ScienceDaily: Health - December 05, 2024
Top health research news
Eating high-processed foods impacts muscle quality, study finds
A diet high in ultra-processed foods is associated with higher amounts of fat stored inside thigh muscles, regardless of the amount of calories consumed or level of physical activity, according to a new study. Higher amounts of intramuscular fat in the thigh could also increase the risk for knee osteoarthritis.
Image: New Africa/Shutterstock.com
Natural 'biopesticide' against malaria mosquitoes successful in early field tests
An experimental bacteria-derived biopesticide is highly effective in killing malaria-carrying mosquitoes, including those that have developed resistance to chemical pesticides, according to initial field tests.
A team has engineered potato to be more resilient to global warming showing 30% increases in tuber mass under heatwave conditions. This adaptation may provide greater food security for families dependent on potatoes, as these are often the same areas where the changing climate has already affected multiple crop seasons.
New research shows that the heart has a mini-brain -- its own nervous system that controls the heartbeat. A better understanding of this system, which is much more diverse and complex than previously thought, could lead to new treatments for heart diseases.
20th century lead exposure damaged American mental health
Exposure to car exhaust from leaded gas during childhood altered the balance of mental health in the U.S. population, making generations of Americans more depressed, anxious and inattentive or hyperactive, according to researchers. They estimate that 151 million cases of psychiatric disorder over the past 75 years have resulted from American children's exposure to lead.
Preventing brain injury complications with specialized optical fibers
Fiber optics are a means of transmitting information at incredibly high speeds; however, the technology can be used for more than just providing a fast internet connection. Researchers have developed an optical fiber sensing system that could help medical professionals monitor patients for complications after a traumatic brain injury. The technology tracks six biomarkers simultaneously, continuously and automatically to provide crucial information on brain health in lab tests.
AI helps researchers dig through old maps to find lost oil and gas wells
Undocumented orphaned wells pose hazards to both the environment and the climate. Scientists are building modern tools to help locate, assess, and pave the way for ultimately plugging these forgotten relics.
Perceptions of parent cannabis use shape teen attitudes
Teens who think their parents use cannabis are more likely to hold favorable attitudes toward the drug and to consider trying it themselves, according to a new study. The research also reveals that parental monitoring and the closeness of parent-child relationships play crucial roles in adolescents' views about cannabis, often with distinct effects based on the parent's gender.
Owning a home in the US linked to longer life
A new study finds that owning a home in early adult life adds approximately four months to the lives of male Americans born in the early twentieth century.
CRISPR-Cas technology: Balancing efficiency and safety
Researchers have uncovered a serious side effect of using the CRISPR-Cas gene scissors. A molecule designed to make the process more efficient destroys parts of the genome.
We might feel love in our fingertips ---- but did the Ancient Mesopotamians?
A multidisciplinary team of researchers studied a large body of texts to find out how people in the ancient Mesopotamian region (within modern day Iraq) experienced emotions in their bodies thousands of years ago.
Lasting effects of common herbicide on brain health
New research identifies an association between glyphosate exposure in mice and symptoms of neuroinflammation, as well as accelerated Alzheimer's disease-like pathology. This study tracks both the presence and impact of glyphosate's byproducts in the brain long after exposure ends, showing an array of persistent, damaging effects on brain health. The findings suggest the brain may be much more susceptible to the damaging effects of the herbicide than previously thought. Glyphosate is one of the most pervasive herbicides used in the U.S. and worldwide.
Researchers have developed a novel computational pipeline designed to identify protein biomarkers associated with complex diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). This innovative tool analyzes biomarkers that can induce 3D structural changes in proteins, providing critical insights into disease mechanisms and highlighting potential targets for therapeutic intervention. The findings could lead to advancements in early detection and treatment strategies for Alzheimer's disease, which has long eluded effective therapies.
Scientists develop coral-inspired material to revolutionize bone repair
Researchers have developed a revolutionary bone graft substitute inspired by coral which not only promotes faster healing but dissolves naturally in the body after the repair is complete.
