CHICAGO --- Lifetime risk for heart failure is similar for blacks and whites and higher than expected for both groups -- ranging from 20 to 45 percent -- according to a new Northwestern Medicine® study. "This is a bad news scenario for both race groups," said Northwestern Medicine researcher Mark Huffman, M.D., the first author of the study. "With lifetime risks this high, heart failure prevention is paramount for all Americans." Huffman is an assistant professor in preventive medicine and medicine-cardiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and ...

The University of Cincinnati's mastery of ancient Maya mysteries continues with new research from professor of biological sciences David Lentz. UC faculty have been involved in multiple research projects concerning ancient Maya culture for more than a decade. This latest Maya study from Lentz focuses on Cerén, a farming village that was smothered under several meters of volcanic ash in the late sixth century. Lentz will present his research, "The Lost World of the Zapotitan Valley: Cerén and its Paleoecological Context," at the 78th annual meeting of the Society for ...

ORLANDO, Fla., April 2, 2013 – Many recent studies have suggested that obesity is associated with chronic inflammation in fat tissues. Researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham) have discovered that an imbalance between an enzyme called neutrophil elastase and its inhibitor causes inflammation, obesity, insulin resistance, and fatty liver disease. This enzyme is produced by white blood cells called neutrophils, which play an important role in the body's immune defense against bacteria. The researchers found that obese humans and mice have ...

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) — A team of UC Davis scientists has found that a product resulting from a metabolized omega-3 fatty acid helps combat cancer by cutting off the supply of oxygen and nutrients that fuel tumor growth and spread of the disease. The scientists report their discovery in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). The groundbreaking study was a collaboration among multiple UC Davis laboratories and Harvard University. The metabolite is epoxy docosapentaenoic acid (EDP), an endogenous compound produced by the human body from the omega-3 ...

When we imagine drama playing out between predators and prey, most of us picture stealthy lions and restless gazelle, or a sharp-taloned hawk latched on to an unlucky squirrel. But Ben Baiser, a post-doctoral fellow at the Harvard Forest and lead author of a new study in Oikos, thinks on a more local scale. His inter-species drama plays out in the humble bogs and fens of eastern North America, home to the carnivorous pitcher plant, Sarracenia purpurea. "It's shocking, the complex world you can find inside one little pitcher plant," says Baiser. A pitcher plant's work ...

One often ignored consequence of global climate change is that the Northern Hemisphere is becoming warmer than the Southern Hemisphere, which could significantly alter tropical precipitation patterns, according to a new study by climatologists from the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Washington, Seattle. Such a shift could increase or decrease seasonal rainfall in areas such as the Amazon, sub-Saharan Africa or East Asia, leaving some areas wetter and some drier than today. "A key finding is a tendency to shift tropical rainfall northward, ...

Irvine, Calif., April 2, 2013 – Our emotional responses to the stresses of daily life may predict our long-term mental health, according to a new study led by a UC Irvine psychologist. The research, which appears online in the journal Psychological Science, suggests that maintaining emotional balance is crucial to avoiding severe mental health problems down the road. Susan Charles, UC Irvine professor of psychology & social behavior, and her colleagues conducted the study in order to answer a long-standing question: Do everyday irritations add up to make the straw that ...

A team of researchers at the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) and the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering at the University of California, San Diego, has developed a highly scalable computer code that promises to dramatically cut both research times and energy costs in simulating seismic hazards throughout California and elsewhere. The team, led by Yifeng Cui, a computational scientist at SDSC, developed the scalable GPU (graphical processing units) accelerated code for use in earthquake engineering and disaster management through regional earthquake ...

AMHERST, Mass. – New recommendations by a National Research Council (NRC) expert panel on green and sustainable building performance could lead to a revolution in building science by creating the first large building performance database, says panel member Paul Fisette, a nationally recognized sustainable building expert at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Fisette and six other NRC panel members were asked to consider whether nearly 500,000 structures owned by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) worldwide are being operated as sustainably and as efficiently ...

CORVALLIS, Ore. – A study to examine driver behavior in permitted left turns has identified what researchers call an "alarming" level of risk to pedestrians crossing the street – about 4-9 percent of the time, drivers don't even bother to look and see if there are people in the way. As opposed to a "protected" left turn, in which a solid green arrow gives a driver the complete right of way in a left-turn lane, a "permitted" left turn is often allowed by a confusing hodgepodge of signals, and drivers may have to pick their way through narrow windows of oncoming traffic. This ...

Targeting cholesterol metabolism in the eye might help prevent a severe form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the most common causes of blindness in older Americans, according to indications in a study in mice, which was supported by the National Institutes of Health. Cholesterol build-up in arteries and veins, or atherosclerosis, occurs as a natural consequence of aging. Likewise, in AMD, cholesterol is known to accumulate in the eye, within deposits called drusen. The study, published in Cell Metabolism, shows that large cells called macrophages ...

Although bladder cancer is the sixth most common form of cancer in the U.S. and the most expensive to treat, the basic method that doctors use to treat it hasn't changed much in more than 70 years. An interdisciplinary collaboration of engineers and doctors at Vanderbilt and Columbia Universities intends to change that situation dramatically. Headed by Nabil Simaan, associate professor of mechanical engineering at Vanderbilt, the team has developed a prototype telerobotic platform designed to be inserted through natural orifices – in this case the urethra – that can provide ...

