ScienceDaily: Top Health News

Anticoagulant has beneficial side-effects for COVID-19 patients, study finds

Posted: 12 Nov 2021 09:25 AM PST

Clotting problems and resulting complications are common in COVID-19 patients. Researchers have now shown that a member of the anticoagulant group of drugs not only has a beneficial effect on survival of COVID-19 patients, but also influences the duration of active infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

Coronavirus lurks and lingers in nursing home patients’ rooms, study finds

Posted: 12 Nov 2021 09:25 AM PST

Even though most COVID-19 cases come from exposure to airborne coronavirus, a new study points to the importance of surfaces as a reservoir of risk in nursing homes -- especially certain objects close to the beds of patients who have COVID-19.

Malaria: New knowledge about naturally acquired immunity may improve vaccines

Posted: 12 Nov 2021 09:14 AM PST

When you have become immune to malaria after having contracted the disease, it seems that the body uses a more efficient protection than if you have been vaccinated against the deadly disease. The researchers believe the new findings may be used to improve existing malaria vaccines.

Noninvasive brain biopsy shows improved sensitivity in tumor detection

Posted: 12 Nov 2021 07:05 AM PST

A team of researchers has developed a noninvasive diagnostic method that may one day replace the biopsy with a simple blood test.

More evidence of an evolutionary ‘arms race’ between genes and selfish genetic elements

Posted: 12 Nov 2021 07:05 AM PST

Researchers discover further evidence of an evolutionary arms race within organisms -- and the mechanisms at play in this arms race -- to combat selfish genetic elements.

Obesity raises the risk of gum disease by inflating growth of bone-destroying cells

Posted: 12 Nov 2021 05:31 AM PST

Chronic inflammation caused by obesity may trigger the development of cells that break down bone tissue, including the bone that holds teeth in place, according to new research that sought to improve understanding of the connection between obesity and gum disease. The study, completed in an animal model and published in October in the Journal of Dental Research, found that excessive inflammation resulting from obesity raises the number of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), a group of immune cells that increase during illness to regulate immune function. MDSCs, which originate in the bone marrow, develop into a range of different cell types, including osteoclasts (a cell that breaks down bone tissue).

Low-cost medicine effective in treating high blood pressure for some

Posted: 11 Nov 2021 02:11 PM PST

Medical researchers found that chlorthalidone was effective in lowering blood pressure in individuals with advanced kidney disease.

Moderate amounts of caffeine not linked to maternal health risks

Posted: 11 Nov 2021 02:11 PM PST

Consuming a low amount of caffeine during pregnancy could help to reduce gestational diabetes risk, according to researchers.

Competing quantum interactions enable single molecules to stand up

Posted: 11 Nov 2021 02:11 PM PST

Nanoscale machinery has many uses, including drug delivery, single-atom transistor technology, or memory storage. However, the machinery must be assembled at the nanoscale which is a considerable challenge for researchers.

PFAS exposure, high-fat diet drive prostate cells’ metabolism into pro-cancer state

Posted: 11 Nov 2021 12:43 PM PST

A high-fat diet synergizes with exposure to PFAS to change the metabolism of benign and malignant prostate cells, according to a new study in mice.

Conflicting health information compromises attention and emotional responses

Posted: 11 Nov 2021 12:42 PM PST

The 24-hour news cycle and social media bombardment often resulting in conflicting messages about health issues might be making it harder than ever for people to make critical decisions, according to a new study.

It takes more than one mutant copy of the PIK3CA gene to make breast cancer more aggressive, study finds

Posted: 11 Nov 2021 12:42 PM PST

Breast cancers that have an overactive PI3K enzyme tend to be more aggressive and to spread and divide more like stem cells. But a new study uncovers a surprising relationship between PI3K activity and mutations in the PIK3CA gene that codes for the enzyme.

Students who repeat a grade experience more bullying, study finds

Posted: 11 Nov 2021 12:42 PM PST

Students who have repeated a grade have higher risks of being victims of bullying in countries around the world, according to a new study of nearly half a million students.

Scientists discover sugar molecule on HIV-infected cell plays role in evading immune system

Posted: 11 Nov 2021 12:42 PM PST

A new study shows how key features on the surface of HIV-infected cells help the disease evade detection by the immune system. It also shows how these features can be disabled.

Unstable housing, homelessness associated with COVID-19 re-infection

Posted: 11 Nov 2021 10:04 AM PST

New study results demonstrate that unstable housing and homelessness is associated with a two-fold greater chance of being re-infected with SARS-CoV-2 compared to those who are securely housed. The research indicates that unstable housing was the only demographical factor associated with re-infection despite the presence of antibodies from the first infection.

New study finds evidence of COVID antibodies in breast milk of vaccinated mothers

Posted: 11 Nov 2021 10:03 AM PST

Researchers found that two groups of mothers -- those who had disease-acquired immunity and those with vaccine-immunity -- had high levels of antibodies in their breast milk, and these antibodies provided neutralization against SARS-CoV-2.

Gut microbiota differences seen in people with autism may be due to dietary preferences

Posted: 11 Nov 2021 10:03 AM PST

Research suggested that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be at least partly caused by differences in the composition of the gut microbiota, based on the observation that certain types of microbes are more common in people with autism. But a new study suggests that the link may actually work the other way around: the diversity in species found in the guts of children with autism may be due to their restricted dietary preferences associated with autism, rather than the cause of their symptoms.

Lingering COVID symptoms in young, competitive athletes rare, large study finds

Posted: 11 Nov 2021 10:02 AM PST

A new study shows that persistent symptoms following COVID-19 infections in collegiate athletes appear to be rare. Also rare is chest pain upon return to exercise, but is nonetheless a concerning finding that may warrant further clinical workup.

New tests track sources of lead contamination in urban soils and assess its risks

Posted: 10 Nov 2021 10:15 AM PST

Scientists have developed a suite of isotope-based tests that can be used to identify the origin of lead contamination in urban soils and assess the risk it poses to children who inhale or ingest contaminated dirt or dust. The tests can distinguish between contamination from modern sources and contamination from pre-1970s leaded gasoline fumes or leaded paint, making them especially useful for assessing the hidden risks of legacy contamination.

Research uncovers new insights on ALS and points to a potentially promising treatment strategy

Posted: 10 Nov 2021 10:15 AM PST

Investigators have found that an abnormal form of the tau protein is present in brain tissue from deceased patients who had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Cells that were grown in contact with deceased ALS patients' brain tissue that contained abnormal tau exhibited fragmentation of mitochondria and showed signs of oxidative stress. Reducing tau reversed these effects, lowering mitochondrial fragmentation and decreasing oxidative stress.

Biological studies often misinterpret sex-based data, analysis finds

Posted: 10 Nov 2021 07:44 AM PST

An analysis of published studies from a range of biological specialties shows that, when data are reported by sex, critical statistical analyses are often missing and the findings are likely to be reported in misleading ways.

Critical role of mechanosensor in skin wound healing

Posted: 09 Nov 2021 12:52 PM PST

PIEZO1, an ion channel mechanosensor found within cells, has been revealed to play a key role in regulating the speed of skin wound healing.