A study found a significant increase in condom use among young women in sub-Saharan Africa, with 60% using condoms for pregnancy prevention. The authors suggest that promoting condoms as a method for pregnancy prevention may be more effective than focusing on HIV transmission prevention.
The Commonwealth of Kentucky received a $400,000 SAMHSA grant to improve youth suicide prevention services. Dr. Julie Cerel, an assistant professor at the University of Kentucky, played a key role in securing the grant and will oversee its evaluation.
A study published in the Society of Integrative Oncology's Third International Conference found that antioxidant therapies do not hinder the effectiveness of radiation therapy for prostate cancer. The study, conducted by Cancer Treatment Centers of America, reviewed PSA levels of prostate cancer patients after receiving radiation thera...
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) has funded four new Centers of Research Translation (CORTs) to translate basic discoveries into new treatments for arthritis and related diseases. The CORTs will focus on lupus, X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets, scleroderma, and other conditions.
A novel home-based approach to AIDS care has been shown to improve adherence and response to antiretroviral therapy in rural Uganda. The study, published in The Lancet, found that good adherence was associated with sustained suppression of HIV during the first year of treatment.
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) will award $13 million to create four centers to develop new treatments for various types of wounds, including burns, diabetic ulcers, and bedsores. This initiative aims to deepen understanding of wound healing and apply knowledge to enhance treatment.
Research supported by NIDA shows that prevention programs in middle school can reduce methamphetamine abuse among rural adolescents. The study found significant effects on both lifetime and past-year methamphetamine abuse, with a relative reduction of 65% compared to controls.
The US Department of Energy is launching two new Bioenergy Research Centers to accelerate basic research on the development of cellulosic ethanol and other biofuels. The centers will focus on systems biology research on microbes and plants, with the goal of harnessing nature's own mechanisms for producing energy from sunlight.
Case Western Reserve University has been awarded a prestigious multimillion-dollar research center by the National Science Foundation, focusing on polymers research. The CLiPS center aims to lead the nation with an integrated program of research and education through its unique microlayering and nanolayering process.
Prevention strategies for Noma include information campaigns, eradication of poverty, and improved living conditions. The disease is often linked to malnutrition, poor sanitation, and unsafe drinking water.
The University of Pittsburgh-affiliated Magee-Womens Research Institute has been selected to lead international HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment efforts. The institute will focus on developing microbicides to prevent HIV transmission, particularly among women and their partners.
A $5 million grant will establish an Asthma and Allergic Diseases Cooperative Research Center at Indiana University School of Medicine. Researchers aim to identify diagnostic biological markers for eczema and asthma, leading to better treatment and prevention strategies.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research has invested $900,000 over five years to fund the first Canadian Chair in Hypertension Prevention and Control. Dr. Norm Campbell will lead a multi-faceted approach to primary prevention and treatment of hypertension.
The studies reveal that integrated treatments benefit patients with multiple psychological problems and that cooperation between judiciary and addiction care provides added benefits. Effective prevention programs are also available for young people, while animal experimental research offers perspectives on human addiction research.
A recent screening conducted by student health centers revealed a 13% prevalence rate of chlamydia among college freshmen. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasize the importance of providing regular chlamydia education, screening, and testing services to all students, particularly high-risk groups.
A school-based quality initiative improved asthma outcomes for children with severe asthma, increasing perfect care to 84% and asthma-related emergency room visits by 22%. The project demonstrates the effectiveness of community partnerships and evidence-based care in improving child health.
Researchers found that promotion-focused individuals prioritize their ability to follow through with healthy behaviors, while prevention-focused individuals prioritize the effectiveness of the behavior itself. This study has important implications for distributing information about healthy practices.
The US has over 400 vacant positions for family physicians in Health Centers, with rural areas hit hardest. Recent funding cuts and declining medical students in primary-care fields exacerbate the problem.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience reveals that emotional brain centers can dampen activity in executive centers responsible for memory tasks. The researchers used fMRI to examine how emotional distractions affect cognitive processing and found a 'see-saw' effect, where activation of emotional centers reduces activity in ...
Researchers argue that targeting childhood obesity prevention is crucial in reducing adult obesity and associated chronic disease. Interventions during critical periods like the perinatal period and puberty/adolescence could have long-term effects.
