An 11-year study of over 425,000 patients found that atrial fibrillation's contribution to ischemic stroke risk was negligible in those with multiple comorbidities. The study suggests that stroke prevention should focus on the combined effects of multiple risk factors rather than a single factor.
Researchers found that ezetimibe, when added to a statin, significantly reduced the risk of future ischemic stroke, heart attack, and cardiovascular death in patients with diabetes who had an acute coronary syndrome. Ezetimibe also lowered LDL-cholesterol levels by 43mg/dL after one year.
A small left ventricle with thick walls is the strongest predictor of morphologic remodelling, a first step towards heart failure. This unexpected finding could change risk stratification among patients with stable coronary artery disease.
A study of over 25,000 cardiac arrest patients found that increased AED usage and accompanying initiatives led to higher bystander defibrillation rates in public locations. However, a significant increase was not observed in residential areas, where most out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur.
Research found higher levels of inflammatory markers in young adults living in polluted cities, indicating a greater risk of heart attack. Long-term air pollution exposure was linked to increased levels of CRP, hsCRP, homocysteine, and fibrinogen.
Patients with atrial fibrillation who received antithrombotic management according to ESC guidelines had better outcomes than those who did not. Guideline-adherent patients had significantly lower rates of major adverse events during one year follow up compared to over- or under-treated patients.
A subgroup analysis of the IMPROVE-IT trial found that ezetimibe significantly reduced the chances of future major cardiac or vascular events in patients with diabetes by 14% compared to placebo. Ezetimibe added to a statin lowered LDL cholesterol at 1 year, resulting in lower risks of cardiovascular events.
The BELIEF study shows that left atrial appendage (LAA) isolation, combined with standard treatment, significantly improves the success rate of catheter ablation for long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation. LAA isolation reduces AF recurrence rates by 30% compared to standard treatment alone.
Research presented at ESC Congress found a strong association between cold weather and severe heart attacks in Winnipeg, Canada. A 6-year study showed that each 10°C drop in temperature increased the risk of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) by 7%.
A large-scale study found that cold weather is associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. The risk was highest during winter months and lowest in summer, with a 10% increase in risk for every 5°C decrease in daily temperature.
A new algorithm using a highly sensitive troponin I assay can reduce mortality and cut triage times to one hour for patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction. The algorithm allows for safe discharge or rapid treatment initiation, enabling better resource utilization.
Research suggests that exposure to particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide air pollutants is associated with an increased risk of severe heart attacks. The study found that men aged 75 and above were more susceptible to fine particles, while younger individuals were more affected by NO2.
A leadless cardiac pacemaker demonstrated good safety and reliable function in a six-month study. The device effectively captured heart rhythms and had a low rate of serious adverse device effects, suggesting it can be used as an alternative to conventional transvenous pacemakers.
Researchers at CU-Boulder have developed a new technique for estimating sea ice concentration, improving US Navy forecasts by almost 40%. The blended input approach combines satellite data and human interpretation to capture smaller patches of sea ice, enhancing forecast accuracy.
A new study found that antiarrhythmia drug therapy after radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation does not reduce arrhythmia recurrence rates at one year. The treatment, which had shown a temporary benefit in earlier studies, lost its effectiveness once the medication was stopped.
Researchers discovered two distinct antigenic groups co-circulating during the 2014-2015 winter season, with different epidemic patterns across Europe, the US, and mainland China. The study provided a comprehensive understanding of the H3N2 virus's antigenic evolution, facilitating effective vaccine strategy formulation.
Researchers used fMRI to distinguish first-episode psychotic patients from healthy controls while watching the movie. They found significant differences in brain activity, particularly in the precuneus region, which is associated with memory and self-awareness.
A 12-year study of over 1,200 patients found that heavy coffee drinkers had a four-fold increased risk and moderate drinkers tripled their risk of heart attacks. The effect may be mediated by long-term influences on blood pressure and glucose metabolism.
Research found that depressed patients with high or low blood pressure had the highest risk of major vascular events, including stroke or heart attack, at four years. The study included 35,537 patients and showed that depressive symptoms interacted with blood pressure to predict these outcomes.
The new ESC guidelines recommend a multimodality imaging approach for diagnosing infective endocarditis, incorporating techniques such as PET-CT. A multidisciplinary team, including cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and infectious disease specialists, is crucial for effective management.
