Here, recognizing the difficulty associated with tracking the progression of dementia, the authors used machine learning models to predict between the presence of cognitive normalcy, mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's Disease, based on blood DNA methylation levels, sex, and age. With four machine learning models and two dataset dimensionality reduction methods they achieved an accuracy of 53.33%.
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Breast cancer mammographic screening by different guidelines among women of different races/ethnicities
Mammographic screening is a common diagnostic tool for breast cancer among average-risk women. The authors hypothesized that adherence rates for mammographic screening may be lower among minorities (non-Hispanic black (NHB) and Hispanic/Latino) than among non-Hispanic whites (NHW) regardless of the guideline applied. The findings support other studies’ results that different racial/ethnic and socio-demographic factors can affect screening adherence. Therefore, healthcare providers should promote breast cancer screening especially among NHW/Hispanic women and women lacking insurance coverage.
Read More...Analyzing the relationships between years of experience and performance anxiety in teen volleyball players
Athletes with performance anxiety may struggle to play their best and enjoy the game. Various factors may impact how much anxiety an athlete feels, including how much experience they have in the sport. Concha-Ortiz and Navins survey teenage club volleyball players to look for relationships between years of experience and performance anxiety symptoms.
Read More...Cardiovascular Disease Prediction Using Supervised Ensemble Machine Learning and Shapley Values
The authors test the effectiveness of machine learning to predict onset of cardiovascular disease.
Read More...Effects of material advantage and space advantage on the Komodo and Stockfish chess engines
Chess engines, or computer programs built to play chess, outperform even the best human players. Kaushikan and Park investigate the inner workings of these chess engines by studying popular chess engines' evaluations of which side of a chess match is most likely to win, and how this is affected by the number of pieces and controlled squares on each side.
Read More...Effect of hypervitaminosis A in regenerating planaria: A potential model for teratogenicity testing
This unique research study evaluated the potential use of the flatworm, brown planaria (Dugesia tigrine), as an alternative model for teratogenicity testing. In this study, we exposed amputated planaria to varying concentrations of a known teratogen, vitamin A (retinol), for approximately 2 weeks, and evaluated multiple parameters including the formation of blastema and eyes. The results from this study demonstrated that high concentrations of retinol caused defects in head and eye formation in regenerating planaria, with similarities to vitamin A related teratogenicity findings in mammals. Based on these results, regenerating brown planaria are a promising alternative model for teratogenicity testing, which can potentially be paradigm shifting as it can reduce cost, time, and pregnant animal use in research.
Read More...Using the COmplex PAthway SImulator, Stage Analysis, and Chemical Kinetics to Develop a Novel Solution to Lower Tau Concentrations in Alzheimer’s Disease
In this study, the authors ask whether a Tau immunotherapy treatment, Hsp70 protein treatment, or dual treatment approach of both the Tau imunotherapy treatment and Hsp70 protein treatment leads to a greater reduction in Tau protein concentration in Alzheimer's disease. Overall, they conclude that the effectiveness of the treatment ultimately relies on the stage of Alzheimer’s.
Read More...FRUGGIE – A Board Game to Combat Obesity by Promoting Healthy Eating Habits in Young Children
The authors created a board game to teach young children about healthy eating habits to see whether an interactive and family-oriented method would be effective at introducing and maintaining a love for fruits and veggies. Results showed that children developed a liking for fruits and vegetables, and none regressed. Half maintained their level of enjoyment for fruits and vegetables during the research period, while the other half had a positive increase. The results show that a simple interactive game can shape how young children relate to food and encourage them to maintain healthy habits.
Read More...A Retrospective Study of the Relationship Between Hospital Regulatory Agency Variations and Opioid Mortality Rates, 1999-2014
Mortality from opioid abuse has risen dramatically in the United States over the last two decades and has become a national health crisis. Bernstein and Chisesi explore whether revised pain management standards for hospitals contributed to this epidemic.
Read More...The Impact of Antibiotic Exposure and Concentration on Resistance in Bacteria
Antibiotics are used to treat dangerous diseases. Over time, however, bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics - which poses a threat to humans and animals alike. In this paper, the authors examine how E. coli gains resistance to the antibiotic amoxicillin.
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