Move more, think sharper

A brisk walk, a splash of water aerobics, or even a light jog around the block -- if your heart rate goes up then so too will your brain health according to new research.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/kZKN81h

Breast cancer mortality in women ages 20-49 significantly dropped between 2010 and 2020

Breast cancer deaths among women ages 20-49 declined significantly between 2010 and 2020, according to a new study.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/BL4JxMt

Personality traits shape our prosocial behavior

Why do some people do more for the community than others? A new study now shows that personality traits such as extraversion and agreeableness correlate with volunteering and charitable giving.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/oHkNMBx

Brain decoder controls spinal cord stimulation

A lab develops brain wave decoder that may help in spinal cord injury rehabilitation.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/wHfni9R

Age-related genetic changes in the blood associated with poor cancer prognosis

Researchers have discovered that expansion of mutant blood cells, a phenomenon linked to aging, can be found in cancerous tumors, and this is associated with worse outcomes for patients.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/D5j9LuB

Simple consultations in emergency room can help patients manage high blood pressure

A simple consultation during unrelated visits to the emergency room can help patients with high blood pressure -- 'the silent killer' -- manage the condition, even before they experience symptoms, according to new research.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/Vq8ZKL5

Right patient, right dose, right time

A new study uses AI to modify drug doses for personalized cancer treatment.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/ZHoWcAD

Breakthrough approach for diagnosing TB could significantly improve detection

A new strategy for tuberculosis (TB) screening provides a solution to problems with current TB screening, which does not always accurately detect disease. Simultaneously screening for both active and dormant TB infection could save lives, curtail infection rates, and rewrite the story of the continued spread of this disease. Researchers hope that this new approach will inform guidance from global health organizations and key decision-makers on the most effective way to screen for TB.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/wiIk6aW

Why our waistlines expand in middle age: Stem cells

It's no secret that our waistlines often expand in middle-age, but the problem isn't strictly cosmetic. Belly fat accelerates aging and slows down metabolism, increasing our risk for developing diabetes, heart problems and other chronic diseases. Exactly how age transforms a six pack into a softer stomach, however, is murky. New research shows how aging shifts stem cells into overdrive to create more belly fat.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/CIU0XGT

What happens in the brain when your mind blanks

Mind blanking is a common experience with a wide variety of definitions ranging from feeling 'drowsy' to 'a complete absence of conscious awareness.' Neuroscientists and philosophers compile what we know about mind blanking, including insights from their own work observing people's brain activity.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/u1clPNw

Vision loss fear may keep some from having cataract surgery

A new study finds vision loss fears may deter some patients from cataract surgery, despite it being the only effective treatment. The research underscores the role of doctor-patient relationships in medical decisions.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/tZW7T6M

DNA origami guides new possibilities in the fight against pancreatic cancer

One of the challenges of fighting pancreatic cancer is finding ways to penetrate the organ's dense tissue to define the margins between malignant and normal tissue. A new study uses DNA origami structures to selectively deliver fluorescent imaging agents to pancreatic cancer cells without affecting normal cells. The study, led by mechanical science and engineering professors found that specially engineered DNA origami structures carrying imaging dye packets can specifically target human KRAS mutant cancer cells, which are present in 95% of pancreatic cancer cases.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/oD854aZ

Researchers use machine learning to engineer 'bespoke enzymes' for gene editing

Genome editing has advanced at a rapid pace with promising results for treating genetic conditions -- but there is always room for improvement. A new paper showcases the power of scalable protein engineering combined with machine learning to boost progress in the field of gene and cell therapy. In their study, authors developed a machine learning algorithm -- known as PAMmla -- that can predict the properties of about 64 million genome editing enzymes. The work could help reduce off-target effects and improve editing safety, enhance editing efficiency, and enable researchers to predict customized enzymes for new therapeutic targets.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/6kduLvR

AI tool grounded in evidence-based medicine outperformed other AI tools -- and most doctors- on USMLE exams

A powerful clinical artificial intelligence tool developed by biomedical informatics researchers has demonstrated remarkable accuracy on all three parts of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (Step exams), according to a new article.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/OpcUFgl

