ScienceDaily: Health - November 14, 2024
Top health research news
Organ donation: Opt-out defaults do not increase donation rates, study finds
A recent study shows that switching to an opt-out organ donation policy, where all adults are presumed organ donors unless they explicitly opt out, does not increase donations from deceased donors.
Children's gut bacteria may hold the key to diarrhea treatment
Diarrhea claims the lives of 500,000 children each year in low- and middle-income countries. Now researchers have linked chronic diarrhea to a specific pattern of gut bacteria, a discovery that could pave the way for new treatments capable of saving lives.
Early detection, intensive treatment critical for high-risk patients with Kawasaki Disease
A new scientific statement highlights new clinical data related to diagnosis, risk classification and treatment, emphasizing the need for tailored management strategies.
An advance toward inhalable mRNA medications, vaccines
Most people don't enjoy getting shots for treatments or vaccines. So, researchers are working to create more medicines, such as those made from messenger RNA (mRNA), that can be sprayed and inhaled. A study reports steps toward making inhalable mRNA medicines a possibility. Researchers outline their improved lipid-polymer nanoparticle for holding mRNA that is stable when nebulized and successfully delivers aerosols (liquid droplets) in mice's lungs.
A step toward safer X-rays with new detector technology
X-rays are a common component of diagnostic testing and industrial monitoring, used for everything from monitoring your teeth to scanning your suitcase at the airport. But the high-energy rays also produce ionizing radiation, which can be dangerous after prolonged or excessive exposures. Now, researchers have taken a step toward safer X-rays by creating a highly sensitive and foldable detector that produces good quality images with smaller dosages of the rays.
New guideline provides treatment recommendations for restless legs syndrome
A new clinical practice guideline provides updated recommendations for the treatment of restless legs syndrome. The guideline reflects the latest scientific evidence and recommends significant changes in the standard treatment of RLS in adults.
Does AI improve doctors' diagnoses? Study puts it to the test
Hospitals are already deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance patient care. But can it actually improve doctors' diagnoses? A new study has surprising answers.
Scientists have identified new gene faults and evolutionary patterns contributing to testicular cancer. Their findings offer profound insights into the development of the disease and into potential treatment strategies. Among the key findings are: New potential cancer drivers in testicular cancer, including drivers specific to certain subtypes, which may help stratify patients based on their tumor characteristics A reconstruction of evolutionary trajectories of genome alterations and probable progression pathways in TGCT Discovery of a broader range of mutational signatures associated with TGCT.
Human stem cell-derived heart cells are safe in monkeys, could treat congenital heart disease
A research team reported recently that heart muscle cells grown from induced pluripotent stem cells can integrate into the hearts of monkeys with a state of pressure overload.
Cell aging in one organ can snowball into multi-organ failure
The aging and failure of cells that occurs when one part of the body is damaged can spread to other organs, a study suggests.
New discovery may lead to more effective treatment for cardiovascular disease
Researchers have identified a new target to treat atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque clogs arteries and causes major cardiac issues, including stroke and heart attack.
Key influenza-severity risk factor found hiding in plain sight on our antibodies
Why do some people develop severe flu symptoms? A study points the finger at an unsung portion of the antibodies our immune systems generate to fend off invading pathogens.
Many bacterial-linked illnesses, such as inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal cancer, are associated with an overgrowth of gut bacteria thought to be bad actors. But when researchers used a machine learning algorithm to predict the density of microbes -- called microbial load, from their gut microbiomes, they found that changes in microbial load, rather than the disease, could be a driver behind the presence of disease-associated microbial species.
In 10 seconds, an AI model detects cancerous brain tumor often missed during surgery
Researchers have developed an AI powered model that -- in 10 seconds -- can determine during surgery if any part of a cancerous brain tumor that could be removed remains.The technology, called FastGlioma, outperformed conventional methods for identifying what remains of a tumor by a wide margin. Researchers say it has the potential to change the field of neurosurgery by immediately improving comprehensive management of patients with diffuse gliomas.
How to reduce social media stress by leaning in instead of logging off
Young people's mental health may depend on how they use social media, rather than how much time they spend using it. Psychology researchers tried an experiment with three groups. They asked one group to stay off social media. They taught another group how to use it more constructively. The third group stuck with their usual routine. The group that stayed away, AND the group that used it differently, both reported improvements in their mental health.
From pets to pests: Researchers explore new tool to fight disease-carrying insects
Researchers are testing a product commonly used to treat ticks and fleas on pets to target fly and mosquito larvae with the goal of helping reduce the spread of diseases carried by these insects.
Bioluminescent proteins made from scratch enable non-invasive, multi-functional biological imaging
Completely artificial proteins that produce bioluminescence can serve as a non-invasive method for bioimaging, diagnostics, drug discovery, and more.
New study links air pollution with higher rates of head and neck cancer
A recent study correlates higher levels of pollutant particulate matter to higher occurrences of head and neck aerodigestive cancer.
