Human cytomegalovirus is a leading cause of birth defects and transplant failures. As it's evolved over time, this virus from the herpes family has found a way to bypass the body's defense mechanisms that usually guards against viral infections. Until now, scientists couldn't understand how it manages to do so.
Researchers have discovered that cell metabolism plays an important role in the ability of cells to start a survival program called autophagy, an unwanted side effect of some anti-cancer drugs that helps some tumor cells dodge treatment and eventually regrow into new tumors.
A new application of time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry can generate maps showing how tumors signal to their microenvironments in pancreatic cancer mouse models.
Researchers have uncovered new information on the pathways involved in neuronal regeneration, hopefully bringing the medical community one step closer to managing brain and spinal cord injuries.
A new study showed that a change in the type of breathing tube paramedics use to resuscitate patients with sudden cardiac arrest can significantly improve the odds of survival and save thousands of lives. More than 90 percent of Americans who experience sudden cardiac arrest die before, or soon after, reaching a hospital.
Environmental nanoparticle researchers discover that gold isn't always the shining example of a biologically stable material that it's assumed to be. In a nanoparticle form, the normally very stable, inert, noble metal actually gets dismantled by a microbe found on a Brazilian aquatic weed.
For the first time, researchers have devised a model to predict burn patients who are most likely to develop life-threatening acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The prediction model includes three factors: the extent of the patient's inhalation injury, the percentage of the patient's body that was burned and whether the patient had high levels of a blood clotting protein called von Willebrand factor.
A trial of more than 1,000 patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators found that the drug ranolazine (used to treat chest pain; brand name Ranexa (R)) was safe but didn't decrease the likelihood of the first occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias or death in this high-risk population. The drug did lower the risk for recurrent ventricular tachycardia by 30 percent, suggesting it could be a treatment option for this very sick population for which there are limited therapies.
A self-powered sensor could allow doctors to remotely monitor the recovery of surgical patients. The small, tube-like device is designed to be fitted to braces after joint surgery to wirelessly send information to computers, smartphones or smartwatches to track range of motion and other indicators of improvement.
Researchers have identified nearly a thousand potential members and 31 confirmed members of stellar associations — stars of similar ages and compositions that are drifting together through space — in our own corner of the Milky Way. Their research could help astronomers understand the evolution of stars and the properties of future exoplanet discoveries.