A study by Loyola University Medical Center researchers could lead to the development of a 'liquid biopsy' test for bladder cancer using microscopic droplets shed by cancer cells in urine. This non-invasive test would require only a simple urine sample, potentially informing treatment decisions.
Research at Columbia University Medical Center found obese children are nearly three times as likely to develop asthma when exposed to high levels of air pollutants. Rates of childhood obesity and asthma have increased dramatically over the past 30 years, with urban minority populations disproportionately affected.
A study led by Boston University School of Medicine found that a lack of liver protein SIRT1 is associated with lower levels of FGF21, leading to fatty liver disease and obesity. Elevated FGF21 levels, however, transformed white fat cells into brown fat cells, producing heat and burning calories.
A study from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that most cardiac implantable electronic devices were approved as changes to existing PMA-approved models without new clinical data. This raises concerns about patient safety, particularly for devices such as the St. Jude Medical Riata and Medtronic Sprint Fidelis defibrillator leads.
A new weight management intervention program has been developed specifically for disadvantaged young adults, addressing their immediate needs and priorities. The program focuses on community-based participatory research and incorporates the PRECEDE model to identify key factors that can be changed.
Researchers have discovered a type of liquid crystal that dissolves in water, holding potential for biomedical applications. When placed in water droplets and oil, the liquid crystals exhibit unique behavior, transforming water droplets into faceted gemstones.
A University of Houston study found that anonymous online comments are more likely to be vulgar, racist, or hateful than those posted by non-anonymous users. Non-anonymous commenters were nearly three times as likely to post civil comments following news articles, with only 15% of anonymous commenters exhibiting civil behavior.
The FDA's premarket approval process for cardiac implantable devices allows for incremental innovation with minimal data collection. The study found that 37% of supplements represented minor alterations to device design or materials, and only 23% included new clinical data.
A study of over 100,000 people found that long-term exposure to particulate matter in outdoor air is strongly linked to heart attacks and angina. The association persists at levels of exposure below the current European limits for PM2.5 and PM10.
A new imaging technique called white-light diffraction tomography (WDT) provides high-resolution, three-dimensional images of living cells without the need for dyes or chemicals. This allows researchers to study cellular processes and dynamics in a non-invasive manner, enabling unprecedented insights into cell function and behavior.
A Penn study found that online commentary, both positive and negative, degrades the impact of anti-smoking public service announcements. Viewers who watched PSAs with no commentary had better recall and rated them more effective overall.
Chronic cocaine users exhibit poor emotional empathy, recognize less emotion from voices, and engage in less prosocial behavior, impacting their social networks. Social interaction is perceived as less rewarding compared to non-users.
The FFIT programme has been shown to be highly effective in helping men lose weight, with participants losing an average of 4.94kg after 12 months. The programme also showed benefits in reducing waist size, body fat, and blood pressure, as well as improving physical activity levels and mental wellbeing.
Research by universities of Manchester and Keele found British Muslims with diabetes may avoid discussing fasting with GPs, leading to poor diabetes control and increased mortality risk. Many patients perceive GPs as lacking expertise in supporting them during Ramadan.
Scientists have identified an epigenetic lesion in the hippocampus of Alzheimer's patients, which regulates tau protein and may contribute to disease progression. This discovery provides a potential new target for future therapies, offering hope for improved treatment options.
Research found significantly higher levels of infectious pathogens in water from faucet taps with aerators compared to deeper in the plumbing system. Contaminated water threatens immunocompromised patients with increased infection risk.
Richard B. Alley is awarded the Arthur L. Day Prize and Lectureship for his innovative studies on ice sheet flow and dating techniques, enhancing understanding of past climate variations. He will present a series of lectures summarizing current knowledge in ice dynamics and climate change.
Researchers found self-rated health to be a strong predictor of depression risk in patients with recent depressive symptoms. Family physicians can assess self-rated health using a simple question and integrate indirect methods to explore treatment expectations, promoting collaborative relationships and improved antibiotic prescribing.
A new study finds that exposure to secondhand smoke at home or in the car increases the odds of children being readmitted to the hospital within a year of being admitted for asthma. Cotinine levels measured in the blood and saliva of over 600 children showed a significant correlation between tobacco exposure and increased risk of futur...
A pilot study of 100,242 Mexican women found that large-scale HPV self-testing is as effective as conventional cytology screening in detecting cancer. However, the increased demand for follow-up care led to a decline in clinical quality. The researchers advocate for strengthened follow-up services to support home testing.
