ScienceDaily: Health - August 29, 2024
Top health research news
Neuroscientists explore the intersection of music and memory
New research explores music's impact on learning, memory, and emotioans in two studies. One reveals that familiar music can enhance concentration and learning, while the other demonstrates that music with a strong emotional tone can reshape the quality of existing memories. These findings suggest that music could be used for therapeutic interventions for cognitive function, or in conditions like PTSD and depression.
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A cellular community in the brain drives Alzheimer's disease
Analysis of 1.6 million brain cells from older adults has captured the cellular changes that occur in Alzheimer's early stages, revealing potential new targets and routes for prevention.
Advances in kidney cancer research and care
New insights into the biology of kidney cancer, including those informed by scientific discoveries that earned a Nobel Prize, have led to advances in treatment and increased survival rates.
Ultrasound devise shows promise for treating chronic pain
Engineers have developed a device that noninvasively stimulates deep brain regions, potentially disrupting the faulty signals that lead to chronic pain. Preliminary trials show the therapy relieves pain after a single treatment.
Health impacts of repeated wildfires and smoke exposure
Public health researchers have highlighting the compounded effects of frequent wildfires and smoke exposure on physical and mental health, local economies and community resilience in Southern California.
'Silent' mutations found to have repercussions beyond their own gene
Researchers are adding new evidence to the emerging concept that 'silent' or synonymous mutations may have crucial consequences. Their study showed how a synonymous mutation in one gene can significantly affect a neighboring gene, increasing its protein production.
Autistic traits, behavioral problems in 7-year-olds linked with gender nonconforming play
Gender nonconformity in 7-year-olds -- as measured by levels of gender-conforming play -- may be associated with autistic traits and behavioral difficulties in girls, and with peer relationship problems in boys, according to a new study.
Geographic differences in U.S. homicide rates have decreased since the 1970s
A new study finds that, counter to expectations, geographic disparities in rates of homicides in the US have decreased in recent decades.
Slow growth in health sector spending is projected in Sub-Saharan Africa as reported in a study. The decline is expected to continue to 2050, according to the authors, and is driven by tepid growth in the share of government spending that is allocated to health and reductions in development assistance for health.
Diagnostic labels for people experiencing what some consider to be relatively milder forms of mental-ill health may affect how others perceive them for better and worse, according to a new study.
New pancreatic cancer treatment proves effective in shrinking, clearing tumors
Researchers have demonstrated in mice a new method to combat pancreatic cancer. The study outlines the synergistic effects of a novel nanoparticle drug-delivery system to activate an immune pathway in combination with tumor-targeting agents.
Research cracks the autism code, making the neurodivergent brain visible
A researcher's mathematical modeling approach for brain imaging analysis reveals links between genes, brain structure and autism.
Discovery of how blood clots harm brain and body in COVID-19 points to new therapy
Scientists have solved the mystery of unusual blood clotting and inflammation in COVID-19 -- and identified a promising therapeutic strategy.
Robotic arm can be used to perform remote echocardiograms, study shows
New research shows that echocardiograms performed remotely using robot arm technology have similar accuracy to those performed in person by cardiologists, providing new options for patients with poor access.
Moths may use disco gene to regulate day/night cycles
How does one species become two? A new study shows what happens when individuals of a moth species become separated in time.
Protect your teeth with fruit: antimicrobial effects found in biomass compounds
A research team has verified the antibacterial effect of seven food-derived flavonoids against periodontal pathogenic bacteria. The results showed that though several of the compounds inhibited bacterial growth, Pru-C12 had the highest antimicrobial effect.
Bats are surviving and thriving on nothing but sugar
Pain identified as dominant symptom in long COVID
Pain may be the most prevalent and severe symptom reported by individuals with long COVID, according to a new study. The study analyzed data from over 1,000 people in England and Wales who logged their symptoms on an app between November 2020 and March 2022.
