ScienceDaily: Top Health News

‘Selective promiscuity,’ chaperones and the secrets of cellular health

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 03:57 PM PDT

A team of researchers has announced a major new advance in understanding how our genetic information eventually translates into functional proteins -- one of the building blocks of human life. The research elucidates how chaperones display 'selective promiscuity' for the specific proteins -- their 'clients' -- they serve. This property enables them to play an essential role in maintaining healthy cells and is a step forward in understanding the origins of a host of human illnesses, from cancer to ALS.

Personality traits linked to hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 03:57 PM PDT

New research found that changes in the brain associated with Alzheimer's disease are often visible early on in individuals with personality traits associated with the condition. The study focused on two traits previously linked to the risk of dementia: neuroticism, which measures a predisposition for negative emotions, and conscientiousness, which measures the tendency to be careful, organized, goal-directed and responsible.

Zebrafish could shed light into the mysteries of the human spinal cord and its influence on our body

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 12:48 PM PDT

Researchers believe zebrafish may provide clues to understanding how the human nervous system develops since this fish experiences new movements similarly to how babies do after birth. To understand how our nervous system enables us to move and learn new movements such as walking or swimming as we grow, researchers looked closely at the nervous system of zebrafish and built models of developing zebrafish spinal circuits to test and further understand the operation of spinal circuits for moving.

Mindful breathing for pain control: Like Yin and Yang

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 12:48 PM PDT

It's long been known that meditative mindful breathing helps with various health conditions, including pain.

Mental illness associated with poor sleep quality according to large study

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 12:00 PM PDT

People who have been diagnosed with a mental illness are more likely to have poor sleep quality compared to the general population, according to a large study.

Ground-breaking trial prevents loneliness among older people during Covid pandemic

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 12:00 PM PDT

A simple form of talking therapy, delivered by trained support workers over the telephone, reduced loneliness in older people left isolated during the pandemic, the initial results of a new study has revealed.

An eco-friendly toxic cocktail could be a new weapon against malaria

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 10:07 AM PDT

Researchers have demonstrated that blood-seeking mosquitoes can be directed to feed on a toxic plant-based solution, which in turn kills them. This result could be one solution for the global problem of diseases like malaria or dengue fever by specifically targeting the mosquitoes while other species like bees won't be affected.

How recovery from COVID-19's impact on energy demand could help meet climate targets

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 10:07 AM PDT

The pandemic-related drop in greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 was likely the largest on record in a single year, but how our recovery might affect future emissions is less clear. New modeling examines alternative scenarios and how they could impact climate mitigation targets.

Molecular scales on biological membranes

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 10:05 AM PDT

With mass-sensitive particle tracking scientists can determine location and size changes of unlabeled proteins on membranes

Nanosilver no ‘silver bullet’ in long-term treatment of infections

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 08:23 AM PDT

New research has found that pathogens that form biofilms can evolve to survive nanosilver treatment. The study is the first to demonstrate that long-term nanosilver treatment can increase the risk of recurrent infections.

Optimal blood pressure helps our brains age slower

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 08:22 AM PDT

People with elevated blood pressure that falls within the normal recommended range are at risk of accelerated brain aging, according to new research. The research also found optimal blood pressure helps our brains stay at least six months younger than our actual age.

Nearly 6 million children are driven into severe hunger by the hot, dry shifts of a strong el Niño

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 08:22 AM PDT

Up to three times more children suffer severe hunger with each El Niño than from COVID-19. El Niño events provide a snapshot of the future under climate change and chronicle the lack of proactive policy action even when climate events are predictable.

When breezy, wear masks outdoors to prevent coronavirus exposure

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 08:22 AM PDT

As the delta variant continues to spread, guidelines from the CDC recommend even the vaccinated wear masks indoors to prevent exposure and transmission, though it is less clear what people should do when outside. Researchers used a large eddy simulation to model cough jets in breezy and calm conditions. They found when a person coughs outdoors, wind flowing in the same direction can propagate the virus faster over longer distances than in calm conditions.

New scientific resource will help uncover the genetic underpinnings of type 2 diabetes

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 08:22 AM PDT

Investigators have developed a resource for analyzing how genetic variants in cells that drive type 2 diabetes may contribute to the disease.

Common respiratory virus manipulates immune genes to protect itself

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 08:22 AM PDT

Researchers have discovered that the viral protein NS1 from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) alters the activity of immune genes, sabotaging the immune response to RSV infection.

Rye a better choice than wheat for weight loss

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 07:27 AM PDT

Eating whole grain rye products instead of refined wheat alternatives can offer worthwhile health benefits. Researchers recently published a study showing that people who ate high-fiber products made from whole grain rye lost more body fat and overall weight than those who ate corresponding products made from refined wheat.

Researcher discovers key gene responsible for cancer drug resistance

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 07:27 AM PDT

A researcher has discovered an enzyme that plays a key role in the ability of cancer cells to resist drug treatment.

Mushroom consumption may lower risk of depression

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 07:26 AM PDT

Mushrooms have been making headlines due to their many health advantages. Not only do they lower one's risk of cancer and premature death, but new research also reveals that these super-foods may benefit a person's mental health.

Unraveling the mystery of why we overeat

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 07:26 AM PDT

Researchers are examining neurons and hormones associated with eating too much. This study is another step in understanding the brain circuits involved in eating disorders.

