Scientists at UC San Francisco have discovered how memory recall is linked to decision-making in rats, showing that measurable activity in one part of the brain occurs when rats in a maze are playing out memories that help them decide which way to turn. The more they play out these memories, the more likely they are to find their way correctly to the end of the maze. In their study, reported this week in the journal Neuron, the UCSF researchers implanted electrodes directly on a region of the rat brain known as the hippocampus, which is already known to play a key role ...

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have shown that a new imaging dye, designed and developed at UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, is an effective agent in detecting and mapping cancers that have reached the lymph nodes. The radioactive dye called Technetium Tc-99m tilmanocept, successfully identified cancerous lymph nodes and did a better job of marking cancers than the current standard dye. Results of the Phase III clinical trial published online today in the Annals of Surgical Oncology. "Tilmanocept is a novel engineered radiopharmaceutical ...

Monsoon rainfall in the Northern Hemisphere impacts about 60% of the World population in Southeast Asia, West Africa and North America. Given the possible impacts of global warming, solid predictions of monsoon rainfall for the next decades are important for infrastructure planning and sustainable economic development. Such predictions, however, are very complex because they require not only pinning down how manmade greenhouse gas emissions will impact the monsoons and monsoon rainfall, but also a knowledge of natural long-term climate swings, about which little is known ...

"Aiden, look!" piped NAO, a two-foot tall humanoid robot, as it pointed to a flat-panel display on a far wall. As the cartoon dog Scooby Doo flashed on the screen, Aiden, a young boy with an unruly thatch of straw-colored hair, looked in the direction the robot was pointing. Aiden, who is three-and-a-half years old, has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). NAO (pronounced "now") is the diminutive "front man" for an elaborate system of cameras, sensors and computers designed specifically to help children like Aiden learn how to coordinate their attention ...

(CHICAGO) – Infections, as the news has shown time and again, can be deadly. Periprothesthetic joint infection (PJI) is the infection of grave concern to the orthopedic community, especially in its growingly common antibiotic-resistant form. This all-too-common infection can be found deep inside the joint prosthesis following joint replacement surgery. Javad Parvizi, MD, and colleagues at the Rothman Institute at Jefferson have worked for years to find a solution to this sometimes deadly infection. Their most recent work has attempted to determine the optimal thresholds ...

(CHICAGO) – Platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy has been used to manage pain associated with torn tendons, muscles and ligaments, mostly in athletes, at all levels. Though it has anecdotally been successful, the evidence to support its efficaciousness is weak. Researchers at the Rothman Institute at Jefferson participated in a multi-center randomized prospective study to evaluate the clinical value of PRP versus an active control group to determine its effectiveness in managing the pain and tenderness associated with tennis elbow. The results will be presented on Thursday, ...

CHICAGO – Eighty-four percent of patients suffering from chronic tennis elbow (lateral epicondylar tendinopathy) reported significantly less pain and elbow tenderness at six months following platelet rich plasma (PRP) treatment, according to results from the largest, multi-center study, to date, on PRP and tennis elbow, presented today at the 2013 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Tennis elbow is a common, painful condition affecting approximately 1 to 2 percent of the population. In this study, 230 patients suffering from chronic ...

CHICAGO — A new study, presented today at the 2013 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), identifies predictors of complications and mortality following a hip fracture, including dialysis, cardiac disease, diabetes, and a longer time before surgery – the only modifiable risk factor when patients are hospitalized. Each year, more than 340,000 Americans are hospitalized for hip fractures. According to AAOS data, 69 percent of hip fracture patients are female and 46 percent are between the ages of 65 and 84. Many hip fracture patients suffer ...

A new study has found that Spanish nurses trained specifically to resolve acute health problems of low complexity provide care of comparable quality to that of general practitioners. Published early online in the Journal of Advanced Nursing, the findings suggest that nurses may be able to take on some of the care generally provided by physicians. Mireia Fàbregas, MD, of the Institut Català de la Salut, in Barcelona, Spain, and her colleagues randomized 1461 adult patients who requested same day appointments to see either nurses trained to respond to problems with low ...

CHICAGO -- Obesity alone may not diminish outcomes or increase the risk of complications in total knee replacement (TKR) patients, according to two research studies presented today at the 2013 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). However, TKR replacement patients may face significantly longer hospital stays and related costs. Total knee replacement in obese patients previously has been associated with increased post-operative complications and lower clinical function scores in multiple research studies. In the study, "The Effect of ...

CHICAGO – Anatomic differences between male and female knees have resulted in the creation and regular use of gender-specific implants. However, a new study presented today at the 2013 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) finds that a specialized prosthesis may not improve overall outcomes in female total knee replacement (TKR) patients. Female implants are narrower, with an atypical angle and a thinner anterior flange (front rim), reflecting the unique characteristics of the female knee. These knee components are used frequently in TKR ...

CHICAGO — Ninety-eight percent of total knee replacement (TKR) patients who were working before surgery returned to work after surgery, and of those patients, 89 percent returned to their previous position, according to new research presented today at the 2013 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Another related study highlights the life-restoring outcomes of total hip replacement (THR). Total knee replacement, or arthroplasty, among the most widely performed procedures in the world, is known to successfully relieve pain and restore ...

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have completed a phase II clinical trial to determine the safety and efficacy of dasatinib for patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, or acute myeloid leukemia resulting from MDS and have failed treatment with azanucleosides. The therapy may not be effective for all patients, but those with trisomy 8 chromosomal disorder have higher rates of stable disease and respond better to treatment with dasatinib, the study shows. Results of this study appear in the March issue of Leukemia ...

