ScienceDaily: Top Health News

Can artificial intelligence reveal why languages change over time?

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 01:19 PM PDT

American Sign Language (ASL) signs that are challenging to perceive -- those that are rare or have uncommon handshapes -- are made closer to the signer's face, where people often look during sign perception. By contrast, common ones, and those with more routine handshapes, are made further away from the face, in the perceiver's peripheral vision. The findings suggest that ASL has evolved to be easier for people to recognize signs.

After 'mama,' children’s first words include 'this' and 'that'

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 11:55 AM PDT

Across languages and cultures, words that help direct caregivers' attention are likely to be among the first children learn and use frequently, according to a new study of early vocabulary development in an Indigenous language.

COVID-19 alters levels of fertility-related proteins in men, study suggests

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 11:18 AM PDT

Increasing evidence suggests that the COVID-19 virus can also impair fertility. Now, researchers have analyzed protein levels in semen of men who have recovered from COVID-19. The pilot study suggests that even mild or moderate illness could change the levels of proteins related to male reproductive function, the researchers say.

Researchers discover new neurodevelopmental disorder

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 09:16 AM PDT

Researchers have discovered a new neurodevelopmental disorder after uncovering its link to a tumor suppressor gene.

Study finds persistent racial and ethnic disparities in sleep duration

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 09:16 AM PDT

Using data collected by the National Health Interview Survey from 2004 to 2018, researchers found that the proportion of people who reported sleeping fewer than seven hours per day increased significantly over the 15-year period, and it was significantly higher among Black people.

Nanotechnology research: Faster, cheaper COVID tests

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 09:15 AM PDT

A nanotechnology research group entered the race to develop a rapid test for COVID-19 in August 2020, running experiments on a new sensor for an American manufacturing company. The group tested nanotechnology-based optical sensors designed for COVID-19 detection and saw the potential for their home-grown technology.

Uranium detectable in two-thirds of US community water system monitoring records

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:11 AM PDT

A study on metal concentrations in U.S. community water systems (CWS) and patterns of inequalities, researchers found that metal concentrations were particularly elevated in CWSs serving semi-urban, Hispanic communities independent of location or region, highlighting environmental justice concerns. These communities had the highest levels of uranium, selenium, barium, chromium, and arsenic concentrations. Even at low concentrations, uranium in particular represents an important risk factor for the development of chronic diseases.

Brainstem atrophy is linked to extrapyramidal symptoms in frontotemporal dementia

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:10 AM PDT

Frontotemporal dementia patients with extrapyramidal symptoms have brainstem atrophy and reduced metabolism in certain areas of the brain significantly more often than patients without extrapyramidal symptoms, a new study shows. This observation can facilitate differential diagnostics in frontotemporal dementia.

Achilles’ heel of high-risk multiple myeloma

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:10 AM PDT

Chromosomal abnormalities are found in most multiple myeloma (MM) patients. While myeloma patients have generally benefited from the advancement of treatment modalities over the years, the treatment outcome for patients having two or more high-risk prognostic events remains poor. In a novel step forward, a research team has embarked on a study which aims to address the unmet clinical need in this group of patients.

Social determinants of health affect care for people with congenital heart disease

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:10 AM PDT

Improving overall health equity for people with congenital heart disease requires recognizing the impact of social determinants of health throughout their lifespan. Systemic societal inequities and structural racism impact the health of people with congenital heart disease from prenatal care through adulthood. A new scientific statement suggests strategies to improve equity in congenital heart disease care that include research into implicit and explicit biases, systemic inequities that result in poorer social determinants of health, and examines the population, institutional, systemic and individual level contributors to health disparities.

Sitting Tai Chi exercises improved recovery outcomes for older stroke survivors

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:10 AM PDT

A study found that after three months of practicing a modified form of Tai Chi in which participants are seated, stroke survivors had improved hand and arm function, sitting balance, mental health and quality of life, compared to stroke survivors who participated in a standard stroke rehabilitation exercise program. The study is the first randomized controlled trial to indicate practicing a seated form of Tai Chi early after a stroke enhanced health outcomes.

Exercise shown to release protein reducing bowel cancer risk

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:10 AM PDT

Experts have identified for the first time exactly how exercise can lower your risk of getting bowel cancer and slow the growth of tumors.

Reconstructing the states of a nonlinear dynamical system

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:01 AM PDT

We often encounter nonlinear dynamical systems that behave unpredictably, such as the earth's climate and the stock market. To analyze them, measurements taken over time are used to reconstruct the state of the system. However, this depends on the quality of the data. Now, researchers have proposed an all-new method for determining the necessary parameters that results in an accurate reconstruction. Their new technique has far-reaching implications for the field of data science.

Study reveals the dynamics of human milk production

Posted: 06 Apr 2022 02:20 PM PDT

Researchers have performed a large-scale, high-resolution study of the cells in breast milk, allowing them to track how these cells change over time in nursing mothers.

