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Showing posts from December, 2020

Early warning signals could help monitor disease outbreaks

New research suggests early warning signals (EWSs) could help in the monitoring of disease outbreaks, such as COVID-19. The study found warnings could be detected weeks earlier than any rapid increase in cases. The findings could help governments and policy makers improve the accuracy of their decisions and allow timely interventions if needed. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3DvxDk4 via IFTTT
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Traditional Ghanaian medicines show promise against tropical diseases

The discovery of new drugs is vital to achieving the eradication of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Africa and around the world. Now, researchers have identified traditional Ghanaian medicines which work in the lab against schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis, three diseases endemic to Ghana. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/38Nlzxj via IFTTT
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Social media safety messages: Pictures should match the words

When using social media to nudge people toward safe and healthy behaviors, it's critical to make sure the words match the pictures, according to a new study. After looking at social media posts, parents of young children were better able to recall safety messages such as how to put a baby safely to sleep when the images in the posts aligned with the messages in the text. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3n1BOvF via IFTTT
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Study points the way to boost immunotherapy against breast cancer, other solid tumors

Researchers report that adding a small molecule to a chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cell therapy can help immune system T cells to effectively attack solid tumors, such as breast cancers. The boost helps recruit more immune cells into battle at the tumor site, according to the new study. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3o358mZ via IFTTT
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Blood vessel cells implicated in chronic inflammation of obesity

When fat cells in the body are stuffed with excess fat, the surrounding tissue becomes inflamed. That chronic, low-level inflammation is one of the driving factors behind many of the diseases associated with obesity. Now, scientists have discovered a type of cell responsible, at least in mice, for triggering this inflammation in fat tissue. Their findings could eventually lead to new ways to treat obesity. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WW228p via IFTTT
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New research may explain severe virus attacks on the lungs

In some cases, immune cells in the lungs can contribute to worsening a virus attack. In a new study, researchers describe how different kinds of immune cells, called macrophages, develop in the lungs and which of them may be behind severe lung diseases. The study may contribute to future treatments for COVID-19, among other diseases. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3aWPnKC via IFTTT
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Gut cells sound the alarm when parasites invade

When the parasite Cryptosporidium enters the body, it's cells in the intestines that first recognize the invader, triggering an early immune response, according to a new study. A leading cause of diarrheal disease in young children globally, the parasite generates an inflammatory response beginning in the intestines that exacerbates the effects of malnutrition. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3b81epl via IFTTT
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A pursuit of better testing to sort out the complexities of ADHD

The introduction of computer simulation to the identification of symptoms in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has potential to provide an additional objective tool to gauge the presence and severity of behavioral problems, researchers suggest. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3nZYnC9 via IFTTT
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General anesthesia and normal sleep affect brain in an amazingly similar way as consciousness fades

What happens in the brain when our conscious awareness fades during general anesthesia and normal sleep? Scientists studied this question with novel experimental designs and functional brain imaging. They succeeded in separating the specific changes related to consciousness from the more widespread overall effects, and discovered that the effects of anesthesia and sleep on brain activity were surprisingly similar. These novel findings point to a common central core brain network fundamental for human consciousness. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3hrqqbb via IFTTT
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Stopping RAS inhibitors tied to worse outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease

Small studies have suggested that a group of medications called RAS inhibitors may be harmful in persons with advanced chronic kidney disease, and physicians therefore often stop the treatment in such patients. Researchers now show that although stopping the treatment is linked to a lower risk of requiring dialysis, it is also linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular events and death. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3pvjnBe via IFTTT
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A single gene 'invented' haemoglobin several times

Thanks to the marine worm Platynereis dumerilii, an animal whose genes have evolved very slowly, scientists have shown that while haemoglobin appeared independently in several species, it actually descends from a single gene transmitted to all by their last common ancestor. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/381FTfj via IFTTT
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Brain imaging predicts PTSD after brain injury

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex psychiatric disorder brought on by physical and/or psychological trauma. How its symptoms, including anxiety, depression and cognitive disturbances arise remains incompletely understood and unpredictable. Treatments and outcomes could potentially be improved if doctors could better predict who would develop PTSD. Now, researchers using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have found potential brain biomarkers of PTSD in people with traumatic brain injury (TBI). from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3rChPqY via IFTTT
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Global trial reveals life saving drug for acute myeloid leukemia

Results from a global trial across 148 sites in 23 countries, showing a 30 per cent improvement in survival in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), significantly improving survival in older patients, over the age of 55, with the disease. AML is the most acute blood cancer in adults and its incidence increases with age, with a poor prognosis. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3rBrttM via IFTTT
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Vaping could cloud your thoughts, new studies suggest

Both adults and kids who vape were more likely to report difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions than their non-vaping, non-smoking peers on two annual national surveys. Survey results also suggest that kids were more likely to experience mental fog if they started vaping before the age of 14. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/34RAG7L via IFTTT
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Quick look under the skin

Imaging techniques enable a detailed look inside an organism. But interpreting the data is time-consuming and requires a great deal of experience. Artificial neural networks open up new possibilities: They require just seconds to interpret whole-body scans of mice and to segment and depict the organs in colors, instead of in various shades of gray. This facilitates the analysis considerably. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3n2XMi5 via IFTTT
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Do toddlers learning to spoon-feed seek different information from caregivers' hands and faces?