A study at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) found that a surgical procedure known as the "docking technique" to repair a torn elbow ligament in teenage athletes yielded favorable results. The outcomes were better than those in previously published reports on reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), also known as Tommy John surgery, in this age group and may be attributed to technique-specific factors, according to the study authors. The paper, titled, "The Docking Technique for Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Insufficiency: Two-Year Follow Up in Adolescent ...

Parents may plead, cajole or entice their children to try new foods, but some kids just won't budge. Now, new research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reveals that the reason these kids fear new foods has less to do with what's on their plate and more to do with their genes. The work, led by Myles Faith, an associate professor of nutrition at UNC's Gillings School of Global Public Health, adds to the growing body of knowledge that genes play a significant role in children's eating behavior, including the tendency to avoid new foods. "In some respects, ...

Readjusting parenting plans: When a custodial parent wants to move Article provided by CLEMENT LAW CENTER Visit us at http://www.clementlawcenter.com Sometimes life throws curveballs, and you may need to adjust accordingly. When children are in the mix, life changes can be a little more difficult. If you are a custodial parent in Washington and follow a parenting plan with the noncustodial mother or father, you must recognize that parent's rights in the event that you and your child need to relocate to another place. Before you make any changes, be certain that ...

Parenting plans for California children's needs Article provided by Bohm Matsen, LLP Visit us at http://www.bfka-law.com Knowing that children are better off with the love and attention of both parents, divorced California parents still want to be a part of their children's lives. Yet, coming to an agreement on how to achieve both parents' participation in their children's care can be challenging. Creating a parenting plan In the California court system, divorcing parents draw up a custody and visitation agreement--popularly called a parenting plan--that specifies ...

Moving time? Explore Florida child custody law for parental relocation Article provided by Abel Tobaygo Visit us at http://www.sarasotafamilyattorneys.com After a divorce, there may be many good reasons for a parent to move. A parent may wish to pursue a job opportunity in a new community, relocate to be closer to family or move for any number of other compelling reasons. Yet, if the parent who wishes to relocate has primary custody of a child, the other parent (or another interested party who has visitation rights) may oppose the parental relocation in court. Is ...

Proposed alimony reform laws could limit Florida spousal support Article provided by Abel Tobaygo Visit us at http://www.sarasotafamilyattorneys.com When a couple divorces, the higher-earning partner often has to make payments to the lower-earning partner. These payments -- known as "alimony" or "spousal support" -- help maintain the standard of living established in the marriage. Sometimes, spousal support is only temporary, providing the lower-earning party with the resources necessary to acquire education or job training and become self sufficient. ...

Border agents in Texas report surge of methamphetamine traffic Article provided by Mark A. Perez, P.C. Visit us at http://www.perezcriminallaw.com The Texas-Mexico border has always been a major entry point for bringing illegal drugs into the United States. For a long time, marijuana, cocaine and heroin represented the vast majority of illegal narcotics intercepted by Customs and Border Protection agents stationed in Texas. However, over the last several years, CBP reports that methamphetamine traffic has risen steadily. The Texas Tribune recently published data ...

Divorce: Property division in Nevada Article provided by Mullins Law Firm Visit us at http://www.mullinslaw.net If you are getting a divorce, you should understand the specific family laws of your state. Depending on your location, the allocation of property pursuant to divorce could differ immensely. In Nevada, the courts generally accept a property division agreement from the parties, providing it is fair and reasonable. On the other hand, if the litigants cannot agree, the property is divided within the divorce proceeding. Nevada is a community property state. ...

New conditions added to Compassionate Allowance list Article provided by Shifrin Newman Smith Inc. Visit us at http://www.newman-shifrin.com/ Applying and qualifying for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits can be a long and trying process. In the majority of cases the Social Security Administration (SSA) requires applicants to prove that they a condition that prevents them from working for at least a year. If the SSA rejects the initial application, the wait for SSD benefits can be significantly longer as applicants must file and win an appeal. Although ...

How Federal Forfeiture Works in Maryland Article provided by Nathans & Biddle, LLP Visit us at http://www.nathanslaw.com Most people are unaware of how forfeiture laws work and don't realize that police can take their property without ever charging them with a crime. This article is intended to provide a brief overview of how federal forfeiture works in Maryland. Anyone who has had their property seized is encouraged to contact a knowledgeable Baltimore attorney for guidance. Federal forfeiture laws enable law enforcement officers to seize assets such as ...

Always a serious health concern, brain injury may be mild to severe Article provided by Browning Law Visit us at http://www.browninglaw.net What is the number of Americans who experience brain injury annually? Shockingly, 1.7 million people is the answer, according to the Brain Injury Association of America, or BIAA, which has declared March 2013 to be Brain Injury Awareness Month. BIAA also reports that more than 3 million people have already become permanently disabled because of traumatic brain injuries. Traumatic brain injury Most people have a general ...

Financial factors to consider when contemplating gray divorce Article provided by The Law Offices of Davis & Mendelson Visit us at http://www.camdencountydivorcelawyer.com The divorce rate in the United States over the last two decades has slowed or even declined according to some sources, but among those ages 50 and older the divorce rate during the same time period has doubled. Divorce later in life is referred to as "gray divorce", and many in the baby boomer generation make the choice to divorce after the children have grown, realizing they may ...