New research lays groundwork for early detection of Alzheimer's disease

A new study suggests that risk factors and biomarkers related to Alzheimer's disease are associated with cognition much earlier in life than previously recognized. The study highlights significant associations between cognition and Alzheimer's disease risk factors as young as ages 24 to 44 and underscores the importance of early prevention. This is the first study to systematically examine Alzheimer's disease risk factors, including biomarkers related to cognitive impairment in a large group of generally healthy middle-aged individuals in the U.S.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/4jFtQzi

IV medication could be taken orally for range of cancer, Alzheimer's treatments

Breakthrough research could make any IV drug able to be taken orally for a range of hard-to-treat cancers and other diseases, and redefine how medicines are designed, evaluated and delivered.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/Y4jDkiE

Scientists identify agent of transformation in protein blobs that morph from liquid to solid

Scientists examined microscopic blobs of protein found in human cells has discovered that some morph from an almost honey-like substance to a hard candy-like solid. These mysterious droplets, known as biomolecular condensates, solidify when they carry a high proportion of the protein alpha-synuclein, the scientists reported. Clumps of alpha-synuclein are commonly found in the brain cells of people with Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative brain disorder.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/t4af0gT

Cognitively impaired older drivers are less likely to cause a crash when accompanied by a passenger

Researchers examined variations in the likelihood of older drivers causing traffic crashes based on the presence of a passenger, utilizing nationwide traffic crash data between 2014 and 2020. Their analysis revealed that even drivers with cognitive impairment had a reduced risk of causing crashes when accompanied by a passenger.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/19AmgSo

Soft brainstem implant delivers high-resolution hearing

A team has developed a soft, thin-film ABI. The device uses micrometer-scale platinum electrodes embedded in silicone, forming a pliable array just a fraction of a millimeter thick. This novel approach enables better tissue contact, potentially preventing off-target nerve activation and reducing side effects.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/LMNyv5u

Study identifies new method for improving lung growth and function in preterm infants

A clinical trial conducted in a neonatal intensive care unit has identified a new treatment protocol to improve lung growth and function among preterm infants.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/qMEl1yj

Finding friendship at first whiff: Scent plays role in platonic potential

Two women meeting for the first time can judge within minutes whether they have the potential to be friends -- guided as much by smell as any other sense, research on friendship formation finds.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/iN3ngUl

A wearable smart insole can track how you walk, run and stand

A new smart insole system that monitors how people walk in real time could help users improve posture and provide early warnings for conditions from plantar fasciitis to Parkinson's disease.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/Q7DCSP6

Nurturing now, thriving later: The lasting power of affectionate mothering

Affectionate mothering in childhood may have a lasting impact on important personality traits, potentially influencing life outcomes such as educational achievement, economic success, and health and well-being, according to new research. The findings suggest that positive maternal parenting could foster important traits such as openness, conscientiousness and agreeableness.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/j8sDXra

Sharp uptake in use of new weight loss and glucose-lowering medications

Researchers found that by December 2023, more than 1 in 3 of the medications being started for type 2 diabetes treatment were GLP-1RA-based medications.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/eDV8R6n

Hidden potential in multiple disabilities

Using eye-tracking -- a technique for recording and analyzing eye movements -- a team has shown that individuals with multiple disabilities can improve their social and emotional skills. Although these patients are often considered 'untestable', nine young people have undergone personalized training over a period of one year, with promising results in terms of their ability to socialize. This work opens the way to new methods of assessment and support.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/aZgrPj3

More people now die at home after stroke than in medical facilities

A new analysis finds a significant uptick in the number of people dying at home due to ischemic stroke compared to inpatient medical facilities, and when not at home, individuals in rural communities and Black Americans were more likely to die in less specialized care environments. Additionally, the researchers found that after a steady 10-year decline, overall death rates from stroke are now rising.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/VY39rbK

New key genes in Parkinson's disease identified using CRISPR technology

A longstanding mystery in Parkinson's disease research has been why some individuals carrying pathogenic variants that increase their risk of PD go on to develop the disease, while others who also carry such variants do not. The prevailing theory has suggested additional genetic factors may play a role. To address this question, a new study used modern technology, called CRISPR interference, to systematically examine every gene in the human genome. The scientists identified a new set of genes that contribute to the risk of Parkinson's disease, which opens the door to previously untapped drug targets for treating PD.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/4d58HcG

Dogs could help predict valley fever spread in humans

Dogs could help predict valley fever spread in humans. A new study finds a strong correlation between occurrence of dog and human disease.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/akUzl1P