When toddlers begin to use a spoon to eat by themselves, what kind of interactions facilitate this behavior? To find out, an international research collaboration investigated the interactions between toddlers and their caregivers during mealtimes at a daycare center in Japan. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3nZJC2k via IFTTT
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Protein tells developing cells to stick together

Scientists have, for the first time, provided experimental evidence that cell stickiness helps them stay sorted within correct compartments during development. How tightly cells clump together, known as cell adhesion, appears to be enabled by a protein better known for its role in the immune system. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3rrHdj4 via IFTTT
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Astrocytes eat connections to maintain plasticity in adult brains

Developing brains constantly sprout new neuronal connections called synapses as they learn and remember. Important connections -- the ones that are repeatedly introduced, such as how to avoid danger -- are nurtured and reinforced, while connections deemed unnecessary are pruned away. Adult brains undergo similar pruning, but it was unclear how or why synapses in the adult brain get eliminated. Now, a team of researchers has found the mechanism underlying plasticity and, potentially, neurological disorders in adult brains. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/34NyiPf via IFTTT
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Scientists develop new gene therapy for deafness

A new study presents an innovative treatment for deafness, based on the delivery of genetic material into the cells of the inner ear. The genetic material 'replaces' the genetic defect and enables the cells to continue functioning normally. They maintain that this novel therapy could lead to a breakthrough in treating children born with various mutations that eventually cause deafness. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3ayIYFc via IFTTT
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Disposable surgical masks best for being heard clearly when speaking, study finds

Researchers have published the results of a new study evaluating the acoustic effects of face masks on speech. The team tested medical masks, disposable surgical masks, masks with clear plastic windows around the mouth, and homemade and store-bought cloth masks made of different fabric types and numbers of layers. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3pksnsG via IFTTT
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Genetic engineering without unwanted side effects helps fight parasites

Modified CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing scissors are enabling researchers to make alterations to the genetic material of single-cell organisms that are indistinguishable from natural mutations. This method is making it possible to develop a (harmless) experimental live vaccine for the widespread parasite Toxoplasma gondii. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3ph1i9S via IFTTT
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The brain's protein factories at work

Protein synthesis is a finely tuned process in the cell by macromolecules known as ribosomes. Which regulators are responsible for controlling protein synthesis in the brain? To address this question, researchers studied the structure of the brain's ribosomal complexes in great detail. The team was able to identify a new factor which is also involved in controlling brain development. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/38zKap0 via IFTTT
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Liquid bandage detects tissue oxygenation without the drawbacks of wired oximeters

A paint-on, transparent bandage containing phosphorescent materials reads the amount of oxygen reaching transplanted tissue -- a critical component of a transplant's success. Existing oximeter technology is complicated to use, restricts patients' movements, and is subject to false alarms. The first human trial of the liquid bandage in women undergoing breast reconstruction after cancer found that it performed as well as a wired oximeter device, the current clinical standard. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3aD8o4A via IFTTT
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Controlling cardiac waves with light to better understand abnormally rapid heart rhythms

Over 300,000 people die each year in the US due to sudden cardiac death. In many cases, sudden cardiac death is caused by abnormally rapid heart rhythms called tachycardias, which means the heart cannot pump adequate blood to the body. In Chaos, researchers use mice to study tachycardias and find there are intrinsic mechanisms that exist in heart tissue that they hypothesize lead to the self-termination of rapid cardiac rhythm. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/34DkwyL via IFTTT
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Cannabis use blunts stress reactivity in female rats

Female rats that inhaled vaporized cannabis daily for a month developed a blunted physiological response to stress, according to a new study. In contrast, male rats that were provided access to the same potency of cannabis over the same 30-day window did not experience any physiological changes in how they responded to a stressful situation. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3azMFug via IFTTT
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Scientists discover mutations associated with early onset dementia

Scientists have announced a significant advance in our understanding of an early onset form of dementia that may also progress our understanding of conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. Adult onset Leukoencephalopathy with axonal Spheroids and Pigmented glia (ALSP) is an ultra-rare condition that manifests initially with psychiatric and behavioural changes in patients followed by a rapid progression of dementia in the third or fourth decade of life. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WFoG4F via IFTTT
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Model predicts where ticks, Lyme disease will appear next in Midwest states

By drawing from decades of studies, scientists created a timeline marking the arrival of black-legged ticks, also known as deer ticks, in hundreds of counties across 10 Midwestern states. They used these data - along with an analysis of county-level landscape features associated with the spread of ticks - to build a model that can predict where ticks are likely to appear in future years. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3piAeHj via IFTTT
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Mouse-controlled mouse helps researchers understand intentional control

Researchers have devised a brain machine interface (BMI) that allows mice to learn to guide a cursor using only their brain activity. By monitoring this mouse-controlled mouse moving to a target location to receive a reward, the researchers were able to study how the brain represents intentional control. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3hddtSg via IFTTT
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In shaky times, focus on past successes, if overly anxious, depressed

