New injection could help millions with high blood pressure

Results from a clinical trial show that giving people with high blood pressure an injection every six months can lead to a meaningful, sustained reduction in their blood pressure.

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Mitochondrial DNA mutation accumulation may not be a determining factor in aging

Mutations accumulated in mitochondrial DNA associated with aging were earlier believed to cause aging by decreasing the energy-producing function (mitochondrial respiratory function). In this study, researchers demonstrated that mitochondrial respiratory function is not reduced even when wild-type mice accumulated the same level of mutations as premature aging model mice, indicating the need to reinvestigate the conventional theory.

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Study quantifies the sleep loss and disruption experienced by new mothers

A new study quantifies the amount of sleep loss experienced by first-time mothers in the weeks after giving birth and is the first to identify the unique type of sleep disruption that persists throughout the first months of motherhood.

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HIV vaccine study uncovers powerful new antibody target

In the long battle to create an effective HIV vaccine, scientists have made a major leap forward. A new study shows that a series of vaccines can coax the immune system to produce powerful antibodies capable of blocking a wide range of HIV strains -- including those that are typically the hardest to stop.

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Leprosy existed in America long before arrival of Europeans

Long considered a disease brought to the Americas by European colonizers, leprosy may actually have a much older history on the American continent. Scientists reveal that a recently identified second species of bacteria responsible for leprosy, Mycobacterium lepromatosis, has been infecting humans in the Americas for at least 1,000 years, several centuries before the Europeans arrived.

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A high-fat diet sets off metabolic dysfunction in cells, leading to weight gain

Researchers find high-fat diets set off metabolic dysfunction in cells, leading to weight gain, but these effects can be reversed by treatment with an antioxidant.

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Bed bugs are most likely the first human pest, new research shows

Researchers compared the whole genome sequence of two genetically distinct lineages of bed bug, and their findings indicate bed bugs may well be the first true urban pest.

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Newly discovered 'molecular fingerprints' could transform diabetes treatment and diagnosis

Researchers reveal unprecedented insights into insulin resistance that could pave the way for better treatments and earlier detection of type 2 diabetes.

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Timely initiation of statin therapy for diabetes shown to dramatically reduce risk of heart attack and stroke

Taking a statin medication is an effective, safe, and low-cost way to lower cholesterol and reduce risk of cardiovascular events. Despite clinicians recommending that many patients with diabetes take statins, nearly one-fifth of them opt to delay treatment. In a new study, researchers found that patients who started statin therapy right away reduced the rate of heart attack and stroke by one third compared to those who chose to delay taking the medication.

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Weight loss linked to nerve cells in the brain

A specific group of nerve cells in the brain stem appears to control how semaglutide affects appetite and weight -- without causing nausea.

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Antidepressant withdrawal symptoms more common among long-term users

People who have been taking antidepressants for more than two years are substantially more likely to experience withdrawal symptoms compared to short-term users when they come off the medication, finds a new study.

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Digital mental health tools need human touch

Keeping a human in the loop significantly enhances emotional engagement during online psychological interviews.

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Oxygen deprivation promotes colon cancer growth

Researchers found that the Wnt5a protein, secreted by inflammatory fibroblasts within cancerous tumors, inhibits angiogenesis and consequently promotes hypoxia within tumors. Hypoxic conditions help sustain the inflammatory fibroblasts, which also secrete the growth factor epiregulin, thereby promoting tumor growth. This newly proposed mechanism for tumor growth offers a promising new target for cancer therapies and possibly other conditions linked to inflammation, such as inflammatory bowel disease.

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Southeast Asia could prevent up to 36,000 ozone-related early deaths a year by 2050 with stricter air pollution controls

A study has found that implementing robust air pollution control measures could mean Southeast Asian countries prevent as many as 36,000 ozone-related premature deaths each year by 2050.

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A leap forward in transparent antimicrobial coatings

Hydrogen boride (HB) nanosheets can inactivate viruses, bacteria, and fungi within minutes in the dark conditions. By coating surfaces with HB nanosheets, it rapidly inactivates SARS-CoV-2, influenza virus, and other pathogens. The nanosheets work by denaturing microbial proteins, offering a safe, effective, and versatile antimicrobial coating for everyday items.

