A new treatment modality called PPCA has been discovered that targets the DNA damage in rapidly expanding T cells, reducing autoimmune damage in mouse models of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and multiple sclerosis (MS). The therapy, which leverages p53 potentiation with checkpoint abrogation, selectively interrupts DNA damag...
A large-scale study found that raised blood platelet counts are a strong predictor of cancer, with lung and colorectal cancers being more commonly diagnosed. The research suggests that substantial numbers of people could have their cancer diagnosed up to three months earlier if thrombocytosis prompted investigation.
African Americans with sleep apnea and insomnia are rarely diagnosed, with only 2.1% of those with sleep apnea reporting a physician diagnosis. Higher body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, being male, and older age were associated with sleep apnea severity.
Scientists have shown how diesel exhaust particles directly affect the lungs to initiate symptoms such as a tightening of airways and cough. The study found that chemicals on the surface of diesel exhaust particles stimulate nerves in the lungs, leading to respiratory reflexes.
A 2.5-year-old fossilized toddler from the species Australopithecus afarensis has provided groundbreaking insights into human spinal column development, dating it back over 3.3 million years. This discovery sheds new light on the evolution of bipedalism and modern human body shape.
Researchers have discovered 15 new genetic risk factors for coronary artery disease, linking them to blood vessel cell functions. The findings aim to improve understanding of the disease and inform the development of new therapies.
Researchers have discovered that directly injecting a tumor suppressor activator into a cancer can increase tumor destruction, while reducing toxic side effects. The agent, nutlin-3a, activates the natural p53 gene, which helps immune cells target and kill cancer cells.
A Temple University Health System study analyzed the impact of combining baby boxes and personalized sleep education on reducing bed-sharing in infants. The research found that face-to-face postpartum education and providing a baby box with a firm mattress and fitted sheet reduced bed-sharing rates by 25% in the first eight days of life.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new memristor chip that can process complex data, such as images, much faster and with less power than traditional systems. Inspired by how mammals see, the chip uses pattern recognition to shortcut energy-intensive processes.
The graphene-based sensor accurately measures nitrite in exhaled breath condensate, providing a promising biomarker for inflammation in the respiratory tract. This innovation has the potential to improve asthma management, prevent hospitalizations, and reduce deaths worldwide.
A new study confirms high-ventilation cigarettes have no health benefits and likely contributed to the rise of lung adenocarcinoma. Researchers call for immediate action from the FDA to regulate or ban the use of ventilation holes.
The special section aims to facilitate consumer-driven advancements in wearable virtual system applications, including automotive, industrial, and military vision systems. Papers describe various approaches and technologies to address challenges such as latency, acuity, field-of-view, fashion, and donning/doffing.
Researchers at KAIST successfully synthesized the natural product (-)-flueggenine C via an accelerated intermolecular Rauhut-Currier reaction. The conventional RC reaction is non-selective and high-temperature, but the team modified it to use a base at ambient temperature.
Diabetes-induced changes in heartbeat are primarily regulated by the β1-adrenoceptor, suggesting that targeting this receptor could improve treatment outcomes for diabetics. The study provides novel insight into the pathological basis of heart rate dysregulation in type 2 diabetes.
A new study found that U.S.-born Latino male middle school students who were aware of the Arizona immigration bill had difficulty exhibiting proper classroom behavior, such as following instructions and staying quiet. The study also discovered that awareness of the law predicted lower levels of academic self-regulation among male stude...
A team of researchers led by Esteban Gazel discovered deep portions of Earth's mantle might be as hot as it was more than 2.5 billion years ago. They found magnesium concentrations and textural evidence similar to the mysterious Archean komatiites in rocks from the 90 million-year-old Tortugal Suite in Costa Rica.
A new UNLV study published in Nature Geoscience has found evidence of nearly continuous warming in the Ural Mountains in central Russia over the past 11,000 years. This contradicts previous work that focused on summer temperature trends and supports computer models predicting continual warming.
A genetic switch that regulates blood stem cell maturation is dysregulated in acute myeloid leukemia. Researchers have identified a protein, DPF2, that controls this switch and developed a mutated version of the protein that can block its function. This new approach may lead to more effective treatments for leukemia.
The Ecological Society of America honored Michael J.M. McTavish with the Murray F. Buell Award for his presentation on selective granivory of exotic earthworms, while Julienne E. NeSmith received the E. Lucy Braun Award for her poster on interactive effects of soil moisture and plant invasion.
