Researchers at UT Austin developed a simple scaling theory to predict gas production in Barnett Shale wells. They found that most horizontal wells underperform their theoretical limits, and improving hydrofracture connections could increase gas extraction.
A study published in Medical Care found that high-volume ERCP providers had lower failure rates and hospitalization rates compared to low-volume providers. The authors suggest establishing quality improvement guidelines and credentialing processes to improve patient outcomes.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that beta-blocker medication given to patients with heart disease undergoing noncardiac surgery is associated with a lower risk of death and major adverse cardiovascular events. The effect was more pronounced in patients with heart failure or recent myocardial infarction.
A trial testing varespladib to reduce cardiovascular events showed the drug actually increased the risk of heart attacks and other events. Researchers found that patients treated with varespladib were more likely to experience sudden death, heart attacks, strokes, and unstable angina than those on placebo.
Scientists at Caltech created a lab-on-a-chip device using SlipChip technology that can accurately measure the concentration of HIV RNA molecules in a sample. The digital approach uses amplification chemistry to produce a fluorescent signal, allowing for precise quantification despite changes in environmental conditions.
Researchers found that addressing childhood deprivation is essential to prevent damaging health behaviors in adulthood. The study, based on a 1946 birth cohort, reveals that social and economic inequalities in early life significantly impact mortality in later life.
Researchers at Duke University found that daily texting can help obese black women lose weight. The Shape Plan intervention used tailored behavioral goals, brief feedback, and tips to track participants' progress. After six months, 26 women lost nearly 3 pounds, while 24 gained 2.5 pounds.
A Michigan State University sociologist argues that neighborhood integration and cohesion cannot co-exist due to how people form relationships. The study suggests that finding a balance between the two is necessary, as integrating neighborhoods often leads to decreased social cohesion.
A St. Jude Children's Research Hospital study found that young adult childhood cancer survivors are more likely to be frail than their peers, increasing their risk of death and chronic disease. Frailty is associated with advanced age in the general population but was not linked to lifestyle factors in female survivors.
A German-Peruvian science team found that ocean eddies play a crucial role in distributing oxygen and nutrients in the oxygen minimum zones. This discovery helps improve model computations to predict future expansions of low-oxygen areas in the ocean, addressing the threat of ocean de-oxygenation.
Manipulating protein PRH can hinder the ability of cancer cells to penetrate into neighboring environments, potentially preventing their spread. The findings suggest that PRH regulation of Endoglin may represent a novel method for controlling migration and treating multiple cancers.
Researchers found that female mice who competed socially for mates produce more urinary pheromones, making their sons more attractive to females. However, this increased attractiveness comes at a cost, as the sons have shorter lifespans due to the energy-intensive production of pheromones.
Researchers found that individuals with less experience in holding power tend to seek revenge more than those who feel more self-assured. The study also showed that body posture can affect revenge tendencies, with expansive postures leading to greater vengeance among those new to power.
Researchers at Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute discovered a link between high RDW levels and increased risk of depression in heart patients. Elevated RDW is associated with poor outcomes, including heart attacks and death, and may indicate anemia or other underlying conditions.
A study led by CNIO confirms the therapeutic potential of inhibiting Aurora-A in cancer treatment, revealing an increase in dead and senescent cells and premature aging. The research proposes studying cell nucleus volume as a tool for evaluating anti-cancer drug efficiency.
A study from Duke University Medical Center found that rural and southern US counties have low rates of annual CPR training. These communities are often far from hospitals, and lower CPR training rates contribute to higher heart disease mortality rates.
The Synthetic Biology Project at Woodrow Wilson International Center has been awarded a €4 million EU grant to foster responsible governance of synthetic biology. The project aims to initiate mutual learning among stakeholders from science, industry, and civil society.
Aalto University has been selected to lead an international research centre of excellence in Arctic shipping and operations, supported by the Lloyd's Register Foundation. The centre will focus on risk management in Arctic operations over five years, with Aalto strengthening its research in Arctic technology.
A recent study led by Lund University researchers has found that therapeutic hypothermia treatment for cardiac arrest is just as effective at a body temperature of 36°C as it is at 33°C, without the increased risk of side effects. This finding has important implications for patient rehabilitation and recovery after cardiac arrest.
A University of Michigan study found that reminder letters sent to parents of children with chronic conditions increased vaccination rates. The Michigan Care Improvement Registry was used to identify high-risk kids and prompt vaccinations during the 2009-10 H1N1 pandemic.
