Articles tagged with Open Access
A meta-analysis of 17 randomized controlled trials found that pre-procedural treatment with sodium bicarbonate-based hydration is the optimal strategy to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy. Sodium bicarbonate was superior to normal saline in reducing CIN incidence, with a number needed to prevent one case being 16.
A new study found that high-achieving schoolchildren, even from poor families, are less likely to smoke. This suggests that improved education for children from disadvantaged backgrounds could be an effective intervention in reducing smoking prevalence and addressing social inequality.
Researchers used magnetization transfer imaging to visualize alterations in cerebral architecture of Tourette's patients and found correlations with symptom severity. They identified changes in the frontal lobe that may be responsible for the syndrome's pathology.
Researchers developed a new method for transcriptome analysis using next-generation sequencing technology, enabling the discovery of protein-coding genes and genetic markers in corals. The study identified approximately 11,000 genes, over 30,000 markers of genetic variation, and novel candidate genes for stress-related processes.
Researchers in Greenland found a strong correlation between the country's constant sunlight and an increase in suicides during the summer months. Most suicides occurred among young men, with violent methods accounting for 95% of cases.
Research on cabbage looper caterpillars reveals that dietary bacteria can alter gene expression in metabolism, homeostasis, and immunity. The insects' ability to fine-tune their natural defenses through gene regulation may provide a survival advantage.
Researchers identified 34 genetic markers of influenza infection severity in past outbreaks but found only half of these markers in the current swine-flu strain. The study suggests that the current virus lacks many attributes making previous outbreaks deadly, but more studies are needed for firm conclusions
Pfizer has launched an open access waiver fund to support automatic waivers of publication fees for authors from low-income countries, enabling them to publish research articles globally without financial barriers. This initiative aims to promote recognition and sharing of research conducted in developing countries.
Pfizer has partnered with BioMed Central to cover publication costs for its researchers, making their research results universally accessible. This move follows the lead of major funders such as the National Institutes of Health and Wellcome Trust, which have implemented policies for open access.
A new study suggests that human behavior, such as installing large domestic water tanks, may enable the dengue mosquito Aedes aegypti to re-emerge in Australia and expand its range of possible infections. By 2050, the risk of dengue fever is expected to be high in all capital cities around the country.
A study of 971 patients found VAP accounted for almost half of nosocomial infections, with a crude mortality rate of 35%. Anticipative antimicrobial therapy may be a potential intervention to avoid VAP in mechanically ventilated patients.
A study of 50,806 cesarean deliveries found regional anesthesia reduced infant intubation and poor Apgar scores. This suggests that regional anesthesia may be the preferred choice for most cesarean sections.
A third of teens using cannabis regularly use it as a medication to relieve health problems such as depression, anxiety and sleep difficulties. The study found that cannabis provided immediate relief without the unpleasant side effects of prescribed medications.
Researchers studied louse infestation's effect on immune activity in wild wood mice, finding reduced readiness to mount an immune response. This suggests a potential immunosuppressive effect of the parasite, supporting the idea that modern human populations have heightened immune responsiveness due to reduced exposure to parasites.
A study published in BMC Medicine found that standard doses of Rifampin, a first-line antituberculosis drug, result in low serum concentrations in children. The researchers suggest increasing the dose to 10-20mg/kg may be more effective. This could lead to increased treatment duration and risk of relapse in severe forms of tuberculosis.
A new study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases highlights the debilitating effects of filarial hydrocele on marriage and sex. Hydrocele, a chronic manifestation of filariasis, causes swelling in the scrotum, leading to pain during intercourse and emotional distress.
Research by the University of Massachusetts Medical School found a 20.8% reduction in daily smoking among 10th graders after enforcement of the Synar Amendment. This law makes it financially dangerous for shops to sell tobacco to underage customers, reducing cigarette supply to vulnerable groups.
Researchers analyzed primary care records of 5,477 colorectal cancer patients and 38,314 controls to quantify the exact risks posed by eight clinical features. The study found that rectal bleeding carries a high risk warranting investigation regardless of other symptoms.
Researchers found strong conservation of gene expression in brain tissue across five species, including mammals and non-mammalian vertebrates. This suggests that neurons play a more central role in functional interactions than cells in other tissues.
