ScienceDaily: Health - August 01, 2024
Top health research news
A new large study suggests incidence rates continued to rise in successively younger generations in 17 of the 34 cancer types, including breast, pancreatic, and gastric cancers. Mortality trends also increased in conjunction with the incidence of liver (female only), uterine corpus, gallbladder, testicular, and colorectal cancers.
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Precision oncology via artificial intelligence on cancer biopsies
An artificial intelligence method to detect biomarkers in tumor biopsies promises to cut weeks and thousands of dollars from cancer detection, extending the benefits of precision oncology to underserved and under-resourced patients.
Researchers found a small molecule that increases fetal hemoglobin production in human blood stem cells and leads to fewer sickled red blood cells in mice, providing proof of principle for developing more effective therapeutics for sickle cell disease.
The next generation of RNA chips
An international research team has succeeded in developing a new version of RNA building blocks with higher chemical reactivity and photosensitivity. This can significantly reduce the production time of RNA chips used in biotechnological and medical research. The chemical synthesis of these chips is now twice as fast and seven times more efficient.
Recently published research shows a medical device may be beneficial for patients who have previously had a stroke and are planning to undergo a transcatheter aortic valve replacement, a type of heart valve operation.
Are cardiovascular risk factors linked to migraine?
Having high blood pressure, specifically high diastolic blood pressure, was linked to a slightly higher odds of ever having migraine in female participants, according to a new study. Diastolic pressure is when the heart is resting between beats. However, the study did not find an increased risk between other cardiovascular risk factors and migraine.
Cannabinoid CBG reduces anxiety and stress in first human clinical trial
A lesser-known cannabinoid that is gaining in popularity Cannabigerol (CBG) effectively reduced anxiety in a clinical trial without the intoxication typically associated with whole plant cannabis. It may even have some memory enhancing effects, according to a new study. For the study, researchers conducted the first human clinical trial investigating the acute effects of CBG on anxiety, stress and mood. The research revealed that 20 mg of hemp-derived CBG significantly reduced feelings of anxiety at 20, 45 and 60 minutes after ingestion compared to a placebo.
Serotonin-producing neurons regulate malignancy in ependymoma brain tumors
Researchers have discovered tumor-neuron interactions that regulate the growth of ependymoma brain tumors.
Body appreciation varies across cultures
People from different cultures show both similarities and differences in how body appreciation, sociocultural pressure, and internalization of thin ideals vary, according to a new study.
Cracking the carb code: Researchers create new glycemic index database to improve dietary awareness
Researchers create the first national glycemic index database, revealing how common foods impact health and contribute to chronic diseases.
Human cells for cardiovascular research
The innermost layer of blood vessels is formed by endothelial cells, which in turn play a role in the development of diseases of the cardiovascular system. Human endothelial cells are therefore required for the 'in vitro' investigation of the causes of these diseases. Researchers have now established a highly efficient, cost-effective and reproducible way to generate functional endothelial cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) for tests in cell culture dishes.
Skin may hold key to neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosis
A genetic diagnostic method using a small sample of skin from the upper arm could identify rare neurodevelopmental disorders in a non-invasive way, according to researchers.
Surprising finding in glioblastomas
Glioblastomas are highly aggressive, usually incurable brain tumors. If all therapeutic options are exhausted, patients have an average life expectancy of less than two years. Now researchers have made a surprising discovery: in the vicinity of glioblastomas, they found islands of highly potent immune cells in the neighboring bone marrow of the skull, which play a central role in defending against cancer. The new data may open up prospects for innovative therapies. On the other hand, they cast a shadow over conventional strategies.
AI opens door to safe, effective new antibiotics to combat resistant bacteria
In a hopeful sign for demand for more safe, effective antibiotics for humans, researchers have leveraged artificial intelligence to develop a new drug that already is showing promise in animal trials.
Most blood thinner dosing problems happen after initial prescription
More than two-thirds of people taking blood thinners take direct oral anticoagulants, or DOACs, which are under- or over-prescribed in up to one in eight patients. A new study finds that most prescribing issues for DOACs occur after a provider writes the initial prescription. Researchers say the findings highlight why patients on DOACs need to be monitored consistently.
