By recovering and sequencing intact DNA from an especially ancient Neandertal specimen, researchers have found evidence suggesting that the genetic diversity among Neandertals was higher than previously thought. The findings also suggest that genetic diversity may have been higher in earlier Neandertal periods relative to later periods that approached the arrival of humans in Europe. Changes in genetic diversity over time are thought to reflect population events, such as low-population bottlenec
Positron emission tomography (PET) in combination with computed tomography (CT) offers a “superior” view of atherosclerosis plaque inflammation—so much so that it may eventually be used to identify individuals who are at high risk for heart attack or stroke, according to researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Their findings were released during SNM’s 53rd Annual Meeting June 3–7 in San Diego.
“The future is using PET/CT—and other developing technologies—to as
The first study to assess the benefits of naps for medical residents during extended shifts found that creating protected times when interns could sleep during a night on-call significantly reduced fatigue.
In the June 6, 2006, issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers from the University of Chicago report that although average sleep time for interns in the study increased only modestly — by about one hour — the interns felt that even small gains in sleep led to su
As any expert will tell you, osteoporosis is complex and hard to predict. Most clinicians treat it only when they detect low bone density, viewing this as the definitive test. But machines to detect low bone density are expensive and far from universally available. Moreover, bone density measurements may not adequately predict osteoporosis. Therefore, given the paucity of diagnostic options, millions face unknown threats of debilitating fractures, while others may receive treatment they may not
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers have successfully used gene therapy to accelerate muscle regeneration in experimental animals with muscle damage, suggesting this technique may be a novel and effective approach for improving skeletal muscle healing, particularly for serious sports-related injuries. These findings are being presented at the American Society of Gene Therapy annual meeting in Baltimore, May 31 to June 4.
Skeletal muscle injuries are the most common i
Study finds that the endoglin protein acts together with sFlt1 to rapidly escalate disease
Building on their earlier discovery which found that elevated levels of the sFlt1 placental protein leads to the onset of preeclampsia, researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), in collaboration with a research team from The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, have identified a second protein which, in combination with sFlt1, escalates preeclampsia to a severe – and
Ältere Menschen können ein Hilfsmittel zum Versenden von Video-E-Mails bei der persönlichen Kommunikation einsetzen. Häufig haben ältere Menschen schlechten Zugang zur sich rasch verändernden digitalen Gesellschaft. Deshalb bestand ein Hauptziel des SAID-Projekts (Social Aid Interactive Developments) in der Entwicklung einer Infrastruktur zur sozialen Sicherung für diese Altersgruppe. Dies bedeutet eine bessere soziale Sicherung der älteren Leute, bessere Dienste und den Zugang zur I
Thanks to a recent study on the genetic factors that promote muscular hypertrophy among Texel sheep, Prof. Michel Georges’ team at the University of Liège has discovered a new kind of mutation that could be at the origin of many phenotypes in various species, among which humans, including genetic predispositions to certain hereditary diseases. This discovery is of significant interest to the international scientific community. The results are published in this week’s edition of the American jo
Jingoism in the run up and during the World Cup may coerce people to sport the England flag for fear of exclusion, an academic from the University of Leicester has warned.
European historian George Ferzoco said visible minorities in particular could feel they need to be seen to be ’patriotic’ as World Cup fever grips the country.
He said: “I am worried that some may fear exclusion. Witness the recent front page of a major national newspaper. It presented a seri
Two new images from the Gemini Observatory released yesterday (Monday June 5th 2006) at the American Astronomical Society meeting in Calgary, Canada, show a pair of beautiful nebulae that were created by two very different types of stars at what may be similar points in their evolutionary timelines.
One is a rare type of very massive spectral-type “O” star surrounded by material it ejected in an explosive event earlier in its life that continues to lose mass in a steady “stell
Homeless people in their teens and early 20s are happy to take part in health research projects, but feel that being offered large financial incentives to participate can be harmful, according to a study in the latest UK-based Journal of Advanced Nursing.
Dr Josephine Ensign from the University of Washington’s School of Nursing explored the attitudes of young homeless people – who are increasingly being recognised as medically vulnerable members of the community – through indi
Planetary-Mass Objects Found to be Surrounded by Discs
Two new studies, based on observations made with ESO’s telescopes, show that objects only a few times more massive than Jupiter are born with discs of dust and gas, the raw material for planet making. This suggests that miniature versions of the solar system may circle objects that are some 100 times less massive than our Sun.
These findings are to be presented Monday, 5 June at the American Astronomical Socie
Some of the cancer cells’ closest allies have been unveiled. Fortunately, the researchers from BRIC (Biotech Research & Innovation Centre) at University of Copenhagen have also discovered how to beat them. And that could prove to be the first step towards a new remedy for cancer.
The BRIC research team has discovered a family of enzymes that prevents cancer cells to age like normal cells. The good news is, that the researchers have developed small molecules that can impede the enzyme acti
Faster consultation for patients globally without ties to a place and time
VTT has developed together with A*Star (Agency for Science, Technology and Research) from Singapore, Emtele and Comptel a Global Health Monitoring Platform service that offers an efficient, open, scalable and secure service environment for remote diagnostics and telemedicine services utilization. This makes it possible to streamline the health care system and reach better efficiency money wise as well as
Overweight and obese mums-to-be are putting their health and the health of their unborn infant at risk – as well as putting a strain on the health service!
That’s one of the main conclusions from a study into maternal obesity and pregnancy outcome conducted by researchers at the University of Teesside’s School of Health & Social Care. The findings of the scoping study will be published on the North East Public Health Observatory (NEPHO) web site on 6 June, 2006 – www.nepho.org.
Liquorice compounds could be a key component for cheaper, more effective liver cancer treatment, reports Lisa Richards in Chemistry & Industry magazine.
Liver cancer affects over 2,800 people in the UK each year, of which nearly 2,700 die, according to Cancer Research UK. Surgery is the best option, but is unsuitable for most patients, and liver tumours are very resistant to chemotherapy.
Studies in mice by Zhi Yuan and his team at Nankai University, China, revealed tha
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