Laden...
ScienceDaily: Top Health News |
| Whole-genome sequencing reveals new secrets about killer fungus Posted: 02 Mar 2022 06:00 PM PST New research reports the largest ever whole-genome sequencing project for the potentially fatal yeast infection Candida glabrata from hospitals across Scotland. |
| Blood pressure medications impact brain function Posted: 02 Mar 2022 03:59 PM PST Researchers found that blood pressure medications have an unanticipated effect on the brain. |
| 'Drug factory' implants eliminate ovarian, colorectal cancer in mice Posted: 02 Mar 2022 12:03 PM PST Bioengineers have shown they can eradicate advanced-stage ovarian and colorectal cancer in mice in as little as six days with a treatment that could be ready for human clinical trials later this year. |
| Vision scientists discover new angle on path of light through photoreceptors Posted: 02 Mar 2022 12:03 PM PST Researchers have discovered that power-producing organelles in the eye's photoreceptor cells, called mitochondria, function as microlenses that help channel light to these cells' outer segments where it's converted into nerve signals. The discovery in ground squirrels provides a more precise picture of the retina's optical properties and could help detect eye disease earlier. The findings also shed light on the evolution of vision. |
| Exposure to great outdoors boosted mental health during pandemic Posted: 02 Mar 2022 12:03 PM PST New research has found that people who spent more time in green spaces reported less anxiety and depression during the first year of the pandemic. Merely having abundant green space nearby, as measured by satellite images, was associated with lower depression scores. |
| Early menopause may raise risk of dementia later in life Posted: 02 Mar 2022 10:13 AM PST Compared with women who enter menopause around age 50, women who experience very early menopause (before the age of 40) were found to be 35% more likely to develop some type of dementia later in life, according to a large study of women living in the United Kingdom. Women who entered menopause before age 45 were also 1.3 times more likely to develop dementia before the age of 65. In addition, women who entered menopause later, at age 52 or older, had dementia risk similar to women who entered menopause at the average age for menopause onset which is the age of 50 to 51 years. |
| Cerebrospinal fluid may be able to identify aggressive brain tumors in children Posted: 02 Mar 2022 09:51 AM PST It may be possible to identify the presence of an aggressive brain tumor in children by studying their cerebrospinal fluid, according to new research. |
| Gene Editing gets safer thanks to redesigned Cas9 protein Posted: 02 Mar 2022 08:06 AM PST Scientists have redesigned a key component of a widely used CRISPR-based gene-editing tool, called Cas9, to be thousands of times less likely to target the wrong stretch of DNA while remaining just as efficient as the original version, making it potentially much safer. |
| Virology: Equine hepatitis viruses and hepatitis C Posted: 02 Mar 2022 08:06 AM PST As of today, there is no vaccine against hepatitis C. To improve the search for it, researchers are looking for a so-called surrogate model: an animal that can also suffer from viral hepatitis and whose course of infection allows conclusions about the behavior of the hepatitis C virus in humans. They found what they were looking for in the horse. |
| Cocoa does not appear to reduce exercise-related digestive distress Posted: 02 Mar 2022 08:06 AM PST Impressive athleticism was on display during the Winter Olympics, but being at the top of one's game doesn't necessarily protect against digestive distress resulting from exercise. Surprisingly, some people are adding cocoa to their diets to reduce these symptoms. Now, researchers report that long-term daily consumption of cocoa doesn't appear to improve exercise-related digestive issues in male athletes and induces only minimal changes to their gut microbiomes. |
| Mucus could explain why SARS-CoV-2 doesn't spread easily from surfaces Posted: 02 Mar 2022 08:06 AM PST Early in the pandemic, many people fastidiously disinfected surfaces because laboratory studies predicted that SARS-CoV-2 could be easily transmitted in this way. Now, researchers have found a possible explanation for why the predictions didn't pan out: Sugar-decorated proteins in mucus could bind to the coronavirus on surfaces, keeping it from infecting cells. The findings could also hint at why some people are more vulnerable to COVID-19 than others. |
| We should be eating more insects and using their waste to grow crops, says plant ecologist Posted: 02 Mar 2022 08:05 AM PST Researchers already knew that insects are an excellent source of protein for humans, but they didn't expect to learn that they have such a positive impact on plants. Researchers discuss the benefits of using the waste from insect-as-food-and-feed production to promote sustainable crops. |
| Individuals in England reduced social contacts by up to 75 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic Posted: 02 Mar 2022 06:27 AM PST Transmission of respiratory viruses depends partly on the rate of close social contacts in a population. A study suggests that during the most restrictive period of lockdown in the United Kingdom, the number of reported contacts decreased by 75 percent from pre-pandemic levels. |
