A study projects that over 230 million women worldwide will have an unmet need for modern contraceptive methods by 2015. Global contraceptive prevalence has increased from 55% in 1990 to 63% in 2010, while unmet need for family planning decreased from 15% to 12% during the same period.
Researchers identified protein MCM that changes DNA topology, forming 'supercoils.' This can lead to cancer cells growing out of control. The study provides new insight into MCM's role in gene regulation and cancer.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that antipsychotics with high binding affinity of alpha2 adrenergic and M1 muscarinic receptors are associated with a greater risk of stroke in elderly patients. The study also suggests that stroke risk is highest in the initial weeks of treatment and for those with higher daily doses.
Researchers mapped protein structures and organisms onto a timeline, revealing an 'hourglass' pattern where proteins folded faster over time. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary drivers behind protein folding and has implications for understanding molecular functions, genetic engineering, and synthetic biology.
A new study from the University of Utah Health has disproved the long-held theory that a lack of fatty acids causes blindness in children with Stargardt type 3 retinal degeneration. The researchers found that mice with reduced fatty acids in their photoreceptor cells maintained normal vision.
A new study led by the University of Arizona has found that monsoon failure plays a significant role in prolonged droughts in the Southwest. The researchers used tree-ring analysis to reconstruct summer precipitation patterns over a 470-year period, revealing that dry summers coincided with severe winter droughts.
A new study by researchers at UNC Chapel Hill and the University of Adelaide found that fluoride in drinking water prevents tooth decay for all adults regardless of age or childhood consumption. Adults living in fluoridated communities had up to 30% less tooth decay.
A home-based DVD exercise program called FlexToBa has been shown to improve flexibility, toning, and balance in older adults. Participants who used the program for six months saw clinically important improvements in physical function tests compared to a control group.
A study published in AIDS journal reports that patients with undetectable viral loads and near-normal immune cell counts on antiretroviral therapy have similar mortality rates to the general population. However, those with lower CD4+ cell counts were at increased risk of death.
Researchers have identified a new alternative to statins for patients who can't tolerate the side effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs. Pitavastatin was shown to lower bad cholesterol by an average of 34% and reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death in up to 68% of patients with high cholesterol.
New international guidance emphasizes the importance of recognizing and treating concussive symptoms promptly. The Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport notes that mouthguards and helmets have a role in minimizing injuries but do not prevent concussion.
Researchers developed a system with on-chip sensors and a central processor to detect and respond to faults, achieving significant power reduction and improved performance. The self-healing capability was demonstrated in high-frequency integrated circuits, opening up possibilities for next-generation electronics.
Researchers found that participants with preclinical Alzheimer's disease had poorer sleep efficiency and spent less time asleep than those without markers of the disease. Early evidence suggests a possible connection between sleep loss and brain plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.
A new study by Michigan State University found that young people with epilepsy experienced significant reductions in stigmatization after participating in regular peer support groups. The research, published in Epilepsy and Behavior, suggests a potential solution to the debilitating stigma surrounding epilepsy in developing countries.
A study comparing on-pump and off-pump bypass surgery found similar results one year after surgery, with no significant difference in composite outcomes such as death, stroke, or heart attack. The study also found similar neurocognitive function and quality of life for both groups.
Research from the University of Sheffield found that starving algae of key nutrients like nitrogen can actually decrease overall oil yield. Increasing cell density also boosts productivity, contrary to previous expectations.
A new analysis by planetary scientists from Brown University shows that lunar impact events produced massive seas of melted rock, up to 220 miles across and six miles deep. These melt seas differentiated similarly to the lunar magma ocean, producing rocks with complex mineral compositions.
Researchers found that ranolazine, an anti-anginal drug, significantly reduced weekly episodes of chest pain in patients with type 2 diabetes. The study also showed that the drug had a more pronounced effect on reducing angina frequency in patients with poorer glucose control.
A UC Davis survey of over 1,600 gun retailers found that they frequently encounter and refuse attempts to make illegal purchases, but often fail to report them to law enforcement. Retailers support harsh sentences for both buyers and sellers involved in illicit activities.
Researchers found that people who were frustrated in their attempts to cheat or steal are more likely to be attracted to violent video games. The study also showed that denying people the chance to commit forbidden behaviors can increase frustration, leading to a preference for violent entertainment.
