ScienceDaily: Health - August 15, 2024
Top health research news
Singing from memory unlocks a surprisingly common musical superpower
Psychologists studied 'earworms,' the types of songs that get stuck in your head and play automatically on a loop, to show that highly accurate pitch memory is much more common than might be expected.
Image: Just dance/Shutterstock.com
Candidate malaria vaccine provides lasting protection in NIH-sponsored trials
Recent trials of an experimental malaria vaccine in healthy Malian adults found that all three tested regimens were safe. One of the trials enrolled 300 healthy women ages 18 to 38 years who anticipated becoming pregnant soon after immunization. That trial began with drug treatment to remove malaria parasites, followed by three injections spaced over a month of either saline placebo or the investigational vaccine at one of two dosages.
International study detects consciousness in unresponsive patients
New research found that brain scans can detect consciousness in some patients with brain injury who are unresponsive. In the study, 241 participants with severe brain injury who do not respond when given a simple instruction were assessed with functional MRI (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG), or both tests, while hearing instructions, such as 'imagine opening and closing your hand.' Their brain responses showed that 25 percent of participants repeatedly followed this instruction covertly over minutes.
Millions of patients worldwide suffer from a chronic itching condition with no identifiable cause -- a condition known as chronic pruritus of unknown origin (CPUO) -- that has no targeted therapies approved to treat it. Many of these patients suffer for years with little relief, but a new study may provide hope for future treatments. Patients were found to have lower than normal levels of metabolite biomarkers in the blood plasma that could point to a cause of their excruciating symptoms.
New research poised to transform approach to diagnosing and treating acute leukemia in children
Researchers announced a significant paradigm shift in the understanding of T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), an aggressive and high-risk form of cancer, to one frequently driven by genetic changes in non-coding portions of our DNA.
New clue into the curious case of our aging immune system
A new study could help solve a long-standing mystery into why a key immune organ in our bodies shrinks and loses its function as we get older.
Venting your frustrations can make friends like you better -- if you do it right
Venting about your frustrations with one friend to another may feel good, but it doesn't necessarily reduce anger. Experiments showed that people who listened to a friend vent liked and supported that person more than those who were vented about -- but only if the person venting didn't derogate or seem aggressive toward the other friend. Venting might be an effective tool of competition for listeners' affections precisely because it is not readily recognized as a tool of competition.
New brain-computer interface allows man with ALS to 'speak' again
A new brain-computer interface translates brain signals into speech with up to 97 percent accuracy. Researchers implanted sensors in the brain of a man with severely impaired speech due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The man was able to communicate his intended speech within minutes of activating the system.
Good news for people with MS: COVID-19 vaccine not tied to relapse, study finds
People with multiple sclerosis (MS) have an increased risk of severe coronavirus infection, but there has been concern regarding potential relapse after vaccination. A new study finds that people with MS may not have a higher risk of relapse after COVID-19 vaccination.
Do people with high blood pressure have a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease?
People 60 and older with untreated high blood pressure may have an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease compared to both people who have been or are being treated for high blood pressure as well as people without the chronic condition. These results do not prove that untreated high blood pressure causes Alzheimer's disease, they only show an association.
New way inflammation impacts cell communication
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding how cells communicate during inflammation.
Dark rituals: Understanding society's fascination with death and disaster
Understanding why the popularity of organized events steeped in themes of death, disaster and suffering, such as the well-known Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), Jack the Ripper Walking Tours and Remembrance Sunday, could be key to a deeper understanding of society, say researchers.
Child-parent therapy has biological benefits for traumatized kids
Psychotherapy sessions with caregivers may help prevent serious disease later in life for young children who have experienced significant trauma, a new study found.
Hydrometeorology and location affect hospitalizations for waterborne infectious diseases in the US
An analysis of 12 years of data collected from over 500 hospitals in 25 different states shows that weather, geographic location, and urban or rural location all appear to influence hospitalizations for waterborne infectious diseases.
Alzheimer's cognitive decline predicted by patient's age, sex, and irregular heart rhythm
Older age, female sex, irregular heart rhythms, and daily activity levels can help to predict how much Alzheimer's Disease patients' cognitive function will decline, and how much they will depend on their caregivers over the next two years. The results suggest new ways to predict cognitive decline in patients, and that caregivers need to be considered in treatment plans.
Unveiling the brain's reward circuitry
A research team has made a significant breakthrough in understanding the complex neural circuitry underlying reward and addiction by identifying 34 distinct subtypes of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a key brain region involved in pleasure and motivation. The findings offer insights into the diversity of these neurons and their potential roles in substance use disorders.
How bread dough gave rise to civilization
A major international study has explained how bread wheat helped to transform the ancient world on its path to becoming the iconic crop that today helps sustain a global population of eight billion.
New research identifies early sensorimotor markers for autism spectrum disorder
A study has uncovered significant findings related to the early sensorimotor features and cognitive abilities of toddlers who are later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Shingles increases risk of subsequent cognitive decline, study suggests
This new study found that an episode of shingles is associated with about a 20 percent higher long-term risk of subjective cognitive decline.