Access to psychotherapy has risen substantially among U.S. adults with mild to moderate distress since 2018, according to a new study. The increase in psychotherapy use is particularly notable among younger adults, women, college-educated individuals, and those with higher family incomes. Privately insured individuals also experienced greater gains in psychotherapy use compared to those who are publicly insured or uninsured.
The surprising effect of stress on your brain’s reward system
Some people bounce back from trauma, but others get caught in depressive loops that sap the joy from their lives.
An average of four minutes of incidental vigorous physical activity a day could almost halve the risk of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, for middle-aged women who do not engage in structured exercise, according to new research.
Long-term benefit from anti-hormonal treatment is influenced by menopausal status
Today, women with estrogen-sensitive breast cancer receive anti-hormonal therapy. Researchers now show that postmenopausal women with low-risk tumors have a long-term benefit for at least 20 years, while the benefit was more short-term for younger women with similar tumor characteristics who had not yet gone through the menopause.
What do spiders and Alzheimer's disease have in common? A team of researchers may have just uncovered the answer. Researchers from have made a groundbreaking connection between brain 'waste canals' and Alzheimer's disease -- a discovery inspired by studying spider brains. Their findings offer a new perspective on the cellular mechanisms behind neurodegeneration and the development of hallmark features like amyloid plaques and tau tangles.
New research reveals the unique human ability to conceptualize numbers may be rooted deep within the brain.
Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation enzyme groups regulate sleep and wakefulness in mammals
A research group has discovered that in mammals, a protein kinase A (PKA) promotes wakefulness, while protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and calcineurin promote sleep. This study revealed that the balance between sleep and wakefulness is regulated by the action of multiple enzymes, which is an important finding when considering how to control sleep duration and sleepiness at the molecular level.
Brain scan predicts effectiveness of spinal cord surgery
A 10-minute brain scan can predict the effectiveness of a risky spinal surgery to alleviate intractable pain. The result gives doctors a much-needed biomarker to discuss with patients considering spinal cord stimulation.
Discovery may open new way to attack prostate cancer
A special protein can play a key role in the fight against certain types of prostate cancer. Until now, treatments have involved blocking the protein in question that builds a so-called signalling pathway, but now the researchers show that by instead doing the opposite and activating the protein and signalling pathway, the cancer is counteracted.
DNA secreted by tumor cell extracellular vesicles prompts anti-metastatic immune response
Specially packaged DNA secreted by tumor cells can trigger an immune response that inhibits the metastatic spread of the tumor to the liver, according to a new study. The discovery improves the scientific understanding of cancer progression and anticancer immunity, and could yield new clinical tools for assessing and reducing metastasis risk.
New hope for schizophrenia: iTBS over the left DLPFC improves negative and cognitive symptoms
Theta burst stimulation (TBS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique known for modifying human behavior and treating neurological diseases. A group of scientists conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis to determine the effective TBS protocols for addressing schizophrenia symptoms and cognitive impairment. Their findings suggest that intermittent TBS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex may offer a promising alternative to antipsychotic drug-based treatment.
The viral puzzle of why humans are susceptible to hepatitis B virus, but monkeys are not
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has a narrow host range, mainly infecting hominoids. A new study reveals the structural differences in the liver cell receptor (NTCP) between humans and monkeys, explaining why HBV infects humans but not monkeys. This marks a significant medical breakthrough, by identifying new molecular targets for anti-HBV drug development for treating hepatitis B, a disease that places a tremendous burden on the global economy.
Using significantly higher doses of vitamin D than recommended for five years did not affect the incidence of type 2 diabetes in elderly men and women, according to a new study.
Scientists identify brain cell type as master controller of urination
Researchers have identified a subset of brain cells in mice that act as the master regulators of urination.
Brain mapping advances understanding of human speech and hallucinations in schizophrenia
Voice experiments in people with epilepsy have helped trace the circuit of electrical signals in the brain that allow its hearing center to sort out background sounds from their own voices.
Imaging synaptic vesicles in 3D
Researchers have used cryo-electron tomography to uncover new details of the molecular structure of synaptic vesicles, which help transport neurotransmitters in the brain. The study could inform therapeutic strategies for psychiatric disorders.