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First vascularized model of stem cell islet cells

Researchers have developed a vascularized organoid model of hormone secreting cells in the pancreas. The advance promises to improve diabetes research and cell-based therapies.

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This gene variant contributed to the dietary and physiological evolution of modern humans

Two of the traits that set modern humans apart from non-human primates are taller stature and a higher basal metabolic rate. Researchers have identified a genetic variant that contributed to the co-evolution of these traits. This mutation seems to help people grow taller -- especially when they consume a lot of meat.

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New genetic test can diagnose brain tumors in as little as two hours

Scientists and medics have developed an ultra-rapid method of genetically diagnosing brain tumors that will cut the time it takes to classify them from 6-8 weeks, to as little as two hours.The team utilized the new approach during 50 brain tumor surgeries to deliver rapid, intraoperative diagnoses. This approach has achieved a 100% success rate, providing diagnostic results in under two hours from surgery and detailed tumor classifications within minutes of sequencing.

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MRI can replace painful spinal tap to diagnose MS more quickly, according to a new study

Experts have demonstrated that multiple sclerosis (MS) can successfully be diagnosed using an MRI scan, meaning patients no longer need to undergo a painful lumbar puncture. Experts found that by using a new MRI scan, they could successfully diagnose MS in 8 minutes.

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Sophisticated data analysis uncovers how city living disrupts ADHD's path to obesity

A hidden link between impulsivity and obesity may not be fixed in human biology but shaped by the cities we live in. Using a novel engineering-based approach, researchers found that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) contributes to obesity not only directly through known biological pathways but also indirectly, by reducing physical activity.

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Stars or numbers? How rating formats change consumer behavior

Researchers found that consumers tend to overestimate fractional star ratings and underestimate fractional numerals. In either case, the ratings can be misleading, potentially causing a company to unknowingly overpromise and underdeliver -- or sell its own product short.

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Could personality tests help make bipolar disorder treatment more precise?

A new study suggests that it might be possible to personalize care for people with bipolar disorder, using the results of detailed personality tests. It finds that such tests might help identify people who have certain combinations of personality traits that could raise or lower their risk of repeated depressive episodes or poor functioning in everyday life.

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Experimental painkiller could outsmart opioids -- without the high

A study shows a non-opioid pain reliever blocks pain at its source -- calming specific nerve signals that send pain messages to the brain. In mice, the compound SBI-810 eased pain from surgery, bone fractures, and nerve injury without causing sedation or constipation.

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Can the brain be targeted to treat type 2 diabetes?

Successfully treating type 2 diabetes may involve focusing on brain neurons, rather than simply concentrating on obesity or insulin resistance, according to a new study. For several years, researchers have known that hyperactivity of a subset of neurons located in the hypothalamus, called AgRP neurons, is common in mice with diabetes.

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Study suggests loss of lung capacity begins between the ages of 20 and 25

A study has shown how lung capacity evolves from childhood to old age. Until now, it was thought that lung function increased until it peaked at around 20-25 years of age, after which it stabilized. It was also thought that in later adulthood, lung function begins to decline as the lungs age. However, this model was based on studies that did not cover the whole life course.

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School dinners may encourage picky teenagers to eat better, says new study

Having school dinners rather than packed lunches could encourage picky eating 13-year-olds to eat a wider variety of foods, according to a new study.

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Two HIV vaccine trials show proof of concept for pathway to broadly neutralizing antibodies

A decades-long scientific challenge in HIV vaccine development has been finding a way to train the immune system to produce antibodies that can target many variants of the virus. Traditional approaches haven't worked -- largely because HIV mutates rapidly and hides key parts of itself from the immune system. Now, a new study combining data from two separate phase 1 clinical trials shows that a targeted vaccine strategy can successfully activate early immune responses relevant to HIV, and, in one trial, further advance them -- a key step toward a long-sought goal in vaccine development.

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Exercise the key to maintaining Vitamin D levels in winter

New research shows that regular exercise can help maintain Vitamin D levels during the darker months.

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Yellow fever vaccination: How strong immune responses are triggered

Researchers show how specific immune cells are activated by the vaccine -- an important starting point for the development of new vaccines.

