ScienceDaily: Health - April 10, 2025
Top health research news
A collaborative study found that while sleep duration recovers quickly, sleep timing and sleep architecture can take significantly longer to realign when traveling across time zones.
Eight or more drinks per week linked to signs of injury in the brain
Heavy drinkers who have eight or more alcoholic drinks per week have an increased risk of brain lesions called hyaline arteriolosclerosis, signs of brain injury that are associated with memory and thinking problems, according to a new study.
Advanced imaging reveals mechanisms that cause autoimmune disease
Those who suffer myasthenia gravis experience muscle weakness that can affect the muscles we use to blink, smile and move our bodies. Researchers used a cutting-edge imaging technique to uncover new details about the mechanisms underlying the disease.
Titanium particles are common around dental implants
Titanium micro-particles in the oral mucosa around dental implants are common. This is shown in a new study which also identified 14 genes that may be affected by these particles.
Wildfire recovery: What victims say they need most
Wildfire victims have a range of needs, including mental health support and information about wildfire smoke, according to a new study.
Master regulator blocking immunotherapy, paving the way for a new lung cancer treatment
Researchers have discovered that 'DEAD-box helicases 54 (DDX54)', a type of RNA-binding protein, is the master regulator that hinders the effectiveness of immunotherapy -- opening a new path for lung cancer treatment.
Finding cancer's 'fingerprints'
Starch-based microplastics could cause health risks in mice
Wear and tear on plastic products releases small to nearly invisible plastic particles, which could impact people's health when consumed or inhaled. To make these particles biodegradable, researchers created plastics from plant starch instead of petroleum. An initial study shows how animals consuming particles from this alternative material developed health problems such as liver damage and gut microbiome imbalances.
long-term effects of obesity on brain and cognitive health
With the global prevalence of obesity on the rise, it is crucial to explore the neural mechanisms linked to obesity and its influence on brain and cognitive health. However, the impact of obesity on the brain is complex and multilevel.
Scientists complete largest wiring diagram and functional map of the brain to date
From a tiny sample of tissue no larger than a grain of sand, scientists have come within reach of a goal once thought unattainable: building a complete functional wiring diagram of a portion of the brain.
By re-creating neural pathway in dish, Stanford Medicine research may speed pain treatment
Scientists have rebuilt, in laboratory glassware, the neural pathway that sends information from the body's periphery to the brain, promising to aid research on pain disorders.
Treatment for mitochondrial diseases within reach
A medical breakthrough could result in the first treatment for rare but serious diseases in which genetic defects disrupt cellular energy production. Researchers have identified a molecule that helps more mitochondria function properly.
A comprehensive map of the human cell
By mapping the subcellular architecture and protein interactions within cells, researchers can better understand how mutations contribute to pediatric cancers and other conditions.
Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of disability and chronic pain worldwide, affecting an estimated 595 million people globally. Projections suggest that this number will rise to 1 billion by 2050. Despite its profound impact on individuals and societies, no disease-modifying treatments are currently available. Now, an international team of researchers has made new discoveries by studying the genetics of osteoarthritis in nearly 2 million individuals, uncovering hundreds of potential new drug targets and opportunities for repurposing existing treatments.
Researchers identify growing list of genetic disorders treatable before or immediately after birth
Researchers have identified nearly 300 genetic disorders that can be treated before or immediately after a baby is born. This 'treatable fetal findings list' could improve the diagnosis of genetic conditions in pregnancy and enhance the treatment options available for fetuses who have these conditions.
Potential Alzheimer's disease therapeutic target identified in brain immune cells
Tim-3 is an immune checkpoint molecule involved in immunity and inflammation recently linked to late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD), but its role in the brain was unknown until now. Researchers used preclinical models to uncover Tim-3's role in microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, and have identified it as a promising therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease.
New gene editing tool shows promise for treating diseases with multiple mutations
Investigators have developed STITCHR, a new gene editing tool that can insert therapeutic genes into specific locations without causing unwanted mutations. The system can be formulated completely as RNA, dramatically simplifying delivery logistics compared to traditional systems that use both RNA and DNA. By inserting an entire gene, the tool offers a one-and-done approach that overcomes hurdles from CRISPR gene editing technology -- which is programmed to correct individual mutations -- offering a promising step forward for gene therapy.
