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Top stories featured on ScienceDaily's Health & Medicine, Mind & Brain, and Living Well sections.
Gut bacteria make neurotransmitters to shape the newborn immune system
Investigators discovered that unique bacteria colonize the gut shortly after birth and make the neurotransmitter serotonin to educate gut immune cells. This prevents allergic reactions to food and the bacteria themselves during early development.
How the brain translates motivation into goal-oriented behavior, according to new study
Hunger can drive a motivational state that leads an animal to a successful pursuit of a goal -- foraging for and finding food. In a highly novel study, researchers describe how two major neuronal subpopulations in a part of the brain's thalamus called the paraventricular nucleus participate in the dynamic regulation of goal pursuits. This research provides insight into the mechanisms by which the brain tracks motivational states to shape instrumental actions.
Breakthrough could make automated dosing systems universal
Automated insulin dosing systems combine low-cost blood-glucose monitors with insulin pumps that use precision dosing to continuously regulate blood-sugar and hold it steady. Synthetic biologists have found a way to piggyback on the technology and make it universally applicable for the precision dosing of virtually any drug.
Therapy using intense light and chronological time can benefit heart
Managing circadian rhythms through intense light and chronologically timed therapy can help prevent or treat a variety of circulatory system conditions including heart disease, according to a new study.
Infections from these bacteria are on the rise: New blood test cuts diagnosis time from months to hours
Researchers have designed a platform to perform blood-based diagnoses of nontuberculosis mycobacteria, simplifying and shortening a long-complicated procedure from 6 months to 2 hours. Rapid, accurate diagnosis has never been more important as cases of NTM infections have continued to increase annually, spreading from subtropical regions to more temperate zones in part due to global climate change.
A pioneering way to target the culprit behind a deadly liver cancer
Researchers have translated a cutting-edge tactic for treating genetic disorders into a fresh approach for potentially stymying cancer.
FRYL gene variants linked to a new neurological disorder
A recent study links the FRYL gene to a new neurodevelopmental disorder in humans. They used fruit flies to establish that the loss of a functional copy of the FRY-like transcription coactivator (FRYL) gene is the underlying cause of this new disorder in fourteen individuals.
Vac to the future
Scientists recently published the results of a competition that put researchers to the test. For the competition, part of the NIH-funded Computational Models of Immunity network, teams of researchers from different institutions offered up their best predictions regarding B. pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination.
Age and sex associated with patient's likelihood of antimicrobial resistance
A person's age, sex and location are correlated with the chance that they have a bloodstream infection that is resistant to antibiotics, according to a new study.
How fear unfolds inside our brains
The stress-induced mechanisms that cause our brain to produce feelings of fear in the absence of threats -- such as in PTSD -- have been mostly a mystery. Now, neurobiologists have identified the changes in brain biochemistry and mapped the neural circuitry that cause generalized fear experiences.
How home food availability affects young children's nutrient intake
Early childhood is an important time for learning about nutrition and establishing healthy eating behaviors. Young children rely on parents to provide food options, and the availability of food in the home affects their dietary choices. A new study looks at changes in home food availability and nutrient intake for children from 2 to 4 years old.
Information overload is a personal and societal danger
We are all aware of the dangers of pollution to our air, water, and earth. In a recently published letter, scientists are advocating for the recognition and mitigation of another type of environmental pollution that poses equivalent personal and societal dangers: information overload.
Protein discovery sparks treatment hope for aggressive cancer
Researchers have shown that targeting a gene regulated by two cancer-fuelling proteins can kill cancerous cells and halt their growth in laboratory models of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
Dolphin-kick swimming maximizes water-flow utilization with increasing speed
Researchers investigated the propulsion mechanism by visualizing water flow around a swimmer during underwater dolphin-kick swimming in a water channel via particle image velocimetry. Their findings revealed that swimmers can utilize water flow and vortexes more effectively as their speed increases.
Small amounts of licorice raise blood pressure, study finds
It is known that large amounts of licorice cause high blood pressure. A new study now shows that even small amounts of licorice raise blood pressure. The individuals who react most strongly also show signs of strain on the heart.
Common viruses trigger most cases of intussusception in children
Viral infections trigger more cases of intussusception, the common cause of bowel blockages in young children, than previously thought, according to a new study.
A healthier diet is linked with a slower pace of aging, reduced dementia risk, study shows
A healthier diet is associated with a reduced dementia risk and slower pace of aging, according to a new study. The findings show that a diet-dementia association was at least partially facilitated by multi-system processes of aging. Until now, the biological mechanism of this protection was not well understood.
Advanced army robots more likely to be blamed for deaths
Advanced killer robots are more likely to blamed for civilian deaths than military machines, new research has revealed. The study shows that high-tech bots will be held more responsible for fatalities in identical incidents.
