|  A galaxy within us: Our gut microbiota and how it can be programmed by food  | Who would have thought that the human body contains over 10 times the amount of bacterial cells as human cells? These bacteria - now collectively called the gut microbiota - number in their trillions and are made up of more than a 1,000 different species most of which are beneficial in some way. | Read More » US preterm birth rate drops to 15-year low  | The United States' preterm birth rate dropped for the sixth year in 2012 to 11.5 percent, a 15-year low. The nation again earned a "C" on the Report Card. Alaska, California, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon and Vermont earned an "A." The March of Dimes estimated that, since 2006, about 176,000 fewer babies have been born too soon because of improvement in the preterm birth rate, potentially saving about $9 billion in health and societal costs. | Read More » Patients with heart failure need specialist care  | New research shows that patients with heart failure have high mortality and often are undertreated. According to a study, many more of these patients would benefit from advanced treatment by heart specialists – something that could be decided by a simple evaluation of five common risk factors for early death due to heart failure. | Read More » Important mechanism behind nanoparticle reactivity discovered  | An international team of researchers has used pioneering electron microscopy techniques to discover an important mechanism behind the reaction of metallic nanoparticles with the environment. | Read More » Lasers might lead to cure for brain diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's  | Researchers have made a discovery that may lead to the curing of diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (the so called mad cow disease) through photo therapy. | Read More » Life, but not as we know it: Rudimentary form of life sidesteps normal replication process  | A rudimentary form of life that is found in some of the harshest environments on Earth is able to sidestep normal replication processes and reproduce by the back door, researchers have found. | Read More » Is DNA From Mom or Dad? New technique will accelerate personalized medicine  | A new technique successfully takes on a longstanding challenge in DNA sequencing – determining whether a particular genetic sequence comes from an individual's mother or father. The method promises to accelerate studies of how genes contribute to disease, improve the process of matching donors with organs and help scientists better understand human migration patterns. | Read More » Nanotube-based sensors can be implanted under the skin for a year  | Research shows that carbon nanotubes that detect nitric oxide can be implanted under the skin for more than a year. | Read More » Scientists expose molecular secrets of bile duct cancers from different countries  | New molecular insights point to potentially different treatment regimens for the same cancer type depending on underlying genetic alterations. The discovery came after bile duct cancers were compared from different parts of the world. | Read More » Molecular link between gut microbes, intestinal health  | Humans maintain a symbiotic relationship with the trillions of beneficial microbes that colonize their bodies. Inflammatory bowel disease is one of the best-studied diseases associated with alterations in the composition of beneficial bacterial populations. Researchers have identified that the enzyme HDAC3 – important in epigenetics - is a key mediator in maintaining proper intestinal integrity and function in the presence of friendly bacteria. | Read More » Neuroimaging study sheds light on mechanisms of cognitive fatigue in MS  | A new study sheds light on the mechanisms underlying cognitive fatigue in multiple sclerosis. This is the first study to use neuroimaging to investigate aspects of cognitive fatigue. Identifying a network of fatigue-related brain regions could help define the pathophysiology of this multifaceted symptom. | Read More » Anti-aging strategies can improve more than looks  | Experts have advice on how to slow aging, and how this can help with appearance and self-esteem. | Read More » Constellation in the chaos of cancer chromosomes  | New evidence suggests that aneuploidy patterns of chromosome deletion or amplification that are recurrent among tumors actually represent a driving force during tumor evolution and are very frequent in cancer. | Read More » Poor children grow up more susceptible to catching colds, study finds  | Researchers have found an association between lower socioeconomic status during childhood and adolescence and the length of telomeres, protective cap-like protein complexes at the end of chromosomes, that ultimately affects the susceptibility to colds in middle-aged adults. Published in Brain, Behavior and Immunity, the study showed that children and teens with parents of lower socioeconomic status have shorter telomeres as adults. | Read More » Home visits lessen emergency care for infants  | Home visits from a nurse are a proven but expensive way to help newborns get a good start in life. New research suggests that less costly home visiting programs can reach more families and still produce significant health care improvements. Infants in the study had 50 percent fewer emergency care episodes than other babies in the first year of life. | Read More » Nationwide disparities of deaths reported to coroners, British study suggests  | A leading detective turned university researcher has discovered huge nationwide disparities in the numbers of deaths reported to coroners in the United Kingdom. It could mean that in some areas, inquests into unnatural deaths are not being conducted when they might have been deemed necessary elsewhere. Also, it has emerged that deaths of women