A genetic variant found in African-Americans significantly reduces the accuracy of the HbA1c blood test used to diagnose and monitor type 2 diabetes. This means around 650,000 African Americans could have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes if tested with the HbA1c test alone.
The Lancet's analysis shows that while some countries have made significant improvements, much progress is needed to meet the health-related SDG targets by 2030. Over 60% of countries are projected to meet targets on under-5 mortality, neonatal mortality, maternal mortality, and malaria.
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame have discovered that the unique binary star system AR Scorpii exhibits variability on a timescale of decades, contrary to initial expectations. The study found that the system's brightness more than doubled in minutes and hours, but also showed long-term changes over decades.
A new study by UBC Okanagan researcher Nathan Pelletier found that poultry fed vegan organic feed produce eggs with a smaller environmental footprint. The type of feed and manure management system had the greatest influence on environmental impacts.
The project will develop new contrast agents based on rare earth fluorides, enhancing MRI image analysis for early disease detection. Researchers aim to increase patients' chances for full recovery by improving diagnostics.
Researchers found 60 genetic variants influencing HbA1c measurements and ability to diagnose diabetes. These variants, including one associated with lower HbA1c levels despite high blood glucose, may lead to underdiagnosis of type 2 diabetes in African Americans.
Four primary methods are used by primary care practices to risk stratify patient populations: practice-developed algorithm, AAFP clinical algorithm, payer claims/electronic health record, and clinical intuition. Practices that developed their own algorithm identify more high-risk patients than those using other methods.
A study found that individuals with ADHD showed different patterns of eye movements compared to neurotypical individuals, indicating difficulties with predicting and reacting to upcoming events. This suggests the use of eye movements as an objective measure of temporal expectation, potentially complementing existing diagnostic tools.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen found that a specific ratio of gut bacteria can predict weight loss success on a high-fruit diet. Approximately 50% of the population has this beneficial bacterial balance, which can help tailor nutritional advice for individual weight loss needs.
A new study has demonstrated the potential of using a frequency distribution-based index of brain functional connectivity as a biomarker for detecting Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. The findings show good accuracy across databases and test sites, offering promise for widespread clinical usage.
A recent Northwestern University meta-analysis found striking stability in discrimination against African-Americans, despite a decline in Latino discrimination. Researchers analyzed data from field experiments of hiring between 1990 and 2015, finding that racial gaps in the labor force persist regardless of educational attainment.
Patients with OSA improved CPAP use when telemonitored and received individualized, automated messages that reinforced therapy adherence. Telemonitoring increased CPAP use by 36-60 minutes per night.
PharmaMar presents positive results of PM1183 (lurbinectedin) in a cohort of 36 patients with advanced and relapsed small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), achieving an objective response rate of 36%. This finding is significant given the limited therapeutic options for SCLC, which has a high mortality rate.
A study published in Nature Research's Scientific Reports reveals that the novel protein SATB2 can cause normal cells to become malignant, grow and spread like cancer stem cells. Silencing SATB2 suppresses cell growth and cancer stem cell characteristics, suggesting a potential new target for therapy.
Researchers found that preeclampsia can permanently change blood vessel function, increasing cardiovascular disease risk. Applying a drug to restore dilation response shows promise as potential treatment strategy.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded $15 million to support the development of 3-D microphysiological system platforms, called 'tissue chips,' that model human disease. These platforms will enable scientists to better understand disease mechanisms and predict how patients respond to specific drugs.
A team of researchers at Kazan Federal University is exploring the mechanism of how microorganisms form and develop in response to petroleum contamination. They aim to understand whether hydrocarbon-oxidizing community structure depends on soil properties, and how new technologies for soil decontamination may arise from this research.
Researchers found that low-income households living in subsidized housing are exposed to hazardous chemicals from building materials and personal care products. The study highlights the need for broader green building standards to address indoor air pollution, particularly in vulnerable communities.
Two studies funded by PCORI will compare strategies to improve care-management transitions for adolescent and young adults with sickle cell disease. The projects aim to reduce emergency department visits, hospital admissions, and improve quality of life among young adults with the condition.
The James Webb Space Telescope relies on a complex shroud system to maintain extremely low temperatures, minimizing unwanted infrared light that could compromise optical testing. The system consists of two nested shrouds: liquid nitrogen and cold gaseous helium, which work together to cool the telescope.
