University of Groningen scientists discovered that tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) is essential for preventing neuronal death in neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's. A specific TNFR2 agonist may prevent cell death, offering a new treatment direction.
Tumor cells attract macrophages by releasing cytokines, which secrete growth factors that help tumor cells form spheroids and grow. Inhibiting these growth factors reduces tumor cell proliferation in a mouse model of ovarian cancer. This study sheds light on the early stages of ovarian tumor metastasis.
A new study by the NIH found that even partial steroid treatment can have significant benefits for extremely premature infants. The research showed that infants exposed to partial treatment in the womb had better outcomes than those not exposed, with lower rates of brain and nervous system impairment.
A novel 3D porous aluminum-graphite battery exhibits excellent long-term cycling stability of over 1000 cycles with 89.4% capacity retention at 2C current rate. The design features a uniform carbon layer, alleviating mechanical stress and surface reactions.
A study found that using the same hospital bed as a prior patient who received antibiotics increases the risk of Clostridium infection in subsequent patients. The risk was 0.72% when the prior occupant had recently used antibiotics, compared to 0.43% when they hadn't.
Children who experienced parental absence before age 7 were more than twice as likely to start smoking and 46% more likely to drink alcohol by age 11. The findings held true even after accounting for influential factors such as education and birthweight.
A national initiative funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation uses community organizing to combat childhood obesity in communities of color. The program, launched in 2009, resulted in over 70 environmental and policy changes promoting healthy eating and active living.
A genetic signature related to metabolism has been identified as a predictor of poor patient prognosis in cancer. The discovery could lead to the development of targeted treatments and personalized therapy approaches. Further validation is needed to confirm the link between mitochondrial function and cancer survival.
Researchers have recorded a new sighting of Günther's sea snake, a rarely seen venomous species, in Iranian coastal waters. The discovery expands the species' known range and brings the total number of sea snakes in the area to ten.
A new study using a modified Smoking Analyser technology examines vaping behaviour in e-cigarette users. The results provide valuable insights into how vapers use e-cigarettes and can help establish standardized testing protocols for e-cigarette emissions.
A new study by UCI researchers found that prolonged spaceflight exposure to galactic cosmic rays can cause significant long-term brain damage in rodents, leading to cognitive impairments and dementia. The study raises concerns about the potential central nervous system complications astronauts may face during extended Mars missions.
Former USPSTF chairs, Virginia A. Moyer, Michael LeFevre, and Ned Calonge, suggest that guidelines should only inform, not dictate, insurance coverage decisions. They cite Mylan's attempt to influence the panel as a flawed example of this issue.
A new computer simulation predicts that storm-related flooding on the New York City coastline similar to Hurricane Sandy's scale will become more common in coming decades. The worst-case scenario sees a 17-fold increase by 2100 due to sea-level rise and varying storm activity.
A phase III trial has met its primary endpoint, demonstrating improved disease-free survival with sunitinib in high-risk renal cell carcinoma patients after nephrectomy. The treatment showed a significantly longer disease-free survival of 6.8 years compared to 5.6 years with placebo.
A new non-invasive test measures donor-derived cell-free DNA in plasma to monitor transplant recipients and detect rejection. The assay has shown promise in reducing complications and rejection, improving outcomes for heart transplant patients.
A team led by Caltech's Changhuei Yang and Edward Zhou developed a device that selectively cancels scattered light, revealing dimly reflective objects. The technology, termed 'coherence gated negation,' has potential applications in satellite exploration and biomedical imaging.
Researchers at University of Cambridge identify a competing pathway that diverts electrons away from the electrode, reducing efficiency and potentially damaging the system. The study offers insights into how to address this issue and enhance the performance of artificial photosynthetic devices.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have received a $9.9 million grant to investigate new treatments for Fanconi anemia, a devastating genetic disease affecting children. The five-year study aims to identify viable drug compounds and eventually lead to human clinical trials.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new class of materials for supercapacitors that can produce more power than existing carbon-based versions. The material, called Ni3(hexaiminotriphenylene)2, is highly porous and conducts ions well, making it suitable for use in energy storage devices.
Single-arm trials can provide valuable opportunities for speeding up cancer drug development and approval, particularly in small populations with high unmet medical need. Regulatory guidance is being developed to define evidence requirements for SATs, and initial approvals based on SATs have similar success rates to RCTs.