PHILADELPHIA — Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors may be a novel treatment strategy for patients with cancer that has become resistant to the commonly used chemotherapy drug cisplatin, according to data from a preclinical study published in Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. "Cisplatin is one of the most widely used conventional, anticancer chemotherapy drugs," said Guido Kroemer, M.D., Ph.D., professor at University Paris Descartes in Paris, France. "Unfortunately, most patients respond only transiently to cisplatin therapy ...

Distracted driving is a primary offense in Pennsylvania Article provided by Aaroe Law Offices Visit us at http://www.settledontsue.com Being distracted from the task of driving is extremely dangerous for motorists and their passengers. Despite reported accidents that result from this practice, many drivers continue to take substantial risks. These careless, inattentive motorists are not only teens, but also skilled adult drivers. Because motorists of all ages continue to multitask behind the wheel, lawmakers have no choice but to implement laws. In modern times, ...

Study further explains dangers of drinking and driving Article provided by Harting Simkins & Ryan LLP Visit us at http://www.hsrlegal.com A recent study has revealed just how dangerous it is to get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol. The study, which was published in the journal Alcohol, revealed the affect of alcohol on connections in the brain that control muscle and visual movements. The researchers conducted tests on 14 individuals, measuring their visual and muscle control when sober and when under the influence of alcohol. Each participant ...

Study shows young Americans have higher credit card debt than older generations Article provided by Law Offices of Hagen & Hagen Visit us at http://www.hagenhagenlaw.com Many Americans continue to struggle financially, despite reports that the economy is in an upswing. In many cases, to help prevent imminent financial hardship, people have amassed credit card debts to help them get through this difficult time. According to a study conducted by The Ohio State University, certain groups of people are more likely to take on large amounts of credit card debt ...

No signs that the "gray divorce" trend will be slowing Article provided by Anthony C. Williams & Associates, PC Visit us at http://www.anthonywilliamslaw.com The overall divorce rate in America has lessened in recent years. More couples than ever before are working through their differences and staying together. That doesn't apply to one segment of the population, though. The "baby boomer" generation - couples over the age of 50 - are divorcing at record high rates. The rate of divorce for couples in their 50s and 60s has more than doubled ...

W.Va. scholars suggest disabling cellphones in vehicles Article provided by Brewer & Giggenbach, PLLC Visit us at http://www.bglawhelp.com Distracted driving has become a serious problem on our roads in West Virginia and across the country. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,331 people died in distracted driving collisions in 2011 -- an increase of almost 65 fatalities from the year prior. In addition, approximately 387,000 people sustained personal injuries in distracted driving accidents in 2011. Consequently, researchers have ...

New drug shows promise in helping people with spinal cord injuries Article provided by Piro, Zinna, Cifelli, Paris & Genitempo, P.C. Visit us at http://www.pirozinnalaw.com According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), spinal cord injures are a significant problem in the United States. Since the spinal cord is the conduit through which signals between the brain and the body are transmitted, any damage to this vital skeletal formation can cause neurologic impairments that can permanently affect the respiratory, urinary, gastrointestinal or ...

DUI breath tests no good when South Carolina cops give bad instructions Article provided by Christopher A Wellborn PA Visit us at http://www.wellbornlawfirm.com In many drunk driving cases, breath tests results are one of the foundational pieces of evidence relied upon by the prosecution. Yet, just like any other test, the results can be skewed when a breath test is not properly administered. "Blow hard" not correct instruction, thus breath test evidence was thrown out In an order issued in mid March, a judge in Columbia, South Carolina threw out ...

Study shows texting while driving similar to driving drunk Article provided by Harper, Evans, Wade & Netemeyer Visit us at http://www.lawmissouri.com While most Americans understand the risks associated with drinking and driving, the dangers of distracted driving are still being revealed. According to a recent study published in Traffic Injury Prevention, the two types of hazardous behavior may be surprisingly similar. The study revealed that drivers who are distracted by cellphones -- particularly those who text while driving -- are just as dangerous on ...

New hours of service rules for truckers challenged in court Article provided by Rensch & Rensch Law Visit us at http://www.renschandrensch.com The duties of a truck driver require long hours on the road, away from home. In order to ensure the safety of both truck drivers and other motorists on the road, certain regulations are in place that specify -- among other things -- how frequently they must stop and rest. These regulations, referred to as hours of service rules, are meant to ensure truck drivers are alert while behind the wheel. In a few months, new ...

New York strictly enforcing new multiple offender DWI regulations Article provided by Greenspan & Greenspan Visit us at http://www.greenspans-law.com Ever since New York adopted harsher penalties for individuals convicted of multiple driving while intoxicated offenses, the number of people who have lost their licenses has been on the rise. According to data from New York's Department of Motor Vehicles, almost 2,000 applications for driver's licenses have been denied since the rules took effect. The rules provide for different outcomes, depending on the driver's ...

Court limits use of drug-detecting dogs Article provided by Dziedziak & Marcus, P.C. Visit us at http://www.dzmlaw.com Police departments across the country have a large number of officers focused on the investigation of drug crimes that are occurring in their cities. These investigations often lead to many agencies working together to try to catch the individuals responsible for introducing the drugs into the community. If police learn any evidence about the source of the drugs, they will be aggressive in trying to make an arrest. Once an arrest has been ...

Divorce mediation offers numerous benefits Article provided by Antonioni & Antonioni Law Office Visit us at http://www.antonionilaw.com There's no secret about it -- divorce is difficult. It also can be costly. Many people think of the divorce process as being full of conflict and hostility. However, it doesn't have to be that way. Increasingly, divorcing couples are choosing mediation as a way to avoid some of the conflict and expense of adversarial divorce litigation. The divorce mediation process Mediation involves a neutral, third party moderator who ...