A recent study by the CDC and University of Georgia found that 75% of first-time expectant mothers planned to follow the recommended childhood immunization schedule. Most undecided mothers had low levels of confidence in vaccines, suggesting targeted outreach may be needed.
Researchers at Temple University Health System have discovered a small molecule inhibitor that selectively kills cancer cells with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations. The compound, 6-hydroxy-DL-dopa, works by blocking an alternative DNA repair pathway, providing a promising approach to precision medicine for various cancers.
The University of Leicester has been awarded £1.5 million to advance knowledge in three key areas that impact on health. Three groups have won awards led by Professor David Lambert, Professor Marco Rinaldo Oggioni, and Dr Shaun Cowley, investigating sepsis, infection spread, and cancer mechanisms.
A new species of whirligig beetle has been discovered in Alabama's Conecuh National Forest, identified by PhD student Grey Gustafson and entomologist Dr. Robert Sites. The newly described species, Dineutus shorti, is the first to be found in the US since 1991.
Female black-capped chickadees produce acoustically distinct vocalizations from those of males, with birds able to tell apart the two sexes through different acoustic cues. The researchers found that females rely more on information in the second note of the song, while males focus on the first note.
A new study found that most seasonal allergy sufferers take over-the-counter medications rather than prescribed treatments, despite being more satisfied with these options. The survey also revealed children are more likely to receive care from allergists and be on prescription medication compared to adults.
Scientists at WashU Medicine have discovered an enzyme that enables some fish and amphibians to supercharge their vision to detect red and infrared light, aiding navigation in murky waters. This discovery could lead to advances in biomedical research, particularly optogenetics, where light is used to control brain activity.
QUT research has received a $1M funding boost to explore the use of Australian plants in combating golden staph infections, healing chronic wounds, and treating diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The project aims to improve treatment options for millions of people worldwide suffering from these conditions.
Researchers discovered that backswimmers can extract oxygen from the surrounding water using their air bubbles, extending dives by up to 20%. The insects adjust the buoyancy of their bubble by replacing nitrogen with gases like helium and sulphur hexafluoride.
Researchers have successfully used microbe S. islandicus to construct nano-capsules that can transport drugs safely through the stomach, offering a potential solution for oral drug delivery. The liposomes, made from cell membrane molecules of S. islandicus, survived in acidic environments, retaining their content and showing promise fo...
A new study suggests that perimenopausal hormonal fluctuations may enhance emotional sensitivity to psychosocial stress, leading to the development of a depressed mood. Women are at greater risk of depression than men, with rates doubling or tripling during the menopausal transition.
A study of over 2,200 obese patients found that bariatric surgery leads to significant improvements in bodily pain, physical function, and walking speed. However, patient age, income level, depressive symptoms, and pre-existing medical conditions can affect the likelihood of improvement.
A team studied the proteins and genes that allow squirrels' hearts to stay healthy during winter hibernation, a phenomenon that could help researchers develop better treatments for people with cardiac disease. The study found dozens of proteins and protein signaling pathways that are expressed differently during hibernation.
A team of researchers has developed a C. elegans worm model with mutations that cause Retinitis pigmentosa, a rare blindness subtype affecting over 1 million people worldwide. The study reveals the disease's specificity in the retina and proposes a new hypothesis based on genomic instability.
Researchers have discovered a single gene regulating salmon age at maturity, which also influences human puberty timing. The VGLL3 gene affects body fat accumulation and balances out sex-specific traits to maintain population stability.
Researchers have developed a graphene-integrated device that detects heat signatures at room temperature without cryogenic cooling. This breakthrough could lead to a more versatile thermal sensor, potentially based on a single layer of graphene, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs.
A study published in Neurology found that raloxifene, an estrogen-like drug, had no demonstrated benefit on memory and thinking skills for women with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. The results suggest that the drug may not be effective as a treatment for this condition.
A new study suggests that massive magma chambers in supervolcanoes may erupt when the roof above them cracks or collapses, rather than building up internal pressure. The researchers found that the size of the magma chamber is a key factor in triggering eruptions, and that external forces such as earthquakes or faults may play a role.
A recent study by University of Queensland researchers has tracked the re-emergence of scarlet fever-causing bacteria, resulting in a significant increase in cases worldwide. The rise in scarlet fever could pre-empt a future rise in rheumatic heart disease, highlighting the need for swift identification and treatment.
