A University of Minnesota study suggests that adolescents who use alcohol are less receptive to prevention programs, highlighting the need for earlier intervention. The researchers recommend a prevention program prior to sixth grade with parent involvement to delay alcohol use and provide tweens with skills to refuse alcohol.
A University of Minnesota study has shown promising results for thalidomide as a treatment for recurrent ovarian cancer. Patients who received the combination of thalidomide and topotecan had a higher overall response rate and longer cancer-free period compared to those receiving topotecan alone.
University of Minnesota researchers have determined the atomic structure of APOBEC3G, a protein that inhibits HIV-1 infection. This discovery will help researchers manipulate the protein to combat HIV and develop methods to neutralize Vif, which triggers the destruction of APOBEC3G.
A new study by the University of Minnesota and The Nature Conservancy found that turning native ecosystems into biofuel farms releases 17 to 420 times more carbon than the annual savings from replacing fossil fuels. This 'carbon debt' must be paid before biofuels can mitigate global warming.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered a novel pathway to turn off immune system cells in humans, which could lead to new treatments for autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. The study also identified a potential target for preventing cancer cell division.
Scientists at the University of Minnesota Center for Cardiovascular Repair successfully grew a functioning beating heart by reseeding dead rat and pig hearts with live cells. The decellularization process shows promise for creating transplantable blood vessels or whole organs made from a patient's own cells.
Adolescent girls who frequently eat with their families are less likely to engage in disordered eating behaviors. The study found that regular family meals reduced the risk of using diet pills or laxatives among teen girls. In contrast, adolescent boys did not show a similar protective effect.
A University of Minnesota physicist analyzed comet Wild-2 dust, finding it formed close to the infant sun and bombarded by intense radiation before being flung out. The discovery sheds light on the solar system's early stages and potential impact on Earth's atmosphere.
Researchers developed a fast-acting antidote to cyanide poisoning that works in under three minutes and can be taken orally, giving emergency responders more time to respond. The new antidote has been tested on animals and shows exceptional effectiveness.
Researchers outline the blood-brain barrier's role in neurological disorders, calling for more studies and resources to overcome delivery obstacles. They propose interdisciplinary collaborations to develop new therapies for diseases like Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis.
A US study found that despite historic advances in public health, the gap in health rates between socioeconomic classes has persisted. The relative advantage in child mortality rates and health associated with social and economic status remained stable over the past century.
A University of Minnesota researcher found that materialism in children and adolescents is directly connected to self-esteem, which peaks during early adolescence but declines in late adolescence. Boosting self-esteem by giving positive information about peer acceptance reduced materialism levels in teens.
The University of Minnesota's first-ever comprehensive report on college student health reveals alarming trends in mental health, obesity, and financial well-being. The study found that nearly two-fifths of students surveyed fall within the overweight or obese categories, while excessive computer/Internet use affects academic performance.
Researchers argue that focusing on specific nutrients is misguided and instead recommend considering the benefits of entire food products and patterns. Studies have shown that isolated supplements often do not provide health benefits, while whole foods with naturally occurring nutrients can improve long-term health.
A University of Minnesota study finds that Medicare lacks the necessary tools and incentives to implement evidence-based coverage policies, which are designed to improve medical quality and reduce costs. The research suggests that policymakers' assumptions about the impact of these policies on physician behavior are often incorrect.
The University of Minnesota is building a new international physics laboratory near Ash River, Minn., to study neutrinos and their role in the Universe's formation and future development. The $45.6 million lab will be part of an estimated $250 million project funded by the Department of Energy.
The Chlamydomonas reinhardtii genome provides insights into photosynthesis, flagella function and human diseases such as dyskinesia and polycystic kidney disease. The research has the potential to advance bioenergy and environmental restoration by removing carbon from the atmosphere and toxins from soil.
A recent US study found that the actual high school dropout rate is significantly higher than previously reported, with approximately one-quarter of students failing to graduate. The discrepancy arises from differing data sources, including the CPS and CCD surveys, which yield conflicting results on dropout rates and completion rates.
A new study by University of Minnesota researcher Tony Haitao Cui found that focusing on fairness between business partners yields higher payoffs for manufacturers and retailers in a marketing channel. By setting a consistent wholesale price throughout the channel, both firms can benefit from improved market prices.
A University of Minnesota study found no evidence that prostate cancer is more aggressive in black men, contradicting previous studies. The research matched patients by age, Gleason grade, clinical stage, and PSA levels before prostatectomy.
A University of Minnesota study found that N-acetyl cysteine, a health food supplement, reduced urges to gamble in 60% of participants. This pilot study suggests the potential for this glutamate-modulating agent in treating various addictions.
University of Minnesota researchers have initiated a groundbreaking clinical trial to determine the optimal dose and safety of T regulatory cells from umbilical cord blood in decreasing the risk of immune reactions common in patients undergoing blood and marrow transplantation. The study aims to enhance blood and marrow recovery, reduc...
Researchers at U of M discovered that treating people with early cardiovascular abnormalities can slow progression and even reverse damage to the heart and blood vessels. The Rasmussen Disease Score helps doctors identify early signs, enabling targeted lifestyle counseling and drug treatment.