AI boosts the power of EEGs, enabling neurologists to quickly, precisely pinpoint signs of dementia
Scientists are using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to analyze electroencephalogram (EEG) tests more quickly and precisely, enabling neurologists to find early signs of dementia among data that typically go unexamined.
New principle for treating tuberculosis
Researchers have succeeded in identifying and synthesizing a group of molecules that can act against the cause of tuberculosis in a new way. They describe that the so-called callyaerins act against the infectious disease by employing a fundamentally different mechanism compared to antibiotic agents used to date.
Improving Alzheimer's disease imaging -- with fluorescent sensors
Neurotransmitter levels in the brain can indicate brain health and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. However, the protective blood-brain barrier (BBB) makes delivering fluorescent sensors that can detect these small molecules to the brain difficult. Now, researchers demonstrate a way of packaging these sensors for easy passage across the BBB in mice, allowing for improved brain imaging. With further development, the technology could help advance Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and treatment.
Unique mechanism protects pancreatic cells from inflammation in mice
The results of the new study could have significant implications for understanding diabetes.
New AI tool predicts risk for chronic pain in cancer patients
With 80% accuracy, an AI-trained tool could help doctors identify which patients to treat for chronic pain.
Key challenges and promising avenues in obesity genetics
Research on the genetics of obesity dates to the early 1920s, with many of the initial findings indicating the complexity and multifaceted nature of obesity perfectly resonating with more modern discoveries. Researchers have collected nearly a century's worth of considerations and advancements to frame their perspectives on modern research into the genetics of obesity.
Scientists capture immune cells hidden in nasal passages
Scientists uncover 'striking' immune cell populations poised to fight SARS-CoV-2 in upper airway.
A new use for propofol in treating epilepsy?
The general anesthetic propofol may hold the keys to developing new treatment strategies for epilepsy and other neurological disorders, according to a new study.
The NMDAR is involved in numerous cognitive functions including memory. Its movements are tightly coordinated like a choreographed dance routine. Scientists have now figured out how the protein performs a difficult 'Twist'-like dance move. The discovery could lead to new drug compounds that bind to NMDAR more effectively.
Gut microbes implicated in bladder cancer
Bladder cancer is the tenth most common type of cancer worldwide and is often linked to exposure to harmful chemicals, such as those found in tobacco smoke. A new study shows that the bacteria in our guts may play an important role in bladder cancer development. The scientists showed experimentally that certain gut bacteria can transform a class of carcinogens, often found in cigarette smoke, into related chemicals that accumulate in the bladder and give rise to tumors.
Unraveling a key junction underlying muscle contraction
Using powerful new visualization technologies, researchers have captured the first 3-D images of the structure of a key muscle receptor, providing new insights on how muscles develop across the animal kingdom and setting the stage for possible future treatments for muscular disorders.
For bigger muscles push close to failure, for strength, maybe not
When lifting weights, do you wonder how pushing yourself to the point of failure -- where you can't do another rep -- impacts your results? New research finds that if you're aiming for muscle growth, training closer to failure might be more effective. It doesn't matter if you adjust training volume by changing sets or reps; the relationship between how close you train to failure and muscle growth remains the same. For strength, how close you push to failure doesn't seem to matter as much.
A brain fingerprint: Study uncovers unique brain plasticity in people born blind
Neuroscientists reveal that the part of the brain that receives and processes visual information in sighted people develops a unique connectivity pattern in people born blind. They say this pattern in the primary visual cortex is unique to each person -- akin to a fingerprint.
New high-resolution 3D maps show how the brain's blood vessels changes with age
Researchers have identified mouse brain regions vulnerable to blood vessel degeneration, offering clues to the connection between vasculature and neurodegenerative disease.
Genes or environment? A new model for understanding disease risk factors
Researchers have developed a model that more accurately predicts how genetics and air pollution levels causally influence disease development.
