The Global AgeWatch Index highlights disparities in the wellbeing of over-60s worldwide, with Norway and Sweden leading the top five. Many countries, particularly in low-income regions, face challenges in providing adequate support for their aging populations.
Researchers at Concordia University found that individuals with less variable heart rates when worrying are more likely to experience high stress levels later on. This diagnostic measure can help healthcare professionals identify those most susceptible to chronic stress and provide timely interventions.
A team of Clemson University researchers will use a $5.25 million grant from the US Department of Energy to advance nuclear monitoring, remediation and disposal technologies in South Carolina. The project aims to address key scientific issues related to radioactive contaminants and develop integrative models for radionuclide transport.
A University of Utah study reveals benzodiazepines increase ICU mortality by 9.1% compared to propofol. Patients treated with benzodiazepines spent more time on mechanical ventilation and were at higher risk for complications like delirium.
A team led by Drs. Mary L. Marazita and Seth M. Weinberg will recruit 6,100 individuals for genetic studies to identify genetic susceptibility for cleft lip and palate in low-risk populations in Nigeria, the Philippines, and Colombia, as well as mid-risk populations in Pittsburgh and Lancaster.
Researchers at Lund University have discovered a new learning mechanism in individual nerve cells, which enables the brain to time its reactions and control complex processes like blinking and intelligible speech. This discovery has significant implications for rehabilitation following stroke, autism, ADHD, and language problems.
Researchers have successfully developed a synthetic version of the sperm protein PAWP, which induces calcium oscillations and oocyte activation in human and mouse eggs. This breakthrough raises hopes for improved IVF success rates and better understanding of fertilization events.
Tropical Storm Rachel is spinning down west of Mexico's Baja California, with another tropical low pressure area, System 90E, outgrowing it. The National Hurricane Center predicts that System 90E will intensify into a tropical depression by Wednesday, Oct. 1.
CWRU researchers are investigating how patients make end-of-life decisions, with a focus on improving the quality of life for patients and their loved ones. The four-year study aims to better understand the complex interactions between healthcare professionals, caregivers, and patients in making these decisions.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding how birds evolved from dinosaurs by studying fossil and developmental data, revealing the fusion of two bones to form a semilunate bone. The study clarifies the identity of wrist bones in both groups, shedding light on the evolutionary reversal of a lost bone.
A study found that a type of gut bacteria called Clostridium ramosum promotes obesity in mice, particularly when fed a high-fat diet. The bacteria appears to improve nutrient uptake, leading to increased energy conversion and weight gain.
Harvard University researchers demonstrate ability to paint ultra-thin coatings onto rough surfaces using thin-film interference, enabling lightweight decorative logos on spacecraft. The technology also holds promise for making flexible electronic devices and advanced solar cells.
Four CSHL scientists will conduct research in the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies Initiative, aiming to map the human brain and understand brain disorders. The initiative seeks to develop transformative tools for studying the brain's structure and function.
A new study published in the FASEB Journal reveals never-before-detected gene activity and sex differences in human skeletal muscle. The research found that men have approximately 400 more active genes than women, providing a reference for future studies on muscle disease and dysfunction.
A study by Chapman University's Food Science Program has identified 20 commercial pet foods that were potentially mislabeled, containing undeclared meat species such as pork. The research focused on the presence of eight meat species in dog and cat food products, with chicken being the most common detected species.
A comprehensive study found that medications are the leading cause of allergy-related sudden deaths in the US, particularly among older people and African-Americans. The study analyzed death certificates from 1999-2010 and identified antibiotics as the most common culprit drug.
A study analyzing medical professional liability claims related to esophageal cancer screening found that the risks of claims arising from acts of commission and omission are similarly low. The authors suggest that physicians balance the risk of complications from diagnostic procedures, even if those complications are rare.
A new study found that countries with greater parity in measures of educational equality had more women and men reach the podium at the London 2012 and Sochi 2014 Olympic Games. The researchers suggest that gender stereotypes may limit the number of women and men viewed as potential high-performance athletes.
A new virtual breast test using ultrasound elastography could significantly improve cancer detection accuracy, especially for women with suspicious mammograms.
A gene mutation that causes a rare premature aging disease could lead to the development of drugs that block rapid cell division in cancer. Researchers discovered a protein mutation that inhibits telomerase, allowing for the potential treatment of cancer and bone marrow failure.
