Pediatricians may do more harm than good by prescribing acid-reducing medications to children with non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms. The study found a seven-fold increase in C. diff. infection risk among children who used these drugs.
A new study identifies how specific patterns of cortisol activity may relate to the cognitive abilities of children in poverty. Children's cortisol levels remained relatively stable over three years, but exposure to family adversity predicted notable differences in cognitive functioning at age four.
Researchers have found that artificially reactivating positive memories can suppress the effects of stress-induced depression in mice. The study reveals how brain circuits interact with negative experiences and provides a potential target for therapeutic approaches.
Research published in BMC Evolutionary Biology found that male nightingales' songs contain specific features, such as repeated song sequences and varied song types, which signal their ability to care for offspring. These song features are linked to greater paternal efforts, including more frequent feeding and defense of the nest.
A study of 39 female shift-working nurses found that longer rest periods between shifts improved recovery from work, as measured by increased parasympathetic activation and decreased sympathetic activation during sleep. This suggests that a forward-rotating shift system can promote better coping and well-being at work.
A new study in Liberia will investigate the long-term health consequences of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in survivors, determining if they develop immunity that protects them from future infection. The study will also assess whether previously EVD-infected individuals can transmit infection to close contacts and sexual partners.
The detection of a supermassive black hole at the center of Messier 32, a satellite of the Andromeda Galaxy, reveals a 'quiescent' black hole with activity among the weakest yet found. The VLA's improved sensitivity allowed for the detection of radio emission from the black hole, which is roughly 90 times fainter than previous studies.
The article explores aperiodic crystals and their implications on our understanding of crystalline order. Recent research has shown that the current definition of crystals, based on point-like diffraction, may need revision as new materials with non-trivial point components in their diffraction are discovered.
A Vanderbilt-led study found a 28% decline in new prostate cancer diagnoses in the U.S. following the USPSTF's recommendation to discontinue routine PSA screenings. This decrease was observed mainly among low-risk cancers and men over age 70.
Researchers have created a way to combine cells with a special scaffold to produce living tissue in the laboratory, overcame oxygen limitation problems for larger dimensions. The technology has potential applications in replacing diseased parts of the body and repairing severe joint damage.
The Gulf of Mexico is forecasted to have a large 'dead zone' this year due to nutrient-rich runoff from farming states, with the predicted size ranging from 4,344 to 5,985 sq mi. The region's oxygen levels are expected to drop significantly, affecting commercial and sports fisheries.
Researchers at Mount Sinai discovered that high levels of protein H2A.Z.2 promote abnormal growth in melanoma cells, making it a potential target for cancer treatment. The study's findings suggest that blocking this protein could effectively block tumor growth and kill melanoma cells.
A new class of CGRP monoclonal antibodies is showing significant promise in treating high-frequency episodic migraine and chronic migraine. The drugs have been shown to reduce elevated levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide, a key driver of migraine pain.
A new study published in Animal Behaviour found that male mountain gorillas' relationships with infants are influenced by their social rank, not paternity. Dominant males tend to be more nurturing and have stronger relationships with infants in the troop.
The Harvard Medical School Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Training Program will provide specialized education and training in cancer research and treatment. The one-year, nonclinical blended-learning certificate program is designed to promote a deeper understanding of cancer biology, diagnosis, and personalized treatments.
Researchers created a simple computational fact-checker that assigns truth scores to statements, matching human assessments in multiple experiments. The algorithm leverages indirect connections between concepts to assess statement truthfulness, with positive correlations found when comparing to human fact-checkers.
Two doctors criticize Australia's Border Force Act 2015 for silencing healthcare professionals who report substandard medical care in detention centres. The law can lead to imprisonment for whistleblowers, violating their professional duty and international humanitarian obligations.
A new study found that people allocate medical resources equally across groups, but make more efficient decisions when presented with individual patient information. This bias towards equality can lead to suboptimal allocation decisions, but may also have positive outcomes in certain contexts.
Partnerships between multinational companies and child health programs can improve treatment rates and access to life-saving treatments, but also pose an ethical minefield. Critics argue that these connections can legitimize the sale of unhealthy products while diverting resources from public health measures.
