A randomized trial assessed whether wearing gloves and gowns for all patient contact in ICUs reduces MRSA or VRE acquisition. The study found a lower risk of MRSA acquisition alone, but no overall reduction in the composite rate of both bacteria.
A Dartmouth researcher found that oxygen can keep dying heart cells alive by providing spikes of oxygen. This discovery could lead to new treatments for congestive heart failure, which is often caused by cell death due to lack of oxygen. The research suggests that controlled breathing exercises may also have health benefits.
A study of 20 ICUs found that healthcare workers' universal gowning and gloving reduced MRSA acquisition by 40%. Handwashing frequency increased, but no adverse events were reported. The findings suggest that adopting such policies can help decrease healthcare-associated infections.
Researchers have solved the mystery of how the sodium-potassium pump distinguishes between sodium and potassium ions at the molecular level. The new protein structure shows how smaller sodium ions are bound and transported out of the cell, while larger potassium ions are blocked.
IU researchers and collaborators found two new targets, Rac GTPase and Pak, that can be inhibited to kill leukemia cells. The study aims to improve treatment options for patients with mast cell leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia.
Researchers claim NASA portrayed astronauts as pioneering cowboys in its images of the moon landing, promising a future that never materialized. The study analyzed over 400 memory cards from visitors to the National Space Centre and found half contained a reference to the moon landing as a glimpse into a future that never came true.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have discovered a biomarker, phosphatidylserine, that can be effectively targeted to kill pancreatic cancer cells. The use of a biotherapy consisting of saposin C and dioleoylphosphatidylserine combined in nanovesicles shows promising results in animal models.
A study published at IDWeek 2013 found that low-income girls from Spanish-speaking families were less likely to receive the HPV vaccine due to a lack of encouragement from healthcare providers, while English-speaking parents cited concerns over vaccine safety and perceived risk. The findings highlight the importance of culturally sensi...
Notre Dame researchers discovered how MRSA regulates its cell wall in response to beta-lactam antibiotics, enabling drug resistance. They also found a way for a new antibiotic, ceftaroline, to target and inhibit the enzyme responsible for resistance.
A study in the Journal of Addiction Medicine finds that doctors abuse prescription drugs primarily for 'self-medication' to manage physical or emotional pain, stress, and psychiatric symptoms. The study highlights the importance of addressing self-medication as a key reason for prescription drug abuse among physicians.
Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute are testing a novel targeted treatment for Ewing sarcoma, which has spread by the time it's diagnosed. The goal is to disrupt cancer growth and spread using LSD1 inhibitors, with preclinical trials underway.
Researchers at the University of Hawaii and the University of Rhode Island found that extrusive volcanism, not internal emplacement of magma, grew Hawaiian volcanoes. The study suggests a new density model can be used for further crustal studies in the Hawaiian Islands.
Researchers developed an in silico nano-dissection method to isolate and identify genes from specific cell types in human tissues. The technique successfully identified genes expressed in podocytes, which malfunction in kidney disease, correlating with the severity of impairment.
The University of Illinois has released a new brochure providing detailed nutritional information on eight different soy products, including full-fat soybeans and conventional dehulled soybean meal. The data reveals that soy protein has a balance of essential amino acids closely fulfilling the needs of pigs.
Researchers have found that metabolic enzymes in the opium poppy play a key role in producing morphine and codeine, leading to potential breakthroughs in pharmaceutical production. The discovery may also enable the production of these compounds in other plants or microorganisms.
A multidisciplinary team is developing a framework to explain and predict plant and animal species distribution in the endangered Atlantic Forest. The researchers will use climate and landscape data to understand how forest species have responded to past environmental shifts, enabling them to predict responses to future changes.
A recent study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention found that rural cancer survivors are 66% more likely to forgo medical care and 54% more likely to forgo dental care because of financial concerns. This disparity suggests that health insurance coverage alone may not ensure equal access to healthcare.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new concept for a microscope that uses neutrons to create high-resolution images, enabling the probing of internal structures in metal objects and biological materials. The device could improve existing neutron imaging systems by a factor of 50, allowing for sharper images and smaller instruments.