Father with Alzheimer's? You may be more at risk of brain changes

While some studies have suggested that having a mother with Alzheimer's disease may put you more at risk of developing the disease, a new study finds that having a father with the disease may be tied to a greater spread of the tau protein in the brain that is a sign of the disease, according to a new study.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/FYC1RTi

FDA clears IND for clinical trial testing switchable CAR-T therapy in patients with autoimmune diseases, without chemotherapy

FDA has cleared an investigational new drug (IND) application to study switchable chimeric antigen receptor T cell (sCAR-T) therapy (CLBR001 + SWI019) in patients with autoimmune conditions. Patient recruitment for the phase 1 trial will begin soon (NCT06913608). The phase 1 clinical trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of CLBR001 + SWI019 in patients with myositis, systemic sclerosis, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, with the potential to expand to other indications in the future.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/C4qyEcO

Europe's population is adapting better to cold than to heat

A study has shown that Europe has adapted better to low temperatures than to high temperatures over the last two decades. The relative risk of mortality at the coldest temperatures has decreased by 2% per year since 2003, while the risk from extreme heat has only fallen by 1% per year.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/IyKW7a2

Novel drug delivery platform paves way to potential new treatments for Alzheimer's, other brain-related disorders

Researchers have discovered a way to get anti-inflammatory medicine across the blood-brain barrier, opening the door to potential new therapies for a range of conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and cancer cachexia.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/e3EuW79

'Forever chemicals' are everywhere: Most of their health effects are unknown

'Forever chemicals' are everywhere. But only a handful have been evaluated for potentially toxic effects. Researchers think there may be a faster, cheaper way to figure out which ones might be hazardous to our health -- using worms.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/1mSt6pa

Researchers identify a novel mechanism of fetal anemia linked to mitochondrial protein synthesis deficiency

A team of researchers has uncovered a previously unrecognized role of mitochondrial protein synthesis in the maintenance of intracellular iron distribution. Disruption of this process was found to cause lethal anemia in the fetal stage. This novel molecular mechanism will contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiology of iron-related diseases and the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/LTBiWwr

Kilauea volcano's ash prompted largest open ocean phytoplankton bloom

A new study by an international team of researchers revealed that a rare and large summertime phytoplankton bloom in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre in the summer of 2018 was prompted by ash from Kilauea falling on the ocean surface approximately 1,200 miles west of the volcano.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/0DAWZUb

Researchers identify growing list of genetic disorders treatable before or immediately after birth

Researchers have identified nearly 300 genetic disorders that can be treated before or immediately after a baby is born. This 'treatable fetal findings list' could improve the diagnosis of genetic conditions in pregnancy and enhance the treatment options available for fetuses who have these conditions.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/IWmtHcQ

Potential Alzheimer's disease therapeutic target identified in brain immune cells

Tim-3 is an immune checkpoint molecule involved in immunity and inflammation recently linked to late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD), but its role in the brain was unknown until now. Researchers used preclinical models to uncover Tim-3's role in microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, and have identified it as a promising therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/tinrzlG

New gene editing tool shows promise for treating diseases with multiple mutations

Investigators have developed STITCHR, a new gene editing tool that can insert therapeutic genes into specific locations without causing unwanted mutations. The system can be formulated completely as RNA, dramatically simplifying delivery logistics compared to traditional systems that use both RNA and DNA. By inserting an entire gene, the tool offers a one-and-done approach that overcomes hurdles from CRISPR gene editing technology -- which is programmed to correct individual mutations -- offering a promising step forward for gene therapy.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/TFlL7Rk

Your skin is breathing: New wearable device can measure it

Rsearchers have developed the first wearable device for measuring gases emitted from and absorbed by the skin. By analyzing these gases, the device offers an entirely new way to assess skin health, including monitoring wounds, detecting skin infections, tracking hydration levels, quantifying exposure to harmful environmental chemicals and more.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/RDUesqE

Long-term health impacts of flooding revealed

A comprehensive study of the long-term health impacts of flooding -- via analysis of over 300 million hospitalizations records in eight countries prone to flooding events -- has found an increased risk of 26 per cent of all diseases serious enough to require hospitalization. This impact on the health of communities lasts up to seven months post event.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/LfwxkoC

