Science & Technology - Dec 1, 2011 7:52 - 1 Comment

Better electronics? Start with the switch

U. PITTSBURGH (US) — A new type of switch that performs logic functions within a single molecule could mean smaller, faster, and more efficient electronics. (more…)

Health & Medicine - Oct 17, 2011 10:19 - 3 Comments

Paralyzed man’s mind moves prosthetic arm

U. PITTSBURGH (US) — Seven years after a motorcycle accident damaged his spinal cord and left him paralyzed, 30-year-old Tim Hemmes reached up to touch hands with his girlfriend in a painstaking and tender high-five. (more…)

Health & Medicine - Aug 10, 2011 8:52 - 0 Comments

Dot to dot makes teeth tough

U. PITTSBURGH (US) — Protein molecules that self-assemble like stepping blocks and then stabilize in a connect-the-dot fashion give tooth enamel its unique combination of hardness and resiliency. (more…)

Health & Medicine - Aug 3, 2011 16:42 - 1 Comment

Regrown blood vessels have staying power

U. PITTSBURGH (US) — A minimally invasive method that delivers growth factor to regenerate blood vessels could be used to effectively treat heart disease. (more…)

Health & Medicine - Jul 14, 2011 15:03 - 0 Comments

Blood may have short shelf life

U. PITTSBURGH (US) — Transfused blood may need to be stored in a different way to prevent the breakdown of red blood cells that can lead to complications, including infection, organ failure, and even death. (more…)

Health & Medicine - Jul 11, 2011 16:09 - 1 Comment

Severity ‘score’ for cardiac arrest

U. PITTSBURGH (US) — Classifying patients after they have suffered cardiac arrest may lead to a more effective way to predict outcomes. (more…)

Health & Medicine - Apr 5, 2011 10:40 - 1 Comment

Gay teens at increased risk of suicide

U. PITTSBURGH (US) — Gay teens are almost three times as likely to report attempting a suicide as straight teens, according to a new study. (more…)

Health & Medicine - Apr 4, 2011 16:48 - 0 Comments

ICU docs key to more transplant organs

U. PITTSBURGH (US) — A small study showed that the number of organs available for transplant as much as doubled when an intensive care physician remained involved with donor bodies after brain death occurred. (more…)

Health & Medicine - Mar 31, 2011 13:13 - 6 Comments

Cocaine causes memory drain

U. PITTSBURGH (US) — Using cocaine contributes directly to a host of cognitive deficits, including loss of visual memory and the ability to adapt to rule changes. (more…)

Health & Medicine - Feb 22, 2011 16:50 - 1 Comment

Heart health a rare commodity

U. PITTSBURGH (US) — Of more than 1,900 people recently evaluated for heart health, only one met the definition of ideal cardiovascular health. (more…)

Health & Medicine - Jan 3, 2011 16:09 - 0 Comments

Med helps depressed seniors stay sharp

U. PITTSBURGH (US) — Depressed older adults with mild cognitive impairment showed improvements in language, memory, and executive functioning when they were treated with the dementia medication donepezil. (more…)

Health & Medicine - Dec 1, 2010 15:34 - 5 Comments

Sleepy and snoring: Serious red flags

U. PITTSBURGH (US) — Loud snoring and sleep problems could be early signs of a slippery-slope health condition known as metabolic syndrome linked to heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. (more…)

Health & Medicine - Nov 29, 2010 9:35 - 0 Comments

Daily walks slow Alzheimer’s pace

U. PITTSBURGH (US) — Walking may slow cognitive decline in adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study. (more…)

Health & Medicine - Nov 5, 2010 11:00 - 0 Comments

Pricier meds don’t mean better care

U. PITTSBURGH (US) — Medicare patients in regions that spend the most on prescription medications are not necessarily getting better quality care. (more…)

Health & Medicine - Nov 3, 2010 15:04 - 0 Comments

Drug causes stem cells to go suicidal

U. PITTSBURGH (US) — Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) prevent colon cancer by triggering diseased stem cells to self-destruct, according to new research. (more…)

Health & Medicine - Aug 27, 2010 14:30 - 0 Comments

Does breastfeeding lower diabetes risk?

U. PITTSBURGH (US)—Mothers who did not breastfeed their children have significantly higher rates of type 2 diabetes later in life than moms who breastfed, researchers report in the September issue of the American Journal of Medicine. (more…)

Science & Technology - Aug 11, 2010 11:07 - 0 Comments

Human cells copy DNA—and RNA, too

U. PITTSBURGH (US)—Researchers have confirmed a long-held but unproven hypothesis that mammalian cells are capable of synthesizing RNA by copying RNA molecules directly. (more…)

Health & Medicine - Aug 10, 2010 12:26 - 1 Comment

Will improved coverage lead to drug overuse?

U. PITTSBURGH (US)—Improved drug coverage under Medicare Part D has led to an increase in the use of antibiotics by seniors, particularly of brand-name and more expensive drugs, according to a new study. (more…)