A new centre at the University of Adelaide will focus on solving the challenge of making long-term space exploration viable.
Month: September 2019
As Hong Kong protests continue into National Day, expert available for media interviews
Hong Kong protests are expected to continue Tuesday as China celebrates National Day—an annual celebration of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China on Oct. 1, 1949. CU Boulder history Professor William Wei can speak to reporters about the protests, National…
Designing a new class of drugs to treat chronic pain
A UC Davis research team, led by Vladimir Yarov-Yarovoy and Heike Wulff, will receive a $1.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop a novel class of peptides that are better at treating pain and don’t have the side effects of opioids. The grant is part of the NIH initiative Helping to End Addiction Long-Term (HEAL Initiative).
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Serves Up Hot Topics at 2019 Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo™
Behavioral health and cultural competence are just a few of the emerging topics that will be addressed at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 2019 Food & Nutrition Conference & ExpoTM October 26 to October 29 in Philadelphia, Pa.
How to Stay Healthy this Flu Season
Infectious disease experts David Cennimo at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Tanaya Bhowmick at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School discuss this year’s flu season, the effectiveness of the vaccine and how you can protect yourself.
No need to cut down red and processed meat consumption
A panel of international scientists led by researchers at Dalhousie and McMaster universities systematically reviewed the evidence and have recommended that most adults should continue to eat their current levels of red and processed meat.
Expanding Medicaid means chronic health problems get found & health improves, study finds
Nearly one in three low-income people who enrolled in Michigan’s expanded Medicaid program discovered they had a chronic illness that had never been diagnosed before, according to a new study.
And whether it was a newly found condition or one they’d known about before, half of Medicaid expansion enrollees with chronic conditions said their overall health improved after one year of coverage or more.
One year out, Virginia Tech security expert evaluates effectiveness of Real ID
Virginia Tech security and terrorism expert Aaron Brantly says the implementation of Real ID is a solid first step in standardizing the identification of citizens within the United States. “It facilitates compliance across a number of categories and seeks to…
UCI receives $1M from CDC/ATSDR to initiate study of the relationship between PFAS contaminated drinking water and health
The University of California, Irvine was awarded $1 million by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to participate in the first year of a major multi-site health study to investigate the relationship between drinking water contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and health outcomes.
Jack the Ripper: A wrongful conviction based on flawed DNA analysis
Research published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences claiming to identify the notorious 19th century murderer through DNA analysis grabbed headlines around the world in the spring of 2019.
Study finds simple cardiac risk score can predict early problems with blood flow in the brain
The study shows that for those participants who do not have a history of heart disease or stroke that a simple cardiac risk score – a summary measure of factors such as blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, abdominal fat, and dietary factors – is associated with MRI-detected pre-clinical cerebrovascular disease like carotid artery plaque and silent strokes.
Duke Vaccine Institute Plays Integral Role in National Effort to Improve Flu Shots
As part of a massive national effort to improve and modernize flu shots, the Duke Human Vaccine Institute has received three research contracts from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), with an initial award of approximately $29.6 million in first-year funding.
FSU Researchers: Multifactor models reveal worse picture of climate change impact on marine life
Rising ocean temperatures have long been linked to negative impacts for marine life, but a Florida State University team has found that the long-term outlook for many marine species is much more complex — and possibly bleaker — than scientists previously believed.FSU doctoral student Jennifer McHenry, Assistant Professor of Geography Sarah Lester and collaborators with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) investigated how marine species’ habitats are likely to be affected by multiple factors associated with climate change such as ocean temperature, salinity and sea surface levels.
Skin-Cells-Turned-to-Heart-Cells Help Unravel Genetic Underpinnings of Cardiac Function
A small genetic study, published September 30, 2019 in Nature Genetics, identified a protein linked to many genetic variants that affect heart function. Researchers are expanding the model to other organ systems and at larger scales to create a broader understanding of genes and proteins involved.
White House lacking coherent strategy to respond to impeachment inquiry, says Virginia Tech expert
In the midst of the impeachment inquiry, it is becoming more evident the Trump White House lacks a clear communications strategy to respond to daily developments, according to Virginia Tech political scientist Karen Hult. “It’s not fully clear to me…
Curbing diesel emission could reduce big city mortality
U.S. cities could see a decline in mortality rates and an improved economy through midcentury if federal and local governments maintain stringent air pollution policies and diminish concentrations of diesel freight truck exhaust, according to Cornell University research.
Brave new world: Simple changes in intensity of weather events “could be lethal”
Hurricane Dorian is the latest example of a frightening trend. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, more severe and more widespread as a consequence of climate change. New research from Washington University in St. Louis provides important new insights into how different species may fare under this new normal. Faced with unprecedented change, animals and plants are scrambling to catch up — with mixed results.
