A new study aims to investigate whether providing personal Health Trainer support can help smokers who want to reduce but not quit. The research will recruit 900 participants and compare the effectiveness of Health Trainer support versus existing advice on reducing smoking.
Researchers reconstructed the color pattern of Psittacosaurus, a well-preserved dinosaur species. The findings suggest that it likely lived in a forest environment with diffuse light, and its countershading camouflage was effective against predators.
Scientists in Japan have successfully demonstrated the transplantation of stem cell-derived retinal cells generated from immunologically matched donor animals without the need for harmful immunosuppressants. MHC-mismatched grafts produced tissue damage and signs of immune rejection, while matched grafts survived without immunosuppression.
Scientists have created a new strategy for crafting one-dimensional nanorods from a wide range of precursor materials, offering precise control over diameter, length, and surface properties. The produced structures have potential applications in electronics, energy conversion, drug delivery, and cancer treatment.
Researchers find that lifting the ivory ban will not address the issue of elephant poaching, as the demand for ivory is too great. They recommend managing demand effectively and promoting alternative sources of income for communities living with elephants.
A University of California, Davis, study published in PLOS Genetics has identified a genetic component contributing to mosquitoes' host choice between humans and animals. Researchers sequenced the genomes of mosquitoes fed on humans and cattle, finding a chromosomal rearrangement called the 3Ra inversion linked to cattle feeding.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have identified a promising new approach to treating acute myeloid leukemia by inhibiting the enzyme DHODH, which promotes blood cell differentiation. This inhibition prompts the differentiation of leukemic cells, reducing their number and ability to propagate cancer.
A new screening strategy could quickly identify drugs with antiviral potential by repurposing existing medications for other conditions. The research revealed 110 human genes that could serve as antiviral targets for specific existing drugs.
Researchers have identified a protein in mosquito saliva that binds to and inhibits the Dengue virus, reducing its transmission to human cells and mice. The study suggests that targeting this protein could provide a novel approach to preventing disease transmission.
A study published in PLOS Pathogens found that progesterone treatment reduces influenza infection severity by reducing inflammation and boosting lung cell production of amphiregulin. Progesterone also promotes faster recovery from the infection.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have found that CML stem cells die in response to inhibition of the protein Ezh2, suggesting a potential cure for some patients. Adding Ezh2-targeting agents to standard treatment could dramatically shorten the treatment period and achieve a cure.
Researchers found that bonobos' diets differ with social rank in males and reproductive stages in females, revealing a high protein diet during pregnancy and an energy-rich diet during lactation. These findings suggest that the diet of great apes may be influenced by sociodemographic factors.
A study found that household dust contains 45 potentially toxic chemicals, including phthalates, phenols, and flame retardants, which can be inhaled or ingested. These chemicals are linked to serious health problems, such as cancer, developmental toxicity, and respiratory issues.
Researchers estimate that seaweed globally sequesters 173 trillion grams of carbon per year, with 90% of this being due to transport into deep-sea sediments. This highlights the significance of seaweed as a major carbon sink, surpassing Amazonian forests.
Scientists have recovered ancient DNA from a West Indian mammal known as the 'Island Murderer,' tracing its evolution back to 70 million years ago. The study sheds light on the impact of humans on recent extinctions in the Caribbean.
A study has discovered a new mechanism in the mouse brain that regulates obesity, finding that Rap1 gene inhibition can reduce body weight and improve leptin sensitivity, potentially leading to a new therapeutic target for treating human obesity.
Research from the Center for BrainHealth found that smokers' beliefs about nicotine content impact their brain's response to smoking. The study used fMRI scans to show that participants who believed a cigarette contained nicotine experienced different neural activity compared to those who believed it didn't.
Researchers found that capillary forces from soap foam induce pressure gradients near the container walls, reducing sloshing motion. The dampening effect happens faster than expected exponential decay, causing the waves to stop after a finite time.
Researchers found that pharmacological and genetic RANK pathway inhibition significantly reduced recurrences and metastases in a mouse animal model of breast cancer. This suggests RANK inhibitors used in osteoporosis treatment may also be effective against breast cancer.
Patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement are at increased risk of developing infective endocarditis, with younger age, male sex, and diabetes mellitus being significant risk factors. The study found a high rate of in-hospital mortality and 2-year mortality rates, highlighting the need for preventive measures.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute discovered that BET inhibitors can suppress PD-L1 activity, a major therapeutic target in various tumors. This approach may reduce side effects while enhancing the immune response against cancer.
