The study found no significant differences in cumulative safety and efficacy measures between biolimus-releasing stents with a degradable coating (BES) and everolimus-releasing stents with a durable polymer (EES). Biodegradable coatings have been shown to reduce late clinical problems associated with permanent polymers.
Researchers discovered several novel genetic defects that cause oesophageal squamous carcinoma, a type of aggressive cancer prevalent in Singapore and Southeast Asia. The study provides insight into the molecular basis of this disease and potential new therapies for treatment.
Tropical Cyclone Hellen made landfall in west central Madagascar, with powerful thunderstorms and cloud top temperatures exceeding -63F/-52C. The storm developed in the Mozambique Channel and rapidly intensified into a Category IV cyclone before making landfall.
Berkeley Lab researchers found that hybrid cars are significantly more fuel-efficient in India and China than in the United States. In India, hybrids use up to 47-48% less fuel, while in China, they use up to 53-55%. The study's findings have important implications for countries with growing personal vehicle markets like India.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a tool to identify mutations that make the flu virus resistant to Tamiflu. By analyzing the genetic code of the virus, they discovered new mutations that may render the current treatment ineffective, highlighting the need for further investigation.
A new study reveals that defective ribosomes are the root cause of human diseases, starting with anemia and bone marrow failure early in life. As quality control systems fail, more ribosomes become available, leading to changes in gene expression patterns that can result in cancer.
Researchers at Duke University have successfully grown lab-grown muscle that demonstrates self-healing properties, integrating into mice quickly and contracting powerfully. The breakthrough, led by Nenad Bursac, uses well-developed contractile muscle fibers and satellite cells to create a microenvironment for regeneration.
A JAMA study finds that biodegradable polymer biolimus-eluting stents (BP-BES) have similar safety outcomes to durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents (DP-EES) after two years, with noninferiority found for death and heart attack rates. The rates of target-lesion revascularization were also noninferior between the groups.
The American Geosciences Institute has announced two new recipients of the Wallace Scholarship, a prestigious award supporting female geoscience students. Elizabeth Denis and Kelly Deuerling will receive $5,000 each for their first year of study, with the potential for additional funding in subsequent years.
Using mobile phones loaded with tobacco screening guidelines prompted nurses to screen patients for tobacco use in 84% of clinic visits and offer cessation counseling to 99% of smokers, according to a study from Columbia University School of Nursing.
Researchers found that mortality begins to increase at an occupancy level of 92.5%, indicating the safety tipping point for hospitals. For critically ill patients, high occupancy levels significantly increase the risk of dying in hospital.
A large study published in BMJ reveals that anti-anxiety drugs and sleeping pills are associated with a doubling in the risk of mortality. The researchers emphasize the need for careful use of these medications, recommending alternative options such as cognitive behavioral therapy to minimize their side effects.
Senior lecturer Felicity Mellor highlights the role of silence in physics history, citing Newton's isolated work and Heisenberg's retreat to Heligoland. She questions whether modern-day scientists have control over communication levels, arguing that a balance between silence and collaboration is key.
Researchers found that Wen Dan Tang significantly reduced insomnia-related anxiety in a sleep-deprived rat model. The traditional Chinese Medicine remedy also prevented decreased Ghrelin levels following sleep deprivation and increased Ghrelin receptor mRNA expression in the hypothalamus.
A rigorous clinical trial found that metformin did not preserve left ventricular function in non-diabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction. The study suggests that the commonly used glucose regulator is not beneficial for protecting against heart failure after a heart attack.
Data from satellite sensors reveal the Midwest region of the United States boasts more photosynthetic activity than any other spot on Earth, according to NASA and university scientists. The magnitude of fluorescent glow emitted by plants is an excellent indicator of gross productivity.
A study comparing heparin and bivalirudin found that patients treated with heparin had significantly fewer major cardiovascular events at 28 days compared to those receiving bivalirudin. Heparin was also shown to reduce repeat heart attacks caused by stent thrombosis.
A study by Women's College Hospital found that asking patients to audit healthcare professional hand hygiene compliance resulted in high marks. Patients were able to accurately observe and record hand hygiene practices with an 86.7% match rate, leading to increased motivation among providers.
A University of Huddersfield historian's research reveals that Britain's hospital services were highly developed in the 1920s and 1930s, particularly in Leeds and Sheffield. The study highlights the importance of local priorities and disparate standards in shaping healthcare, which has implications for current debates on the NHS.
