Researchers found that individuals with private insurance were more likely to secure a new-patient appointment with a primary care physician compared to those with Medicaid or no insurance. The study suggests that the primary care system may struggle to handle increased demand from ACA coverage expansions, highlighting the need for pol...
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that cognitive impairment affects seniors in both nursing homes and the community, with patients lacking advance directives receiving aggressive care. Advance care planning is essential to ensure desired treatments are followed.
Researchers found that integrating URI education into Early Head Start programs led to a decline in pediatric emergency visits and adverse care practices among predominantly Latino families. The intervention showed promise in addressing health literacy gaps, with significant reductions in over-the-counter medication misuse.
A study found that teenage drivers with a higher response to stress, as measured by cortisol levels, had lower crash and near-crash rates. Cortisol levels were measured at baseline and over time from saliva samples, and in-vehicle cameras and sensors allowed continuous observation of driving.
A team of researchers in Kenya and Brown University will test a community-based breastfeeding support initiative with a $450,000 grant. The three-year pilot aims to improve nutrition and health status among 1,000 mother-child pairs in rural Igembe North.
The I-SPY 2 trial found that neratinib-based treatment improved outcomes for women with newly diagnosed, high-risk breast cancer. The adaptive randomization algorithm successfully identified patient subgroups likely to benefit from the regimen.
A new study explains how DNA methylation protects duplicate genes, allowing them to evolve into new cellular functions. The research found that young duplicate genes are heavily methylated, shielding them from natural selection.
A new study by Brown University researchers found that hospital attending physicians' specialties are linked to the likelihood of patients receiving gastric feeding tubes, which is not recommended for frail, terminal patients. The study analyzed tens of thousands of cases over a decade and found that patients cared for by primary care ...
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have discovered a new binding site on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARG) that could lead to improved insulin-sensitizing drugs. This alternative site may provide clues to the adverse effects of existing anti-diabetic medications, such as bone loss and congestive heart failure.
A study published in Neurobiology of Aging has found a connection between the integrity of white matter connections in the brain and cognitive health in adults with Down syndrome. The research team identified biomarkers connected to dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, which could potentially lead to earlier intervention and retard...
A study reveals that nearly one-third of ADHD-diagnosed foster care youth aged 2-17 received atypical antipsychotics, highlighting a critical trend in pediatric psychiatry. The most common medications given were risperidone, aripiprazole, and quetiapine.
A recent study examined the impact of state Medicaid expansions on perceived access to care and emergency department use among enrollees. The results showed no evidence that expanding Medicaid coverage eroded access to care or increased ED use, contrary to previous concerns.
A Dream Team led by Elizabeth Jaffee and Robert Vonderheide aims to exploit patients' own immune cells to treat pancreatic cancer. The team will use vaccination and other agents to activate antitumor immune cells and convert the tumor microenvironment into a fostered rejection environment.
Bacteria have been found to possess a surprisingly flexible immune system that can recognize and neutralize viruses and other foreign DNA invaders. This adaptive immunity, termed CRISPR-Cas, allows bacteria to store genetic memories of past infections and respond quickly to future exposures.
Researchers discovered an ancestor of modern crustaceans with a sophisticated cardiovascular system, including a heart and blood vessels. The finding sheds light on the evolution of body organization in the animal kingdom and suggests that even ancient creatures had internal systems similar to those found in their modern descendants.
Research reveals that Chinese ethnicity is a stronger factor than culture in determining eye movement patterns, contrary to previous reports. The study found that similar numbers of British Chinese and mainland Chinese participants made high numbers of express saccades.
Uninsured low-income adults in non-expansion states have delayed healthcare, emergency department visits, and multiple health conditions. Those in expansion states also experience poor health, but to a lesser extent. The study highlights the benefits of Medicaid expansion for those in need.
A new method using existing ultrasound scanners allows doctors to accurately detect prostate cancer with much greater precision, reducing the need for painful biopsies. The technique saves money by eliminating costly biopsy analysis and can potentially eliminate biopsies altogether.
The iPad application is used to streamline behavior mapping, a research technique that records children's interactions in natural settings to assess their science skills and interests. The app allows for flexible data collection and upload, ensuring the safety of participant data.
