A recent randomized trial compared active monitoring, surgery, and radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer. The study's results may be limited by differences in the active monitoring protocol and advances in treatment methods.
A new framework called SEARCH encourages scientists to share experimental animal resources, reducing the need for new animals in research. The framework aims to foster collaboration and promote reduction, replacement, and refinement of animal use in biomedical research.
A multidisciplinary team of University of Miami physicians published a case study detailing the nation's first locally-transmitted case of Zika. The study highlights the skin rash associated with the virus and its potential implications for future Zika screening and diagnoses.
A study published in American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology evaluated treatment options for pelvic organ prolapse, comparing surgery and pessary. The research found that women undergoing surgery experienced greater improvements in physical, social, emotional, and sexual functioning compared to those using a pessary.
Researchers at UC San Diego discovered that bacteria in biofilm communities can send long-range electrical signals to recruit new members from different species. This discovery reveals a human-like trait in bacteria, showing that they can exert dynamic control over distant cells through electrical signaling.
A sugary drinks tax can improve economic welfare by discouraging retailers from using value size pricing, which leads to excessive consumption of unhealthy drinks. The tax would also reduce health problems related to obesity. Policymakers should recognize the wider benefits of such a tax.
Researchers genetically modified mosquitoes to resist infection from dengue virus, boosting their natural ability to fight the disease. The findings could be a prelude to developing a strategy to eliminate the threat of dengue.
Researchers found that smart watches can detect deviations from normal heart rate and skin temperature patterns, signaling illness onset. The study also identified a link between low blood oxygenation during flights and fatigue.
Teenagers who play video games for more than four hours a day suffer from symptoms of depression, but frequent use of social media and instant messaging may mitigate symptoms of game addiction. Strong friendships appear to be a key factor in balancing out the negative effects of gaming.
Researchers at TSRI have discovered a protein called TZAP that regulates telomere length, which is crucial for determining cell lifespan and preventing cancer. Understanding this process opens up new avenues for studying aging and developing treatments.
A phase 3 trial found that oral ferric citrate significantly boosted hemoglobin levels in patients with chronic kidney disease, correcting anemia. The treatment effect was seen as early as 1-2 weeks after starting treatment and was durable.
The Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) facilitates the rapid sharing of information during outbreaks and builds trust with countries key to global pandemic preparedness. By collating a comprehensive repository of high-quality influenza data, GISAID contributes to global health in several ways.
A new study suggests that a woman's blood pressure before pregnancy is related to the likelihood of delivering a boy or girl. The research found that women with higher blood pressure before pregnancy were more likely to deliver a boy, contradicting previous theories and providing a novel insight into human reproduction.
A €29 million research grant will be used to investigate serious lung infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), particularly affecting babies and older adults. The project aims to gather robust statistics on RSV cases across Europe, assess economic impact, and develop best practice guidelines for monitoring and treatment.
A study published in Journal of Addiction Medicine found that decreasing cocaine use leads to regression of unstable coronary plaques, a type of plaque most likely to cause a heart attack. Reducing cocaine use also decreases inflammation markers and improves cardiovascular health.
Dungeness crabs and groundfish such as rockfish and sole are expected to decline due to ocean acidification, while coastal pelagic fish are only slightly affected. The study projects a $220 million annual value decline in Dungeness crab fisheries over the next 50 years.
A study published in Science found that the entorhinal cortex replays memories of movement independently of the hippocampus, challenging the long-held view of the hippocampus as the primary memory region. The medial entorhinal cortex acts like a navigational system, providing cues for location and movement to the hippocampus.
Conservation groups in Central and West Africa are marginalizing local communities, who rely on the forest for food, shelter, and resources. The landscape-based approach prioritizes logging and development over community needs, leaving indigenous populations behind.
Researchers have discovered a new species of ruby seadragon in the wild, showcasing its intense red color and distinctive features. The fish lives at depths of over 50 meters, beyond recreational diving limits, and relies on its red color for effective camouflage.
A new study led by Harvard Medical School researchers found that an alternative payment model improved the quality of care for low-income patients, with significant gains observed in lower socioeconomic status areas. The program, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts' Alternative Quality Contract, pays providers a lump sum to cover a...
