ScienceDaily: Top Health News

Machine learning algorithm revolutionizes how scientists study behavior

Posted: 31 Aug 2021 12:53 PM PDT

B-SOiD is an open source, unsupervised algorithm that can discover and identify behaviors without user input.

Evidence mounts that MMR and Tdap vaccines strengthen protection against severe COVID-19

Posted: 31 Aug 2021 11:24 AM PDT

Laboratory and retrospective analyses suggest that MMR and Tdap memory T cells are activated by SARS-CoV-2 and decrease COVID-19 severity.

Ferroelectrics everywhere?

Posted: 31 Aug 2021 11:24 AM PDT

A new family of materials that could result in improved digital information storage and uses less energy may be possible thanks to a team of researchers who demonstrated ferroelectricity in magnesium-substituted zinc oxide.

Researchers discover way to switch on and speed up tendon healing

Posted: 31 Aug 2021 11:24 AM PDT

A research team investigated whether electrical therapy, coupled with exercise, would show promise in treating tendon disease or ruptures. They found that tendon cell function and repair can be controlled through electrical stimulation from an implantable device powered by body movement.

In a common genetic disorder, blood test reveals when benign tumors turn cancerous

Posted: 31 Aug 2021 11:24 AM PDT

Researchers have developed a blood test that, they believe, could one day offer a highly sensitive and inexpensive approach to detect cancer early in people with NF1. The blood test could also help doctors monitor how well patients are responding to treatment for their cancer.

Model of SARS-CoV-2 dynamics reveals opportunity to prevent COVID-19 transmission

Posted: 31 Aug 2021 11:24 AM PDT

A structural model of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein as the virus fuses with host human cells reveals an opportunity to disrupt dynamics and halt transmission.

Fighting brain cancer at its root

Posted: 31 Aug 2021 10:14 AM PDT

Researchers identify proteins that drive cancer stem cells. Targeting and suppressing a particular protein called galectin1 could provide a more effective treatment for glioblastoma, in combination with radiation therapy.

Biomarkers found for COVID-19 condition in children

Posted: 31 Aug 2021 10:14 AM PDT

A rare but serious inflammatory condition that affects children who contract COVID-19 produces a distinctive pattern of biomarkers that may help physicians predict disease severity and also aid researchers in developing new treatments, according to a new study.

Exploring the past: Computational models shed new light on the evolution of prehistoric languages

Posted: 31 Aug 2021 10:13 AM PDT

A new linguistic study sheds light on the nature of languages spoken before the written period, using computational modeling to reconstruct the grammar of the 6500-7000 year-old Proto-Indo-European language.

COVID-19 vaccine elicits antibodies in 90 percent taking immunosuppressants, study finds

Posted: 31 Aug 2021 08:22 AM PDT

Nearly 90 percent of people taking immunosuppressants to treat autoimmune conditions produce an antibody response to COVID-19 vaccination, but the response is weaker than those generated by healthy people, according to a new study.

How to produce proteins at the right speed

Posted: 31 Aug 2021 08:22 AM PDT

In all eukaryotic organisms, genetic material is stored in the cell nucleus in the form of DNA. In order to be used, this DNA is first transcribed into messenger RNA in the cell cytoplasm, then translated into protein with the help of ribosomes, small machines capable of decoding messenger RNA to synthesize the appropriate proteins. However, the speed with which this mechanism takes place is not uniform: it must adapt to allow the protein to adopt the right configuration. Indeed, a deregulation of the production rate leads to structural defects. The proteins, which are not correctly folded will aggregate, become unusable and often toxic for the cell.

Genomic data reveals new insights into human embryonic development

Posted: 31 Aug 2021 08:19 AM PDT

Genomic scientists have revealed new insights into the process of human embryonic development using large-scale, whole-genome sequencing of cells and tissues from adult humans. The study analyzes somatic mutations in normal tissue across multiple organs within and between humans.

New artificial intelligence tech set to transform heart imaging

Posted: 31 Aug 2021 08:19 AM PDT

A new artificial-intelligence technology for heart imaging can improve care for patients, allowing doctors to examine their hearts for scar tissue while eliminating the need for contrast injections.

Genes can respond to coded information in signals – or filter them out entirely

Posted: 31 Aug 2021 08:19 AM PDT

Researchers have demonstrated that genes are capable of identifying and responding to coded information in light signals, as well as filtering out some signals entirely. The study shows how a single mechanism can trigger different behaviors from the same gene.

Mentally reattaching to work important for leader success

Posted: 31 Aug 2021 06:56 AM PDT

A new study found that on the days that leaders and managers were better able to reattach to work in the morning, they experienced higher positive moods and work focus and that in turn allowed them to be more successful throughout the day.

Do distressed, help-seeking couples improve on their own? Not much, study says

Posted: 31 Aug 2021 06:56 AM PDT

Does relationship quality continue to worsen, stabilize, or improve for distressed, help-seeking couples before they receive assistance? A team of researchers sought to answer that question in a new study examining what happens to couples who seek online help for their relationship, but have to wait six months before beginning an intervention program.

Telemedicine appointments reduce risk of further illness

Posted: 31 Aug 2021 06:56 AM PDT

Telemedicine appointments combined with in-person visits significantly reduced the risk of further illness for children with medically complex cases.

Alcohol can cause immediate risk of atrial fibrillation, research finds

Posted: 31 Aug 2021 05:30 AM PDT

A single glass of wine can quickly -- significantly -- raise the drinker's risk for atrial fibrillation, according to new research.

High virus count in the lungs drives COVID-19 deaths, study finds

Posted: 31 Aug 2021 05:30 AM PDT

A buildup of coronavirus in the lungs is likely behind the steep mortality rates seen in the pandemic, a new study finds. The results contrast with previous suspicions that simultaneous infections, such as bacterial pneumonia or overreaction of the body's immune defense system, played major roles in heightened risk of death, the investigators say.

Bystander CPR with rescue breathing leads to better outcomes in pediatric cardiac arrest: Study

Posted: 30 Aug 2021 11:47 AM PDT

When children and adolescents go into cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting, CPR with rescue breathing -- rather than CPR using only chest compressions -- leads to better outcomes, according to a new study. The findings support the use of bystander CPR with rescue breathing in children experiencing cardiac arrest.

Research finds ‘very low rates’ of dental fluoride varnish treatment for young children

Posted: 30 Aug 2021 09:32 AM PDT

Fewer than 5% of well-child visits for privately insured young children included a recommended dental fluoride varnish application, despite mandatory insurance coverage for this service, according to a new study.