| Did COVID-19 make tinnitus, 'ringing' in the ears, worse? Posted: 02 Mar 2022 06:27 AM PST Many people impacted by COVID-19 experienced changes in their sense of smell, taste, hearing, balance and in some cases, tinnitus, 'ringing' in the ears. Among the various causes of tinnitus is stress. What's unclear, however, is whether the psychological impacts of the pandemic such as stress actually worsened tinnitus. Researchers assessed whether the severity of tinnitus, as measured using ratings of tinnitus loudness, annoyance, and effect on life, was influenced by the lockdown related to pandemic. Results do not support the idea that the pandemic led to a worsening of tinnitus and the mean scores did not differ significantly for the groups seen prior to the pandemic and during lockdown. |
| Posted: 02 Mar 2022 06:27 AM PST The molecular evolution of placental protein NRK and its function in regulating placental growth has finally been clarified. They elucidated that eutherian NRK regulates placental development by a novel mechanism, modulating the CK2-PTEN-AKT pathway. They also determined that this new function was acquired due to the amazingly rapid molecular evolution of NRK in eutherian ancestors. |
| New lab model simulates effects of exercise on muscles Posted: 02 Mar 2022 06:27 AM PST A team of researchers has developed a simple lab-based system for growing human muscle cells that are capable of vigorously contracting. |
| Some oral bacteria linked with hypertension in older women Posted: 02 Mar 2022 06:27 AM PST In a study of more than 1,200 women in the U.S., average age 63 years, 10 kinds of oral bacteria were associated with a higher risk of developing high blood pressure, while five strains of bacteria were linked with lower hypertension risk. The observational study cannot prove cause and effect; however, the findings highlight possible opportunities to enhance hypertension prevention through targeted oral care, researchers said. |
| Fungal infections cost U.S. $6.7B in a year Posted: 01 Mar 2022 05:56 PM PST New research has found that fungal infections account for $6.7 billion in health care spending in 2018. And that's just the cases that were directly responsible for inpatient hospital stays. |
| Ultrathin films for stretchable and sturdy bioelectronic membranes Posted: 01 Mar 2022 05:56 PM PST Researchers have developed a unique design of ultrathin films for highly flexible yet mechanically robust bioelectronic membranes that could pave the way for diagnostic on-skin sensors that fit precisely over the body's contours and conform to its movements. |
| New research advances wearable medical sensors Posted: 01 Mar 2022 05:54 PM PST Monitoring vitals and diagnosing ailments can be clunky, painful and inconvenient. But researchers are now working to improve health monitoring by creating wearable sensors that collect data for clinicians while limiting discomfort for patients. |
| The rare discovery of a protein function universal to bacteria and humans Posted: 01 Mar 2022 04:24 PM PST Scientists have discovered that a human receptor protein has the ability to detect individual amino acids in exactly the same way that bacteria do. The finding could lead to enhancements of drugs derived from the amino acid GABA. |
| Posted: 01 Mar 2022 04:24 PM PST Results from a new clinical trial demonstrate that an eight-week mindfulness-based therapy decreased opioid use and misuse while reducing chronic pain symptoms, with effects lasting as long as nine months. |
| Posted: 01 Mar 2022 01:20 PM PST A study has confirmed what is believed to be the first published account of the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a house cat. The viral sequence was a close match to strains circulating in the Philadelphia area at the same time, underscoring the virus's ability to jump from one species to another without acquiring significant mutations. |
| Posted: 01 Mar 2022 01:20 PM PST The SARS-CoV-2 virus is continuously evolving and structural changes to the virus may impact the efficacy of antibody therapies and vaccines. A study describes the structural and functional landscape of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and discuss the effects of mutations on the virus spike protein that may allow it to evade antibody responses. |
| Investigating the effects of critical illness in early childhood on neurocognitive outcomes Posted: 01 Mar 2022 01:20 PM PST Approximately 23,700 children in the U.S. undergo invasive mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory failure annually. Although most survive, little is known if they have worse long-term neurocognitive function than children who do not undergo such procedures. There are concerns about neurotoxic effects of critical illness and its treatment on the developing brain. Therefore, infants and young children may be uniquely susceptible to adverse neurocognitive outcomes after invasive mechanical ventilation. |
| Does nerve damage contribute to 'long-COVID' symptoms? Posted: 01 Mar 2022 01:20 PM PST Most post-COVID nerve damage appears to be caused by infection-triggered immune dysfunction -- not by lingering infection -- suggesting patients might benefit from currently available immunotherapies. |
| Medicine masquerade: Engineer develops imitation red blood cells to deliver lifesaving drugs Posted: 01 Mar 2022 12:23 PM PST The body's natural filters, such as the kidney and lungs, are designed to protect the body from foreign materials. But they also filter out large percentages of critical drugs such as chemotherapy. Scientists are developing a new type of drug delivery vehicle designed to bypass these filters by imitating the properties of a red blood cell. |