Researchers Floris Roelofsen and Donka F. Farkas investigate the workings of 'yes' and 'no', finding that their interpretation is affected by intonation and sentence polarity. Their framework explains distribution and interpretation in English and predicts patterns across languages.
Tropical Storm Carlos remains a small, tightly wound storm with thunderstorms wrapped around its center, producing life-threatening flash floods and mudslides in Mexico. The storm is expected to rapidly weaken and dissipate over the coast of western Mexico.
Scientists have developed a novel battery that uses light to produce power, utilizing titanium nitride for the anode. The 'photo battery' demonstrated high stability and safety, discharging electric current within 30 seconds under normal indoor lighting.
Adolescents with weaker working memory are more likely to have difficulty controlling impulsive tendencies, leading to early and unprotected sex. Improvements in working memory may provide a pathway to greater control over risky sexual behavior.
In 2014, renewables made up 59% of net additions to global power capacity, reaching 27.7% of the world's power generating capacity. This milestone marked the first time in four decades that the world economy grew without a parallel rise in CO2 emissions.
A new study from San Francisco State University found that individuals with lower educational levels and incomes are less likely to know about alternative medicine practices like yoga, acupuncture, and natural products. This lack of knowledge is strongly associated with lower education levels and income.
Researchers at Aalto University predicted the existence of topological superconductors on metallic surfaces and thin films using mathematical models. The discovery could lead to new quantum states and potential applications in quantum computing.
Scientists at Baylor College of Medicine have created a new disease model that closely resembles the human mechanisms and effectively studies hypercholesterolemia. The study successfully cured the disorder using gene therapy, offering a promising approach for treating metabolic diseases.
A new study published in Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback found a significant link between lower heart rate variability and sexual dysfunction in women. Women with below-average heart rate variability were more likely to report sexual arousal problems and overall sexual difficulties.
Researchers discovered a way to prevent dendrite formation in lithium metal batteries by adding chemicals to the electrolyte, improving safety and performance. The new approach could lead to more efficient and longer-lasting batteries with potential applications in electric vehicles and energy storage.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that climate change may affect tourism at US national parks, with potential increases in visitation in temperate areas and decreases in high-latitude and high-elevation parks. The authors suggest that protected areas can adapt to these changes to minimize detriment.
Researchers found that adding certain yeast autolysates can enhance fruity aromas in sparkling wines without affecting foam quality or phenolic compound content. The study provides new insights into the impact of commercial yeast products on bubbly wines.
A study published in The Lancet found that readmission to the same hospital after surgery is associated with improved survival rates. Patients who underwent a range of common operations fared better when treated by the same surgical team and returned to their original hospital for post-operative management.
Peter Greenberg and colleague Bonnie Bassler's work on quorum sensing has far-reaching implications for medicine and agriculture. Hundreds of bacterial species use quorum sensing to control various things, and the researchers aim to develop novel medicines targeting this process.
The study analyzed rice straws using integrated analytical techniques, revealing the presence of cellulose and glucose. Glucose levels were found to be influenced by starch levels, paving the way for efficient production of biochemical and biofuels in the future.
A Cornell study found that frequent self-weighing and tracking results effective for losing weight and keeping it off, particularly in men. Losing weight is regained in one year, but maintaining it requires consistent behaviors such as eating less and exercising.
Research from Rice University and West Virginia University found that reading about scientist Francis Collins promotes a collaborative view of religion and science. In contrast, reading about Richard Dawkins had no impact on public perception.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a new link between male infertility and autoimmune prostatic inflammation. The study found that the immune system reacts to a protein called transglutaminase 4 in men with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1, leading to reduced fertility.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital developed a new method for skin rejuvenation using pulsed electrical fields, which induce cellular death and proliferation without affecting the extracellular matrix. This non-invasive procedure shows promise in improving skin health with minimal risk of scarring or altered pigmentation.
A new tool has identified a novel anti-diabetes compound targeting ER stress, improving insulin production and glucose metabolism. The technology also shows promise in treating other diseases like retinitis pigmentosa, cystic fibrosis, and Alzheimer's.
Research at Uppsala University reveals individuals with social phobia produce too much serotonin, leading to increased anxiety in social situations. The study used PET cameras and tracers to measure serotonin transmission by the brain's fear centre, finding a direct link between excessive serotonin production and social anxiety.