A new study from Harvard, Syracuse, and Boston University scientists reveals that strong carbon standards for power plants can significantly reduce air pollution and provide substantial human health benefits. The research estimates that such standards could prevent thousands of premature deaths and hospitalizations every year in the US.
The Rosetta spacecraft has woken up from its 957-day hibernation, sparking jubilation among scientists and engineers. The mission aims to unlock the mysteries of how our solar system formed and developed into what we see today.
The NASA Swift satellite detected a series of powerful stellar flares from the nearby red dwarf star DG CVn, with temperatures reaching 360 million degrees Fahrenheit. The flares were triggered by rapid spin and amplifying magnetic fields, making them one of the longest-lasting events ever recorded.
Researchers at Salk Institute will create an epigenetic map of each cell type in the brain, allowing for deeper understanding of neurons' identity and functional differences. The study aims to reveal possible windows into brain development and disease.
A new study reveals TMS treatment normalizes hyperconnectivity in the DMN, while leaving CEN connectivity unaffected. The treatment may act by selectively regulating network-level connectivity.
Researchers have identified a bacterial breakdown pathway for diazepam in UK rivers, which could reduce its potentially harmful impact on the environment. The study found that bacteria can break down diazepam's photo-degradation product, ACB, into small natural molecules, including ammonium.
Researchers at University of Cincinnati discover that electroencephalography (EEG) electrodes on the scalp can measure spreading depolarizations in injured brains, which are associated with worse outcomes. This non-invasive technique has the potential to revolutionize bedside neuro-monitoring.
Researchers develop a new liquid-phase 3D printing technique that allows for the rapid manufacturing of conductive metal objects with a low melting point alloy ink. The process prevents oxidation and offers advantages over conventional methods, including high speed and flexibility in controlling temperature and flow fields.
Researchers found that combining resveratrol with benzoyl peroxide reduces bacteria counts more effectively than either compound alone. The combination treatment may lead to new, less irritating topical acne therapies.
A minimum unit price of 45p would significantly reduce consumption and health harms among harmful drinkers, with effects estimated at 40-50 times greater than a below cost selling ban. This policy is likely to save thousands of lives and hospital admissions per year.
The new guidelines emphasize the effectiveness of levothyroxine in most patients with hypothyroidism, but note that some individuals may not regain optimal health. Alternative treatments are also discussed, but no consistently strong evidence supports their superiority.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin discovered a mechanism called 'mutational robustness' that explains how gene duplication leads to novel functions and survival across long evolutionary timescales. This breakthrough has implications for understanding genome evolution and the importance of redundancy in organisms.
Researchers discover six unique states of pneumococcus bacteria, which can help develop tailored vaccines. The study found that each state has distinct DNA methylation patterns and alters gene expression, virulence, and disease severity.
A study by Max-Planck Institute found that great tits' risk-taking behaviour correlates with both metabolic rate and ambient temperature. Birds with high metabolic rates and low temperatures were more likely to approach predators.
A study by San Diego State University professor Jean M. Twenge found that Americans now report more psychosomatic symptoms of depression than their counterparts in the 1980s. These symptoms include trouble sleeping, concentration difficulties, memory problems, feeling overwhelmed, restless sleep, poor appetite, and lack of motivation.
Researchers at Brown University created a culturally compatible diagnostic approach for autism in Tanzanian children. The approach uses a collection of instruments adapted from established tools, including the Childhood Autism Rating Scale-Second Edition (CARS-2) and Malawi Development Assessment Tool.
A new genetic operating system enabled the emergence of bilateral animal body plans by facilitating the formation of a mesoderm layer, which is absent in radial organisms. This 'operating system' was linked to an ancient protein called TRF2, found in bilateral animals but not non-bilaterian animals.
A new national study finds that holistic review increases diversity in incoming classes while maintaining academic standards. Nearly 40% of schools reported an increase in average GPA, with no change to measures of academic quality or student retention.
A study comparing bioprosthetic and mechanical aortic valve replacements found no significant difference in 15-year survival or stroke rates between the two groups. Bioprosthetic valves were associated with a higher likelihood of reoperation, but lower major bleeding rates.
A study of 9,288 Ontario students found that teenagers with traumatic brain injuries, especially girls, reported significantly higher rates of harmful behaviors. The research highlights the importance of monitoring adolescents with TBI and providing support to prevent mental health issues and addiction.