| Posted: 01 Mar 2022 12:23 PM PST Researchers have found that developmental delays associated with Leigh syndrome, the most common pediatric mitochondrial disorder, may occur earlier than previously recognized -- even before metabolic stroke and regression -- which could provide clinicians with an opportunity for earlier diagnosis and therapeutic interventions. |
| Improved bone marrow and stem cell transplantation for patients with blood-related diseases Posted: 01 Mar 2022 11:13 AM PST Hematopoietic stem cells can grow and make healthy blood cells after being transplanted into patients with blood cell--related diseases. Researchers have now revealed the unique signature of genes expressed by these cells. The findings could enable scientists to expand these cells or to convert other types of cells into cells that can repopulate the blood system, which would have important clinical applications. This work could facilitate treatment of multiple diseases or allow the creation of a limitless supply of these rare cells from other more common cell types in the future. |
| Posted: 01 Mar 2022 11:12 AM PST A new study shows that two doses of an mRNA vaccine provide protection against COVID-19 associated emergency department and urgent care visits among children ages 5 to 11. The study also finds that two doses of an mRNA vaccine provide protection against COVID-19 associated emergency department and urgent care visits as well as very high protection against hospitalization among adolescents aged 12 to 17. |
| Disentangling interactions across brain areas Posted: 01 Mar 2022 10:12 AM PST Researchers are simultaneously recording populations of neurons across brain areas in the visual system and utilizing novel statistical methods to observe neural activity patterns being conveyed. |
| Visual facilitation around hands: Hand proximity attention and handedness Posted: 01 Mar 2022 10:11 AM PST Our visual processing is facilitated by spaces near the hand in a process known as hand proximity attention. Using a visual phenomenon called the flash-lag effect, researchers showed that proprioceptive information of a hand contributed to hand proximity attention. |
| Study could help to defend humans and crops from yeast infection Posted: 01 Mar 2022 10:11 AM PST Clues to the mechanism of yeast infections, which present risks to both humans and crops, have been identified in new research. |
| Study finds lower oxidative stress in children who live and study near green spaces Posted: 01 Mar 2022 10:11 AM PST A study has analyzed the relationship between exposure to different green spaces and oxidative stress in children. The study concluded that greater exposure to vegetation is associated with lower levels of oxidative stress and that this association is observed regardless of the children's physical activity. |
| SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals could have different variants hidden in different parts of the body Posted: 01 Mar 2022 10:11 AM PST People suffering from COVID-19 could have several different SARS-CoV-2 variants hidden away from the immune system in different parts of the body, finds new research. The study's authors say that this may make complete clearance of the virus from the body of an infected person, by their own antibodies, or by therapeutic antibody treatments, much more difficult. |
| Posted: 01 Mar 2022 10:11 AM PST Multiple myeloma, the most common type of bone marrow cancer in Germany, almost always returns, even after initial treatment success. In the majority of cases, the reasons behind this treatment resistance (e.g., genetic mutations) and the subsequent return of the disease, remain unknown. According to new research, it is the increased production of a specific protein which diminishes the cancer's sensitivity to treatment. |
| Milk may exacerbate MS symptoms Posted: 01 Mar 2022 10:11 AM PST Multiple sclerosis sufferers often complain of more severe disease symptoms after consuming dairy products. Researchers have now found a possible cause for this. According to the study, a protein in cow's milk can trigger inflammation that targets the 'insulating layer' around nerve cells. The study was able to demonstrate this link in mice, but also found evidence of a similar mechanism in humans. The researchers therefore recommend that certain groups of sufferers avoid dairy products. |
| Posted: 01 Mar 2022 10:10 AM PST A new study using serum from human blood samples suggests neutralizing antibody levels produced by two-dose mRNA vaccines against the original and early variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus wane substantially over time, and offer essentially no protection against the omicron variant. |
| Machine learning improves human speech recognition Posted: 01 Mar 2022 10:10 AM PST To understand how hearing loss impacts people, researchers study people's ability to recognize speech, and hearing aid algorithms are often used to improve human speech recognition. Researchers explore a human speech recognition model based on machine learning and deep neural networks. They calculated how many words per sentence a listener understands using automatic speech recognition. The study consisted of eight normal-hearing and 20 hearing-impaired listeners who were exposed to a variety of complex noises that mask the speech. |
