Researchers stress the need for updated informed consent models for population-based genetic research. Older models may not adequately address risks and benefits, particularly in studies involving common gene variations with smaller disease impacts.
Scientists at UNC Chapel Hill have discovered a highly ordered array of signaling molecules controlling the passage of chloride and other ions in healthy people. This breakthrough may lead to new treatments for cystic fibrosis by restoring CFTR function through genetic engineering or drug therapy.
Researchers found that compound PP188 shortened crisis duration, particularly in patients taking hydroxyurea and children. The study showed a significant reduction in pain disappearance within a week for those treated with PP188 compared to placebo.
A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that dental sealants can significantly reduce dental costs for children on Medicaid who are at high risk of dental problems. Researchers analyzed data from 15,438 North Carolina children and found that sealant treatments led to lower expenses for Medicaid in 1990 dollars,...
Researchers at UNC will follow 1,000 newly diagnosed colon cancer patients for five years to study the impact of health literacy on patient outcomes. The study aims to improve survival rates and quality of life for patients with colon and lung cancers.
The study confirms a suspected global epidemic of childhood obesity, with higher rates in the US compared to Russia and China. Obesity prevalence varies by socioeconomic status and geographic location, with urban areas and affluent families more likely to be affected.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill have discovered the chemical mechanism behind 'skunky beer' caused by light-sensitive hop compounds called isohumulones. These compounds break down into free radicals when exposed to light, producing a skunky thiol molecule with an extremely low taste and smell threshold.
Researchers found that infected individuals can transmit HIV to others through a single sexual encounter, often before developing flu-like symptoms. The study emphasizes the importance of not engaging in unsafe sex and highlights the need for early intervention to prevent rapid epidemic spread.
A team of UNC researchers has made a significant discovery about the role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in remyelination, the process by which nerve cells regain their natural fatty sheath. The study found that this cytokine plays a critical role in white matter repair and induces the production of nerve precursor cells.
Researchers discovered that baby sea turtles can detect regional magnetic fields and respond with directed movements to stay on course. The turtles' navigational system allows them to migrate across the 8,000-mile Atlantic Ocean and back using the Earth's magnetic field as a guide.
A recent study found that 10% of pregnancies in healthy women remained undetectable by early pregnancy tests, even when using sensitive methods. The researchers analyzed daily urine specimens to pinpoint the day of implantation, which occurs roughly nine days after fertilization.
A University of North Carolina study found a significant decline in fatal and single-vehicle crashes involving 16-year-old drivers after the introduction of graduated driver licensing (GDL) in North Carolina, with nighttime crashes decreasing by 43% and daytime crashes down by 20%. The GDL system requires young beginning drivers to pas...
A new study reveals that 12% of Indian women are overweight and 2% obese, with urban areas showing higher rates of overweighness. The research highlights the need for targeted health education programs for high socioeconomic groups to combat obesity.
A third of U.S. adolescents suffer some form of dating violence, with most instances being psychological abuse. The study found that one in five adolescents reported only psychologic violence and about one in 10 reported physical violence.
Researchers found that tiny holes etched in silicon chips can move and align themselves with increased heat, leading to more energy-efficient configurations. This knowledge could help lead to smaller, more precise silicon chips for computers and other devices.
Research reveals US boys are reaching puberty earlier than in past years, with average ages of pubic hair growth and genital development being significantly lower. This could have implications for testicular cancer risk, sex education, and psychosocial challenges.
A $26.5 million grant has funded a massive study comparing digital and film mammography to determine its effectiveness in breast cancer diagnosis. The Digital Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial will involve almost 50,000 women and provide valuable insights into the technology's ability to detect early breast cancers.
A study found that law enforcement officers encourage the public to use gun locks to make stored guns less dangerous, but they don't seem to like using the locks themselves. Only half of the officers who received free keyed cable gun locks accepted them, and two-thirds of those who did later reported not using the locks.
Research found workplaces open late on Saturdays and with only male employees or black/Asian workers have increased risk of on-site killings. Limitations include lack of data on personal characteristics or behaviors contributing to workplace homicide.
A large study has established a connection between being overweight and earlier-than-average puberty in white girls, but found a weaker link in black girls. Researchers suggest that genetic or environmental factors may be at play in the latter group.
A recent study by Dr. Tamera Coyne-Beasley found that 59% of surveyed law enforcement officers stored firearms unlocked, while 68% kept their guns loaded. The researchers called for mandatory safety training and stricter firearm storage laws to address the issue.
A new University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study found that 13 children died playing Little League baseball between 1987 and 1996. The research also revealed that ball-related mishaps totaled 15,266, with batters suffering most of those injuries. Face and teeth injuries accounted for 12,306 incidents, mostly to fielders.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill found a previously unknown binding site on RNA polymerase, dramatically increasing the speed of DNA-to-RNA conversion. This discovery has significant implications for understanding gene expression and regulation in cells, particularly in cancer research.
Historical records show that humans exploited coastal resources thousands of years ago, leading to the decline of top predators and smaller species. Wise management strategies, such as restoring native oysters and promoting aquaculture, can help conserve water quality and create habitats for fish and shellfish.
Researchers at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine believe they have solved a key part of the cystic fibrosis puzzle by finding that there's too little salt in patients' lungs. Long-lasting treatments may be needed to reverse the disease and improve symptoms.
