Scientists developed a method to characterize the genetic contributions to traits and diseases, revealing that cognitive traits and psychiatric disorders are influenced by tens of thousands of gene variants. The study provides a 'big picture' of genetic influences, useful for designing future genetic studies.
The global age-standardized lung cancer mortality rate among women is expected to rise by 43% from 2015 to 2030, while breast cancer mortality rates are projected to decrease by 9%. Lung cancer mortality rates will be highest in Europe and Oceania, with lower rates in America and Asia.
A new study from McGill University Health Centre reveals that a four-month rifampin treatment is as effective as nine months of isoniazid in preventing tuberculosis, with significantly fewer side effects. The treatment was also more acceptable to patients, particularly those with liver toxicity.
The study found that provinces receiving high PEPFAR funding experienced significant reductions in infant mortality, saving the lives of many Kenyan children. However, the effectiveness of the program varies across countries and regions with different HIV prevalence rates.
A new study found that structural rearrangements in regulatory regions can significantly alter gene expression in cancer. Researchers analyzed 1,448 cancer cases and identified hundreds of genes affected by these changes, surprising previous expectations.
A study by Karolinska Institutet found a clear correlation between elevated blood glucose levels in mothers and the risk of heart defects in their babies. Pregnant women with type 1 diabetes are at a higher risk, especially those with high blood glucose levels during early pregnancy.
A WSU study found that stopping long-term opioid therapy does not make chronic, non-cancer-related pain worse, and in some cases, improves it. The researchers analyzed data from 551 VA patients who discontinued opioid therapy for at least a year, finding that their pain did not worsen but rather remained similar or improved slightly.
A new study by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health found that potentially 70,000 opioid-related overdose deaths were not included in national estimates since 1999. Incomplete death certificate reporting hampers efforts to understand the opioid epidemic's magnitude.
A study from UC San Francisco found that Prop. 47 reduced felony drug arrests by nearly 75% across California, with a significant decline in racial disparities. The measure also led to a decrease in misdemeanor drug citations and overall drug arrests.
According to a new analysis of over 8,000 patients, African-American men with advanced prostate cancer who received docetaxel-based therapies had a lower risk of death than white men. This finding is significant, as it challenges the long-held notion that racial disparities in prostate cancer survival are due to biological differences.
A recent study from the University of Pennsylvania found that dogs born between June and August are at higher risk of heart disease. The research suggests that exposure to fine air particulates during pregnancy may play a role in later development of heart disease.
A recent study suggests that walking may improve a woman's chance of becoming pregnant after experiencing one or two pregnancy losses. For overweight or obese women, even limited blocks of time spent walking were associated with an improved ability to conceive.
Researchers tracked over 350,000 veterans and found a significant link between concussion and dementia, with concussion alone doubling the risk. The study suggests that traumatic brain injury may hasten neurodegenerative conditions by inducing or accelerating abnormal protein accumulation.
A new study found that smoking and alcohol consumption significantly increase the lifetime risk of atrial fibrillation, with risk factors at age 55 rising to 38%. An optimal risk factor profile was associated with a reduced lifetime risk of 23%, highlighting the importance of modifiable borderline and elevated risk factors in prevention.
A new analysis by George Washington University researchers finds that health concerns are cited in a minority of climate lawsuits but may have critical potential for protecting communities. The study suggests that including health benefits in climate litigation could catalyze effective policy-making.
A new review by Boston University School of Public Health researchers found that less than one-fifth of participants in cancer-related clinical trials are obese. Obesity was associated with an increased risk of progression, recurrence, and death for specific cancer types.
A new study from McGill University found that southern US states with high gun ownership rates have the highest rates of white firearm suicide, while Midwestern states have the highest rates of black firearm homicide. The research suggests that different factors influence rates of firearm homicide for black and white men across states.
A study by the universities of Zurich and Geneva found significant differences in end-of-life decisions across Switzerland's three linguistic regions. In all regions, deaths were preceded by one or more end-of-life decisions, with a common legislative framework governing life-sustaining treatment and assisted suicide. The involvement o...
Researchers at UCSF found a 56% increased risk of Parkinson's disease among veterans with concussion compared to those without traumatic brain injury. The study followed over 300,000 veterans for an average of 4.6 years and adjusted for age, sex, and other health conditions.
