ScienceDaily: Health - April 18, 2024
Top health research news
Study identifies new metric for diagnosing autism
Autism spectrum disorder has yet to be linked to a single cause, due to the wide range of its symptoms and severity. However, a recent study suggests a promising new approach to finding answers, one that could lead to advances in the study of other neurological conditions.
Protecting brain cells with cannabinol
Scientists created four cannabis-derived CBN analogs (chemical look-a-likes) with enhanced neuroprotective properties and potential for therapeutic application in neurological disorders like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and traumatic brain injury. Their findings reveal novel aspects of CBN's neuroprotective activity and demonstrate the clinical potential of CBN and value of studying its analogs.
New data identifies trends in accidental opioid overdoses in children
The US saw a 22% decline in rates of prescription-opioid overdose related emergency department (ED) visits in children 17 and younger between 2008 and 2019, but an uptick in the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study. The authors also note that rates of pediatric opioid overdoses remain high in many populations.
Workings of working memory detailed
Investigators have discovered how brain cells responsible for working memory -- the type required to remember a phone number long enough to dial it -- coordinate intentional focus and short-term storage of information.
Image: brain maze concept, Jorm Sangsorn/Shutterstock.com
Adults with congenital heart disease faced higher risk of abnormal heart rhythms
Adults with congenital heart defects were more likely to experience an abnormal, irregular heartbeat, finds a new study.
AI speeds up drug design for Parkinson's by ten-fold
Researchers have used artificial intelligence techniques to massively accelerate the search for Parkinson's disease treatments. The researchers designed and used an AI-based strategy to identify compounds that block the clumping, or aggregation, of alpha-synuclein, the protein that characterises Parkinson's.
Tracking a protein's fleeting shape changes
Researchers have developed a powerful, new technique to generate 'movies' of changing protein structures and speeds of up to 50 frames per second.
Research explores how a father's diet could shape the health of his offspring
A mice study suggests a father's diet may shape the anxiety of his sons and the metabolic health of his daughters before they are even conceived.
Novel robotic training program reduces physician errors placing central lines
More than five million central lines are placed in patients who need prolonged drug delivery, such as those undergoing cancer treatments, in the United States every year, yet the common procedure can lead to a bevy of complications in almost a million of those cases. Researchers developed a robotic simulation training program to provide trainee physicians with more practice on the procedure. A year after deploying the program the team found that all complication types -- mechanical issues, infections and blood clots -- were significantly lower.
Researchers uncover human DNA repair by nuclear metamorphosis
Researchers have discovered a DNA repair mechanism that advances understanding of how human cells stay healthy, and which could lead to new treatments for cancer and premature aging.
Researchers discover urine-based test to detect head and neck cancer
Researchers have created a urine-based test that detects pieces of DNA fragments released by head and neck tumors. The test could potentially facilitate early detection of this cancer type, which currently does not have a reliable screening method.
A recent breakthrough study has shown potential to improve therapeutic outcomes for patients suffering from lung cancers.
Researchers have advanced the understanding of how the cerebral cortex develops by tracing the lineage of certain brain cells.
Gender stereotypes in schools impact on girls and boys with mental health difficulties, study finds
Gender stereotypes mean that girls can be celebrated for their emotional openness and maturity in school, while boys are seen as likely to mask their emotional distress through silence or disruptive behaviors, according to a recent study.
Real-time detection of infectious disease viruses by searching for molecular fingerprinting
Researchers develop breakthrough technology for wide-ranging and ultra-sensitive active nano-spectral sensor, surpassing current limitations.
New treatment method using plasma irradiation promotes faster bone healing
Aiming to shorten fracture recovery times, a research group is focusing on plasma irradiation as a treatment method to speed up bone healing.
Common HIV treatments may aid Alzheimer's disease patients
Scientists have identified promising real-world links between common HIV drugs and a reduced incidence of Alzheimer's disease.
New Inflammatory Bowel Disease testing protocol could speed up diagnosis
Patients with suspected inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) could benefit from better testing protocols that would reduce the need and lengthy wait for potentially unnecessary colonoscopies, a new study has found.
Health behaviors accumulate and remain relatively stable throughout middle adulthood
According to a recent study, either healthier or unhealthier health behaviors cluster among individuals. These health behavior patterns remain relatively stable in middle adulthood and are predicted by several sociodemographic and personality characteristics.
New insights could unlock immunotherapy for rare, deadly eye cancer
New research explains why metastatic uveal melanoma is resistant to conventional immunotherapies and how adoptive therapy, which involves growing a patient's T cells outside the body before reinfusing them, can successfully treat this rare and aggressive cancer.
Biodiversity is key to the mental health benefits of nature
New research has found that spaces with a diverse range of natural features are associated with stronger improvements in our mental wellbeing compared to spaces with less natural diversity.
'One ring to rule them all': How actin filaments are assembled by formins
Researchers have visualized at the molecular level how formins bind to the ends of actin filaments. This allowed them to uncover how formins mediate the addition of new actin molecules to a growing filament. Furthermore, the scientists elucidated the reasons for the different speeds at which the different formins promote this process.