A special issue of Energy Technology showcases recent advances in pyrolysis technologies, which convert biomass into fuels, chemicals and fertilizers. Iowa State research teams led by Brown and Brent Shanks contributed papers to the issue, exploring topics such as micropyrolyzer equipment and bio-oil processing.
Scientists found that top-level predator fish like Snapper and Grouper are easily overfished in heavily-fished areas, altering the food chain. In contrast, lightly fished coral reefs support a rapidly passing energy flow from bottom to top of the food web.
Scientists have discovered fossils of biting midges encased in amber from the Indian subcontinent, showing a strong similarity with examples from Europe and China. The findings indicate that the Indian subcontinent was not isolated during its migration towards Eurasia and Asia around 54 million years ago.
A study published in PLOS Computational Biology used the Atari 2600 console and Donkey Kong game to analyze the brain's neural networks. The researchers found that existing neuroscience techniques do not provide a meaningful understanding of the system.
A new urine test can quickly detect whether a person has a healthy diet by measuring biological markers created by the breakdown of foods. The test provides an instant indicator of whether a person is eating healthily, promising to revolutionize the way we assess diet quality.
A campus-based vaccination campaign successfully immunised nearly three-quarters of university students against meningitis. The approach is now being highlighted as best practice by Public Health England. Researchers recommend offering the MenACWY vaccine to first-year university students to prevent cases of meningitis.
Researchers identified a specific region in the prefrontal brain essential for metamemory decision making in macaques. Inactivation of this region impaired metamemory but not memory itself, offering insights into the neuronal underpinnings of metacognition.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to determine the minimum number of people required for a good vaccine trial. Testing candidate vaccines on larger groups can accelerate the discovery of an effective vaccine against malaria, ultimately leading to its elimination.
Researchers from Université de Genève and Saint-Etienne propose a new method to estimate the size of metal deposits by modeling magma degassing. This approach uses high-precision geochronology and could identify deposits with the best potential early in the exploration process.
A new study found that diverse shrublands in South-Western Australia thrive due to beneficial root-associated organisms. The research suggests that these microorganisms equalize growth differences between plant species, allowing for long-term coexistence in highly competitive environments.
Researchers at UTHealth have developed a framework to analyze genome sequences and identify genetic variations that raise or lower disease risk. The study used genomic data from over 3,000 individuals and identified genes related to blood lipid levels, white blood cell count, and heart attack diagnosis.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine used wearable sensors to monitor health data from 60 participants, revealing patterns of deviation that correlate with specific health problems. The study demonstrated the potential for wearable devices to monitor illness before symptoms appear, making them a valuable tool in precision health.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that brumation, the winter dormancy of cold-blooded animals, does not affect memory retention in salamanders. Researchers trained salamanders to navigate a maze and tested their ability to recall the path after a period of brumation.
A recent study published in SLEEP found that a workplace-based Sleep Health Program significantly reduced the risk of injuries and long-term disability among firefighters. The program, which included sleep health education and screening for sleep disorders, resulted in a nearly 50% reduction in disability days.
A study from the University of California, Davis found that reef fish are willing to overcome their fear of sharks and eat algae in danger zones. This behavior can help counteract excess algae growth in coral reefs threatened by nutrient pollution.
A new study suggests that carbon finance is not a one-size-fits-all solution to climate change, as its effectiveness varies widely depending on the region. Peat forests in Indonesia are found to be crucial for reducing carbon emissions, with potential rewards of $3.5 billion over 30 years.
A study by Princeton University found that Vibrio cholerae can more easily infect the intestines when curved due to a protein called CrvA. The bacteria's ability to change shape plays a critical role in its infection and reproduction.
African-American women use various coping mechanisms to survive intimate partner violence, including religion, external support, and fighting back. The study's findings highlight the need for a more nuanced understanding of IPV and encourage bystander intervention.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have discovered that CD8+ T cells, a subset of killer T cells, control Zika infection and limit disease severity. The study provides a new tool to track Zika-specific T cells, which can help understand the virus's transmission and neurological complications.
Researchers at UC San Diego have documented how large viruses reprogram bacterial cells to resemble animal or human cells, allowing them to mass-produce new viral particles that eventually kill the infected cells. The study reveals a previously unknown mechanism of viral replication in bacteria.