A CNIO researcher has been funded by the Melanoma Research Alliance to study brain metastasis in melanoma, focusing on blocking cancer cell spread by targeting the microenvironment. The goal is to develop a new concept of treating metastasis in personalized medicine.
Living in a city significantly increases young people's vulnerability to psychotic experiences, with British adolescents raised in major cities being over 40% more likely to report such experiences. Adverse neighbourhood conditions, crime, and social factors were key contributing factors.
Researchers Simon Lock and Sarah Stewart propose a new type of planetary object called a synestia, which forms through giant impacts. Synestias could be responsible for moon formation, particularly in our solar system where Earth's moon is similar to its parent planet.
Researchers found that patients with high ICOS expression had improved survival, while those with low CD28 expression had poor outcomes. The study suggests that these biomarkers may help clinicians identify IPF patients at greatest risk and develop early intervention strategies.
A study found that ER overcrowding is associated with a significant delay in sepsis treatment, resulting in increased mortality risk. Patients presenting to crowded ERs waited an average of 47 minutes longer for antibiotics compared to uncrowded ERs.
A new Penn study found that ICU doctors are better at predicting patients' survival rates than their cognitive function, with confidence levels improving accuracy. Nurses' predictions were less accurate but still informative for guiding family decisions.
A seven-year study using a supercomputer has revealed the secrets of brain electrical signals and protein switches activated by binding molecules. The findings aim to develop safer and more effective anaesthetics, as well as treatments for various neural conditions such as epilepsy, anxiety, and chronic pain.
A University of Pittsburgh-led study covering nearly 50,000 patients found that hospitals in New York State that followed the 'three-hour bundle' protocol for sepsis treatment had lower mortality rates. The protocol requires early identification and treatment within three hours of diagnosis, with completion averaging 1.3 hours.
A standardized assessment for UK medical students has shown a high pass rate of 95%, with significant variation in performance between schools. The Prescribing Safety Assessment aims to identify students who need further training or supervision before being able to prescribe independently.
A training program evaluating clinical best practices and self-assessment reduced medically unnecessary caesareans by a slight margin without adverse effects on maternal and neonatal health. The program generated significant savings for the healthcare system, primarily due to better case management leading to fewer neonatal complications.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that angiotensin II can safely improve blood pressure among critically ill patients experiencing life-threatening hypotension. Nearly 70% of patients treated with angiotensin II saw improved blood pressure, compared to 23% of those receiving a placebo.
A recent study found that approximately 22.1 percent of adult patients prescribed antibiotics for community-acquired pneumonia do not respond to treatment, highlighting the need for updated guidelines and more aggressive antibiotic therapy for vulnerable populations such as older adults. The study also revealed regional variations in t...
A KAIST research team developed a hybrid animal-robot interaction system that attaches to a turtle and induces its object-tracking behavior through training sessions. The parasitic robot successfully controls the direction of movement in a water tank, offering an alternative solution to conventional mobile robot limitations.
A school-based intervention and podcast targeting parents improved children's ability to assess health claims, with over twice as many students in the intervention group achieving a passing score compared to those in control groups. The studies focused on 12 key concepts, including the reliability of anecdotes and conflicting interests.
UK researchers have made a breakthrough in treating severe lung disease by developing a home ventilation therapy that reduces hospital readmissions. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found patients using this treatment were two-thirds less likely to be readmitted within 28 days.
A recent study by Scott D. Halpern and colleagues found that physicians were more accurate in predicting death but less accurate in predicting cognitive abilities in ICU patients. Nurses' predictions were also variable, with higher accuracy rates for in-hospital mortality and lower accuracy rates for cognition.
A study of 3,434 US MDR TB patients found that those on directly observed therapy had a 77% decrease in mortality compared to self-administered therapy. The study suggests that maximizing direct observation therapy coverage can help reduce all-cause mortality among MDR TB patients.
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) mortality is lower in high-volume Intensive Care Units (ICUs), according to a new study analyzing the French CUB-REA database. The research found that despite increased ARDS severity, ICU mortality decreased in high-volume ICUs compared to low and moderate volume ICUs.
Researchers analyzed network traffic from over five billion events to identify malware signals weeks before detection. This allows for early warning of potential attacks, reducing their impact. The study suggests new strategies for malware-independent detection, giving network defenders a timely advantage.
A study published in JAMA found that adding home noninvasive ventilation to oxygen therapy for patients with persistent hypercapnia following a COPD flare-up significantly reduced time to hospital readmission or death. The 12-month risk of readmission or death was 63% vs 80% in the treatment and control groups, respectively.
