ScienceDaily: Health - September 16, 2023
Top health research news
In major breakthrough, researchers close in on potential preeclampsia cure
Researchers have achieved a significant breakthrough in identifying the primary cause and potential treatment for preeclampsia, a severe pregnancy complication. Experts pinpointed a toxic protein named cis P-tau in the blood and placenta of individuals with preeclampsia. The study describes cis P-tau as a pivotal circulating instigator of preeclampsia. An antibody developed in 2012 to target only the toxic protein while leaving its healthy counterpart unscathed is currently undergoing clinical trials in human patients suffering from traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer's Disease. The antibody has shown promising results in animal models and human cell cultures in treating the brain conditions. Upon testing this antibody in mice, the researchers found the all symptoms associated with preeclampsia were corrected.
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Making AI smarter with an artificial, multisensory integrated neuron
The feel of a cat's fur can reveal some information, but seeing the feline provides critical details: is it a housecat or a lion? While the sound of fire crackling may be ambiguous, its scent confirms the burning wood. Our senses synergize to give a comprehensive understanding, particularly when individual signals are subtle. The collective sum of biological inputs can be greater than their individual contributions. Robots tend to follow more straightforward addition, but researchers have now harnessed the biological concept for application in artificial intelligence (AI) to develop the first artificial, multisensory integrated neuron.
Scientists take next big step in understanding genetics of schizophrenia
Scientists are figuring out which of the 5,000 variants associated with schizophrenia have an actual causal effect in the development of the condition that affects millions of people worldwide.
Women receiving inflated risks from genetic testing could undergo unnecessary breast surgery
The authors of new research led by the University of Exeter have warned that women who discover, outside of a clinical setting, that they carry a disease-causing variant in one of the BRCA genes (BRCA1 or BRCA2) may be told their risk of breast cancer is 60-80 per cent. In fact, the risk could be less than 20 per cent if they do not have a close relative with the condition.
A new study finds poor quality of available foods, increased intake of calories from foods high in trans-fatty acids, and environments that do not foster physical activity, all prevalent in disadvantaged neighborhoods, disrupt the flexibility of information processing in the brain that is involved in reward, emotion regulation, and cognition.
New parent? Night shift? New analysis suggests ideal nap strategy to survive all-nighters
A reanalysis of studies on night shift naps reveals the ideal snoozing schedule that may help combat fatigue and drowsiness when staying up all night.
When it comes to starting a family, timing is everything
A new review of methods to increase chances of successful conception suggests that timed intercourse using urine ovulation tests probably improves live birth and pregnancy rates in women under 40 who had been trying to conceive for less than 12 months, compared to intercourse without ovulation prediction.
Are US teenagers more likely than others to exaggerate their math abilities?
A major new study has revealed that American teenagers are more likely than any other nationality to brag about their math ability.
A quarter of people are undoing the benefits of healthy meals by unhealthy snacking
A quarter of people are undoing the benefits of healthy meals with unhealthy snacks, which increases the risk of strokes and cardiovascular disease.
In the 'I' of the beholder: People believe self-relevant artwork is more beautiful
New research shows how we prefer art that speaks to our sense of self. The findings could lead to more effective forms of art therapy, but can also lead media companies to generate addictive content online.