The study found a 25% overall decrease in the risk of death following care in a trauma center compared to non-trauma centers. Trauma centers also showed lower mortality rates for patients one year after injury.
A study by the University of Iowa found that 37% of high schools have defibrillators, but surprisingly, cardiac arrests are relatively uncommon in these schools, with a rate of about 2 percent per year. In contrast, senior centers had higher rates of cardiac arrests, with only 10% having defibrillators.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has awarded $47 million to develop medical countermeasures against radiological and nuclear threats. Eight universities have received grants to establish centers for medical countermeasures against radiation, focusing on basic and applied research to develop new products...
A USC study of over 12,250 patients found that those treated at level I trauma centers had nearly a 20% lower mortality rate than those at level II centers. Patients also had better functional outcomes and were less likely to be severely disabled after discharge.
A recent study found that children using community health centers in medically underserved areas have a higher prevalence of overweight compared to the general population. The study analyzed data from nearly 2,500 children aged 2-11 and found that overweight children made up 22% of younger kids and 24% of older kids in these centers.
The Burnham Institute was selected by NIH to receive a $3M grant for exploratory center in hESC research. The center will support pilot projects, core facilities, and training for scientists.
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) has funded three new Exploratory Centers for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research. The centers will establish core facilities to support scientists and advance fundamental knowledge of human embryonic stem cell properties and functions.
A recent survey in Botswana has found a significant increase in drug-resistant tuberculosis, with 10% of new patients showing resistance to at least one anti-TB drug. The study suggests that enhanced interventions are needed to contain the burden of tuberculosis in Botswana and prevent further drug resistance.
The Protein Structure Initiative aims to determine protein structures to reveal their roles in health and disease. Columbia researchers will contribute to three centers, focusing on membrane proteins and cancer-related proteins.
The Protein Structure Initiative (PSI) has reached its rapid production phase, aiming to determine thousands of protein structures using innovative approaches and tools. The new centers will use methods developed during the pilot period to rapidly generate protein structures found in organisms ranging from bacteria to humans.
The NIH has established a nationwide network of molecular libraries screening centers, enabling academic researchers to explore novel ideas and progress on treating human diseases. The network will utilize the PubChem database to facilitate high-throughput assays and identify potential targets for new therapies.
A recent study suggests that a one-time adolescent vaccination against whooping cough could prevent 36% of projected cases while being reasonably cost-effective. The analysis considered various vaccination strategies and their impact on disease incidence, vaccine efficacy, side effects, and costs.
A study found that approximately 69% and 84% of US residents had access to level I or II trauma centers within 45 and 60 minutes, respectively. Rural areas were often without timely access to these centers, while urban areas had better access due to higher concentrations of trauma centers.
A US study finds that 84% of residents are within an hour's distance from a trauma center, with medical helicopters key to extending this access to suburban and rural areas. The researchers recommend reorganizing trauma centers, ambulances, and helicopter bases to improve access.
The National Institute on Aging has awarded the University of California, Irvine (UCI) $9 million to continue its research on Alzheimer's disease. Two key projects will focus on understanding age-related changes in the brain and the role of mitochondrial defects in causing Alzheimer's disease. These studies aim to advance our knowledge...
The OHSU study found that ThinkFirst significantly improves knowledge of injury prevention among program participants, leading to a decline in traffic-related fatalities and injuries. The program has educated over 250,000 children on injury prevention since its inception in Oregon.
A recent study suggests that US Latinos may develop Alzheimer's disease symptoms at a younger age than white, non-Latino individuals. The study found that Latino patients had a mean age of symptom onset that was 6.8 years earlier than Anglo patients with similar educational levels.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers found that the annual operating costs for medical institutional review boards (IRBs) range from $171,014 to $4,705,333. The median cost is $741,920, with low-volume institutions having the lowest IRB costs and high-volume centers benefiting from economies of scale.
Georgetown University is helping create a national cancer biomedical informatics grid to link research centers in real time, sharing data and results more rapidly. The $20 million grant aims to improve cancer research and treatment through the adoption of common research tools.
A study published in Health Services Research found that patients with head injuries transferred from rural trauma centers to Level I trauma centers in Oregon and Washington had a 10% lower mortality risk. This improvement is attributed to the comprehensive care and training programs available at Level I centers.