Researchers have found that young stars in Serpens South form through distinct, episodic growth spurts. CARMA-7 experienced 22 episodes of gravitational push-pull during star formation, indicating a chaotic environment common for star birth.
The University of Oklahoma is collaborating with the National Science Foundation's South Big Data Regional Innovation Hub to tackle regional challenges using big data analysis. The hub aims to develop new approaches for integrating data from disparate sources, enabling effective decision-making in areas like healthcare, coastal hazards...
Cyclone Chapala brought heavy rains and flooding to Yemen, with IMERG rainfall estimates showing totals of 5-15 inches in south central Yemen and coastal areas. The storm caused significant damage and loss of life, with at least 3 deaths and 200 injured reported.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory have measured the attractive force between pairs of antiprotons for the first time, shedding light on antimatter's existence and symmetry. The study's findings may help explain why the universe is dominated by ordinary matter and not antimatter.
A $20 million gift from the Dolby Family Fund will support UCSF's Department of Psychiatry in its research on depression, bipolar disorder, and related illnesses. The goal is to rapidly advance treatments and eliminate stigma surrounding mental illness.
Research found that composting is most reliable to kill bacteria with resistance genes in cow manure. Composting speeds up decomposition and reduces volume of manure. Manure management practices like composting and stockpiling can make it difficult for resistant bacteria to travel from farm to environment.
A study published in PLOS One reveals that fishers in California are being poisoned by rat poisons used on illegal marijuana farms, leading to a 233% increase in poisoning-related deaths. The toxicants are particularly deadly for male fishers, which are five times more likely to die from poisoning than predation compared to females.
Patient advocates urge medical professionals and policymakers to consider the long-term effects of advanced breast cancer treatments. They highlight the need for accessible therapies that extend patients' lives, while also addressing financial, employment, and family challenges associated with prolonged illness. Experts note that curre...
Australian scientists identified a critical molecular feedback loop in neuroblastoma that accelerates cancer development. Experimental drug CBL0137 has the potential to interrupt this loop and halt tumour progression, showing promising results in laboratory models.
Scientists developed JEDI T-cells to visualize immune responses and model disease states, enabling targeted cell depletion and advancing immunotherapy in cancer care. This breakthrough has implications for autoimmune diseases and brain malignancies like glioblastoma.
Researchers propose a working definition of curiosity as a drive state for information, which can be observed in organisms as simple as nematode worms. They also discuss the benefits and drawbacks of curiosity, including its role in learning and decision-making, and how it relates to attentional disorders.
Researchers found that urban areas have higher pathogen abundance and lower honey bee survival rates compared to rural environments. The study suggests that increased transmission rates in urban areas may be the primary cause of this effect.
Researchers found that treating team members differently can have negative effects on performance, but also that over-treating or under-treating them can be detrimental. The study suggests that business leaders need to find a moderate level of differentiation to avoid harming team performance.
A team of psychologists and engineers from SMU and the University of Maryland have received a $2 million NIH grant to create a wearable device for pediatric asthma patients that monitors air quality and identifies individual triggers. The device aims to alert patients before an attack, improving treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that parts from both types of 3D printers were toxic to zebrafish embryos, with liquid-based printer parts being the most toxic. A post-printing treatment using ultraviolet light reduced toxicity levels.
A recent study reveals that the evolution of differences between human language's sound systems is partly linked to climatic or ecological conditions. The researchers found a correlation between ecological factors and the ratio of sonorant segments to obstruent segments in languages.
A new study reveals that relapsed malaria infections are a significant obstacle to malaria eradication in the Asia-Pacific region. Most childhood infections in Papua New Guinea are caused by relapsed P. vivax infections, which can hide in the liver and re-emerge after treatment.
Researchers demonstrated the fabrication of high-Q LN microresonators using femtosecond laser micromachining, achieving efficient second harmonic generation (SHG) in the visible wavelength range. The normalized conversion efficiency of SHG was measured to be 1.35×10-5 /mW.
Undergraduate and graduate students in Arizona and Michigan used open-access data to discover the influence of soil composition on microbial life. The students, part of a revolutionary virtual class, used social media and online forums to collaborate and analyze large-scale datasets.
By 'crumpling' hybrid nanostructures, researchers increased surface area and improved SERS detection sensitivity. The new design enables enhanced nanoplasmonic sensing applications for environmental analysis, pharmaceuticals, and biomedical research.