The more chaotic things get, the harder it is for people with clinical anxiety and/or depression to make sound decisions and to learn from their mistakes. On a positive note, overly anxious and depressed people's judgment can improve if they focus on what they get right, instead of what they get wrong, suggests a new study. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WEkmm9 via IFTTT
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Masks not enough to stop COVID-19's spread without distancing, study finds

Wearing a mask may not be enough to prevent the spread of COVID-19 without social distancing. Researchers tested how different types of mask impacted the spread of droplets that carry the coronavirus when we cough or sneeze. Every material tested dramatically reduced the number of droplets that were spread. But at distances of less than 6 feet, enough droplets to potentially cause illness still made it through several of the materials. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/34Ey5h8 via IFTTT
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Pandemic and forthcoming stimulus funds could bring climate targets in sight -- or not

The lockdowns that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic have reduced greenhouse gas emissions. However, in the recovery phase, emissions could rise to levels above those projected before the pandemic. It all depends on how the stimulus money that governments inject into their economies is spent. A team of scientists has quantified how different recovery scenarios may affect global emissions and climate change. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2KszmkE via IFTTT
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Pregnant women in third trimester unlikely to pass SARS-CoV-2 infection to newborns

Pregnant women who are infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, during the third trimester are unlikely to pass the infection to their newborns, new research suggests. The study followed 127 pregnant women who were admitted to Boston hospitals during the spring of 2020. Among the 64 pregnant women who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, no newborns tested positive for the virus. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3nHhT6w via IFTTT
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Hand-held device measures aerosols for coronavirus risk assessment

Understanding aerosol concentrations and persistence in public spaces can help determine infection risks. However, measuring these concentrations is difficult, requiring specialized personnel and equipment. Now, researchers demonstrate that a commercial hand-held particle counter can be used for this purpose and help determine the impacts of risk-reducing measures, like ventilation improvements. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/34Eh0nB via IFTTT
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Bio-inspired endoscope provides 3D visible and near-infrared images simultaneously

Researchers have developed a new bio-inspired medical endoscope that can acquire 3D visible light and near-infrared fluorescence images at the same time. It features an optical design that combines the high-resolution 3D imaging of human vision with the mantis shrimp's capability to simultaneously detect multiple wavelengths of light. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/34E7QHJ via IFTTT
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What if clean air benefits during COVID-19 shutdown continued post-pandemic?

A new study poses a hypothetical question: What if air quality improvements in New York City during the spring COVID-19 shutdown were sustained for five years without the economic and health costs of the pandemic? Cumulative benefits during this period would amount to thousands of avoided cases of illness and death in children and adults, as well as associated economic benefits between $32 to $77 billion. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WBL8eO via IFTTT
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Modeling study suggests mitigation efforts can prevent most college campus COVID-19 cases

As colleges and universities consider strategies for the spring semester to keep COVID-19 cases down, a study in epidemic modeling may help shed light on what mitigation strategies may be most effective, both in terms of infections prevented and cost. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3nHT9er via IFTTT
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Anti-diarrhea drug drives cancer cells to cell death

In cell culture, loperamide, a drug commonly used against diarrhea, proves effective against glioblastoma cells. A research team has now unraveled the drug's mechanisms of action of cell death induction and - in doing so - has shown how this compound could help attack brain tumors that otherwise are difficult to treat. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/37GnkNx via IFTTT
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Neuroscientists isolate promising mini antibodies against COVID-19 from a llama

Researchers have isolated a set of promising, tiny antibodies, or 'nanobodies,' against SARS-CoV-2 that were produced by a llama named Cormac. Preliminary results suggest that at least one of these nanobodies, called NIH-CoVnb-112, could prevent infections and detect virus particles by grabbing hold of SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins. In addition, the nanobody appeared to work equally well in either liquid or aerosol form, suggesting it could remain effective after inhalation. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/34DDDbI via IFTTT
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Antibiotics for C-sections effective after umbilical cord clamped

Antibiotics for cesarean section births are just as effective when they're given after the umbilical cord is clamped as before clamping - the current practice - and could benefit newborns' developing microbiomes, according to new research. The study, by far the largest of its kind, challenges current recommendations for antibiotic use. Administering antibiotics after clamping does not increase the risk of infection at the site of C-section incisions, the study concludes. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3p84DrQ via IFTTT
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Brain tissue yields clues to causes of PTSD

A post-mortem analysis of brain tissue from people who had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may help explain enduring mysteries about the disorder, such as why women are more susceptible to it and whether a dampened immune system response plays a role in dealing with stress, a team has found. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/37DX99W via IFTTT
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High-five or thumbs-up? New device detects which hand gesture you want to make

A new device developed by engineers can recognize hand gestures based on electrical signals detected in the forearm. The system, which couples wearable biosensors with artificial intelligence (AI), could one day be used to control prosthetics or to interact with almost any type of electronic device. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3ayiYtr via IFTTT
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How to be happier in 2021

