A survey of young adults and parents found that many young parents use e-cigarettes to reduce harm to others, while also believing they are less harmful than regular cigarettes. The study highlights concerns about the risks of e-cigarette use and exposure to vapor, particularly among nonsmokers.
Researchers at Arizona State University have published an atomic-level look at the telomerase enzyme that may hold secrets to the fountain of youth. Telomeres protect genetic data and are linked to aging and cancer.
Researchers discovered that motor cortex actively participates in learning new motor movements, revealing a more complex process than previously thought. The study found that different patterns of activity in the motor cortex accompany similar movements after learning, suggesting a crucial role in adapting to new actions.
Bariatric surgery resolves liver inflammation and reverses early-stage liver fibrosis by reducing fat deposits in the liver. The procedure showed significant improvement in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in severely obese patients.
Researchers have identified a new approach to treating brittle bone disease by targeting excessive activity of transforming growth factor beta, a signaling protein in the bone matrix. This novel treatment strategy shows promise for personalized and effective management of the condition, potentially applicable to osteoporosis as well.
The American Academy of Pediatrics hosts a symposium on firearm injury prevention in children, highlighting the need for high-quality research to inform policy change. New studies will focus on epidemiology, risk factors, preventable accidents, and counseling programs.
Researchers investigated how neurons in the inferior colliculus respond to paired sounds producing precedence-effect illusions. Local gamma-aminobutyric acid application suppressed responses to lagging stimuli, providing a new approach for improving speech understanding in patients with hearing aids under background noise.
A study by Shaoya Yin and colleagues found that PQ disconnection maintained the activity of isolated temporal-parietal-occipital nerve tissue after surgery, completely controlling epilepsy in two patients. The research suggests PQ disconnection as a neuroprotective measure for surgical treatment of epilepsy.
Researchers found that Compound Formula Rehmannia modulates neurotransmitter signaling to alleviate levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson's patients. This traditional Chinese medicine compound showed promise as a potential treatment for the debilitating condition.
Research published in Neural Regeneration Research found that tactile sense and two-point discrimination peak in the evening compared to morning and noon. The study suggests a natural circadian rhythm influences sensory perception.
A study of Utah youth with suspected sports-related head injuries found that emergency room visits and head CT scans have increased since the state's concussion law was passed in 2011, potentially leading to unnecessary radiation exposure. Researchers are calling for legislators to consider the effects of the law on treatment protocols.
A two-year clinical trial found that long-term use of a drug combination reduces the risk of recurrent urinary tract infection by up to 80% in children with vesicoureteral reflux. Children with bladder and bowel dysfunction saw the greatest reduction, up to an 80% lower risk of recurrent infections.
A study published in Nature Climate Change suggests that East Antarctica's ice sheet could trigger a persistent ice discharge into the ocean, resulting in a long-term sea-level rise of 300-400 centimeters. This could lead to catastrophic consequences for coastal cities worldwide.
Researchers at University of Exeter have developed a new method to accurately measure the surface temperature of nanoscale objects by analyzing their Brownian motion in air. This technique can determine different temperatures across the surface of tiny spheres, opening doors for studying nanotechnology and aerosol research.
Research reveals that smoking during pregnancy can lead to adult diseases such as lung disease and metabolic syndromes. The study found that rat pups exposed to tobacco smoke in utero had a higher risk of developing metabolic disease and respiratory issues later in life.
A new study reveals that severely obese teens are at risk of nutritional deficiencies, particularly low iron and mild anemia, even those who did not undergo weight loss surgery. Researchers found durable weight loss in teens who received gastric bypass surgery, but significant nutritional problems persisted.
The study found no significant increase in adverse events for mothers or infants who received the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy. Infants born to vaccinated mothers had higher concentrations of pertussis antibodies, a key finding that could help prevent infant pertussis.
A large-scale study published in JAMA found that environmental factors contribute equally to the causes of autism as genetic factors, with individual risk increasing according to family ties. The study suggests that shared and unique environments play a significant role in autism development.
A study published in JAMA found that corticosteroids do not improve bile flow in infants with biliary atresia six months after surgery. Infants who received steroids experienced more surgical complications and infections than those receiving a placebo.