Cornell researchers reveal molecular basis of vision
Researchers have solved the three-dimensional structure of a protein complex involved in vertebrate vision at atomic resolution, a finding that has broad implications for our understanding of biological signaling processes and the design of over a third of the drugs on the market today.
@UCSDHealth’s William Sandborn, MD, available on inflammatory bowel disease #ibd #gastroenterology
William Sandborn, MD, chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, is one of the world’s top experts in the management of ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease. His groundbreaking research has been instrumental to…
Johns Hopkins Medicine Announces $80 Million Expansion at Green Spring Station
As part of an $80 million expansion at Green Spring Station, Johns Hopkins Medicine celebrated the official opening of the newly built Pavilion III at Green Spring Station with a private grand opening event on Sept. 27 and a free community health fair on Sept. 28.
ORNL scientists shed light on microbial ‘dark matter’ with new approach
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have demonstrated a way to isolate and grow targeted bacteria using genomic data, making strides toward resolving the grand challenge of uncultivated microbial “dark matter” in which the vast majority of microorganisms remain unstudied in the laboratory.
Using High Energy Density Material in Electrode Design Enhances Lithium Sulfur Batteries
To develop higher capacity batteries, researchers have looked to lithium sulfur batteries because of sulfur’s high theoretical capacity and energy density. But there are still several problems to solve before they can be put into practical applications. The biggest is the shuttling effect that occurs during cycling. To solve this problem and improve lithium sulfur battery performance, the researchers created a sandwich-structured electrode using a novel material that traps polysulfides and increases the reaction kinetics.
AI System Accurately Detects Key Findings in Chest X-Rays of Pneumonia Patients Within 10 Seconds: Study Finds Promise of Faster Treatment
From 20 minutes or more to 10 seconds. Researchers from Intermountain Healthcare and Stanford University say 10 seconds is about how quickly a new system they studied that utilizes artificial intelligence took to accurately identify key findings in chest X-rays of patients in the emergency department suspected of having pneumonia.
Researchers Receive $18 Million Grant to Study Connection Between Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Parkinson’s Disease
A National Institute on Aging grant will support Penn’s Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research to study the underlying genetic connections between Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and Dementia.
$350,000 Gift Made to Support Pediatric Palliative Care at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital
The Hackensack Meridian Health Jersey Shore University Medical Center Foundation is pleased to announce a gift of $350,000 from the Morris and Clara Weshnak Family Foundation, administered by Barry and Carol Anne Cawley Weshnak, in support of the Pediatric Palliative Care Program at Hackensack Meridian Health K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital. The program helps children living with chronic illnesses and life-threatening medical conditions by working to improve the quality of life of these children and focusing on treatment of symptoms, pain and stress management, as well as offering comprehensive patient and family support.
Study reveals falsification issues in higher education hiring processes
When concerns are expressed about distrust in science, they often focus on whether the public trusts research findings. A new study, however, explores a different dimension of trust. The study examined how researchers misrepresent their research accomplishments when applying for faculty jobs.
Johns Hopkins Researchers Advance Search For Safer, Easier Way to Deliver Vision-Saving Gene Therapy to The Retina
In experiments with rats, pigs and monkeys, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers have developed a way to deliver sight-saving gene therapy to the retina. If proved safe and effective in humans, the technique could provide a new, more permanent therapeutic option for patients with common diseases such as wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and it could potentially replace defective genes in patients with inherited retinal disease.
Composting and Urban Agriculture of San Antonio Tour
Scientists to explore unique agriculture facilities in San Antonio area
Gulf of Mexico Alliance Wins Gulf Guardian Award
The Gulf of Mexico Alliance received two 2019 Gulf Guardian Awards at a ceremony hosted by the EPA Gulf of Mexico Division in Gulfport, MS. The programs that were recognized are the regional Gulf Star public-private partnership, and Gulf Tree, an interactive decision-support tree to help users find climate tools.
Women with Asthma Appear More Likely to Have Lower Levels of Testosterone
Women with asthma appear more likely to have lower levels of “free” (not attached to proteins) testosterone than women who do not have asthma, according to new research published online in the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
DHS S&T Awards $200K to San Mateo Start-Up for Final Testing of sUAS System Security
DHS S&T awarded $200,000 to CryptoMove, Inc., to continue to enhance its dynamic defense data protection system for CBP Small Unmanned Aircraft System security. This is the final phase of a project that was awarded under the SVIP Small Unmanned Aircraft Capabilities Solicitation.
