Researchers create a concentrator platform with micro- and nano-structured superhydrophilic traps to increase molecule concentration by up to a million times, enabling quick identification of substances in trace amounts. The technology cuts down analysis time from days to hours and potentially achieves single-molecule detection.
A new study found that pregnant women with Medicaid support urine testing to promote smoking cessation, but fear consequences such as clinician reaction and government involvement. Clinicians are concerned about the impact on patient relationships, but researchers call for consensual testing to improve public health outcomes.
A study of 1,448,952 Medicare beneficiaries found that higher primary care physician continuity was strongly correlated with lower healthcare expenditures and hospitalization rates. Continuity of care is a core tenet of primary care that should be incorporated into official primary care measures.
A study found that only 1.9% of COPD patients nationwide started a pulmonary rehabilitation program within six months of hospitalization, despite Medicare coverage and proven benefits. The low utilization rates were linked to barriers such as transportation and socioeconomic factors.
A recent study of peripheral pulse oximeters found that non-approved devices accurately measure oxygen saturation above 90%, potentially ruling out hypoxemia. However, below 90%, medical-grade pulse oximeter measurements are recommended for accurate patient management decisions.
Researchers found that part-time clinicians have longer appointment backlogs when available in clinic is reduced. Establishing clinician teams and non-clinician support can help improve access to appointments.
Researchers found that plants developed ant-friendly traits long after ants started relying on them for food and habitat. Plants use ants to spread seeds and act as bodyguards, while ants benefit from rich nectar and shelter in hollow thorns.
Researchers have found a potential Achilles' heel in micrometastasis that could be targeted with medications to reduce the risk of full-blown metastasis. Blocking calcium transfer through gap junctions and mTOR pathway results in cancer cell death or growth inhibition.
Research using 2011 Medicare claims data found a strong association between higher primary care physician continuity and lower healthcare costs, as well as decreased hospitalization rates. The study suggests that continuity of care is a valuable aspect of primary care that should be incorporated into quality measures.
Researchers have published the first estimates of antibiotic and pesticide planetary boundaries, revealing that Gram-negative bacteria are already beyond these limits. The study emphasizes the urgent need for new approaches to manage resistance, including promoting susceptibility to pesticides and antibiotics.
Researchers used Natatanuran frogs to study biogeographic exchanges between Laurasia and Gondwanan landmasses. They found two major stepping-stone dispersals via the Indian Plate: from Africa to Asia and from Asia to Madagascar, challenging traditional views of isolated biotic ferry.
A new study found that legacy prescribing patterns are widespread, with 46% of patients prescribed antidepressants continuously for more than 15 months. The researchers highlight the need for system-oriented change to address this issue and explore legacy prescribing as a quality measure.
A SDSU-led research team is working on ways to better detect language problems in children prior to age 3, when intervention might be more effective. The team has developed an instrument to assess stable concepts in children's vocabulary at age 2, which predicts their readiness for kindergarten at age 4.
Scientists at the University of Birmingham have identified critical mutations that feed through to genes controlling cell identity and behavior in acute myeloid leukaemia, paving the way for personalized treatment. The research could lead to a different drug being given to treat each form of AML, increasing survival rates for blood can...
A new study from the University of Copenhagen found that parents consider naturalness a benchmark for consumer choice, driven by concerns over health and protection. This preference is rooted in the increased responsibility felt by parents to make informed decisions about their children's well-being in a knowledge society.
Professor Alexander Krot will work at Goethe University Frankfurt for six months, building on his research on the formation of the first solid bodies of our solar system. His work aims to provide fundamental insights into the childhood of the solar nebula, shedding light on the early formations in the solar system.
New research reveals Gamma Delta T cells possess a two-pronged device to check cell health before killing cancer cells. The immune cells can act independently without relying on authorization from other signals.
Researchers at Penn State are developing new standardized mobile technologies to gather high-precision data on mental and cognitive function in everyday life. This project aims to provide insights for developing prevention measures and improving quality of life for older adults.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science has awarded 62 projects under the Innovative and Novel Computational Impact on Theory and Experiment (INCITE) program for 2019. These projects aim to tackle some of the world's most challenging science problems using cutting-edge computational methods and resources.
