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18.09.2019Microbiome may be involved in mechanisms related to muscle strength in older adults
New study suggests the gut microbiome has a role in mechanisms related to muscle strength in older adults. Researchers found differences in bacterial profiles of older adults with high and low physical function, bacterial and strength differences in mice colonized with fecal samples from the adults.
18.09.2019Electronic nose can sniff out which lung cancer patients will respond to immunotherapy
An electronic nose that detects chemicals in the breath of lung cancer patients can identify with 85% accuracy those who will or will not respond to immunotherapy, according to new research.
17.09.2019New piece of Alzheimer's puzzle found
Scientists found two short peptides, or strings of amino acids, that when injected into mice with Alzheimer's disease daily for five weeks, significantly improved the mice's memory. The treatment also reduced some of the harmful physical changes in the brain that are associated with the disease.
17.09.2019Study changes guidelines for sepsis management
A researcher ends the debate among physicians regarding sepsis management.
17.09.2019Programmable swarmbots make flexible biological tools
Biomedical engineers have developed a new platform to create biological drugs using specially engineered bacteria that burst and release useful proteins when they sense that their capsule is becoming too crowded.
17.09.2019Deeper understanding of early life experiences can help combat chronic obesity and frequent bingeing
According to a new study, dysfunctional eating patterns and habits in overweight and obese adults can be triggered by early life experiences that are deeply rooted within patients' personality features.
17.09.2019Electric pill bottles and text messaging not enough to affect blood pressure control
Blood pressure levels in patients with hypertension did not improve when patients took part in automated texting or were given electronic pill bottles.
17.09.2019Genomic migration analysis shows antibiotic resistance moving from humans to animals
New results show that human-acquired antibiotic resistance genes are being transmitted to livestock, companion animals and wildlife. Researchers analyzed a global set of 901 genome sequences of the bacteria Streptococcus agalactiae (aka group B Strep) from nine different host species -- humans, cows, dogs, fish, frogs, gray seals, dolphins, goats and a camel -- to better understand the transmission process. Streptococcus agalactiae can cause life-threatening illnesses.
17.09.2019New pathway that controls fat formation
In work suggesting new therapeutic targets to fight obesity, researchers have identified a novel mechanism that regulates the creation of fat in mammals.
17.09.2019A safer way for police to test drug evidence
Scientists have demonstrated a way for police to quickly and safely test whether a baggie or other package contains illegal drugs without having to handle any suspicious contents directly. The new technique can limit the risk of accidental exposure to fentanyl and other highly potent drugs that can be dangerous if a small amount is accidentally inhaled.
17.09.2019Clues to the origin of Huntington's disease, and a new way to find drugs
Using a new technique to study brain development, scientists were able to trace the causes of Huntington's back to early developmental stages when the brain has only just begun to form.
17.09.2019Environmental toxin produced by algae may lead to ALS
A computer generated-simulation allowed researchers to see how a toxin produced by algal blooms in saltwater might cause Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
17.09.2019Potential target for cardiac fibrosis treatment
A research team has identified a potential target for treating heart failure related to fibrosis. The study looked at an epigenetic 'reader' protein known as BRD4, showing that it serves a central role in regulating the activation of cardiac fibroblasts. They also found that chemical inhibitors of BRD4 potently block cardiac fibroblast activation.
17.09.2019Radiation therapy effective against deadly heart rhythm
A single high dose of radiation aimed at the heart significantly reduces episodes of a potentially deadly rapid heart rhythm, according to results of a phase one/two study.
17.09.2019One way childhood trauma leads to poorer health for women
Researchers have long known that childhood trauma is linked to poorer health for women at midlife. A new study shows one important reason why. The national study of more than 3,000 women is the first to find that those who experienced childhood trauma were more likely than others to have their first child both earlier in life and outside of marriage - and that those factors were associated with poorer health later in life.
17.09.2019Gene editing enables researchers to correct mutation in muscle stem cells in DMD model
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare but devastating genetic disorder that causes muscle loss and physical impairments. Researchers have shown in a mouse study that the powerful gene editing technique known as CRISPR may provide the means for lifelong correction of the genetic mutation responsible for the disorder.
17.09.2019Feeling depressed? Mahjong might be the answer
When it comes to boosting mental health among older Chinese, it might be as simple as a game of mahjong, according to a new study.
17.09.2019Novel anti-cancer nanomedicine for efficient chemotherapy
Researchers have developed a new anti-cancer nanomedicine for targeted cancer chemotherapy. This new nano-tool provides a new approach to use cell-based nanomedicines for efficient cancer chemotherapy.
17.09.2019Novel approach to ultrasound raises possibility of new medical applications
A new ultrasound technique provides a non-invasive way of assessing bone structure on the microscale. Researchers hope to fine-tune the technique for use in assessing osteoporosis risk and treatment.
17.09.2019Play equipment that gets kids moving
Parents will be pleased to know that more is not always better when it comes to play equipment for their children.
17.09.2019Cause of rare, fatal disorder in young children pinpointed
Scientists appear to have solved a decades-long mystery regarding the precise biochemical pathway leading to a fatal genetic disorder in children that results in seizures, developmental regression and death, usually around age 3. Studying a mouse model with the same human illness -- called Krabbe disease -- the researchers also identified a possible therapeutic strategy.