A research team led by Ellis L. Reinherz and Robert I. Haddad will focus on developing new vaccines and immunotherapeutic approaches to improve outcomes for patients with HPV-driven cancers who have relapsed after initial therapy. The grant aims to provide a novel approach to treating this population.
A study found that catch-and-release angling creates a window of opportunity for brood predators to consume young largemouth bass. After being caught and released, the male takes an average of 30 minutes to return to its nest, allowing predators to quickly exploit the vulnerability.
An analysis of childhood obesity estimates lifetime medical costs at $19,000 per child and $12,900 when considering adult weight gain, totaling $14 billion for obese US children aged 10.
Children who engage in 'green exercise' while cycling experience lower post-activity blood pressure compared to those without visual stimulus. The study suggests that nature scenes promote positive health effects, potentially encouraging public health practitioners to prescribe outdoor exercise.
A study found that primary care providers were capable of accepting new patients prior to the start of the Affordable Care Act coverage expansions, with median wait times under one week. However, Medicaid patients faced significant barriers, with only 58% of practices offering an appointment.
A study found that genes amplify stress from harsh environments for some children, while supportive environments help mitigate this effect. The research used telomere length as a biomarker of stress and showed that genetic pathways play a role in the stress response.
Melbourne researchers solved a puzzle on how an essential hormone stimulates platelet production. They found that bone marrow cells can become overstimulated and produce too many platelets, leading to blood diseases such as essential thrombocythemia.
Researchers have found that caffeine can positively affect tau deposits in Alzheimer's disease, improving spatial memory and reducing pathogenic processes in genetically altered mice. The study suggests a new class of drugs may be developed for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease using an A2A antagonist.
Research warns of a potential catastrophic epidemic in the Americas due to chikungunya's high transmission rates. The FIFA World Cup is expected to bring more people together, increasing the risk of disease spread.
Silibinin from milk thistle extract reduces self-renewal of colorectal cancer stem cells, affecting cell signaling associated with inflammation. The compound also decreases levels of CSC self-renewal-promoting mRNAs.
The updated guidelines emphasize a multidisciplinary approach to care, targeting growth, neurocognitive development, quality of life, and risk for complications. Children's Mercy Hospital has led the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children study, identifying factors that lead to kidney disease progression in children.
Researchers have successfully elucidated the complete upstream segment of the terpenoid indole alkaloid biosynthesis pathway in tobacco plants, paving the way for cost-effective production of diverse therapeutic compounds. The technology developed can be utilized to produce other valuable plant-derived compounds.
A team from the University of Michigan examines state-by-state navigation of the politics of health reform in a new JAMA article. The analysis shows signs of an emerging middle way toward reducing the ranks of the uninsured, with 11 states expanding Medicaid and going with federal or partnership exchanges, including six led by Republic...
A study found that restaurant chefs and food purchasing managers prefer buying local foods with quick response times, accurate labeling, and training staff on local food handling. This was revealed in a Penn State research project investigating management's attitudes toward purchasing locally grown foods.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have defined potential treatment targets for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a previously incurable form of pediatric brain cancer. The team identified three subgroups of DIPG with distinct molecular features, providing hope for future patients.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have created a novel method for controlling serotonin receptors using light, which could lead to more effective treatments for anxiety disorders. By utilizing optogenetic tools, the scientists were able to modulate mouse emotional behavior and reduce anxiety-like behaviors.
A new study from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health found a doubled risk of developing autism and Asperger's syndrome if a father is obese compared to a normal-weight father. The researchers also found that maternal obesity had little association with the development of autism in children.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that laboratory chamber walls can suppress the formation of secondary organic aerosol in the atmosphere. This effect has contributed to underpredictions of SOA concentrations in regional air quality models, which impacts air quality and climate.
A new study from IIASA and the University of Vienna suggests that soil microbes can break down organic matter more efficiently, emitting fewer carbon dioxide emissions. This finding has significant implications for understanding climate feedbacks and the role of soil in the global carbon cycle.
Researchers have discovered a way of reducing the fertility of malaria-carrying mosquitoes by targeting an enzyme called HPX15. This could provide a new tactic to combat the disease, potentially leading to a reduction in the number of malaria-carrying mosquitoes in circulation.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have developed a highly sensitive and specific blood test that can accurately identify stage-1 lung cancer patients and detect rare cancer mutations. The CAPP-Seq technique analyzes tumor DNA in the blood to provide non-invasive monitoring of cancer progression and treatment responses.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a technique to identify amino acids, including subtly modified variants, by analyzing electrical activity signals. This breakthrough advances the prospect of clinical protein sequencing and discovery of new biomarkers for diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's.