In-person contact linked with lower levels of loneliness in older adults
In-person contact helps lead to lower levels of loneliness in older people, but other ways of staying in touch, such as phoning, emailing or texting, are not as effective in lowering loneliness, a team of researchers found.
Aging population: Public willingness to pay for healthcare hinges on perceived benefits and risks
Public healthcare systems are fiscally burdened due to an aging population. So, governments must find a way to persuade citizens to pay more for health insurance. Now, researchers have examined whether informing people about their future self-benefits from the healthcare system could garner support for higher health insurance contributions. While this approach increased support from those unaware of fiscal risks, the effect disappeared once they became aware, offering significant implications for policymakers and governments.
A healthy lifestyle may counteract diabetes-associated brain aging
Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes are associated with accelerated brain aging, according to a new study. The good news is that this may be counteracted by a healthy lifestyle.
Epigenetics blood markers can help explain dementia risk
Researchers assessed DNA methylation at 800,000 sites in the genome in blood samples collected from 900 people. The study includes extensive clinical information on participants, who all provided spinal fluid samples, which have been used for diagnosis and monitoring of Alzheimer's disease, because it is in direct contact with the brain. However, collecting the fluid is an invasive procedure, so the team investigated whether they could instead use blood samples, through analyzing blood epigenetic signatures that are associated with Alzheimer's disease biomarkers, as this would be cheaper and easier to collect in practice.
Kidney donors' risk of death at all-time low
The risk of death for people who donate a kidney for transplantation -- already small a decade ago -- has dropped by more than half since then, a new study shows.
Prioritizing the unexpected: New brain mechanism uncovered
Researchers have discovered how two brain areas, neocortex and thalamus, work together to detect discrepancies between what animals expect from their environment and actual events. These prediction errors are implemented by selective boosting of unexpected sensory information. These findings enhance our understanding of predictive processing in the brain and could offer insights into how brain circuits are altered in autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
New insight into the protein mutations that cause Rett syndrome
Findings bolster the idea that the functions of this protein -- MeCP2 -- are more centered on nucleosomes, rather than other forms of DNA.
This new technique for studying cell receptors could have sweeping implications for drug development
Researchers created a tool capable of comprehensively mapping crucial interactions underlying drug efficacy in one superfamily of cell receptors.
Cutting-edge algorithm improves intracranial EEG accuracy to improve future patient care
A research team evaluated the reliability of human experts in comparison to an automated algorithm in assessing the quality of intracranial electroencephalography (iEEG) data.
New technology 'lights up' bacteria in wounds for better infection prevention
New research suggests there may be a more effective method to detect bacteria during wound debridement.
Second genetic sensor for DNA methylation discovered
CDCA7, whose mutations alter DNA methylation pattern and cause immunodeficiency, is a novel sensor for a special class of methylated DNA.
Researchers develop affordable, rapid blood test for brain cancer
Researchers have developed a novel, automated device capable of diagnosing glioblastoma, a fast-growing and incurable brain cancer, in less than an hour. The average glioblastoma patient survives 12-18 months after diagnosis.
Brain research: Study shows what your favorite film genres reveal about your brain
Crime films, action films, comedies, or documentaries? A person's favorite film genre reveals a lot about how their brain works. Fans of action films and comedies reacted very strongly to negative emotional stimuli, while participants who favored documentaries or crime films and thrillers had a significantly weaker reaction.
New study supports annual breast cancer screening for women over 40
Women diagnosed with breast cancer who had regular screening mammograms every year were less likely to have late-stage cancer and had higher overall survival than those who received screening every other year or less often, according to new research.
Pregnancy after sterilization turns out to be surprisingly common
Tubal sterilization is thought to be a permanent form of birth control and is the most common method of contraception nationally. But a new study reports that tubal surgery fails often enough that some other forms of birth control are usually more effective.
A finding by neuroscientists could open doors to new treatments for a range of psychiatric and neurological disorders attributed to dysfunctions in specific dopamine pathways.
