A historic $54.5M donation from hospital foundations will propel women's and children's health research, improving outcomes through peer-reviewed grants, researcher recruitment, and incubator services. The University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry is a key partner in this transformative gift.
A new study published in Radiology found that pre-operative supine MRI can provide more detailed and accurate information than prone MRI, helping surgeons detect remnant tumors and ensure clear margins. This could lead to effective tumor removal and reduce the need for re-operations.
Researchers at George Washington University are studying a potential new treatment for heart failure by restoring parasympathetic activity to the heart, which could improve cardiac function. The study uses high-speed optical assessments of heart function to identify heart-specific benefits of oxytocin nerve activation.
Scientists at Helmholtz Zentrum München have developed a novel antibody targeting carbonic anhydrase XII, which is overexpressed in cancer cells, with the goal of improving treatment options for glioblastoma patients. The antibody conjugated with lutetium-177 can deliver lethal doses to tumor cells directly.
A study found that Zika virus alerts led to a significant increase in abortion requests in Latin American countries with restricted access. The researchers analyzed data from an online portal and found that women were more likely to seek an abortion after receiving health alerts about the virus.
Researcher Erika Geisbrecht is studying the connection between a gene called clueless (clu) and genes that cause Parkinson's disease in fruit flies. She aims to understand how muscles develop and maintain themselves throughout a fruit fly's life to apply this knowledge to humans.
A team from Southwest Research Institute suggests that asteroid impacts during the early days of Earth's history led to a massive greenhouse effect, stabilizing temperatures and delivering essential elements for life. This mechanism may have played a key role in sustaining liquid water on our planet.
A new study by Kaitlin Wowak and colleagues reveals that time pressures, supply chain permeation, and product characteristics hinder traceability. To overcome these barriers, firms can adopt different traceability requirements for perishable products and use 'nicknames' to track blended products.
A new tool called Phenocart captures essential plant health data, allowing for faster measurements and larger experiments. The portable device uses a repurposed bicycle wheel and handles to collect data on growth rate, color, and other vital signs.
Astronomers from UMD and Michigan document X-rays bouncing off inner accretion disk near dormant black hole Swift J1644+57. The study reveals the shape and activity of the accretion disk, opening a door to reliable measurements of black hole spin.
Research suggests that an extract from hops could help fend off breast cancer by boosting the cells' detoxification pathway, a process linked to a lower risk of developing breast cancer. The study found that one particular compound, 6-PN, had anti-cancer effects and may be a potential natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy.
A new study found that centuries-old court records in Istanbul reveal high interest rates for the wealthy and privileged, while the poor faced lower rates. The research suggests that these biases have unintended consequences, exacerbating modern poverty.
A new study suggests that higher late-life cognitive reserve is linked to lower incidence and severity of delirium in older surgical patients. Participating in cognitively stimulating activities such as reading, singing, or playing computer games may help protect against delirium.
A new study found that older adults who need help taking medications often have poor vision, hearing, or diagnosed conditions like stroke, diabetes, hypertension, heart attack, or cancer. The study also identified age and gender as predictors of medication assistance needs, with men and those aged 80+ being more likely to require help.
Scientists have developed a magnetically controlled drug that can dissolve blood clots up to 4000 times more efficiently than ordinary enzyme-based drugs. The new material protects enzymes from inhibitors and maintains therapeutic properties over extended periods.
Researchers found that about 1 in 400 people have 36 or more repeats of the gene, which could lead to a higher incidence of the disease. People with reduced penetrance may be at relatively low risk but play a larger role in transmitting the full penetrance gene to their children.
An international team has discovered an elegant way to decouple organic nanosheets grown on metal surfaces. By exposing the networks to iodine vapour, they reduced the adhesion between the network and the metal, allowing the molecules to behave almost as if they were free-standing.
A recent study by Maria Chikina and Nathan Clark found that during three major independent evolutionary events, mammals returned to the sea, involving many genetic trade-offs. The researchers identified hundreds of genes affected, including those involved in sensory systems, muscle function, skin, and metabolism.
Doctors used PET scans to identify patients with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma who could safely stop using the potentially toxic drug bleomycin. This approach resulted in similar survival rates and fewer side effects for those who stopped bleomycin compared to those who continued it.
Bowhead calves experience severe bone loss to sustain growth of their enormous heads and baleen plates, outpacing body growth by years. This unusual adaptation allows the whales to catch prey with efficient baleen, compensating for limited baleen at weaning age.