UCSB researchers create high-performance tunable dielectrics using molecular beam epitaxy, overcoming material quality issues. The advancement enables adaptive electronic systems with potential applications in cellular communications and phased-array antennas.
Researchers found that Klebsiella pneumoniae siderophores play a crucial role in facilitating invasive infection by triggering inflammation and activating HIF-1 alpha, allowing bacteria to spread from the lungs to the spleen. The study suggests that therapies targeting siderophore production could provide a two-pronged attack against K...
Researchers assess safety, tolerability, and clinical use of graded aerobic treadmill testing in young athletes with sports-related concussion. The study confirms physiological recovery in 63 patients and improves symptoms in most cases.
A study found that implementing an analytic tool to allocate clinical care costs and quality measures led to significant improvements in value of care for three designated outcomes. The program resulted in reduced costs and improved quality, with notable decreases in hospitalist laboratory testing and sepsis management.
The Second Panel on Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine developed new recommendations to improve the quality of cost-effectiveness analyses. The key changes include performing analyses from two reference case perspectives and providing an impact inventory to clarify included consequences. These updates aim to promote the continue...
Researchers have successfully created healthy baby mice by injecting sperm into embryos developed from non-egg cells, achieving a success rate of up to 24 per cent. This breakthrough challenges the long-held dogma that only egg cells can support embryonic development.
A study published in JAMA compared five-year survival rates after endosonography and mediastinoscopy for mediastinal nodal staging of lung cancer. The endosonographic strategy was found to be more sensitive for diagnosing mediastinal nodal metastases.
Biomedical researchers need to replicate results in multiple animal models and report negative data to ensure reproducibility. Experts propose strategies such as holding public discussions, developing accountability metrics, and improving methods reporting.
A recent study using precise potassium isotopic data confirms the Moon was formed from a violent impact that vaporized Earth's mantle and mixed it with the impactor. This challenges the giant impact hypothesis, which had trouble matching geochemical signatures between Earth and Moon.
Thirty-one new gene regions linked with blood pressure have been identified in a massive genetic study involving over 347,000 people. The discoveries include DNA changes in three genes that have larger effects on blood pressure than previously seen, providing new insights into hypertension and potential treatment targets.
A randomized trial involving 1,302 asthmatic patients found no evidence to support the effectiveness of orally administered probiotics in reducing respiratory tract infections and antibiotic use. In contrast, a review of psychological interventions for postnatal depression found that community-based therapies were effective treatment o...
Researchers developed a brain-sensing technology that allows monkeys to transcribe passages at a rate of up to 12 words per minute. This breakthrough could provide a means for individuals with movement disorders to communicate their thoughts and emotions, overcoming limitations of existing approaches such as eye-tracking or muscle cont...
A study analyzing Medicaid-insured hospital discharges found that freestanding children's hospitals incurred the highest median Medicaid losses from pediatric inpatient care, at about $9.7 million per hospital. Non-children's hospital teaching and nonteaching hospitals had significantly lower losses.
A new study documents abnormal brain development in offspring of a non-human primate infected with Zika virus during pregnancy. The findings provide a model for testing therapeutic interventions to prevent fetal brain injury caused by the virus.
A study published in BMC Public Health found that people's judgements of their own levels of intoxication and associated risks are related to the drunkenness of their peers, not objective alcohol consumption. Participants were more likely to underestimate their drinking when surrounded by others who were intoxicated.
A chromosome anomaly in mosquitoes linked to cattle feeding behavior may hold the key to reducing malaria transmission. Researchers identified a specific chromosomal rearrangement associated with cattle feeding in Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes.
Experts suggest outsourcing key tasks from WHO to better-placed agencies to improve effectiveness and attract funding. This approach would utilize external expertise more appropriately, allowing the organization to maintain global leadership while increasing the contribution of other actors.
A historical analysis examines the sugar industry's role in coronary heart disease research and suggests the industry sponsored research to influence the scientific debate. The study highlights the importance of having reviews written by people without conflicts of interest and the need for financial disclosure.
Researchers have identified three objective criteria to quickly identify patients with zero chance of survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) who can be considered for organ donation. These criteria include lack of witness emergency medical services personnel, nonshockable initial cardiac rhythm, and failure to return spont...
