The March 2010 issue of Clinics in Perinatology focuses on Quality Improvement (QI) methodology and its application in neonatal and perinatal practice. QI leaders share their expertise on various topics, including QI methodologies, human factors, and quality-assurance procedures.
A new study found that stress can aggravate the impact of prior streptococcal infection on symptoms of Tourette syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The researchers identified a link between psychosocial stress and worsening tic and obsessive-compulsive symptom severity in children with Tourette syndrome and OCD.
Researchers found that oxytocin improved emotion recognition in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. The study suggests potential for earlier intervention and improved social function in everyday settings.
A study published in Biological Psychiatry compared the effects of medication, motivation, and a combination of both on response inhibition in children with ADHD. The results showed that stimulant medication tends to normalize brain function, while motivational incentives also play a role in improving performance.
A new study shows that older adults' inability to ignore distracting information contributes to memory decline. Prior knowledge of an impending distraction does not improve working memory performance in this age group.
Older adults remember past experiences positively due to strong brain connections between emotion and memory regions. In contrast, young adults lack these connections, making it harder to recall positive events.
Research finds childhood maltreatment can lead to shorter telomeres, a marker of biological aging, and increased risk of age-related diseases. The study suggests early developmental experiences may have profound effects on biology, influencing cellular mechanisms that accelerate aging.
Researchers found amyloid plaques in healthy elderly individuals with disrupted brain connections, similar to those with Alzheimer's disease. This suggests that Alzheimer's may begin quietly, eroding brain networks before symptoms appear.
The Journal of Family Business Strategy aims to contribute new knowledge and understanding to the field of family business. The journal publishes research that addresses how family influences business and vice versa.
The 25th anniversary of antiretroviral drug development is celebrated with a milestone Special Issue in Elsevier's Antiviral Research journal, featuring review articles from key players in the field. HIV-1 has gone from being an 'inherently untreatable' agent to one eminently susceptible to approved therapies.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry suggests that the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) is a brain region that helps people control their emotional reactions to negative facial expressions from their romantic partners. The LPFC activity was found to predict self-regulation after an interpersonal conflict in daily life.
Researchers found that scopolamine, a muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonist, reduced symptoms of depression within three days. The study also showed that participants experienced full symptom remission by the end of the treatment period.
A study of Rwandan genocide survivors found that genetic variations in the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene affect PTSD risk. Survivors with certain genetic markers showed increased resilience to stress-related problems, while others were more vulnerable. The findings provide new insights into the complex relationship between t...
This Special Issue of Business Horizons addresses critical issues in US healthcare, including rising costs, quality, and accessibility. The issue features research on topics such as consumerism, information technology, lean-manufacturing concepts, and patient-centered medical homes to improve healthcare delivery and management.
Acquired prosopagnosia sufferers process faces as a whole, rather than in parts, according to new study findings. This 'locally restricted, serial processing style' is inefficient for certain types of information, hindering real-life face recognition.
A new study predicts the impact and cost-effectiveness of different vaccination options for pandemic influenza, revealing that prioritizing high-risk individuals is likely very cost-effective. The model was applied to the 2009 H1N1 outbreak and accurately predicted when the epidemic would peak and who should be vaccinated.
Researchers have discovered a possible biomarker for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder using electroretinography, suggesting retinal deficits contribute to perceptual problems. This finding highlights the importance of considering subtle visual issues in individuals with these conditions.
A new study found that increased social status and support correlate with higher dopamine D2/D3 receptor density in the brain's striatum. This suggests people with greater social status experience life as more rewarding and stimulating due to more targets for dopamine action.
A Special Issue of Agricultural Water Management highlights the need for investments in agriculture to improve food security and address global hunger. Investments in irrigation and rainfed agriculture are crucial to increase food production and household incomes in developing countries.
A recent special edition of Ocean Engineering analyzes Hurricane Katrina's impact and provides lessons learned from an IPET study conducted between 2005-2006. The study assessed the performance of flood protection systems in affected coastal areas.
A study published in Biological Psychiatry found that chronic insomnia is associated with smaller volumes in brain regions involved in memory formation and pleasantness evaluation. Insomnia patients have lower grey matter density in these regions, which may impact their ability to recognize optimal comfort for falling asleep.
A study found that deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the nucleus accumbens improved symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with severe treatment-resistant depression. The procedure showed promising results with minimal side effects.
A two-part special issue published in the journal Homeopathy explores experiments on homeopathic treatments using biological models, including whole animals and plants, cell cultures, and enzymes. The study found that seven different biological models of high dilution response yielded consistently positive results.
A study published in Cortex found that synaesthetes can exhibit automatic color experiences when presented with numbers or patterns, regardless of their conscious awareness. The research suggests that learning may contribute to the development of these associations.
A study published in Cortex identifies the left fusiform gyrus as necessary for normal understanding of written text and correct word spelling. The findings suggest that this brain area is specialized and required for orthographic processing.
Researchers found that copper surfaces had significantly fewer live bacteria than conventional surfaces, with one study showing a 71% reduction. Copper-based disinfectants also showed effective antimicrobial properties, continuing to kill germs for the rest of the day.