A new study reveals that mitochondrial disease patients often undergo more than eight physician visits and experience multiple misdiagnoses before being correctly diagnosed. The most common misdiagnosis was for psychiatric disorder, followed by fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
A study published in Epidemiology found that assaults spiked in cities hosting Donald Trump's presidential campaign rallies during the 2016 US election. The researchers suggested two possible explanations for their findings: increased violence at rally venues and social contagion through news reports and digital media.
Researchers discovered two distinct episodes of Denisovan genetic intermixing between modern humans and Denisovans. The genomes of modern Papuan individuals contain approximately 5% Denisovan ancestry, while East Asians have a second set of Denisovan ancestry not found in South Asians and Papuans.
A recent study found that transfusing older stored red blood cells can lead to adverse effects in critically ill patients. Free heme, a breakdown product from degraded red blood cells, is thought to be the key culprit behind this toxicity.
Researchers identified dozens of genetic variations affecting blood pressure by analyzing cigarette smoking behavior in a large cohort. The study confirms the role of known genes and identifies novel ones associated with blood pressure regulation, offering potential for individually targeted treatments.
A large-scale study of genetics and smoking habits sheds new light on the complexities of controlling blood pressure, identifying potential genes of interest for new treatments. The research found surprising links between blood pressure and genes related to addiction, metabolic problems, and kidney disease.
Researchers developed a novel approach to studying cancer, grouping 32 types of cancer into 10 classes based on molecular pathways. This understanding can lead to new diagnosis and treatment methods, including identifying neuroendocrine tumors that may be missed with current markers.
A study published in PLOS One compared pre- and post-Hurricane Harvey pollution levels in Houston's Manchester neighborhood, finding that flooding redistributed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Baseline data is crucial for understanding disaster-related public health issues.
Researchers have identified two compounds that can safely block malaria transmission when added to existing treatment regimens, promising progress toward eliminating the disease. The study's findings suggest that these compounds can effectively prevent the spread of P. falciparum malaria, including its drug-resistant forms.
A new method developed by NIH researchers uses a novel approach to categorize and visualize career outcomes of postdoctoral fellows, revealing distinct differences between US and international postdocs. The study found that nearly half of NIEHS postdocs went into the academic sector, contrary to common assumptions.
A new study found that risk of diabetes is double for black patients, with strongest rising risk trends seen among whites. Obesity prevalence was highest among black women, while socioeconomic status and physical activity levels also played a significant role in diabetes development.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that short-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution and ozone is linked to a higher risk of premature death among the elderly in the US, particularly those who are low-income, female, or Black.
Research led by Queen Mary University of London predicts a shift in cervical cancer burden from young to older women. Incidence among 50-54 year olds is expected to increase by 50%, while mortality rates are projected to rise by 109% among 60-64 year olds.
A new UCLA study estimates that 47 million Americans already show signs of susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease and this number is expected to double by 2060. By then, about 5.7 million will have mild cognitive impairment and 9.3 million will have dementia due to Alzheimer's.
A research team from Columbia University has developed a molecular taxonomy for hair disorders, which will help diagnose diseases affecting the hair follicles. The taxonomy was created by analyzing more than three million data points and identified nearly 5,000 biological terms shared by groups of hair genes.
Researchers will develop microfluidic biomarker detection platforms to monitor human responses to space radiation, focusing on hematopoietic and gastrointestinal systems. The goal is to prevent or lessen negative effects of simulated space radiation on these tissues.
Daily marijuana use and past month rates rose for men and women aged 26 and older in states with medical marijuana laws. Daily use was generally higher among individuals aged 18-25 compared to those ages 12-17 and 26 or older, regardless of state laws.
A global study suggests that rising temperatures will outweigh decreases in cold-related deaths, leading to sharp net increases in mortality rates in many regions. Implementing mitigation strategies can largely avoid these deaths under scenarios with reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
A four-year study investigates how long-term exposure to airborne particulates relates to Parkinson's onset later in life, exploring the role of nasal inflammation and anti-inflammatory medications. The team aims to develop ways to evaluate an individual's risk for the disease and therapies to prevent or slow its progression.