A recent court decision requiring all North Carolina speech-language pathologists to hold a master's degree may lead to a 13% workforce loss in the state's public school system. The shortage could exacerbate caseloads, particularly for students with autism and growing demands for early intervention services.
A new study by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that 27.5% of active, licensed North Carolina physicians graduated from UNC, while others trained in foreign medical schools, particularly from India and more likely to practice in rural areas.
A new study found that living in poorer neighborhoods increases the likelihood of developing coronary heart disease, with a 70-90% higher risk for whites and 30-50% for blacks. The study controlled for individual factors but still showed a significant link between neighborhood quality and heart disease risk.
A new report by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill indicates a slight decrease in primary-care physicians in North Carolina, while showing significant growth in other healthcare professions. The number of primary-care specialists decreased by 16 doctors between 1998 and 1999, despite an overall positive trend.
Researchers at UNC-CH have successfully developed vaccines using plasmid DNA that can prevent and even halt the progression of insulin-dependent diabetes in laboratory mice. The study's findings offer new hope for treating this growing health threat in humans, with potential annual injections required.
The UNC-CH AIDS clinic in Robeson County offers treatment and care to HIV-positive patients near their homes, addressing a significant problem in the area's high sexually transmitted disease rates. The clinic is supported by a $100,000 grant and covers costs for indigent patients through Medicaid and private insurance.
Researchers have solved a long-standing volcanic mystery by finding a tear in the Pacific Plate, leading to the melting of cold slab material and altering its chemical makeup. This discovery sheds new light on the formation of adakites, a type of lava found in various parts of the globe.
Recent advances in diabetes treatment have improved blood sugar control, allowing patients to dodge complications until late life. New drug therapies, including metformin and insulin analogs, have enhanced treatment possibilities.
A new study documents the effectiveness of recombinant enzyme treatments for mucopolysaccharidosis 1, a rare disorder that causes progressive developmental delays and death. The genetically engineered enzyme shows significant improvement in patients' ability to get around and their overall health.
Scientists have successfully created a liquid form of DNA, which can be processed in various ways and may improve genetic engineering and microelectronic circuitry. The liquid DNA is also soluble in several solvents that ordinary DNA is not, enabling new scientific studies.
A team of scientists at UNC-CH has discovered a human gene that produces a protein essential for generating forces powering cilia movement. This discovery could help understand and combat chronic lung diseases such as asthma and primary ciliary dyskinesia, which affect cilia function.
A study of over 90,000 US adolescents found that those who took public virginity pledges delayed having sex by an average of 18 months compared to non-pledgers. The pledge's effectiveness depends on the social environment and age group of the teens, with younger students in open schools experiencing a significant delay.
A new program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill aims to eliminate health disparities between blacks and whites. Researchers will focus on prostate cancer, high blood pressure, and sexually transmitted diseases, with a goal of finding ways to reverse the effects of racial disparities.
A new study by University of North Carolina researchers finds that financial factors are a major contributor to the racial disparities in mammography rates among black women. The study, which controlled for other variables, found that black women who received a recommendation for mammography were more likely to have health insurance an...
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded a $15.11 million grant to researchers developing new drugs for African sleeping sickness and leishmaniasis. The five-year project aims to create a world-class academic and scientific consortium to target these two parasitic diseases, which kill millions of people in developing nations.
Marine scientists at UNC-CH and Duke University have launched a ferry-based water quality monitoring system in the Neuse River, generating valuable data for analysis. The system, called FerryMon, aims to evaluate and model how Pamlico Sound's ecosystem responds to human and natural impacts.
A new study by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill experts finds that back belts do not reduce workplace back pain or worker compensation claims. The research emphasizes the importance of addressing psychosocial elements to mitigate back pain, a leading public health issue in industrialized countries.
Researchers at UNC-CH find that electrical resistance varies according to how nanotubes are oriented on a flat surface, with peaks six times as much when rotated 360 degrees. This discovery could be useful for telecommunications and electronics industries.
A new study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that children attending Smart Start child care centers were more likely to have regular health care compared to those who did not attend such centers. The study showed a significant reduction in emergency room visits and associated cost savings.
Researchers at UNC-CH have identified a small group of 30 genes that respond similarly to different conditions, providing a potential universal switch for the immune system among many plant species. This discovery could lead to engineered plants with improved disease resistance and increased crop yields.
A new study by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers shows that watching a videotape explaining colon cancer procedures can increase screening rates by at least 15%. This could lead to significant reductions in deaths from colorectal cancer, with over 47,000 Americans dying annually.
A new UNC-CH study found that the supply of dentists per 10,000 residents dropped in almost two-thirds of North Carolina counties over the past 20 years. Conversely, the number of physicians increased significantly, with 64 counties experiencing a decline and 24 ranks improving from 36th to 24th in physician availability by 1998.
A team of Type 1 diabetic athletes, including University of North Carolina M.D.-Ph.D. candidate Jeremy Ackerman, will climb Cerro Aconcagua in Argentina to raise awareness about diabetes and conduct scientific research on the effects of altitude on diabetics.
A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study found that 7% of healthy North Carolina schoolchildren already have three risk factors for heart disease and type II diabetes. Obesity is the sole significant predictor of these risk factors, with obese children 53 times more likely to develop insulin resistance syndrome.
Researchers found that patients with periodontal disease had significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein in their blood than those without gum disease, indicating an increased risk of future heart attacks. The study suggests that treating severe gum disease may help reduce CRP levels and the risk of another heart attack.