ScienceDaily: Health - March 20, 2025
Top health research news
Scientists call for targeted fiber diets to boost health
Food scientists have reclassified dietary fibers -- beyond just soluble and insoluble -- to better guide nutritional decisions and drive targeted health food products.
Can online games be an effective intervention to help adolescents reduce substance abuse?
For adolescents struggling with substance abuse, traditional in-person interventions such as counseling are not always effective, and rural areas often lack access to these services. A researcher is thinking outside the box, aiming to help game designers develop fun, digital games that make ditching bad habits easier by meeting adolescents where they already are: online.
AI technology improves Parkinson's diagnoses
AI-driven software is 96% accurate at diagnosing Parkinson's.
Groundbreaking AI tool generates 3D map of the brain
A new AI tool builds sophisticated map of mouse brains.
Rethinking how we study the impact of heat on heart health
A new study reveals that encapsulated heating methods, an often-used heat simulation method, significantly increase heart rates and cardiac strain compared to natural heat exposure like those experienced during hot weathers. Understanding how extreme heat impacts heart function is crucial for developing effective strategies to protect vulnerable groups, especially as global temperatures continue to rise.
Pregnancy irreversibly remodels the mouse intestine
Researchers have found that the small intestine grows in response to pregnancy in mice. This partially irreversible change may help mice support a pregnancy and prepare for a second.
New study challenges assumptions about SEP-1 bundle compliance and sepsis outcomes
A new study raises critical questions about the effectiveness of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) sepsis quality measure, known as the Severe Sepsis/Septic Shock Management Bundle (SEP-1).
Earliest stages and possible new cause of stomach cancer revealed
Scientists have systematically analyzed somatic mutations in stomach lining tissue to unpick mutational processes, some of which can lead to cancer. The team also uncovered hints of a potential new cause of stomach cancer that needs further research.
Machine learning aids in detection of 'brain tsunamis'
Brain imaging reveals surprises about learning
By revealing for the first time what happens in the brain when an animal makes a mistake, researchers are shedding light on the holy grail of neuroscience: the mechanics of how we learn. The team pinpointed the exact moment mice learned a new skill by observing the activity of individual neurons, confirming earlier work that suggested animals are fast learners that purposely test the boundaries of new knowledge.
Classifying childhood brain cancers by immune response may improve diagnostics and treatments
The new approach establishes an opportunity to harness the success of immunotherapies that revolutionized the treatment of childhood leukemias for childhood brain cancers.
New understanding of B cell mutation strategies could have implications for vaccines
New study demonstrates how high-affinity B cells 'bank' their best traits instead of rolling the dice and risking deleterious mutations, with implications for better vaccine design.
New mechanism behind adaptive immunity revealed: It could impact how we design vaccines
New imaging reveals a built-in safeguard that allows B cell populations to rapidly expand in germinal centers without introducing deleterious mutations.
Stroke rehabilitation drug repairs brain damage
A new study has discovered what researchers say is the first drug to fully reproduce the effects of physical stroke rehabilitation in model mice, following from human studies.
Gender gap in teenage depression is twice as large in London than in Tokyo, new study finds
Research has tracked depressive symptoms in 7100 young people from Tokyo and London and shown girls have more depressive symptoms than boys in both cities. The study found that this gap is around twice as large in London and the year-on-year rise in depressive symptoms is around four times steeper for teenage girls in London than for teenage girls in Tokyo.
Blood pressure patterns during pregnancy predict later hypertension risk, study finds
Women with blood pressure levels in a range considered clinically normal during pregnancy but no mid-pregnancy drop in blood pressure face an increased risk of developing hypertension in the five years after giving birth. These women -- about 12% of the population studied -- would not be flagged as high-risk by current medical guidelines, but the new findings could help identify them as candidates for early intervention.
Latest Alzheimer's drug shown less effective in females than males
A research team has found that lecanemab was probably less effective in females than males in its Phase 3 trial. However, there was insufficient evidence to say the drug was totally ineffective in females.
Vaccine may improve breast cancer treatment outcomes
Researchers have discovered a promising new vaccine strategy for treating a specific type of breast cancer. The innovative approach targets human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive, estrogen receptor-negative (HER2-positive, ER-negative) breast cancer and has shown encouraging results in a recent pilot study. The study combined the HER2-targeting dendritic cell vaccines with standard chemotherapy, demonstrating both safety and positive response rates.
Whose air quality are we monitoring?
The EPA's network consistently failed to capture air quality in communities of color across six major pollutants. The monitors are the key data source driving decisions about pollution reduction, urban planning and public health initiatives. The data may misrepresent pollution concentrations, leaving marginalized groups at risk.
Researchers find missing link in autoimmune disorder
Scientists have identified a protein in cells that spurs the release of infection-fighting molecules. The protein, whose role in the immune system had not previously been suspected, provides a potential target for therapies that could prevent over-reactive immune responses that are at the root of several debilitating illnesses.