Eye-opening discovery offers fresh hope for disease that can cause blindness
Scientists have identified a rare, mutated version of a protein called TNIP1 that causes a chronic autoimmune disease similar to Sjogren's Syndrome -- a condition that leads to extreme dryness of the eyes and mouth that can cause blindness if left untreated.
Smart fabric converts body heat into electricity
Researchers have developed a smart fabric that can convert body heat and solar energy into electricity, potentially enabling continuous operation with no need for an external power source. Different sensors monitoring temperature, stress, and more can be integrated into the material.
Beige fat cells with a 'Sisyphus mechanism'
A new class of fat cells makes people healthier. The cells consume energy and produce heat through seemingly pointless biochemical reactions.
Stopping and reversing Alzheimer's at an early stage
In the fight against Alzheimer's, researchers have developed a promising, preventative therapeutic approach. They specifically targeted the amyloid beta biomolecule, which triggers the hyperactivity of nerve cells typical of the brain disease in its early stages. They succeeded in developing and using a protein drug that can suppress the effects of the harmful molecule.
Sugar intake decreasing but still too high
A high-sugar diet is seen as a risk factor for obesity and chronic illness. Researchers have analyzed data on sugar intake among children and adolescents in a long-term study, finding that intake has been declining steadily since 2010 -- but is still above the level recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
New mechanism of action kills cancer cells
Conventional cancer drugs work by triggering apoptosis, that is programmed cell death, in tumor cells. However, tumor cells have the ability to develop strategies to escape apoptosis, rendering the drugs ineffective. A research team now describes a new mechanism of action that kills cancer cells through ferroptosis.
Surprising mechanism of lupus kidney damage identified
A team defined key cells behind severe kidney damage in lupus. The research can inform future antibody therapies.
How air-powered computers can prevent blood clots
A new, air-powered computer sets off alarms when certain medical devices fail. The invention is a more reliable and lower-cost way to help prevent blood clots and strokes -- all without electronic sensors.
New vaccine against cervical cancer combines prophylactic and therapeutic activity
A vaccine against cancer-causing human papillomaviruses (HPV) is intended to help increase the rate of HPV vaccinations, particularly in developing countries. Scientists developed a completely new vaccination concept for this purpose. The vaccine is inexpensive and protects mice against almost all cancer-causing HPV types. In addition to preventing new infections, the vaccine also triggers cellular immune responses against HPV-infected cells and may therefore also have a therapeutic effect against existing infections.
Season of birth is associated with the development of asthma and allergic rhinitis
Being born in autumn or winter is associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis in Finland, a new registry-based study shows.
UV rays may boost health in low-sunlight countries
The health benefits of sunshine could outweigh the risks for people living in places with limited sunlight, such as parts of the UK, a study suggests. Exposure to higher levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in areas with low sunlight was linked to a drop in deaths from cardiovascular disease and cancer, according to the research.
Early life exposure to common chemical permanently disrupts gut microbiome, study suggests
Early life exposure to 'forever chemicals' in the environment permanently disrupts the gut microbiome in mice, contributing to the development of metabolic disease in later life, according to new research. The results suggest that human exposure to these chemicals during early childhood may be contributing to the recent epidemic of metabolic disorders, including obesity and type 2 diabetes among adults.
Researchers find possible inaccuracies in crash-reported child passenger injuries
Researchers found discrepancies between crash reports and hospital data that might paint an incomplete or inaccurate picture of how crashes impact the safety of child passengers. Enhancing the quality of injury data reported in crash reports can aid researchers in assessing the effectiveness of various transportation safety strategies for children.
C-section antibiotics impact the infant microbiome far less than infant diet
Caesarean section recipients are usually given prophylactic antibiotics just before the procedure to prevent later infections at the surgical site. But there have been concerns about whether these antibiotics may have a negative impact on newborns and their microbiomes if the drugs travel through the umbilical cord and reach the baby before the cord is cut. Now, a study has confirmed that although these antibiotics can cause subtle changes to the infant microbiome, they are much less significant than the impact of how the babies are fed.
An implantable sensor could reverse opioid overdoses
A new implantable sensor could reverse opioid overdoses. The device rapidly releases naloxone when an overdose is detected.
A ketogenic diet could improve the response to pancreatic cancer therapy
Scientists have discovered a way to get rid of pancreatic cancer in mice by putting them on a high fat, or ketogenic, diet and giving them cancer therapy.
The coordinated activity of brain cells, like birds flying in formation, helps us behave intelligently in new situations, according to a new study. The work is the first to illuminate the neurological processes known as abstraction and inference in the human brain.
Larger teams in academic research worsen career prospects, study finds
Researchers reveal that individuals who finish their PhD in situations where the average team in their field is larger have worse academic career options.
Work-related stress may increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm
Job strain and effort-reward imbalance at work were associated with a greater chance of developing an abnormal heart rhythm condition, finds a new study.
Policing may play a role in youth mental health crises
New York City neighborhoods subject to higher rates of policing during the Stop and Frisk years also experienced higher burdens of psychiatric hospitalization among their adolescent and young adult residents -- independent of underlying neighborhood socio-economic characteristics.