A woman with amnesia, Lonni Sue Johnson, surprisingly retains detailed knowledge of skills she once performed well in, such as art and flying, despite losing memories of facts about her life. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University find that skill-related memory can be spared even with severe losses in other kinds of knowledge.
A recent study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that people with diabetes are at a 56% increased risk of dying from a STEMI heart attack and a 39% increased risk of dying from a NSTEMI heart attack compared to those without diabetes. Researchers tracked over 700,000 people who had been admitted to hos...
Researchers at University of Illinois have identified candidate genes controlling the accumulation of phenolic compounds in broccoli, which are associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease and certain cancers. Breeding broccoli with mega-doses of these compounds may lead to improved health benefits.
Scientists found that contrails formed within existing high clouds increase cloud reflectivity, a key factor in climate regulation. This discovery offers insights into aviation's influence on climate, particularly in mid-latitude regions.
Citrus greening disease huanglongbing (HLB) severity impacts citrus peel and fruit mechanical properties. HLB-symptomatic fruits are softer and more prone to preharvest fruit drop, while severely symptomatic trees experience higher postharvest pressure damage.
Robert DeConto, a leading expert on climate modeling, has won the 2016 Tinker-Muse Prize for Science and Policy in Antarctica. His research integrating geological data with modeling reveals likely consequences for future sea level rise from ice sheet melt.
Researchers have discovered a new molecular mechanism that directs cellular DNA repair proteins to lesions in DNA, making it an attractive target for cancer therapy. By understanding how this mechanism works, scientists can design small molecule inhibitors that block the function of TONSL protein and promote cancer cell death.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a new technique using near-infrared light to measure chemical composition in materials. The technique enhances sensitivity by 10,000 times, making it suitable for water-based samples and allowing for more detailed analysis.
The updated DIfE German Diabetes Risk Score takes into account familial predisposition and provides personalized recommendations to reduce risk. The test is now available online and on mobile devices, offering a quick and precise assessment of type 2 diabetes risk.
Researchers compared bioplastics with biofabrics, finding that biofabrics increased soil moisture and suppressed weed emergence. Biofabrics also showed better durability and decomposition properties than bioplastics.
A study by the University of Missouri School of Medicine shows that video-based mental health services are providing care to underserved rural children. The research highlights the need for mental health services in these areas, where only 20% of children with behavioral health issues receive treatment.
Scientists found that neutralizing acidic forest soils with calcium boosted tree growth, but also caused a significant increase in nitrogen export to nearby streams. This unexpected result sheds new light on watershed dynamics and highlights the complexity of mitigating acid rain.
A new technology called Maximum Depth Sequencing (MDS) can accurately read the order of DNA code and reveal how bacteria use high-speed evolution to defeat antibiotics. MDS also promises to enable earlier cancer diagnosis by detecting rare genetic changes in human cell populations.
A new study found that Zika warnings significantly increased demand for abortions in Latin America, particularly in countries with restrictive laws. The number of requests for medical abortion through Women on Web, a non-profit organization, nearly doubled in some countries following the health alert.
Concordia University researchers have developed a technique to locate underground leaks with 99.5 percent accuracy using noise loggers. The system helps reduce costs and time involved in repairing leaks, ensuring public health and safety.
A study published in the Journal of Industrial Ecology found that burglary resulted in the largest proportion of total carbon footprint, accounting for 30% of emissions. The criminal justice system also accounted for a significant portion of emissions, highlighting the need to raise awareness about the environmental impact of crime.
A new study found an association between healthy diets and reduced risk of impaired physical function in women as they age. Women who maintained a healthier diet were less likely to develop physical impairments, with higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains associated with reduced rates of physical impairment.
Researchers outline recent progress in clinical applications of retinal gene replacement therapy and preclinical advances in gene-specific therapy for photoreceptor diseases. Gene therapy strategies are being developed to treat a broader range of disorders affecting vision, providing new hope for individuals with eye diseases.
A new study from the University of Sydney reveals that nearly half of unexplained sudden cardiac deaths in young people (40%) had a clinically relevant genetic mutation, despite structurally normal hearts. The research also found that limiting strenuous physical activity may not reduce SCD among children and young adults, as most cases...
African Americans perceive depression as a weakness inconsistent with notions of strength in the community, rather than as a health condition. The study highlights the need to consider cultural perspectives in clinical assessment and measurement of depression.