New Self-expanding TAVR Prosthesis Does Not Meet Non-Inferiority Compared to SAPIEN 3
The first randomized trial to compare the safety and efficacy of the new ACURATE neo transcatheter heart valve with the SAPIEN 3 TAVR device did not meet non-inferiority in patients with severe aortic stenosis.
New TAVR System Safe and Effective for High-Risk Surgical Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis
The Portico IDE study found that 30-day safety and one-year effectiveness outcomes of a novel self-expanding transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system for patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) at high or extreme-risk for surgery was noninferior to contemporary FDA-approved TAVR systems available in the United States.
Three-Year COAPT Data Demonstrates Continued Safety and Effectiveness in Patients with Heart Failure and Secondary Mitral Regurgitation
The three-year results from the COAPT trial demonstrated that reducing severe secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR) with the MitraClip device safely improves prognosis in selected heart failure (HF) patients. In addition, those patients that crossed over and received the MitraClip after 24 months showed the same benefits as those who received the device at the beginning of the study. Two-year data were presented at TCT 2018 and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
New Five-Year Data Shows Similar Outcomes for TAVR and SAVR in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis and Intermediate Surgical Risk
Five-year results from the PARTNER 2A trial found that patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and intermediate surgical risk who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) had similar rates of death and disabling stroke compared to those who had surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). However, TAVR using a transthoracic approach had poorer outcomes compared to SAVR.
New Data Show that Patients with Left Main Disease Treated with PCI or CABG Have Similar Composite Outcomes at Five Years
Patients with left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) typically have a poor prognosis due to the large amount of myocardium at risk. Revascularization with either percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) has been shown to prolong survival in patients with left main disease compared with medical therapy alone. Three-year data from the large-scale randomized ECXEL trial found no significant difference in the composite rate of death, stroke or myocardial infarction (MI) between the two treatments, with a reduction in 30-day major adverse events with PCI. These results were first reported at TCT 2016 and published in NEJM.
Sleeping pills reduce suicidal thoughts in patients with severe insomnia
AUGUSTA, Ga. (Sept. 30 2019) – Insomnia is a driver of suicide, and particularly people with severe insomnia may safely benefit from taking a sedative to help address their sleep problems as it reduces their suicidal thoughts, investigators report. “If…
Heart, kidney disease risk factors for adverse effects from gout medication
Heart disease is an independent risk factor for severe adverse skin reactions in patients taking allopurinol, found a study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) . Allopurinol is a medication most commonly used to treat gout, a painful condition…
New AI Method May Boost Crohn’s Disease Insight and Improve Treatment
Rutgers-led study uses artificial intelligence to examine genetic signatures of inflammatory bowel illness
SwRI team designs two-dimensional radar reflector to measure subtle ground movement
Technology now available to support infrastructure monitoring, climate, military applications
Simple cardiac risk score can predict problems with blood flow in the brain
HAMILTON, CANADA (Sept. 30, 2019) – A simple cardiac risk score can indicate who may have carotid artery plaque and silent strokes which often come before a serious clinical stroke. The findings come from one of the largest magnetic resonance…
People with anxiety may strategically choose worrying over relaxing
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Relaxing is supposed to be good for the body and soul, but people with anxiety may actively resist relaxation and continue worrying to avoid a large jump in anxiety if something bad does happen, according to…
Solar cells with new interfaces
Innovative two-dimensional materials increase the efficiency
Novel strategy using microRNA biomarkers can distinguish melanomas from nevi
Scientists report in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology about a new highly reliable approach for overcoming the challenges of diagnosing cutaneous melanoma
A new concept could make more environmentally friendly batteries possible
A new concept for an aluminium battery has twice the energy density as previous versions, is made of abundant materials, and could lead to reduced production costs and environmental impact. The idea has potential for large scale applications, including storage…
Borophene on silver grows freely into an atomic ‘skin’
Rice scientists lead effort to improve manufacture of valuable 2D material
Blood test can replace invasive biopsy for more patients with lung cancer
ESMO 2019 Congress, Sept. 27 — Oct. 1, Barcelona, Spain
Statins could increase or decrease osteoporosis risk — the dosage makes the difference
A study by the the Medical University of Vienna and the Complexity Science Hub Vienna shows for the first time a connection between the dosage of cholesterol-lowering drugs and the diagnosis of osteoporosis
Material for nuclear reactors to become harder
Scientists from NUST MISIS developed a unique composite material that can be used in harsh temperature conditions, such as those in nuclear reactors. The microhardness of the sandwich material is 3 times higher compared to the microhardness of its individual…
First prostate cancer therapy to target genes delays cancer progression
Genetic-based treatment nearly doubles time without disease progression in metastatic prostate cancer