A new study finds that fast food restaurant menus have only modestly increased nutritious offerings over a 14-year period, with most restaurants failing to meet optimal nutritional quality scores. Despite some improvements, the overall nutritional quality score remains below that of the average American diet.
Researchers found that theta brainwave activity in the prefrontal cortex is related to overcoming ingrained biases. The study used a custom-designed computer game to measure subjects' ability to repress Pavlovian biases, with those who performed better showing higher theta activity.
A new University of Michigan study found that more than one in 10 GenXers are enrolled in classes to continue their formal educations, with 48% taking continuing education courses. The study also revealed that GenXers have earned graduate and professional degrees at a higher rate than any previous generation.
The VINARES initiative, launched in Vietnam, aims to strengthen antimicrobial stewardship and has shown encouraging impact. By galvanizing political and medical leadership, the program is providing a framework for long-term self-sufficient infection surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship.
The World Health Organization's FRAX tool has been updated to version 3.8, offering 58 country-specific models for 53 countries and 28 languages. This new release expands the tool's accessibility and functionality, enabling clinicians to make more informed decisions about fracture risk assessment.
A new study links type 1 diabetes to an increased risk of heart disease through the production of the inflammatory protein calprotectin, which fuels the buildup of artery-clogging plaque.
Researchers found that older Africans face significant functional limitations, with women expected to spend 58% of their remaining life with limitations. Investing in health could boost economic growth by enabling older people to contribute to rural agriculture.
Graphite has been found to effectively reduce the frictional strength of faults, while sediment processes can generate significant amounts of background noise in oceans. Researchers have also studied how braided river dynamics affect sediment storage and charted the growth of the Turkish-Iranian plateau.
A study found genetic loci associated with H pylori seroprevalence through genome-wide association studies and meta-analysis. Genetic testing for H pylori susceptibility outside of research projects is premature due to the current approach's limitations.
A new study suggests that regular bedtime prior to initiation of CPAP therapy is a significant predictor of CPAP adherence. The odds of non-adherence were 3.7 times greater for every one unit increase in bedtime variability. Stabilizing bedtime schedules may help improve treatment compliance.
Researchers at Princeton University suggest that Mount Sharp, a 3.5-mile high Martian mound, was likely formed by strong winds carrying dust and sand into the Gale Crater. The analysis challenges the prevailing theory that the mound formed from layers of lakebed silt.
Researchers from LCSB have discovered that microglial cells in the brain produce itaconic acid, an endogenous antibiotic that prevents bacterial growth. This finding has implications for understanding Parkinson's disease and its connection to the immune system.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that schools significantly associated with adolescent mental health service use. Schools that engage in early identification of emotional problems were more likely to receive mental health services.
Researchers found that increasing parkin levels in fruit flies extended their life span by more than 25 percent, reducing damaged proteins and improving mitochondrial function. The study suggests that boosting cellular 'garbage disposal' could delay the onset of aging-related diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Researchers analyzed hundreds of thousands of credit card transactions to identify predictable shopping patterns. They found that people's behavior is repetitive and can be predicted with a fair degree of probability for future purchases within the next month.
Research by Monica Gagliano and Michael Renton found that plants can positively influence seed growth via unknown mechanisms. Chilli seeds germinated better when grown with basil plants, even when other signals were blocked.
Researchers at Drexel University School of Public Health recommend using existing federal standards for occupation and industry data to track workplace injuries. This can lead to evidence-based prevention strategies, highlighting the benefits of collecting industry and occupation data on hospital discharge records.
A new solid-state controllable light filter has been developed to shield preterm infants from most wavelengths of visible light, promoting better maturation. The device switches between blocking out all light and allowing red light through, enabling medical staff and parents to monitor the infants without disrupting their sleep.
Researchers at NYSCF's Research Institute created patient-specific bone substitutes from skin cells to repair large bone defects. The new method uses induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, which can become any body cell type, and overcomes previous limitations of bone formation.
Researchers developed large ring laser gyroscopes six orders of magnitude more sensitive than commercial instruments. These devices can measure the Earth's rotation rate with unprecedented accuracy, capturing momentum exchange between atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.
