began as early as 8,000 years ago.
Adults with hearing loss are more likely to experience cardiovascular risk factors, have a history of hospitalization, and report poorer physical and mental health. The study found significant associations between hearing loss and various health outcomes, highlighting the need for further research into the basis of these observed assoc...
Researchers have identified a unique protein structure in the chlamydia bug that could lead to novel diagnostic methods and treatments. The discovery may help combat this sexually transmitted disease, which affects an estimated 2.8 million people in the US each year.
The Fourmile fire in Arizona and Silver Fire in New Mexico are two major wildfires burning in the region. The fires, which were started by lightning strikes, have grown to over 5,000 acres in size and pose a high risk of growth due to extreme weather conditions.
A new U-M study explores the relationship between social media use and narcissism levels, finding that college students who score higher in narcissism tend to post more on Twitter, while middle-aged adults use Facebook to boost their self-image. The study sheds light on how social media platforms can amplify narcissistic tendencies.
NASA's TRMM satellite measured rainfall totals of 400-600 mm over Cuba and the southeast Gulf of Mexico, with widespread flooding reported in western Cuba. Along Andrea's track, rainfall amounts were lighter, ranging from 45-150 mm over parts of South Carolina, eastern Georgia, and coastal North Carolina.
A UT Arlington civil engineering professor is assessing the performance constraints to safe operation and design for a high-speed train's average speed and overall system cost. The study focuses on using existing TxDOT right of way, following routes such as Interstate 45 between Dallas and Houston.
Research at Duke University found that gamers excel in extracting information from visual scenes, recalling letters in a flash of light, and tracking multiple items. Gamers' brains appear to be trained for better decision-making with more available information, potentially due to improved visual sensitivity.
A four-year analysis of Loyola University Health System's mandatory flu vaccination policy shows that workers do not quit due to the requirement. The policy led to a 99 percent compliance rate and enhanced patient safety.
The Genetics Society of America has announced five recipients of the DeLill Nasser Award for Professional Development in Genetics. The award provides a $1,000 travel grant to attend conferences that enhance their career goals. This year's awardees include graduate students and postdoctoral researchers from various institutions.
A large study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that moderate obstructive sleep apnea can significantly increase a person's risk for sudden cardiac death. The study revealed that patients with low oxygen saturation levels during sleep had an 80% increased risk of sudden cardiac death.
Scientists have discovered that cartilage cells have a functioning body clock that can be reset by imposing an artificial rhythm, which could lead to new treatments for osteoarthritis. The research found that older mice had weaker body clocks, and that resetting the clock may alleviate symptoms.
A study of over 4,000 participants found that people who walk or cycle to work are less likely to be overweight or obese compared to those using public or private transport. The findings suggest active travel could reduce rates of chronic diseases in India.
A study published in Radiology found that frequent heading in soccer is associated with white matter microstructural changes and cognitive impairments, similar to those seen in traumatic brain injury patients. Players who headed the ball over 1,800 times per year showed poorer memory scores.
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have developed a social media-based system called Mo-Buzz that can predict where and when dengue might occur. The system combines historical data on weather and dengue incidents with real-time reports from the public, allowing authorities to respond quickly and accurately.
A new study found that the bacterium NI1060 causes gum disease by triggering a normally protective protein called Nod1 to destroy more bone, not just fight infection. This discovery could lead to personalized therapy for dental patients.
A Michigan State University study found that female mice are protected from severe symptoms of colitis and bone deterioration, suggesting a reduced gut inflammation response. The findings could aid in understanding and treating the 1.4 million Americans suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases.
Researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna discovered that 17 single-nucleotide polymorphisms are associated with female abdominal pigmentation in Drosophila melanogaster. These SNPs were found to lie in or near genes involved in pigment synthesis, suggesting a complex regulation mechanism controlling pigmentation var...
A nanofiber sensor developed by researchers at KAIST can detect acetone levels associated with diabetes and toluene levels linked to lung cancer. The sensor offers a highly sensitive detection of these biomarkers, which is important for accurate diagnosis.
Researchers at Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia discovered that the leg plays a crucial role in initiating the transition from trunk to tail tissues during embryonic development. The genetic cascade triggered by Gdf11 signaling is coordinated with the formation of legs and the cloaca, leading to changes in the body plan.
Researchers have discovered a novel genetic mutation in the SERPINB6 gene that causes malfunction of an inhibitor enzyme, leading to accelerated hearing loss. In humans, individuals with this mutation typically lose their hearing from 20 years of age, while mice with the condition start losing their hearing at three weeks old.
Researchers have identified an unknown potassium channel in the cardiac pacemaker that regulates heartbeat. Developing therapies targeting this channel could bypass artificial pacemakers and provide biological solutions for arrhythmia.
