A study by American Society for Radiation Oncology found that proton therapy can prevent costly side effects in children with medulloblastoma, making it both cost-effective and cost-saving compared to photon therapy. Proton therapy reduced the risk of hearing loss, secondary malignancy, and heart failure.
A multi-institutional study found that sulfasalazine does not reduce diarrhea in patients receiving pelvic radiation therapy, and may even increase the risk. The study, which enrolled 87 patients, used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design to evaluate the effectiveness of sulfasalazine versus placebo.
A team of UCLA scientists successfully modeled and explained the unprecedented behavior of a previously unknown third radiation ring around Earth. The region was found to consist of different populations driven by various physical processes, with ultra-relativistic electrons posing significant hazards to satellites.
Researchers found that alefacept preserved the body's ability to produce its own insulin, with fewer episodes of hypoglycemia, while selectively targeting disease-causing T cells. The study suggests a potential new strategy for treating type 1 diabetes by restoring balance between immune cells.
A new study found that artificial sweeteners are less effective at reducing calorie intake because they don't provide the same energy reward as sugars. The brain prefers sugars over artificial sweeteners due to the release of dopamine, a chemical necessary for reward signalling.
A randomized controlled trial of 147 women with stage IIIB cervical cancer found that adding cisplatin to radiation therapy and high-dose-rate brachytherapy improved disease-free survival and reduced late toxicity, while maintaining acceptable acute toxicity levels.
Studies published in PLOS ONE reveal epigenetic changes in boys with chronic aggressive behavior, related to the prenatal environment and self-control genes. The research suggests that these changes may be reversed through preventive intervention from an early age.
Researchers used the 2009 pandemic to study why some people resisted severe illness, finding that those with more virus-killing immune cells were protected. A vaccine targeting these cells could prevent flu viruses from causing serious disease.
Patients under 50 years old have improved OS after SRS, with no greater risk of new brain metastases. SRS alone is a favorable first-line therapeutic option for younger patients.
This study uses ecological niche factor analysis to predict amphibian richness hotspots in Southern and Central China, providing insights into potential conservation strategies. The research estimates diversity over spatial quadrates incorporating climatic and geophysical information.
A Northwestern University study found that fear memories can be reduced in people by exposing them to the memory over and over again while they slept. This breakthrough potentially offers a new way to enhance daytime treatment of phobias through exposure therapy with a nighttime component.
Researchers create sensory illusion where subjects believe an artificial finger is their own, finding that brain uses muscle signals alone to build body representation. The discovery provides insight into clinical conditions like stroke, schizophrenia, and phantom limb syndrome.
Researchers have identified exactly how propofol interacts with brain cells to achieve a pain-free state. The study's findings may help design new versions of the drug that reduce risks and improve patient safety. By understanding how propofol works, scientists can develop alternative anesthetics with fewer side effects.
A team of researchers at the Vienna University of Technology has created a new class of thermoelectric materials with exceptional properties. The material's unique crystal structure and trapped magnetic atoms create a high voltage when hot and cold objects are connected, making it more efficient than previous materials.
Researchers identified propofol's binding site on brain cells, paving the way for the development of new anesthetics. The study's findings could lead to safer and more effective treatments with fewer side effects.
A phase II study found that alefacept treatment significantly reduced insulin use and hypoglycemic events in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetics. The therapy targeted memory T-cells, preserving regulatory T-cells.
Researchers discovered that mothers show increased activation in the dopaminergic system of the caudate nucleus when exposed to newborn odors, a key finding suggesting biological underpinnings for maternal functions. The study's results imply a neural response linked to maternal status.
The ASTRO/AUA joint guideline offers clinical principles and recommendations for radiation therapy use in patients with and without evidence of prostate cancer recurrence. The guideline is based on a comprehensive review of 324 research articles and provides detailed efficacy data for patients with detectable and undetectable PSA levels.
A study of 70 pediatric patients treated with proton therapy found high local control rates (83%) and overall survival (95%), with subtotal resection correlated to decreased cognitive and endocrine outcomes. Few patients developed growth hormone deficiency, hypothyroidism or hearing loss.
A new technique for single-cell analysis of gene expression, named Smart-seq2, has been developed to identify rare cell subpopulations in tumors. This method captures three to four times as many RNA molecules as current methods, allowing for a more granular analysis of how subtle differences contribute to biology and disease.
Researchers at USC have discovered a novel regulatory factor, UVRAG, that coordinates trafficking of proteins between the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus and autophagy. This finding offers a new avenue to investigate anti-cancer agents targeting UVRAG and/or the ER-Golgi pathway.
