A study by Queensland University of Technology found that increasing pollution levels just below the current 'safe' standards would cause an estimated 6,000 extra deaths annually in Australia. The health statistician calls for thorough cost-benefit analyses to inform decision-making on new infrastructure projects.
A genetic test for Lynch Syndrome could help reduce the risk of bowel, womb, and ovarian cancers in families. The test would identify individuals who are at higher risk and provide them with risk-reducing measures such as more intensive surveillance to spot recurrences and new cancers early.
Researchers at EPFL propose a feasible experiment to show entanglement in the macroscopic realm, leveraging optomechanics and nanostructures. The experiment involves converting light into mechanical vibrations, which exhibit entangled behavior.
The Mediterranean is invaded by over 1,000 alien species, including fish and algae, threatening native biodiversity. Invasive species disrupt delicate balances in ecosystems, causing devastating effects on animal species.
Research reveals that diverse guard-crab species and size classes offer different kinds of effective protection against coral predators. The study found that even small crabs defend against snails, while larger crabs ignore them.
A public-private partnership aims to develop better-run clinical trials and identify effective measures of brain injury and recovery. The collaboration will analyze data from thousands of patients using biomarkers, imaging equipment, and software.
Researchers demonstrate that collective movements of small zooplankton create large-scale current patterns affecting ocean circulation. The findings suggest that these organisms could contribute trillion watts of power to the ocean.
A UMD-led research team will investigate how large networks of neurons process sensory information, focusing on the auditory cortex. The goal is to identify key groups of neurons that change over time and develop new imaging technologies and data analysis techniques.
New research suggests that early exposure to THC may cause long-term damage to the immune system, leading to increased risk of autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammatory conditions. Studies involving adolescent mice found that THC treatment resulted in severe alterations of immune responses in adulthood.
A virtual ward, which provides community-based care for high-risk patients after discharge, did not reduce hospital readmissions as hoped. Despite a large sample size and multiple sites, the study found no significant difference in readmission rates at various time points.
A study found that endoscopists recommended shorter follow-up intervals than guidelines support, resulting in frequent colonoscopy overuse. This leads to potential excess healthcare spending of $1 million or more per year.
A study of obese adults with obstructive sleep apnea found a significant correlation between tongue size, fat content, and increased risk. The research proposes that enlarged tongues with high-fat deposits may impair airway function, leading to sleep apnea.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $18 million in grants to research nine teams of scientists working on 2-D atomic-layer research and engineering. These researchers aim to create new devices for photonics, electronics, sensors and energy harvesting by exploring the properties of two-dimensional materials.
Tropical Storm Phanfone shows fragmented bands of thunderstorms, with light to moderate rainfall and isolated heavy rain areas. NASA's TRMM satellite provides details on the storm's movement, intensity, and projected path.
BioMed Central partners with the University of Michigan to launch an open-access journal focused on clinical research surrounding diabetes and endocrine diseases. The new journal aims to promote better care for patients by sharing new knowledge, both research and clinical, on various aspects of endocrine disorders.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new approach to discovering potential cancer treatments, replicating the native environment of cancer cells. They identified an antibody, 4C3, that stops breast cancer tumor growth in animal models and are investigating its potential as a treatment for human patients.
Research reveals that young men and women who had a heart attack have poorer health and quality of life if they have limited social support, including friends, family, and emotional connections. This study provides new insights into the importance of social support for younger patients after a heart attack.
A new study suggests that targeted admission of medical and nursing students from rural areas could provide a solution to the current Ebola outbreak in western Africa. The study found that students from rural areas are more likely to want to pursue rural careers, making them ideal candidates for recruitment.
A recent study found that adhering to healthy lifestyle habits such as a healthy weight, regular physical activity, and not smoking can significantly reduce the risk of gestational diabetes. The study estimated that nearly half of all diabetic pregnancies could be prevented through these low-risk lifestyle factors.
A new study by UC Irvine researchers reveals the crucial role of glycosylation in determining how T cells are created and selected. The findings provide insight into a vital process that determines the body's ability to fight infection.
Researchers at Technical University of Munich have demonstrated a new kind of building block for digital integrated circuits using 3D arrangements of nanometer-scale magnets. The 'majority logic gate' can serve as a programmable switch in a digital circuit, with potential applications in ultralow-power and high-density computing.