Your skin is breathing: New wearable device can measure it
Rsearchers have developed the first wearable device for measuring gases emitted from and absorbed by the skin. By analyzing these gases, the device offers an entirely new way to assess skin health, including monitoring wounds, detecting skin infections, tracking hydration levels, quantifying exposure to harmful environmental chemicals and more.
Engineering smart delivery for gene editors
A research team has developed an advanced delivery system that transports gene-editing tools based on the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing system into living cells with significantly greater efficiency than before. Their technology, ENVLPE, uses engineered non-infectious virus-like particles to precisely correct defective genes -- demonstrated successfully in living mouse models that are blind due to a mutation. This system also holds promise for advancing cancer therapy by enabling precise genetic manipulation of engineered immune cells making them more universally compatible and thus more accessible for a larger group of cancer patients.
'Sugar' signatures help identify and classify pancreatic cancer cell subtypes
Scientists have developed a new method for identifying and classifying pancreatic cancer cell subtypes based on sugars found on the outside of cancer cells. These sugars, called glycans, help cells recognize and communicate with each other. They also act as a cellular 'signature,' with each subtype of pancreatic cancer cell possessing a different composition of glycans.
Researchers identify safer pathway for pain relief
Scientists have helped identify a novel drug compound that selectively activates pain-altering receptors in the body, offering a potentially safer alternative to conventional pain medications.
Eye health linked to dementia risk
Researchers discovered the blood vessels at the back of the eye -- called retinal microvasculature -- can show early signs someone is at risk of developing dementia.
Early education impacts teenage behavior
Researchers explored the long-term effects of preschool expansion in Japan in the 1960s, revealing significant reductions in risky behaviors amongst teenagers. By analyzing regional differences in the rollout of the program, the study identified links between early childhood education and lower rates of juvenile violent arrests and teenage pregnancy. The findings suggest that improved noncognitive skills played a key role in mitigating risky behaviors, highlighting the lasting benefits of early-education policies.
High muscle strength linked to lower risk of type 2 diabetes
Researchers conducted a large-scale epidemiological study to explore the potential health benefits of high muscle strength in preventing type 2 diabetes (T2D) across varying levels of genetic risk. The study found that higher muscle strength was associated with over 40% lower risk of T2D, regardless of genetic susceptibility to T2D. The study highlights the importance of maintaining or improving muscle strength as a key strategy for preventing T2D.
Nasal spray H5N1 avian influenza vaccine developed
Scientists have pioneered an influenza virus vector-based nasal spray vaccine platform and developed a nasal spray H5N1 avian influenza vaccine. During the early COVID-19 pandemic, this platform enabled the rapid development of a nasal spray vaccine in collaboration with mainland China's Wantai BioPharm. After completing Phase 1-3 clinical trials, it was approved in 2022 as the world's first nasal spray COVID-19 vaccine.
Genetic predisposition to sedentary behavior increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases
Although sedentary behavior may be an evolutionarily selected trait, it is still important to try to be physically active, says a new study. Researchers have shown for the first time that genetic predisposition to sedentary behavior is associated with a higher risk of developing the most common cardiovascular diseases. A high genetic predisposition to sedentary behavior can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases by up to 20%.
Students lead breakthrough study on diabetes drugs and dementia risk
Two undergraduate medicine students have led a major study examining how cardioprotective glucose-lowering therapies -- medications that lower blood sugar and reduce the risk of heart disease in people with diabetes -- affect the risk of developing dementia.
Handheld device could transform heart disease screening
Researchers have developed a handheld device that could potentially replace stethoscopes as a tool for detecting certain types of heart disease.
Lactic acid bacteria can improve plant-based dairy alternatives
A new study maps how specific lactic acid bacteria can enhance both the flavor and nutritional quality of plant-based dairy alternatives. The findings may have wide-reaching perspectives for the further development of sustainable foods.
Calcium transport into and out of mitochondria -- the powerhouses of cells -- is central to cellular energy production and cell death. To maintain the balance of calcium within these powerhouses, cells rely on a protein known as the mitochondrial sodium-calcium exchanger, or NCLX. Now, in new research, scientists have discovered a novel regulator of NCLX activity, a protein called TMEM65, which helps move calcium out of mitochondria, protecting against harmful calcium overload.
Eating only during the daytime could protect people from heart risks of shift work
Numerous studies have shown that working the night shift is associated with serious health risks, including to the heart. However, a new study suggests that eating only during the daytime could help people avoid the health risks associated with shift work.