'If you want to make a New Year's resolution that really makes you happy, think about the ways in which you can contribute to the world, because the research shows it's not just good for the world but also really good for you,' says an international expert on motivational research. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3h8xtW4 via IFTTT
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Potential new drug target to treat cutaneous T cell lymphoma

In order to improve their understanding of how CTCL develops in hopes of developing new therapies, a team of scientists conducted a series of studies. They demonstrate that decreased expression of the protein SATB1 contributes to CTCL development and that drugs that cause SATB1 to become re-expressed may be potential treatment options for this disease. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3h8l4S6 via IFTTT
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How one pain suppresses the other

When two painful stimuli act on us at the same time, we perceive one of them as less painful. This phenomenon is part of the body's own pain control system. A dysfunction of this inhibition is associated with chronic pain disorders. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3nGCbNs via IFTTT
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Brain stem cells divide over months

Scientists have been able to observe the way stem cells in the adult brains of mice divide over the course of months to create new nerve cells. Their study shows that brain stem cells are active over a long period, and thus provides new insights that will feed into stem cell research. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/34A9PwD via IFTTT
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New 3D maps reveal inner workings of immune cell gene expression

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how our small genetic differences can have a tremendous effect on how our bodies respond to disease. Researchers have created 3D maps of how enhancer sequences and genes interact in several types of immune cells. Their new study opens the door to understanding individual risk for diseases from asthma to cancer. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WCNVEA via IFTTT
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California lockdown suppressed excess pandemic deaths

Nearly 20,000 more Californians died in the first six months of the pandemic than would have been expected to die in a normal year, with a disproportionate number of those deaths occurring among older adults, black or Latino residents, or those who had not completed high school, according to a new analysis. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2KIRM0g via IFTTT
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Traditional model for disease spread may not work in COVID-19

A mathematical model that can help project the contagiousness and spread of infectious diseases like the seasonal flu may not be the best way to predict the continuing spread of the novel coronavirus, especially during lockdowns that alter the normal mix of the population. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3mGsg96 via IFTTT
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The mechanics of the immune system

Not only chemistry plays a role in the docking of antigens to the T-cell; micromechanical effects are important too. Submicrometer structures on the cell surface act like microscopic tension springs. Tiny forces that occur as a result are likely to be of great importance for the recognition of antigens. It has now become possible to observe these forces directly using highly developed microscopy methods. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3aA7DsS via IFTTT
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Long non-coding RNA may play a key role in cardiovascular disease

Through utilization of genetically modified high-risk atherosclerotic mice, researchers have identified and characterized Macrophage-Associated Atherosclerosis lncRNA Sequence (MAARS), which is expressed specifically in macrophages in atherosclerotic plaques and contributes to the progression of the disease. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3h7a8nD via IFTTT
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The incredible, variable bacteria living in your mouth

Researchers have examined the human oral microbiome and discovered tremendous variability in bacterial subpopulations living in certain areas of the mouth. In many cases, the team was able to identify a handful of genes that might explain a particular bacterial group's habitat specificity. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/37xPdXM via IFTTT
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Living environment affects the microbiota and health of both dogs and their owners

In urban environments, allergic diseases are more common among dogs and their owners compared to those living in rural areas. Simultaneous allergic traits appear to be associated with the microbes found in the environment, but microbes relevant to health differ between dogs and humans. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3ar2S4L via IFTTT
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Researchers use artificial intelligence to ID mosquitoes

Rapid and accurate identification of mosquitoes that transmit human pathogens such as malaria is an essential part of mosquito-borne disease surveillance. Now, researchers have shown the effectiveness of an artificial intelligence system -- known as a Convoluted Neural Network -- to classify mosquito sex, genus, species and strain. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/37x0sQo via IFTTT
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COVID-19 pandemic had big impact on commercial fishing in Northeast

With restaurants and supply chains disrupted due to the global coronavirus pandemic, two-fifths of commercial fishermen surveyed from Maine through North Carolina did not go fishing earlier this year, according to a new study that also documented their resilience and adaptation. Of those who kept fishing, nearly all reported a decline in income compared with previous years, according to the survey of 258 fishers in the Northeast. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3au2UJo via IFTTT
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Stroke and altered mental state increase risk of death for COVID-19 patients

People hospitalized with COVID-19 and neurological problems including stroke and confusion, have a higher risk of dying than other COVID-19 patients, according to a new study. These findings have the potential to identify and focus treatment efforts on individuals most at risk and could decrease COVID-19 deaths. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WtCFu6 via IFTTT
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CAPTUREing Whole-Body 3D movements

Neuroscientists have made major advances in their quest to study the brain; however, there are no tools to precisely measure the brain's principal output -- behavior -- in freely moving animals. Researchers present CAPTURE, a new method for long-term continuous three-dimension motion tracking in freely behaving animals. Attaching markers to rats' head, trunk, and limbs, researchers can use CAPTURE to record the animal's natural behavior continuously for weeks. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2KGh1QZ via IFTTT
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New way to deliver DNA-based therapies for diseases

