ScienceDaily: Health - May 16, 2024
Top health research news
When saying 'please' is more strategic than magic
By kindergarten age, most children have been taught that 'please' is a magic word. 'Please' is an expression of politeness that shows courtesy and respect, turning a potential demand into a request that will -- poof! -- magically be granted. But a new study on the ways people make requests of one another suggests that 'please' might not be an all-purpose marker of politeness, but rather a more focused, strategic tool to manage frictions or obstacles among family members, friends and even coworkers. The study shows that people say 'please' much less often than expected, and mostly when they expect a 'no' response is forthcoming.
Infertility treatment doubles the risk of postpartum heart disease
Researchers tie infertility treatment to a particular risk for hypertensive diseases.
Scientists want to know how the smells of nature benefit our health
Spending time in nature is good for us. And knowing more about nature's effects on our bodies could not only help our well-being, but could also improve how we care for land, preserve ecosystems and design cities, homes and parks. Many studies have focused on how seeing nature affects us. A team of scientists from around the world wants to understand what the nose knows. They are calling for more research into how odors and scents from natural settings impact our health and well-being.
The crystallization of memory: Study reveals how practice forms new memory pathways in the brain
A new study has shown that repetitive practice not only is helpful in improving skills but also leads to profound changes in the brain's memory pathways.
New insights into phage therapy design
Results from a new study are providing new insights into the therapeutic potential of bacteriophage (phage) therapy for treating diseases like cystic fibrosis (CF).
This time, it's personal: Enhancing patient response to cancer immunotherapy
Scientists uncover why cancer patients with ARID1A gene mutations are more likely to respond to immunotherapy, discovering ARID1A mutations invite cancer-fighting immune cells into tumors by triggering an antiviral-like response. Their findings could help improve cancer care and drug development for many cancer types, including endometrial, ovarian, colon, gastric, liver, and pancreatic cancers.
Heating proteins to body temperature reveals new drug targets
Some proteins shift their shape when exposed to different temperatures, revealing previously unknown binding sites for medications. The findings could revolutionize wide swathes of biology by fundamentally changing how protein structure is studied and leveraged for drug design.
Research sheds light on how proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease influence neuronal growth
New research has shed light in the complex interplay between cell proteins, and how they impact on neurons in neurodevelopmental disorders and Alzheimer's disease.
An active agent against hepatitis E
At present, there is no specific active substance against hepatitis E. As the disease kills 70,000 people every year, researchers are actively searching for one. A team may have found what they're looking for. The researchers showed that the compound K11777 prevents host cells from helping the virus out of its shell by cleaving the viral capsid. This means it can no longer infect cells.
New group training tool for the prevention of dementia
The system is already in use in retirement homes. Researchers have now tested how effective it is in a scientific study.
Two genes of the germline are essential for the development of brain tumors in Drosophila
Researchers have discovered that blocking both genes brings about a significant reduction in tumor size. The study reveals important differences between tumors in male and female Drosophila and how this often overlooked biological variable could impact cancer treatment.
Exploring the mechanism behind drug eruptions in the skin
Although drug eruptions are often linked to the human leukocyte antigen (HLA), the mechanism of its involvement in presenting symptoms of the skin remains unclear. In a recent study, researchers used genetically engineered mice to demonstrate the role of HLA in mediating intracellular reactions in keratinocytes, leading to drug eruptions in the skin. Their findings could lead to improved preventive and treatment measures for drug eruptions.
Longer sprint intervals can improve muscle oxygen utilization compared to shorter intervals
Sprint interval training (SIT) is a form of exercise characterized by cycles of intense exercise which are interspersed by short durations of rest. In a recent study, researchers deep dive into the intricate connections among various parameters of SIT, such as duration and repetitions, and the resulting physiological responses. Their findings can aid in developing well-informed and tailored sprint training regimens that significantly benefit the modern-day population.
Fighting fat and inflammation: Scientists develop powerful new compounds
Obesity and inflammatory diseases are increasing in prevalence and contribute to the growing burden of lifestyle disorders such as diabetes and hypertension. There is a lack of naturally derived alternatives to tackle these issues. Researchers have synthesized novel amino acid derivatives of menthol and studied its properties. The menthyl esters showed exceptional anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity activities during preclinical studies and can be developed as therapeutic compounds with further research.
