A recent study by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has found that five UK charities are funded by the alcohol industry and influence alcohol policy. The research highlights concerns over potential conflicts of interest, with two charities receiving significant funding from industry sources.
A new genetic 'barcode' for malaria parasites has been found, enabling the tracking and containment of disease spread. The barcode can identify the geographic origin of infections and monitor the spread of drug-resistant parasites.
Seven research projects funded to study genetic changes associated with autism spectrum disorders and improve diagnostics for hereditary cancers. Funding aims to advance understanding and treatment of these conditions, impacting families worldwide.
Amino acids at positions 11, 71 and 74 on the HLA-DRB1 gene identify RA patients at risk of joint damage and early death. The findings suggest that genotyping can predict disease outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
A new study reveals that musculoskeletal conditions are associated with significantly higher healthcare costs, even when compared to chronic diseases. The study found that the presence of a musculoskeletal condition was accountable for an additional 36% of healthcare costs in individuals with multiple morbidities.
Tropical Storm Nanauk formed over India in June 2014 and moved northwest towards the Arabian Sea. The storm exhibited powerful storms dropping heavy rain at a rate of over 247mm/hour when observed by NASA's TRMM satellite on June 11.
A research team led by Gong Chen has discovered a novel biomarker that targets excessive GABA inhibition in the brain's dentate gyrus, which correlates with poor memory performance in Alzheimer's disease models. Reducing this inhibitory neurotransmitter may lead to a new therapy for Alzheimer's disease.
A NASA-funded study suggests that cracks on Pluto's moon Charon could reveal a past underground ocean. The analysis finds that a high-eccentricity phase in Charon's orbit may have generated large tides, causing friction and surface fractures. This friction would have also caused the tides to slightly lag behind their orbital positions.
Researchers at MIT's CSAIL are developing a protocol called HTTPA that automatically monitors private data transmission and allows owners to examine usage. The system uses distributed hash tables to store transaction logs on multiple servers, ensuring accessible data even if some servers go down.
A new study found that women with breast cancer who test positive for BRCA mutations are more likely to change their surgical plan, typically opting for a double mastectomy and sometimes ovary removal. Genetic testing before surgery can significantly impact treatment decisions, but may not necessarily delay surgery.
The new ACC/AHA guidelines recommend statin therapy for people with type 2 diabetes, but experts debate its appropriateness. Robert H. Eckel supports the guidelines, while Henry Ginsberg argues they are too narrow and ignore evidence of lower LDL-C levels.
A Scripps Whittier study shows that text messages can help improve glycemic control in Latino patients with type 2 diabetes. The intervention used text messages to provide healthy nutrition tips, physical activity reminders, and medication adherence encouragement.
Researchers developed biomarkers from whole blood gene expression profiles to predict disease status at 12 months in children with newly diagnosed JIA. The study found strong predictive properties for disease status after four months of therapy, and identified different mechanisms of response in RF positive patients.
Researchers found a correlation between affluence and obesity rates, with women typically having higher levels of obesity than men in developing countries. However, in the Western world, male obesity often exceeds female obesity, suggesting an alternative cause may be at play.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found that combining tamoxifen with hydroxychloroquine reverses resistance to the breast cancer drug in mice. The study's findings provide a promising new treatment option for women with advanced estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.
Scientists have successfully 'caged' water molecules to observe the change in orientation of hydrogen atoms, transforming water from one form to another. By cooling the trapped molecules, researchers can track the percentages of ortho and para isomers at different temperatures.
A new Moffitt Cancer Center study found that patients who received pre-test genetic counseling were more likely to recall having a discussion with their healthcare provider, suggesting improved quality of care. The study also showed that genetic health care providers ordered less expensive testing in cases where it was appropriate.
Pertussis cases are rising globally, with an estimated 50 million cases and 300,000 deaths worldwide. Nurses can educate patients and the public on the importance of follow-up booster vaccinations to maintain immunity. Partnerships between healthcare organizations, schools, and communities can also help increase vaccination rates.
A new assay can detect toxic prions in blood samples from humans with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) and asymptomatic animals. The test, developed by French researchers, was tested on vCJD patients and non-infected controls, accurately identifying infected individuals.
A new study reveals that gentoo penguin populations continue to grow in response to climate warming, while Adélie and chinstrap penguin populations are declining due to reduced krill supplies. The research, led by scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, sheds light on how past climate change affected these species.
