A new drug, SF0034, selectively affects potassium channels in the brain to treat epilepsy and prevent tinnitus. It has shown promise in preventing seizures in animals and is being developed as a potential treatment for both conditions.
Scientists investigate placental microbiome, genes, and uterine muscle cells to understand preterm labor triggers. The goal is to develop novel drugs and treatments to prevent premature birth.
Researchers have identified two compounds that target the synthesis of fungal glucosylceramide, leading to highly effective antifungal activity. These new agents may pave the way for a new class of antifungals to treat serious fungal infections, which cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide.
The European Society of Cardiology recommends uninterrupted anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists during ablation and device implantation to minimize bleeding. The new guidelines also provide recommendations on non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) for the first time.
A review of 79 randomized trials involving 6,500 participants found moderate-quality evidence supporting the use of cannabinoids for chronic pain and lower-quality evidence for nausea and vomiting. However, the effectiveness of cannabis for other conditions remains unclear, with increased risk of adverse effects.
The OSIRIS-REx team is preparing to ship its instruments to the spacecraft's assembly facility, with a launch date of September 2016. The mission aims to bring back a small sample from asteroid Bennu for study, providing insights into the asteroid's composition and properties.
Professor Shashi Murthy is developing a novel microfluidic system to automate the process of creating dendritic cells, essential for effective vaccines. The new instrument aims to reduce the manual process from 16 steps to a fully-automated system, potentially cutting timeframes to six days.
Current blood cancer drug prices are too high to be considered cost-effective in the US, according to a recent MD Anderson Cancer Center study. The researchers found that 63% of 20 studies evaluated had costs per additional life-year higher than $50,000, indicating that current prices cannot be justified based on improved quality of life.
A three-year clinical trial results show that the Argus II device improves visual function and quality of life for people with retinitis pigmentosa by up to 89%. The study found no device failures after three years and no negative impact on patients.
MIT researchers have created a new ultralow-power circuit that can harness more than 80% of the energy from tiny solar cells, enabling it to run for months without battery changes. The chip achieves this efficiency improvement while powering devices directly from batteries.
Tropical Storm Kujira made landfall on Hainan Island, China, with surface wind speeds near 65 knots, according to NASA's RapidScat data. The storm then moved into the Gulf of Tonkin, where it was centered near 20.1 North latitude and 107.8 East longitude, with maximum sustained winds near 35 knots.
Researchers developed a low-voltage, single-catalyst water splitter that produces hydrogen and oxygen continuously for over 200 hours. The device uses a single, inexpensive nickel-iron oxide catalyst, reducing cost and increasing efficiency.
A new NASA simulation reveals that dark matter particles colliding in a black hole can produce strong, potentially observable gamma-ray light. This detection could provide new insights into both black holes and the nature of dark matter.
A study found that a small group of consumers who consistently purchase and rave about failing products may actually be 'harbingers of failure.' These customers tend to buy niche items that few others choose. Retailers can use this insight to make better decisions about new products.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have discovered a way to extract information from magma crystals, allowing them to reconstruct the history of global geography and predict future eruptions. This new method has the potential to improve our understanding of volcanic activity and provide more accurate predictions for eruptions.
Primary care physicians incorrectly thought that abuse-deterrent pills were less addictive than standard counterparts, despite evidence showing they are equally addictive. The study highlights the importance of patient and provider education regarding abuse-deterrent products.
A new study found that fitness-branded foods increase consumption in restrained eaters, while reducing physical activity. Fitness labels on snacks led to increased eating and decreased exercise among participants trying to watch their weight.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that teenagers are unclear about the risks of marijuana and e-cigarettes, receiving conflicting information from various sources. The study suggests that future messages should address the addictive potential, health risks, and presence of nicotine in these products.
A team of researchers has created a new implantable drug-delivery system using nanowires that can be wirelessly controlled, allowing for precise and targeted treatment. The system showed promise in reducing inflammation and scar formation in mice with spinal cord injuries.
Thermal phonons can interfere with their own reflections, suggesting that heat transport occurs through wave-like phenomena. This interference could be used to modify the velocity of phonons and create energy bandgaps, leading to new materials with low thermal conductivity.