Deadly bacteria show thirst for human blood
Some of the world's deadliest bacteria seek out and feed on human blood, a newly-discovered phenomenon researchers are calling 'bacterial vampirism.' Researchers have found the bacteria are attracted to the liquid part of blood, or serum, which contains nutrients the bacteria can use as food. One of the chemicals the bacteria seemed particularly drawn to was serine, an amino acid found in human blood that is also a common ingredient in protein drinks. The research finding, published in the journal eLife, provides new insights into how bloodstream infections occur and could potentially be treated.
Teen stress may raise risk of postpartum depression in adults
A research team reports that social stress during adolescence in female mice later results in prolonged elevation of the hormone cortisol after they give birth.
Scientists identify cell vulnerability 'fingerprint' related to Parkinson's, Lewy body dementia
A new study offers a first look into the complex molecular changes that occur in brain cells with Lewy bodies, which are key pathological hallmarks of Parkinson's disease and some dementias. The findings reveal that brain cells with Lewy bodies exhibit a specific gene expression pattern akin to a disease-related fingerprint.
Take it from the rats: A junk food diet can cause long-term damage to adolescent brains
A study on the effects of a junk food diet on rats reinforces scientific understanding about the gut-brain connection.
People who as teenagers felt pressure to lose weight from family or from the media, females, people who are not heterosexual, and people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, are most at risk of 'internalized' weight stigma, new research has found.
Illuminating the path to hearing recovery
Scientists aim to uncover the mysteries surrounding a specific receptor protein associated with hearing.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery regarding number sense in animals by confirming the existence of discrete number sense in rats, offering a crucial animal model for investigating the neural basis of numerical ability and disability in humans.
AI enhances physician-patient communication
A study shows that AI enhances physician-patient communication.
Microplastics make their way from the gut to other organs
Researchers have found that microplastics -- are having a significant impact on our digestive pathways, making their way from the gut and into the tissues of the kidney, liver and brain.
Epilepsy drug prevents brain tumors in mice with NF1
Researchers have discovered that an FDA-approved epilepsy drug can prevent or slow the growth of NF1-linked optic gliomas in mice, laying the groundwork for a clinical trial.
Physical activity reduces stress-related brain activity to lower cardiovascular disease risk
Over a ten-year period, biobank participants who met recommended levels of physical activity had a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, and the protective effects were even more pronounced in individuals with depression.
Specific nasal cells protect against COVID-19 in children
Important differences in how the nasal cells of young and elderly people respond to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, could explain why children typically experience milder COVID-19 symptoms, a new study finds.
Human muscle map reveals how we try to fight effects of aging
The first comprehensive cell atlas of aging human muscle reveals the intricate genetic and cellular processes behind muscle deterioration and mechanisms to counteract it.
A new study revealed how aberrant epigenetic regulation contributes to the development of atypical teratoid/rhabdoid (AT/RT) tumors, which are aggressive brain tumors that mainly affect young children. There is an urgent need for more research in this area as current treatment options are ineffective against these highly malignant tumors.
The joy of sports: How watching sports can boost well-being
Sports, beyond entertainment, foster community and belonging, benefiting both individuals and society. Despite its recognized positive effects, limited evidence exists on the link between watching sports and well-being. To address this gap, a team of researchers conducted a multi-method research and found that sports viewing activates brain reward circuits, leading to improved well-being. Popular sports like baseball notably impact well-being. Their research offers insights for public health policies and individual well-being enhancement.
Antibiotics aren't effective for most lower tract respiratory infections
Use of antibiotics provided no measurable impact on the severity or duration of coughs even if a bacterial infection was present, finds a large, prospective study of people who sought treatment in U.S. primary or urgent care settings for lower-respiratory tract infections.
School suspensions and exclusions put vulnerable children at risk
Managing problematic student behavior is one of the most persistent, challenging, and controversial issues facing schools today. Yet despite best intentions to build a more inclusive and punitive-free education system, school suspensions and expulsions remain.
Carbon beads help restore healthy gut microbiome and reduce liver disease progression
Innovative carbon beads reduce bad bacteria and inflammation in animal models, which are linked to liver cirrhosis and other serious health issues.
A third of women experience migraines associated with menstruation, most commonly when premenopausal
A third of the nearly 20 million women who participated in a national health survey reports migraines during menstruation, and of them, 11.8 million, or 52.5%, were premenopausal.
Study reveals potential to reverse lung fibrosis using the body's own healing technique
A recent study uncovers a pathway used during normal wound healing that has the potential to reverse IPF.
Inherited predisposition for higher muscle strength may protect against common morbidities
A study showed that a genetic predisposition for higher muscle strength predicts a longer lifespan and a lower risk for developing common diseases. This is a highly comprehensive international study on hereditary muscle strength and its relationship to morbidity. The genome and health data of more than 340,000 Finns was used in the research.
A novel machine learning model for the characterization of material surfaces
Machine learning (ML) enables the accurate and efficient computation of fundamental electronic properties of binary and ternary oxide surfaces, as shown by scientists. Their ML-based model could be extended to other compounds and properties. The present research findings can aid in the screening of surface properties of materials as well as in the development of functional materials.