Study finds genetic variant among people who experience a rare recovery from ALS
Though exceedingly rare, some people diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) partially or fully recover from the lethal neurodegenerative disease. A better understanding of this baffling phenomenon, reported in medical literature for at least 60 years, could point to potential new treatment approaches. To that end, researchers launched a study of ALS recovery patients and found certain genetic factors that appear to protect against the disease's typical assault on motor neurons.
Mucus-based bio-ink could be used to print and grow lung tissue
Lung diseases kill millions of people around the world each year. Treatment options are limited, and animal models for studying these illnesses and experimental medications are inadequate. Now, researchers describe their success in creating a mucus-based bioink for 3D printing lung tissue. This advance could one day help study and treat chronic lung conditions.
Friendships in America may be in less peril than previously thought
American adults may typically have more friends than indicated by other recent surveys, with fewer Americans having no friends at all -- though many would like closer friendships, according to a new study.
Common blood tests could improve cancer diagnosis for people with stomach pain or bloating
A new study looked at data from more than 400,000 people aged 30 or older in the UK who had visited a GP due to stomach pain and more than 50,000 who had visited their GP due to bloating.
Peer influence can promote healthier shopping habits, study reveals
A randomized trial conducted by health economists found that a bit of peer influence can nudge us to select healthier groceries.
Working from home is stifling innovation
Remote and hybrid working may be great for employees' work-life balance, but it may be stifling innovation, according to new research.
Precise genetics: New CRISPR method enables efficient DNA modification
A research group has developed a new method that further improves the existing CRISPR/Cas technologies: it allows a more precise and seamless introduction of tags into proteins at the gene level. This technology could significantly improve research on proteins in living organisms and opens up new possibilities for medical research.
A tool for visualizing single-cell data
Modern cutting-edge research generates enormous amounts of data, presenting scientists with the challenge of visualizing and analyzing it. Researchers have developed a tool for visualizing large data sets. The sCIRCLE tool allows users to explore single-cell analysis data in an interactive and user-friendly way.
Using the term 'artificial intelligence' in product descriptions reduces purchase intentions
Companies may unintentionally hurt their sales by including the words 'artificial intelligence' when describing their offerings that use the technology, according to a recent study. Researchers conducted experimental surveys with more than 1,000 adults in the U.S. to evaluate the relationship between AI disclosure and consumer behavior. The findings consistently showed products described as using artificial intelligence were less popular.
'Holiday' or 'Vacation': Similar language leads to more cooperation
'Holiday' or 'vacation', 'to start' or 'to begin', 'my friend's cat' or 'the cat of my friend' -- in our language, there are different ways of expressing the same things and concepts. But can the choice of a particular variant determine whether we prefer to cooperate with certain people rather than with others? A research team investigated this and showed that people are more likely to co-operate with others if they make similar linguistic choices in a conversation. The experiment suggests that the decisive factor is probably the feeling of belonging to the same social group.
How obstetric interventions affect the birthing experience
The Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ2) was used to investigate how medical interventions influence the individual birth experience. The overall experience was rated positively.
Arthritis drugs may relieve long COVID lung symptoms
Researchers have identified a potential treatment for the respiratory symptoms of long COVID after discovering an unknown cause of the condition inside the lungs.
What shapes a virus's pandemic potential? SARS-CoV-2 relatives yield clues
Two of the closest known relatives to SARS-CoV-2 -- a pair of bat coronaviruses discovered by researchers in Laos -- may transmit poorly in people despite being genetically similar to the COVID-19-causing virus, a new study reveals. The findings provide clues as to why some viruses have greater 'pandemic potential' than others and how researchers might go about identifying those that do before they become widespread.
Researchers have mapped the spatial distribution of around 700 long non-coding RNAs, otherwise known as lncRNAs, in the testes. The team discovered much higher levels of lncRNAs in the testes than had been previously estimated, indicating that lncRNAs may play a more significant role in male reproduction than previously believed.
Study reveals link between transthyretin levels and heart disease risk
Researchers reveal the impact of transthyretin protein levels on heart disease risk.