A new nanotube surface could improve the success rate of dental implants by reducing infection and promoting bone growth. The technology, developed by Michigan Technological University researchers, uses titanium dioxide nanotubes to create a surface that can combat bacterial infections and promote healing.
Researchers from Cambridge University have devised a simple technique to grow carbon nanotubes at five times higher density than previous methods, enabling the potential replacement of metal electronic components in devices such as batteries and spacecraft.
Recent studies published in Lithosphere explore the tectonic history of ancient mountain chains, including the Central Iberian Massif, Arctic Alaska, and the Wet Mountains of Colorado. These findings shed light on the deformation mechanisms and crustal-scale magmatism across these regions.
Researchers at University of Otago discover key cellular location of kisspeptin-Gpr54 signalling, crucial for fertility. The study reveals that targeting this signalling can enable new therapies for infertility and approaches to controlling fertility.
A recent study published in Cell Reports identified a protein called RIP1 as a key regulator of cell division and death in glioblastoma cells. The researchers found that switching off RIP1 can inhibit the growth of these aggressive brain tumors, offering new hope for treatment options.
Supertyphoon Usagi's rapid intensification by 65 knots in just 24 hours is more than twice the threshold for defining such an event. The storm's well-organized structure and efficient heat engine contribute to its extreme behavior.
A recent study published in The Review of Higher Education found that followers play a crucial role in shaping organizational leadership practices. Through grounded theory research, Dr. Michael Owens discovered that students' participation in program leadership is not just about receiving benefits but also about giving back to the orga...
Researchers in Singapore create conductive nano-filaments in amorphous titanium dioxide thin films for resistive switching applications. The high density of uniformly distributed nano-filaments implies the possibility of making high-density memory cells, offering great advantages over current technology.
A team of U-M neuroscientists reports that SIRP alpha plays a critical role in stabilizing the most active synaptic connections between brain cells. This finding may aid research on conditions like autism, schizophrenia, and intellectual disability, which are linked to abnormal synapse function.
Researchers at Aarhus University have described the structure of the sodium-bound state of the pump, a vital enzyme in all human cells. This knowledge is essential for understanding the matter and energy balance and developing new medicines targeting the pump.
The NASA HS3 mission has revealed that Tropical Storm Humberto had a hybrid core structure, characterized by both warm and cold cores at different levels. This discovery provides new insights into the processes underlying hurricane formation and intensity change in the Atlantic Ocean basin.
Three new species of Oreophryne frogs are described from Papua New Guinea, with total body lengths of around 20 mm. The discovery brings the number of Oreophryne species reported from the north-coast region to seven, with many more remaining to be described.
Researchers found that certain personality characteristics, such as neuroticism and openness to experience, are correlated with increased use of expensive health care services like emergency room visits and nursing home stays. By understanding these patterns, healthcare providers can develop targeted interventions to reduce costs and i...
A new genus of rat has been discovered in the Halmahera Island of Indonesia, highlighting the large amount of unknown biodiversity in the region and its conservation importance. The species, named Halmaheramys bokimekot, features unique characteristics and supports Wallace's idea of an important faunal breakup in this region.
Researchers analyzed data from four randomized trials to determine the most effective high-intensity training programme for CHD patients. VO2max increased by 11.9% after an average of 23.4 training sessions, with intensity above 92% HRmax showing greater effects.
The Arctic sea ice minimum extent for 2013 reached 1.97 million square miles, the sixth lowest on record, due to a late start of the melt season and cooler temperatures. The remaining sea ice cover is much thinner than it was in previous decades, with an average thickness of only 6.2 feet.
Researchers used a special microscope to reveal how nanostructures contain damage within microscopic cavities, allowing trees to seal off damaged cells. The bordered pits are filled with a mesh membrane of nanofibrils that radiate from a thickened central region, controlling sap flow and protecting trees.
A researcher at UT Arlington is working on a new method using nanoparticles to recruit stem cells and build needed stents in failing blood vessels. The goal is to treat peripheral artery disease, which affects about 8 million Americans, with a less invasive approach that could save patients' lives.
The University of Calgary has launched the Institute for Quantum Science and Technology (IQST), a unit dedicated to research, training, and outreach in quantum science. The IQST will focus on key research themes such as quantum optics, quantum information, and nanotechnology, with a goal of advancing transformative technology.
