ScienceDaily: Top Health News

Virus that causes COVID-19 can find alternate route to infect cells

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 02:08 PM PDT

The virus that causes COVID-19 normally gets inside cells by attaching to a protein called ACE2. Researchers have found that a single mutation confers the ability to enter cells through another route, which may threaten the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics designed to block the standard route of entry.

Parents of children with complex medical conditions more likely to have mental health issues

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 01:17 PM PDT

Parents of children with Complex Medical Conditions were five times more likely to report suffering from poor or fair mental than parents of kids without these conditions, and also were more likely to struggle finding help, according to a new study.

Tracking data show how the quiet of pandemic-era lockdowns allowed pumas to venture closer to urban areas

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 01:16 PM PDT

Researchers were able to clearly connect declining levels of human mobility during regional shelter-in-place orders with pumas' increased willingness to utilize more urban habitat areas.

Researchers find health benefits of Connecticut-grown sugar kelp

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 12:26 PM PDT

Researchers have reported significant findings supporting the nutritional benefits of Connecticut-grown sugar kelp. They found brown sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima) inhibits hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in a mouse model of diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, a fatty liver disease.

When did the first COVID-19 case arise?

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 11:15 AM PDT

Using methods from conservation science, a new analysis suggests that the first case of COVID-19 arose between early October and mid-November, 2019 in China, with the most likely date of origin being November 17.

Genetic study of liver cancer reveals new drug target

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 11:15 AM PDT

Drugs targeting the gene MAGEA3 may help block the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of primary liver cancer and one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the country. That's one conclusion of a new study analyzing the genetics of HCC tumors.

Rude behavior at work not an epidemic, new study shows

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 10:55 AM PDT

Prior research shows 98 percent of employees experience rude behavior at work, but that statistic may be misunderstood, according to new study.

Versatile, fast and reliable SARS-CoV-2 antibody assay

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 10:55 AM PDT

During the continued progression of the coronavirus pandemic, rapid, inexpensive, and reliable tests will become increasingly important to determine whether people have the associated antibodies -- either through infection or vaccination. Researchers have now developed such a rapid antibody test. It provides the result in only eight minutes; the aim is to further reduce the process time to four minutes.

Adolescent marijuana, alcohol use held steady during COVID-19 pandemic

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 10:55 AM PDT

Adolescent marijuana use and binge drinking did not significantly change during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite record decreases in the substances' perceived availability, according to a survey of 12th graders in the United States. The study's findings challenge the idea that reducing adolescent use of drugs can be achieved solely by limiting their supply.

Immunologists discover new trick used by MRSA superbug -- may aid vaccine development

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 08:44 AM PDT

New research has uncovered a novel trick employed by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus to thwart the immune response, raising hopes that a vaccine that prevents deadly MRSA infections is a little closer on the horizon.

Predicting tooth loss

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 08:44 AM PDT

New research suggests that machine learning tools can help identify those at greatest risk for tooth loss and refer them for further dental assessment in an effort to ensure early interventions to avert or delay the condition.

A detailed atlas of the developing brain

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 08:44 AM PDT

Researchers have created a first detailed atlas of a critical region of the developing mouse brain, applying multiple advanced genomic technologies to the part of the cerebral cortex that is responsible for processing sensation. By measuring how gene activity and regulation change over time, researchers have a better understanding of how the cortex is built and a new tool to explore how it is affected in neurodevelopmental disease.

Marmoset study identifies brain region linking actions to their outcomes

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 08:44 AM PDT

The 'anterior cingulate cortex' is key brain region involved in linking behaviors to their outcomes. When this region was temporarily silenced, monkeys did not change behavior even when it stopped having the expected outcome. The finding is a step towards targeted treatment of human disorders involving compulsive behavior, such as OCD and eating disorders, thought to involve impaired function in this brain region.

No lab required: New technology can diagnose infections in minutes

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 08:44 AM PDT

Engineering, biochemistry and medical researchers at McMaster University have combined their skills to create a hand-held rapid test for bacterial infections that can produce accurate, reliable results in less than an hour, eliminating the need to send samples to a lab.

Timely treatment with COVID-19 monoclonal antibodies can reduce hospitalizations, pandemic's stress on health care systems

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 08:43 AM PDT

Monoclonal antibodies work well in reducing COVID-19 related emergency department visits and hospitalizations when administered early to high-risk patients, a study demonstrates. If used under FDA guidelines, the researchers suggest, this treatment can ease the pandemic's continuing burden on patients and on limited health care resources.