A new statistical method estimates the source location and geographic extent of an aerosolized anthrax release based on early cases and weather information. This enables public health decision makers to identify people at risk and treat them promptly to save lives.
A systematic review of 33 HBV outbreaks found that administration of drugs using multi-vial compounds and capillary blood sampling with non-disposable devices are the most frequent transmission routes. The study highlights several topical factors, including a high number of outbreaks in dialysis units and associations with multi-vial use.
A rat model study shows that dietary soy supplementation can prevent menopause-related syndromes, improve lipid profiles, and reduce LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL cholesterol levels. The findings support the indication that soybean consumption may prevent coronary heart disease.
Researchers analyzed human muscle tissue from SMA patients to understand transcriptional changes. The study found distinct expression signatures for severe and mild forms of SMA, revealing different phases of atrophy and hypertrophy in muscles affected by each form.
A study of 533 American women found that those with blood lead concentrations above 8μg/dL were three times more likely to die of coronary heart disease. The research adds to the existing evidence on the adverse effects of lead on health, particularly among older cohorts exposed to higher levels of environmental lead.
Researchers found that hemofiltration reduced ECMO duration by 30 hours and fluid balance per day, leading to significant cost savings. The treatment also decreased the need for blood transfusions.
Former ICU patients value continuity of care, information and reassurance after hospital discharge. Many feel abandoned without access to follow-up services, highlighting the need for consistency in provision across the UK.
A pilot study found potentially hazardous chemicals in hospital cleaning products, including quaternary ammonium chlorides and glycol ethers. The study highlights the importance of protecting workers and others from exposure to cleaning hazards, particularly in poorly ventilated spaces.
A study found that black women are 3 times more likely to develop aggressive triple negative breast tumours compared to non-black women. The study also revealed that the prevalence of these tumours is not limited to pre-menopausal black women, but is also common in those diagnosed before or after age 50 and across all body mass indexes.
A systematic review of 16 studies found proteinuria to be a poor predictor of adverse outcomes. However, a slight association was observed with stillbirths at a proteinuria level of 5g in 24 hours.
A study of 4,060 adult patients with diabetes found that on-demand scheduling did not improve outcomes compared to traditional scheduled visits. The study suggests that timely follow-up for chronic disease management may be compromised by on-demand scheduling.
The human brain operates in a self-organized critical state, characterized by optimal memory and information-processing capacity. Researchers used brain imaging techniques to measure synchronization between brain regions, finding dynamic changes consistent with critical dynamics.
Researchers identified a novel pathway contributing to severe malaria's high mortality in sub-Saharan African children. Disrupted endothelium causes ultra-large von Willebrand factor release, leading to ADAMTS13 inhibition. This study sheds new light on the interaction between malaria parasites and their human host.
Scientists successfully produced biologically-active interleukin-10 in genetically modified tobacco plants, offering a potential new treatment for autoimmune diseases. The transgenic plants can produce the active cytokine at high levels without lengthy extraction and purification processes.
Research using EEG shows that guitarists' brains become more synchronized when playing together, with the frontal and central regions showing strong synchronization patterns. This finding has implications for how our brains interact during coordinated actions, such as music performance.
A study found that iron homeostasis is disrupted in prion disease-affected brains, leading to a vicious cycle of increased iron uptake. The misfolded protein PrP-scrapie causes this imbalance by altering cellular iron metabolism, paving the way for novel therapeutic strategies.
Research found that facemasks can prevent adverse cardiovascular effects caused by diesel exhaust, reducing arterial stiffness and associated risks. Wearing a facemask during exercise in smoggy cities may lead to reduced blood pressure and improved heart rate control.
Researchers found five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ADAM33 that were more frequent in COPD patients than non-COPD smokers. These polymorphisms, particularly S1, are associated with lung abnormalities and progressive decline in lung function characteristic of COPD.
A Brazilian study found that current guidelines for sexually transmitted infections are woefully inadequate, with only 32% of infected women correctly identified using the World Health Organization's risk assessment score. The researchers recommend rapid and less costly diagnostic tests to control the spread of STIs in adolescents.
Researchers have discovered a cryptic species of kissing bugs that co-exist with known carrier species of the Chagas disease-causing parasite, despite being genetically distinct. The study's findings suggest that understanding what keeps these species separated is crucial to developing effective control measures.