Largest-ever exome study offers blueprint for biomedical breakthroughs
Scientists have achieved a significant milestone generating a large collection of exome data, which include genes that code for proteins -- key to understanding health and disease.
Immune T cells become exhausted in chronic fatigue syndrome patients
Chronic fatigue syndrome creates conditions where pathogen-killing immune T cells become exhausted, according to a new study.
Controlling matter at the atomic level
Physicists are getting closer to controlling single-molecule chemical reactions -- could this shape the future of pharmaceutical research?
New bioprinting technique creates functional tissue 10x faster
Researchers have developed a novel bioprinting technique that uses spheroids, which are clusters of cells, to create complex tissue. This new technique improves the precision and scalability of tissue fabrication, producing tissue 10-times faster than existing methods.
Controlling a cancer-associated gene can mimic muscle growth from exercise
Knowing the precise mechanisms by which MYC drives muscle growth could prove instrumental in creating therapies that reduce muscle loss from aging, potentially improving independence, mobility and health.
How dementia affects the brain's ability to empathize
Patients with frontotemporal dementia often lack the ability to empathize. A study has now shown that these patients do not show the same brain activity as healthy individuals when they witness the pain of others, a finding that it is hoped will increase understanding of this specific dementia disease.
An inflatable gastric balloon could help people lose weight
Engineers designed a new type of gastric balloon that can be inflated and deflated as needed. It could offer an alternative for people who don't want to undergo more invasive treatments such as gastric bypass surgery, or people who don't respond well to weight-loss drugs.
Combo-drug treatment to combat Melioidosis
A new approach could herald a shift in the way we use antibiotics. By attacking the pathogen's unique and hidden metabolic 'vulnerabilities,' researchers offers a new tool in the global challenge to counteract antibiotic resistance and uncover similar combination therapies for other diseases.
Rats on cocaine: When aversion is not enough
Propensity to addiction starts with the very first drug use experience, a new study shows.
Researchers design novel immunotherapy for brain cancer
Scientists created a new therapeutic design for glioblastoma, the deadliest form of brain cancer. The lab engineered molecules called trispecifics that connect cancer-killing T cells with not just one but two different brain cancer receptors.
DNA damage is key factor in age-related macular degeneration
A research team has discovered that accumulated DNA damage in the retina is a key contributor to age-related macular degeneration and that targeting specific retinal cell types may lead to treatments that slow or stop progression.
Home and neighborhood environments impact sedentary behavior in teens globally
Adolescents worldwide are spending an average of 8 to 10 hours per day engaging in sedentary activities such as watching television, using electronic devices, playing video games and riding in motorized vehicles, according to a multinational study.
Peat-bog fungi produce substances that kill tuberculosis-causing bacteria
An analysis of fungi collected from peat bogs has identified several species that produce substances toxic to the bacterium that causes the human disease tuberculosis. The findings suggest that one promising direction for development of better treatments might be to target biological processes in the bacterium that help maintain levels of compounds known as thiols.
How the speed of viral spread can be estimated by the analysis of genomic sequences
Evaluating the speed at which viruses spread and transmit across host populations is critical to mitigating disease outbreaks. A new study evaluates the performance of statistics measuring how viruses move across space and time in infected populations.
Treatment for more advanced and difficult-to-treat head and neck cancers can be improved with the addition of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), the same ingredient used in children's glue. Researchers found that combining PVA with a boron-containing compound, D-BPA, improved the effects of a type of radiation therapy for cancer, compared to currently clinically used drugs. The PVA made the drug more selective of tumor cells and prolonged drug retention, helping to spare healthy cells from unnecessary radiation damage.
DNA engineered to mimic biological catch bonds
In a first-of-its-kind breakthrough, a team of researchers has developed an artificial adhesion system that closely mimics natural biological interactions. Their research focuses on understanding how cells physically interact with each other and their environment, with the ultimate goal of developing innovative tools for disease diagnosis and therapy.