Saint Louis University's civil engineering students will design and test steel beams and concrete frames at full-scale thanks to a recent National Science Foundation grant. The new lab aims to provide experiential learning opportunities, enabling students to better prepare for the workforce.
A Melbourne research team has identified a protein called SIDT2 as critical for cells to detect viral components and initiate an immune response. This discovery has important implications for delivering new therapeutics based on dsRNA.
Primary care staff often attribute blame to individuals rather than system failures in patient safety incident reports. This may reflect a healthcare culture that prioritizes individual accountability over system improvement.
The Joint West Africa Research Group (JWARG) has begun a study to identify cases of suspected severe infectious diseases in West Africa. The study will enroll adult volunteers who present as severely ill with a suspected infectious source, and collect samples for laboratory analysis.
Recent study identifies genetic themes of cold adaptation in Nganasan and Yakut populations, showing adaptation to high-fat animal diets. This led to higher basal metabolic rates and lower blood lipid levels in Siberians.
A study of British general practitioners found that physicians are more likely to support smoking cessation in primary care patients with coronary heart disease. Cancer patients are less likely to stop smoking due to lack of recording and advice from their doctors.
A large study found that antireflux surgery has a low risk of complications and relapse in young, healthy males. The procedure is considered an under-used therapeutic alternative to long-term medication, which can lead to osteoporosis and other complications.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine successfully transported medical samples 160+ miles using a drone, setting a new delivery distance record. The flight maintained temperature control, ensuring the samples were viable for laboratory analysis after landing.
The Georgia Institute of Technology-led NSF Engineering Research Center will develop scalable technologies and tools for consistent, low-cost production of high-quality living therapeutic cells. These cells could revolutionize treatment of various diseases by enabling broad use of potentially curative therapies.
A new study has identified potential lipid biomarkers in human blood plasma associated with age-related macular degeneration, which may lead to earlier diagnoses and better treatment options. The study's findings also suggest that metabolomics profiling may provide novel insights into the relationship between lipids and AMD.
Researchers have gained a better understanding of the structure of hot jets and accretion disks surrounding black holes at the center of galaxies. They compared data from radio interferometry and Gaia space observatory, discovering discrepancies in object positions that revealed bright jets emitting visible light in many quasars.
Scientists have found that nanoparticles from tattoos can migrate to the lymph nodes and cause inflammation, leading to potential long-term health problems. The study provides strong evidence for the transport of toxic elements and tattoo pigments, highlighting the need for further research on the safety of tattoo inks.
A new UBC study found that joining a running group can help individuals successfully quit smoking, with half of participants able to stop smoking after completing a 10-week program. Participants who stuck it out showed significant improvement in mental health and reduced their smoking habits.
A new study found that the insula plays a major role in generating spontaneous neuronal bursts in preterm babies, essential for strengthening brain connections. The bursts are also linked to healthier cognitive skills and reduced risk of cerebral palsy.
Researchers at Caltech have developed a prototype miniature medical device that can diagnose and treat diseases by tracking its location in the body. The ATOMS devices, which borrow from MRI principles, contain integrated sensors and wireless transmission technology to mimic atomic resonance properties.
Adults with intellectual disabilities have a nearly threefold higher rate of emergency hospitalizations and five times more preventable admissions than their matched controls. The most common ACSCs resulting in admission are convulsions/epilepsy, lower respiratory tract infection, and urinary tract infection.
Two studies found that praising children's intelligence leads to increased dishonesty and cheating. The research suggests that 'smart' praise creates expectations and pressures children to perform well, leading them to cheat. The findings highlight the importance of using specific, behavior-based praise to promote positive outcomes.
Children and older adults with developmental disabilities experience the greatest disparities in unmet healthcare needs. Medical schools are urged to incorporate specific training in developmental disabilities into their curricula to reduce these disparities.
Researchers found that areas protected by local and indigenous communities were more effective at reducing deforestation and forest degradation compared to those protected by governments. Local ownership and support for protecting the Peruvian Amazon can be a particularly effective approach in conserving this vital ecosystem.
A new study found that the majority of Americans support a carbon tax, with 80% wanting revenue used for clean energy development and infrastructure improvements. The average American household is willing to pay $177 per year in carbon tax, generating around $22 billion for investments in renewable energy and infrastructure.