Scientists uncover a missing link between poor diet and higher cancer risk
A research team has unearthed new findings which may help explain the connection between cancer risk and poor diet, as well as common diseases like diabetes, which arise from poor diet. The insights gained from this study hold promise for advancing cancer prevention strategies aimed at promoting healthy aging.
Decoding the language of cells: Unveiling the proteins behind cellular organelle communication
A collaboration unveils a novel strategy for identifying key proteins in organelle communication. This approach advances our ability to pinpoint proteins essential for organelle interactions within specific spatial and temporal contexts.
PFAS exposure from high seafood diets may be underestimated
A study suggests that people with diets high in seafood may face a greater risk of exposure to PFAS -- the family of human-made toxins known as 'forever chemicals' -- than previously thought. The researchers stress the need for more stringent public health guidelines that establish how much seafood people can safely consume to limit their exposure, particularly in coastal areas where seafood is frequently eaten.
Choosing sugary drinks over fruit juice for toddlers linked to risk of adult obesity
Consuming sugar-sweetened drinks in the first few years of childhood can be linked to poor diet patterns that increase the risk of obesity in later life, according to a new study.
Molecular causes of different functions of opioid receptors
Drugs that target opioid receptors sometimes have severe side effects. Thousands of people around the world die every day from overdoses involving opioids such as fentanyl. Researchers have taken a closer look at the molecular mechanisms of these active substances.
Melanomas resist drugs by 'breaking' genes
A study has disentangled the mechanisms behind one of the ways melanoma cancer cells develop resistance to treatment. The study found that, in response to some drugs, melanomas can 'break' parts of their BRAF gene, which is mutated in 1 in 2 melanomas. This helps the tumor create alternative versions of the protein which lack regions targeted by one BRAF inhibitors, one of the main drugs used to treat this type of cancer, making treatment less effective. The findings pave the way for alternative strategies to treat BRAF-mutated melanoma, which leads to relapse in 50% of patients within a one-year period.
Neural crest cells -- embryonic pluripotent cells within the facial primordium -- may be necessary for forming proper animal facial structures. Researchers have produced neural crest cell-rich aggregates from human pluripotent stem cells and developed a method to differentiate them in cell populations with a branchial arch-like gene expression pattern.
Two key brain systems are central to psychosis
When the brain has trouble filtering incoming information and predicting what's likely to happen, psychosis can result, research shows.
Researchers identify new genetic risk factors for persistent HPV infections
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the second most common cancer-causing virus, accounting for 690,000 cervical and other cancers each year worldwide. While the immune system usually clears HPV infections, those that persist can lead to cancer, and a new finding suggests that certain women may have a genetic susceptibility for persistent or frequent HPV infections. These genetic variants could raise a woman's risk of getting cervical cancer from a high-risk HPV infection.
New study validates prediction rules for pediatric intra-abdominal and traumatic brain injuries
Delivering high-quality emergency care for kids may mean fewer CT scans, according to a new study. The research validates intra-abdominal injury (IAI) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) prediction rules established by the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN).
Artificial intelligence can help people feel heard
New research reveals AI-generated responses can make humans 'feel heard' but an underlying bias toward AI devalues its effectiveness.
Study finds increased anxiety and PTSD among people who remained in Ukraine
Researchers conducted a survey to understand how the mental health of displaced Ukrainians has been affected by the ongoing war. Their findings describe high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and generalized anxiety among both refugees and people displaced within Ukraine.
Scientists use wearable technology to detect stress levels during sleep
What if changes in a person's stress levels could be detected while they sleep using wearable devices? A new study find changes in perceived stress levels reflected in sleep data -- an important step towards identifying biomarkers that may help flag individuals in need of support.
First step to untangle DNA: Supercoiled DNA captures gyrase like a lasso ropes cattle
Researchers reveal how DNA gyrase resolves DNA entanglements. The findings not only provide novel insights into this fundamental biological mechanism but also have potential practical applications. Gyrases are biomedical targets for the treatment of bacterial infections and the similar human versions of the enzymes are targets for many anti-cancer drugs. Better understanding of how gyrases work at the molecular level can potentially improve clinical treatments.
New approach for combating 'resting' bacteria
Most disease-causing bacteria are known for their speed: In mere minutes, they can double their population, quickly making a person sick. But just as dangerous as this rapid growth can be a bacterium's resting state, which helps the pathogen evade antibiotics and contributes to severe chronic infections in the lungs and blood, within wounds, and on the surfaces of medical devices. Now, scientists have discovered how long chains of molecules called polyphosphates (polyP) are needed for bacteria to slow down movements within cells and let them enter this resting state.
New study finds potential targets at chromosome ends for degenerative disease prevention
A new study finds that telomere lengths follow a different pattern than has thus far been understood. Instead of telomere lengths falling under one general range of shortest to longest across all chromosomes, this study finds that different chromosomes have separate end-specific telomere-length distributions.