are less likely to be reported and go to inquest - and when they do, they are less likely to result in a verdict of unnatural death. | Read More » Scientists raise alarm over today's measures against Legionellosis  | According to the textbooks, both high doses of chlorine and hot water are lethal to legionella bacteria. But now Norwegian scientists are sounding the alarm that the bacteria can survive these treatments, by hiding in amoebae. | Read More » Mid-level health workers as effective as physicians  | Countries facing severe shortages and poor distribution of health workers could benefit from training and deploying more mid-level health workers, such as midwives, nurses, medical assistants and surgical clinicians.In countries where such health workers have been deployed, the clinical outcomes for certain services were just as good and -- in some cases -- even better than when physicians performed them, the study shows. | Read More » Breakthrough in identifying effect of epilepsy treatment  | Fifty years after valproate was first discovered, research published reports how the drug works to block seizure progression. | Read More » Twenty percent sugary drink tax would cut number of UK obese adults by 180,000  | A twenty percent tax on sugar sweetened drinks would reduce the number of UK adults who are obese by 180,000 (1.3 percent) and who are overweight by 285,000 (0.9 percent), suggests a British study. | Read More » Knowing who physician is boosts patient satisfaction  | Knowing who your doctor is -- and a couple of facts about that person -- may go a long way toward improving patient satisfaction. | Read More » Tapping fungus to unlock energy: Crafting a better enzyme cocktail to turn plants into fuel faster  | Scientists looking to create a potent blend of enzymes to transform materials like corn stalks and wood chips into fuels have developed a test that should turbocharge their efforts. Efforts revolve around the fungus Trichoderma reesei, which churns out enzymes that chew through molecules like complex sugars. | Read More » Highly stable quantum light source for applications in quantum information developed  | Physicists have been successful in generating photons - the quantum particles of light – with only one color. This is useful for quantum information. The scientists have actively stabilized the wavelength of the photons emitted by a semiconductor thereby neutralizing the charge noise in the semiconductor. | Read More » Exposure to secondhand smoke at work on the decline, but gaps remain  | New policy changes have led to decreased exposure to environmental tobacco smoke at work, yet workers in some occupations still experience a high prevalence of secondhand smoke. | Read More » One dose of HPV vaccine may be enough to prevent cervical cancer  | Women vaccinated with one dose of a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine had antibodies against the viruses that remained stable in their blood for four years, suggesting that a single dose of vaccine may be sufficient to generate long-term immune responses and protection against new HPV infections, and ultimately cervical cancer. | Read More » Banana disease spreading: Panama disease spreads among bananas again  | Panama disease is causing significant damage in banana cultivation in Southeast Asia. Scientists have demonstrated that the disease – caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense – has now also migrated to Jordan. This means that Panama disease is becoming increasingly widespread and major banana-producing countries in Africa and Latin America are also under threat. | Read More » Computational models to decipher biological problems and boost biotech productivity  | Researchers have designed mathematical models that will allow us to understand basic concepts of metabolic and genetic regulatory systems as well as to optimize the production of drugs and other biotechnological products. | Read More » Grammatical structures as a window into the past  | A new world atlas of colonial-era languages reveals massive traces of African and Pacific source languages. | Read More » Earlier onset of puberty in girls linked to obesity  | New research shows obesity is the largest predictor of earlier onset puberty in girls, which is affecting white girls much sooner than previously reported. The multi-institutional study strengthens a growing body of research documenting the earlier onset of puberty in girls of all races. | Read More » Civilizations rise and fall on the quality of their soil  | Great civilizations have fallen because they failed to prevent the degradation of the soils on which they were founded. The modern world could suffer the same fate. | Read More » Wide support for school-based health centers  | Two new studies show that parents and students have highly positive views of school-based health centers and suggest that they can serve as the 'medical home' for an often low-income, at-risk population. | Read More » Researchers discover new path to address genetic muscular diseases  | For decades, scientists have searched for treatments for myopathies -- genetic muscular diseases such as muscular dystrophy and ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's disease. Now, an interdisciplinary team of researchers has discovered a new avenue to search for treatment possibilities. | Read More » Water quality has a significant impact on recreational value and waterfront prices  | People like to relax and enjoy nature by the water. Water quality and changes to it have a significant impact on the recreational use and prices of waterfront lots, according to recent research. | Read More » New chemistry: Drawing and writing in liquid with light  | Researchers have manufactured photochemically active polymers which can be dissolved in water or certain alcohols. | Read More » Kids who sleep