How much microplastic are you drinking? New tool can tell you in minutes
Micro- and nanoplastics are in our food, water and the air we breathe. They are showing up in our bodies, too. Now, researchers have developed a low-cost, portable tool to accurately measure plastic released from everyday sources like disposable cups and water bottles.
Study shows reduced inflammation in residents after adding trees to their neighborhoods
A new project has found that people living in neighborhoods where the number of trees and shrubs was more than doubled showed lower levels of a blood marker of inflammation than those living outside the planted areas. General inflammation is an important risk indicator for heart disease and other chronic diseases.
Game-changing needle-free COVID-19 intranasal vaccine
A next-generation COVID-19 mucosal vaccine is set to be a gamechanger not only when delivering the vaccine itself, but also for people who are needle-phobic.
Under the radar men's health red flags may point to heart problems
Researchers are calling for general practitioners to take a more proactive approach towards addressing erectile dysfunction (ED) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), in light of new findings suggesting these conditions may be linked to underlying cardiometabolic disorders. A study highlighted the importance of screening for urinary symptoms in men.
Video gaming improves mental well-being, landmark study finds
A pioneering study titled 'Causal effect of video gaming on mental well-being in Japan 2020-2022,' published in Nature Human Behaviour, has conducted the most comprehensive investigation to date on the causal relationship between video gaming and mental well-being. This research, the first to demonstrate this relationship using real-life data, challenges commonly held views about the effects of gaming.
AI spots cancer and viral infections at nanoscale precision
Researchers have developed an artificial intelligence which can differentiate cancer cells from normal cells, as well as detect the very early stages of viral infection inside cells. The findings pave the way for improved diagnostic techniques and new monitoring strategies for disease. The AI can detect rearrangements inside cells as small as 20nm, or 5,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair. These alterations are too small and subtle for human observers to find with traditional methods alone.
Metal baseball bats still help Little Leaguers hit a little better
While meant to simulate wood bats, regulation USA Baseball metal bats are more forgiving than wood for young players who might not connect with the ball on a bat's optimal 'sweet spot.' After testing wood bats and two types of metal bats with youth players, researchers found that the exit speed of a hit ball was as much as 5% faster with metal bats over wood. Analyzing the data, they found that the performance of the USA Baseball metal bats at the sweet spot was similar to wood. It was when the hits were on less optimal areas that there was a bigger difference: there was more of a penalty with wood bats when the hitters were not on the sweet spot than with the metal bats.
A human-centered AI tool to improve sepsis management
A proposed artificial intelligence tool to support clinician decision-making about hospital patients at risk for sepsis has an unusual feature: accounting for its lack of certainty and suggesting what demographic data, vital signs and lab test results it needs to improve its predictive performance.
Dungeons and Dragons can help autistic people gain confidence and find their inner hero
A new study has shown the roleplaying game Dungeons and Dragons boosts autistic people's confidence and enables them to feel more comfortable with social interactions.
New photoacoustic probes enable deep brain tissue imaging
Neuroscientists have sought to better understand brain function but lacked the capability to observe neuronal activity deep within the brain. Scientists have applied rational molecular engineering to develop photoacoustic probes that can be used deep within brain tissue to label and visualize neurons. This imaging approach expands significantly on what neuroscientists have been able to see with conventional light microscopy, offering the potential to report on deep neuron activity and better understand brain function.
Public trust in drinking water safety is low globally
A new study finds more than half of adults surveyed worldwide expect to be seriously harmed by their water within the next two years. The study sought to understand public perceptions of drinking water safety. Because perceptions shape attitudes and behaviors, distrust in water quality has a negative impact on people's health, nutrition, psychological and economic well-being -- even when the water meets safety standards.
Gut bacteria composition influences rotavirus vaccine efficacy
Certain types of gut bacteria can hinder the efficacy of the rotavirus vaccine, according to researchers.