A study of 60 people aged 45 years or older found that accelerated surgery within six hours reduced major complications by 30% compared to standard care. Faster surgery may be better for hip fractures, say researchers at McMaster University.
Two studies on breast MRI usage found a significant increase in its use for diagnostic evaluations and screenings, particularly among high-risk women. The studies also revealed disparities in the use of breast MRI, with some groups receiving more frequent screening than others.
Researchers at UCLA have identified the medial prefrontal cortex as a key player in how anxious youths interpret neutral information. Increased activity in this brain region is observed when teenagers with anxiety disorders view faces that might be perceived as threatening, highlighting the importance of context in shaping their percep...
Researchers discovered bacteria can take up small fragments of damaged DNA, including ancient DNA, and integrate it into their genome. This process, called Anachronistic Evolution, has significant implications for the spread of antibiotic resistance in hospitals.
Global carbon emissions are set to reach a record 36 billion tonnes in 2013, with the US and EU also major contributors. The growth in coal is driving most of the increase, and cumulative CO2 emissions since 1870 are expected to exceed 200 trillion tonnes.
A national study published in NEJM found that comprehensive medical therapy is as effective as renal stenting in preventing clinical events for patients with renal artery stenosis. The study, led by Rhode Island Hospital researchers, involved over 947 participants and followed them for up to seven years.
A Mayo Clinic-led study has found that two commonly used drugs, low-dose dopamine and low-dose nesiritide, do not improve kidney function in hospitalized acute heart failure patients. The study analyzed data from 360 patients with kidney dysfunction and showed no significant improvement in urine volume or serum cystatin-C levels.
A Princeton-Harvard study found that Harlem Children's Zone Promise Academy Charter School students are 49% more likely to attend college and 71% less likely to become teen mothers compared to their public school peers. The study also showed improved test scores for poor, urban students.
The American Gastroenterological Association has expanded its corporate grant with Covidien to advance gastroenterology research and improve patient outcomes. The AGA-Covidien Research and Development Pilot Award in Technology will provide funding for innovative devices, diagnostic tools, and technologies.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have revealed the origins of a 'stripe phase' in a material linked to superconductivity. By studying ultrafast optical techniques and X-ray scattering, they found that electrons become concentrated in stripes throughout the material, leading to an energy threshold for electrical currents.
A new study by Duke University professor E. Jane Costello found that more than half of adolescents with psychiatric disorders receive no treatment. Treatment rates vary greatly depending on the disorder and provider, with teens suffering from phobias or anxiety disorders being the least likely to be treated.
A University of Pittsburgh professor's research shows that competition can increase the saving behavior of the working homeless. The study found that residents who participated in a competition offered a prize of $100 for saving the largest percentage of their pay increased their savings rate by 33%.
Researchers at Penn University have developed a new technique for fast and sensitive DNA sequencing using graphene nanoribbons with nanopores. The team's innovative method allows for faster measurement of DNA sequences, as the electrical current flowing through the ribbon is modulated by each base.
Researchers used genomic sequences to reconstruct metabolic repertoire for each strain, predicting its environmental niche. The analysis could help develop ways to control deadly E. coli infections and identify new strains.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University demonstrate hyperbaric oxygen therapy can revive brain functions and improve life quality for mild TBI patients. The treatment improved cognitive function, memory restoration, and language use, offering a new hope for millions of victims.
A recent study published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment found obesity to be a major risk factor for developing basal-like breast cancer in women. Researchers at the University of North Carolina discovered that obesity alters the cellular microenvironment of mammary glands, promoting the growth of basal-like tumors.
Researchers have found a dramatic decrease in sea ice cover over the last 150 years, with annual growth increments doubling since the Little Ice Age. This discovery provides new insights into climate reconstruction and extends knowledge back to the mid-1800s.
A study found that patients who received personalized attention from a pharmacist improved their medication adherence rates, with 89.3% adherent in the intervention group compared to 73.9% in usual care. However, there was no significant difference in achieving blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level targets.
Researchers at MU School of Medicine found a new protocol using preventive blood thinners reduces life-threatening blood clots in brain-injured patients. The study compared outcomes between 107 and 129 patients treated with or without the medication, showing zero instances of deep-venous clotting among those who received it.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that teenage milk consumption is associated with an increased risk of hip fractures in men, while no such association was found in women. The authors suggest that further research is needed to understand the relationship between early milk consumption and height on hip fracture risk.