Pregnancy enhances natural immunity to block severe flu
Scientists have discovered that pregnancy may trigger a natural immunity to boost protection against severe flu infection. Contrary to the common belief that pregnancy increases vulnerability to infections, researchers found that it strengthened an immune defense in mice, blocking the Influenza A virus from spreading to the lungs, where it can cause severe infection.
Trials and tribulations of cell therapy for heart failure, an update on ongoing trials
A critical review of cell-based and cell product-based therapies for the treatment of heart failure details 20 years of completed and ongoing clinical trials. While none has yet gained medical approval, pathways to new treatments for heart failure can take decades, as seen for two other, now accepted therapies.
Even low levels of arsenic in drinking water raise kidney cancer risk
New research findings indicate that exposure to even low levels of arsenic poses significant health risks, including an increased risk of kidney cancer.
How a middle schooler found a new compound in a piece of goose poop
A group of young students became bonafide biomedical scientists before they even started high school. Through a partnership with a nearby university, the middle schoolers collected and analyzed environmental samples to find new antibiotic candidates. One unique sample, goose poop collected at a local park, had a bacterium that showed antibiotic activity and contained a novel compound that slowed the growth of human melanoma and ovarian cancer cells in lab tests.
Animal products improve child nutrition in Africa
The consumption of milk products, eggs and fish has a positive effect on childhood development in Africa. This has been demonstrated in a recent study. The researchers used representative data from five African countries with over 32,000 child observations. If the children had a diet containing animal products, they suffered less from malnutrition and related developmental deficiencies.
Hidden fat predicts Alzheimer's 20 years ahead of symptoms
Researchers have linked a specific type of body fat to the abnormal proteins in the brain that are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease up to 20 years before the earliest symptoms of dementia appear, according to a new study. The researchers emphasized that lifestyle modifications targeted at reducing this fat could influence the development of Alzheimer's disease.
Cosmetic dermatology in the digital age
Driven by rapid advances in technology and the ever-growing influence of the digital landscape, the art of caring for the physical body and the digital world are becoming increasingly intertwined. The field of cosmetic dermatology is no exception.
Deadly diets driving digestive diseases
Against the backdrop of an alarming increase in the number of people under 50 being diagnosed with bowel cancer, researchers are urging people to bump up their fiber intake and improve their eating habits if they want to reduce their risk of deadly digestive cancers. Two recent studies expand on existing evidence that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, legumes and dairy may protect against the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers -- including bowel -- and improve the outcomes of these diseases.
Higher ratio of plant protein to animal protein may improve heart health
Eating a diet with a higher ratio of plant-based protein to animal-based protein may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD), according to a new study. According to the researchers, these risk reductions are likely driven by the replacement of red and processed meats with plant proteins. The researchers also observed that a combination of consuming more plant protein and higher protein intake overall provided the most heart health benefits.
Study may reverse century-old understanding of the shape of 'arms' on mammals' brain cells
Biology textbooks may need a revision, say scientists, who present new evidence that an arm-like structure of mammalian brain cells may be a different shape than scientists have assumed for more than a century.
How artificial intelligence could automate genomics research
New research suggests that large language models like GPT-4 could streamline the process of gene set enrichment, an approach what genes do and how they interact. Results bring science one step closer to automating one of the most widely used methods in genomics research.
Newfound mechanism may explain why some cancer treatments boost risk of heart disease
A cancer therapy that prompts the body's immune defenses against viruses and bacteria to attack tumors can make patients more vulnerable to heart attack and stroke. A possible explanation for this side effect is that the treatment interferes with immune regulation in the heart's largest blood vessels, a new study suggests.
All people are unique -- also in the gut
A new study increases our knowledge about the gut and the life of gut bacteria. The study shows, among other things, that changes in the gut environment have an impact on the composition and activity of gut bacteria. Ultimately, this may help explain why we all have different gut bacteria and probably also why we react differently to the same food.
Critical relationship between stem cells and mechanical signals unveiled
Researchers uncover how two mechano-sensing ion channels are essential to maintain healthy stem cells.