A new class of attacks, dubbed 'Cloak and Dagger,' allows attackers to take control of Android devices by overlaying the graphical interface with false information. The vulnerability arises from the combination of two legitimate permissions that power desirable features in popular apps.
Researchers analyzed data from 1,863 participants and found a significant association between air pollution exposure and low sleep efficiency. The study suggests that improving air quality may be one way to enhance sleep health and reduce health disparities.
Acute COPD exacerbations significantly increase the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with cardiovascular disease or at high CVD risk. Researchers found that odds of these events were nearly four-fold higher within 30 days after an exacerbation.
The study found that low-intensity gamma radiation is only destructive and has a linear correlation in dose-effect coordinates. The duration of exposure is more significant than the absorbed dose in terms of toxic effect on organisms.
Researchers found that heart failure patients with a history of stroke had greater risks of depression, hospitalization, and death compared to those without a history of stroke. Patients with both conditions died an average of five months earlier and were more likely to be rehospitalized or die.
A novel tablet, OPTILOGG, is helping heart failure patients to manage their condition by providing education, registering body weight, and titrating diuretics. Patients' self-care behaviors improved significantly, with a median score decrease of 10.5 points or 37%.
Assistant Professor Yi Zhang has received a $452,257 NSF CAREER grant to study the STEM success of community college transfer students. The project aims to develop a typology of distinct subgroups and provide tailored support for transfer students.
Researchers found that chronic pain distorts the intensity of pain perception in other body parts by rewiring circuits in the anterior cingulate cortex. This causes a greater reaction to painful stimuli throughout the body, with far-reaching consequences for mental health and disease treatment.
Researchers analyzed thousands of social media posts to find that IBD patients are more concerned with the risks of biologic medications than their benefits or financial costs. The study suggests that physicians need to do a better job explaining the pros and cons of treatments.
Achieving moderate-to-vigorous physical activity guidelines, reducing TV viewing time, and ensuring adequate sleep duration are associated with lower BMI and body fat in children. Meeting these guidelines can reduce the risk of obesity and related health problems.
A team of MIT researchers has designed a breathable workout suit with ventilating flaps lined with live microbial cells, which can be engineered to sense and respond to humidity. The suit effectively removes sweat from the body and lowers skin temperature, providing a cooling sensation.
Researchers developed custom-engineered protein destroying MERS virus in cultured human cells within 24 hours. Synthetic ubiquitin variants also target Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, showing promise for future anti-viral medicine.
Lung cancer patients are susceptible to malignant pleural effusion, a build-up of excess fluid that can cause shortness of breath and chest pain. Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism that causes this condition, which could lead to the development of new treatments targeting the KRAS-mutant cancer cells.
A new study published in the European Congress on Obesity reveals strong and direct effects of parental BMI, low income, and smoking on a child's future BMI and risk of overweight. The research controlled for birthweight and early life BMI to show that these factors have a lasting impact.
Researchers have discovered how the enteric nervous system, a complex network of nerve cells in the gut, is formed during mouse development. The study reveals that individual progenitor cells produce specific types of cells, which form overlapping columns and exhibit synchronized activity.
Researchers developed a new FISH-Flow protocol to analyze hundreds of thousands of cells simultaneously, allowing for faster and more accurate disease detection. The protocol identifies telltale mRNA species and proteins, enabling early diagnosis and treatment of infectious and non-infectious lung diseases.
A recent NYU study reveals a significant gap in education and training for outdoor fall prevention among community-dwelling older adults. The research highlights the importance of wearing proper footwear, being aware of environmental hazards, and practicing safe walking strategies to prevent falls.
Researchers develop a cost-effective method to produce Aβ42 peptide, a key player in Alzheimer's disease, using isotope labeling and FPLC. This approach simplifies NMR-based structural studies of the peptide, paving the way for deeper understanding of AD.
A new combination immunotherapy has shown promise in treating advanced kidney cancer, with the potential to identify biomarkers for many cancers. The study's principal investigator, Dr. Timothy Kuzel, hopes that this treatment will help more patients benefit from immunotherapy.
Researchers from UCL, Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital suggest a single chemical mechanism for forming both purine and pyrimidine nucleotides. They demonstrate that these molecules can be assembled on the same sugar scaffold to form RNA, providing a solution to a long-standing challenge in understanding the origins of life.
The American Sleep Medicine Foundation has announced the winners of its 2017 High School Video Contest, which encouraged teens to prioritize sleep. Three students from Colorado, Illinois, and Texas won prizes for their original videos, emphasizing the importance of 8-10 hours of sleep per night.