Research reveals that levels of depression and anxiety among people with severe rheumatoid arthritis are significantly higher than previously reported. The study suggests that routine screening for depression is crucial, as untreated depression can impact treatment outcomes. The researchers propose modifying the current disease activit...
A new study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that uninsured patients with common medical diagnoses are significantly less likely to be transferred between hospitals. Women, insured or not, also face lower transfer rates for the same diagnoses, suggesting potential health disparities.
A soft wearable robot developed by Carnegie Mellon University researchers enables natural motions in the ankle, aiding patients with ankle-foot disorders. The device uses soft plastics and pneumatic artificial muscles to achieve a range of motion similar to a normal walking gait.
A European Union-funded project investigates how pressure vessels in nuclear power stations age and lose their toughness due to neutron radiation. The study highlights the need for monitoring and adapting procedures to ensure safe long-term operation.
A study by UC Irvine and other researchers found that Chinese air pollution affects the American West Coast, particularly Los Angeles. The pollution is caused by the manufacturing of goods for export, leading to an extra day of smog exceeding federal limits each year.
A study from the University of Surrey found that mistimed sleep can lead to a six-fold reduction in genes displaying circadian rhythms. This disruption affects many biological processes, including those regulated by central body clocks. The research provides new insights into the relationship between sleep and gene expression.
Research at the University of Southampton found that sunlight alters nitric oxide levels in the skin and blood, reducing blood vessel tone and lowering blood pressure. This could be beneficial for cardiovascular health, particularly during winter months when blood pressure tends to be higher.
Research reveals that male dyeing poison frogs prefer to deposit their tadpoles in already occupied pools with larger conspecific larvae, despite high cannibalism risk. This unusual decision may be a gamble for frog fathers, weighing stable conditions against potential predation.
A new study found that low levels of vitamin D in early MS patients are associated with increased disease severity and progression. Increasing vitamin D intake could help stave off symptoms, according to researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that access to firearms significantly increases the odds of being a victim of suicide or homicide. The researchers also found that uninsured patients are less likely to be transferred between hospitals for certain medical diagnoses, with women being 35-40% less likely to be transferred than men.
A new approach dubbed SMART has been shown to more than double three-year survival rates for mesothelioma patients treated with radiation therapy followed by surgery. The treatment approach, which involves an accelerated five-day course of intensity-modulated radiation therapy, reduces the risk of recurrence and improves quality of life.
A new nanotherapy breakthrough designed to deliver statin medication directly to inflamed blood vessels could potentially prevent repeat heart attacks and strokes. The technology targets inflammation in blood vessels, reducing the risk of clots and cardiovascular events.
Researchers at TUM developed a system that uses cell phones as transponders to measure distance accuracy of a few centimeters within microseconds, enhancing safety and movement prediction. The technology can also identify vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists even behind obstacles.
Researchers found that focal adhesion kinase (FAK) plays a crucial role in enabling cancer cells to enter the bloodstream. FAK helps open endothelial cell layers, allowing tumor cells to metastasize.
A new brain-imaging technique allows people to monitor and control their brain activity in real time, enabling the training of specific targeted brain regions. MEG is being explored as a potential therapeutic tool for various neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions.
Researchers discovered that the rapid transformation from liquid to foamy state is caused by an impact, leading to cavitation. The phenomenon can be used to predict gas production in volcanic eruptions and improve boat propeller design.
New guidance from SHEA recommends practices to prevent transmission of pathogens, including adopting a 'bare below the elbows' approach and laundering apparel after daily use. The guidance aims to close knowledge gaps in infection prevention related to HCP attire.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a new method called direct measurement that can characterize high-dimensional quantum states in a single experiment with no post-processing. This technique offers an exciting alternative to quantum tomography and could be central in developing high-security quantum communication...
Researchers at Duke University tested a theory on bacterial dispersal patterns using E. coli, finding that spreading out to multiple habitats simultaneously can be beneficial but also increases the risk of population collapse due to the Allee effect. This study has implications for managing invasive species and understanding the impact...
A systematic review of literature found narrow dietary interventions to increase fruit and vegetable consumption in overweight children are unlikely to achieve long-term change. Broad public health strategies targeting nutritional education, parental support, and physical activity are necessary to tackle childhood obesity.