A comprehensive map of the human cell

By mapping the subcellular architecture and protein interactions within cells, researchers can better understand how mutations contribute to pediatric cancers and other conditions.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/hQApO8E

Exposure to air pollution may harm brain health of older adults

Long-term exposure to high levels of air pollution may harm the brain health of older adults in England, finds a new study.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/r2csTdE

Researchers discover way to predict treatment success for parasitic skin disease

Findings from a new study could help doctors select more effective treatments earlier for patients suffering from leishmaniasis, a disfiguring skin infection.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/UOFVH3I

Home care cooperatives may be key to addressing the critical shortage of caregivers for the elderly

Home care cooperatives may be the key to alleviating the shortage of paid caregivers for older Americans. Participants in cooperatives experienced more respect, control, job support, and compensation than their counterparts in traditional care services.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/Q5bAuBc

New study investigates effects of ADHD medications on the heart

A new study has found that medications for ADHD have overall small effects on blood pressure and heart rate after weeks or a few months of use. There have been concerns about the side effects of ADHD medications but the new findings, coupled with other studies, suggest that the benefits of taking these medications outweigh the risks, while highlighting the need for careful monitoring.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/AVI9YaR

Nurture more important than nature for robotic hand

How does a robotic arm or a prosthetic hand learn a complex task like grasping and rotating a ball? Researchers address the classic 'nature versus nurture' question. The research demonstrates that the sequence of learning, also known as the 'curriculum,' is critical for learning to occur. In fact, the researchers note that if the curriculum takes place in a particular sequence, a simulated robotic hand can learn to manipulate with incomplete or even absent tactile sensation.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/YE87VCb

Some gut bacteria could make certain drugs less effective

A new study shows how common gut bacteria can metabolize certain oral medications that target cellular receptors called GPCRs, potentially rendering these important drugs less effective.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/cuzChBn

Global study establishes long-term risk of stroke

A global study establishes long-term risk of stroke. Findings shows one in five people who experience a minor stroke or TIA will have another stroke within 10 years.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/zEUHRr8

Key differences between visual- and memory-led Alzheimer's discovered

Differences in the distribution of certain proteins and markers in the brain may explain why some people first experience vision changes instead of memory loss in Alzheimer's disease, finds a new study.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/ifXPK8h

Meniscus injuries may soon be treated by customizable hydrogel

A new 3D printed customizable hydrogel performed well in preclinical trials with several different types of meniscal tears.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/BC8xzcP

In pancreatic cancer, a race against time

Scientists have found a way to 'intercept' pancreatic cancer. By inhibiting the cancer gene FGFR2, they were able to slow tumor formation. By targeting the FGFR2 and EGFR proteins, they were able to prevent pancreatic cancer from forming in the first place.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/rBfk3MU

Balance between two competing nerve proteins deters symptoms of autism in mice

In mice, autism symptoms arise when a certain pair of competing nerve proteins falls out of equilibrium, according to a new study.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/kNJ8Sb6

New flexible hydrogel could improve drug delivery for post-traumatic osteoarthritis treatment

Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) is a condition that affects joints after an injury. Current treatments focus on relieving symptoms but do not prevent or stop the progression of the condition. Although emerging therapies have shown promise in preclinical studies, a major obstacle is delivering these therapies effectively into the joint, a highly dynamic environment subjected to constant mechanical stress. Researchers have created a new hydrogel to improve drug delivery for treating PTOA.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/El2BbyZ

Patient navigators improve colonoscopy rates after abnormal stool tests, study shows

Timely follow-up colonoscopies can reduce the mortality rate from colorectal cancer, and patient navigators can play an important role in facilitating screening.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/EPg8Qpa

Awareness grows of cancer risk from alcohol consumption

Public awareness of the link between drinking alcohol and an elevated risk of cancer has grown since last fall, with 55% of U.S. adults saying that regularly consuming alcohol increases your chances of later developing cancer, according to a new survey.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/BCP5qd0

New options for controlling type 2 diabetes

Nearly 40% of patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes imperil their health by stopping their medication within the first year, diabetes experts warn.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/PYm6G2b

New study validates lower limits of human heat tolerance

Human thermoregulation limits are lower than previously thought, indicating that some regions may soon experience heat and humidity levels exceeding safe limits for survival. The study underscores the urgent need to address climate change impacts on human health, providing vital data to inform public health strategies and climate models.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/FasfRdT