ScienceDaily: Top Health News

Scientists develop new sensor to capture calcium activity in cells

Posted: 19 Oct 2021 09:01 AM PDT

Researchers have developed a novel approach for detecting the activity of calcium within cells. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of a red biosensor that can directly monitor calcium at specific locations within a cell, a discovery that could aid in better understanding of the molecular basis of human diseases.

New study calls for mitigation, monitoring of common grease-proofing food packaging chemicals

Posted: 19 Oct 2021 09:01 AM PDT

A scientist is calling for a better understanding of the health ramifications of ubiquitous 'grease proofing' chemicals that have been used for decades. A new study based on a symposium involving scientists at public and private institutions strikes an urgent tone on the need for new and better ways to detect and mitigate this class of chemical compounds, collectively known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Drug helps sensory neurons regrow in the mouse central nervous system

Posted: 19 Oct 2021 09:01 AM PDT

Researchers have discovered that an FDA-approved drug acts on support cells in the central nervous system to encourage sensory neurons to regrow after injury.

DNA tangles can help predict evolution of mutations

Posted: 19 Oct 2021 09:01 AM PDT

Researchers have identified evolutionary hotspots in DNA where mutations are more likely. The study authors say these findings will help us in the future to predict the evolution of bacteria and viruses over time, which could aid vaccine design and better understanding of antibiotic resistance.

E-cigarettes don't help smokers stay off cigarettes, study suggests

Posted: 19 Oct 2021 09:01 AM PDT

E-cigarette use did not help smokers quit and may make smokers more likely to relapse, according to a new study.

New model points to solution to global blood shortage

Posted: 19 Oct 2021 08:05 AM PDT

A mathematical model of the body's interacting physiological and biochemical processes shows that it may be more effective to replace red blood cell transfusion with transfusion of other fluids that are far less in demand.

New fibers can make breath-regulating garments

Posted: 19 Oct 2021 05:27 AM PDT

A new kind of fiber can be made into clothing that senses how much it is being stretched or compressed, and then provides immediate tactile feedback in the form of pressure, lateral stretch, or vibration. Such fabrics could be used in garments that help train singers or athletes to better control their breathing, or that help patients recovering from disease or surgery to recover their breathing patterns.

Scientists gain new understanding of how brain cells talk - which could help in the treatment of mental health conditions and memory diseases

Posted: 19 Oct 2021 05:27 AM PDT

Experts have discovered that reversing the modification of molecular messages at synapses in the human brain, may contribute to reversible mental health conditions such as anxiety, and memory diseases such as dementia.

Illness-and death-related messages found to be significant motivators for exercise

Posted: 19 Oct 2021 05:27 AM PDT

Fitness apps that emphasize illness- or death-related messaging are more likely to be effective in motivating participation than are social stigma, obesity, or financial cost messaging, according to a recent study.

Interferon does not improve outcomes for hospitalized adults with COVID-19, clinical trial finds

Posted: 18 Oct 2021 03:33 PM PDT

A clinical trial has found that treatment with the immunomodulator interferon beta-1a plus the antiviral remdesivir was not superior to treatment with remdesivir alone in hospitalized adults with COVID-19 pneumonia. In addition, in a subgroup of patients who required high-flow oxygen, investigators found that interferon beta-1a was associated with more adverse events and worse outcomes.

Skin stem cells get moving for enhanced skin regeneration

Posted: 15 Oct 2021 08:12 AM PDT

Researchers have found that the ability of skin stem cells to heal wounds is linked with their ability to move towards the injury. Their study identified the signalling pathway of EGFR and COL17A1 as a key player in the regulation of motility. Understanding mechanisms that underlie the age-associated reduction in regenerative capacity is the first step to develop targeted treatments for age-associated chronic nonhealing disorders, such as diabetic ulcers.

COVID's crushing impact on public health

Posted: 14 Oct 2021 02:27 PM PDT

A new study captures the scope of the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on public health: Many public health workers have been redeployed to COVID-related duties, leaving other critical public health issues with reduced or suspended services. That means investigation of other communicable diseases, food-related illness, public-health surveillance, chronic diseases and other critical services have suffered.

Delhi outbreak highlights challenge of reaching herd immunity in face of Delta variant

Posted: 14 Oct 2021 11:20 AM PDT

The severe outbreak of COVID-19 in Delhi, India, in 2021 showed not only that the Delta variant of SARS-CoV2 is extremely transmissible but that it can infect individuals previously infected by a different variant of the coronavirus, say scientists.

New model leveraging flu data generates highly accurate prediction of COVID-19 spread

Posted: 14 Oct 2021 11:20 AM PDT

By creating the Universal Influenza-like Transmission (UnIT) score, which leverages data about past flu seasons, researchers have produced a new model of COVID-19 incidence that outperforms all other prediction models on average over the pandemic timeline so far.