| Cloth masks inferior for protection against airborne viral spread Posted: 01 Mar 2022 10:10 AM PST A new study examines the efficacy of particle filtration by woven fabric, which consists of fibers twisted together into yarns. There are, therefore, two lengthscales: the diameters of the fiber and the yarn. Using 3D imagery produced by confocal microscopy to see the air flow channels, the scientists simulate the airflow through these channels and calculate filtration efficiency for particles a micrometer and larger in diameter. The study concludes for particles in this size range, the filtration efficiency is low. |
| Intestinal cells change functions during their lives Posted: 01 Mar 2022 10:10 AM PST Intestinal cells can change specializations during their lives. The BMP signaling pathway -- an important communication mechanism between cells -- appears to be the driver of these changes, according to research with organoids and mice. The study offers new insights into potential targets for the treatment of metabolic diseases. |
| The role of lipids in the development of Alzheimer’s disease Posted: 01 Mar 2022 10:10 AM PST Neurons in the brain coexist with and rely on many other cell types to function properly. Astrocytes, which take their name from their star shape, ensure the survival of neurons by feeding and detoxifying them with the help of a multifunctional protein, APOE. One of three forms of this protein, APOE4, significantly increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, but the mechanisms at play are unknown. |
| Harmless or deadly? New study examines evolution of E. coli bacteria Posted: 01 Mar 2022 06:37 AM PST A new study suggests genetic material from E. coli bacteria in farm animals could be contributing to the evolution of deadly strains of E. coli in humans. |
| New epigenetic biomarkers found that potentially predict preterm birth Posted: 01 Mar 2022 06:37 AM PST A signature found in the cheek cells of mothers and fathers of preterm infants may help develop a test to determine whether a pregnancy may end too early. Such a test could help prevent premature births and the many resulting health impacts on infants by alerting medical providers to the need for early intervention measures. In a proof of concept study, researchers documented more than 100 epigenetic biomarkers in mothers of preterm babies that were distinct from mothers of babies carried to term. Fathers had fewer biomarkers but enough to indicate a likely paternal role in preterm birth. They also found that the preterm female babies carried more than 100 of these biomarkers, indicating the propensity to have a preterm baby may be passed down. |
| Face masks play a crucial role, new COVID research confirms Posted: 01 Mar 2022 06:36 AM PST Researchers have developed a new theoretical model to better assess the risks of spreading viruses such as COVID-19 -- with and without a face mask. The results show how the standard 'safe' distance of two meters does not always apply but varies greatly depending on a range of environmental factors, and that face masks can indeed play a crucial role. |
| Protein protects brain cells most impacted by glaucoma Posted: 01 Mar 2022 06:36 AM PST A ubiquitous protein called sigma 1 receptor, which is known to protect cells from stress, appears key to the function and survival of the neurons most impacted by glaucoma, scientists report. |
| Why exercise gets harder the less you do Posted: 28 Feb 2022 04:10 PM PST Doing less exercise could deactivate a vital protein in the body, causing further inactivity and making exercise more difficult, new research suggests. Deactivating the Piezo1 protein, a blood flow sensor, reduces the density of capillaries carrying blood to the muscles. This restricted blood flow means activity becomes more difficult and can lead to a reduction in how much exercise is possible. This helps to explain the biology of why exercise becomes harder the less you do. |
| How the body fights back against cancer Posted: 28 Feb 2022 04:09 PM PST New research reveals how our immune system can be triggered to attack cancer cells. The research could help develop new approaches to treating people with leukemia. The team studied acute myeloid leukaemia - a blood cancer which is very difficult to treat. The study identified a process of activating the immune system to fight the leukaemia cells. |
| Ultrasound scan can diagnose prostate cancer Posted: 28 Feb 2022 03:40 PM PST An ultrasound scan can be used to detect cases of prostate cancer, according to new research. |
| Adaptive HEALEY ALS Platform Trial hopes to bring new treatments to patients faster Posted: 28 Feb 2022 12:06 PM PST A new article describes the approach, structure, and launch of the HEALEY ALS Platform Trial- the first platform trial for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) designed to accelerate the development of effective and breakthrough treatments for people with the illness. |
| Team uses MRI to image epigenetics in the brain Posted: 28 Feb 2022 12:06 PM PST A multidisciplinary team has devised a new approach to 3D imaging that captures DNA methylation, a key epigenetic change associated with learning in the brain. The scientists say their proof-of-concept study in pigs will easily translate to humans, as the new method relies on standard MRI technology and biological markers already in use in human medicine. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States | |
Laden...
Laden...