A study found that most edible cannabis products sold in dispensaries carried labels with inaccurate THC levels, posing a risk to patients. The researchers called for better regulation and oversight of marijuana edibles to prevent overdosing and ensure accurate labeling.
A new study from the University of Exeter has found that racehorse speeds have improved greatly since 1850, with increases in speed greatest in shorter distance races. The researchers used a large data set of racing records to analyze thoroughbred performance at the elite level and found that horses are getting faster.
Inflamed kidney cells produce an enzyme that consumes tryptophan, activating a stress response and inducing autophagy to clear damaged protein. The IDO-GCN2 pathway provides natural protection against inflammation-induced kidney damage, offering new potential treatment targets.
Researchers at OIST have confirmed that specific cholinergic interneurons play a key role in maintaining behavioral flexibility by inhibiting old rules and encouraging exploration. Rats with damaged neurons had difficulty adapting to rule changes, highlighting the importance of these neurons in decision-making.
A recent study by Concordia University researchers found that the US Department of Defense overspends on fuel costs by $1-9 billion annually, with a volatile crude oil market exacerbating the issue. Improving planning and budgeting practices could help mitigate these risks, according to the study.
Scientists have identified a gatekeeper enzyme that prevents cell death in Wolfram syndrome, a rare form of diabetes. Replacing or enhancing the enzyme strengthens cellular membranes and stops molecules from leaking into other parts of the cell.
Living in areas with high road traffic noise may reduce life expectancy due to an increased risk of heart or blood vessel disease. Adults and the elderly living in noisy areas were found to be more likely to die from cardiovascular disease and experience strokes.
Researchers argue that restrictive guidelines on total fat consumption have led to unhealthy choices and neglect the importance of healthy fats like nuts, vegetable oils, and fish. They advocate for a focus on adopting a healthier food-based dietary pattern with more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
Researchers from California Academy of Sciences have described six new species of subterranean Dracula ants in Madagascar and Seychelles. These tiny ants are fierce social predators with dagger-like teeth that hunt underground or deep within leaf litter, leading a cryptic lifestyle.
A team of researchers has successfully developed a brain-machine interface that allows paralyzed individuals to remotely control robots with their thoughts. The technology has shown excellent results, enabling users to interact with the robot's surroundings and avoid obstacles without requiring any physical movement.
New research suggests that depressed people often choose to increase rather than decrease their sadness in daily life. Studies found that depressed participants preferred sad music and re-watched sad images more frequently than non-depressed individuals. The findings highlight the importance of motivation in regulating emotions.
Researchers developed a screening test to measure mutant huntingtin protein seeding in cerebrospinal fluid, distinguishing symptomatic Huntington's patients from gene carriers. This assay may accelerate the development of new drugs to treat this incurable disease by blocking cell-to-cell seeding.
A JGIM study finds unauthorized immigrants paid in $3.5 billion more than they utilized in care in 2011, generating an average surplus of $316 per capita to the Trust Fund. Reducing unauthorized immigration would worsen Medicare's financial health.
Early screening echocardiography for patent ductus arteriosus among extremely preterm infants reduced in-hospital mortality and pulmonary hemorrhage rates. The study found no significant differences in severe complications like necrotizing enterocolitis or bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Astronomers have solved a mystery over blue hook stars, which form when a star's outer layers are destroyed by rapid rotation. The international team found that these stars consume hydrogen fuel more slowly due to their high spin rates.
Researchers at PolyU have developed a novel big data analysis platform that unveils the unregulated patterns of gene network in cancer. The platform discovers potential diagnostic and therapeutic target genes, including Nucleophosmin (NPM1), for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML).
The researchers have developed a robust approach to integrate graphene onto 3D microstructured surfaces, maintaining the structural integrity of graphene. The process incorporates three sequential steps: substrate swelling, shrinking, and adaptation, allowing for damage-free integration of graphene on 3D microstructures.
Pre-menopausal smokers with breast cancer are at a higher risk of dying from the disease and any cause, according to a new study. The research found that smoking can impact breast cancer survival rates, especially among women whose cancers express estrogen receptors.
A study found that a single gene mutation causes the distinctive head crest in pigeons and domesticated ringneck doves, with similar mutations occurring in both species.
A study by Penn State researchers found no significant differences in in-hospital mortality rates, lengths of stay, and readmission rates after implementing an overnight academic hospitalist program. The researchers evaluated over 6,000 patient admissions between 2011 and 2014.