Recent advancements reveal polyploidy's ubiquitous nature, facilitating instant speciation and increasing biodiversity. Genome doubling is now recognized as a crucial evolutionary force, especially in plant lineages.
A phase 1 clinical trial of crizotinib against ROS1-positive lung cancer showed a 72% response rate and 19.2 months progression-free survival, suggesting potential for durable action against this subtype of lung cancer.
Researchers at UC San Diego used mesh-free simulation to analyze skeletal muscle tissue, finding loss of force exceeds loss of volume with aging. The method cuts back on processing time and can be applied to study injuries from extreme events.
A new Northwestern University study highlights the importance of considering cultural differences in science communication, finding that media often reflects cultural orientations and assumptions. The research reveals that Native Americans tend to see themselves as part of nature, while European-Americans view humans as apart from it.
A team of researchers from InSilico Medicine has successfully mapped the molecular pathway for myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) cancer progression. The study identifies several proliferation and invasion-related pathways that are key to MDSC's immune-suppressive effects, opening up new avenues for therapy targeting these cells.
A large genetic study has found no evidence of a causal link between vitamin D levels and the development of type 2 diabetes. The study, conducted by scientists at the University of Cambridge, examined the genes that control blood levels of vitamin D and found no association with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
A study published in JAMA found that administering high-dose vitamin D to ICU patients with deficiency did not improve hospital length of stay, intensive care unit length of stay, or mortality rates. However, a subgroup of patients with severe deficiency showed lower hospital mortality.
Researchers use zebrafish and rodents to identify efficient RNA delivery vehicles, a major breakthrough in disease treatment development. The technology enables the rapid testing of hundreds of drug-delivery systems, overcoming a significant bottleneck in biotech research.
A study published in the University of Leeds has shown that heather burning on moorland has negative impacts on peat hydrology, river water chemistry, and ecology. The findings indicate a deeper water table, increased carbon release, and decreased diversity and population sizes of invertebrates in rivers draining from burned areas.
Researchers used fiber-optic cables to measure Antarctic ice loss in real-time, with potential implications for global sea levels. In another study, scientists explored the Indian Ocean's legacy and future research efforts. Meanwhile, Oregon landslides were found to be more susceptible to catastrophic failure during earthquakes.
A large cohort study found that younger patients (18-64) have higher readmission rates for heart failure than older adults, but lower rates for myocardial infarction and pneumonia. After adjusting for confounding factors, the study suggests a post-hospital syndrome in both age groups, with similar timing and reasons for readmission
Researchers warn that sildenafil, used to treat erectile dysfunction, can cause visual responses in people with a common mutation for eye disease. Studies on mice found heightened effects and signs of cell death in those with the mutation, raising concerns about long-term vision impact.
Researchers have synthesized a material that can absorb large quantities of oxygen from the air and store it, potentially revolutionizing medical devices and artificial photosynthesis. The material, containing cobalt, can be used to bind, transport, and release oxygen in various scenarios.
A new study estimated carbon emissions from cropland expansion in Northeast China between 1680 and 1980, finding forest reclamation accounted for 60% of total emissions. The conversion of non-forest ecosystems also played a significant role in triggering carbon emissions.
A five-year, $20 million project will evaluate the effectiveness of different treatment strategies for women with uterine fibroids by building a national database. The study aims to answer questions about treatment outcomes, fertility, and symptom recurrence.
Scientists have created a method to switch on and off the spontaneous emission of light by quantum dots at will, with pulses as short as 200 picoseconds. This technique has potential applications in quantum information transmission and control.
The HS3 mission provided a detailed view of the storm's winds, temperature, and pressure throughout its depth. The data revealed that Eduoard was still a strong Category 2 hurricane, possibly Category 3, as it weakened over cooler Atlantic waters.
A new study published in PeerJ found that pollution in urban and farm runoff in Hawaii causes tumors in endangered sea turtles. The researchers discovered that high levels of nitrogen in the runoff promote the formation of tumors on the animals' eyes, flippers, and internal organs.
The researchers created a two-dimensional metallic dielectric photonic crystal that absorbs virtually all wavelengths of light from the sun, but not much of the rest. The material can withstand extremely high temperatures and is made at large scales with cheaply manufactured technology.