A study found that children in an obesity intervention who lived closer to a supermarket ate more fruits and vegetables. The distance from a supermarket affected the success of the interventions, with those living farther away experiencing larger increases in body mass index.
Research shows that childhood poverty can lead to adult poor health through epigenetics and toxic stress. The American Academy of Pediatrics is working to address this issue through policy, education, and healthcare reform.
Higher rates of binge drinking among lesbian and gay adolescents may be linked to minority stress caused by discriminatory experiences, leading to poor health outcomes. The study found internalized homophobia and community connectedness as significant predictors of binge drinking.
A study found that maternal smoking during the first trimester is linked to an increased risk of congenital heart defects, particularly among older women and heavy smokers. The research suggests that smoking during pregnancy may account for up to 1-2% of all heart defects.
A randomized trial found no significant difference in cognitive, language, and executive functioning abilities between children receiving prenatal DHA supplementation and those receiving a placebo. The study suggests that DHA supplementation during pregnancy may not enhance early childhood development.
A recent study by the American Academy of Pediatrics reveals that African-American and Afro-Caribbean youth face racial discrimination, which is associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and social phobias. The study found that experiences with discrimination were linked to higher rates of mental health problems in both...
A pilot study found that a vibrating capsule increased spontaneous bowel movements and decreased constipation symptoms in patients with chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and C-IBS. The capsule uses mechanical stimulation to mimic the body's natural physiology, avoiding common side effects of medication.
A study of over 1,000 mothers found that many families are not following recommended safe infant sleep practices, including high-risk behaviors like bed sharing and stomach sleeping. The rates were highest among black and Hispanic families, highlighting a need for targeted interventions to reduce infant mortality.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that high doses of steroids are ineffective in improving medical outcomes for infants with end-stage pediatric liver disease. The research also suggests that steroid treatment may lead to earlier onset of serious adverse events.
A recent study published in JAMA found that the antifungal medication fluconazole did not significantly reduce the risk of death or invasive candidiasis in extremely low birth-weight infants. The study included 361 infants from 32 NICUs and randomly assigned them to receive either fluconazole or placebo for six weeks.
A new study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that steroids after surgery do not improve bile flow in infants with biliary atresia, a rare liver disease. The study also revealed that survival rates were nearly the same for both groups, but infants on steroids experienced more serious adverse events.
Researchers found that nightmares or night terrors are more common in children who reported being bullied, indicating significant distress. The study suggests that parents and healthcare providers should be aware of this potential indicator of bullying and consider it when assessing a child's mental health.
Abnormal lipid values occur in 1 in 5 U.S. children and adolescents, associated with cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Testing rates increased only slightly from 2.5% in 1995 to 3.4% in 2010, highlighting a low rate of cholesterol testing among children and adolescents.
Scientists from Michigan Technological University found that inbred wolves on Isle Royale National Park are struggling, leading to a significant drop in wolf predation rates and a doubling of the moose population. The researchers attribute this decline to genetic inbreeding caused by the introduction of a single immigrant wolf in 1997.
A Swedish study found that genetic and environmental factors have a similar influence on the risk of autism. The research estimated the heritability of ASD at approximately 50 percent and found a 10-fold increased risk of recurrence among siblings of family members with ASD.
Infants with biliary atresia who received high-dose steroid therapy following surgery showed a small clinical benefit, while those without steroids experienced improved survival and reduced serious adverse events
Researchers found significant increases in type 1 and 2 diabetes among US youth, with a 21% rise in type 1 diabetes and a 30.5% increase in type 2 diabetes between 2001 and 2009. The prevalence of both types increased across all racial/ethnic groups and age groups.
A recent study by pediatricians found that children who played non-educational games on touch-screen devices had lower verbal scores upon testing. In contrast, playing educational games showed no significant difference in developmental scores.
A recent study found that supine sleeping, which reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), is less common among preterm infants than full-term babies. Only about two-thirds of term infants nationwide are placed on their backs to sleep, and this rate is even lower for preterm infants.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that lisdexamfetamine can improve executive function domains in post-menopausal women, including organization, working memory, and recall. The study enrolled 30 women between 48-60 years old with diminished ability to focus and multi-task during early menopause.
Despite recommendations for safer sleeping, infant deaths continue to occur due to bed sharing and prone sleeping. A study found that 18% of parents share a bed with their infants, with black families at higher risk.