Research review shows intermittent fasting works for weight loss, health changes

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 07:26 AM PDT

Intermittent fasting can produce clinically significant weight loss as well as improve metabolic health in individuals with obesity, according to a new study.

White matter integrity disrupted in people with Alzheimer’s gene mutation

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 07:26 AM PDT

The structural integrity of the brain's white matter as measured with an advanced MRI technique is lower in cognitively normal people who carry a genetic mutation associated with Alzheimer's disease than it is in non-carriers, according to a new study. Researchers said the findings show the promise of widely available imaging techniques in helping to understand early structural changes in the brain before symptoms of dementia become apparent.

Aadvance in rapid cancer detection and monitoring

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 06:50 AM PDT

An engineer is reporting fast screening of the surface proteins of exosomes for cancer diagnostics and biomarker discovery.

Antiviral compound blocks SARS-CoV-2 from entering cells

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 06:50 AM PDT

Scientists have developed a chemical compound that interferes with a key feature of many viruses that allows the viruses to invade human cells. The compound, called MM3122, was studied in cells and mice and holds promise as a new way to prevent infection or reduce the severity of COVID-19 if given early in the course of an infection, according to the researchers.

Researchers find cervical cancer screening is overused – and underused as well

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 06:50 AM PDT

New research finds many women are screened too often for cervical cancer, leading to unnecessary procedures that may carry their own harms, while some women are not getting tested often enough, putting them at higher risk for poor outcomes.

Is low-fat or whole-fat milk better for kids? Science says it makes no difference

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 06:50 AM PDT

A new study has found whole fat dairy is just as good for kids as low-fat.

Break through the tumor’s protective shield

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 06:50 AM PDT

The immune system protects the body from cancer. To protect healthy body cells from its own immune system, they have developed a protective shield: the protein CD47 is a so called 'don't eat me' signal, which tells the immune cells to stand back. Tumor cells exploit this CD47-based protection strategy for evading the immune system, by increasing presentation of CD47 on their cell surface. A team has now developed a therapy concept for programming the tumor cells to produce on their own a CD47-blocking and immune-activation fusion protein. This therapy approach could stop tumor growth.

Brain damage from long stays in space

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 06:19 AM PDT

Spending a long time in space appears to cause brain damage. This is shown by a study of five Russian cosmonauts who had stayed on the International Space Station (ISS).

Quest for bacterial cocktails to fight infections

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 06:18 AM PDT

The intestines of a healthy person contains hundreds of different bacteria that provide efficient protection against infections. However, if the equilibrium of this community, known as the microbiota, is disturbed -- for example, due to antibiotic therapy -- pathogens such as salmonella or multiresistant hospital germs such as Klebsiella pneumoniae can gain the upper hand -- sometimes with severe consequences for those affected. Scientists have been researching the interaction of intestinal bacteria and have recently identified bacterial strains that play a special role in two studies.

New avenues for the optimzation of dendritic cell-based cancer immunotherapies

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 06:18 AM PDT

A recent study reveals that inhibiting certain adhesion receptors on the surface of dendritic cells, the main antigen-presenting cells of the immune system, enhances antitumor responses.

'Caramel receptor' identified

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 06:18 AM PDT

Who doesn't like the smell of caramel? However, the olfactory receptor that contributes decisively to this sensory impression was unknown until now. Researchers have now solved the mystery of its existence and identified the 'caramel receptor.' The new knowledge contributes to a better understanding of the molecular coding of food flavors.

Deaths linked to ‘hormone disruptor’ chemical costs billions in lost US productivity

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 05:01 AM PDT

Daily exposure chemicals called phthalates, used in the manufacture of plastic food containers and many cosmetics, may lead to roughly 100,000 premature deaths among older Americans each year, a new study shows. The resulting annual economic burden is between $40 billion and $47 billion, a value more than quadruple that of previous estimates.

Healthy newborns had shorter hospital stays during COVID-19 pandemic with no change in readmissions, study finds

Posted: 12 Oct 2021 05:00 AM PDT

Healthy full-term infants born during the COVID-19 pandemic had substantially shorter hospital stays than those born before the pandemic, with no change in hospital readmissions after discharge, according to a new study. The findings suggest shorter hospital stays for healthy term infants might be safe outside of a pandemic scenario, with implications for health care costs and best practices.

Powered exoskeleton helps amputees walk with less effort

Posted: 11 Oct 2021 08:08 AM PDT

Mechanical engineering researchers have developed a lightweight powered exoskeleton that helps lower-limb amputees walk with much less effort. The device uses motors, microprocessors and advanced algorithms to aid users in walking, much like an e-bike helps riders pedal uphill.

Older adults across the globe are more willing to help others, but mostly those in the same country

Posted: 11 Oct 2021 08:08 AM PDT

Older adults around the world are more willing to donate to charity than younger people, but will prioritize charitable organizations operating within their own country, new research finds.

Sequencing the unknown made easy: Metaplatanus improves metagenome assembly

Posted: 08 Oct 2021 10:41 AM PDT

Metagenome sequencing of 'tricky' gene pools has been ridden with issues during assembly of sequenced DNA fragments, which can now be addressed by a tool developed by scientists. This hybrid metagenome assembler tool, called MetaPlatanus, utilizes long-range sequence links and species-specific features, to deliver high-quality DNA sequences.

Personalized medicine: Platform enables comparative research on cancerous tumors

Posted: 08 Oct 2021 07:57 AM PDT

Researchers have developed an algorithm that enhances the ability to compare tumors between different patients, overcoming high inter-patient variability.