Research by University of Cincinnati's Matthew Logan suggests that inmates with military backgrounds are not more likely to misbehave, but rather fare better in prison. They were 20% less likely to be sent to solitary confinement and 36% less likely to use drugs or alcohol.
A Drexel University study reveals that customers at restaurants with menu labels purchase food with 151 fewer calories, 224 milligrams less sodium, and 3.7 grams less saturated fat compared to those without labels. The study highlights the difficulty for consumers in making healthy choices when dining out.
Researchers compared two surgical approaches for severe heart valve disease, including repair and replacement of the affected valve. The study found that after one year, there were similar outcomes between the two treatments, with some notable exceptions.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered a gene that plays a crucial role in suppressing lymphoma, a type of blood cell cancer. Caspase-2 helps maintain healthy chromosome numbers in cells, preventing them from becoming cancerous.
A new form of high-performance solar photocatalyst has been developed by combining TiO2 with metallic oxides, enhancing visible light absorption and efficient utilization of the solar spectrum. The material demonstrates 27 times larger photocatalytic activities than a single-layer TiO2 film.
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside have redesigned battery component materials to create nanoparticles with controlled shape, resulting in smaller, more powerful and energy efficient batteries. This innovation could improve battery performance and reduce costs for electric cars and other applications.
Saint Louis University researcher Ratna Ray found that bitter melon extract reduces head and neck cancer cell growth in an animal model. The extract regulated several pathways to help reduce tumor growth, with significant results after four weeks of treatment.
Graduate student Yash Lodha and Justin Moore describe geometric solution for von Neumann-Day problem, a centuries-old challenge in group theory. The solution involves a finite set of nine rules and has been hailed as natural and compelling enough to study for its own sake.
Scientists from UNH have published comprehensive findings on space-based radiation hazards using a UNH-led detector aboard NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. The data provide critical information on the radiation hazards faced by astronauts on extended missions to deep space like Mars.
A targeted effort to improve adherence to drug regimens in high-risk heart failure patients showed promise but had limited impact on reducing hospital readmission rates. Patients who received coaching from nurses were four times more likely to adhere to their medication regimens, but readmissions remained unchanged.
A special issue of Gut Microbes explores the role of H. pylori in stomach cancer, as well as its impact on the natural stomach ecology and relationship with hepatitis C virus-associated liver cancer. The studies discuss various factors contributing to H. pylori-induced gastric cancer.
University of Minnesota researchers have developed a new approach for identifying potential environmental effects of releasing genetically engineered (GE) insects. The framework evaluates the entire range of potential effects, including those during transitory and steady state phases, providing improved guidance for ecological risk ass...
A comprehensive study analyzing over 3,800 cerebral palsy cases and 1.7 million healthy children found no link between cesarean delivery and reduced risk of cerebral palsy. The causes of cerebral palsy are believed to lie elsewhere, with research focusing on genetic origins and environmental triggers.
A recent study by the Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network found that bone marrow mononuclear stem cells did not improve heart function significantly at one year compared to six months. The treatment also showed a measurable decrease in scar tissue, but its effectiveness was no different from a placebo.
A phase 2 study found that GM-CSF therapy did not improve treadmill walking time in patients with intermittent claudication, a common symptom of peripheral artery disease. The treatment may still warrant further investigation due to observed secondary outcomes.
A University of Iowa study found that men's noses are about 10 percent larger than female noses, on average, in populations of European descent. The size difference is attributed to the sexes' different builds and energy demands.
A large national study found that breast MRI screenings nearly tripled from 2005 to 2009, with a notable increase in high-risk women. Despite this progress, the study highlights areas for improvement in the use of breast MRI for risk-based screening.
Researchers from KIT have successfully stabilized a single atom's magnetic spin for ten minutes, opening up possibilities for compact computer memories and quantum computers. By suppressing surrounding interactions at low temperatures, they achieved a stability period of about a billion times longer than comparable atomic systems.
Researchers at the University of Iowa found that maintaining a direct channel of communication between patients and primary doctors is crucial to success. Patients in regular contact with their primary physicians are most satisfied with their care, according to a new study.
Men with prostate cancer who followed a low-fat fish oil diet had lower levels of pro-inflammatory substances in their blood and a lower cell cycle progression score compared to those on a Western diet. The study suggests that altering the diet may favorably affect prostate cancer biology.