Researchers discovered that lungs with fluid in the lungs no longer pump water out as believed, but instead pump it in. This finding has important implications for treating lung edema, a common symptom of heart disease.
Researchers developed a three-dimensional human heart muscle patch that conducts electricity like natural tissue and 'squeezes' appropriately. This advancement could be used to treat heart attack patients or test new medications.
A national study on nanomaterial toxicity has provided comparable health risk data, enabling regulators to develop policies to protect workers and consumers. The researchers found that carbon nanotubes caused inflammation in the lower regions of the lung, but made them less hazardous by modifying their structure.
A team of researchers has developed a novel material that enhances light absorption in polymer solar cells, increasing their efficiency. The material, Ag@SiO2 nanoparticles, is solution-processable and customizable on the molecular level, offering promising advantages over traditional silicon-based devices.
A new pumpless paracorporeal lung assist device has been successfully used to support young children with severe respiratory failure until they can undergo a lung transplant. The device helped patients recover or reach the average wait time for pediatric donor lungs, offering improved survival chances.
A preclinical study by Scripps Research Institute successfully tested a new vaccine against heroin, which targets the drug and its metabolites, preventing them from reaching the brain. The vaccine effectively blocks relapse in rats with heroin addiction, offering hope for therapy.
A new protocol using single, high-dose erythropoietin administered two days prior to surgery reduces transfusion requirements by one-third and improves patient outcomes.
Researchers identified a novel mechanism by which the activity of Src is limited by the cell's skeleton, resulting in the development of tumors. The cytoskeleton network, comprising actin proteins and actin-Capping Proteins, plays a crucial role in regulating protein activity.
A new study published in Psychological Science found that people who gain weight are more likely to exhibit impulsive behavior but also report increased deliberation. This surprising finding suggests an intimate relationship between a person's physiology and psychology.
A cross-sectional study of 1,870 individuals found that long-lived families have a reduced risk of cognitive impairment consistent with Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests a delayed onset of disease in these families, protecting their members but not later in life.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that flu vaccines are safe for children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), without increasing adverse events. The research suggests that receiving the influenza vaccine may even protect against IBD flare-ups and doctor visits.
A Cornell study found that skipping meals increases grocery shopping and leads to buying 31% more high-calorie foods. Not eating before shopping results in purchasing fewer low-calorie options.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that black women have a 47% higher risk of developing multiple sclerosis than white women, while Hispanic and Asian patients have lower risks. The study also showed that black women had a higher incidence of MS than white women of both genders.
Researchers found that hungry grocery shoppers tend to buy higher-calorie products, while those who ate beforehand made healthier choices. The study suggests that even short-term food deprivation can lead to a shift in food preferences, with potential important health implications.
Recent research on TBI in the elderly highlights the need for specialized diagnostic tools and treatments due to unique characteristics of older brains. Studies have found associations between lifetime TBI and dementia risk, as well as differences in cognitive function and medical history between those with dementia and a history of TBI.
A new species of theropod dinosaur, Aorun zhaoi, has been discovered in Western China, dating back over 161 million years. The young dinosaur is estimated to be around 1 meter long and weighed 1.5 kilograms.
A study found that children living near toxic waste sites in lower and middle income countries have high blood lead levels, resulting in a loss of IQ points and higher incidence of mental retardation. The researchers estimated that 6 out of every 1,000 children could experience mild mental retardation.
Researchers have found that combining a new-generation mechanical heart valve with low-dose anticoagulation therapy significantly lowers the risk of bleeding events while maintaining stroke and neurological event rates. This study uses a new bileaflet design, and its findings may lead to reduced anticoagulation therapy for patients
A study found that high spiritual support from religious communities is associated with reduced aggressive treatment in patients with advanced cancer. Patients receiving spiritual support from the medical team had higher rates of hospice use, fewer aggressive treatments, and fewer ICU deaths.
A new study examines local lead abatement efforts in eight communities, finding that local laws can be highly effective tools to address lead hazards. In Rochester, a historic lead abatement ordinance resulted in a 68% decline in children with elevated blood lead levels since its implementation.
Mothers who experienced childhood trauma exhibit traumatic avoidance symptoms, leading to shorter conversations and less child participation. This phenomenon has negative impacts on cognitive and emotional development in children.