Researchers found that vinculin levels increase with age, altering the shape and performance of cardiac muscle cells, leading to a healthy adaptive change. The findings suggest that vinculin could be an important therapeutic target to slow down the decline of heart muscle vitality.
A comprehensive classification of rare genetic metabolic bone disorders has been developed, categorizing them into four major groups based on their metabolic pathway. This taxonomy provides valuable information for diagnosis, genetic testing, and the development of orphan drugs.
Satellites are now used to monitor coral reef health, providing near-real time data and long-term forecasts of tropical conditions. This information helps identify early warning signs of coral decline and loss due to natural and human-caused pressures.
A new bat species, Mystacina miocenalis, lived 16 million years ago and walked on four limbs, weighing 40 grams, three times heavier than its living cousin. The discovery helps understand the capacity of bats to establish populations on islands.
A study published in Basic and Applied Social Psychology found that men who engage in small talk before negotiations tend to receive more favorable outcomes. In contrast, women who make small talk are perceived less favorably and do not experience the same benefits.
Scientists expect this year's Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone to be approximately 5,483 square miles, similar to the last several years. The dead zone affects important commercial and recreational fisheries, threatening the region's economy.
Researchers found charcoal and respiratory irritants in ancient teeth, indicating early humans suffered health effects from indoor air pollution. The discovery provides the first direct evidence of manmade pollution on Earth, dating back 400,000 years.
A team of researchers from Indiana University and Switzerland used data mapping methods to track the spread of information on social networks and apply them to the human brain. The study reveals specific connections and nodes in the brain that may be responsible for higher forms of cognition.
The National Oceanography Centre is part of a European Union-funded consortium providing a world-class marine monitoring and forecasting service. The NWS service will utilize data from six research organisations to predict the shelf sea environment, benefiting social and economic interests.
Tropical Storm Bill is expected to bring heavy rain accumulations of 4-8 inches over eastern Texas and eastern Oklahoma, with life-threatening flash floods possible. The storm will weaken over the next two days, becoming a post-tropical low pressure area by Thursday.
New research from the University of California, Berkeley, shows that humans have a nose for navigation by converting smells into spatial information. Study participants navigated relatively closely to targeted locations using only their sense of smell, even when other sensory inputs were blocked.
Research demonstrates that age-related inflammatory changes contribute to accelerated COPD development, especially when combined with cigarette smoke exposure. This knowledge provides new directions for innovative treatment approaches.
Scientists have developed a method for isolating primary human hepatocytes and different non-parenchymal cell fractions from the same donor tissue. The isolation process involves a two-step EDTA/collagenase perfusion technique followed by Percoll density gradient centrifugation, adherence separation, and magnetic activated cell sorting.
A Northwestern Medicine study found that many people are confused by sunscreen terminology, with only 43% understanding SPF values and 7% knowing how to protect against early skin aging. This confusion can lead to inadequate protection against sunburns and premature skin aging.
Researchers developed computer models to examine how ultraviolet radiation from nearby suns affects Earth-like planets' biological intricacies. The models simulate four epochs of Earth's history, revealing the impact of UV radiation on the origin of life.
A CU-Boulder-led study has discovered a permanent, lopsided dust cloud enveloping the moon. The cloud is composed of tiny dust grains kicked up by high-speed interplanetary dust particles, and its density increases during annual events like the Geminid meteor showers.
Two MGH physicians, Renee Salas and Annekathryn Goodman, share their experiences in Nepal earthquake relief, highlighting the challenges of wilderness medicine in remote environments. The teams worked together to provide emergency care and support, while also addressing emotional devastation inflicted on villagers.
Researchers at Institut Pasteur successfully inhibit enzyme DPP4 to increase T lymphocyte infiltration into tumors, leading to efficient cancer cell destruction. This innovative treatment combines with existing immunotherapies to eradicate tumors in mice.
A study found that highly specialized coronulid barnacles exclusively attach to the fins of dolphins, particularly along the trailing edge facing away from water flow. The barnacles select suitable areas on the fins to filter nutrients and protect developing larvae.
Scientists have developed nanoswimmers that can navigate body fluids to target specific areas of the body, reducing complications and improving recovery times for cancer patients. The nanoswimmers use magnetic fields to move through blood and are designed to specifically target and destroy cancer cells.