Researchers have created a new polymer to deliver DNA and RNA-based therapies for diseases. For the first time in the industry, the researchers were able to see exactly how polymers interact with human cells when delivering medicines into the body. This discovery opens the door for more widespread use of polymers in applications like gene therapy and vaccine development. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3rbtAEw via IFTTT
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New material system to convert and generate terahertz waves developed

Terahertz light holds enormous potential for tomorrow's technologies. It might succeed 5G by enabling extremely fast mobile communications connections and wireless networks. The bottleneck in the transition from gigahertz to terahertz frequencies has been caused by insufficiently efficient sources and converters. A research team with the participation of HZDR has now developed a material system to generate terahertz pulses much more effectively than before. It is based on graphene, coated with a metallic lamellar structure. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/34nxKiH via IFTTT
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Monkeys, like humans, persist at tasks they've already invested in

Humans are generally reluctant to give up on something they've already committed time and effort to. It's called the 'sunk costs' phenomenon, where the more resources we sink into an endeavor, the likelier we are to continue -- even if we sense it's futile. A new study shows that both capuchin monkeys and rhesus macaques are susceptible to the same behavior and that it occurs more often when the monkeys are uncertain about the outcome. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/38cOxGu via IFTTT
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Social holidays improve overall well-being

Social holidays improve holiday makers' overall satisfaction with life, as well as satisfaction with the quantity and quality of their leisure time, and social life, according to a new study. The study analyzed the effect of social holidays on holiday makers' subjective well-being and experience of inclusion. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3nxXOiV via IFTTT
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Machine intelligence accelerates research into mapping brains

Scientists have used machine intelligence to improve the accuracy and reliability of a powerful brain-mapping technique, a new study reports. Their development gives researchers more confidence in using the technique to untangle the human brain's wiring and to better understand the changes in this wiring that accompany neurological or mental disorders such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3p7BD3A via IFTTT
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Fibrous protein finding may lead to improved bioprinting, tissue engineering

Fibrous proteins such as collagen and fibrinogen form a thin solid layer on the surface of an aqueous solution similar to the 'skin' that forms on warm milk, according to a team of Penn State Researchers, who believe this finding could lead to more efficient bioprinting and tissue engineering. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3nws3qh via IFTTT
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Growing human organs for transplantation with new proof-of-concept

With the number of people who suffer from organ failures and the growing need for available organs for transplant, finding a new way to provide organs and therapeutic options to transplant patients is a critical need. In a new article, researchers show for the first time that newly established stem cells from pigs could provide a solution, laying the groundwork for growing transplantable human organs. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2KAhnsm via IFTTT
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Can mammogram screening be more effective?

Economists have identified an important challenge in designing age-related guidelines for when to start breast cancer screenings: Women who start getting mammograms at age 40 may be healthier than the population of 40-year-old women as a whole, with a lower incidence of breast cancer at that age. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3gYaCfO via IFTTT
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Errant DNA boosts immunotherapy effectiveness

DNA that ends up where it doesn't belong in cancer cells can unleash an immune response that makes tumors more susceptible to immunotherapy, the results of two new studies indicate. The findings suggest that delivering radiation - which triggers DNA release from cells - before immunotherapy could be an effective way to fight cancers that are challenging to treat. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2Ws9aci via IFTTT
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Talking to kids about weight: What the internet says and why researchers are wary

Researchers systematically reviewed numerous independently published guidelines for having conversations with children about weight status to analyze their content, consistency, actionability and scientific support. They recommend future guidelines unify their messages and be better supported by scholarly data. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2IYbjJy via IFTTT
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Computational model reveals how the brain manages short-term memories

Scientists have developed a new computational model showing how the brain maintains information short-term using specific types of neurons. Their findings could help shed light on why working memory is impaired in a broad range of neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, as well as in normal aging. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2Ws0GSk via IFTTT
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More West Nile virus-infected mosquitoes in lower-income areas of Baltimore

Researchers found higher rates of West Nile virus-infected mosquitoes in lower-income neighborhoods in urban areas of Baltimore, Maryland. This preliminary data provides another piece of the puzzle pointing to higher risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases in these neighborhoods already struggling with environmental injustices and poorer health outcomes. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2KBuMjC via IFTTT
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In fiction, we remember the deaths that make us sad

People may cheer the demise of evil villains in fiction, but the deaths we most remember are the meaningful and sad endings of the characters we loved, research suggests. In a new study, researchers found that when people were asked to recall the death of a fictional character, they were more likely to mention deaths perceived as 'meaningful' than those seen as 'pleasurable.' from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3r9pyfK via IFTTT
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Scientists unlock promising key to preventing cancer relapse after immunotherapy

The researchers discovered that cancer immunotherapies that make use of immune system cells such as T cells and CAR-T cells kill not only tumor cells that express the drugs' target, but also adjacent tumor cells that lack the targets, because of the presence of fas. This process, known as bystander killing, can be made more effective by adding therapeutics that turn off the regulation of fas proteins, the researchers said. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3r4guc9 via IFTTT
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Study reports drop in lung cancer screening, rise in malignancy during COVID-19 surge

Reporting on how deferred care worsened outcomes for lung cancer patients when the COVID-19 pandemic first surged in the spring of 2020, researchers explained that they have identified a framework that could help people with serious health conditions keep up their appointments during the current surge. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/38h6rrJ via IFTTT
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How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected measles vaccination rates?