Chemists have created a new technique to yield highly detailed, three-dimensional images of battery interiors. This approach uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to monitor the condition of batteries in real time, potentially leading to more efficient and safer power sources.
A new study strengthens the links between transposons and aging, showing that increased transposon activity correlates with decreased lifespan in fruit flies. The study also reveals that manipulating genes involved in heterochromatin repression can lengthen lifespan, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for age-related diseases.
A Duke University study found that three genetic causes of microcephaly in mice share a common mechanism, involving the regulation of p53 protein. The research may improve understanding of microcephaly, autism, and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Researchers discovered that glioblastoma cells inhibit caspase-3 activity in microglia, leading to a tumor-stimulating phenotype. This inhibition causes microglia to stimulate tumor cells instead of attacking them.
Researchers at the University of Bonn and Johns Hopkins University have developed a new method to stop life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia using light stimuli. The technique shows promise as an alternative to painful electric defibrillation, with potential for implantable optical defibrillators in the future.
A study by researchers at UC San Francisco found that a particular pattern of microbes in newborns' guts triples their risk of developing asthma by age four. The abnormal gut microbiome produces molecules that reduce the abundance of key immune cells, leading to a hyperactive immune system and chronic inflammation.
Scientists studying Indiana cave stalagmites may uncover evidence of past earthquakes in the region, according to a new study. The research team found that two stalagmite pairs stopped growing around 100,000 years ago and resumed growth at around 6,000 years ago, overlapping with known magnitude 7.1-7.3 earthquakes.
A study analyzing the American College of Cardiology's PINNACLE registry reveals that nearly 2 out of 5 people with diabetes are not prescribed statin therapy to lower their risk of heart attack, stroke, and related death. The study found a wide variation in statin use across cardiology practices.
Scientists found that an insulin molecule produced by cone snails may improve upon fast-acting therapeutic insulin, potentially starting to work in as little as five minutes. The study suggests studying complex venom cocktails can lead to new drug discoveries.
A new Belgian study shows an increase in euthanasia cases since legalization, with notable rises among people with non-cancer diagnoses and those over 80. Thorough evaluation and monitoring are crucial in these complex situations.
Researchers at NIST measured the transfer of motion through a microelectromechanical system at nanometer and microradian scales. The study found that play in the joint between links was crucial for the motion's precision, making these systems more reliable. However, adding electrical noise or atmospheric humidity degraded performance.
A new study using hippo enamel isotopes reveals a shift from C4 to C3 plants in Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park, associated with the loss of elephants. The results provide insight into ecological crises and vegetation changes in African grasslands.
Researchers analyzed genomes from 1,167 bacterial species, finding that the number of copies of ribosomal RNA genes predicts growth rate and efficiency. The study provides insights into microbial strategies for rapid or efficient growth, with implications for predicting behavior in response to human activities.
Massachusetts Eye and Ear researchers have linked symptoms of difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments to evidence of cochlear synaptopathy in young adults. Regular use of hearing protection significantly improved test scores.
Researchers found strong associations between certain sounds and common objects/ideas across languages, including body parts and natural phenomena. The study's findings suggest that humans tend to use similar sounds to describe basic concepts, regardless of language.
French children born between 1914 and 1916 whose fathers were killed or severely injured during WWI lost approximately one year of adult life expectancy. Research suggests that negative early life experiences, including maternal psychological stress, may contribute to increased mortality in adulthood.
Researchers found that measuring blood levels of irisin may help diagnose PCOS in teenagers, potentially reducing unnecessary treatments and improving symptoms management. High irisin levels in teens with PCOS are associated with higher testosterone levels, a key marker of the condition.
A study by University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers found that exposure to imidacloprid, a popular insecticide, significantly reduces the number of eggs laid by queen bees. This impairment can lead to colony decline and death, highlighting the need for beekeepers to take precautions when using neonicotinoids.
Researchers will use geoneutrino detectors to measure the amount of nuclear energy inside Earth. By 2025, they expect to collect enough data to determine the planet's remaining fuel levels.
A study by UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute has found a new mutant vaccine antigen that significantly improves protective antibody responses against meningococcus. The results show up to 15-fold greater protection, with potential implications for improved vaccines for infants and young children.