Scientists have reevaluated the role of the APOE gene in Alzheimer's disease, finding minimal interaction between APOE and amyloid beta in cerebrospinal fluid. This suggests a need to rethink therapeutic strategies targeting APOE, as current approaches may not be effective.
A new minimally-invasive procedure, Valve-in-Valve, uses a collapsible aortic heart valve to restore function without cardiopulmonary bypass or chest opening. The results showed excellent outcomes for elderly high-risk patients with low procedural complications and improved functional status.
The guidelines provide evidence-based tools for primary care physicians to diagnose and manage fibromyalgia, recommending exercise, relaxation techniques, and cognitive behavioral therapy. The main goal is to alleviate pain and improve quality of life, with medications tailored to individual patients.
A study found that nearly one in five children and teens at risk for suicide report having guns in their homes, with 15% knowing how to access both. The research emphasizes the importance of parents understanding gun risks and encourages ED screening tools.
A nationwide survey found that nearly two-thirds of US hospitals have policies aimed at reducing neonatal complications by limiting deliveries before 39 weeks. The majority of these hospitals have a formal policy against non-medically indicated deliveries, with many having a 'hard-stop' policy to prevent the practice.
The Landsat thermal sensor has successfully imaged the heat emanating from Paluweh volcano in Indonesia, capturing a hot spot at the top of the volcanic island. The sensor's ability to distinguish between the hot lava and cooler ash is crucial for scientists studying volcanic activity.
A NASA satellite captured a clear image of the growing Springs Fire in California using its highly sensitive instrument. The fire consumed over 28,000 acres of brush before being brought under control by firefighting efforts.
A Concordia University study shows that a veil of shame surrounds suicide in cultures worldwide, forcing those affected to grieve alone. Researchers used arts therapy to facilitate dialogue and find common themes across diverse communities, promoting healing and hope.
A mutant protein variant called Progerin impairs cells by reducing nuclear levels of RanGTPase and limiting nuclear import of large cargoes. This exclusion may contribute to cellular defects in Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria syndrome (HGPS).
Researchers at Monell Center have identified a critical protein, Ggamma13, essential for mammalian odor detection. Mice lacking this protein were functionally anosmic, highlighting its role in smell disorders in humans.
A consortium of scientists found that breathing ultrafine particles from engineered nanomaterials can cause lung inflammation and damage. The study examined the health effects of two types of nanomaterials and showed similar findings across different labs.
A new class of drug targeting skin cancer's genetic material has been successfully tested in humans for the first time. The drug, Dz13, was found to be safe and showed positive effects in reducing tumour growth and spread.
A new study by Columbia University found that teenage girls who engage in regular physical activity are at a lower risk of being involved in violence-related behaviors. The study analyzed data from 1,312 students and found that exercise was associated with decreased odds of being in a gang, carrying a weapon, or participating in fights.
A new study found that prenatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) is associated with lower intelligence and hyperactivity in early childhood. The study, presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting, suggests that maternal exposure to PBDEs can disrupt thyroid hormone and cause learning problems.
A new study proposes a 'Medicare Essential' plan that combines Medicare's hospital, physician, and prescription drug coverage with private supplemental coverage to simplify benefits and lower out-of-pocket costs. The plan aims to save $180 billion over 10 years while improving care for beneficiaries.
Researchers at Lund University are testing an antibody-based treatment for multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer without a cure. The antibody, BI-505, has shown promising results in cell studies and animal experiments, and a clinical trial is currently underway to test its effects on patients.
Researchers found that Wip1 mutations can lead to the shortening of this protein, allowing cancer cells to circumvent p53's protective mechanisms. These mutations were detected in colorectal and breast cancer patients, suggesting they may be a new target for cancer treatment.
The study found that couples with larger age gaps have lower earnings, less education, and reduced cognitive abilities. Physical attractiveness was also negatively affected in these relationships. The researchers suggest that social networks play a key role in shaping marriage choices and earning potential.
Researchers found that a new antiviral treatment could halve chronic HCV prevalence among people who inject drugs in 15 years. In cities like Edinburgh, where chronic prevalence is lower, the treatment is projected to reduce HCV rates by 25%. Doubling treatment rates and increasing budget may be needed to scale up the therapy.