The new ESC guidelines offer improved management of pericardial diseases, including acute pericarditis and constrictive pericarditis. The guidelines provide specific diagnostic criteria and treatment recommendations, aiming to improve outcomes and quality of life for patients with these conditions.
A new study published in the European Society of Cardiology reveals that prolonged television watching is associated with a higher risk of fatal pulmonary embolism. Watching TV for more than five hours per day was linked to twice the risk of death from pulmonary embolism as watching less than two and a half hours daily.
The new guidelines introduce a novel treatment algorithm for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), recommending sequential and initial combination therapies based on patient risk profiles. The guidelines also provide updated classifications, diagnostic algorithms, and assessmen...
A major multi-national study of suicides identified behavior patterns preceding many suicide attempts. The study found that patients with depressive mixed states were at higher risk of suicide, as well as those displaying risky behavior, psychomotor agitation, and impulsivity. These findings suggest the importance of assessing these sy...
Researchers found that a single dose of cocaine interferes with recognizing negative emotions, such as sadness and anger. The study's lead author suggests this may explain why cocaine users report higher levels of sociability when intoxicated.
NASA's GOES-East satellite tracked Tropical Storm Erika's movement from August 27 to August 29, showing its weakening as it passed through the Leeward Islands and into the Eastern Caribbean Sea. The storm's remnants are expected to produce heavy rainfall across portions of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and eastern Cuba through Sunday.
A European Union-funded project estimates that 4.7 million tonnes of discarded electronics were wrongfully mismanaged or illegally traded in Europe, valued at €800-1.7 billion annually. The study calls for better guidelines and harmonized penalties to combat e-waste crime.
Research found that midday naps are associated with reduced blood pressure levels and prescription of fewer antihypertensive medications in hypertensive patients. Midday sleepers had lower average 24 hour ambulatory systolic BP readings, indicating a potential reduction in cardiovascular risk.
Researchers found that patients with high risks of MI and bleeding were admitted for NSTE ACS on warmer, sunnier days with higher carbon monoxide and ozone air concentrations. Treatment with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was more successful when the weather was sunnier but colder and with lower concentrations of air pollutants.
A new study has found that targeted magnetic pulses cause biochemical and connectivity changes across the brain in depressed patients. The research suggests that personalized TMS treatment could lead to better, more targeted therapy for depression and other conditions.
Researchers found that nearly 60 out of 100 000 people suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital each year and only one in ten survive. In a large study, patients with refractory cardiac arrest who were brought to the hospital with ongoing CPR had a higher survival rate compared to those resuscitated before arrival. The study's findin...
The ESC recommends DNA analysis in post mortems of young sudden death victims to identify genetic causes and facilitate early diagnosis of relatives. This approach helps protect them through personalized approaches, such as lifestyle modifications and therapies.
The ESC guidelines now strongly recommend the radial approach over femoral access for coronary angiography and PCI in patients with acute coronary syndromes. The radial approach reduces vascular complications, major bleeding events, and all-cause mortality. Additionally, the guidelines suggest a tailored duration of dual antiplatelet t...
Scientists from Hiroshima University have observed an unusual dispersion of the acoustic mode in liquid Bi using inelastic x-ray scattering (IXS). The results resolve previous disagreements and suggest a possible mechanism involving a long-range interatomic force, which is related to local structures.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new technique to create synthetic tissue environments that can realistically recreate microenvironments found in biology. This allows for more accurate study of tumor growth and behavior, and has potential applications in drug screening and personalized medicine.
Researchers have developed a light-activated switch that enables precise control of NMDA receptors, which are crucial for forming and storing memories. This tool promises to provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity and memory formation.
Researchers at OU and Mercy Hospital OKC are developing two new short-term breast cancer risk prediction approaches to increase detection of breast MRI screenings. They aim to identify high-risk women with mammography-occult cancers and reduce repeated negative MRI screenings among those with elevated risk.
The Philistines brought exotic plants, including sycamore, cumin, and opium poppy, which had a significant impact on Israel's floral biodiversity. These cultivars were not found in archaeological sites prior to the Iron Age, reflecting a distinct agrarian regime and dietary preferences.
Four UC San Diego School of Medicine researchers have received the NCI Outstanding Investigator Award for their groundbreaking research in cancer. Kun-Liang Guan, Tannishtha Reya, Jin Zhang, and Michael Karin will receive multi-million-dollar awards to fund new projects tackling cell growth, cancer detection, and treatment.