A new study from LA BioMed found that lower-income minority patients and healthcare providers have markedly divergent perceptions of the barriers to diabetic retinopathy screening. Patients reported financial burden and depression as major obstacles, while providers deemed other factors more significant.
Copay assistance programs are a Band-Aid on the problem of high drug prices. Experts argue that these programs actually drive up healthcare costs and limit access to essential medications. To mitigate this impact, policymakers should redirect their focus towards innovation incentives, not just cost containment.
The University of Tennessee Weed Diagnostics Center provides a range of services, including basic weed identification and DNA-based herbicide resistance testing. The center aims to help users implement optimal management strategies to keep weeds under control and conserve resources.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that patients treated at high-performing hospitals after a heart attack live an average of 9 to 14 months longer than those treated at low-performing hospitals. This improvement is largely due to better survival rates during the first 30 days post-heart attack.
A new immunotherapy drug nivolumab has been shown to significantly increase survival rates and reduce adverse side effects in patients with recurrent head and neck cancer. The trial found that patients on nivolumab survived an average of 7.5 months, compared to 5.1 months for those receiving standard therapy.
A multi-center study found significant survival gains in patients with high-risk soft tissue sarcoma of the trunk or extremities treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy with an anthracycline plus ifosfamide. The regimen showed a 20% improvement in prognosis for these patients compared to those receiving histology-driven regimens.
Researchers at MIT and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute developed a novel way to test tumors for drug susceptibility using a device that measures single-cell masses. They successfully tested this approach with glioblastoma and acute lymphocytic leukemia, finding that susceptible cells reduce growth rates while resistant cells continue unaf...
A new study from MD Anderson found substantial variation in the costs of breast cancer treatment for different chemotherapy regimens, with varying prices by up to $20,354. The researchers suggest that informed choice of chemotherapy could impact costs nationally by $1 billion annually.
A new BU study reveals that the nation's two largest soda companies sponsored at least 96 national health organizations from 2011 to 2015, dampening efforts to combat obesity and reduce soda consumption. The companies' tactics include using relationships with health groups to develop positive associations for their brands.
Researchers at UNIST developed a new type of organic solar cell that maintains up to 80% of its initial efficiency after 60 days in high-temperature conditions. The team used a macromolecular additive to improve and stabilize the device performance, yielding unprecedented power conversion efficiency.
Researchers have solved the mystery of how Paulinella, an amoeba, engulfed a bacterium and harnessed its genes for photosynthesis. The study reveals that microbial genomes can move genes between organisms according to need, and that this process allows for adaptation and evolution.
Cabozantinib significantly improves progression-free survival and response rate in patients with intermediate or poor-risk clear-cell metastatic renal cell carcinoma compared to sunitinib. The study also found a higher objective response rate in the cabozantinib arm.
A study by Duke University and Max Planck Institute reveals that chimpanzees, bonobos, and orangutans can understand when others have mistaken beliefs, mirroring skills seen in human infants. The apes' ability suggests a key step towards fully understanding the thoughts of others.
Researchers developed a method estimating developmental maturity via DNA methylation patterns, which can help assess preterm newborns' care and estimate conception time. The study found gestational age accurately estimated between 24-44 weeks, with correlations to birthweight and developmental maturity.
Ecologist Kerri Crawford studies the impact of microbial communities on plant growth in restored sand dunes. Her research aims to develop strategies for promoting plant diversity and stability in these ecosystems.
Researchers used big data analysis to identify a previously unknown interaction between ceftriaxone and lansoprazole, increasing the risk of acquired long QT syndrome. The study used large datasets of clinical records to confirm the association, paving the way for faster data-driven approaches to identifying potential drug interactions.
Replacing maximum SNAP allotment with a real-cost benefit and expanding WIC eligibility to age 6 can help families who experience food insecurity. Additionally, maintaining CEP for school meal programs can increase access to food for children in low-income households.
A new report by the International Osteoporosis Foundation identifies 10 major care gaps that are preventing early assessment and treatment of osteoporosis. The report highlights the need for better case finding, communication, and public awareness to tackle the global healthcare crisis arising from fragility fractures.
Researchers identify genetic switches controlling metabolic response to HCV infection and show how these genes affect virus lifecycle. Blocking certain metabolic processes can actually increase HCV replication, presenting a new approach to treat virus infections by targeting metabolic regulation.
Researchers discovered a novel mechanism in a combination drug therapy that disrupts cancer cells' ability to survive DNA damage. The therapy combines DNA methyltransferase inhibitors with poly-ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors, causing massive DNA damage that leads to cancer cell death.