Researchers found that heart rate variability can predict the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants. The study showed that decreased high-frequency energy distribution was associated with increased risk, while higher values were linked to a lower risk. This discovery offers new hope for early detection and intervention.
Researchers have found a significant relationship between climate change and ocean currents spanning six million years, with shifts detected in sediments analyzed from the Atlantic near Gibraltar.
A new study found that African Americans taking metformin saw greater improvements in blood sugar control compared to white individuals. The study suggests that metformin is more effective at controlling blood glucose in African Americans, who are twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes.
A new study suggests cranial ultrasound is more sensitive and equally specific as temporal artery biopsy in diagnosing giant cell arteritis. The test has high predictive accuracy, making it a promising replacement for the current gold standard.
Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered a copper compound that significantly extends the lifespan and improves locomotor function of transgenic mice with ALS. By delivering copper selectively to spinal cord cells, scientists aim to stabilize superoxide dismutase and improve mitochondrial function.
A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has developed new cell culture and mouse models to test immunotherapy for Parkinson's disease. By targeting distorted alpha-synuclein proteins, they prevented pathology development and reversed some effects of existing disease.
A comprehensive genetic study of the Mexican population identified tremendous genetic diversity reflecting thousands of years of separation, explaining health factors such as differing rates of breast cancer and asthma. The study provides an explanation for misdiagnoses and incorrect treatment based on ethnic heritage.
Scientists create ultra-small nanoparticles that can bind to cancer cells using camel antibody fragments, potentially revolutionizing tumor detection. The particles successfully evade the human immune system and reach diseased cells under conditions similar to those in patients' bodies.
Researchers have discovered how embryonic stem cell fate is controlled, enabling future research into artificial cell manipulation. This breakthrough aims to repair or replace damaged human cells and tissues, restoring normal function.
Tropical Cyclone Nanauk is experiencing strong thunderstorms with cloud top temperatures near -63F, indicating high rainfall potential. The storm will face weakening factors such as increasing wind shear, dry air, and cooler sea surface temperatures over the next few days.
Researchers discover water bound in rock deep in the Earth's mantle, potentially representing the planet's largest water reservoir. This finding may aid scientists in understanding how the Earth formed and what its current composition is.
A new study has found that the Western Amazon is contaminated with oil pollutants, posing a significant risk to its unparalleled biological and cultural diversity. The research, published for the first time, reveals high levels of lead, mercury, and cadmium in wastewater samples from 18 sites in 10 Amazon tributaries.
Neurons in the prefrontal cortex and striatum synchronize their brain waves to form new communication circuits during category-learning, enabling rapid adaptation. This phenomenon likely precedes changes in synapses and underlies the human mind's flexibility.
Research reveals distinct differences in gut microbiota between young children with and without type 1 diabetes. The study, published in Diabetologia, found that diabetic children have an imbalanced gut microbiome, while healthy controls exhibit a balanced balance of beneficial bacteria.
A new study shows that walking 6,000 or more steps per day can reduce the risk of functional limitation associated with knee osteoarthritis. Researchers found that walking just 1,000 extra steps daily reduces incident functional limitation by 16-18% two years later.
Research published in Liver Transplantation found that childhood liver transplant recipients have a reduced body cell mass post-transplant, leading to an increase in fat mass and a slim body composition. The study suggests that these patients are at risk of becoming 'skinny fat' due to their low body cell mass.
A new study links opioid pain relievers to less improvement and higher levels of dissatisfaction following spine surgery. Patients who used opioids before surgery had worse health outcomes at 3 and 12 months post-op, according to a study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.
A recent study found that young black adults with kidney failure living in poor neighborhoods are nearly twice as likely to die while still young compared to whites. The reasons for this difference are not well understood, but the researchers suggest that socioeconomic factors may play a role.
Researchers have identified a potential biomarker of response to etanercept and adalimumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) through DNA methylation analysis. The study found that epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation, may provide potential biomarkers of response to anti-TNFs.
The study reveals that each glioblastoma tumor contains individual cells from multiple cancer sub-types, and that the distribution of these cells varies from tumor to tumor. This heterogeneity may contribute to drug resistance and disease recurrence, highlighting the need for personalized treatment approaches.