A study by the UPV/EHU-University of the Basque Country found that Pentecostal churches serve as places of reference for migrants to establish relationships, build trust, and share values. Pastors act as cultural mediators, providing essential information on welfare benefits, language skills, and navigating local provinces.
A team of scientists used a novel microscope to measure the density of heterochromatin, a tightly packed form of chromatin found in human cells. The study reveals that heterochromatin DNA is not fully inactive, but rather has physical properties that can be described in live cells.
Researchers discovered evidence of rapid climate changes on a millennial-to-centennial scale that occurred 780 to 760 thousand years ago. The findings suggest that this interglacial climate could be useful in predicting the Earth's future climate.
A large study in Burkina Faso treated over 1600 children with acute malnutrition using a lipid-based nutrient supplement, resulting in significant weight gain from healthy lean tissue. The findings can be used to prevent and treat moderate acute malnutrition, potentially saving thousands of lives.
A grant-funded project has mapped soil erosion intensity across 2.5 million square kilometers of agricultural land in European Russia. Researchers found that ravine erosion is receding, likely due to reduced thawed flow and increased absorption by soil.
Patients with type 2 diabetes have lower risks of aortic aneurysm (28% reduction) and aortic dissection (47% reduction). Long-term mortality rates are also decreased after hospitalization for AA, but not AD.
Researchers seek to understand how trypanosome parasites cause long-term infections in cattle, with potential to develop novel ideas for prevention and treatment. The project aims to target the parasite's defences using drug therapy or vaccines.
A study at ESMO 2017 found that positive randomised controlled trials are twice as likely to be reported in the lay press as those with negative trials. The study also found that trials on immunotherapy and targeted therapy were more commonly reported than those on chemotherapy.
Non-obese individuals with asthma may benefit from a healthy diet and regular exercise to control symptoms and improve quality of life. Studies have shown that exercise combined with a low-GI diet can lead to significant improvements in symptom control, with patients reporting a 50% reduction in asthma symptom scores on average.
Researchers have identified a new species of prehistoric crocodile, Deltasuchus motherali, from a fossil site in north central Texas. The species, which lived around 95 million years ago, is estimated to have grown up to 20 feet long and ate a wide variety of prey, including turtles and dinosaurs.
A new antibody treatment has been shown to reduce the rate of exacerbations by nearly 20% in patients with a subgroup of treatment-resistant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study found that patients with high eosinophil counts benefited more from the treatment, indicating a potential biomarker for the disease.
Two brief psychological therapies targeting depression and harmful drinking delivered by lay counsellors were effective and sustained over 12 months. The interventions, Healthy Activity Programme (HAP) and Counselling for Alcohol Problems (CAP), showed significant symptom reduction and remission rates.
A study of nine young athletes found that contact drills involving multiple players led to the highest number of head impacts, while open-field tackling resulted in high-magnitude impacts. The study suggests modifying or eliminating certain drills from practice sessions to reduce injury risks.
Researchers found that stingless bees control worker reproduction through pheromones, allowing workers to care for the queen's offspring instead of their own. This adaptation creates a conflict between the queen and workers over reproductive interests.
KFU astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery of an exoplanet orbiting a red giant star HD208897, located 210 light years away from Earth. The planet has a mass of 1.4 Jupiter masses and an orbital period of 353 days, marking the first time in Russian astronomy such a discovery was made using spectroscopic methods.
In at least 18 states, academic health centers partner with cooperative extension systems to improve local community health. These collaborations focus on nutrition education, healthy cooking demonstrations, and health and nutrition education for seniors.
A new study from UMass Amherst suggests that phthalate levels in expectant fathers can impact couples' reproductive success through epigenetic modifications of sperm DNA. The researchers found associations between certain phthalates and changes in sperm DNA methylation, which may influence early-life development.
Researchers found that 40% of nursing home patients had multiple multidrug-resistant organisms living on their bodies, increasing the risk of urinary tract infections. The study suggests a complex network of interactions among bacteria and antibiotics, highlighting the need for more targeted treatment approaches.
Researchers have developed a new leukemia therapy that combines inhibitors with immune therapies to eliminate cancer cells, showing promising results in preclinical trials. The combination of treatments worked better than using one active substance alone.
Researchers have identified a molecule called miR-124 in non-small cell lung cancer cells that plays a regulatory role in programmed cell death. The findings may offer a new target in the fight against non-small cell lung cancer, particularly for mesenchymal-like cells resistant to chemotherapy.