17.09.2019Screening mammography could benefit men at high risk of breast cancer
Selective mammography screening can provide potentially lifesaving early detection of breast cancer in men who are at high risk for the disease, according to a new landmark study.
17.09.2019Researchers unlock cancer-causing mechanism of E. coli toxin with synthetic biology approach
An inter-disciplinary team of researchers has unraveled how a toxin released by Escherichia coli (E. coli) - a human gut bacteria, is connected to colorectal cancer, offering new insights to the health impact of this prevalent bacteria and facilitating future research on the prevention of this third most common cancer worldwide.
17.09.2019The happiest introverts may be extraverts
If you are an introvert, force yourself to be an extravert. You'll be happier. That's the suggestion of the first-ever study asking people to act like extraverts for a prolonged period. The benefits of extraversion have been reported before, including those of ''forced extraversion,'' but usually only for brief intervals.
17.09.2019New method reveals how damage occurs in human biological cells due to mechanical fatigue
Researchers have developed a novel way to measure how mechanical fatigue affects biological cells. They also have established the important role of this effect in influencing physical properties of biological cells such as red blood cells (RBCs). This new technique assesses the mechanical integrity and fatigue behavior of RBCs using a general microfluidics method that incorporates amplitude-modulated electro-deformation. This method has important applications for mechanical fatigue studies in conjunction with other microenvironments related to health and materials engineering.
17.09.2019Stroke patients relearning how to walk with peculiar shoe
Clinical trials have been completed on a therapeutic shoe engineered to improve stroke recovery. They've proven successful, allowing for the patented product to hit the market by the end of the year.
17.09.2019Female athletes seek specialty care for concussion later than males
Female athletes seek specialty medical treatment later than male athletes for sports-related concussions (SRC), and this delay may cause them to experience more symptoms and longer recoveries.
17.09.2019Synthetic cells capture and reveal hidden messages of the immune system
New research is highly relevant to how antibodies are made in response to infections, vaccines and in autoimmunity due to the its analysis of a signal that is associated with hyper IgM syndrome, a genetic deficiency of CD40 ligand (CD40L) that results in profound immunodeficiency.
17.09.2019Scientists prove low cost arthritis drug can effectively treat blood cancer sufferers
A simple arthritis drug could be an effective, low cost solution to treat patients with blood cancers such as polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET), a breakthrough study has shown.
17.09.2019Virtual reality training could improve employee safety
A new study suggests employee safety could be improved through use of virtual reality (VR) in Health and Safety training, such as fire evacuation drills. Researchers developed an immersive VR system to stimulate participants' perception of temperature, and senses of smell, sight and hearing to explore how they behaved during two health and safety training scenarios.
17.09.2019Short-term study suggests vegan diet can boost gut microbes related to body weight, body composition and blood sugar control
New research suggests that a 16-week vegan diet can boost the gut microbes that are related to improvements in body weight, body composition and blood sugar control.
17.09.2019Light drinking may be beneficial in type 2 diabetes: Further research needed
An meta-analysis of studies shows that recommendations to moderate alcohol consumption for people with type 2 diabetes may need to be reviewed, since low-to-moderate consumption could have a positive effect on blood glucose and fat metabolism.
17.09.2019Overgrowth of baby in womb may begin weeks before women are tested for maternal diabetes
The excessive growth of a baby in the womb, a common complication of gestational diabetes, begins weeks before women are tested for the disease, according to new research.
17.09.2019Later puberty and later menopause associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes in women
New research shows that use of the contraceptive pill and longer menstrual cycles are associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D), while later puberty and later menopause are associated with lower risk.
17.09.2019Shorter people are at higher risk of type 2 diabetes, study shows
Short stature is associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, according to a new study. Tall stature is associated with a lower risk, with each 10cm difference in height associated with a 41 percent decreased risk of diabetes in men and a 33 percent decreased risk in women.
16.09.2019More than Lyme: Tick study finds multiple agents of tick-borne diseases
Scientists reported on the prevalence of multiple agents capable of causing human disease that are present in three species of ticks in Long Island.
16.09.2019Human hearts evolved for endurance
Major physical changes occurred in the human heart as people shifted from hunting and foraging to farming and modern life. As a result, human hearts are now less 'ape-like' and better suited to endurance types of activity.
16.09.2019Defective cilia linked to heart valve birth defects
Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), the most common heart valve birth defect, is associated with genetic variation in human primary cilia during heart valve development, report researchers. Crucial to cilia development is the exocyst, which shuttles cilia cargo to the cell membrane. Disrupting the exocyst impaired ciliogenesis and caused a spectrum of cardiac defects in zebrafish and BAV in mice.
16.09.2019Renegade genes caught red-handed
Potentially dangerous genes embedded within human DNA were once thought to be locked down by helpful DNA structures called heterochromatin. A researcher disputes that belief and hopes to change the paradigm even further.
16.09.2019Big data, bench science suggests drug may slow Parkinson's progression in people
A drug used to treat enlarged prostate may also slow the progression of Parkinson's disease, according to a new study.