Physicists in Innsbruck developed a new quantum error-correcting method and tested it experimentally. The topological code arranges qubits on a two-dimensional lattice to detect and correct general errors. This approach could lead to a robust quantum computer performing any number of operations without being impeded by errors.
Researchers developed a unique method to identify oil spills, even after most of it has degraded. They found that some biomarkers degrade within a few years after an oil spill, providing a window into the environment's impact.
A University of Nebraska-Lincoln sociologist found that younger evangelical Protestants are closing the social-class gap with mainline Protestants. Younger working-class Americans are increasingly unaffiliated with any particular denomination, a shift that could impact conservative Christian groups' role in U.S. society and politics.
A decade-long study found that teens who acted cool in early adolescence were more likely to experience problems in early adulthood, including substance abuse and criminal activity. By age 22, these teens were rated as less competent in social relationships and had engaged in more serious behaviors.
Researchers have discovered that populating GI tracts with Bacteroides species producing beta-lactamase enzyme protects good commensal bacteria from antibiotics. This finding suggests a potential new strategy for preserving the gut microbiome during antibiotic treatment.
A new study reveals that parasympathetic neurons originate from immature glial cells in mouse embryos, forming a previously unknown developmental pathway. This discovery may lead to new medical treatments for congenital disorders of the nervous system.
A study led by Anna-Liisa Laine found that proximity to other meadows increases disease resistance in wild meadow plants. The research surveyed over 4,000 Plantago lanceolata meadows and their infection status with a fungal pathogen, revealing less disease in areas with dense meadow networks.
A joint research team has identified alterations in neuronal structure and protein changes in the prefrontal cortex of brains affected by alcohol abuse. The study found reduced levels of α- and β-tubulin and β II spectrin proteins, affecting neuronal organization and functioning.
A new phase 2 study found that the enzyme ALV003 reduces gluten-induced injury to the small intestine, decreasing gastrointestinal symptoms in celiac disease patients. The treatment was well-tolerated and appeared to be effective in reducing damage caused by low levels of gluten.
A time-lapse study reveals three major bottlenecks restricting the formation of colonies in human embryonic stem cells, including survival after plating and cell death after division. The research could lead to improved use of these cells in regenerative medicine.
A study found that childhood cancer survivors were hospitalized more often and for longer durations than the general population, with conditions like blood disorders and infections leading to hospitalizations. The study highlights the need for regular cancer-focused healthcare to identify health problems throughout their lives.
Researchers at Rochester Institute of Technology create algorithms to quantify lung nodule growth on CT scans, identifying small cancers and obviating risky biopsies. The software compensates for background factors and estimates nodule volumes, enabling accurate doubling time calculation and malignant growth detection.
A new study published in Frontiers in Psychology shows that brief bouts of exercise can significantly improve attention and reading comprehension in low-income adolescents. This finding has important implications for schools serving low-income populations, suggesting they should incorporate physical activity into their daily schedules.
A new study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science found that standing during meetings increases physiological arousal, leading to greater idea sharing and higher quality videos. Removing chairs from the workspace can be a low-cost way to redesign office spaces and promote non-sedentary work.
African malaria mosquito expert Bradley White receives $1.8M NIH grant to create fine-scale recombination rate maps for Anopheles gambiae. The project aims to model and predict efficacy of novel vector control strategies.
Researchers studied brain activity in a part of the brain involved in thinking about oneself and found that group dynamics can lead individuals to harm others outside their group. This is due to reduced medial prefrontal cortex activation when seeing moral statements, which correlates with increased likelihood of harming opponents.
Researchers created a fully automated computer program called LEVAN that learns all possible variations of a concept by searching millions of books and images on the Web. The program displays results as a comprehensive, browsable list of images, helping users explore and understand topics quickly.
Researchers show that proliferation unlocks expression of Interleukin-10 in NK cells, a protein that moderates the immune system. This helps prevent hyperactivation of CD8 T cells, which can cause damage. The study provides another important role for lymphocyte proliferation and may help design vaccines.
Research published in BMJ Open found a link between cement use in partial hip replacement and sudden death, cardiac arrest, or severe decline within minutes of surgery. The study analyzed 62 cases of bone cement implantation syndrome (BCIS) between 2005 and 2012.
A new device can collect and detect Listeria monocytogenes on food industry surfaces in just three to four hours, a significant improvement over current methods that take days. The sensor uses compressed air and water to remove cells before detecting them with an antibody, producing a fluorescent signal.