A new study linked Florida's 'Stand Your Ground' self-defense law to a 24% increase in homicide rates and 31% rise in firearm-related injuries from 2005-2014. The research suggests the law's extension of lethal force rights in public led to increased violence, particularly among young adults and white populations.
A high-protein diet from mostly meat may increase the risk of heart failure in postmenopausal women. The study found that total dietary protein intake was significantly higher in women who developed heart failure compared to those who did not, while vegetable protein intake appeared to be protective.
Researchers have developed a method to control genetically altered bacteria to release medicines to tumors or the gut, using temperature regulation. This technology has applications in novel therapeutics for cancer and other diseases.
Researchers at Rice University discovered that molybdenum diselenide's tensile strength can be significantly reduced by flaws as small as one missing atom. The material's brittle nature may limit its use in next-generation technologies.
A new study by RAND Corporation found that retail clinics near hospital emergency departments did not reduce visits to emergency departments for minor health ailments. The study examined over 2,000 emergency departments across 23 states and found no significant reduction in low-acuity visit rates despite increased retail clinic access.
The JAMA Internal Medicine theme series focuses on firearm violence, publishing research and opinion articles that highlight the impact of laws and policies. The studies examine trends in gun violence, the effectiveness of background checks, and the immunity of the firearm industry to tort litigation.
A new study published in Developmental Cell demonstrates that a nerve growth protein plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels by prompting pancreatic cells to release insulin. The research, led by Johns Hopkins University biologist Rejji Kuruvilla, has potential implications for the treatment of type-2 diabetes.
A study found that only 46% of hospitalized atrial fibrillation patients receive oral anticoagulants, which can help prevent strokes. Researchers say this highlights a gap in care and emphasizes the need for better optimization of medication decisions during hospital stays and at discharge.
A bilingual support group addressing the psychological and educational needs of patients with lupus and their families has been shown to have a positive impact. The study found substantial improvements in knowledge and coping strategies among participants, particularly those from the Hispanic/Latino community.
A neural circuit in the amygdala processes pain-related signals to set emotional memory strength and expectation levels. Disrupting this circuit can lead to hyper-emotional memories, such as those experienced by individuals with PTSD. The study suggests that similar circuits may perturb expectations in anxious people.
A Princeton-led study explores how people form impressions from facial appearances, finding that exposure to different faces influences what is perceived as typical and evaluates positively. The results suggest that social meaning is imbued in faces based on their statistical position relative to an individual's learned central tendency.
The €8 million APPLICATE project aims to enhance weather and climate prediction capabilities in the Arctic and beyond. By studying the Arctic's impact on mid-latitude weather and climate, researchers can improve forecast accuracy and mitigate severe weather events.
The German-Polish research project NOMECOR aims to reclaim metals from tailings and make mineral components usable for cement production. Scientists will use microorganisms to remove copper and other valuable metals, as well as investigate the chemical methods for this process.
A study led by Indiana University researcher Andrea Hohmann found a compound that reduces chronic pain in mice without addiction risk or 'marijuana high'. The compound modulates the brain's cannabis receptors and amplifies the therapeutic effect of endocannabinoids.
A study on Nitrososphaera viennensis reveals that specific genes and adaptations enable terrestrial archaeal ammonia oxidizers to thrive. The research provides insights into the energy metabolism of Archaea and its implications for agricultural soils and potential medical applications.
Researchers at Aalto University developed a new light detector capturing over 96% of photons covering visible, ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths. The detector's nanostructured surface and inversion layer eliminate reflection losses and electrical losses present in traditional sensors.
A study by the University of Alberta and Boston University found that people are more likely to recycle items bearing their name or a national flag. This association helps individuals link the item to their sense of identity, making them feel more connected and reducing negative feelings associated with discarding it.
Prohibition laws on drugs have been shown to be ineffective in reducing addiction and violence, with a quarter of a billion adults worldwide taking illegal drugs. Doctors are calling for health and human rights to be prioritized over punitive responses.
The RE-DUAL PCI study evaluates the safety and efficacy of dabigatran etexilate in AF patients undergoing PCI. This first-ever study to use a dual versus triple antithrombotic regimen with NOAC dosages already approved for stroke prevention will inform optimal anticoagulant choices for AF patients requiring PCI.
Researchers are studying the impact of vitamin D and omega-3 supplements on telomere length and cardiovascular risk. The study aims to determine if these supplements can help maintain youthful telomeres and reduce disease risk.