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New study raises concerns about the safety of long-term ADHD medication treatment in children

A recent study reveals that the average duration of ADHD medication for children and adolescents is more than three years. However, reliable, controlled data on the safety of marketed ADHD medicines in children are available for only one year of follow-up.

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People with lupus who have certain antibodies are more likely to experience blood clots, researchers find

Some patients with lupus who possess specific antibodies are at a higher risk of thrombotic events such as a blood clot, stroke or heart attack, a new study shows. The finding might help clinicians determine which patients may need early treatment and clinical monitoring for thrombotic events.

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With AI, researchers predict the location of virtually any protein within a human cell

Researchers developed a new machine learning method that, given a relevant amino acid sequence, can automatically predict the location of a protein in any human cell line down to the single-cell level. This advance could help clinicians identify certain diseases, streamline the process of drug discovery, and give biologists new insights into the effects of protein mutations.

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Research shows how hormone can reverse fatty liver disease in mice

A pioneering research study details how the hormone FGF21 (fibroblast growth factor 21) can reverse the effects of fatty liver disease in mice. The hormone works primarily by signaling the brain to improve liver function.

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New nanoparticle could make cancer treatment safer, more effective

Scientists have created a new nanoparticle that could make ultrasound-based cancer treatments more effective and safer, while also helping prevent tumors from coming back. To make the therapy even more powerful, the scientists also attached a potent chemotherapy drug to the peptide on the nanoparticle's surface. The ultrasound physically destroys the tumor, and the drug helps eliminate any leftover cancer cells that might cause the tumor to return.

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Why are urban children more prone to allergies?

Evidence of a unique T cell may explain why urban children are more prone to allergies than rural children. Differences in the development of the gut microbiome may be an underlying cause.

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Scientists discover new way the brain learns

Neuroscientists have discovered that the brain uses a dual system for learning through trial and error. This is the first time a second learning system has been identified, which could help explain how habits are formed and provide a scientific basis for new strategies to address conditions related to habitual learning, such as addictions and compulsions. The study in mice could also have implications for developing therapeutics for Parkinson's.

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Combinations of chronic illnesses could double risk of depression

People with multiple long-term physical health conditions are at a significantly greater risk of developing depression, a study shows.

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New approach to treating aggressive breast cancers shows significant improvement in survival

A new treatment approach significantly improves survival rates for patients with aggressive, inherited breast cancers, according to researchers. In a trial where cancers were treated with chemotherapy followed by a targeted cancer drug before surgery, 100% of patients survived the critical three-year period post-surgery.

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Different anesthetics, same result: Unconsciousness by shifting brainwave phase

A new study finds that an easily measurable brain wave shift of phase may be a universal marker of unconsciousness under general anesthesia.

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Is AI truly creative? Turns out creativity is in the eye of the beholder

What makes people think an AI system is creative? New research shows that it depends on how much they see of the creative act. The findings have implications for how we research and design creative AI systems, and they also raise fundamental questions about how we perceive creativity in other people.

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Fat-rich fluid fuels immune failure in ovarian cancer

New research has uncovered how lipid-rich fluid in the abdomen, known as ascites, plays a central role in weakening the body's immune response in advanced ovarian cancer. The findings offer new insights into immune suppression in ovarian cancer and open promising avenues for future immunotherapy approaches. Over 70% of patients with ovarian cancer are diagnosed at an advanced stage, often presenting with large volumes of ascites. This ascites fluid not only supports the spread of cancer throughout the abdominal cavity but also significantly impairs the body's immune defenses. Understanding how ascites affects the immune system is important for developing better treatments that use the immune system to fight cancer.

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Why people reject new rules -- but only until they take effect

From seatbelt laws to new speed limits -- many people soon stop resisting policy changes that restrict their personal freedom once the new rules come into force. Researchers also identified the underlying psychological mechanism to gain important insights for possible communication strategies when introducing such measures.