Swipe up! Health apps deliver real results en masse
They're the little digital tools you can download in a few seconds, but despite their literal size, health and fitness apps pack a real punch when it comes to getting results, say researchers.
Australia offers lessons for increasing American life expectancy
A new study comparing expected lifespans among six high-income English-speaking countries found that Australians live the longest while American lifespans faltered over the last three decades.
Childhood maltreatment is associated with greater cognitive difficulties than previously thought
New research suggests that the overreliance on retrospective self-reports of maltreatment in research has resulted in a biased evidence base that overlooks the challenges faced by children and young people with documented exposure to maltreatment.
Two new studies show how immunotherapies collaborate to boost T cell responses in melanoma
Two recent studies uncover how immunotherapies targeting the immune checkpoints PD1 and LAG3 work together to activate immune responses. The findings shed light on why combination therapies targeting both checkpoints can improve outcomes for melanoma patients compared to monotherapies targeting only PD1.
Exciting advance in stem cell therapy
A new technique for mechanically manipulating stem cells could lead to new stem cell treatments, which have yet to fulfill their therapeutic potential.
New research explores the urea cycle's strong connection to fatty liver disease
A physician scientist is making strides in understanding the molecular origins of fatty liver disease, a leading cause of liver failure in the United States.
Less sleep and later bedtime in childhood linked to future substance use
Adolescents were more likely to have consumed alcohol or tried marijuana by age 15 if they had later bedtimes and slept fewer hours during the night during childhood and adolescence, according to a new study.
Children born prematurely fall into three groups
A new study finds that preterm-born children fit into three profiles, with markedly different results on tests that measure cognition and behavior.
Scientists achieve more than 98% efficiency removing nanoplastics from water
Linked to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in people, nanoplastics continue to build up, largely unnoticed, in the world's bodies of water. The challenge remains to develop a cost-effective solution to get rid of nanoplastics while leaving clean water behind. That's where Mizzou comes in. Recently, researchers created a new liquid-based solution that eliminates more than 98% of these microscopic plastic particles from water.
An unprecedented study reveals strategy to decrease the burden of alopecia areata, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and other autoimmune conditions.
Chemists synthesize plant-derived molecules that hold potential as pharmaceuticals
Chemists developed a way to synthesize complex molecules called oligocyclotryptamines, originally found in plants, which could hold potential as antibiotics, analgesics, or anticancer drugs.
The atmosphere in the room can affect strategic decision-making, study finds
The atmosphere within a group can influence the outcome of strategic decision-making, according to a new study. Researchers found that different atmospheres led to people speaking and interacting in different ways that changed how they made sense of the strategy.
Say 'aah' and get a diagnosis on the spot: is this the future of health?
A computer algorithm has achieved a 98% accuracy in predicting different diseases by analyzing the color of the human tongue. The proposed imaging system can diagnose diabetes, stroke, anemia, asthma, liver and gallbladder conditions, COVID-19, and a range of vascular and gastrointestinal issues, according to new research.
A new type of degenerative brain disease underlying dementia is very common among the oldest old
A new type of degenerative brain disease, limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE), was recognized just a decade or so ago, and remains relatively unknown. In the disease, the TDP-43 protein accumulates particularly in the limbic brain regions, which are also affected in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. Accordingly, symptoms of LATE are similar to those of early Alzheimer's, but typically progress more slowly and are milder.
Higher intake of heme iron, the type found in red meat and other animal products -- as opposed to non-heme iron, found mostly in plant-based foods -- was associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) in a new study. While the link between heme iron and T2D has been reported previously, the study's findings more clearly establish and explain the link.
Peptide boronic acids: New prospects for immunology
A chemical process is the first to make it possible to quickly and easily produce modified peptides with boronic acids. These biologically active peptide boronic acids open up new possibilities in the young research field of synthetic immunology and could go on to be used primarily in immunotherapy.
Quantitative ultrasound parameters offer new tool for diagnosing lung disease
Researchers established a suite of parameters that can be determined using ultrasound to quantitatively measure different physical characteristics of the lung. The researchers also demonstrated that the parameters can be used to accurately diagnose and assess the severity of lung diseases in an animal model.
A study has shown that different plant species tackle the same evolutionary hurdle in different ways, and the findings may give insight into aggressive forms of cancer.
Rewriting the evolutionary history of critical components of the nervous system
A new study has rewritten the conventionally understood evolutionary history of certain ion channels -- proteins critical for electrical signaling in the nervous system. The study shows that the Shaker family of ion channels were present in microscopic single cell organisms well before the common ancestor of all animals and thus before the origin of the nervous system.
Could targeting metabolism treat blood clots in antiphospholipid syndrome?
Targeting glycolysis can help lower neutrophil extracellular trap formation in antiphospholipid syndrome.
Starvation and adhesion drive formation of keratinocyte patterns in skin
Cell-cell adhesion-induced patterning in keratinocytes can be explained by just starvation and strong adhesion researchers find.