Culture | Page 2435 | Science Codex

Mighty mesh

Cambridge, Mass. - January 23, 2012 - New research at Harvard explains how bacterial biofilms expand to form slimy mats on teeth, pipes, surgical instruments, and crops.

Through experiment and mathematical analysis, researchers have shown that the extracellular matrix (ECM), a mesh of proteins and sugars that can form outside bacterial cells, creates osmotic pressure that forces biofilms to swell and spread.

The ECM mechanism is so powerful that it can increase the radius of some biofilms five-fold within 24 hours.

CWRU study finds the love of a dog or cat helps women cope with HIV/AIDS

A spoonful of medicine goes down a lot easier if there is a dog or cat around. Having pets is helpful for women living with HIV/AIDS and managing their chronic illness, according to a new study from the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University.

Scientific paper shows California condor still threatened by human activities

A recently released scientific paper authored by San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research scientists shows the leading causes of death of the endangered California condor in the wild are human influenced, with lead poisoning being the primary factor in juvenile and adult birds.

Joslin study identifies novel markers as key indicators of future renal failure in diabetes

Boston, MA —January 19, 2012 —Scientists at Joslin Diabetes Center have identified two novel markers that, when elevated in the blood stream, can predict accurately the risk of renal (kidney) failure in patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The findings have immediate diagnostic implications and can be used for the development of new therapies to prevent or postpone the progression of renal disease in diabetes.

Gastrointestinal bleeding: What many kidney failure patients stomach

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Blood protein predicts kidney disease risk in diabetes patients

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New drug labels for kidney disease patients -- what do they mean?

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Delirium after stroke linked to poorer outcomes for patients

Delirium develops in about 30 percent of patients hospitalized shortly after a stroke and is linked to poorer outcomes, according to a new meta-analysis published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Sexual activity is safe for most heart, stroke patients

If you have stable cardiovascular disease, it is more than likely that you can safely engage in sexual activity, according to an American Heart Association scientific statement.

The statement, published online in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, contains recommendations by experts from various fields, including heart disease, exercise physiology and sexual counseling.

Color-coding, rearranging food products improves healthy choices in hospital cafeteria

A simple program involving color-coded food labeling and adjusting the way food items are positioned in display cases was successful in encouraging more healthful food choices in a large hospital cafeteria. The report from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers will appear in the March American Journal of Public Health and has received early online release.

Study finds delirium after stroke linked to poorer outcomes for patients

TORONTO, Ont. Jan. 19, 2012—Up to 30 per cent of patients hospitalized after a stroke develop delirium, according to a new study from St. Michael's Hospital.

Researchers found patients who experience delirium after stroke are five times more likely to die, and are more likely to be discharged to a long-term care facility, nursing home or have a longer stay in hospital.

Study finds patients receive half of recommended preventive health services at annual check-ups

RICHMOND, Va. – (Jan. 19, 2012) – More than 20 percent of U.S. adults receive periodic health examinations (PHE) each year, yet new research shows that patients who have an annual routine visit to their doctor may not receive recommended preventive screening tests and counseling services that could benefit their health.

Coexisting medical conditions increase treatment costs

More than 250,000 hip fractures occur every year in the U.S., often resulting in hospitalization, surgery, nursing-home admission, long-term disability, and/or extended periods of rehabilitation. Independent existing medical conditions (otherwise known as comorbidities) significantly increase the treatment cost and length of hospitalization for older adults who have sustained a hip fracture, according to a new study recently published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.

States reduce funding for research universities

States reduced per-student funding for major public research universities by a fifth during the past decade, while foreign competitors invested heavily to challenge the United States' once dominant global position in science, innovation, and higher education, according to new data publicly released today by the National Science Board (NSB).

The rail and road network in Spain does not follow economic criteria, but central

A researcher at the University of Barcelona has examined the construction of surface transportation infrastructure in Spain from 1720 to 2010. The economist and author of the study, Germà Bel explains how both the construction of train lines and state highways in Spain since the 18th century has been based radially around Madrid as the political capital and not on the commercial activity of routes.