A new study from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found that nearly three-quarters of heavily breastfed infants in the US do not receive adequate dietary diversity until age 2. The researchers suggest that better education on introducing multiple food groups may be necessary to address this issue.
Using substances at school is linked to increased odds of serious health risks such as depression and intimate partner violence. Students who used alcohol or marijuana on campus had a higher chance of experiencing these issues compared to those who used substances only out-of-school.
A recent study found that nearly half of physicians surveyed believe ADHD stimulant medication diversion is common among teens, while most have never received training on the topic. This lack of knowledge and expertise can lead to ineffective prevention strategies, posing health risks to patients.
A new study published in The Lancet suggests that reducing six modifiable risk factors could prevent over 37 million premature deaths from non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. Meeting the targets for these risk factors would reduce mortality by 22% in men and 19% in women.
Researchers have demonstrated that the distribution of dopants in semiconductor nanocrystals is crucial for controlling optical properties. By probing electron distribution using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, they found that surface-doped samples exhibit reduced activation of dopants and symmetric plasmon resonances.
A comprehensive US study found that pregnant women with sleep apnea are five times more likely to die in the hospital than those without the condition. The researchers also linked sleep apnea to an increased risk of severe medical conditions, including preeclampsia and pulmonary blood clots.
The UK has a higher child mortality rate than nearly every other country in Western Europe, with 3800 children under five dying in the UK in 2013. The country's high infant mortality rates are attributed to poor organisation of children's health services.
At DDW 2014, researchers presented cutting-edge data on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) therapies and the impact of the gut microbiome on digestive health. The AGA Institute showcased its latest advances in GI research, including new treatments for pancreatic cancer and colorectal polyps.
Since 1990, global maternal and child deaths have declined by nearly half, with significant acceleration after the Millennium Development Goals were set. Improved education, income growth, technological advances, and increased investment in maternal and child health have contributed to this progress.
Achieving globally-agreed targets for six important health risks between 2010 and 2025 can reduce deaths caused by the big-four chronic diseases: cancers, diabetes, lung disease, and cardiovascular disease. The study finds that targeting smoking and blood pressure will lead to the largest health benefits.
Recent NASA studies found that spore-forming bacteria like Bacillus pumilus can survive in space for up to 18 months, surviving harsh conditions including UV radiation and extreme temperatures. These hardy organisms may be able to carry life between planets via lithopanspermia.
A Wayne State University team is investigating possible determinants of adult-onset diseases like diabetes and atherosclerotic heart disease. The study aims to understand how sulfotransferase enzymes might impact drug efficacy, environmental carcinogens and metabolic processes.
Researchers have made breakthroughs in developing flexible and stretchable electronic materials that can conform to non-planar surfaces without wrinkling. These materials have potential applications in energy harvesting, biomedical devices, wearable electronics, and consumer electronics.
Jiang and DeAngelis' theoretical paper explores how species modify their environment to gain benefits, affecting community diversity. Their work is likely to foster further research and generate hypotheses for experimental studies.
A study led by Tufts University researchers reveals that SLUG transcription factor regulates stem cell function and determines breast cancer type, with potential implications for targeted therapies. The study found that SLUG-deficient mice exhibited defects in breast-cell differentiation and tumor formation.
Researchers have successfully detected element 117, a key find in the quest for the 'island of stability', with half-lives of about one hour and 11 hours. The observation marks an important milestone in superheavy element research, demonstrating reliable identification methods.
Research clarifies how bacterial red light photosensors change structure when sensing light, revealing amplification mechanism for rapid signal transmission. The study also sheds light on the molecular-level operating mechanisms of phytochrome proteins in plants.
Scientists confirm camel to human transmission of MERS coronavirus, with viruses from infected humans and camels in the same region showing nearly identical RNA sequences. This suggests a zoonotic transmission pathway, allowing for specific reaction measures such as vaccinations.
Scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research have confirmed the existence of element 117. The element's decay chain to elements 115 and 113 has been verified through experiments.
Researchers at Georgia State University identify two enzymes that suppress proteins important for cell survival and chemoresistance in ovarian cancer. Their findings suggest inhibiting these enzymes could be a novel therapeutic approach to overcoming resistance.