16.09.2019Genetically engineered plasmid can be used to fight antimicrobial resistance
Researchers have engineered a plasmid to remove an antibiotic resistance gene from the Enterococcus faecalis bacterium, an accomplishment that could lead to new methods for combating antibiotic resistance.
16.09.2019For kids who face trauma, good neighbors or teachers can save their longterm health
New research shows just how important positive childhood experiences are for long-term health, especially for those who experience significant adversity as a child. Studies over the past 20 years have found a correlation between adverse childhood events (such as death or divorce) and worse health outcomes later in life. A new study discovers that positive childhood experiences, like having good neighbors, or a teacher you trust, have the potential to negate harmful health effects caused by adverse childhood experiences.
16.09.2019Anemia may contribute to the spread of dengue fever
Mosquitoes are more likely to acquire the dengue virus when they feed on blood with low levels of iron, researchers report. Supplementing people's diets with iron in places where both iron deficiency anemia and dengue fever are a problem could potentially limit transmission of the disease, but there are risks.
16.09.2019Social isolation derails brain development in mice
Female mice housed alone during adolescence show atypical development of the prefrontal cortex and resort to habitual behavior in adulthood, according to new research. These findings show how social isolation could lead to an over-reliance on habit-like behaviors that are associated with addiction and obesity.
16.09.2019Climate change expected to accelerate spread of sometimes-fatal fungal infection
Valley fever is endemic to hot and dry regions like the southwestern United States and California's San Joaquin Valley, but a new study predicts climate change will cause the fungal infection's range to more than double in size this century, reaching previously unaffected areas across the western U.S.
16.09.2019Too much of a good thing: Overactive immune cells trigger inflammation
Scientists describe a previously unknown disorder of the immune system: in a distinct subset of immune cells from patients with primary immunodeficiency, cellular respiration is significantly increased. This cellular metabolic overactivity leads to inflammation.
16.09.2019Lack of sleep affects fat metabolism
A restricted-sleep schedule built to resemble an American work week made study participants feel less full after a fatty meal and altered their lipid metabolism. One night of recovery sleep helped, but didn't completely erase the effects of sleep restriction.
16.09.2019Like an instruction manual, the genome groups genes together for convenience
Scientists at the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) in Barcelona shed light on how the genome organizes groups of genes linked to specific processes, like the release of toxins.
16.09.2019Deaths halved among infarct patients attending Heart School
Patients who attend 'Heart School', as almost every patient in Sweden is invited to do after a first heart attack, live longer than non-participating patients.
16.09.2019Starting HIV treatment in ERs may be key to ending HIV spread worldwide
Researchers say they have evidence that hospital emergency departments (EDs) worldwide may be key strategic settings for curbing the spread of HIV infections in hard-to-reach populations if the EDs jump-start treatment and case management as well as diagnosis of the disease.
16.09.2019Measuring ethanol's deadly twin
Researchers have developed an inexpensive, handheld measuring device that can distinguish between methanol and potable alcohol. It offers a simple, quick method of detecting adulterated or contaminated alcoholic beverages and is able to diagnose methanol poisoning in exhaled breath.
16.09.2019Importance of when adolescents sleep to obesity and cardiometabolic health
New study finds adolescent sleep timing preferences and patterns should be considered risk factors for obesity and cardiometabolic health.
16.09.2019Brain activity intensity drives need for sleep
The intensity of brain activity during the day, notwithstanding how long we've been awake, appears to increase our need for sleep, according to a new study in zebrafish.
16.09.2019Vitamin E found to prevent muscle damage after heart attack
Early studies have found Vitamin E could be used to save the muscle from dying during a heart attack.
16.09.2019Alzheimer's disease risk gene APOE4 impairs function of brain immune cells
A study carried out with a new human stem cell-derived model reveals that the most prevalent genetic risk factor of Alzheimer's disease (AD), apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4), impairs the function of human brain immune cells, microglia. These findings pave the way for new, effective treatment approaches for AD.
16.09.2019Sweet success of parasite survival could also be its downfall
Scientists have discovered how a parasite responsible for spreading a serious tropical disease protects itself from starvation once inside its human host. The findings provide a new understanding of the metabolism of the Leishmania parasite and this new knowledge could potentially be used in its eradication.
16.09.2019More than every second female homicide is committed by the partner
Intimate partner homicide - that is women who are killed by their partner - constitutes a significant proportion of the homicide statistics.
16.09.2019Scanning the lens of the eye could predict type 2 diabetes and prediabetes
New research shows that specialist analysis of the lens in the eye can predict patients with type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) (also known as prediabetes, a condition that often leads to full blown of type 2 diabetes).
16.09.2019Transplanted brain stem cells survive without anti-rejection drugs in mice
In experiments in mice, researchers say they have developed a way to successfully transplant certain protective brain cells without the need for lifelong anti-rejection drugs.
16.09.2019Violent video games blamed more often for school shootings by white perpetrators
People are more likely to blame violent video games as a cause of school shootings by white perpetrators than by African-American perpetrators, possibly because of racial stereotypes that associate minorities with violent crime, according to new research.