A 23-year experiment by Lund University researchers found that fungi break down organic materials, releasing carbon dioxide and nutrients, rather than reducing leakage as previously thought. This challenges current policies on land use intended to promote fungi and could have significant consequences for climate models.
A team of scientists has discovered that gene regulatory networks are inherently unstable, leading to aging and disease. Stabilizing these networks could lead to therapies against age-related diseases and increased lifespan.
Scientists have created a nanoscale vehicle made of DNA to shuttle the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool into cells. This 'nanoclew' ensures precise control over the dosage of editing, reducing unintended edits. The researchers successfully tested the system in cancer cell cultures and tumors in mice, achieving promising results.
Kyriakos S. Markides, PhD, receives the prestigious Robert W. Kleemeier Award from GSA for his contributions to the study of aging. The award recognizes his extensive research on Hispanic health outcomes and epidemiological paradoxes.
A recent study found that drinking less alcohol is the most effective way to avoid hangovers, contrary to popular claims that eating water or consuming hydrating drinks can prevent them. Researchers surveyed over 1,300 students and found no correlation between hydration and hangover severity.
Researchers at California Institute of Technology have developed an artificial leaf that can harness sunlight to produce hydrogen fuels, achieving a high efficiency rate. The system consists of three components: photoanode, photocathode, and membrane, which work together to split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen gas.
Mary Naylor, a renowned gerontological nurse researcher, has been awarded the 2015 Doris Schwartz Gerontological Nursing Research Award by GSA. Her Transitional Care Model has been clinically proven to reduce hospital re-admissions and produce substantial savings.
Researchers at Caltech have successfully observed and controlled quantum motion in a large mechanical device, defying classical physics. By manipulating the inherent quantum noise, they were able to reduce its impact on measurement precision.
Research found that oysters serve as a major reservoir for noroviruses, with over 80% of human norovirus genotypes detected in oyster samples. This highlights the importance of surveillance and safe handling of oysters to prevent transmission.
Tropical Storm Erika was centered in the Eastern Caribbean Sea, affecting Puerto Rico and Hispaniola. The storm produced total rainfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches with maximum amounts of 10 inches possible across portions of the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
Engineers at the University of Toronto have developed a biocompatible scaffold that allows sheets of beating heart cells to snap together like Velcro. This technology enables the creation of layered tissues with varying configurations, including tiny checkerboards, and could be used to repair damaged hearts.
A USC study reveals inaccuracies in CPR depictions on TV, including lower survival rates and incorrect patient demographics. The findings highlight the need for improved physician-patient communication and discussions around advance care planning decisions.
Researchers have developed a new method to manufacture hybrid glasses using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), enabling industrial-scale carbon capture and storage. The technique allows for the production of 'designer glasses' with applications in advanced photonics.
Researchers found that 'Bicycles May Use Full Lane' signs were more effective in clarifying the rules of the road for both drivers and cyclists. This new signage could lead to increased bike usage, reducing traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions, while improving public health and mobility for disadvantaged groups.
A study by psychologists at the University of Rochester found that mothers who experienced childhood maltreatment have lower self-confidence and are more likely to use negative parenting behaviors. Intervention programs should focus on building mothers' confidence, rather than just teaching parenting skills.
Heavy rainfall from Hurricane Ignacio was measured by NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) core satellite on August 27, with rates reaching over 60 mm per hour south of the eye. The storm is expected to slowly strengthen through late Saturday and peak at 110 mph on August 29.
A landmark paper recommends monitoring beach sand to safeguard human health. The study, based on data from beaches in the US, UK, Portugal, and other countries, identifies key indicators and methods to assess public health risks from pathogens in the sand.
A study at the University of Illinois identified p-coumaric acid as a key factor in determining honey bee caste. The research found that larvae fed with beebread and honey containing p-coumaric acid undergo changes in gene expression, shifting them away from queen development.
Climate change and rising temperatures are giving rise to 'hotter' droughts, causing abnormally high levels of forest mortality. Temperate forests may convert to new ecological states, leading to widespread ecosystem service losses.
Hurricane Jimena is rapidly intensifying due to its strong thunderstorms building up quickly, especially in its northern quadrant. The storm's maximum sustained winds are expected to reach 145 mph, making it a powerful Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.
A study by Helmholtz Munich researchers identified a key role of the protein BMP7 in promoting cell division and migration in pheochromocytoma cells. Targeting this signaling pathway with specific substances may lead to an increase in apoptosis, providing a new approach for treatment.