Researchers found that B cells improve antibody molecules through a process of somatic hypermutation, increasing selection pressure on their own products. This mechanism could accelerate vaccination methods by producing optimal antibodies earlier.
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) observed two transits: an Earth transit from March 2-3 and a lunar transit from March 11. The eclipses showed distinct features due to Earth's atmosphere and the moon's curved shape.
A study published in Spine found that patients with neck injuries incur significantly higher health and social costs, which also affect their spouses. The increases in costs began to occur well before the initial injury, up to eleven years earlier.
A small study of 20 people with Parkinson's disease found virtual house calls provide clinical benefits comparable to in-person physician office visits, saving patients and caregivers time and travel. The study also found no difference in quality-of-life changes between the two groups.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg are leading an EU-funded project to identify individuals with obesity at greatest risk of developing metabolic complications. The project aims to develop methods for early intervention and improved treatment, with potential to reduce healthcare costs and premature deaths.
The REMINDER trial found that eplerenone significantly reduced the risk of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure in patients after a heart attack. Patients taking eplerenone had a 38% lower risk of poor outcomes compared to those given a placebo.
Researchers applied the maximum entropy principle to Spain's population distribution, finding a 'socio-thermodynamic' theory that applies thermodynamics to human behaviour. The study predicts patterns in population growth and urbanization, with average 'q' value of 1.2 across provinces.
A new study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution identifies glaciers as a significant source of iron to the North Atlantic Ocean. The research found high concentrations of dissolved iron in meltwater from glaciers and ice sheets, which may fuel plankton growth during spring and summer.
Research presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session found no significant benefit from high-dose oral vitamins and minerals in reducing recurrent cardiac events. However, combining these supplements with active chelation therapy showed a slight additional benefit.
Researchers estimated that 10-20 tons of reactive nitrogen from sewage flows into the Monongahela River every year, affecting stream water quality. The study highlights the need to assess nitrogen leakage from aging sewers in urban environments.
Research presented at the American Society of Animal Science meeting found that moderate exercise during gestation can positively affect ovarian cell development. The study showed increased cell proliferation in ovaries from fetuses born to exercising mothers, suggesting potential benefits for future fertility.
A study led by UC Riverside psychologist Sara C. Mednick has discovered a mechanism that enables the brain to consolidate memory during sleep. The research found that Ambien enhances this process, increasing verbal memory consolidation in healthy adults. This breakthrough could lead to new sleep therapies for aging adults and those wit...
Researchers from North Carolina State University have solved the mystery of how two unlikely materials, bismuth telluride and gallium arsenide, are held together. They found that van der Waals bonds, a weaker force than chemical bonding, hold the materials together.
A new study published in the American Journal of Pathology found that interleukin-22 (IL-22) plays a crucial role in normal lung repair following influenza infection. Even after the initial episode of influenza has passed, IL-22 helps to promote recovery of normal lung function and architecture.
A new study from Rice University suggests that a widely used model to predict the impact of pollution controls has been too conservative. In Northeastern cities, ozone levels dropped significantly beyond expectations after cutting emissions of nitrogen oxides from 2002 to 2006.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered the genetic mechanism that led to the development of wings in fruit flies, a key to their survival. By analyzing 20 cells present in the larval stage, they found that a specific gene, Dpp, triggers the growth of wings by activating another gene, vn.
Retaining moderate levels of logging debris helps increase growth rate of Douglas-fir seedlings by inhibiting competing herbaceous vegetation and preserving soil water. This leads to increased early growth in seedlings, with higher growth rates observed at 80% debris cover without herbicide treatments.
Scientists from Hong Kong have developed a DNA barcoding method that can detect fraudulent deer products, regardless of their physical state. The method confirms that DNA barcoding alone is sufficient to detect such substitution for deer in all tendon products, except for glue.
Yue Deng aims to protect satellites and power systems from solar wind energy bursts. Her research focuses on the Earth's magnetosphere and upper atmosphere interaction.
A study suggests that non-emergency angioplasty performed at hospitals without on-site cardiac surgery capability is no less safe and effective than the procedure at hospitals with cardiac surgery services. The research found that rates of major adverse cardiac events were similar between the two groups, with outcomes not differing sig...