A new study published in Radiology found that annual low-dose computed tomography (CT) screening can safely monitor people with nonsolid lung nodules, reducing the need for unnecessary surgery and additional imaging. Nonsolid nodules are visible on CT scans of the chest and management is challenging.
The study reveals that Darwin's finches have reached an equilibrium due to increased diversity, with no room for new species unless one existing species becomes extinct. Other species like mockingbirds are still diversifying and evolving more slowly.
The institutions have selected two new research projects to receive funding through the Connecting through Research Partnerships Program. These projects aim to develop a supply chain model for biofuels and test a nasal delivery formulation of an encapsulated vaccine to prevent chlamydia.
Researchers have pinpointed the genetic cause of a rare form of blindness, which can present itself as a key-hole shaped defect in the eye. The miR-204 gene mutation has been linked to inherited retinal dystrophy associated with ocular coloboma.
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that primary school children preferred snacks with enticing packaging designs over those with health information or standard labels. The researchers used a handgrip dynamometer to measure the children's motivation and taste test to determine their preferences.
Researchers have identified a new potential culprit in colon cancer, Providencia, and found a single signature of colon cancer in the gut microbiome. This discovery could help doctors predict prognosis and identify bacterial changes that affect patient health.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine report a breakthrough in treating atherosclerosis by loading nanoparticles with a chemical that restores normal fat metabolism in rodents. The nanoparticle 'wrapper' improves the drug's potency and ability to stop fatty buildup, offering new hope for treating cardiovascular disease.
A national study found that over half of substance abuse counselors personally experienced workplace violence, leading to concerns for personal safety, impaired job performance, and decreased quality of care. Organizations responded with increased training and security measures.
A global taskforce of 174 scientists has found 50 chemicals that may trigger cancer when combined, citing the need for increased research into everyday chemical exposures. The study suggests that long-term exposure to low-dose mixtures of environmental chemicals could be responsible for a significant proportion of cancers.
A new study by the University of Miami uses the Weibull distribution to describe and predict illness severity across a population exposed to different chemicals. The correlated multiplicative model explains many types of results in various areas, leading to better predictions of human health risk.
Researchers found that when people perceive more variety in a product's usage situations, they like the product less. Lower variety situations led to customers feeling they were getting value from their sneakers, while higher variety situations made them feel they used the sneakers less often.
A study found that men tend to overestimate their mathematical prowess, while women accurately assess their skills. This biases men to pursue careers in STEM fields more often.
A new theory proposes that consciousness is a passive interpreter rather than an active force, contradicting intuitive beliefs about human consciousness. According to the Passive Frame Theory, consciousness relays information to control voluntary action, but does not exert control over thoughts and feelings.
Researchers found that people remember colors in combination of the actual color and assigned category label, with biases towards categories on borders. This discovery challenges current understanding of color memory.
Scientists have developed a new method to control plasma rotation, a crucial aspect of fusion energy. The technique, which manipulates the intrinsic rotation of hot plasma gas within fusion facilities, has the potential to improve tokamaks' performance and reduce operating costs.
Scientists at Jülich have developed a new concept for compact terahertz sources with tunable wavelengths using short-pulse lasers and strong external magnetic fields. This technology has the potential to revolutionize various applications, including non-invasive cancer screening and ultrafast wireless connections.
The Chesapeake Bay's hypoxic and anoxic zones are caused by excessive nutrient pollution, primarily from human activities. Scientists predict a smaller 'dead zone' this summer, with midsummer volume expected to be approximately 1.37 cubic miles.
Researchers have uncovered four regions in the human genome where changes may increase pancreatic cancer risk, with specific variants linked to a 38% increased risk at position 17q25.1. The study confirms connections between pancreatic cancer risk and genetic variants linked to other cancers.
Engineers at Lehigh University are developing stochastic models to study the dynamics of Ebola virus infection in bats and its potential human transmission. The goal is to quantify the risk associated with the virus's spread and provide a basis for resource allocation and epidemic response strategies.
A new breath test has shown encouraging results in diagnosing esophageal and gastric cancer by detecting unique chemical compounds in exhaled breath. The test is 90% accurate and can be performed in minutes, compared to hours using traditional methods.