New cardiac research will save women's lives by improving detection of heart failure
An important new study has advanced how heart failure is detected in women -- meaning more female patients can be diagnosed and at an earlier stage.
Robots' and prosthetic hands' sense of touch could be as fast as humans
Research could pave the way for a prosthetic hand and robot to be able to feel touch like a human hand. The technology could also be used to help restore lost functionality to patients after a stroke.
Highly pathogenic avian flu detected in New York City wild birds
A small number of New York City wild birds carry highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, according to a recent study.
Image: John A. Anderson/Shutterstock.com
Repurposed beer yeast may offer a cost-effective way to remove lead from water
Engineered yeast-containing hydrogel capsules could be used to remove lead from contaminated water rapidly and inexpensively. The work could be especially useful in low-income areas with high lead contamination.
Alzheimer's disease without symptoms: How is that possible?
Everyone experiences aging in their own way, and factors such as genetics, lifestyle and environment play a role in this process. Some individuals reach the age of 90 or even 100 in good health, without medications or brain disease. But how do these individuals maintain their health as they age?
A recent study has found that an ion transporter protein that regulates the pH of specific brain cells can repair the blood-brain barrier and restore normal brain function after ischemic stroke. The study has revealed novel and specific therapeutic targets for ischemic stroke and related brain conditions for which no targeted treatments exist currently.
Global methane emissions automatically detected in satellite imagery using AI
Methane is particularly targeted for curbing greenhouse gas emissions because its significant global-warming potential in the short term exceeds carbon dioxide by over 80-fold. However, monitoring methane emissions and compiling their quantities have been challenging due to limiting trade-offs with existing detection methods. Researchers developed a method to automatically detect methane emissions at a global scale, potentially providing methane detection at high frequency and high resolution from point sources.
Far from toxic, lactate rivals glucose as body's major fuel after a carbohydrate meal
Scientists have documented the benefits of lactate burning in exercising humans, but few studies have looked at the role of lactate during rest or after a meal. Exercise physiologists challenged fasting men and women with a carbohydrate meal and then monitored lactate in the blood and fat vs carbohydrate metabolism. They found that lactate buffers glucose from a meal, and that lactate is utilized for energy almost as much as glucose.
Study links sleep apnea severity during REM stage to verbal memory decline
A research team has revealed the link between the frequency of sleep apnea events during the rapid-eye-movement stage and the severity of verbal memory impairment in older adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease. Verbal memory refers to the cognitive ability to retain and recall information presented through spoken words or written text and is particularly vulnerable to Alzheimer's.
Petroleum, chlorine mix could yield harmful byproducts
A new study shows that chlorine mixed with petroleum in water can potentially produce inadvertent byproducts harmful to human health.
Environmentally caused alterations to specific areas of the genome -- known as imprint control regions -- during early development may contribute to the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, and Black people may be more affected than white people.
Bitter makes the stomach acidic, but how?
In the stomach, so-called parietal cells are responsible for acid production. They react not only to the body's own messenger molecules, but also to bitter-tasting food constituents such as caffeine. A research team has now carried out a study on a human gastric cell line. Their results help to clarify the molecular regulatory mechanisms by which bitter substances influence gastric acid production.
Artificial intelligence tool to improve heart failure care
The powerful new AI tool can predict heart failure outcomes in specific patients, helping doctors improve care.
People without an inner voice have poorer verbal memory
The vast majority of people have an ongoing conversation with themselves, an inner voice, that plays an important role in their daily lives. But between 5-10 per cent of the population do not have the same experience of an inner voice, and they find it more difficult to perform certain verbal memory tasks, new research shows.
Some brain cells age faster and are more prevalent in Alzheimer's
Engineers have discovered that some brain cells age more rapidly than others, and they are disproportionately abundant in individuals afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, researchers observed male-female-specific differences in the aging process of certain brain cells, with the female cortex exhibiting a higher ratio of 'old' oligodendrocytes to 'old' neurons compared to the male cortex. The discoveries were made possible by a new technique called MUSIC (multinucleic acid interaction mapping in single cells), which allows researchers to peek inside individual brain cells and map out interactions between chromatin--which is the tightly coiled form of DNA -- and RNA.