Alzheimer's drug fermented with help from AI and bacteria moves closer to reality
Researchers combined artificial intelligence and chemical biosensors to ferment the precursor of an Alzheimer's drug in bacteria.
New bioengineered protein design shows promise in fighting COVID-19
A recent scientific breakthrough has emerged from the work of researchers aiming to combat SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. The study focuses on the design and development of a novel protein capable of binding to the spike proteins found on the surface of the coronavirus. The goal behind this innovative approach is twofold: first, to identify and recognize the virus for diagnostic purposes, and second, to hinder its ability to infect human cells.
Sleep-wake rhythm: Fish change our understanding of sleep regulation
Researchers have discovered that some fish -- unlike humans -- do not need orexin to stay awake. This molecule was thought to be necessary for normal wake and sleep rhythms in vertebrates. Humans without orexin suffer from narcolepsy.
New discovery reveals how the egg controls sperm entry
After the egg has been fertilized by a sperm, the surrounding egg coat tightens, mechanically preventing the entry of additional sperm and the ensuing death of the embryo, a new study finds. The work also explains how mutations in egg coat proteins can cause female infertility and may eventually lead to new contraceptive methods.
Even cells know the importance of recycling
Researchers uncovered the mechanistic details behind how several proteins interact to help cells recognize and remove damaged mitochondria. Optineurin (OPTN) and its interactions are needed to provide a contact site for another protein, Tank-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), during this process. The OPTN-TBK1 relationship is necessary for these mitochondria to be recognized and eliminated from the cell. This mechanism may have relevance for developing drugs to treat Parkinson's disease.
Initial SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations prime immune cells to respond to subsequent variants
Antibody responses to new SARS-CoV-2 variant infections and vaccinations are powerfully shaped by prior exposures to earlier SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, according to a new study.
New simpler and cost-effective forensics test helps identify touch DNA
Research has found a less expensive and easier to use test to learn more about forensic touch DNA. This research has important implications for forensic investigations and being able to identify DNA from a primary contact -- someone who may have committed the crime -- as well as secondary DNA that was inadvertently and indirectly transferred through touch.
Lonely 12 year-olds less likely to gain employment in adulthood
New research has found that there is a direct socioeconomic impact of loneliness in early adolescence. The research found that lonely young adults are more likely to be out of education, employment, or training (NEET) and consider themselves less employable and lower on the economic ladder than their less lonely peers.
Blast-related concussions linked to higher Alzheimer's risk
U.S. veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq who suffered mild traumatic brain injury from exposure to explosive blasts were found to have changes in cerebrospinal fluid proteins that are typically seen in people who develop Alzheimer's disease, according to researchers.
Lives could be saved from tropical disease with new rapid test
A new test diagnoses patients with melioidosis within hours, rather than days, meaning they can receive the correct antibiotics faster.
Revolutionary chronic wound treatment could help millions
An effective treatment for chronic wounds that does not involve antibiotics, but an ionised gas to activate a wound dressing, has been developed by a team of international scientists.
'Junk DNA' no more: New method to identify cancers from repeat elements of genetic code
Repeats of DNA sequences, often referred to as 'junk DNA' or 'dark matter,' that are found in chromosomes and could contribute to cancer or other diseases have been challenging to identify and characterize. Now, researchers have developed a novel approach that uses machine learning to identify these elements in cancerous tissue, as well as in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) -- fragments that are shed from tumors and float in the bloodstream. This new method could provide a noninvasive means of detecting ca...
Tryptophan in diet, gut bacteria protect against E. coli infection
Gut bacteria and a diet rich in the amino acid tryptophan can play a protective role against pathogenic E. coli, which can cause severe stomach upset, cramps, fever, intestinal bleeding and renal failure.
Do astronauts experience 'space headaches'?
Space travel and zero gravity can take a toll on the body. A new study has found that astronauts with no prior history of headaches may experience migraine and tension-type headaches during long-haul space flight, which includes more than 10 days in space.
Water droplet spun by sound screens for colon cancer
Mechanical engineers have devised a diagnostic platform that uses sound waves to spin an individual drop of water up to 6000 revolutions per minute. These speeds separate tiny biological particles within samples placed in a very light disc sitting on top of the spinning drop. The technique could allow new point-of-care applications ranging from precision bioassays to cancer diagnosis. The technique requires less time and sample volume while inflicting less damage to delicate exosomes.
Poor sleep linked to migraine attacks
A new study has identified a link between poor sleep and migraine attacks that suggests improving sleep health may diminish migraine attacks in people with migraine.