Viral 'backbone' underlies variation in rotavirus vaccine effectiveness
Researchers have shown that differences in the entire rotavirus genome -- not just its two surface proteins -- affect how well vaccines work, helping to explain why some strains are more likely to infect vaccinated individuals.
Even under stress, male-female pairs had each other's backs
When faced with a potential threat, mice often freeze in place. Moreover, when two animals are together, they typically freeze at the same time, matching each other's periods of immobility. In a new study, researchers found that coordination during fear looks different in males and females.
Targeted new approach to treat pancreatic cancer
Researchers have identified a new molecular target for treating pancreatic cancer. Scientists focused on transcription-replication conflicts (TRCs), which occur when the mechanisms responsible for gene expression and genome duplication collide. The clash disrupts cells' ability to read and copy genes, leading to replication stress, a frequent phenomenon in pancreatic cancer. The added stress causes cells to make errors copying their DNA, enabling cancer to gain a foothold and spread. Overall, the experimental approach was most effective at killing cancer cells with high replication stress, a common phenomenon that occurs when the KRAS gene goes awry.
Mimicking embryonic growth to break barriers in organoid research
Organoids are made to model human organs and are promising for research and therapy, but there are limitations in their growth and function. A recent study found that placenta-derived IL1 under hypoxic conditions, can greatly increase growth of human stem cell-derived liver organoids. By promoting liver progenitor cell expansion through a specific signaling pathway, this method offers a promising route to improve organoid models and regenerative medicine.
Long-term health impacts of flooding revealed
A comprehensive study of the long-term health impacts of flooding -- via analysis of over 300 million hospitalizations records in eight countries prone to flooding events -- has found an increased risk of 26 per cent of all diseases serious enough to require hospitalization. This impact on the health of communities lasts up to seven months post event.
Researchers discover natural compound may slow ALS and dementia
A new study shows a compound found in certain fruits and vegetables could hold key to treating neurodegenerative diseases.
Smoke from US wildfires, prescribed burns caused premature deaths, billions in health damages
Researchers estimated that smoke from wildfires and prescribed burns caused $200 billion in health damages in 2017, and that these were associated with 20,000 premature deaths. Senior citizens were harmed the most, and Native American and Black communities experienced the greatest damages per capita.
Stronger coffee with fewer coffee beans
Researchers have worked to optimize the use of coffee grounds in pour-over coffee. They recommend pouring from as high as possible while still maintaining the water's flow. In particular, the group found the thick water jets typical of standard gooseneck kettles are ideal for achieving this necessary height and laminar flow. Displaced grounds recirculate as the water digs deeper into the coffee bed, allowing for better mixing between the water and the grounds, and thus, results in a stronger coffee with fewer beans.
In the first comprehensive, cell-by-cell analysis of brain tissue from individuals with Tourette syndrome, researchers have pinpointed exactly which cells are perturbed and how they malfunction, revealing how different types of brain cells are affected by the condition. Findings from this groundbreaking study provide unprecedented insights into the interplay of different brain cell types in Tourette syndrome, suggesting new therapeutic directions.
ALS drug effectively treats Alzheimer's disease in new animal study
Experimental drug NU-9 -- a small molecule compound approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical trials for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) -- improves neuron health in animal models of Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study.
CVD and obesity: When protective lipids decline, health risks increase
New research has uncovered a surprising culprit underlying cardiovascular diseases in obesity and diabetes -- not the presence of certain fats, but their suppression. The study challenges the conventional belief that a type of fat called ceramides accumulates in blood vessels causing inflammation and health risks. Instead, their findings reveal that when ceramides decrease in endothelial cells lining blood vessels, it can be damaging and cause chronic illnesses. Ironically, the findings could ultimately lead to therapies that maintain high levels of these protective lipids in patients with obesity.
Mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy improve chronic low back pain
Eight weeks of mindfulness or cognitive behavioral therapy were associated with improved pain, physical function and quality of life and reduced daily opioid dose in adults with chronic low back pain that required treated with daily opioids, according to a new study. This is one of the largest studies to date to evaluate mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy as treatment for opioid-treated chronic pain.
Researchers use AI to improve diagnosis of drug-resistant infections
Scientists have developed an artificial intelligence-based method to more accurately detect antibiotic resistance in deadly bacteria such as tuberculosis and staph. The breakthrough could lead to faster and more effective treatments and help mitigate the rise of drug-resistant infections, a growing global health crisis.