A recent study found that academic medical centers use emotional appeals and promote unproven services to attract patients, raising concerns about the erosion of public trust. The researchers recommend that centers reexamine their advertising procedures to promote evidence-based services.
A recent study by Indiana University researchers found that existing school-based smoking prevention programs have little impact on long-term smoking prevalence among youth. Only one program, Life Skills Program, showed a reduction in smokers at long-term follow-up.
Two studies examine the prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus, a condition that affects millions of Americans. Researchers found positive lifestyle changes lowered risk among nonsmokers but not smokers. A computer simulation determined the diet-exercise program and metformin therapy were cost-effective options.
A new study found that pre-diabetes prevention efforts are worth every penny, with a one-on-one weight loss and exercise program showing a 58% reduction in Type 2 diabetes risk. Lifestyle interventions could delay the onset of diabetes by an average of 11 years and reduce the risk of developing diabetes by 20%.
The study found that dedicated hospital stroke centers improved quality of acute care by increasing tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) use from 2.4% to 7.7%, reducing disability from stroke, and decreasing complications. This model can motivate other communities to establish similar systems.
A review of nine studies found that pre-diabetics using weight-loss interventions can lose between 2-3 kilograms or four to six pounds in one to two years. The interventions also decreased blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels slightly among pre-diabetics.
A recent study investigated whether NCI cancer centers have better outcomes due to their designation. The research found that perioperative mortality was lower at these centers for four out of six procedures, but five-year survival rates did not differ significantly between the two types of institutions.
The UT Prevention Research Center will continue its work in translating research into practice, with a focus on Texas youth and communities. The center's programs, including Coordinated Approach to Child Health and Familias, aim to prevent health-related problems such as diabetes and asthma.
A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that most US malaria deaths are preventable, with human error and inadequate medical care contributing to nearly two-thirds of cases. The CDC has expanded resources available to provide critical information on prevention and treatment of malaria.
Dr. David S. Alberts, a renowned cancer researcher, has been honored with the 2004 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) – Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation Award for Excellence in Cancer Prevention Research. He is recognized for his groundbreaking work on chemoprevention and treatment of various types of cancer.
The NSF has launched three Science of Learning Centers to study the foundations of learning across various situations, from cellular to complex processes engaging different brain areas. The centers will support interdisciplinary research and develop new methods for improving human learning and developing intelligent machines.
The Decision Center for a Desert City (DCDC) will use Geographic Information System-based tools, climate models, and cognitive research to inform water management decisions. DCDC aims to enhance decision-making by investigating relationships between population growth, limited resources, and climatic variability.
The NHGRI has launched four centers to pioneer interdisciplinary research on the ethical, legal and social implications of genomic knowledge. The centers will assemble teams of experts to develop innovative approaches to addressing pressing issues in genome research.
A worldwide survey of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation found varying methods, effectiveness, and complications. The study reported a significant increase in procedures, but also noted major complications such as early deaths, strokes, and tamponade.
The project aims to advance scientific research against bioterrorism agents and emerging infectious diseases through a unified proteomics data management system. The system will store proteomics information from six Proteomics Research Centers, providing free public access and enabling direct queries.
The Alzheimer's Association and NIA are expediting prevention trials for Alzheimer's by developing more efficient tools, such as home-based testing. This will reduce costs and burdens on participants while gaining valuable information about the course of cognitive changes in late life.
A recent study found that HIV clinicians with fatalistic attitudes are less likely to provide prevention counseling to HIV-positive patients. The study surveyed 618 patients and found a correlation between provider fatalism and reduced reporting of prevention services.
Researchers found that emergency department caregivers who received comprehensive home safety education and devices showed significant improvements in preventing poisoning and burns. The study suggests the ED as an ideal setting for teaching home injury prevention.
Dr. Bernard Levin, a colorectal cancer expert, is honored by ASCO for his significant contributions to preventing and managing cancer. He will deliver an acceptance lecture on June 6, highlighting his leadership in multidisciplinary programs in research, service, and education.
The US Department of Energy has funded two Fusion Science Centers, one at the University of Maryland/UCLA and the other at the University of Rochester. The centers will focus on fundamental issues in fusion plasma science and provide education and training for researchers and students.