Researchers at Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute found that risk-score guided care improved healthcare delivery for high-risk heart failure patients, reducing mortality rates by 48% and 30-day readmission rates by 25%. This innovative approach uses personalized risk scores to direct patients to advanced levels of care.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine and Duke University demonstrate why coughing often cannot clear mucus from airways in diseases like CF and COPD. They show how to make mucus thinner and less sticky, allowing coughing to become a therapeutic aid for patients.
Researchers developed a Computer-Aided Material Design (CAMaD) system that extracts information related to fabrication processes and material structures and properties, enabling the summarization of knowledge from thousands of scientific articles in a single chart. This allows for rationalizing and expediting material design.
A study by CU Anschutz found a significant association between prescribed access to psychotropic drugs and their use in attempted suicides. The researchers investigated 27,876 people who attempted suicide at least once and found that 70% of those using psychotropic drugs had prescribed access.
A Finnish study reveals that protected areas support northern bird species while hindering southern species' movement northwards due to habitat loss and climate change.
Analysis of ancient DNA from an extinct Jamaican monkey named Xenothrix has revealed its surprising connection to South America's titi monkeys. The study shows that island colonization can dramatically impact animal evolution, leading to unique characteristics like slow movement and few teeth.
Some moth species use sound-absorbing scales to evade bats' echolocation. The scales vibrate at resonant frequencies that overlap with bats' biosonar range, creating acoustic camouflage.
Researchers have found a new therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer, RIP1 Kinase, which can be used in combination with other immune-boosting therapies to increase survival rates. The study shows that the drug GSK547 helps to mount a more aggressive attack against tumor cells, doubling survival to 50 days in mice.
Researchers developed a technique to create tissue-like structures from human stem cells, which were then transplanted into mouse brains. This approach showed improved cell survival and differentiation compared to traditional methods.
Researchers developed a brief training program, ROC-T, to improve healthy food choices by focusing on positive aspects of nutritious foods. The program significantly increased the number of healthy foods chosen and reduced calorie consumption in adults.
The essay emphasizes the importance of inclusive communication in patient care, highlighting the need to avoid assumptions about gender identities and use gender-inclusive language. Using respectful approaches can help clinicians offer patient-centered care that moves beyond binary gender concepts.
A new study suggests that nurses' subjective experience of work demand plays a crucial role in the quality of care they provide. The study found that perceived workload was consistently associated with missed essential care activities, regardless of staffing ratios or patient acuity.
Researchers from PPPL presented their work on controlling plasma instabilities in fusion reactions, enabling high-performance plasmas. They also explored the formation of stars and planets through experiments on black hole magnetorotational instability.
Researchers found that streamside forests store an average of 168-390 tons of carbon per acre in mature trees, while soil carbon can triple with restoration. Actively restoring forests jump-starts the process, gaining more than twice the rate of naturally regenerating forests over the first ten years.
A study from the University of Waterloo found that urban planning decisions in post-WWII Canada contributed to the rise of right-wing populism by promoting automobile dependency and suburban sprawl. This normalization of unsustainable lifestyles led to a sense of resistance to change, particularly among suburban voters.
A study on female guppies reveals that genetic variation and light exposure during rearing impact their color preferences. The findings suggest a link between female guppies' responsiveness to visual signals and the evolution of diverse male color patterns.
Researchers found that urban expansion and climate change interact non-linearly, resulting in complex effects on temperature. Heat-mitigating technologies like cool roofs and street trees provide moderate alleviation of temperatures during nighttime hours.
Physicists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have successfully measured parity violation in ytterbium atoms with different numbers of neutrons, confirming the predictions of the Standard Model of particle physics. The results show that the effect increases with the number of neutrons in the nucleus.
Researchers at CWRU are using big data methods to understand the mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease. They're developing large-scale knowledge bases that will identify ways to develop new or reuse existing drugs, with a focus on identifying possible new genes and pathways.
A new text-mining method developed by Cornell statistician Shawn Mankad and his colleagues can help developers improve mobile apps faster. By aggregating and parsing customer reviews in one step, the method provides guidance on a single app's performance and compares it to competing apps over time.
A combination therapy of polymyxin B/trimethoprim has shown promising results against bacterial keratitis, a leading cause of blindness. The treatment eradicated infections in 70% of animal models and showed a low rate of spontaneous resistance.