Researchers evaluated changes in measles vaccination rates from before the pandemic to this summer, when return for clinical care was encouraged. Finding a steep and lasting decline, the researchers are making efforts to improve timely vaccination and provide safe catch-up opportunities to children in their pediatric primary care network. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3r53vqE via IFTTT
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Researchers expose power of enzyme on key immune cells

Communication, serendipity and an enzyme called DOT1L have all combined to produce some exciting findings into the immune system's B cells and T cells. These findings could result in further studies into a target for asthma and allergies, and fundamental work exploring the formation of immunity itself. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WoT4A0 via IFTTT
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Experimental vaccine can counter dangerous effects of synthetic cannabinoids

Made in clandestine laboratories and sold widely across the United States, the diverse class of drugs known as synthetic cannabinoids presents a growing public health threat. In a new study, scientists have devised a way to deactivate these designer drugs after they've been administered -- offering a potential path for treating addiction and overdose. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3ns6mb3 via IFTTT
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Researchers identify neurons that control nausea-like responses in mice

Researchers have identified neurons that regulate nausea-like responses in mice. When these neurons are experimentally turned on, nausea-like responses can be activated regardless of exposure to nausea-triggering substances. Without these neurons, nausea-like responses to poisons are lost. The results shed light on the sensation of nausea and present new targets for the design of improved, more precise antinausea medications. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3mxtunm via IFTTT
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Some neurons target tiny cerebral blood vessel dilation

Neurons control blood flow in tiny vessels in the brain, but researchers know little about this relationship. Now a team of Penn State engineers has found a connection between nitric oxide expressing neurons and changes in arterial diameters in mice, which may shed light on brain function and aging. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3gTJDC2 via IFTTT
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The bull's eye: New modified stem cells can deliver drugs specifically to tumor cells

Targeting drugs to cancer tissues is a major challenge in cancer treatment. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known for their ability to find and target tumor cells in the body, but using MSCs for drug delivery has been tricky, because upon loading with drugs, MSCs lose their viability and migratory ability. Now, researchers have successfully modified MSCs to deliver large quantities of anti-cancer drugs in a targeted manner to developing cancer cells. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3gQI0VW via IFTTT
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An atlas of S. pneumoniae and host gene expression during colonization and disease

The bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae colonizes the nasopharynx and can cause pneumonia. Then, it can spread to the bloodstream and cause organ damage. To understand how this pathogen adapts to different locations in the body, and also how the host responds to the microbe, researchers have measured bacterial and host gene expression at five different sites in a mouse model -- the nasopharynx, lungs, blood, heart and kidneys -- using three genetically different strains of S. pneumoniae. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3aiGElC via IFTTT
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Maternal diet during lactation shapes functional abilities of milk bacteria

The mother's diet while breastfeeding can shape the profile of human milk oligosaccharides (HMO), a type of complex carbohydrate in the mother's milk. Changing the HMOs, which are food and fodder for healthy microbes, in turn modifies the functional abilities of the milk microbiome. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WnZCz6 via IFTTT
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Researcher identifies gene teams working in subregions of brain

You must first understand how something works normally before you can figure out why it's broken. A researcher has now identified six mini gene co-expression networks for a normally functioning brain. That will allow researchers to test each of the gene teams to see if gene pairs are changing in brain tumors or people with intellectual disabilities. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/34gwFJt via IFTTT
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Turning sweat against itself with a metal-free antiperspirant

Body odor is an unpleasant smell, produced when bacteria living on the skin break down the proteins in sweat. To avoid stinking, some people apply antiperspirants that clog sweat ducts with foreign materials, such as metals, to slow perspiration. As a step toward a more natural solution, researchers have turned sweat against itself using an evaporation-based approach in which the salts in sweat create a gel-like plug. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2Wkp5cq via IFTTT
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Oh so simple: Eight genes enough to convert mouse stem cells into oocyte-like cells

By activating just eight genes for transcription factors, researchers have directly converted mouse stem cells into oocyte-like cells that mature and can even be fertilized like egg cells. In addition to giving new insight into egg cell development, the research may lead to a simple route for generating large amounts of oocyte cytoplasm for use in reproductive biology and medicine. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3gSiW0J via IFTTT
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The human helpers of SARS-CoV-2

Proteins are the functional units of the cell and enable the virus to enter the host cell or help the virus to replicate. Scientists have examined the corresponding genes of the helper proteins in a large study. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2ISY1Oq via IFTTT
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Lipid identified in human breast milk may play important role in early childhood weight

A lipid metabolite called 12,13-diHOME is in human breast milk. The authors of the study propose that 12,13-diHOME, as well as linked pathway metabolites from breast milk, have a protective effect against obesity development in offspring. They also suggest that a single bout of maternal exercise may boost levels of the metabolite in breast milk and that may translate into benefits for offspring in terms of healthy growth and development. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/38bPrTA via IFTTT
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The DNA regions in our brain that contribute to make us human