A new assessment tool for young adults with sickle cell disease has been developed to gauge their readiness for adult care. The tool, which was found to be effective in pinpointing areas of need, includes a comprehensive guidebook addressing personal concerns and knowledge gaps.
A study found that African-American city police officers are rarely depicted as leading characters in films and when they are, they are overwhelmingly portrayed as comedic entertainment. The researchers argue that this perpetuates negative stereotypes and may impact public perceptions of African-American officers.
Researchers found that a vitamin A derivative, retinoic acid, can reverse the changes in pre-cancerous breast cells, making them resemble normal cells. However, this treatment has no effect on fully developed cancer cells. The study's findings suggest that there may be a narrow window of opportunity for this treatment to be effective.
Patients given aspirin after non-heart-related surgery had a higher risk of serious bleeding than those who did not receive aspirin. Aspirin did not reduce incidence of post-operative heart attacks and death, according to data from POISE-2.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a computational model that maps 21 distinct emotional expressions, including compound emotions like 'happily surprised' or 'sadly angry'. This breakthrough enables precise tracking of emotion in the brain and has potential applications in treating disorders such as PTSD or autism.
A new device simulates the human gut and its pH gradients to test drug absorption, reducing clinical trial costs. This breakthrough could lead to more affordable medicines with reduced development costs passed on to customers.
A new study by IIASA researchers suggests that delaying climate policies could lead to up to 37% of global investment in coal power plants being stranded, with China and India bearing most of the costs. The study explores strategies to reduce stranded capacity, including avoiding new plant construction, shifting to other power sources,...
Two new genes, FBXO31 and METTL23, have been identified as contributors to intellectual disability. The studies provide insights into the genetic factors underlying this complex condition.
A study published in Neural Regeneration Research found that early rehabilitation significantly improved sensory function, motor function, and activity of daily living in pediatric children with spinal tumors. The research suggests that rehabilitation programs initiated earlier are effective in achieving functional independency levels ...
Researchers used diffusion tensor imaging to evaluate the effects of mild hypothermia on diffuse axonal injury. They found that mild hypothermia therapy may be beneficial for patients with this type of injury, resulting in a 1.36 times higher fractional anisotropy value compared to the normothermia group.
An international team of researchers found that a nanoparticle trapped with laser light temporarily violates the second law of thermodynamics, allowing it to release heat to hotter surroundings. This rare event occurs due to the non-equilibrium state created by cooling the nanoparticle below the surrounding gas temperature.
A study at a large academic community hospital system found that an increasing workload for hospitalists was associated with increased length of stay and costs, despite not affecting mortality or patient satisfaction. The results suggest that incentives aimed at increasing workload may lead to inefficient and costly care.
A study found that heat waves in Montreal increased the risk of early-term delivery by 17-27%, with nearly 20,000 births occurring after a day when temperatures reached 32°C or higher. This may lead to increased morbidity in newborns, particularly those born at 37-38 weeks.
A Baylor University study found that materialists are less happy and have lower self-esteem because they struggle with gratitude. The study, which analyzed 246 marketing students, suggests that focusing on others in a positive way is essential for good health and happiness.
Researchers identified highly conserved non-coding sequences in plant genomes, associated with basic biological processes like development and gene regulation. These findings suggest that non-coding DNA can have important functions beyond protein encoding.
Research suggests that maintaining healthy blood pressure, sugar levels, and cholesterol as a young adult may help prevent cognitive decline in mid-life. A 25-year study of 3,381 participants found that those with higher risk factors scored lower on cognitive function tests in their 40s and 50s.
Research reveals that only 10% of online NSSI websites are endorsed by health institutions, with the majority spreading myths and inaccuracies. The study highlights the need for credible sites to be prioritized in search results and for users to be educated on how to evaluate e-health information.
Gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy surgeries show significant improvement in glycemic control, weight loss, and cardiovascular risk factors compared to intensive medical therapy. Patients undergoing surgery also experience reduced reliance on medications and improved quality of life measures.
Researchers at Uppsala University have developed a paper filter that can remove virus particles with efficiency matching the best industrial filters. The filter uses 100% high purity cellulose nanofibers directly derived from nature, overcoming previous limitations in virus removal.
A study by Dartmouth researchers found that fast food giants' advertisements for healthier kids' meals frequently go unnoticed by young viewers. Only one-half of the target audience correctly identified milk in McDonald's ads and sliced apples in Burger King's ads, highlighting poor communication about nutritional value.
Researchers developed a hydrogel that delivers enzyme inhibitors to damaged heart tissue, minimizing long-term damage and improving heart function. The gel's responsive design allows it to release inhibitors in response to the activity level of the enzyme.