Researchers found that bariatric surgery significantly reduced the risk of heart failure by nearly 50% compared to intensive lifestyle modification. The study also showed lower rates of atrial fibrillation, diabetes, and hypertension in the bariatric surgery group, which lost more weight over time.
Dr. Aaron McGee is awarded the Disney Award for Amblyopia Research to investigate approaches for improving recovery from amblyopia and reversing loss of depth perception. His research aims to 're-open' critical periods in adulthood to enhance brain circuitry flexibility.
Researchers at German Resilience Center found that corticotrophs rapidly influence avoidance behavior after stress onset, contradicting previous slow effects of hormones. This breakthrough suggests new treatments for acute stress-induced reactions and alleviating conditions.
Researchers have identified a potential new treatment for AUD using minocycline, an antibiotic with anti-inflammatory actions. Studies show that tigecycline, a minocycline analog, reduces binge drinking and withdrawal symptoms in both dependent and non-dependent animals.
Researchers at Lund University have mapped out an exceptionally well-preserved Stone Age site in southern Sweden, shedding light on the lives of Mesolithic humans. The discovery includes a 9,000-year-old pick axe made from elk antlers, indicating mass fishing and a semi-permanent settlement.
A new study published in The Annals of Family Medicine reveals that Ontario patients not attached to new primary care practices receive lower quality care. These patients are more likely to be poor, urban, and new immigrants, with gaps in cancer screenings and diabetes testing widening over time.
Researchers found that brain training improves memory and mood in people with mild cognitive impairment, but not in those with dementia. A meta-analysis of 17 studies involving nearly 700 participants showed significant benefits for brain training in preventing cognitive decline.
Tropical Storm Tina rapidly formed and weakened off Mexico's southwestern coast, with maximum sustained winds decreasing from 40 to 35 mph by Nov. 14.
A novel color unmixing algorithm cuts time and boosts quality in film compositing by extracting multiple color layers. The method requires only one-tenth of the manual editing time of professional tools, offering superior results.
Multiple wildfires are currently burning across several states in the southern United States, including the Boteler, Maple Springs, Tellico, Party Rock, Chestnut Knob, Rough Ridge, and Rock Mountain fires. The largest fire, the Rough Ridge fire, has burned over 19,411 acres in Georgia's Cohutta Wilderness Area.
A new approach to solid-phase extraction of ibuprofen from pharmaceuticals has been successfully developed using zirconium dioxide as the extraction material. The procedure demonstrated efficient trapping of ibuprofen in hydrophobic suppository matrices, with recoveries of 95% and 94%, respectively.
Researchers created a new cancer drug using gold nanoparticles to deliver paclitaxel directly to tumors, increasing effectiveness while reducing devastating side effects such as hair loss and nerve pain. Early lab tests showed the therapy to be nearly as effective as a high dose of paclitaxel alone.
Using statin drugs provided wide-ranging prevention benefits, reducing risk of death, heart attacks, and strokes. Statins were effective in people at highest risk for heart attacks and strokes, as well as those at lower risk, with no significant harmful effects found.
Researchers at Technical University of Denmark have demonstrated efficient absorption enhancement at a wavelength of 2 micrometers by graphene plasmons. This breakthrough brings graphene into the regime of telecommunication applications.
Liquid-based nutritional supplements, known as toddler milks, may fuel rapid and unhealthy weight gain in young children, warns Emory University researcher Michelle Lampl. The FDA lacks oversight of these products, which can have up to 240 calories per serving, threatening the health of a generation.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have demonstrated that vision loss associated with retinitis pigmentosa can be slowed dramatically by reprogramming the metabolism of photoreceptors. The treatment aims to correct downstream metabolic aberrations, rather than the underlying genetic defect.
A preliminary study found that offspring with early-onset parental hypertension are more likely to develop high blood pressure, with a 3.5 times increased risk compared to those with normal blood pressure.
The study found that the GSK3 enzyme regulates the persistent sodium current, which affects a nerve cell's excitability and firing activity. This discovery may lead to chronotherapeutics, where treatments are tailored to the time of day to maximize health benefits and minimize side effects.
A new study challenges the understanding of subtropical rainfall decline in response to increased greenhouse gases. Researchers found that land will warm faster than oceans, leading to less severe impacts on people living in these regions.
Researchers at TSRI have found that Piezo 1 directly senses force by detecting tension in the cell membrane. This breakthrough has significant implications for designing better pain medications and exploring future therapies for hypertension, hemophilia, and other diseases.