With only 1% difference, the human and chimpanzee protein-coding genomes are remarkably similar. Understanding the biological features that make us human is part of a fascinating and intensely debated line of research. Researchers have developed a new approach to pinpoint, for the first time, adaptive human-specific changes in the way genes are regulated in the brain. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3mqBq9R via IFTTT
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Type of sugar used to sweeten sheep milk kefir may improve consumer acceptance

The study of human emotions can be used to gauge the sensory acceptance of dairy products. A possible route to increase worldwide consumption of sheep milk kefir may be to improve its sensory acceptance, which can be a determining factor for its inclusion in daily diets. Scientists studied the effects of kefir sweetened with five different sugars on sensory acceptance and emotional profile in regular consumers of fermented dairy products. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3nrj3mj via IFTTT
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Researchers uncover blind spots at the intersection of AI and neuroscience

Is it possible to read a person's mind by analyzing the electric signals from the brain? The answer may be much more complex than most people think. In a new article, researchers say a prominent dataset used to try to answer this question is confounded, and therefore many eye-popping findings that were based on this dataset and received high-profile recognition are false after all. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2Kbg2bx via IFTTT
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Plastics pose threat to human health, report shows

Plastics contain and leach hazardous chemicals, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that threaten human health. An authoritative new report, Plastics, EDCs, & Health, from the Endocrine Society and the IPEN (International Pollutants Elimination Network), presents a summary of international research on the health impacts of EDCs and describes the alarming health effects of widespread contamination from EDCs in plastics. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/37me3Ko via IFTTT
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To the brain, reading computer code is not the same as reading language

Neuroscientists have found reading computer code does not rely on the regions of the brain involved in language processing. Instead, it activates the 'multiple demand network,' which is also recruited for complex cognitive tasks such as solving math problems or crossword puzzles. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WgqkcC via IFTTT
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Study IDs four things that make people feel good about using chatbots

A recent study has identified four factors that predict user satisfaction with customer service chatbots. The study also found that a positive chatbot experience was associated with customer loyalty, highlighting the potential importance of the findings to corporate brands. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/37k8E6d via IFTTT
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Genes play a role in common knee injury

It has long been known that the choice of shoe, surface and type of sport can all be contributing factors when someone suffers an anterior cruciate ligament rupture. Researchers have now observed that genes also play a decisive role. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/34i0322 via IFTTT
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High blood pressure at any age, no matter how long you have it, may speed cognitive decline

Memory, concentration and other cognitive functions decline faster among middle-aged and older adults who have high blood pressure than those who do not. Even seemingly slight blood pressure elevation during middle and older age is linked to a faster decline in cognition. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WcH0SB via IFTTT
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A human gene placed in fruit flies reveals details about a human developmental disorder

Meier-Gorlin syndrome, or MGS, is a rare genetic developmental disorder that causes dwarfism, small ears, a small brain, missing patella and other skeletal abnormalities. One mutation causing MGS, first reported in 2017, is a Lysine 23 to Glutamic acid (K23E) substitution in the gene for Orc6. Researchers have now put that mutant human gene into fruit flies to probe the function of Orc6 K23E. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/380X67m via IFTTT
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Compound derived from thunder god vine could help pancreatic cancer patients

The results of a pre-clinical study suggest how a compound derived from the thunder god vine -- an herb used in China for centuries to treat joint pain, swelling and fever -- is able to kill cancer cells and potentially improve clinical outcomes for patients with pancreatic cancer. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/34cCmIp via IFTTT
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Singing to preterm infants during kangaroo care reduces maternal anxiety

Premature births are stressful experiences that increase the risk of anxiety for mothers and may hinder the development of interaction between mother and infant. A new study indicates that the combination of singing and kangaroo care boosts the wellbeing of the mothers of preterm infants, also making it easier for them to establish a connection with their baby. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3mkE40J via IFTTT
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Fans are not amused about decisions made by video assistants

Since the 2019/20 season, controversial referee calls in the English Premier League may be technically reviewed and, if deemed necessary, corrected. Using a Twitter analysis of 129 games in the English Premier League, a research team has now determined how decisions made by video referees affect the mood of the fans. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3a8Bx7t via IFTTT
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Using play to 'school' children’s emotions

Pretend play is a pedagogical tool that can be used to stimulate a child's socio-emotional competences. A curriculum based on this approach has been introduced in classes of pupils aged five and six. The study evaluating the effects of the programme shows that pupils who followed the curriculum increased their emotional recognition capacities and emotional lexicon compared to a control group. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2Lse8n2 via IFTTT
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tRNA fragments are involved in post-stroke immune reactions

Following a stroke, the immune system triggers an inflammatory reaction that can either overshoot or turn into an immune deficiency. Now, a team of researchers has shown that tRNA fragments play a role in this immune reaction. Fragments of tRNAs, which transport amino acids during protein synthesis ('transfer RNA'), were long merely considered cellular waste. The researcher's aim: To find new target structures for therapeutics. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/38hzL1p via IFTTT
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Challenges of fusing robotics and neuroscience