A research team led by Alejandro Briseno has developed a new polymer architecture that mimics the structure of blades of grass to improve the efficiency of organic solar cells. The breakthrough solves a major problem with energy transfer and has widespread applications for solar cells, batteries, and transistors.
Researchers have identified a class of chemical compounds that make cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapeutic drugs. The compounds, referred to as T8, specifically target the protein disulfide isomerase enzyme and induce programmed cell death in rapidly dividing cancer cells.
A Rutgers researcher trained 4-month-old babies to recognize important sound patterns, accelerating the development of their brain maps. This allowed them to process language more efficiently and accurately at 7 months old.
A new study by British American Tobacco found that slim cigarette smokers experience lower exposure to toxic chemicals like carbon monoxide and acetaldehyde. The researchers attribute this reduction to the smaller size of slim cigarettes, making it harder for smokers to draw on.
A QUT expert warns Australian governments that increasing pollution to just below existing standards would cause thousands of additional deaths each year. The health statistician's analysis reveals the devastating impact of pollution on human life, highlighting the need for thorough cost-benefit analyses in environmental studies.
Researchers developed a new blood test called the lymphocyte genome sensitivity (LGS) test, which can detect some cancers earlier than ever before. The test analyzes white blood cells exposed to UVA light and measures their DNA damage, allowing for early cancer detection and identifying those at risk of developing cancer.
A new study published in JAMA found that the virtual ward model of care did not significantly reduce hospital readmissions or deaths among high-risk adult patients. Despite its conceptual appeal, the model failed to provide a significant benefit in reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes.
Research in mice suggests that maternal cigarette smoking can affect the fertility of male offspring, causing reduced sperm counts, poor sperm shape, and impaired fertility. The study's findings have implications for human health, particularly for men who were exposed to cigarette toxins in the womb.
Scientists from China and the US report results from the first stage of the PandaX-I experiment, a dark matter search in an underground lab. The data from this experiment place strong constraints on previously reported dark matter-like signals.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have explained how a key protein in the heart changes in heart failure, shedding light on the molecular mechanisms behind this complex condition. By studying troponin I, they discovered that increased calcium sensitivity actually helps trigger contraction, despite slower relaxation.
A recent study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that mountain pine beetles contribute little to the ecological severity of fires in the Northern Rocky Mountains. The researchers tested six wildfires that affected over 75,000 acres and found no significant link between beetle outbreaks and fire severity.
A study by MIT professor Antoinette Schoar found that strong client-banker relationships reduce loan delinquencies and defaults. When loan officers leave, good-standing clients increase their probability of becoming delinquent on loans by almost 22 percent.
Scientists have developed a new generation of hyperpolarizing agents that can be used to dramatically enhance the signal intensity of imaged body tissues without presenting any danger to the patient. The HYPSOs are made from a fine, white, porous powder containing tracking molecules, which act as markers for imaging.
Researchers discovered that a genetic modifier called Pla2g2a can protect against colon tumors in mice, which could have significant implications for cancer research and treatment. The study found that mice with the resistant allele of Pla2g2a had fewer tumors than those with the sensitive allele.
The VCU Center for Medication Development for Cocaine Use Disorder aims to develop safe and effective treatments for cocaine addiction. The center will conduct preclinical and early clinical trials, and provide educational resources to train the next generation of translational scientists.
Scientists at LA BioMed have discovered a way to bypass the blood-brain barrier and deliver an enzyme replacement therapy to treat MPS IIIB, a devastating genetic disease. The treatment has shown promising results by reducing the accumulation of waste products in brain cells.
A new pilot study published in Appetite found that chef-made meals can increase participation in the National School Lunch Program by 9% and overall selection and consumption of vegetables by 16%. Chefs Move to Schools, an initiative that pairs chefs with schools, was tested in a high school in Upstate New York.
A study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology found that the 2005 Medicare law had no significant impact on reducing chemotherapy drug costs, contradicting economists' expectations. Instead, cancer care costs skyrocketed during the decade after the law passed.
Researchers found that patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can safely tolerate treatment with cells cultured from human placental tissue. Early signals also suggest the potential for repairing damaged nerve tissues, offering a new frontier in treatment for the disease.
New research from Princeton University shows that recessions have a profound impact on fertility, leading to lower birth rates in the short and long term. Women who experience high unemployment during their 20s are more likely to remain childless by age 40, with the effects increasing exponentially over time.