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What's a healthy amount of sleep? It differs from one country to another

Your optimal amount of sleep may depend on where you live, new research has found. An analysis of sleep data and health outcomes for nearly 5,000 people in 20 countries revealed that the hours of sleep required for good health varies significantly across different cultures, challenging the common belief that everyone needs the same amount. The study was the first to investigate whether people from countries with shorter sleep durations suffer from worse health, and it found no evidence that this is so.

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Non-inherited genes affect children's development

Parents' genes -- even when not directly inherited by a child -- may play a role in their educational and mental health outcomes, finds a new report.

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Birds form bonds that look a lot like friendship

A study of starlings in Africa shows that they form long-term social bonds similar to human friendships.

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Teens driving older vehicles have increased risk for fatal crashes

Researchers reviewed US national fatal crash data (2016-2021) and examined the vehicle age and driver assistance technologies of vehicles driven by teen and middle-aged drivers, and their associations with driver deaths during fatal crashes.

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Topical gel relieved ear infections in animals after just one dose

Ear infections are a common and painful occurrence in infants and toddlers. Oral antibiotics are often prescribed for a week to treat the condition, but these drugs can trigger side effects that disrupt treatment, which can lead to infection recurrence and antibiotic resistance. Now, researchers report a topical antibiotic gel that, applied once, cured middle ear infection within 24 hours in chinchillas.

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Certain traits in romantic partners can amplify the impact of a person's genetic risk for alcohol problems

Research led by VCU and Rutgers University provides new insights into how the people we love affect our health.

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Structural barriers may prevent cancer care for people living with HIV

People living with HIV are less likely to receive potentially lifesaving cancer treatment if they live in communities with lower income levels and educational attainment, according to a new US national study.

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Biological 'clocks' key to muscle health and accelerated aging in shift workers

Muscle cells contain their own circadian clocks and disrupting them with shift work can have a profound impact on aging, according to new research.

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AI could help improve early detection of interval breast cancers

A new study suggests that artificial intelligence (AI) could help detect interval breast cancers before they become more advanced and harder to treat.

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Teens with mental health conditions use social media differently than their peers, study suggests

One of the first studies in this area to use clinical-level diagnoses reveals a range of differences between young people with and without mental health conditions when it comes to social media -- from changes in mood to time spent on sites.

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Study links childhood trauma to increased substance use and unexpected effects on heart rate and blood pressure in adolescents

Childhood trauma significantly increases the likelihood of engaging in harmful alcohol consumption, smoking and illicit drug use, by the age of 18.

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Mindfulness therapy reduces opioid craving and addiction, study finds

Researchers found that Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) can help rewire the brain's response to natural healthy pleasure, leading to reduced opioid cravings. The findings suggest that MORE could be a promising tool in the fight against opioid use disorder.

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Novel rat model paves the way to advance COPD-associated cor pulmonale research

Researchers have developed a novel rat model that closely replicates the pathological features and physiological changes associated with human chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-associated cor pulmonale. This model exhibits key characteristics, including chronic lung inflammation, pulmonary hypertension, and right ventricular hypertrophy. The new study details the potential for the model to unravel the complex interactions between lung and heart pathology and improve patient outcomes.

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New drug shows promise for treating bronchiectasis

Results of a large, global clinical trial spanning five continents with over 1,700 patients with bronchiectasis has demonstrated benefits of an investigational, once-a-day pill called brenso catib as a therapy for the chronic lung condition. It may soon become the first-ever FDA-approved treatment for bronchiectasis.

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Bacterial villain behind Lake Erie's 'potent toxin' unveiled

In the warm summertime waters of Lake Erie, cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, can proliferate out of control, creating algal blooms that produce toxins at a rate that can harm wildlife and human health.

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Graduate student's discovery shows that even neutral molecules take sides when it comes to biochemistry

A new study turns long-held conventional wisdom about a certain type of polymer on its head, greatly expanding understanding of how some of biochemistry's fundamental forces work. The study opens the door for new biomedical research running the gamut from analyzing and identifying proteins and carbohydrates to drug delivery.

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Study using simulations highlights power of pooled data in environmental health research

Conflicting findings in environmental epidemiology have long stalled consensus on the health effects of toxic chemicals. A new study suggests that one major reason for these inconsistencies may be the limited exposure ranges in individual studies -- leading to underpowered results and unclear conclusions.

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