Everyday activities aren't enough to protect against stroke
Research shows that the physical activities we do as we go about our lives, at work or in the home, aren't enough to protect us from having a stroke. However, exercising in our free time and using active modes of transport are associated with a decreased risk of stroke.
Preclinical study explores approved drug for ovarian cancer
An iron-binding drug that is already approved for treatment of other diseases could provide a novel way to attack ovarian tumors, according to a new study. The preclinical study combined the analysis of human ovarian tumors and animal models of the disease.
How an emerging disease in dogs is shedding light on cystic fibrosis
A canine gallbladder disease that involves the accumulation of abnormal mucus similar to that seen in human cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is caused by improper expression of the gene associated with CF in humans. The finding could have implications for human CF patients as well as for animal models of CF.
Fetal brain impacted when mom fights severe flu: New mouse study explains how
New research using live mouse-adapted influenza virus improves upon previous mouse experiments to explain how maternal infection impacts fetal brain development. The study also indicates fetal brain changes are more likely once the severity of the mother's infection meets a specific threshold.
New drug candidate blocks resistance to cancer therapies
A team of researchers has designed a molecule that impairs signaling mediated by two key drivers of cancer therapy resistance.
Sitting time linked to mortality in adults with diabetes
Adults with diabetes who meet the recommended guidelines for physical activity may offset the risk of mortality that is associated with excessive sitting time.
New score system to better screen and treat HFpEF heart failure patients
A novel study co-authored by a heart failure cardiologist demonstrates the effectiveness of a newly developed scoring system in identifying patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF).
Study finds gaps in mental health care for people with chronic pain
A new study found that adults with chronic pain are more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression than people without chronic pain, yet they access mental health care at lower rates and are less likely to have their mental health needs met in treatment.
To get drivers to put down their phones, make it a game
A large trial of strategies to reduce distracted driving showed that those that were 'gamified' yielded a lasting reduction in handheld phone usage while driving.
Analogies for modeling belief dynamics
Researchers who study belief dynamics often use analogies to understand and model the complex cognitive-social systems that underlie why we believe the things we do and how those beliefs can change over time. Ideas can be transmitted like a virus, for instance, 'infecting' a population as they spread from person to person. We might be drawn -- like magnets -- to others with a similar worldview. A society's beliefs can shift slowly before reaching a tipping point that thrusts society into a new phase. A new article explores the benefits -- and potential pitfalls -- of several common analogies used to model belief dynamics.
Individuals with osteoarthritis are commonly prescribed NSAIDs despite having contraindications
A new study has found that people with newly diagnosed OA (knee or hip) with contraindications to or precautions for NSAIDs use continue to be prescribed these drugs. Additionally they had higher use of opioids and slightly lower physical therapy (PT) use within the first year of OA diagnosis, both of which are not consistent with treatment guidelines for OA.
Advanced 'Parkinson's in a dish' model accelerates brain disease research
Researchers have developed a model that rapidly converts stem cells to brain cells with protein structures characteristic of Parkinson's disease (PD), enabling the study of the condition's unique and highly variable disease pathology in a petri dish.
What will the new cardiovascular risk calculator mean for patients?
If current guidelines for cholesterol and high blood pressure treatment remain unchanged, a newly unveiled heart risk calculator would render 16 million people ineligible for preventive therapy. Loss of eligibility for cholesterol and blood pressure medicines could lead to 107,000 more heart attacks and strokes over 10 years but may reduce new diabetes cases by 57,000 over the same period. The findings underscore the importance of reexamining current treatment cutoffs in parallel with new risk estimates to better individualize therapy and improve clinical decisions.
Healthy diet with less sugar is linked to younger biological age
Researchers have found a link between following a diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals, especially one without much added sugar, and having a younger biological age at the cellular level.
Researchers use non-invasive technique to record involuntary nervous system
A research team has shown that a wearable, non-invasive device can measure activity in human cervical nerves in clinical settings. The results could help medical professionals tailor treatments for inflammatory conditions like sepsis and PTSD.