Researchers found that administering a small dose of the anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone before surgery and avoiding profound anesthesia can help reduce the incidence of POCD. After six months, pre-operative cognitive status was restored in all patients in the study.
Research highlights widespread plastic contamination in oceans, with effects on marine life and human health, prompting policy changes such as bans on microplastics and single-use plastics.
Scientists from Wits University discovered that mammal-like reptiles evolved hair around 240-246 million years ago, assisting their survival. This discovery suggests a possible link between the evolution of hair and whiskers with the development of mammals.
A team of Engineers and Physicists from the University of Exeter has discovered that GraphExeter can substantially improve the effectiveness of large, flat, flexible lighting. Using GraphExeter, they increased the brightness of flexible lights by up to almost 50% and made them 30% more efficient than existing examples.
Researchers found that metal ions released by cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys impair mesenchymal stromal cells' ability to differentiate into osteoblasts. This can lead to premature bone loss and revision surgery. The study's findings highlight the need for improved implant design and composition to optimize patient safety.
A study published in JAMA Cardiology found that black individuals with atrial fibrillation have a significantly increased risk of stroke, heart failure, coronary heart disease (CHD), and all-cause mortality compared to white individuals. The rate differences for these outcomes were found to be approximately 1.5- to 2.0-fold greater in ...
Researchers have uncovered signatures of historical DNA mixing events in sub-Saharan Africa, shaping the continent's recent genetic history. The study provides insights into admixture events that may contribute to non-communicable and infectious diseases like malaria.
Researchers discovered evidence of the world's oldest known fungus gardens within fossil termite nests from the Great Rift Valley of Africa, dating back approximately 25 million years. This finding pushes back the beginning of the termite-fungus symbiotic relationship to at least 31 million years ago.
Researchers found that some older adults, known as 'adapters,' live longer and healthier lives despite higher disease burdens. These individuals exhibit high vigor levels and a unique coping mechanism that enables them to thrive.
Brendan Lee receives 2016 Curt Stern Award for his groundbreaking work on human inborn errors of metabolism and structural birth defects of the skeleton. The award recognizes his significant scientific contributions over the past decade, including identifying genetic causes of chrondrodysplasia and Marfan syndrome.
A team of astronomers using ALMA observed a supermassive black hole at the center of galaxy Abell 2597 feeding on chaotic downpour of cold, clumpy clouds. The discovery provides evidence for 'cold, chaotic accretion', a process that challenges traditional models of how black holes grow.
A study from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found that nonmedical prescription opioid use more than doubled among US adults from 2001-2002 to 2012-2013, affecting nearly 10 million Americans. This increase is linked to a substantial rise in opioid use disorder, with symptoms such as tolerance, withdrawal, and im...
A 94-million-year-old climate event led to a decline in essential trace metals, affecting ocean life and potentially causing larger dead zones. This ancient shift may hold insights into future climate change scenarios.
A landmark study has identified five new potential genes linked to bowel cancer, while also confirming the role of major existing genes in increasing risk. The research suggests that minor DNA variations play a significant role in inherited risk and environmental factors, with potential implications for prevention and treatment.
The US National Science Foundation has awarded five early-concept grants to investigate new approaches in STEM learning and innovation through making. The projects aim to create more accessible and engaging maker programs for diverse youth populations.
Research reveals significant disparities in cardiac arrest care between men and women, resulting in higher mortality rates for women. Women tend to receive fewer life-saving procedures, such as angioplasty and therapeutic hypothermia, due to various factors including age, health status, and underlying conditions.
Researchers found that low doses of paclitaxel, a widely used breast cancer treatment, can actually increase cancer spread to the liver. This contradicts previous strategies of lowering dosage to reduce toxic side effects.
NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission tracked Tropical Storm Danielle as it made landfall north of Tuxpan, Mexico. Heavy rainfall rates were measured at moderate to heavy levels, with some areas experiencing precipitation at rates over 41 mm/h, indicating a rapid weakening of the storm.
Researchers found that people with probable dementia who had not been diagnosed were more likely to engage in potentially dangerous activities. Healthcare practitioners can better address safety concerns by asking older adults about their activities.
The Coordinating Center for Genetics and Genomics of Alzheimer's Disease will aggregate and analyze large data sets to identify genetic risk factors and potential therapeutic targets. This effort aims to accelerate progress in solving the devastating disease.