A new study by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers shows a simple breath test can distinguish between patients who metabolize chemotherapy drugs normally and those who require lower doses for safety. The technique, which measures exhaled carbon dioxide, has promising advantages in reducing toxicity in patients.
A Canadian study found that bicycle helmet laws enacted in 1996 led to a significant increase in helmet use among cyclists, with overall wearing rates rising from 46% to 70%. Helmet use improved across all age groups and regions, but remained lower in non-metropolitan areas.
A new study has found a significant link between radiation exposure and an increased risk of multiple myeloma among nuclear workers, with older workers facing the highest risks. Workers exposed to ionizing radiation had a 3.5-fold higher mortality rate compared to those with lower exposures.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has launched a new traveling science laboratory that brings state-of-the-art equipment and teaching tools to North Carolina schools lacking resources. The bus features equipment for wet lab experiments, Internet exploration, and curriculum materials.
A new study found that smokers carrying the gene GSTT1 face almost twice the risk of heart problems as non-smokers. The study analyzed data from over 14,000 participants and found that individuals without the gene had a 60% greater risk of heart problems if they smoked.
Three UNC-CH School of Journalism and Mass Communication faculty members have books recognized for their impact on the field. Philip E. Meyer's Precision Journalism and Donald L. Shaw's The Emergence of American Political Issues are seminal works that analyze journalistic influence on politics.
A UNC-CH study reveals that fewer than 5,000 patients in North Carolina use cardiac rehabilitation services despite being eligible for Medicare coverage, leading to concerns about disparities among women and minority groups who are disproportionately affected by heart disease.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill argue that US environmental policies should focus on pollution prevention practices rather than stringent regulation. The study suggests that widespread adoption of eco-efficiency practices can lead to significant gains in environmental quality.
A new study found that having a passenger in a vehicle increases the risk of fatal injuries for young drivers, with three or more passengers posing the highest risk. The researchers suggest that graduated licensing systems could help reduce accidents by prohibiting teen-age drivers from transporting passengers.
A large US-based study found a distinct association between low-frequency electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure and increased suicide risk among electric utility workers. The study, published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, suggests that EMF exposure may contribute to depression and suicidal behavior, particularly among youn...
Experts say independent scientific panels can provide valuable insights for judges in complex cases, helping them make fair judgments. A panel of scientists advised a judge on silicone breast implants and found no evidence of a link between the implants and connective tissue diseases.
A large-scale study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found no connection between silicone breast implants and connective tissue diseases. The research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, included data from 757 studies and analyzed 9 cohort studies, 9 case-control studies, and 2 cross-sectional studies.
A statewide project led by UNC Chapel Hill aims to understand how North Carolina counties have implemented the state's Work First Program. The study will gather information from county officials and analyze interviews with key stakeholders, providing insights into the evolving relationships between states and their counties.
A new University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study confirms that Thoroughbred horse racing is also a sport of serious injuries. Researchers found 6,545 injuries among 2,700 licensed jockeys over a four-year period, with most head injuries resulting from being thrown or struck by the horse's head.
Researchers found that intelligent adolescents tend to postpone any kind of lesser sexual activity, as well as first sex, compared to their less intelligent peers. The association between intelligence and refraining from sexual intercourse was stronger for girls than boys, and age-dependent.
Researchers developed Diffraction Enhanced Imaging (DEI), a new X-ray imaging method that produces significantly better pictures of breast tissue than conventional X-rays. The technology has shown superior tumor visibility in six out of seven specimens, and further work aims to make it clinically portable.
A new study reveals that sleep disruption is a primary reason older adults with arthritis seek medical care, outweighing other symptoms like reduced mobility. The research suggests addressing sleep issues can be crucial in managing arthritis, particularly for those who may not connect their pain with sleep disruptions.
Researchers found that people living near industrial hog farms in North Carolina reported more frequent symptoms such as headaches, runny noses, and eye irritation. The study also showed that the quality of life for these residents was significantly reduced compared to those living near cattle farms or without livestock operations.
A large-scale study found that young black children have slightly higher scores for combined black and adolescents' self-esteem than their white counterparts. The researchers analyzed over half a million participants across various studies.
Researchers tested commercial household disinfectants against various disease-causing organisms and found them highly effective. Natural products such as vinegar and baking soda were less successful in killing microbes, raising questions about their use for disinfection.
A two-year public service project will screen people in 14 western NC counties for hemochromatosis, a genetic illness causing excessive iron absorption. The project aims to increase awareness and identify individuals at risk before chronic health conditions develop.
Jan Kohlmeyer and his team have identified a new order of marine fungi, Lulworthiales, which includes species that break down dead seaweed, marsh plants, and wood in oceans and estuaries. These microorganisms are crucial for recycling nutrients and maintaining the health of marine ecosystems.
Researchers at UNC-CH successfully created six-molecule water rings, mimicking natural ice structure. This achievement aims to boost knowledge of water's unique properties and hydrogen bonding forces.
Physicians at UNC-CH and Duke will receive funding to support care for people living with AIDS across North Carolina and clinical trials promising further medical progress. The renewed national Adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group (AACTG) funding reflects the quality of AIDS research and treatment in North Carolina.
A new study at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that newer oral contraceptives may reduce the risk of heart problems for women who smoke. The study compared the cardiovascular responses to stress among healthy women taking different formulations of the drugs, including those with smoking habits.