A study by University of Michigan researchers found that strictly protected areas and indigenous lands successfully limit deforestation in the Amazon. The research used remote-sensing data from 292 protected areas and found that these types of protection are more effective than sustainable-use areas.
Outpatient oncology practices have seen a significant increase in performance on quality measures, especially in adopting new clinical practices. The mean normalized performance score improved from 71 to 85 percent between 2006 and 2010.
Astronomers have discovered the closest star system to the Sun, located 6.5 light years from Earth, making it an ideal target for planet-hunting expeditions. The star system consists of a pair of brown dwarfs, which are too small in mass to ignite hydrogen fusion.
A commonly used erectile dysfunction drug, sildenafil, was found to be ineffective in treating patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction. The RELAX study, a multicenter trial of 216 patients, showed no benefit from the drug in improving maximum exercise ability or walking distance.
A new technique allows researchers to create complex tissues with any spatial organization, mimicking the body's natural complexity. The 'lock-and-key' method uses tiny shapes that lock into templates, allowing for rapid assembly of large tissues and precise control over cell alignment.
A multicenter study found no significant difference in combined outcomes of death, stroke, heart attack, repeat revascularization or new renal replacement therapy between on- and off-pump coronary bypass surgery in elderly patients. The results suggest that both techniques are safe and effective for this age group.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that when students were denied the opportunity to cheat on an exam, they became more attracted to violent video games. This suggests that frustrated individuals may turn to these games as a way of engaging in aggressive behavior. The findings extend frustration-aggression theory and hi...
A new NASA study reveals that extreme cold, man-made chemicals, and a stagnant atmosphere contributed to the 2011 Arctic ozone hole. The Arctic's ozone levels were about 20% lower than its late winter average due to unusual atmospheric conditions.
Women with atrial fibrillation experience more symptoms and a lower quality of life compared to men, according to a study analyzing over 10,000 patients. Despite this, women tend to live longer than their male peers, highlighting the need for further research into gender disparities in cardiovascular disease management.
The research team will develop an integrated model of coral reef development to link climate change, sea level, tectonics, and reef growth rates. The findings will provide a record of tropical climates and coral reef growth.
A NASA-funded study reveals that higher northern latitudes are getting warmer, leading to a shift in the growing season and changes in vegetation growth. Temperatures at northern latitudes now resemble those found 250-430 miles south, with large patches of vigorously productive vegetation spanning over 3.5 million square miles.
A new CU-Boulder study found that sleeping just five hours a night led to significant weight gain in participants, who also ate more calories than those who slept nine hours. The research suggests that healthy sleep may help people maintain a healthier weight and battle obesity.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have made a breakthrough in understanding how prion diseases spread between different types of animals. By studying the adaptation process, they aim to determine why certain strains can infect one type of animal but not another.
A recent clinical trial found that combining interferonβ-1a and glatiramer acetate did not reduce relapse risk in multiple sclerosis patients, but reduced new lesion activity and total lesion volume. The study enrolled 1,008 participants over three years.
A recent study published in the American Sociological Review found that winning in competitions such as Emmys or Baseball Hall of Fame induction has no consistent impact on longevity. Instead, researchers suggest that access to resources and opportunities is more crucial for overall health.
Research shows energy drinks containing caffeine can enhance physical performance in cyclists, with average cycling times improving by 3% after consumption. However, the impact on cognitive function is unclear and likely unrelated to the energy drink.
A phase IIa study suggests that ORM-12741, a new add-on drug, improves memory scores by 4% in individuals with moderate Alzheimer's disease, while worsening it by 33% in those receiving a placebo. The study found significant benefits in improving brain functions under stressful conditions.
The dangers of magnet ingestion in young children are becoming increasingly apparent, with high-powered magnets causing life-threatening problems like bowel perforations. Effective recognition, prompt management, and targeted campaigns can help mitigate these risks through primary prevention and multidisciplinary collaboration.
A multicenter trial of sildenafil for diastolic heart failure failed to confirm results of smaller studies, finding no improvement in exercise capacity or cardiovascular structure and function. The study's lead author notes that the disease process may be different and not responsive to this category of drug.
A recent study published by the American College of Cardiology found no significant benefits from using the blood pressure-lowering medication aliskiren to treat patients with recent heart failure hospitalizations. However, patients on aliskiren did show improved NT-proBNP levels, which can help physicians plan treatment.