Cannabis users face substantially higher risk of heart attack
Marijuana is now legal in many places, but is it safe? Two new studies add to mounting evidence that people who use cannabis are more likely to suffer a heart attack than people who do not use the drug, even among younger and otherwise healthy adults. The findings are from a retrospective study of over 4.6 million people and a meta-analysis of 12 previously published studies.
Lifestyle risks weigh heavier on women's hearts
Lifestyle and health factors that are linked with heart disease appear to have a greater impact on cardiovascular risk in women than men.
AI food scanner turns phone photos into nutritional analysis
An AI system can tell the calorie count, fat content, and nutritional value of a meal just from a photo.
Low doses of antibiotic work just as well as higher ones to treat rare type of chronic hair loss
Small amounts of a common antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drug can curb symptoms where a misplaced immune reaction (e.g., autoimmunity) can cause permanent hair loss, a new study shows. This regimen may also come with fewer side effects than higher doses of the medication.
Helicobacter pylori treatment practices in the Asia-Pacific region
Researchers conducted a large-scale online survey of clinicians in the Asia-Pacific region to investigate treatment policies for the gastric cancer-causing bacteria Helicobacter pylori.
Embryo development holds key to healthy lifestyles
Researchers have discovered that the earliest days of embryo development have a measurable impact on a person's future health and aging.
The smart MAIJU jumpsuit offers a novel approach to at-home monitoring of infants' early motor development. The wearable device combines expertise in medicine, measuring technology and AI, enabling objective and accurate assessment of children's motor skills without the presence of researchers.
Scientists discover protein key to bacteria's survival in extreme environments
The discovery sheds light on how certain bacteria -- including strains that cause food poisoning and anthrax -- form spores for survival.
Efficient development of drugs with fewer mice
New active ingredients such as antibodies are usually tested individually in laboratory animals. Researchers have now developed a technology that can be used to test around 25 antibodies simultaneously in a single mouse. This should not only speed up the research and development pipeline for new drugs, but also hugely reduce the number of laboratory animals required.
Genetic study reveals hidden chapter in human evolution
Modern humans descended from not one, but at least two ancestral populations that drifted apart and later reconnected, long before modern humans spread across the globe.
New AI tool visualizes a cell's 'social network' to help treat cancer
An openly available generative AI tool can interpret millions of cells in human tissues in hours, revealing new insights and allowing researchers and clinicians to ask questions about conditions such as cancer.
Climate change fuelling mental health crisis in areas most affected by climate crisis
Climate change is not just an environmental issue -- it's a mental health crisis impacting on adolescent wellbeing right now in areas most affected by climate change, according to new research.
Lymph node transfer reduces arm swelling after breast cancer surgery
A study has shown that lymph node transfer is a viable treatment for the swelling in the affected limb, a condition known as lymphedema, after breast cancer surgery. However, an effective drug to improve the outcomes of the transfer treatment continues to be sought.
If a person hides their own hand and focuses on a rubber hand instead, they may perceive it as part of their own body under certain conditions. What sounds like a gimmick could one day be used to help patients who suffer from chronic pain: Researchers have shown that pain caused by heat is experienced as less severe thanks to the rubber hand illusion.
Feline therapy: Study suggests cats could fill an assistive niche
For years, therapy dogs have ruled the world of animal-assisted services (AAS), offering stress relief to college students, hospital patients, and those in need of emotional support. But research suggests that some cats might also have what it takes to join the ranks of therapy animals -- bringing their purrs, gentle headbutts, and calm demeanor to the field.
Study finds unique brain changes linked to witnessing trauma
Researchers discovered distinct molecular differences in how the brain processes directly experienced versus witnessed trauma -- a finding that could lead to more targeted treatments for PTSD.
Mastery of language could predict longevity
A recent study has linked longevity specifically to verbal fluency, the measure of one's vocabulary and ability to use it.
When did human language emerge?
Humans' unique language capacity was present at least 135,000 years ago, according to a survey of genomic evidence. As such, language might have entered social use 100,000 years ago.
Study confirms safety and efficacy of higher-dose-per-day radiation for early-stage prostate cancer
A large-scale study provides the strongest evidence yet that a shorter, standard-dose course radiation treatment is just as effective as conventional radiotherapy for prostate cancer, without compromising the safety of patients.
Adopting zero-emission trucks and buses could save lives, prevent asthma
Researchers used community input to design Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) air-quality model experiments. Community asked for ACT policy simulations that convert 48% of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles into zero tailpipe emission versions. Researchers simulated how this policy would change pollution levels in Illinois. They found the policy would likely prevent 500 premature deaths and 600 new pediatric asthma cases annually within the greater Chicago area.
Bacteria invade brain after implanting medical devices
Brain implants hold immense promise for restoring function in patients with paralysis, epilepsy and other neurological disorders. But a team of researchers has discovered that bacteria can invade the brain after a medical device is implanted, contributing to inflammation and reducing the device's long-term effectiveness.
Tax sugar and salt in food to improve health?
Introducing a new salt levy is another proposal put forward in a comprehensive set of recommended regulations for the food sector.