A study by Ohio State University and The Nature Conservancy reveals that protecting Lake Erie's streams will require substantial conservation efforts, particularly in reducing phosphorus, nitrogen, and sediment runoff. The research uses computer modeling to gauge the impact of various conservation scenarios, highlighting the need for t...
Cedars-Sinai has awarded nearly $700,000 to scientists developing new treatments and technologies for precision health. The goal is to tailor therapies and medications for specific patients based on their molecular makeups.
Researchers used existing compounds to target the critical CHIKV protease enzyme, showing potent activity against the virus. Several compounds proved to be effective inhibitors of RNA synthesis and virus replication.
Researchers have discovered chemical traces of sea ice in Greenland ice cores, allowing them to calculate past sea ice levels. The data suggests that the Arctic climate was 2-3 degrees warmer 8000 years ago, with less summertime sea ice than today.
Researchers have developed new biomaterial scaffolds that incorporate patterned architectures and regional compartments of signaling factors to control tissue development. This technology enables the formation of complex cellular structures and miniature organoid tissues, mimicking natural developmental processes.
The ESMO-MCBS scale has been successfully applied to rare tumor entities, revealing its potential to quantify the clinical benefit of certain drugs. The tool was particularly effective in highlighting the benefits of new immunomodulatory treatments.
Researchers have prevented the development of Alzheimer's disease in mice by using a virus to deliver a specific gene, PGC-1 - alpha, into the brain. The study opens avenues for potential new treatments for the disease and suggests that injections of the gene may be beneficial in the early stages of the disease.
Researchers from the University of Cincinnati have joined forces with international efforts to search for a new type of neutrino that may shed light on dark matter. The MINOS and Daya Bay experiments have found no evidence of a sterile neutrino, but their combined results significantly shrink the hiding space for this elusive particle.
A new University of Toronto study reveals widespread differences in protein biochemistry between healthy and diseased hearts, shedding light on the molecular causes behind dilated cardiomyopathy. The researchers mapped changes in protein signalling pathways, uncovering hundreds of signalling pathways that go off course in DCM hearts.
A study by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that triple-drug chemotherapy with topotecan improved survival of eyes and useful vision in patients with advanced localized disease, compared to standard chemotherapy including etoposide.
Researchers have successfully cooled rubidium atoms to nearly absolute zero using a multicolored laser, paving the way for studying chemical reactions in medicine and biology. The technique involves using pairs of photons to mimic high-energy ultraviolet light, overcoming previous difficulties in generating such photons.
Researchers at UCR are using big data to track mosquitoes, predict outbreaks, and understand insects. The new program will train scientists and engineers to exploit the power of big data to improve human health and alleviate food waste.
A study found that certain components of climate change may benefit native oysters in California by allowing them to grow faster at warmer temperatures. However, a predatory snail species introduced from the East Coast and Asia poses a significant threat to oyster populations.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed flexible, biodegradable stents that can be customized for a patient's specific anatomy using 3D printing techniques. The stents are designed to minimize complications and improve healing processes in blood vessels.
A recent study contradicts earlier claims that declines of pollinator species richness are slowing down in Europe. Dr Tom J. M. Van Dooren found no robust evidence for a decelerating decline across multiple taxonomic groups and European countries.
Researchers discovered that mice create ultrasound by directing a small air jet against the inner wall of their larynx, producing an ultrasonic whistle. This innovative mechanism has implications for understanding social sounds in rodents and potentially even human speech disorders.
Researchers have found that snotty gobble can kill gorse, blackberry, and Scotch broom without damaging native shrubs. The study suggests snotty gobble could be an effective native biocontrol agent for major invasive shrubs in Australia.
Researchers found that older adults who completed cognitive training programs were more likely to continue driving, with increased chances after additional divided-attention training. Over 2,000 adults aged 65 or older participated in the study.
Scientists found that adding a viscous solvent, or thickener, to a primordial mixture could facilitate the self-duplication of RNA and DNA strands. This discovery provides evidence for the origins of life on Earth, suggesting that gene replication may have occurred in environments with varying concentrations.
Scientists at OIST Graduate University have developed a technique to visualize electrons in a material, allowing them to study the dynamic of electron movement and its effects on semiconductor devices. By creating a video of electron motion, researchers can now describe the phenomenon without interpreting data.