Incipient sex chromosomes have been found in New Zealand's eponymous export, the kiwifruit. The genetic linkage map of the kiwifruit reveals that a subtelomeric region bears hallmarks of an early sex-determining locus.
A Swedish study published in BMC Public Health found that teenagers are more positive towards their parents' attempts to discourage them from smoking. The most effective actions parents can take include dissuading their children from smoking and not allowing them to smoke at home.
A study by Jean-Marc Lassance and Christer Löfstedt found that female moths can distinguish between males of different ancestries and reproductive fitness based on their pheromone composition. This ability allows females to select mates that are more likely to produce offspring with the same genetic makeup, driving species formation.
Researchers have identified two causes of critical illness hypeglycemia in children: peripheral insulin resistance and primary beta-cell dysfunction. The study found that those with respiratory failure only had CIH caused by elevated insulin resistance, while those with both respiratory and cardiovascular failure had CIH caused by prim...
A study of 1060 vets in north Germany found that psychosocial stress increased with working hours, leading to demoralization and substance abuse. The research suggests a complex relationship between stress, tobacco consumption, problem drinking, and drug use.
A recent study found that post-partum haemorrhage is a significant threat to new mothers in high-income countries, resulting in severe outcomes including infertility and death. The authors recommend increased access to active management of the third stage of labour to reduce PPH rates.
Researchers used genetic markers to study coral groupings and found that skeletal shape is not a reliable way to differentiate species. This discovery highlights the need for accurate understanding of coral biodiversity to conserve coral reefs.
A new website allows scientists to collaborate on bacterial strain identification through multilocus sequence analysis. The database grows in size and utility as taxonomists add their isolates, enabling electronic taxonomy.
Researchers found that monkeys devised a near-optimal strategy by balancing sensory information and prior expectations regarding rewards. The monkeys' harvesting efficiency fell within 1-2% of the theoretical maximum, revealing impressive decision-making ability.
A multi-centre study found that osteoblast cell injections accelerated fracture healing, with increased bone growth and no significant patient complications. The treatment is considered a safe and effective alternative to traditional methods, allowing for faster recovery without surgery.
A new article suggests that gorilla lice evolved to infest pubic hair around 3.3 million years ago, possibly due to human-gorilla contact. This divergence occurred despite humans and gorillas diverging from a common ancestor at least 7 million years ago.
Researchers found that every second of compression pause reduces the likelihood of successful return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) by 1%. Effective CPR requires minimal interruptions, with powerful chest compressions being crucial.
Researchers identified eighteen new genetic changes in rats from four continents that enable resistance to warfarin. VKORC1 gene mutations may cause heritable resistance by preventing coumarin derivatives from interfering with the reductase enzyme activity.
A systematic review of over 13,000 participants found that exposure to alcohol adverts and product placements increases drinking behavior in young people. The study suggests that counter-advertising and social marketing techniques may be effective prevention options for limiting alcohol problems in young people.
A recent study found that playing games against a virtual opponent activates different brain areas than those activated when playing against a human opponent. The medial prefrontal cortex and other regions associated with 'Theory of Mind' were more active in male players believing they were competing with another human.
Research reveals that tobacco companies in South Korea have been deliberately targeting girls and young women with marketing campaigns, using tactics such as associating smoking with body image and female emancipation. The study calls for stricter regulations and public education to combat the rise in female smoking rates.
Research followed over 2000 high- and middle-school children, finding that TV viewing times predict a poor diet in the future. Young adults who watched more than five hours of TV per day had lower intakes of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, but higher intakes of fast food and unhealthy snacks.
Research published in BMC Endocrine Disorders shows that regular high-intensity interval training can significantly improve insulin action and glucose clearance. A three-minute sprint workout every couple of days may be the best way to cut the risk of diabetes, with substantial improvements in metabolic prowess seen within two weeks.
Researchers have created gene-engineered male flies that die as embryos, outcompeting wild pests and reducing crop damage. This new method of pest control eliminates the need for radiation, increasing safety and effectiveness.
Expert authors advocate for a US foreign policy agenda focused on eliminating neglected tropical diseases, citing connections between NTDs and conflict. The control of these devastating diseases could be achieved at a fraction of the cost of other medical interventions.
The new journal Genomic Medicine bridges the gap between research and clinical practice, providing open access to high-quality research articles. The journal features columns by leading experts on genomic medicine and its applications.