Researchers will investigate how people understand genetic research and consent processes, analyzing telephone interviews with investigators and review boards. The goal is to clarify how benefits are described and understood in gene transfer studies.
Researchers found that drivers involved in sleep-related crashes were four to five times more likely to work night-shift jobs and had built up 'sleep debt' or gotten far too little sleep before driving. These drivers often relied on ineffective tactics like opening windows or turning up the radio, and put themselves and others at risk ...
Researchers at UNC-CH have successfully repaired a genetic problem causing cystic fibrosis, offering new hope for patients. The technique involves correcting a mutation involving unnecessary information inside a gene, resulting in the production of normal messenger RNA.
A new study suggests that a diet without vitamins A and E may help cancer patients by reducing the size of brain tumors and inducing oxidant stress in cancer cells. This could lead to improved outcomes for those undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy, as antioxidants can prevent cancer cells from self-destructing.
Researchers used global transposon mutagenesis to find the minimal set of genes required for Mycoplasma genitalium survival. The study reveals roughly a third of genes are unnecessary, and further work will explain the functions of these remaining genes.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill conducted a double-blind study to investigate the effectiveness of synthetic human hormone secretin on children with autism. The study found no difference between groups receiving secretin and placebo, suggesting a potential placebo effect.
University of North Carolina researchers will investigate sports head injuries across 90 East Coast high schools, using various assessments to determine athlete readiness for play. The goal is to improve concussion diagnosis and reduce re-injuries, allowing athletes to return safely to competition.
A study of over 6,600 Indian men found that 17% reported physical abuse, 22% sexual abuse, and 7% used force while abusing. Abused women were more likely to experience unplanned pregnancies, especially with abusive partners who used force. The research highlights the link between wife abuse and various health issues.
A recent University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill poll found that 65% of respondents favor the death penalty, while 19% oppose it. The racial and demographic differences are significant, with whites more supportive than blacks, and men more supportive than women.
A new study suggests that gamma tocopherol in vitamin E may contribute to the development of knee osteoarthritis. In contrast, higher levels of alpha tocopherol, a common ingredient in vitamin E supplements, may help prevent the condition, particularly in African Americans.
Researchers find that atoms in super-cooled metals exhibit clustered motion, a phenomenon crucial for understanding bulk metallic glasses with unique properties. This discovery has significant implications for various technical applications, including industry and military uses.
A new program, Seeding Postdoctoral Innovators in Research and Education (SPIRE), aims to improve career prospects for postdoctoral students by providing diverse training. The program will give postdocs teaching experience while offering cutting-edge biology courses at historically minority universities.
New research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that mothers and children in longer childcare hours were less attuned to each other. However, the study also revealed that better quality care had a positive effect on mother-child relationships.
The four-part PBS series 'Intimate Strangers: Unseen Life on Earth' delves into the importance of microbes in sustaining human life and driving chemistry of life. Dr. Frederic Pfaender, a UNC-CH microbiologist, advocates for watching the series to learn something and enjoy the experience.
A landmark study found that preschool educational interventions provided to children from birth to kindergarten had positive effects lasting until age 21. Young adults who received high-quality child care scored higher on mental development tests, reading, mathematics achievement, and were more likely to attend college.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is establishing a prestigious new Clinical Nutrition Research Unit with $4.7 million in NIH funding. The unit will focus on enhancing the use of laboratory discoveries in population-based and clinical research, as well as educating health professionals about nutrition.
A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill marine scientist has warned of potentially devastating effects of Hurricane Floyd on the nation's largest lagoonal estuary, Pamlico Sound. The storm could lead to catastrophic flooding, runoff, and low oxygen conditions, harming commercial and recreational fisheries.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina have identified latent membrane protein 1 as a key contributor to Epstein-Barr virus-induced cancer. The study found that mice with this protein developed lymphoma, highlighting its role in cancer development and potential target for prevention.
Researchers at UNC-CH will investigate prostate cancer mechanisms, including the role of androgens, to develop a potential cure. The team aims to understand why black men develop prostate cancer twice as often as white men do.
The North Carolina Health Professions 1998 Data Book shows a 5.4% increase in doctors and a 19.2% rise in nurse practitioners, with the greatest growth in rural counties. However, disparities remain, with some counties having no dentists or just one dentist per 9,000 residents.
A new study found that nearly a quarter of community health centers rely on foreign-trained physicians, who are often willing to accept lower salaries. If these doctors were no longer available, up to 57% of positions for foreign-trained doctors and almost 16% of all staff positions could go unfilled.
A new study found Smart Start programs significantly improve North Carolina children's thinking and language skills compared to non-participating children. The program's effectiveness was linked to direct classroom quality assistance, while other types of support had little impact on school readiness.
The US dietary supplement market is projected to reach $14 billion in 2000, with most supplements being unregulated. Dr. Steven H. Zeisel proposes creating a special 'nutraceuticals' category for regulated supplements that deliver concentrated forms of bioactive agents beyond food levels.
A new study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology reveals that low to moderate lead levels during pregnancy can increase the risk of spontaneous abortion. The research, conducted in Mexico City from 1994 to 1996, found that the risk nearly doubles for every five micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood.
Research reveals US adolescents are physically inactive, with minorities facing greater health risks from being overweight. The study found girls, especially older ones, tend to be least active, while programs targeting minority adolescents could help mitigate these risks.