Cardiac atrophy findings may set course for preventing harm from long space flights

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 08:43 AM PDT

New findings shed light on the molecular triggers of rapid cardiac atrophy. Findings have potential implications for space travel.

New protein engineering method could accelerate the discovery of COVID-19 therapeutics

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 08:43 AM PDT

Researchers have found a simple method for identifying nanobodies with drug-like properties suitable for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections. They demonstrated the approach by generating nanobodies that neutralized the SARS-CoV-2 virus more potently than an antibody isolated from an infected patient and a nanobody isolated from an immunized animal.

Common plant fiber gel doubled rate of tumor eradication

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 08:43 AM PDT

Many people don't realize that the trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi residing within the gastrointestinal tract --collectively called the gut microbiome -- are connected to overall health, and specifically to cancer.

Streptococcus pneumoniae sticks to dying lung cells, worsening secondary infection following flu

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 08:43 AM PDT

Researchers have found a further reason for the severity of dual infection by influenza and Streptococcus pneumonia -- a new virulence mechanism for a surface protein on the pneumonia-causing bacteria S. pneumoniae. This insight comes 30 years after discovery of that surface protein, called pneumococcal surface protein A. This mechanism had been missed in the past because it facilitates bacterial adherence only to dying lung epithelial cells, not to living cells.

Scientists may need to rethink which genes control aging, study suggests

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 08:43 AM PDT

Researchers fed fruit flies antibiotics and monitored the lifetime activity of hundreds of genes that scientists have traditionally thought control aging. To their surprise, the antibiotics not only extended the lives of the flies but also dramatically changed the activity of many of these genes. Their results suggested that only about 30% of the genes traditionally associated with aging set an animal's internal clock while the rest reflect the body's response to bacteria.

Non-invasive potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 08:43 AM PDT

Ultrasound can overcome some of the detrimental effects of ageing and dementia without the need to cross the blood-brain barrier, researchers have found.

Updated analysis of U.S. COVID-19 deaths shows drops, disparities in average lifespans

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 08:43 AM PDT

In the U.S., COVID-19 reduced overall life expectancy by over 1.3 years, with the effects on Black and Latino populations 2 to 3 times those for the white population.

Preventing the break-in of the toxoplasmosis parasite

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 08:43 AM PDT

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite which, to survive, must absolutely penetrate its host's cells. Understanding how the parasite manages to enter host cells offers opportunities to develop more prevention. A team has now identified the key role of RON13, which is essential for the invasion process. The three-dimensional structure and the site of action of this enzyme are atypical, thus offering the possibility of designing specific inhibitors to stop the infection.

Children's beat gestures predict the subsequent development of their oral skills

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 08:43 AM PDT

New research shows that the early production of beat gestures with the hands (i.e., gestures normally associated with emphasis that do not represent the semantic content of speech) by infants between 14 and 58 months of age in natural interactions with their carers predicts that in their later development, nearing the age of five, these children obtain better results insofar as their oral narrative skills.

New class of compounds found to block coronavirus reproduction

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 04:40 PM PDT

A human genetic mechanism hijacked by SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus behind the COVID-19 pandemic, to help it spread also makes it vulnerable to a new class of drug candidates, a new study finds.

Powerful people are less likely to be understanding when mistakes are made

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 04:40 PM PDT

Those with power, such as the wealthy are more likely to blame others for having shortcomings and they are also less troubled by reports of inequality, according to recent research.

Abnormal response to cellular stress is associated with Huntington's disease

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 04:40 PM PDT

A new study finds that the persistence of a marker of chronic cellular stress, previously associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), also takes place in the brains of Huntington's disease (HD) patients.

Roadmap to HIV eradication via stem cell therapy

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 04:40 PM PDT

A groundbreaking study found that stem cells reduce the amount of virus causing AIDS, boost the body's antiviral immunity, and restore the gut's lymphoid follicles damaged by HIV. It provided a roadmap for multi-pronged HIV eradication strategies.