A recent study suggests that men's stronger sexual impulses are a key factor in their higher rates of infidelity. Men experienced stronger impulses to pursue attractive partners, regardless of whether it was considered 'good' or 'bad', whereas women were more likely to exert self-control and resist these temptations.
Researchers have closed the genetic map of the fungal kingdom by sequencing the genome of Pyronema confluens, a basal filamentous ascomycete. The study reveals key differences between this species and higher ascomycetes, shedding light on the evolution of mating type genes and light-activated processes.
Researchers discovered that Baka pygmies have a low incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection, contradicting the assumption of an ancient bacterial population. The bacteria instead appear to be recent re-infections from neighboring populations.
A new research chair will focus on developing innovative strategies for preventing and treating Alzheimer's disease, including early detection tools and less toxic therapeutic molecules. The goal is to improve patient quality of life and alleviate symptoms rather than control the disease.
A new study published in the Journal of Food Protection shows that heat generated during composting is adequate for eliminating human pathogens from mushroom substrates. The findings minimize the effects of federal produce standards on the mushroom industry.
Researchers developed a microfluidic device to study cancer cell extravasation, the process by which cells escape blood vessels. The device revealed that most arrested cells are trapped and eventually squeeze through, with their nuclei escaping even earlier than expected. Understanding this process can help identify therapies to preven...
The American Geosciences Institute released two reports on the effects of a workshop for underrepresented minority individuals seeking careers in academia. The workshop exposed attendees to federal-level resources, professional societies' offerings, and leadership opportunities, leading to positive changes in their behavior.
A new imaging technique, MRE, can accurately detect fibrosis in children with chronic liver disease, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The study showed high accuracy in detecting advanced fibrosis in obese patients, potentially reducing the need for costly and invasive liver biopsies.
A recent study found that inherited human herpesvirus 6 in telomeres can lead to unstable viral genomes and increased risk of reactivation. This research has significant implications for transplant patients who are often immunosuppressed, highlighting the need for screening donors for this inherited form of HHV-6.
Researchers at A*STAR have discovered a new personalized treatment strategy that utilizes a patient's own blood to treat chronic infections. By harnessing the power of monocytes, white blood cells can capture and utilize viruses to boost the immune response.
Rice University researchers are developing a customized, energy-efficient optical network called BOLD to handle the growing amounts of data in various scientific fields. The new network will utilize optical switches with high capacity and low power consumption, enabling faster processing and analysis of large datasets.
Researchers discovered that prostacyclin analogs and PDE5 inhibitors synergistically stimulate enhanced ATP release from human red blood cells, a potent vasodilator. This finding has implications for the development of new treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
The ESMO Designated Centres programme has seen a significant increase in new applications, with 37 successful new entrants in 2013. The programme aims to promote integrated oncology and palliative care services for cancer patients and has been highly successful, with over 160 centres recognized globally.
Researchers found that neurofeedback techniques can improve whole-brain signal-to-noise ratio, allowing for clearer thought and concentration. This technology has implications for brain rehabilitation and treatment of disorders such as traumatic injury or stroke.
The TRMM satellite has observed heavy rainfall and banding of thunderstorms around System 98W in the northwestern Pacific, indicating potential consolidation into a tropical depression. The system is expected to become a tropical depression within 24 hours as it moves northwards.
Researchers analyzed blood samples from over 1800 participants and found that specific DNA segments were associated with altered metabolic processes. The study provides new insights into how lifestyle factors impact metabolism via epigenetic changes.
Researchers at UC Davis have found evidence that Neandertals, not modern humans, made the first specialized bone tools in Europe. The discoveries were made by undergraduate student Naomi Martisius and her adviser Teresa E. Steele, who identified the tools as part of a decade-long excavation project.
Super-Typhoon Usagi is a powerful storm that has affected the Philippines and Taiwan with heavy rain and strong winds. NASA's TRMM and Aqua satellites captured detailed images of the storm's eye and cloud structure, revealing strong thunderstorms and rainfall rates of over 5.5 inches per hour.
Hurricane Manuel brought intense rainfall to northwestern Mexico, causing destruction, and its remnants streamed into southwestern Texas, bringing showers and thunderstorms. Rainfall rates reached up to 2 inches per hour, with potential for heavy rain and mudslides.
Researchers found that polar bears have switched to sub-Arctic seals with higher contaminant loads, which contradicts the expected improvement in their condition. The shift is linked to climate change and the melting of Arctic sea ice, posing long-term risks to the polar bears' access to food.