Analysis of Alpine ice shows tripled iodine levels since Second World War, partially balancing ozone production. Researchers now call for inclusion of iodine data in climate models to predict future environmental outcomes.
A study led by St. Michael's Hospital researchers found that empagliflozin significantly reduces left ventricular mass index, a key indicator of heart disease. The medication has profound cardiovascular benefits, including improved cardiac structure and reduced mortality rates in people with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have uncovered a novel mechanism by which Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria evade immune defenses. Pneumolysin toxin binds to a host cell receptor called Mannose Receptor C type-1 (MRC-1), suppressing inflammation and protective immunity, allowing the bacteria to survive in the airways.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that black patients remain at significantly higher risk for sudden cardiac death even after adjusting for income, education, smoking, and other risk factors. The researchers suggest that unknown genetic factors may be contributing to these disparities.
Scientists have created a magnetic method to control the transport of chiral Majorana fermions, which has potential applications for braiding and quantum computing. The technique uses a Josephson junction and cavity to manipulate the fermion excitations.
A majority of older adults (59%) do not want to discuss their life expectancy, with factors such as education and past experiences influencing willingness. Strategies to address this topic include assessing patient factors and offering discussions closer to the final year of life.
The study found a loop of physical signals, resembling a double-handed handshake, that encourages cell suicide. This discovery could lead to new immune-regulating therapies and understanding the mechanisms that ensure T cells aggressively pursue hordes of infectors but not damage healthy human tissue.
Researchers have identified a shift in fishing behaviors on Indonesian islands Alor and Timor around 7,000 years ago, likely due to changes in sea levels and environmental conditions. The study used an analysis method traditionally used in biology to identify fish habitat in archaeological material.
A new study found that patients with bacterial pneumonia are at a 60% greater risk of a heart attack, stroke, or death compared to those with viral pneumonia. Researchers recommend aggressive treatment and close monitoring for patients with bacterial pneumonia, particularly those with pre-existing heart conditions.
A new study found that patients with atrial fibrillation show signs of asymptomatic brain injury. Three biomarkers were significantly higher in AF patients, suggesting chronic cerebral injuries may contribute to neurodegenerative problems.
Researchers at OIST Graduate University have developed a unified theory explaining the formation of pinch points and half moons in frustrated magnets. The theory reveals that these patterns arise from the same underlying physics, with pinch points representing equilibrium and half moons signifying violation of local conservation laws.
The InHPC-DE project maximizes high-speed data connection between Germany's leading supercomputers, including HLRS, JSC, and LRZ. This upgrade will allow users to transfer large datasets at 2x100 gigabit per second, significantly improving research efficiency.
Two NUS studies examine the relationship between a crab spider and its pitcher plant host, revealing that when resources are scarce, this partnership is beneficial. The research suggests that under stressful conditions, mutualism increases in frequency and intensity, supporting the idea that a 'friend in need' can be beneficial for all...
A Yale-led research study found that a drug therapy used for chronic heart failure also improves markers of poor prognosis in individuals hospitalized with acute heart failure. The treatment reduced NT-proBNP levels more quickly than standard therapy, indicating substantial improvement in heart failure severity.
A new study found that a smartphone app can identify potentially fatal heart attacks with high accuracy, similar to a standard 12-lead ECG. The app's speed and accessibility could significantly improve treatment times and save lives.
Researchers identified 90 genetic points associated with increased risk for both cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's, including genes involved in lipid metabolism. The study found that targeting these genes may help lower Alzheimer's risk by managing cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
The California Safety and Wellbeing Survey found that 25% of adult Californians live in households with firearms, while 40% include children under 12. The survey also revealed that nearly 3,200 people died from firearm-related injuries in California in 2017.
The joint research team has developed a high-speed module to measure switching currents in STT-MRAM memory arrays with high precision. This technology enables minute changes in currents to be observed, representing a significant stride toward practical application and failure analysis of STT-MRAM technology.
A recent trial found that low-dose methotrexate did not lower cardiovascular event rates in patients at high risk for heart disease and stroke. The study, which included over 4,700 participants, showed no significant reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events compared to placebo.
Researchers found that testing coronary calcium levels is a more accurate predictor of blocked coronary arteries and need for revascularization than standard risk-assessment equations. Coronary calcium scores can identify patients at high risk and help prevent overtreatment.