Increased risk of dementia after acute kidney injury
Acute kidney injury is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia, according to a new study.
New way to potentially slow cancer growth
Fighting cancer effectively often involves stopping cancer cells from multiplying, which requires understanding proteins that the cells rely on to survive. Protein profiling plays a critical role in this process by helping researchers identify proteins -- and their specific parts -- that future drugs should target. But when used on their own, past approaches haven't been detailed enough to spotlight all potential protein targets, leading to some being missed. Now, by combining two methods of protein analysis, a team of chemists has mapped more than 300 small molecule-reactive cancer proteins, as well as their small molecule binding sites.
Closing the RNA loop holds promise for more stable, effective RNA therapies
New methods to shape RNA molecules into circles could lead to more effective and long-lasting therapies, shows a new study. The advance holds promise for a range of diseases, offering a more enduring alternative to existing RNA therapies, which often suffer from short-lived effectiveness in the body.
Sharing expands caring: Study finds solution to a major source of doctor burnout
Who hasn't sat in a medical office, listening to computer keys clacking while their provider rapidly types up notes, wondering what they are spending so much time writing about? For doctors, who have always written clinical care notes but increasingly must spend time cataloging billing details, this additional documentation is a major source of job dissatisfaction and burnout. A new study illuminates a solution that can meaningfully reduce the amount of time doctors spend writing notes, without losing vital information.
2 in 3 parents want help preventing their child from developing hereditary health conditions
One in five parents say their child has been diagnosed with a hereditary condition, while nearly half expressed concerns about their child potentially developing such a condition, a new national poll suggests.
Key discovery advances fight to reduce breast cancer recurrence
The surprising discovery that cellular protein G 13 may actually protect against -- rather than promote growth of -- the most commonly relapsing type of breast cancer signals potential for more effective and innovative treatments.
Knowing you have a brain aneurysm may raise anxiety risk, other mental health conditions
Even if the risk is small, the potential of a debilitating brain vessel rupture may be a psychological burden, finds new study.
Non-cognitive skills: The hidden key to academic success
A study has revealed that non-cognitive skills, such as motivation and self-regulation, are as important as intelligence in determining academic success. These skills become increasingly influential throughout a child's education, with genetic factors playing a significant role. The findings suggest that fostering non-cognitive skills alongside cognitive abilities could significantly improve educational outcomes.
Finding love: Study reveals where love lives in the brain
We use the word 'love' in a bewildering range of contexts -- from sexual adoration to parental love or the love of nature. Now, more comprehensive imaging of the brain may shed light on why we use the same word for such a diverse collection of human experiences.
Malaria is caused by a eukaryotic microbe of the Plasmodium genus, and is responsible for more deaths than all other parasitic diseases combined. In order to transmit from the human host to the mosquito vector, the parasite has to differentiate to its sexual stage, referred to as the gametocyte stage. Unlike primary sex determination in mammals, which occurs at the chromosome level, it is not known what causes this unicellular parasite to form males and females. New research has implemented high-resolution genomic tools to map the global repertoire of genes of gametocyte development towards the male or the female sexual fates.
Short-duration, light-intensity exercises improve cerebral blood flow in children
Enhancing prefrontal cortex (PFC) cognitive functions requires identifying suitable exercises that increase cerebral blood flow. A recent study using functional near-infrared spectroscopy found that short-duration, low-intensity physical exercises, except static stretching with monotonous movements, increased oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) levels, thereby activating the PFC and enhancing blood flow in children. This study marks a significant step toward improving both the physical and mental health of children.
A hybrid arrowhead against immune disorders
A bacterially derived natural product inhibits the cellular immune response in a more targeted manner without blocking the cell's disposal system.
Why children can't pay attention to the task at hand
Looking for clues about your biological age? Your grandparents' education may offer some insight.
Eating well, exercising and attending regular doctor appointments can support a long healthy life, but a new study identified one possible factor beyond our control: whether you had a grandparent who went to college.