A new study found that micropredators can efficiently consume zoospores of the deadly chytrid skin fungus, reducing infection pressure on potential hosts and potentially alleviating the impact of chytridiomycosis. This natural behavior may offer a realistic method for preservation of amphibians in Bd-infected areas.
Scientists at the Marine Biological Laboratory found that different sponge species have unique microbiomes that are specific to their host species. The study used ultra-deep DNA sequencing technology to analyze the microbiomes of seven sponge species from various habitats.
A meta-analysis published in Annals of Internal Medicine finds that access to firearms is a significant risk factor for men committing suicide and for women being victims of homicide. Firearms play a major role in both suicide and homicide, accounting for over half of all suicide deaths and two-thirds of homicide deaths.
Researchers at Mount Sinai have identified a promising new molecular mechanism for cocaine addiction, implicating the PARP-1 enzyme and Sidekick-1 gene. Chronic cocaine administration increases levels of PARP-1, leading to epigenetic changes that contribute to long-term addiction.
Concussions are common among middle-school girls who play soccer, with cumulative concussion incidence of 13 percent per season. Most players (58.6%) continue to play with symptoms, while almost half (44.1%) seek medical attention.
Researchers used motion capture technology to study social interactions of patients with schizophrenia and found they were less likely to be spoken to in opening moments of conversations. The study's findings could help tackle social exclusion faced by people with the condition.
Researchers used DNA barcoding to dissect the complex interactions between predators and prey in a simple food web, finding three times as many interactions than previously thought. The study revealed that most predator-prey relationships are less specialized and more interconnected than initially believed.
Researchers are developing a new diagnostic technique using infrared light to identify chemical changes in cells that lead to cancer development. The technology has the potential to detect alterations in both cancer and surrounding stromal cells, helping diagnosis and therapy development.
A study found that higher vitamin D levels are associated with lower risk of new brain lesions, relapses, and faster decline in brain volume. Patients with low vitamin D levels early on may experience long-term increased MS activity and progression.
Researchers aim to understand the causes of pregnancy complications in assisted reproductive technologies, as well as how hospital environments impact childbirth. The studies will investigate genetic and epigenetic factors and evaluate obstetrical resources to identify optimal levels of care.
Researchers found that PINK1 and parkin are key to removing damaged mitochondria through a vesicular trafficking pathway. This early response helps protect against Parkinson's disease, which is linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. The study reveals a distinct quality control mechanism for mitochondria.
A new study published in CMAJ found that people who enjoy life maintain better physical function as they age, with slower declines in daily activities and walking speeds. Participants who had higher levels of well-being were less likely to develop problems in their daily physical activities.
New research reveals that Vancouver's Georgia basin amplifies seismic waves, increasing ground motion in the area. This finding poses a significant risk to tall buildings and long-period structures, such as bridges and pipelines, which may experience greater shaking than previously thought.
A new study found that NHL teams pay out $218 million annually for lost time due to injuries. Concussions were the most expensive type of injury, accounting for $42.8 million per year. The research highlights the need for better protection for athletes in hockey.
A new study published in Psychological Medicine found that toddlers' physical aggression is strongly associated with genetic factors, accounting for most of the stability and change. The study used a twin cohort design to investigate the role of genetics and environment in early childhood aggression, finding support for the genetic mat...
Researchers found that overproduction of SRSF6 promotes abnormal growth and prevents normal tissue repair, leading to early changes seen in skin cancer. The study suggests a new link between wound healing and cancer.
Experts developed a step-by-step guide to minimize seismic survey impacts on whales and other marine species. The study presents the most thorough approach to minimizing and monitoring risk of harm during intense sound surveys, primarily used by oil and gas companies.
Scientists from EPFL investigated how generated electrical charges travel across perovskite surfaces of solar cells built with different architectures. The results showed two main dynamics: charge separation through electron transfer at sub-picosecond timescales, and significantly slower charge recombination for titanium oxide films.
Scientists predict a doubling of extreme El Nino events as the world warms, leading to increased heat waves and droughts. The research found that the eastern Pacific Ocean will warm, causing massive changes in global rainfall patterns.
Scientists have decoded the genome of Necator americanus, a blood-sucking parasite that infects an estimated 700 million people worldwide. The research reveals clues to how the worm invades and survives in humans, providing valuable insights for developing new diagnostic tools and vaccines.