more, may eat less  | Fighting childhood obesity may be as simple as turning out the lights, according to the results of a new American study. | Read More » Teens in child welfare system show higher drug abuse rate  | Teenagers in the child welfare system are at higher-than-average risk of abusing marijuana, inhalants and other drugs. However, the study also shows that parental involvement matters. | Read More » Digital technologies improve remote rehabilitation, medical monitoring for patients  | Three projects have developed digital platforms aimed at the health care and hospital market that help to improve the medical monitoring of different segments of the population, such as the elderly or patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). | Read More » Ibuprofen no good in treating colds or sore throats  | Questions have been raised about the advice given to patients with a cold and sore throat. A study carried out showed that compared with paracetamol, ibuprofen or a combination of both ibuprofen and paracetamol provide no advantage for patients overall with respiratory tract infections (otherwise known as colds or sore throats). | Read More » Natural solution to rid plumbing of pathogens  | Microbes in tap water are mostly harmless, with a few exceptions. A research team is investigating four harmful pathogens that have been documented in tap water and suggest a natural, probiotic way to deal with dangerous germs. | Read More » Sexual function dramatically improves in women following bariatric surgery  | The first study to look extensively at sexual function in women who underwent bariatric surgery found that significant improvements in overall sexual function, most reproductive hormones and in psychological status were maintained over two years following surgery. Women reporting the poorest quality of sexual function prior to surgery saw the most dramatic improvements one year after surgery, on par with women who reported the highest quality of sexual function prior to surgery. | Read More » Why tumor cells go on dangerous tours  | Tumors become highly malignant when they acquire the ability to colonize other tissues and form metastases. Researchers have identified a factor that promotes metastasis of colon tumors – and presents a possible target for therapy. | Read More » Transmitting stress response patterns across generations  | Children of survivors of extremely stressful life events face adjustment challenges of their own, as has been most carefully studied among the children of Nazi Death Camp survivors. This "intergenerational" transmission of stress response has been studied predominately from the psychological perspective. However, recent research points to biological contributions as well. | Read More » Calm candidates perform better on tests used to screen job applicants  | Applying for a job can be stressful at the best of times and even more so in today's very competitive job market. For some it is especially daunting when standardized tests -- a proven tool in the selection process -- are required. A new study shows that candidates' reactions impact their performance on the test and on the job, but don't change the ability of the tests to reliably predict job performance. | Read More » Designer piercings: New membrane pores with DNA nanotechnology  | A new way to build membrane-crossing pores, using Lego-like DNA building blocks, has been developed by scientists. | Read More » Is it safe to drive with my arm in a cast?  | Orthopaedic surgeons co-author a new literature review outlining the potential limitations and necessary precautions for driving after orthopaedic surgery and procedures. | Read More » First snow leopard cubs ever born at Central Park Zoo  | The Wildlife Conservation Society's Central Park Zoo is debuting a pair of snow leopard cubs (Panthera uncia). These are the first snow leopard cubs ever born at the Central Park Zoo and the second snow leopard birth at a WCS zoo this year. The cubs, a male and a female, born this summer, weigh about 30 pounds but are expected to reach between 65-120 pounds. | Read More » Is clinicians' decision making affected by 'precious baby' phenomenon?  | Parents who conceive through assisted reproductive technologies are likely to receive different medical advice in relation to prenatal testing than those who conceive naturally, academics have suggested. | Read More » Promoting health literacy in schools  | The recognition of childhood obesity as a global health epidemic has placed schools in a position of responsibility as the state shifts from 'nannying' to 'nudging' individuals to adopt healthy behaviors. Health Literacy is a concept based on the premise that health education can improve people's abilities to make choices about their health. Now findings of a study of the level of health literacy across pupils in UK schools is prioritizing health and well-being issues through the curriculum. | Read More » Researchers warn of the 'myths' of global medical tourism  | A team of British researchers is warning governments and healthcare decision makers across the globe to be wary of the myths and hype surrounding medical tourism. | Read More » Scientists map structure of key complex in the immune system  | Scientists have mapped the "bouquet-like" structure of a key part of the body's immune system responsible for neutralizing bacteria and viruses. | Read More » Why do academics blog, really?  | Blogs are increasingly advocated as a solution for academics seeking to expand their audiences, create networks and write in more reader friendly styles. As a result, more and more academics are being urged to blog within official discourses of appropriate academic behaviour. However, what academics really use blogging for is the focus of new research. | Read More » | |
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