A new study shows that mothers in low-income countries often lack understanding of why their baby is in the hospital, leading to difficulty communicating preferences and recognizing future warning signs of illness. This communication gap puts sick newborns at high risk of adverse health outcomes.
Researchers have developed a new segmentation technique using automatic thresholding to improve PET image analysis for optimizing radiotherapy treatments. The technique has shown promising results and could be highly useful in clinical practice.
A collaborative study using Vaccine Safety Datalink data analyzed four years of data and found that background mortality rates are lower in vaccinated populations than the general US population. These rates can be used to identify unusual increases in deaths following vaccination.
A study found that an intervention improving clinician education and personalized audit and feedback reduced broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing for common pediatric bacterial ARTIs by nearly half. Antibiotic prescribing for viral infections remained low, with no significant change after the intervention.
A study using fMRI found that stroke patients' brains exhibit strongest activity in damaged hemisphere regions when viewing actions they struggle with. This suggests a potential therapeutic technique using action-observation to drive plasticity and improve motor function.
Researchers found that telephone-based counseling combined with physician advice increased physical activity among breast cancer survivors by 30 minutes per week. The study also showed significant improvements in patients' motivational readiness and overall well-being.
Hyundai Hope on Wheels has awarded a $75,000 Hyundai Scholar Grant to Dr. Vivian Chang at UCLA's Children's Discovery and Innovation Institute to support her research on DNA sequencing technology for identifying cancerous genes in children. The grant will enable oncologists to design personalized surveillance programs using advanced to...
The Landsat satellite has been collecting millions of images for over 40 years, providing a wealth of data on Earth's surface. With the launch of Landsat 8, scientists can now access images that are accurate and consistent with previous missions, allowing for more detailed analysis and research.
A Dartmouth-led study finds that logging can release large amounts of carbon stored in deep forest soils, potentially offsetting the benefits of using wood for energy. The research suggests that increased reliance on forest biomass may actually increase atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
The new IPOS sensor combines camera and computer vision technologies to detect human presence, illuminance levels, and other variables with high accuracy. It can control lighting and ventilation in real-time, providing more efficient energy savings and flexibility in office spaces.
Researchers discovered that people with absolute pitch can be misled by gradual changes in pitch while listening to music. The study, led by Stephen Hedger and Howard Nusbaum, found that exposure to detuned music affects how individuals identify notes as being in or out of tune.
A study published in the European Heart Journal found that cross-country skiers who completed more races and had faster finishing times were at a higher risk of developing arrhythmia. The risk was 30% higher for those completing five or more races, with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation and bradyarrhythmia.
A Swedish study found that maternal overweight and obesity during pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery, particularly extremely preterm deliveries. The study analyzed over 1.5 million deliveries and found that women with higher BMI were at a greater risk of preterm birth.
A study funded by the National Institute of Aging investigates the link between personality traits and telomere length, a measure of cellular aging. The research examines whether personality traits influence telomere length through healthy lifestyle and traumatic life events.
Sandia National Laboratories researchers found that charging and discharging rates are limited by phase transformation initiation, contradicting previous assumptions. They used X-ray microscopy to study ultrathin slices of a commercial-grade battery, revealing a mosaic pathway of lithium-ion movement.
A large international study led by McMaster researchers found that one in six women arriving at orthopedic fracture clinics have been victims of physical, emotional, or sexual violence within the past year. This highlights the need for healthcare professionals to identify and support victims of intimate partner violence, who are often ...
A new study found that patients with PTSD who have a less functional variant of the BDNF gene respond poorly to exposure therapy. The study suggests that BDNF levels modulate the therapeutic effects of treatments for mood and anxiety disorders.
Researchers at University of Nottingham have identified a previously undetected layer in the human cornea, known as Dua's Layer. This breakthrough discovery could lead to safer and simpler surgical procedures for patients undergoing corneal grafts and transplants.
A new article in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences refutes a theory that modern humans settled in southern Asia before the Mount Toba eruption. The research uses mitochondrial DNA evidence and other data to conclude that modern humans arrived in India no earlier than 60,000 years ago.
Researchers have found that common mutant forms of the JC polyomavirus are not infectious, but may still contribute to disease. The mutants appear to be up to no good by only being found in immunocompromised patients and possibly helping the main virus evade the immune system.
Researchers used complex network metrics to study primate species and their parasite fauna, finding that central primates are more capable of transmitting parasites to other species and humans. This discovery could inform early warning plans for emerging diseases in humans.
Researchers are testing whether a drug called aldesleukin can reduce the number of insulin injections needed for type 1 diabetes patients. The trial aims to slow disease progression and give patients more control over their condition.