People with more copies of ribosomal DNA may have higher risks of developing disease
Ribosomal DNA (rDNA) is present in hundreds of copies in the genome, but has not previously been part of genetic analyses. A new study of 500,000 individuals indicates that people who have more copies of rDNA are more likely to develop inflammation and diseases during their lifetimes.
Newly identified PET biomarker predicts success of immune checkpoint blockade therapy
The protein galectin-1 (Gal-1) has been identified as a new PET imaging biomarker for immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy, allowing physicians to predict the tumor responses before beginning treatment. Information garnered from Gal-1 PET imaging could also be used to facilitate patient stratification and optimize immunotherapy, enabling targeted interventions and improving patient outcomes.
Researchers have discovered a distinct, secondary population of platelets that appears with aging and have hyperreactive behavior and unique molecular properties, which could make them easier to target with medication.
Mixed public opinion on polygenic embryo screening for IVF
Survey reveals nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults support using emerging technology to screen embryos during IVF for risk of developing certain health conditions or traits that arise from more than one gene. Only about one-third of respondents approved of using the technology to predict traits unrelated to disease. Nearly all expressed concerns about potential negative outcomes for individuals or society. Findings underscore need for public education about benefits, limitations, ethical hazards of polygenic risk scores for embryos.
Innovative 'mini-brains' could revolutionize Alzheimer's treatment
New research could revolutionize the way Alzheimer's and other brain-related diseases are diagnosed and treated -- by building tiny brains in a petri dish.
First case of highly pathogenic avian influenza transmitted from cow to human confirmed
in March a farm worker who reported no contact with sick or dead birds, but who was in contact with dairy cattle, began showing symptoms in the eye and samples were collected by the regional health department to test for potential influenza A. Experts have now confirmed the first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza transmission from a mammal (dairy cow) to a human.
Persistent strain of cholera defends itself against forces of change, scientists find
A longstanding mystery about the strain of Vibrio cholerae (V. cholerae) responsible for the seventh global cholera pandemic is how this lineage has managed to out-compete other pathogenic variants. The team identified a unique quirk of the immune system that protects the bacteria from a key driver of bacterial evolution.
Insights into protein evolution
A research team has unveiled a breakthrough in understanding how specific genetic sequences, known as pseudogenes, evolve.
Just believing that an AI is helping boosts your performance
Sometimes it seems like an AI is helping, but the benefit is actually a placebo effect -- people performing better simply because they expect to be doing so -- according to new research. The study also shows how difficult it is to shake people's trust in the capabilities of AI systems.
Cats purrfectly demonstrate what it takes to trust robots
Would you trust a robot to look after your cat? New research suggests it takes more than a carefully designed robot to care for your cat, the environment in which they operate is also vital, as well as human interaction.
New gel breaks down alcohol in the body
Researchers have developed a protein-based gel that breaks down alcohol in the gastrointestinal tract without harming the body. In the future, people who take the gel could reduce the harmful and intoxicating effects of alcohol.
New viruses that could cause epidemics on the horizon
Suddenly they appear and -- like the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus -- can trigger major epidemics: Viruses that nobody had on their radar. They are not really new, but they have changed genetically. In particular, the exchange of genetic material between different virus species can lead to the sudden emergence of threatening pathogens with significantly altered characteristics.
New drug makes exercise, everyday tasks easier for people with common heart condition
People with the heart condition obstructive cardiomyopathy were able to use significantly more oxygen while exercising after taking the investigational drug aficamten, according to a new study.
New molecule mimics the anti-clotting action of blood-sucking organisms
Nature gave ticks, mosquitoes and leaches a quick-acting way to keep blood from clotting while they extract their meal from a host. Now the key to that method has been harnessed by a team of researchers as a potential anti-clotting agent that could be used as an alternative to heparin during angioplasty, dialysis care, surgeries and other procedures.
Researchers have made a surprising new discovery in the structure of the centromere, a structure that is involved in ensuring that chromosomes are segregated properly when a cell divides. Mistakes in chromosome segregation can lead to cell death and cancer development. The researchers discovered that the centromere consists of two subdomains. This fundamental finding has important implications for the process of chromosome segregation and provides new mechanisms underlying erroneous divisions in cancer cells. The research was published in Cell on May 13th 2024.