Grabbing pizza with coworkers isn't just fun -- it could boost your teamwork skills
Forming memories around shared experiences, whether something fun like grabbing a pizza or as emotionally straining as an employee strike, has a way of binding people together. But it could also motivate those performing different roles within the same company to socialize more and strengthen their working relationships, according to new research.
Updated guidance reaffirms CPR with breaths essential for cardiac arrest following drowning
The American Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics update recommendations for untrained lay rescuers and trained rescuers resuscitating adults and children who have drowned.
Lab-grown human immune system uncovers weakened response in cancer patients
These miniature immune system models -- known as human immune organoids -- mimic the real-life environment where immune cells learn to recognize and attack harmful invaders and respond to vaccines. Not only are these organoids powerful new tools for studying and observing immune function in cancer, their use is likely to accelerate vaccine development, better predict disease treatment response for patients, and even speed up clinical trials.
Time alone heightens 'threat alert' in teenagers -- even when connecting on social media
Scientists detect a heightened 'threat vigilance' reaction in adolescents after a few hours of isolation, which socializing online doesn't appear to ameliorate. They say the findings might shed light on the link between loneliness and mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders, which are on the rise in young people.
Immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab improves outcomes for patients with soft tissue sarcoma
Addition of the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab to standard of care for patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma of the limb significantly improved disease-free survival, according to the results of the SU2C-SARC032 clinical trial.
Synthetic cells emulate natural cellular communication
A research team has succeeded in synthesizing simple, environmentally sensitive cells complete with artificial organelles. For the first time, the researchers have also been able to emulate natural cell-cell communication using these proto-cells -- based on the model of photoreceptors in the eye. This opens up new possibilities for basic research and applications in medicine.
Novel calculator predicts risk of epilepsy after rare stroke
A practical calculator predicts the risk of epilepsy after venous stroke. The aim is to improve care for those affected, which are predominantly young adults.
Glioblastoma: New treatment attacks brain tumors from multiple angles
Glioblastoma is the most common kind of malignant brain tumor in adults. So far, no treatment has been able to make this aggressive tumor permanently disappear. The tumor cells are too varied, and the microenvironment is too tumor-friendly. Researchers have now developed an immunotherapy that not only attacks the tumor -- it also turns its microenvironment against it.
Debunked: Children aren't quicker at picking up new motor skills than adults
Contrary to popular belief, children aren't better at learning new skills than adults. Indeed, young adults seem to learn faster than kids -- but also tend to forget more quickly. Here, better sleep seems to advantage children.
'Moonlighting' enzymes can lead to new cancer therapies
Researchers reveal that metabolic enzymes known for their roles in energy production and nucleotide synthesis are taking on unexpected 'second jobs' within the nucleus, orchestrating critical functions like cell division and DNA repair. The discovery not only challenges longstanding biological paradigms in cellular biology but also opens new avenues for cancer therapies, particularly against aggressive tumours like triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
One genomic test can diagnose nearly any infection
A genomic test developed by researchers to rapidly detect almost any kind of pathogen -- virus, bacteria, fungus or parasite -- has proved successful after a decade of use.
Blood vessel-like coating could make medical devices safer for patients
Researchers have developed a groundbreaking coating that could make medical devices safer for millions of patients, reducing the risks associated with blood clots and dangerous bleeding. The new material is designed to mimic the natural behavior of blood vessels so that catheters, stents, blood-oxygenation machines and dialysis machines won't trigger clotting by activating certain proteins in the blood.
Researchers develop nanofiber patch for treatment of psoriasis
Researchers have developed a patch for easier and more effective treatment of psoriasis. The method may also be used in treatment of other inflammatory skin diseases.
Using CRISPR to decipher whether gene variants lead to cancer
Researchers have combined two gene editing methods. This enables them to quickly investigate the significance of many genetic mutations involved in the development and treatment of cancer.
Researchers identify a potential biomarker of Parkinson's disease progression
Researchers have identified a potential biomarker of Parkinson's disease progression. According to the new study, patients with a slow progression of the pathology would have a significant increase in the levels of a molecule called ecto-GPR37 in the cerebrospinal fluid.
Early treatment for nerve tumors prevents serious problems, study finds
Small cranial nerve tumors that can cause hearing loss, vertigo and ringing in the ears are often watched rather than treated, but a new study is set to change how the tumors, called vestibular schwannomas, are managed.
Using personal care products during and after pregnancy can increase exposure to toxic chemicals
For people who are pregnant or nursing, more use of personal care products is associated with higher detectable levels of synthetic chemicals known to have adverse health effects, a new study found. The study found that using personal care products like nail polish, makeup and hair dye while pregnant or lactating is associated with significantly higher levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, in blood plasma and breast milk.
Cognitive decline and loneliness linked in older adults over short time periods
Loneliness and cognitive performance were related in the short term for older adults, according to a new study.
Researchers suggest stress hormones explain how obesity causes diabetes
Obesity causes insulin resistance by increasing activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the release of the stress hormone norepinephrine, according to a new study.
Study show the effectiveness of a portable EKG patch
Research shows that a newly-developed wireless EKG patch is as accurate, if not more accurate, than results from traditional EKG machines. The device is known as the EKG Patch Solution.