The November issue of Reproductive Health Matters explores the complex relationship between criminalization and HIV transmission, raising concerns about women's rights in Africa. The journal examines how laws aimed at protecting women from sexual violence may inadvertently lead to their prosecution for HIV exposure.
Researchers found that healthy behaviors such as eating more fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly, and self-weighing were associated with successful weight loss. Unhealthy weight control behaviors, including laxatives and fasting, were not linked to weight loss in adolescents.
Researchers found that antipsychotic medications increase levels of inflammatory markers, contributing to the risk of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease in patients. The study highlights the need for monitoring cardiovascular risk markers in antipsychotic-treated patients.
The Elsevier journal Vaccine has released a supplement dedicated to vaccines for biodefense, showcasing significant advancements in vaccine development against diverse human and veterinary pathogens. The publication acknowledges the shift from traditional military focus to protecting both civilian and military populations.
A study published in Biological Psychiatry found a significant positive association between phthalate exposure and ADHD symptoms in school-aged children. The researchers measured urine phthalate concentrations and evaluated symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using teacher-reported symptoms and computerized tests.
A study found that choosing high-risk, high-gain options activates a key brain area associated with reward and pleasure. The researchers also discovered that the brain's response increases with the amount of money involved.
Researchers studied amygdala development, finding that neural pathways bypassing cortex are more plastic in juvenile than adult mice. This suggests that teenagers' emotions are less precise and more irrational due to subcortical drive.
Research suggests that the left hemisphere's dominance in humans may stem from ancestral gestural communication, with right-handed gestures in chimpanzees indicating a similar lateralization. This study supports the idea that speech evolved from a gestural system and shares key features with human language.
The 2009 Semantic Web Challenge recognized four outstanding applications that demonstrated practical applicability to real-world issues. The winners were awarded cash prizes sponsored by Elsevier, promoting the dissemination of knowledge from academia to society.
Researchers found that trauma history, not endurance, influences ability to dampen emotional responses. Resilient individuals enhance emotional brain circuitry, suggesting a key strategy for trauma recovery.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry examined the role of GABA receptors in anxiety disorders, revealing that inserting GABA receptors into neurons in the amygdala increases inhibition and prevents fear extinction. This discovery provides evidence for molecular mechanisms behind cognitive and behavioral therapies.
A new study suggests that maternal smoking during pregnancy may increase newborns' distress levels, potentially related to reduced monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) activity. This reduction in MAO-A activity can lead to dysregulation of brain neurotransmission, creating a potential vulnerability to behavioral disorders later in life.
The Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry will be published by Elsevier starting with Volume 49, Number 1 in January 2010. The journal aims to extend its reach and support translation of scientific discovery into improved patient care.
Researchers have identified childhood risk factors for developing substance use disorders, including increased body sway and reduced P300 amplitude. These early markers can help predict an individual's likelihood of developing a substance use disorder by young adulthood.
Four national groups of surgeons recommend changes in resident environment, including a reduction of duty-hours standards proposed in 2003. The changes aim to balance patient care and surgical education needs.
Elsevier won 26 prizes in the 2009 British Medical Association Medical Book Competition, with Gray's Anatomy for Students and Elsevier's Rheumatoid Arthritis taking top honors. The company congratulated its authors and editors on their achievements, highlighting its commitment to quality content.
A recent study published in General Hospital Psychiatry found that depressive symptoms and antidepressant treatment are associated with fetal growth changes, shorter gestations, and neonatal irritability. The research highlights the need for pregnant women to receive adequate care and support to mitigate these risks.
In a preliminary study, intravenous ketamine was found to acutely reduce suicidal thoughts in treatment-resistant depression patients. The reduction in suicidality was maintained when patients received repeated doses over two weeks, suggesting potential as an attractive treatment option for high-risk suicidal patients.
The IBMISPS Annual Awards honored the courage and dedication of Bob Woodruff, a veteran injured in Iraq, and Colin Rich, a decorated Special Forces soldier. The awards also recognized Senator John Kerry's support for medical research and healthcare reform.
A recent study published in Biological Psychiatry found that hormone levels play a crucial role in stress resilience among military combat divers. Soldiers with higher dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels performed better during stressful underwater navigation exercises.
A study published in Cortex found that Parkinson's patients struggle with grammatically complex sentences due to degeneration of dopamine-secreting neurons. Eye-tracking data revealed slower response times when processing relative clauses, but not at the end of sentences.
Researchers are exploring the use of anti-growth factor drugs to treat children's eye diseases, offering a new tool in the fight against vision loss. However, specialists warn that these drugs may pose serious side effects, particularly in young patients.
The model system will help understand causes of myelin-related conditions, such as diabetic neuropathy and multiple sclerosis. Researchers plan to use the new model to explore origins of diabetic neuropathy and test new drug therapies.
A new research impact analysis reveals a 194% increase in published articles from scientists in developing countries since 2002, with key partners including WHO, FAO, and UNEP. The Research4Life programmes have extended access to scientific literature, increasing researchers' opportunities to participate globally.