Potential power and pitfalls of harnessing artificial intelligence for sleep medicine
A new article highlights how artificial intelligence stands on the threshold of making monumental contributions to the field of sleep medicine. Through a strategic analysis, researchers examined advancements in AI within sleep medicine and spotlighted its potential in revolutionizing care in three critical areas: clinical applications, lifestyle management, and population health. The committee also reviewed barriers and challenges associated with using AI-enabled technologies.
Researchers say they have uncovered insights as to why lupus symptoms and severity present differently in individuals with the autoimmune condition, which affects up to 1.5 million Americans. The team says this is a crucial step forward in understanding biological mechanisms behind lupus, and may also lead to shifts in how clinicians treat patients with the condition.
Analysis of 1,392 patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) found that some patients for whom life support was withdrawn may have survived and recovered some level of independence a few months after injury. Families are often asked to make decision to withdraw life support within 72 hours of a brain injury, and the new study suggests delaying decisions may be beneficial for some patients.
Study traces an infectious language epidemic
A computer scientist has shown the power of language to predict harm -- this time to the nation's health.
What makes a memory? It may be related to how hard your brain had to work
The human brain filters through a flood of experiences to create specific memories. Why do some of the experiences in this deluge of sensory information become 'memorable,' while most are discarded by the brain? A computational model and behavioral study developed by Yale scientists suggests a new clue to this age-old question, they report in the journal Nature Human Behavior.
Research shows that 'softer' proteins can cross into the nucleus quicker
Researchers have discovered that how soft or rigid proteins are in certain regions can dictate how fast or slow they enter the nucleus.
Birth by C-section more than doubles odds of measles vaccine failure
Birth by C-section more than doubles odds of measles vaccine failure. Researchers say it is vital that children born by caesarean section receive two doses of the measles vaccine for robust protection against the disease.
Eye care: Taking electroretinography to the next level with a soft multi-electrode system
Electroretinography (ERG), which involves measuring electric potential in the retina, is a powerful tool for diagnosing and studying ocular diseases. However, multi-electrode systems for ERG are usually built on top of hard, uncomfortable contact lenses. To address this issue, researchers have developed an innovative multi-electrode ERG system built on top of commercial soft contact lenses. Demonstrating excellent performance and biocompatibility, the proposed system will help push the envelope of what is possible with ERG.
Team studies factors related to a sense of economic insecurity in older adults
Researchers undertook a study of older adults to examine the connection between a sense of economic insecurity and a person's participation in social activities.
Prostate cancer study: More health benefits from plant-based diet
Men with prostate cancer could significantly reduce the chances of the disease worsening by eating more fruits, vegetables, nuts, and olive oil, according to new research.
Plant virus treatment shows promise in fighting metastatic cancers in mice
An experimental treatment made from a plant virus is effective at protecting against a broad range of metastatic cancers in mice, shows a new study. The treatment, composed of nanoparticles fashioned from the cowpea mosaic virus -- a virus that infects black-eyed pea plants -- showed remarkable success in improving survival rates and suppressing the growth of metastatic tumors across various cancer models, including colon, ovarian, melanoma and breast cancer.
Cellular activity hints that recycling is in our DNA
Melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer that accounts for 75% of all skin-cancer-related deaths, is often detected later in people with darker skin complexions -- and the consequences can be devastating, a new study reveals.
Breakthrough in hemostasis and wound healing research
A breakthrough study features a biomedical engineering innovation with the potential to transform trauma care and surgical practices. A scientific research team has developed platelet-like particles that integrate into the body's clotting pathways to stop hemorrhage.
US Navy Growler jet noise over Whidbey Island could impact 74,000 people's health
As often as four days a week, Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island fly loops overhead as pilots practice touch-and-go landings. The noise is immense. New research shows that the noise isn't just disruptive -- it presents a substantial risk to public health.
ERR-gamma 'trains' stomach stem cells to become acid-producing cells
Researchers have identified molecular and genetic pathways that direct the generation and maturation of parietal cells, the only cells in the body that produce acid, from stem cells. The findings can lead to new strategies to regulate parietal cell function in different diseases involving these cells, including autoimmune gastritis and stomach and esophageal cancers.