Astronomers found a gigantic hole in the Universe, spanning nearly a billion light-years, empty of stars, galaxies, gas, and dark matter. The void's existence was confirmed by studying data from the NRAO VLA Sky Survey, which revealed a significant drop in galaxy count in a region southwest of Orion.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School have developed a noninvasive diagnostic tool for complex brain diseases by recording tiny magnetic fields in the brain. The technique, which uses magnetoencephalography (MEG), can predict Alzheimer's and other brain diseases with high accuracy.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered that a CEO's attention to future events and external activities significantly predicts a firm's early adoption and invention of new technologies. By analyzing annual reports, they found that CEOs who focus on future-oriented language lead to faster innovation development.
A study by University of Minnesota professors Arthur Reynolds and Judy Temple found that minority preschoolers from low-income families who participated in a comprehensive school-based intervention fared better educationally, socially and economically as they moved into young adulthood. They were more likely to finish high school, atte...
A University of Minnesota study found that only 37% of the US population is eligible to donate blood, a significant decrease from the previously estimated 177 million. The conventional method overestimated the national pool by 59%, mainly due to factors like chronic diseases and high-risk behaviors.
A University of Minnesota team found that the TOPK enzyme, which regulates cell growth and other functions, promotes transformation in colorectal carcinoma by activating related enzymes. This suggests that drugs targeting TOPK could have anti-cancer benefits.
Researchers at U of M create Portmanteau Inhibitors, merging antiviral agents into one drug to reduce cost and toxicity. The new approach is less likely to develop resistance from the virus and shows promise in improving treatment outcomes for AIDS patients.
Researchers found that a drug originally developed to fight tuberculosis can help people with OCD make more progress in therapy, with participants reporting less distress and anxiety. The drug, D-Cycloserine, is believed to accelerate extinction learning and will be studied on smokers who want to quit.
A review of 12 studies found that computerized physician order entry systems can reduce medication errors by up to 66%. However, the incidence of one type of error, prescribing the wrong drug, did not decrease. The study highlights the importance of implementing CPOE systems in hospitals to improve patient safety.
A University of Minnesota study found that nearly 20% of young males are willing to purchase alcohol for underage youth when approached outside an alcohol establishment. The study also discovered that adults in urban areas were nine times more likely to make the purchase compared to those in suburban areas.
Michael Garwood, a University of Minnesota professor, has been awarded the 2007 Gold Medal Award for his pioneering work on incorporating MRI with MRS technology to non-invasively diagnose cancer. His research improves the accuracy of cancer diagnosis and monitoring treatment response.
A new U of M study finds that while most Americans value diversity, they struggle to describe its value and give real-life examples. The researchers conclude that American diversity-speak is a sort of 'happy talk,' an upbeat language in which everyone has a place.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that mismatched cord blood transplants performed as well as matched bone marrow transplants in terms of leukemia-free survival rates. Additionally, patients receiving matched cord blood had a 20% higher survival rate than those with matched bone marrow.
Most teens do not experience depression after first-time sex, but young girls and early-sex boys/girls in uncommitted relationships are at risk. The study suggests focusing on vulnerable teens rather than promoting a one-size-fits-all approach to sex education.
A four-year study on pediatric osteosarcoma will investigate the effects of genes related to bone growth and lifestyle habits. The research team hopes to find a link between bone growth genes and the development of osteosarcoma in children.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a new high-affinity molecule called V-beta that blocks staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), a major cause of toxic shock syndrome, with a rate 2000 times more effective than typical antibody treatment
A study by U of M researchers found that people often treat percentages as whole numbers, leading to systematic errors in calculation. This results in consumers misjudging discounts and making costly mistakes.
A recent study published in Preventive Medicine found that frequent self-weighing is not associated with depression in women. The research suggests that daily weight monitoring can lead to lower BMI levels and less weight gain, making it a potentially beneficial practice for adults.
Eli Coleman, a University of Minnesota professor and director of the Program in Human Sexuality, received the Gold Medal Award 2007 from the World Association for Sexual Health. He has published extensively on topics like sexual orientation and compulsive sexual behavior.
Researchers discovered that ceiling height influences consumer thinking, with higher ceilings promoting abstract thought and lower ceilings encouraging detailed processing. This finding has important implications for retailers seeking to optimize sales persuasion strategies.
A new University of Minnesota study reveals that young adults who engage in regular physical activity have a reduced risk of developing high blood pressure within 15 years. The research found that participants who exercised five times a week and expended 300 calories per session experienced a significant reduction in hypertension risk.
A University of Minnesota study found that parents of children with autism are less likely to report receiving ideal primary care compared to parents of children with other special health care needs. Parents reported difficulties obtaining subspecialty care and challenges in receiving family-centered, comprehensive, and coordinated care.
The University of Minnesota will receive funding to monitor domestic and international wild bird populations for avian influenza viruses, aiming to rapidly identify pandemic threats. The center's research will support public health strategies for controlling the impact of an influenza pandemic.
Researchers found that overweight teens who lost weight engaged in significantly more moderate to vigorous physical activity (7.6 hours/week for females, 11.7 hours/week for males) and spent less time watching TV compared to those who gained or maintained weight. This study provides valuable insights into behaviors associated with succ...
Homeless individuals express strong concerns about the type of care they would receive when dying and after death. They advocate for increased advance care planning and compassionate treatment by healthcare providers. The study emphasizes the need to address end-of-life care as a priority for this underserved population.
A new study by University of Minnesota researchers found that excess nutrients and water can reduce species diversity in ecosystems, allowing a few species to dominate. The findings support the idea that plant diversity is directly related to limiting factors such as soil moisture and nutrient availability.
A team of 9 scholars from six universities will use precise biological assembly techniques to study quantum physics in nanoparticle arrays. This research could lead to new mechanisms for computing, signal processing and sensing.