Interactions with dogs can increase brainwaves associated with stress relief and heightened concentration
Spending quality time with dogs reduces stress and increases the power of brain waves associated with relaxation and concentration, according to a new study.
Study shows important role gut microbes play in airway health in persons with cystic fibrosis
Findings from a new study reflect the important role that the gut microbiome (communities of bacteria) plays in the airway health of persons with cystic fibrosis.
Innovative approaches for addressing difficult topics in K-12 schools
Three peer-reviewed journals have recently published research papers by Penn State's Hammel Family Human Rights Initiative. The papers illustrate how the initiative's programs help K-12 educators address difficult issues such as racism.
New findings on the prevention of heart attacks and strokes
Blockage of arterial blood vessels caused by atherosclerosis is largely responsible for heart attacks and strokes, which are the most common causes of death worldwide. The complex mechanisms that lead to pathological changes in the arteries are not yet fully understood. An international research team has now made important progress in understanding this disease and identified potential new approaches for early detection and therapy.
Good news: The US maternal death rate is stable, not sky rocketing, as reported
A new study challenges the prevailing view on the maternal death rate in the United States. The findings show that the rates of maternal death were stable between 1999-2002 and 2018-2021, instead of the dramatic upward trends previously reported. Additionally, the study indicates that direct obstetric causes of death declined over the last 20 years.
Researchers identify brain connections associated with ADHD in youth
Researchers have discovered that symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are tied to atypical interactions between the brain's frontal cortex and information processing centers deep in the brain. The researchers examined more than 10,000 functional brain images of youth with ADHD.
Hope for treating sleep disorders, no pills required
Are sleeping pills the only solution for insomnia? Not according to a researcher who says that using self-guided digital behavioral therapy is an alternative solution that should be considered.
Genetic condition haemochromatosis linked to higher levels of disease in older people
A largescale new study has found that some people whose genetics are linked to the common iron overload condition haemochromatosis have substantially greater levels of liver, musculoskeletal and brain disease than previously reported, especially at older ages.
Artificial intelligence detects heart defects in newborns
Researchers from ETH Zurich and KUNO Klinik St. Hedwig in Regensburg have developed an algorithm that provides an automatic and reliable method of detecting a certain heart defect in newborns. Researchers from ETH Zurich and KUNO Klinik St. Hedwig in Regensburg have developed an algorithm that provides an automatic and reliable method of detecting a certain heart defect in newborns.
Integrity of blood-brain barrier depends on protein that is altered in some neurodegenerative diseases
Defects in the blood vessel network of the central nervous system have been linked to early symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It is this complex vascular network that provides the necessary nutrients -- especially glucose and oxygen -- to activate all neuronal functions. A new study reveals that the TDP-43 protein is essential for forming a stable and mature blood vessel network in the central nervous system.
Steroid drugs used for HRT can combat E. coli and MRSA
Researchers have combined computational and microbiology laboratory approaches to identify existing drugs that can be repurposed to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. This research has revealed that a class of steroid drugs currently used in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can also stop the growth of antibiotic-resistant E. coli and effectively kill MRSA.
'Dual-Target' cell therapy appears to shrink brain tumors, research finds
Targeting two brain tumor-associated proteins -- rather than one -- with CAR T cell therapy shows promise as a strategy for reducing solid tumor growth in patients with recurrent glioblastoma (GBM), an aggressive form of brain cancer, according to early results from a clinical trial.
Multiple air pollutants linked to asthma symptoms in children
Exposure to several combinations of toxic atmospheric pollutants may be triggering asthma symptoms among children, a recent analysis suggests. The study showed that 25 different combinations of air pollutants were associated with asthma symptoms among 269 elementary school children diagnosed with asthma.
New computational strategy boosts the ability of drug designers to target proteins inside the membrane
Hitting targets embedded within the cell membrane has long been difficult for drug developers due to the membrane's challenging biochemical properties. Now, chemists have demonstrated new custom-designed proteins that can efficiently reach these 'intramembrane' targets.
Recreational activities such as golfing, gardening may be associated with increased ALS risk among men
Participation in recreational activities -- including golfing, gardening or yard work, woodworking and hunting -- may be associated with an increase in a person's risk for developing ALS. Researchers found that golf was associated with three times greater risk for developing ALS among men. Participation in gardening or yard work, as well as woodworking and hunting, was also linked with a heightened risk for men.
New study reveals unintended ethical faultline in team-based reward systems
Employers who have introduced team-based rewards systems to foster creativity, collaboration, productivity and sales may want to look again at a system that new research shows can create an unintended, insidious side-effect. Compared to employees who are individually rewarded, workers in team-based reward systems are more likely to remain silent when they observe a fellow team member engaging in unethical behaviour, according to a new study.
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