Combining neuroscience and robotic research has gained impressive results in the rehabilitation of paraplegic patients. A research team was able to show that exoskeleton training not only helped patients to walk, but also stimulated their healing process. With these findings in mind, a professor wants to take the fusion of robotics and neuroscience to the next level. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3r2M0HJ via IFTTT
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Why 'lab-made' proteins have unusually high temperature stability

Efforts to enhance the ability of proteins to resist breaking down, or 'denaturing', at high temperatures is one of the hottest topics in biotech. Researchers have now identified some of the principles behind how this works, potentially opening up a raft of industrial applications for designer proteins. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3gKo9rn via IFTTT
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New analysis method for predicting the risks and effects of immunotherapy

In a new study, researchers have been able to show differences in how Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody drug, interacts with the blood of healthy individuals compared to patients with chronic lymphatic leukemia. This has awakened hopes that this analysis method could pave the way for important breakthroughs in immunotherapy research and treatment. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3qSwqhB via IFTTT
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Artificial visual system of record-low energy consumption for the next generation of AI

Researchers have built an ultralow-power consumption artificial visual system to mimic the human brain, which successfully performed data-intensive cognitive tasks. Their experiment results could provide a promising device system for the next generation of artificial intelligence (AI) applications. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3820rTC via IFTTT
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Using CRISPR, new technique makes it easy to map genetic networks

Scientists have developed an easy way to genetically profile a cell, including human cells, and rapidly determine all DNA sequences in the genome that regulate expression of a specific gene. This can help track down upstream genes that regulate disease genes, and potentially find new drug targets. The technique involves 'CRISPRing' the entire genome while giving each CRISPR guide RNA a unique barcode. Deep sequencing of pooled cells uniquely identifies control genes. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/37diU03 via IFTTT
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Natural environmental conditions facilitate the uptake of microplastics into living cells

The environment is polluted by microplastics worldwide. A research team has now discovered that microplastic particles find their way into living cells more easily if they were exposed to natural aquatic environments, i.e. fresh water and seawater. Biomolecules occurring in the water are deposited on the microplastic surfaces, which promote the internalization of the particles into cells. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3mdbePL via IFTTT
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Bosses need appreciation, too

'Tis the season to be grateful, even for your boss, according to a recent A new study suggests that when supervisors feel appreciated, it gives them a boost of energy and optimism. In the end, that's good for employees and the organization's bottom line. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3oKU1ir via IFTTT
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When it comes to feeling pain, touch or an itch, location matters

When you touch a hot stove, your hand reflexively pulls away; if you miss a rung on a ladder, you instinctively catch yourself. Both motions take a fraction of a second and require no forethought. Now, researchers have mapped the physical organization of cells in the spinal cord that help mediate these and similar critical 'sensorimotor reflexes.' from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2LxJCs6 via IFTTT
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New and unexplored dimension in the study of protein-protein interactions

Cells accumulate glutamate and related molecules under stress, and so formation of high-order protein assemblies under these conditions has important biological implications. Specifically, this would represent a mechanism by which the presence of stressor compounds in the cell could control DNA replication. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2W9ojPp via IFTTT
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Kids gain weight when new convenience stores open nearby

A new study found that changes in the food environment around low-income and high-ethnic/racial minority populations over time impact childhood obesity. Increased availability of small grocery stores selling a selection of healthy items in close proximity to children's homes improves their weight status over time, whereas increased availability of convenience stores selling predominantly unhealthy foods is likely to be detrimental. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3mhFk4G via IFTTT
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Insecure livelihoods hindering efforts to combat anti-microbial resistance globally

Patients living in precarious circumstances are less likely to use antibiotics appropriately according to a new study, suggesting that efforts to improve conditions for those with little security in their livelihoods could have an unexpected benefit in helping to tackle antimicrobial resistance globally. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3mdcdzx via IFTTT
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Muscle cell secrets

A muscle fiber consists of just one cell, but many nuclei. A team has now shown just how varied these nuclei are. The study can help us better understand muscle diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/379XQYA via IFTTT
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Researchers suggest stool transplants can battle serious infections

Could number two be number one when it comes to combating recurrent Clostridium difficile (CDI) infections? Using genetic material analysis and machine learning, researchers have pinpointed several key factors to ensure successful fecal microbiota transplants (FMT), which have proven successful in treating bacterial infections in the gut including illnesses like C. difficile, Crohn's Disease, Colitis and even obesity, explains lead author. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3ncSMIf via IFTTT
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Gut microbiota plays a role in brain function and mood regulation

Depression is a mental disorder that affects more than 264 million people of all ages worldwide. Understanding its mechanisms is vital for the development of effective therapeutic strategies. Scientists recently conducted a study showing that an imbalance in the gut bacterial community can cause a reduction in some metabolites, resulting in depressive-like behaviors. These findings show that a healthy gut microbiota contributes to normal brain function. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/376Ygia via IFTTT
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Brains work harder while processing descriptions of motion in other languages

Different languages describe motion differently, according to distinct lexical rules. And though we may not consciously notice those rules, we follow them -- and researchers have found they affect how our brains perceive and process descriptions of physical movement. from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2JYvFmz via IFTTT
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