The University of Missouri engineer Yangchuan Xing has received a $2.2 million DOE grant to develop manufacturing technology for lithium ion batteries used in electric vehicles. The project aims to drive down the cost of environmentally friendly automobiles, creating jobs and economic development in Missouri.
Annual snow accumulation on West Antarctica's coastal ice sheet rose dramatically during the 20th century, increasing by 30% between 1900 and 2010. The research found that this increase is attributed to an intensification of regional low pressure systems and more storms in the region.
A US study found that physicians who spend more resources are less likely to face malpractice claims, regardless of whether it's for defensive or non-defensive reasons. The study analyzed data from nearly 19 million hospital admissions and found associations across seven specialties, with family medicine physicians being the exception.
A team of researchers from MIT and QCRI developed a system that can automatically convert 2-D video of soccer games into 3-D. The system uses detailed 3-D maps stored in video games to create broadcast-quality 3-D video, achieving real-time processing without visual artifacts.
Strong marketing departments contribute to both short-term and long-term shareholder returns by building brand equity and customer relationships. Researchers found that marketing departments' power increased over a 16-year period, with firms that didn't have one before creating it later benefiting the most.
Recent research by IPC PAS reveals how kinesin transports large molecules within cells, utilizing a unique 'silly walk' mechanism. By controlling the movement of kinesin, researchers confirmed one of earlier-known proposals of its mechanism.
A Grand Valley State University nursing faculty member is presenting research on the effectiveness of text messaging for medication adherence among older adults. The study found that enrolling patients through a specialty pharmacy resulted in higher enrollment rates, and that adults over 60 were more likely to participate.
A newly discovered fossil sea urchin has been found in Texas, pushing the evolution of this type of sea urchin back by 10 million years to the Roadian age. The discovery provides valuable insights into the processes that occur during major evolutionary changes.
A new study suggests that the brain's immune system can be harnessed to clear amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Microglia, native brain cells, play a key role in this process, and manipulating their activation may accelerate plaque removal.
Researchers at LSU have identified a new gene regulation pathway that prevents inflammation and speeds up the skin's healing process. A nanoparticle-carried small interference RNA blocks the Nax sodium sensor, enabling faster healing.
A new study found that teenage exposure to organochlorine pesticides may lead to defective sperm and fertility problems later in life. Researchers analyzed sperm and blood samples from 90 men living in an island community with high pesticide exposure.
A new study published in The BMJ found that higher-spending physicians face significantly fewer malpractice claims, with malpractice rates ranging from 1.6% to 4.1% per physician-year across specialties. This suggests that increased spending may signal defensive practice and reduce errors or liability.
Researchers have developed a new battery that uses low-cost materials to store renewable energy, potentially making it more affordable for homes. The battery's energy density is close to that of lithium-ion batteries, but with the potential for an additional two- to three-fold boost.
Researchers found that analyzing circulating tumor DNA can track a patient's cancer evolution and identify the best treatments. The liquid biopsy test is less invasive and less costly than conventional tissue biopsies, providing up-to-date information on how a patient's cancer is changing.
Researchers at George Washington University Health Workforce Institute analyze data on US medical graduates and residency positions, finding a surplus of slots for the next decade. The study suggests that despite increased competition, US medical students will have ample training opportunities.
A study found associations between masculinity ideology, energy drink consumption, and sleep disturbances among young white men. Energy drinks are often marketed as 'masculine' products, leading some men to feel pressure to consume them to perform masculinity.
Researchers found that switching to efavirenz-based therapy did not result in higher rates of viral rebound or failure among children with viral suppression. This study provides evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of this treatment regimen for HIV-infected children over 3 years old.
The O'Neill Institute and WOLA are developing guidelines for public health approaches to legalizing marijuana, drawing from research and experience in regulating other products like tobacco and alcohol. The project aims to minimize public health harms and maximize benefits, with a focus on expert input from the public health community.
Researchers in Pennsylvania have been granted funding from the American Heart Association to support their work on cardiovascular diseases and stroke. The grants will enable them to gather data and develop new treatment strategies for patients with Fontan physiology, a condition that affects thousands of people worldwide.
Experts argue that banning smoking in all areas of psychiatric hospitals can lead to better patient engagement with treatment and improved mental health. Studies show that patients with serious mental health problems are more likely to die prematurely due to smoking-related diseases.
Experts warn that easily accessible online prescription sleeping tablets pose a significant risk of addiction and misuse, particularly for vulnerable individuals. The BMJ report highlights the need for regulatory authorities to ensure websites comply with medicines regulations.