Treating chronic inflammatory diseases with JAK inhibitors
Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKis) are an important treatment option for people with chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Since their approval, the indications for these medical drugs have steadily increased, but recently safety concerns have also been raised. In order to support the safe and efficient use of JAK inhibitors in the treatment of patients, an international panel of experts has published new guidelines.
Continued medication important for heart failure patients
Patients who have been treated for heart failure and experience an improvement of their pump function, are still at higher risk of heart-related death or hospitalization if they stop taking heart failure medications.
Attention can be used to drive cooperation
Our ability to cooperate with others may be influenced by how our attention is captured and directed, as much as by how altruistic we are feeling, according to a new study.
A post-treatment blood test could inform future cancer therapy decisions
In the continuing evolution of personalized medicine, a new study has found evidence to support the value of a tool that measures the presence of cancer-derived molecules in the blood of patients with lung cancer years after their treatment. This tool is a type of molecular residual disease (MRD)detector, which is used after patients have completed their primary treatment in order to monitor their cancer status. Researchers say it could inform clinical intervention, including whether to restart or intensify treatment.
Bridging Nature and Nurture: Study reveals brain's flexible foundation from birth
By studying never-before-seen details of brain connectivity in human infants, researchers have identified how a balance of innate structure and flexible learning produces our remarkably organized visual brains.
RNA origami: Artificial cytoskeletons to build synthetic cells
With the long-term goal of creating living cells from non-living components, scientists in the field of synthetic biology work with RNA origami. This tool uses the multifunctionality of the natural RNA biomolecule to fold new building blocks, making protein synthesis superfluous. In pursuit of the artificial cell, a research team has cleared a crucial hurdle. Using the RNA origami technique, they succeeded in producing nanotubes that fold into cytoskeleton-like structures.
Newly identified bacterial protein helps design cancer drug delivery system
Researchers have identified a previously unknown bacterial protein, the structure of which is being used in the design of protein nanoparticles for the targeted delivery of anticancer drugs to tumors.
Researchers find possible link between medication and unexpected blood clots
A study could be a step towards safer medications without serious side effects, researchers suggest.
Global warming can lead to inflammation in human airways, new research shows
In a recent, cross-institutional study partially funded by the National Institutes of Health, researchers report that healthy human airways are at higher risk for dehydration and inflammation when exposed to dry air, an occurrence expected to increase due to global warming. Inflammation in human airways is associated with such conditions as asthma, allergic rhinitis and chronic cough.
New AI model analyzes full night of sleep with high accuracy in largest study of its kind
Researchers have developed a powerful AI tool, built on the same transformer architecture used by large language models like ChatGPT, to process an entire night's sleep. To date, it is one of the largest studies, analyzing 1,011,192 hours of sleep. The model, called patch foundational transformer for sleep (PFTSleep), analyzes brain waves, muscle activity, heart rate, and breathing patterns to classify sleep stages more effectively than traditional methods, streamlining sleep analysis, reducing variability, and supporting future clinical tools to detect sleep disorders and other health risks.
Tunnel-building virus: How Zika transmits from mother to fetus
The Zika virus builds tiny tunnels, called tunneling nanotubes, to stealthily transport material needed to infect nearby cells, including in placental cells, according to a team of researchers from Penn State and Baylor College of Medicine. It's one way the virus crosses the placental barrier, transmitting from mother to fetus during pregnancy without raising alarm in the immune system. The team also demonstrated, for the first time, that one specific Zika protein -- non-structural protein 1 (NS1) -- is responsible for the formation of the nanotubes.
New strategy to reduce tissue damage from flesh-eating bacteria
A new study reveals a novel approach to mitigating tissue damage caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, the flesh-eating bacterium responsible for severe infections such as necrotizing fasciitis. The research highlights how disrupting bacterial metabolism can help the body better tolerate infection and heal more effectively.
Inflammatory messenger fuels Alzheimer's
Researchers have detailed the precise mechanism through which the inflammatory signaling molecule IL-12 contributes to Alzheimer's disease.
How the heart's layers communicate during formation
New hope offered by a pharmacy team for treating heart disease by sharing insights into the fundamental process of how the heart is formed in utero.
A research team has uncovered new insights into the molecular mechanisms of ADAR1, a protein that regulates ribonucleic acid (RNA) induced immune responses. Their findings could open new pathways for treating autoimmune diseases and enhancing cancer immunotherapy.
How childhood adversity shapes brain and behavior
Early-life adversity affects more than half of the world's children and is a significant risk factor for cognitive and mental health problems later in life. In an extensive and up-to-the-minute review of research in this domain, scholars illuminate the profound impacts of these adverse childhood experiences on brain development and introduce new paths for understanding and tackling them.
Psychological prehabilitation improves surgical recovery
A new analysis led by surgeons finds that psychological prehabilitation can significantly enhance recovery after surgery. The study found that psychological prehabilitation significantly reduces the length of hospital stay, pain, anxiety, and depression after surgery.
'It still hurts, she said': Why pain medication may not be as effective for women as it is for men
A new study may help to explain why there is an over-representation of women experiencing chronic pain compared to men and why pain medication may not be as effective for women as it is for men. Findings show, male and females develop pain through different means.