Pulse oximeters did not change outcomes for patients in COVID-19 monitoring program

Posted: 06 Apr 2022 02:20 PM PDT

Already checked regularly for worsening symptoms via automated text messages, COVID-19 patients with pulse oximeters in a home monitoring program had similar recovery to those without them, according to new research.

Phthalates: Study investigates the effects of DiNP on the colon

Posted: 06 Apr 2022 02:20 PM PDT

Researchers looked at the effect of DiNP on the colonic environment in a new study.

Some types of epilepsy may be associated with worse quality of life

Posted: 06 Apr 2022 01:06 PM PDT

A new study suggests that people with epilepsy associated with head injuries, especially the type not well controlled by medication, are more likely to have other health conditions like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), back pain and headache that may result in them reporting a lower quality of life. Other conditions included chronic conditions like high blood pressure, sleep disorders, and behavioral health conditions such as anxiety.

Turmeric compound helps grow engineered blood vessels and tissues

Posted: 06 Apr 2022 01:06 PM PDT

Curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and is known to suppress angiogenesis in malignant tumors. Bioengineers have now discovered that when delivered through magnetic hydrogels into stem cell cultures this versatile compound paradoxically also promotes the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF, that helps vascular tissues grow.

First large-scale study of COVID-era birth data finds significant drop in cesarian, induced deliveries

Posted: 06 Apr 2022 01:06 PM PDT

Premature births from cesarian (C-sections) and induced deliveries fell by 6.5 percent during the first month of the COVID-19 pandemic and remained consistently lower throughout -- a likely result of fewer prenatal visits due to efforts to slow the spread of the virus, according to new research.

Study reports potential target and compounds to slow the development of Alzheimer's disease

Posted: 06 Apr 2022 01:06 PM PDT

Researchers have discovered a potential biomarker for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis that may also serve as a therapeutic target. Examining cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients with cognitive impairment ranging from subjective impairment to a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, they found a shift in the profile of specialized liquid mediators from pro-resolving to pro-inflammatory.

Selfies may drive plastic surgery by distorting facial features

Posted: 06 Apr 2022 01:06 PM PDT

Cellphone 'selfies' distort facial features, an effect that may be driving an uptick in requests for plastic surgery, researchers show in a new study. The findings highlight an unexpected consequence of social media and the need for plastic surgeons to discuss this phenomenon with their patients.

Cryo-EM imaging of STING protein reveals new binding pocket

Posted: 06 Apr 2022 01:05 PM PDT

Imaging at near-atomic resolution of a key immune protein commonly known as STING has revealed a previously unrecognized binding site that appears to be pivotal for launching immune attacks, scientists report. The findings could lead to new ways of manipulating STING to prompt stronger immune responses or stem its action in autoimmune diseases.

Study could usher in new paradigm for drug discovery

Posted: 06 Apr 2022 01:05 PM PDT

Researchers have revealed the impact of native lipids on rhodopsin signaling and regeneration, which may usher in a new paradigm for discovery of drugs that target G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).

Most U.S. dog owners don't follow FDA pet food handling guidelines, study finds

Posted: 06 Apr 2022 01:05 PM PDT

A new analysis suggests that most U.S. dog owners are unaware of -- and do not follow -- guidelines on safe pet food and dish handling from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but that better education and implementation of the guidelines could reduce contamination.

Wireless, high-speed, low-power communications for implantable devices

Posted: 06 Apr 2022 01:05 PM PDT

Implantable bioelectronics are now often key in assisting or monitoring the heart, brain, and other vital organs, but they often lack a safe, reliable way of transmitting their data to doctors. Now researchers have invented a way to augment implantable bioelectronics with simple, high-speed, low-power wireless data links using the body's naturally present ions.

Study discovers molecular properties of lung surfactants that could lead to better treatments for respiratory illnesses

Posted: 06 Apr 2022 01:05 PM PDT

A research team analyzed the fundamental properties and structures of the naturally occurring substances that help human lungs expand and contract, providing insight into how the substances help us breathe.

Antibiotic and antiretroviral drug effects on breast milk are explored for mothers living with HIV

Posted: 06 Apr 2022 10:24 AM PDT

Infants carry a vast assemblage of bacteria, viruses and fungi in their guts. Combined, these microbes make up a complex ecology known as the gut microbiome, which plays a major role in health and disease throughout life. The initial source of these billions of microbes is the mother's breast milk. Scientists have now used next-generation sequencing to investigate the breast milk microbiome from HIV positive women in Kenya.

Wastewater provides a planet-wide laboratory for the study of human health

Posted: 06 Apr 2022 10:24 AM PDT

New research highlights a technique known as Wastewater-based Epidemiology (WBE), in which samples of municipal wastewater can be used as a diagnostic tool to explore a surprisingly broad range of community-wide health indices.

Researchers rejuvenate mouse organs through cellular reprogramming

Posted: 06 Apr 2022 07:17 AM PDT

Scientists have observed signs of rejuvenation in the pancreas, liver, spleen, and blood of mice after applying one cycle of cell reprogramming. To achieve this, the researchers have characterized rejuvenation by studying molecular marks in the DNA, gene expression, and cell metabolism.