A study by UC San Francisco and CDPH found that lead in imported candy was the top source of food-borne contamination in California, with nearly all cases coming from Mexico, China, and India. The testing program has identified lead sources upstream, allowing for removal before poisoning can occur.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Gothenburg have discovered 76 new types of antibiotic resistance genes. These genes can provide bacteria with the ability to degrade carbapenems, a powerful class of antibiotics.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison will study how legumes evolved to cooperate with bacteria for nitrogen fixation. The goal is to recreate this ability in other crops like poplar and cereals, reducing fertilizer use and environmental pollution.
Almost half of global abortions (45.1%) were estimated to be unsafe between 2010 and 2014, with higher rates in developing countries. The researchers urge increased efforts to ensure access to safe abortion, particularly in developing nations.
A five-year study of over 373,000 Europeans found that eating nuts was associated with less weight gain and a 5% lower risk of becoming overweight or obese. Researchers recommend incorporating nuts into daily diets for their satiating properties and potential health benefits.
A new research network, led by CHOP and Penn Medicine, aims to identify strategies to prevent kidney stone recurrence. The PUSH study tests personalized fluid goals, financial incentives, and health coaching to reduce stone recurrence over a two-year period.
A Penn-led study identified 16 new genes associated with type-2 diabetes and one new genetic risk factor for coronary heart disease. The researchers found that most of the sites known to be associated with higher diabetes risk are also linked to higher CHD risk, highlighting potential targets for future therapies.
The largest study on hardmetal workers found no increased risk of lung cancer or death due to the substance's use in the industry. Short-term workers showed small excesses in lung cancer mortality, attributed to lifestyle and behavior factors rather than occupational exposure.
The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has received two highly competitive post-doctoral Institutional Training Grants for genomic science. The grants will support training programs in translational medicine and informatics, as well as the ethical, legal, and social implications of genetics and genomics.
A new study shows significant improvement in sexual and urinary function as well as quality of life for hypogonadal men undergoing long-term testosterone replacement therapy. Testosterone therapy is found to increase bladder emptying, improve erectile/sexual health and overall quality of life.
Researchers found that puppies raised by attentive mothers were less likely to succeed in training programs. Those whose mothers nursed more often while standing up had lower graduation rates as adult guide dogs. The study suggests that minor obstacles can help offspring succeed later in life.
Researchers propose new methods for addressing the reproducibility crisis in scientific research, emphasizing the need for greater understanding of data analysis as a human behavior. Experts argue that current p-value approaches may be flawed and advocate for Bayesian inference as a solution.
The Penn Center for Precision Medicine has awarded $565,000 in funding to eight research teams for their personalized medicine projects. The projects aim to improve treatment outcomes for various diseases, including idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Researchers at UNC are testing a therapeutic vaccine to target HIV reservoirs and boost the immune system's response. The goal is to potentially pair the vaccine with latency-reversing agents to clear the virus.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has renewed funding for the University of Pittsburgh's Cardiovascular Bioengineering Training Program, which educates students in cardiovascular research and prepares them for careers in basic and translational cardiovascular research. The program focuses on three areas: understanding native and ...
A Penn study found a 189% increase in multiple recurring Clostridium difficile infections from 2001 to 2012, highlighting the growing need for effective treatments. Fecal microbiota transplantation shows promise but requires further evaluation for long-term safety.
Scientists at UC Berkeley and UC Riverside have developed a gene editing technique using CRISPR/Cas9 technology to suppress mosquitoes carrying diseases like malaria. The new technique, multiplexing, can target multiple locations in a gene simultaneously, increasing the effectiveness of gene drive systems.
A study published in Preventive Medicine found that physical activity among children and teens is lower than previously thought, with young adults over 20 showing the only increases in activity levels. The study also identified patterns of highest and lowest activity throughout the day across age groups and genders.
A new research design from Perelman School of Medicine scientists provides a more effective way to assess the safety of newly approved drugs and those with rapidly increasing or declining use. This trend-in-trend method can identify rare side effects and provide accurate results, even in the absence of comparable control groups.
Researchers identified a risk locus for urinary incontinence near the endothelin gene, which is involved in bladder contraction. The study suggests that drugs targeting this pathway may help alleviate symptoms, offering new hope for women suffering from stress and isolated urgency incontinence.
Researchers have identified 16 new genetic markers associated with psoriasis, bringing the total to 63 loci linked to the disease. The largest psoriasis meta-analysis to date, involving over 39,000 participants, has shed light on pathways related to the disease and pinpointed potential gene targets.
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.