New research identifies physiological changes in the body that could explain why older mothers are more likely to experience complicated births. The study found that maternal age influences the structure of the uterus, leading to impaired muscle contraction properties, reduced sensitivity to oxytocin, and altered hormonal signals.
The study reveals that ATP hydrolysis and proton motive force play crucial roles in protein export for flagella construction. High-resolution pH imaging detects small but significant differences in intracellular pH, proposing the use of both ATP and protons to achieve protein export.
A new study by University of Stirling researcher Dr Isaac Tabner suggests that households should carefully consider the costs of renting versus buying a home. The research highlights that even during favorable economic conditions, households may need to own their home for several years before buying becomes financially more advantageous.
Researchers found a correlation between parents' and babies' vitamin levels, with water-soluble vitamins higher in infants and fat-soluble vitamins in parents, particularly mothers. The study suggests tears could be used to replace clinical tests, potentially improving access to nutritional assessments for at-risk populations.
A study on killer whales found that older females stop reproducing due to conflict with their daughters, which helps younger family members survive. This evolutionary trait is driven by both cooperation and competition within the family group.
Researchers found that cells with an extra chromosome grew more slowly and formed smaller tumors than comparable cells with normal chromosome number. However, after weeks of growth, these cells rapidly evolved to acquire new mutations that enabled them to grow rapidly.
A new study suggests that mosquitoes carrying a greater number of malaria-causing parasites are more likely to cause infection in humans. The researchers found that injecting more parasites with each bite increases the chances of malaria transmission.
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine found that one session of moderate exercise can stimulate the immune system, producing an anti-inflammatory cellular response. This benefits individuals with chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and obesity.
Researchers found that plants' choice of microbial teammates influences a suite of plant-soil interactions, driving high diversity in shrublands. The study revealed positive and negative feedbacks between plants and microbes, with nutrient-acquisition strategies playing a crucial role.
A 9-day-old baby who suffered a normally fatal stroke was saved after Dr. Alexander Drofa removed the clot by combining mechanical and medicinal therapies. The infant's coma made the case particularly challenging.
Research in mice suggests that melanomas and other cancers driven by BRAF V600E mutation will grow faster in response to a high-fat diet. Lipid-lowering agents such as statins can slow tumor growth, even on normal diets. The findings highlight the potential of precision diets tailored to individual patients' cancer mutations.
Stem cell therapies aim to restore function in degenerative conditions, but ensuring cell survival is a major hurdle. Researchers successfully restored long-term vision in blind mice by transplanting photoreceptors derived from human stem cells and suppressing the immune response that rejects transplanted cells.
Scientists at Huntsman Cancer Institute discovered distinct types of tumors within small cell lung cancer that respond differently to treatment. A targeted drug combination showed improved outcomes for one specific tumor type, suggesting a need for genetic testing and personalized therapies.
A team of researchers from NYU Tandon School of Engineering has developed a 3D platform to simulate zebrafish behavior, which can potentially replace animal testing in certain types of research. The model was calibrated on real-life data and allows for rapid simulations that reduce the need for animal subjects.
Researchers at Imperial College London found that the number of parasites in mosquitoes influences malaria infection success rates. This discovery has implications for vaccine development and understanding disease transmission.
A study by Lund University researchers reveals that retroviruses in the human genome can affect gene expression, potentially contributing to brain development and neurological diseases. The viruses, known as endogenous retroviruses, can act as docking platforms for proteins like TRIM28, influencing protein production.
A new study adds 25 frog species to the known fauna of Mount Oku, Cameroon, highlighting a staggering 48% of the amphibians as threatened with extinction. The researchers also review the region's conservation efforts and identify key threats such as forest loss, climate change, and diseases.
Research by UTA professors Marco Brotto and Mauro Marrelli shows that a healthy diet and regular exercise can mitigate damage to the heart and skeletal muscles caused by malaria. The study highlights the importance of addressing the impact of malaria on these areas, which is often overlooked in previous studies.
A study published in Social Work in Health Care found that vulnerable young women of color are more likely to need abortion financial assistance due to limited resources. The research suggests that the longer it takes for patients to gather funding, the longer the procedure is delayed, increasing costs.
Scientists have designed an antibody-based therapy targeting the functions of TGF-beta that cause cancer. The therapy showed promise by slowing down breast cancer tumor growth and metastasis when GARP was deleted from mice with mammary tumors.