Childhood experiences shape the brain's white matter with cognitive effects seen years later
Investigators have linked difficult early life experiences with reduced quality and quantity of the white matter communication highways throughout the adolescent brain. This reduced connectivity is also associated with lower performance on cognitive tasks.
A gentle approach offers new hope for inflammatory lung diseases
Pulmonary sarcoidosis is a lung disease characterized by granulomas -- tiny clumps of immune cells that form in response to inflammation. It's the most inflammatory of the interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), a family of conditions that all involve some level of inflammation and fibrosis, or scarring, of the lungs. In the U.S., pulmonary sarcoidosis affects around 200,000 patients. The cause is unknown, and no new treatments have been introduced in the past 70 years. Scientists now characterized a protein, HARSWHEP, that can soothe the inflammation associated with sarcoidosis by regulating white blood cells. Reducing inflammation slows the disease's progression and results in less scarring. A phase 1b/2a clinical trial of efzofitimod, a therapeutic form of HARSWHEP, showed promising results.
Does teamwork fulfill the goal of project-based learning?
A researcher investigated the impact of the group work environment on motivation in English as a second language classes. The study revealed that the group work environment plays an important role in motivating students.
Findings on T cell exhaustion: The body prepares early for mild to severe disease
Even in the case of uncomplicated infections, the body prepares itself early on for the possibility of a more severe course. A research team has now uncovered this mechanism. The scientists showed that, right at the onset of mild illness, the body also produces special T cells previously known only from chronic, severe infections and tumors.
Diagnostic uncertainty in Parkinson's disease: Study calls for improved diagnostic processes
A study found that a significant proportion of Parkinson's disease diagnoses are later corrected. Up to one in six diagnoses changed after ten years of follow-up, and the majority of new diagnoses were made within two years of the original diagnosis.
AI tool can track effectiveness of multiple sclerosis treatments
A new artificial intelligence (AI) tool that can help interpret and assess how well treatments are working for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) has been developed.
Is AI in medicine playing fair?
As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly integrates into health care, a new study reveals that all generative AI models may recommend different treatments for the same medical condition based solely on a patient's socioeconomic and demographic background.
Perceiving one's own body: Babies sense their heartbeat and breathing
Body signals such as heartbeat and breathing accompany us constantly, often unnoticed as background noise of our perception. Even in the earliest years of life, these signals are important as they contribute to the development of self-awareness and identity. However, until know little has been known about whether and how babies can perceive their own body signals. A recent study demonstrates for the first time that babies as young as 3 months can perceive their own heartbeat.
'Ugh, not that song!' Background music impacts employees
Have you ever gone to a store or a restaurant where the music was so annoying that you walked right out? Now imagine what it must be like for the employees. In a new study, researchers found that when background music at a workplace is out of sync with what workers need to do their jobs, it can affect their energy, mood -- and even performance.
Researchers discover way to predict treatment success for parasitic skin disease
Findings from a new study could help doctors select more effective treatments earlier for patients suffering from leishmaniasis, a disfiguring skin infection.
Brain's own repair mechanism: New neurons may reverse damage in Huntington's disease
New research shows that the adult brain can generate new neurons that integrate into key motor circuits, findings that may point to a new way to treat neurogenerative disorders.
Molecules that fight infection also act on the brain, inducing anxiety or sociability
Scientists find the protein IL-17 that fights infection also acts on the brain, inducing anxiety or sociability. This adds to evidence that immune molecules can influence behavior during illness.
Home care cooperatives may be key to addressing the critical shortage of caregivers for the elderly
Home care cooperatives may be the key to alleviating the shortage of paid caregivers for older Americans. Participants in cooperatives experienced more respect, control, job support, and compensation than their counterparts in traditional care services.
Climate and health litigation mounting in Australia as exposure to heatwaves grows
Australia has experienced a 37 per cent rise in dangerous heat exposure over the past two decades, while becoming the world's second-highest hotspot for climate litigation, a new report reveals.
New study investigates effects of ADHD medications on the heart
A new study has found that medications for ADHD have overall small effects on blood pressure and heart rate after weeks or a few months of use. There have been concerns about the side effects of ADHD medications but the new findings, coupled with other studies, suggest that the benefits of taking these medications outweigh the risks, while highlighting the need for careful monitoring.
Exposure to air pollution may harm brain health of older adults
Long-term exposure to high levels of air pollution may harm the brain health of older adults in England, finds a new study.