Early research shows that an investigational norovirus vaccine can reduce the main symptoms of gastrointestinal infection, such as vomiting and diarrhea, by 52 percent. The vaccine targets two common genotypes of norovirus and appears to be well-tolerated.
Research reveals Einstein's corpus callosum had more extensive connections compared to younger and older control groups, indicating potential contributions to his intelligence.
A study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention found that walking for at least seven hours a week reduced breast cancer risk by 14% in postmenopausal women. Women who engaged in vigorous physical activity daily had a 25% lower risk of breast cancer.
The study suggests that tree-like structures in lungs minimize energy losses and optimize proximity to alveoli, allowing efficient oxygen delivery. This evolutionary process led to the development of mammalian respiration, distinct from fish-style breathing.
Stem cells can be engineered as targeted drug factories to deliver anti-inflammatory molecules to sites of inflammation, reducing swelling. The approach uses modified messenger RNA to stimulate cell production and secretion, overcoming previous limitations such as rapid clearance.
The San Diego Supercomputer Center has been awarded a $12-million grant to deploy the 'Comet' petascale supercomputer, designed to expand access and capacity among traditional and non-traditional research domains. The system will provide nearly two petaflops of peak performance, supporting a broader range of researchers.
The program aims to inform the public about aging concerns such as palliative care, healthcare abuses, and retirement challenges. The selected fellows will develop a major aging-focused story or series during GSA's annual scientific meeting in New Orleans.
Researchers at Rutgers University have identified chemical agents that block the ability of flu viruses to replicate in cells. The compounds show promise for a new class of antiviral medicines to fight pandemic influenza outbreaks, such as H5N1 and H7N9.
A new study finds that high carbon dioxide levels in the ancient atmosphere may have counteracted the effects of a weak young Sun, allowing life to thrive on Earth. The researchers used tiny air samples trapped in quartz rocks to reconstruct the atmosphere's composition, finding higher-than-expected CO2 levels.
Researchers have mapped and modeled EUV emission from a droplet-based plasma, uncovering a previously untapped source of extreme ultraviolet light. This discovery could improve the efficiency of semiconductor lithography, enabling the creation of smaller and more complex integrated circuits.
A new study links moderate physical activity to lower breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women. Women who engaged in regular activities such as walking had a 14% lower risk and those with higher activity levels had a 25% lower risk compared to inactive women.
Researchers have developed a technique for injecting therapeutics into the nipple to target breast cancer in its most common origin. This method could reduce side effects and enhance effective drug levels, making it a promising treatment option.
Researchers at the University of South Carolina have developed a graphene oxide membrane less than 2 nanometers thick with high permeation selectivity between hydrogen and carbon dioxide gas molecules. The team's method allows for uniform coverage without inter-flake leaks, enabling thinner membranes that can efficiently separate gases.
Researchers at the WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition found that overweight dogs in middle age have a shorter life expectancy, with some breeds facing significant reductions. The study examined data from over 5,000 dogs and found that being overweight can have long-term consequences for a dog's lifespan.
A recent study has re-evaluated the effect of nitric oxide on lateral root formation, finding that this molecule can both promote and inhibit root branching. The study utilizes a new parameter for measuring lateral root density and demonstrates the importance of considering the timing of root initiation.
The MIT researchers' new system of self-assembling robots uses a surprisingly simple scheme to overcome the complexity of traditional modular robot designs. By giving up on static stability and leveraging clever engineering, they create cubes that can climb, roll, and even move while suspended upside down.
Researchers developed a new photodiode that can detect the entire range of UVC light while remaining insensitive to visible light from the sun. This device is solar blind and has minimal dark current, making it useful for tracking ozone depletion and communication in space.
A study by Yale researchers found that Medicare spent $447 million annually on PSA-based screenings for prostate cancer, with most of it going to men over 75. The cost variation was mainly due to follow-up tests, not the use of the PSA itself.