Researchers have found a targeted treatment, afatinib, that can stop the growth of aggressive womb cancer cells and shrink tumours. The drug targets faults in the HER2 gene, which lie at the heart of the cancer cells, offering new hope for patients with this rare but deadly form of cancer.
The new guidelines from the American Thyroid Association reaffirm levothyroxine as the gold standard treatment for hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine has been thoroughly tested and found to be very effective in reversing symptoms of hypothyroidism in most individuals.
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism, 'stable energetic embedding', where atoms and molecules become trapped within ice. This discovery has significant environmental, scientific, and defense-related implications.
UConn scientists have found a way to prevent Monk Parakeet nests from causing power outages and public hazards on utility poles. By blocking the pathway to their nests, researchers can keep these invasive birds from building huge nests that weigh up to 200 pounds and cost electric utility companies millions of dollars annually.
A new BU study found that prenatal exposure to tetrachloroethylene in drinking water may increase the risk of stillbirth and placental abruption. The study, which compared over 2,000 pregnancies, found a significant association between PCE exposure and an elevated risk of these pregnancy complications.
Research finds that alcohol increases sensitivity to rewarding social behaviors like smiling in men, shedding light on risk factors for problem drinking among men. The study suggests that social context plays a crucial role in understanding drinking behavior, highlighting the importance of social motives and bonding.
Research by University of Exeter Medical School reveals that systematic testing for Lynch Syndrome in younger bowel cancer patients would identify two-thirds with the condition, avoiding 40 further cases. The test is expected to save lives, money and resources by identifying those at higher risk of developing cancer.
A recent study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that healthy Americans who undergo colonoscopies do so too frequently, with many receiving repeat screenings long before they should. The study suggests that endoscopists should adhere to national guidelines more closely.
Long-term PPI use is associated with a higher risk of severe hypomagnesemia, particularly among patients receiving diuretics. Researchers estimate that one excess hospitalization for hypomagnesemia may occur among 76,591 outpatients during the first three months of PPI treatment.
A study published in JAMA found that acupuncture did not improve chronic knee pain or function in patients over 50 years old. While acupuncture showed modest improvements in pain at short-term follow-up, these benefits were not sustained at one year.
A two-year international project will analyze wave energy transformations between sea and cliffs, using laser technology to compile detailed profiles of coastal rock surfaces. The study aims to improve predictions of coastal erosion and provide a greater understanding of potential threats to rocky coastlines.
Researchers found that soil bacteria produce volatile compounds that make up part of the distinctive truffle smell. The study, published in Environmental Microbiology, sheds light on how symbiosis between fungi and microorganisms benefits both partners.
New estimates show that preterm birth complications and pneumonia are the leading causes of death in children under five years, responsible for nearly 2 million deaths in 2013. The largest single cause, preterm birth complications, accounted for 965000 deaths.
Researchers confirm the diathesis-stress model for low birth weight populations, showing they catch up but don't outperform normal-weight peers. A new differential susceptibility model suggests vulnerable children can thrive under optimal conditions, even with risk factors.
The NIH is developing an advanced electrode array system that will enable researchers to better understand how the brain works through unprecedented resolution and scale. The system, which will pack over 1,000 tiny electrodes, will allow scientists to simultaneously study thousands of neuronal cells in various brain regions during comp...
Researchers at Tel Aviv University developed a hybrid cardiac patch using biomaterial from patients and gold nanoparticles. The patch can improve heart function after heart attacks without triggering an immune response.
The report shows an almost doubling of dementia in people with Down syndrome and significantly reduced rates of heart attack and hypertension. People with ID experience unique health challenges, including poor bone health and low physical activity levels.
Researchers have uncovered how pacemaker neurons are synchronized at dusk and dawn to maintain proper functioning of biological clocks. This understanding enhances knowledge of sleep-wake cycle regulation and offers promise for addressing related afflictions.
Researchers tracked the spread of novel tool-use behaviors among Sonso chimpanzees, demonstrating that wild chimpanzees learn and adopt new skills from each other. The study provides strong evidence for social transmission and cultural diversity in wild chimpanzee communities.
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) outperform other primary care practices in granting new patient appointments to Medicaid beneficiaries and uninsured patients. FQHCs also provide lower-cost visits, with nearly 70% offering such services for $100 or less.