Tree pollen carries SARS-CoV-2 particles farther, facilitates virus spread, study finds

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 04:40 PM PDT

A study on the role of microscopic particles in virus transmission suggests pollen is nothing to sneeze at. In a new study, researchers investigate how pollen facilitates the spread of an RNA virus like the COVID-19 virus. The study draws on cutting-edge computational approaches for analyzing fluid dynamics to mimic the pollen movement from a willow tree, a prototypical pollen emitter. Airborne pollen grains contribute to the spread of airborne viruses, especially in crowded environments.

Pandemic drives largest decrease in U.S. life expectancy since 1943

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 04:39 PM PDT

U.S. life expectancy decreased by 1.87 years between 2018 and 2020, according to new research. The numbers are worse for people of color. On average, whereas life expectancy among white Americans decreased by 1.36 years in 2020, it decreased by 3.25 years in Black Americans and 3.88 years in Hispanic Americans.

Drug doubles down on bone cancer, metastasis

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 11:48 AM PDT

Researchers develop an antibody conjugate called BonTarg that delivers drugs to bone tumors and inhibits metastasis.

Scientists obtain real-time look at how cancers evolve

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 11:48 AM PDT

With the help of machine learning, computational biologists are learning to predict how cancers will evolve.

Pandemic air quality due to weather, not just lockdowns, study finds

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 11:17 AM PDT

Using a diverse set of tools, researchers show how the pandemic did -- or didn't -- affect fine particulate matter concentrations during COVID lockdowns.

'Multi-kingdom dialogue' between internal, external microbiota

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 11:17 AM PDT

Scientists have identified an internal communication network in mammals that may regulate tissue repair and inflammation, providing new insights on how diseases such as obesity and inflammatory skin disorders develop.

Dieting and its effect on the gut microbiome

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 11:16 AM PDT

Researchers were able to show for the first time that a very low calorie diet significantly alters the composition of the microbiota present in the human gut. The researchers report that dieting results in an increase of specific bacteria - notably Clostridioides difficile, which is associated with antibiotic-induced diarrhea and colitis.

Western high-fat diet can cause chronic pain, according to new study

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 11:16 AM PDT

A typical Western high-fat diet can increase the risk of painful disorders common in people with conditions such as diabetes or obesity, according to a new study.

Sneeze cam reveals best fabric combos for cloth masks

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 10:07 AM PDT

Researchers have used high-speed videos of a person sneezing to identify the optimal cloth mask design.

Milk protein could help boost blueberries' healthfulness

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 10:07 AM PDT

Pairing blueberry pie with a scoop of ice cream is a nice summer treat. Aside from being tasty, this combination might also help people take up more of the 'superfruit's' nutrients, such as anthocyanins. Researchers show that a protein found in cow's milk helped rats absorb more blueberry anthocyanins and their byproducts, boosting accessibility to these good-for-you nutrients.

Seeking a treatment for IBS pain in tarantula venom

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 10:07 AM PDT

For patients who have inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), the condition is literally a pain in the gut. Chronic -- or long-term -- abdominal pain is common, and there are currently no effective treatment options for this debilitating symptom. In a new study, researchers identify a new potential source of relief: a molecule derived from spider venom. In experiments with mice, they found that one dose could stop symptoms associated with IBS pain.

Fracture setting method could replace metal plates, with fewer complications

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 10:06 AM PDT

A new biocompatible polymer-based composite material could soon replace metal plates in treating difficult and unstable fractures. The newly-developed material is as strong as dental composites yet non-toxic.

Rare genetic defect replicated in fish model

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 10:06 AM PDT

A rare genetic defect that affects the so-called ALG2 gene can cause serious metabolic diseases in humans. Until now, its rareness and complexity made it difficult to study this congenital glycosylation disorder. A research team has finally succeeded in introducing the underlying mutation in the ALG2 gene in a fish model, allowing the causes of these complex diseases to be studied at the molecular level.

Higher selenium and manganese levels during pregnancy may protect babies from future high blood pressure

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 10:06 AM PDT

Children who were exposed to higher levels of trace minerals manganese and selenium during their mothers' pregnancy had a lower risk of high blood pressure in childhood, according to a new study.

Half of young adults with COVID-19 have persistent symptoms 6 months after, study finds

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 08:39 AM PDT

A new paper describes persistent symptoms six months after acute COVID-19, even in young home isolated people. The most common symptoms were loss of smell and/or taste, fatigue, shortness of breath, impaired concentration, and memory problems.