Researchers have found several molecular alterations that drive the cancer, including mutations and epigenetic changes. The study identifies potential new targets for drug treatments, including existing drugs that could block specific mutations.
Researchers developed an optical diode with nonreciprocal light transmission, eliminating backflow of light. The device enhances light transmission in one direction, leading to faster and cooler computers.
Researchers from Fox Chase Cancer Center found that NEDD9 protein activates oncogenic signaling pathways in cancer cells, encouraging metastases. The study suggests the protein plays an important role in initial development and dissemination of ovarian cancer.
Researchers use optogenetics to study skin cells called Merkel cells, which play a crucial role in sensing fine details and textures. The discovery may lead to the development of new prosthetics and treatments for skin diseases.
A clinical trial found that six months of hormone therapy added to radiotherapy significantly reduces the risk of prostate cancer relapse and progression. Men who received both treatments had a nearly 50% lower risk of biochemical progression compared to those treated with radiotherapy alone.
Research published in Diabetologia suggests Sweden may have 2-3 times more adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes than estimated. The study used a new method to estimate incidence rates among young people, finding a significant disparity between previous estimates.
A gene therapy approach using adeno-associated virus (AAV) successfully treated heart disease in mice with Friedreich's ataxia, restoring full functionality to the hearts. The treatment, which introduced a normal copy of the FXN gene, prevented the development of heart disease and even fully cured advanced-stage cases.
Researchers develop a technique to trick prostate cancer cells into using more glucose for imaging via PET scans, reducing the need for repeated biopsies. This method has potential therapeutic applications by cutting off cancer cells' energy supply from lipids.
Researchers found that arid ecosystems, which cover nearly half the earth's land surface, can take up a significant amount of carbon as CO2 levels rise. The study suggests that these ecosystems could account for 15-28% of current carbon absorption, potentially offsetting 4-8% of current emissions by 2050.
A third of ICU survivors develop depression manifesting as physical symptoms, such as weakness and fatigue, rather than psychological symptoms. Depression is four times more common than PTSD after critical illness, highlighting the need for new treatment approaches focusing on physical rehabilitation.
Researchers found that women who underwent radiotherapy for breast cancer have a small but significantly increased risk of developing a primary lung tumour. The risk increases with the amount of radiation absorbed by the tissue, with an estimated relative risk of 8.5% per delivered Gy to the lung.
A field study has demonstrated that elevated carbon dioxide inhibits the conversion of nitrate into protein in a field-grown crop, compromising the nutritional quality of food crops. This finding indicates that the nutritional quality of food will suffer as climate change intensifies.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute discover a dual-sensor system for the sense of touch, involving Merkel cells and nerves. The study provides new insights into how gentle touch sensations are detected by the skin.
A combined computational and experimental study reveals arrays of gear-like molecular-scale machines that rotate in unison when pressure is applied to self-assembled silver-based superlattices. The superlattice structures form layers with hydrogen bonds acting as 'hinges' to facilitate rotation.
Renal cancer cells grow rapidly when placed in a pro-growth matrix supported by an enzyme typically found in the brain. Inhibiting this kinase halts cancer cell division and spread, suggesting its role in cancer growth.
Researchers from the University of Otago used mapping methods to track smoking visibility in public areas of downtown Wellington. They found that up to 116 smokers could be seen outside bars and cafés, highlighting the need for smokefree policies to reduce the normalisation of smoking.
Researchers have discovered new mutations linked to high-grade glioma brain tumors in young children, which most often occur in the youngest patients. The study found that ACVR1 mutations were present in 32% of DIPG patients and NTRK fusion genes drove tumor development in non-brainstem HGGs.
Researchers found that circumcised men were 45% less at risk of developing prostate cancer than uncircumcised men. The protective effect was strongest among black men, who were 60% less likely to develop the disease if circumcised after age 35.
Dr. Jonathan D. Adachi has been awarded the IOF Olof Johnell Science Award for his internationally recognized contributions to osteoporosis research, including epidemiological studies and clinical trials. He is also a prominent advocate for osteoporosis prevention and treatment.