Scientists at the University of Bonn identified Creld1 as a crucial gene for heart valve development in mice, which also functions similarly in humans. This discovery may lead to improved diagnosis of unidentified heart valve diseases and better understanding of cardiac development.
A Johns Hopkins study reveals that long-term HIV infections increase the risk of plaque buildup in coronary arteries, regardless of other risk factors. The researchers found noncalcified and partly calcified plaques more prevalent in HIV-infected men, suggesting a higher risk of heart attacks.
Scientists have created artificial nanostructures called metamaterials that can bend light, enabling the creation of larger pieces of material with engineered optical properties. This breakthrough has the potential to produce practical devices for real-life applications, such as fighter jets remaining invisible from detection systems.
Saint Louis University's medical school curriculum changes have reduced depression rates from 27% to 11% and anxiety from 55% to 31% among first-year students. The new curriculum focuses on stress reduction, resilience training, and mindfulness.
Researchers identify two distinct types of cells responsible for different breast cancer subtypes, shedding light on the origins of breast cancer diversity. This breakthrough discovery has the potential to revolutionize personalized treatment for patients, reducing unnecessary treatments and improving outcomes.
A new study predicts that 12% of land will experience drought by 2100 due to rainfall changes alone, but this number increases to 30% with consideration of evaporative drying. The warming climate may lead to food-price shocks and water scarcity in regions like the US, China, and Africa.
A new study by Iowa State University found that limiting screen time yields multiple benefits for children, including improved sleep, academic performance, and reduced aggressive behavior. The study suggests that parents can make a significant impact on their children's health outcomes by setting limits on screen time and media content.
A new study of older men found that poor sleep quality is associated with a 40-50% increase in the odds of clinically significant decline in executive function. Sleep fragmentation and lower sleep efficiency were key predictors of cognitive decline.
A study analyzing over 1 million prescription drug posts reveals that health-focused social networks, such as WebMD and Drugs.com, have more negative sentiment than general social networks like Twitter and Google+. The researchers also found that specific drugs, like Viagra and Abilify, are more popular on certain types of platforms.
A six-year study of 400 individuals aged 80-98 found that those with hearing loss became less outgoing, while emotional stability remained constant. The researchers attribute this change to a decrease in social interaction quality, which can affect relationships and overall wellbeing.
A recent study found that clinical trials often report adverse events less frequently on government websites compared to peer-reviewed medical journals. Inconsistent reporting of primary outcomes and deaths also occurred, highlighting the need for more comprehensive information on ClinicalTrials.gov.
A new Rutgers study suggests that statin medication can not only lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke but also improve a man's erectile function. The researchers found that older men with poor cardiovascular health, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome often experience erectile dysfunction.
A study of 882 HIV-infected prisoners found that treating inmates for HIV while incarcerated helped a majority achieve viral suppression by release. Most prisoners achieved viral suppression regardless of age, race, or ART regimen type.
Outcomes of TAVR in real-world settings show comparable results to clinical trials, but specific patient characteristics affect mortality and stroke rates. Baseline factors like age, gender, and kidney function influence outcomes.
A study of over 65,000 adults found that consuming at least seven daily portions of fruit and vegetables was associated with a lower risk of death. The analysis revealed that eating more than five daily portions may be needed to reap the full benefits, and that processed fruits may even increase the risk of death.
Researchers at the University of Otago have created a system that can precisely split minute clouds of ultracold atoms into 32 daughter clouds. The 'optical tweezers' unit uses intense laser beams to manipulate and control the atoms, enabling new tools for probing microscopic structures.
A new study published in AIDS Care found that pressure from counselors and perceived ineffectiveness of interventions can deter young adults from returning for follow-up sessions. The study suggests that tailoring interventions to individual needs, including delivering personalized information about HIV risk, can improve retention rates.
A worldwide study of 7,500 patients found that giving steroids during bypass surgery does not improve health outcomes and may increase the risk of heart attack. The study challenges a decades-long practice in cardiac surgery, suggesting that steroids should not be used prophylactically.
Novel proteins in gonorrhea bacteria may offer a way to attack the survival and spread of the disease. These proteins are essential for growth and survival, making them a promising target for vaccine development or new drug treatments.
A study found that increased parental monitoring of children's media use is associated with reduced screen time, resulting in better sleep, academic performance and behavior. The results also show a lower body mass index (BMI) and less exposure to violence on TV and video games.