Study reveals agriculture-related injuries more numerous than previously known

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 08:39 AM PDT

A new study by researchers, who looked at emergency room admissions across the US over a recent five-year period in a novel way, suggests that the agriculture industry is even more dangerous than previously believed.

AI spots healthy stem cells quickly and accurately

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 08:38 AM PDT

Researchers have designed a deep learning-based system that accurately identifies individual skin stem cells grown under artificial conditions and tracks their motion. Using this system to perform quality control of stem cell cultures could improve the speed and efficiency of growing skin grafts for use in regenerative medicine and may also be useful for other types of stem cell cultures.

AI to track cognitive deviation in aging brains

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 07:02 AM PDT

Researchers have developed an artificial intelligence-based brain age prediction model to quantify deviations from a healthy brain-aging trajectory in patients with mild cognitive impairment, according to a new study. The model has the potential to aid in early detection of cognitive impairment at an individual level.

Protein linked to heart health, disease a potential therapeutic target for dementia

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 06:52 AM PDT

Researchers have found that high levels of a normal protein associated with reduced heart disease also protect against Alzheimer's-like damage in mice, opening up new approaches to slowing or stopping brain damage and cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer's.

An unexpected discovery: Inflammatory proteins may slow cognitive decline in aging adults

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 06:13 AM PDT

In a new study researchers report that elevated levels of two chemical mediators of inflammation, known as cytokines, are associated with slower cognitive decline in aging adults.

Language trade-off? No, bilingual children reliably acquire English by age 5

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 06:13 AM PDT

A new study in U.S.-born children from Spanish-speaking families finds that minority language exposure does not threaten the acquisition of English by children in the U.S. and that there is no trade-off between English and Spanish. Rather, children reliably acquire English by age 5, and their total language knowledge is greater to the degree that they also acquire Spanish. Children's level of English knowledge was independent of their level of Spanish knowledge.

Salton Sea aerosol exposure triggers unique and mysterious pulmonary response

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 06:12 AM PDT

Communities surrounding the Salton Sea, the inland body of water straddling California's Riverside and Imperial counties, show high rates of asthma due, possibly, to high aerosol dust levels resulting from the sea shrinking over time. Scientists suspect, however, the Salton Sea plays an additional role in pulmonary health. A new study performed on mice has found Salton Sea aerosol turns on nonallergic inflammation genes and may also promote lung inflammation.

Combining three techniques boosts brain-imaging precision

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 06:12 AM PDT

Researchers have developed a method to combine three brain-imaging techniques to more precisely capture the timing and location of brain responses to a stimulus. Their study is the first to combine the three widely used technologies - fMRI, EEG and EROS - for simultaneous imaging of brain activity.

Starchy snacks may increase CVD risk; fruits and veggies at certain meals decreases risk

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 06:12 AM PDT

Eating fruits with lunch, vegetables at dinner and a dairy snack in the evening was associated with a reduced risk of early death by cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality, according to a study of U.S. adults. Eating a Western lunch (typically containing a high quantity of refined grains, cheese and cured meat) was associated with an elevated risk of CVD and all-cause mortalities in the same study.

Cellular signatures of kidney tumors discovered

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 06:11 AM PDT

The origins of seven types of kidney cancer, including several rare subtypes, have been identified by researchers. The findings confirm that these cancers have their origin in specific forms of developmental cells present in the maturing fetus.

Recycling of the eye's light sensors is faulty in progressive blindness of older adults

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 06:11 AM PDT

With the National Eye Institute reporting that about 11 million older adults in the U.S. endure a condition that leads to progressive blindness, known as age-related macular degeneration, researchers are starting to understand what goes wrong in the disease, in order to develop new therapies to treat it.

Using virtual populations for clinical trials

Posted: 23 Jun 2021 06:11 AM PDT

A study involving virtual rather than real patients was as effective as traditional clinical trials in evaluating a medical device used to treat brain aneurysms, according to new research. The findings are proof of concept for what are called in-silico trials, where instead of recruiting people to a real-life clinical trial, researchers build digital simulations of patient groups, loosely akin to the way virtual populations are built in various computer games.

Rap1 controls the body's sugar levels from the brain

Posted: 22 Jun 2021 01:29 PM PDT

Researchers have discovered a mechanism in a small area of the brain that regulates whole-body glucose balance without affecting body weight.