Research reveals that warming ocean temperatures and increased fish populations are destroying kelp forests off the NSW north coast. The study found that over-grazing by fish can lead to kelp deforestation and barren reefs, posing a significant threat to marine ecosystems in Australia and globally.
Researchers from Mayo Clinic identified a new biomarker for brain and spinal cord inflammation, allowing for faster diagnosis and treatment of patients with autoimmune meningoencephalomyelitis. The biomarker, an antibody targeting glial fibrillary acidic protein, helps diagnose the disease earlier and promotes more effective therapy.
Scientists have found that mosquitoes can carry both Zika and chikungunya viruses simultaneously, potentially infecting humans with both diseases in a single bite. The study suggests that co-infection with chikungunya may inhibit infection of Zika virus in mosquitoes, impacting the epidemiology of two mosquito-borne viruses.
A new study published in Journal of Pain Research found that implementation of the Stepped Care Model for Pain Management resulted in clinically significant improvements in quality of pain care outcomes, including increased provider knowledge and referrals to behavioral health providers. The model's individualized approach has the pote...
Researchers used mass spectrometry to detect molecules on phones and skin, creating personalized lifestyle profiles with diet, medication, beauty product usage, health status, and location information. The study has potential applications in crime scene investigations, airport screening, and environmental exposure studies.
A study found that retail clinics near emergency departments had little effect on reducing low-acuity visits to them. The growth of retail clinics led to a small decrease in emergency department visits only among patients with private insurance.
A University of Illinois study suggests that the Mississippi River's natural course could permanently reroute Dogtooth Bend peninsula, leaving approximately 15,000 acres of farmland inaccessible by road. The researchers propose three alternative solutions to mitigate this threat and ensure sustainable land use in the region.
US adults' statin use increased by 80% between 2002 and 2013, but remained low in high-risk groups. Generic statins became the dominant form of treatment, reducing costs.
A global assessment of kelp ecosystems reveals surprising resilience, but also regional variability in long-term responses requiring local management efforts. Kelp forests are critically important habitats that can recover quickly from damage, yet still face overwhelm from global and local pressures.
Researchers at Tohoku University found that visual attention has multiple functions and stages, including early visual processing and selective extraction of information. The study proposes a model of spatial attention that can predict different attention effects for various visual processes, which is useful for complex tasks like driv...
The legume-rhizobia symbiosis significantly impacts the microbial community in plant roots, leading to changes in bacterial composition and stability. The absence of symbiosis results in drastic alterations to the root microbiome, affecting plant growth and nitrogen uptake.
Researchers found a 'cross-talk' between the immune system, gut bacteria, and glucose metabolism, with implications for type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The gut bacteria Akkermansia muciniphila plays a critical role in regulating glucose metabolism.
Scientists observe localized plasma deformation, known as a 'tongue', in the LHD, confirming Artsimovich's prediction. The discovery offers insights into maintaining high-temperature and high-density plasmas for fusion research.
A Drexel University study shows that accounting for stigmatizing behaviors and substance use reduces the racial disparity in HIV risk between black and white men. Key findings reveal higher rates of HIV prevalence among black non-MSM and white MSM engaging in risky behavior, particularly amphetamine use.
International scientists are searching for the oldest ice core in Antarctica, up to 1.5 million years old, to decipher past climate processes and improve future predictions. The 'Beyond EPICA - Oldest Ice' project aims to drill a core with sufficient atmospheric gases to analyze past greenhouse gas levels.
Acoustic waves were used to manipulate fluids in nanoslits, enabling the creation of small, portable devices for sorting cells, filtering particles, and sensing biological components. The technology has the potential to revolutionize fields like drug discovery and microrobotics.
A new study found that kelp forests are relatively well-faring, with some regions increasing in size, while others decline or show no change. The researchers suggest that this variability reflects regional differences in drivers of environmental change and the unique capacity of kelp to recover from disturbances.
The Center for Regenerative Medicine at Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine has received three prestigious NIH awards totaling over $9 million to further its commitment to induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) research and education. These awards will support the development of stem cell-based treatments for v...
A recent study by European researchers found that patients with acute bacterial lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) had only slightly worse symptoms and returned more often to their physician than those without bacterial LRTIs. The authors conclude that these infections are generally mild and self-limiting, allowing physicians t...
New observations from NASA's THEMIS mission reveal electrons can be accelerated to extremely high speeds in a region farther from Earth than previously thought possible. This discovery opens up new questions about the mechanisms that accelerate these particles, which can cause equipment malfunctions and affect space travelers.