Combination approach shows promise for treating rare, aggressive cancers
A research team has shown that that combining pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy drug, with standard chemotherapy can improve treatment outcomes for patients with small cell bladder cancer and small cell/neuroendocrine prostate cancer.
DNA packaging directly affects how fast DNA is copied in cells
Researchers have found that the way DNA is packaged in cells can directly impact how fast DNA itself is copied during cell division. They discovered that DNA packaging sends signals through an unusual pathway, affecting the cell's ability to divide and grow. This opens up new doors to study how the copying of the DNA and its packaging are linked. These findings may help scientists to find therapies and medicines for diseases such as cancer in the future.
Bystander CPR up to 10 minutes after cardiac arrest may protect brain function
The sooner a lay rescuer (bystander) starts cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a person having a cardiac arrest at home or in public, up to 10 minutes after the arrest, the better the chances of survival and brain protection, according to an analysis of nearly 200,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases in the U.S. from 2013 to 2022.
AI can detect serious neurologic changes in babies in the NICU using video data alone
Study findings could serve as a foundation for broader neuro-monitoring applications across intensive care units globally.
'Sleepy cannabis': Cannabinol increases sleep, study suggests
Research shows that a non-hallucinogenic marijuana constituent increases both REM and non-REM sleep in rats. Human trials are now under way.
Adequate sleep significantly reduces the risk of hypertension in adolescents
Adolescents who meet the recommended guidelines of nine to 11 hours of sleep per day were shown to have a significantly lower risk of hypertension, according to a study.
Study reveals best timing for getting the RSV vaccine during pregnancy to protect newborns
Current guidelines recommend that pregnant people receive a vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) -- which typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms in most adults but can be deadly for infants -- during weeks 32-36 of pregnancy. New research suggests that vaccination earlier in that time-frame, closer to 32 weeks, could provide the best protection for newborns against RSV.
Pandemic-era increase in alcohol use persists, research shows
A new finds that heavy drinking among adult Americans increased more than 20 percent during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and continued for the following two years.
Fear of another heart attack may be a major source of ongoing stress for survivors
Fear of another heart attack was a significant ongoing contributor to how heart attack survivors perceive their health, according to a study. While anxiety and depression are recognized as common conditions after a heart attack, they did not explain the impact of fear of recurrence in this study. The researchers suggest that fear of another heart attack should be evaluated and addressed separately from depression and anxiety.
While more is better, even moderate amounts of exercise may reduce risk for common heart condition
Adding an extra hour every week of physical activity may lower the chance of developing the most common type of irregular heartbeat (arrythmia) by 11%, a study shows.
Tumor suppressor forms gel-like assemblies to sacrifice cancer cells
Scientists uncovered a previously unrecognized tumor suppression mechanism through the study of condensates and ribosome formation.
Protein degradation strategy offers new hope in cancer therapy
A team of scientists has used a novel approach to identify protein degraders that target Pin1, a protein involved in pancreatic cancer development.
Super microscope shows nanoscale biological process for the first time
A new microscope is capable of live imaging of biological processes in such detail that moving protein complexes are visible.
Scientists use microcellular drones to deliver lung cancer-killing drugs
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) loaded with customizable anti-cancer antisense oligonucleotides suppressed cancer growth.
Study leads the way to early detection and treatment of aggressive prostate cancer
Scientists uncover functionality of a genetic variant in the prostate specific antigen (PSA) gene to improve the current diagnostic test to help distinguish aggressive from non-aggressive prostate cancers.
Patients may become unnecessarily depressed by common heart medicine
All patients who have had a heart attack are typically treated using beta blockers. According to a recent study, this drug is unlikely to be needed for those heart patients who have a normal pumping ability. Now a sub-study shows that there is also a risk that these patients will become depressed by the treatment.
Researchers uncover new role of mutant proteins in some of the deadliest cancers
Researchers have discovered a new way in which RAS genes, which are commonly mutated in cancer, may drive tumor growth beyond their well-known role in signaling at the cell surface. Mutant RAS, they found, helps to kick off a series of events involving the transport of specific nuclear proteins that lead to uncontrolled tumor growth, according to a new study.
International canine gene research database accelerates biomedical research
A new database covering over 100 different canine tissues can significantly enhance our understanding of hereditary diseases and provide valuable information for health research in both dogs and humans.
Robot that watched surgery videos performs with skill of human doctor, researchers report
A robot, trained for the first time by watching videos of seasoned surgeons, executed the same surgical procedures as skillfully as the human doctors, say researchers.
'Emotional contagion' a factor in seniors' mental health
A new study finds that seniors who tend to mirror other people's feelings are more likely to show signs of being anxious or depressed themselves.
Consistent bedtime linked with better child emotion and behavior regulation
A consistent bedtime may be more important to a child's ability to control their emotions and behavior than the duration or quality of their sleep, according to a new publication.
Asthma may place children at risk of memory difficulties
Asthma is associated with memory difficulties in children, and early onset of asthma may exacerbate memory deficits, according to a new study.