ScienceDaily: Top Health News


Patients treated with monoclonal antibodies during COVID-19 delta surge had low rates of severe disease, study finds

Posted: 27 Jun 2022 02:00 PM PDT

A study of 10,775 high-risk adult patients during the COVID-19 delta variant surge in late 2021 finds that treatment with one of three anti-spike neutralizing monoclonal antibodies for mild to moderate symptoms led to low rates of severe disease, hospitalization, ICU admission and mortality, according to researchers.

Structural racism drives higher COVID-19 death rates in Louisiana, study finds

Posted: 27 Jun 2022 01:59 PM PDT

Higher COVID-19 mortality rates among Black communities in Louisiana can be linked to pervasive health vulnerabilities associated with racism, including the location of many Black neighborhoods near industrial facilities and the higher likelihood among Black families of being uninsured, researchers found. The team identified the spatial distribution of social and environmental stressors across Louisiana parishes, and tracked the correlations among stressors, cumulative health risks, COVID-19 mortality rates, and the size of Black populations across the parishes.

Doctors prescribe fewer painkillers during nightshifts than during the day, study finds

Posted: 27 Jun 2022 01:59 PM PDT

Physicians were 20 to 30 percent less likely to prescribe an analgesic during nightshifts (compared to daytime shifts) and prescribed fewer painkillers than were generally recommended by the World Health Organization, according to a new study.

New approach to treatment of deadly kidney cancer

Posted: 27 Jun 2022 11:14 AM PDT

Researchers have linked resistance to treatment for a deadly form of kidney cancer to low mitochondrial content in the cell. When the researchers increased the mitochondrial content with an inhibitor, the cancer cells responded to the treatment. Their findings offer hope for more targeted cancer drugs.

COVID-19 Omicron variant leads to less severe disease in mice, study finds

Posted: 27 Jun 2022 11:14 AM PDT

Researchers found mice were more likely to get infected by Omicron than other variants but with significantly lower mortality rates.

Higher protein intake while dieting leads to healthier eating

Posted: 27 Jun 2022 11:14 AM PDT

Eating a larger proportion of protein while dieting leads to better food choices and helps avoid the loss of lean body mass, according to a new study.

New genetic associations in pediatric NAFLD affect both risk and severity

Posted: 27 Jun 2022 11:14 AM PDT

In a pair of studies, scientists have deepened investigations into the genetic origins of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children, describing multiple gene variants that contribute to disease risk.

Antibiotic use and sepsis make recent improvements

Posted: 27 Jun 2022 09:50 AM PDT

Between 2013 and 2018, rates of antibiotic use and sepsis decreased in 152 hospitals, diminishing fears that sepsis improvement efforts will lead to antibiotic overuse.

Scent of a friend: Similarities in body odor may contribute to social bonding

Posted: 27 Jun 2022 09:50 AM PDT

Researchers have found that people may have a tendency to form friendships with individuals who have a similar body odor. The researchers were even able to predict the quality of social interactions between complete strangers by first 'smelling' them with a device known as an electronic nose, or eNose. These findings suggest that the sense of smell may play a larger role in human social interactions than previously thought.

Deadly fungus can multiply by having sex, which could produce more drug-resistant, virulent strains

Posted: 27 Jun 2022 09:50 AM PDT

Researchers have unlocked an evolutionary mystery of a deadly pathogen responsible for fueling the superbug crisis: it can reproduce by having sex. And while such fraternizing is infrequent, scientists report it could be producing more drug-resistant and more virulent strains of Candida auris, capable of spreading faster.

Study shows link between cyberbullying and suicidality in early adolescence

Posted: 27 Jun 2022 09:49 AM PDT

Researchers found that targets of cyberbullying were more likely to report suicidal thoughts and attempts, above and beyond offline bullying.

Microbial link between Western-style diet and incidence of colorectal cancer uncovered

Posted: 27 Jun 2022 09:49 AM PDT

New research builds the case that a Western-style diet -- rich in red and processed meat, sugar and refined grains/carbohydrates -- is tied to higher risk of colorectal cancer through the intestinal microbiota.

Researchers determine 1st crystal structure of LAG3

Posted: 27 Jun 2022 09:49 AM PDT

Researchers have now visualized the molecular structure of the LAG3 protein. They describe the crystal structure of LAG3 and how it interacts with molecules produced by cancer cells.

Heat waves could lead to avian population decline

Posted: 27 Jun 2022 09:47 AM PDT

Researchers examined how heat impacts the behavior and physiology of Zebra finches. They discovered that heat altered the activity of hundreds of genes in the testis, but fewer in the brain, suggesting that the brain may be less responsive to extreme temperatures. The study also provided some hopeful insights for birds and their ability to handle the threat of climate change.

Chemically modified plant compounds work against hepatitis E virus

Posted: 27 Jun 2022 07:02 AM PDT

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is widespread, and so far there is no effective drug. In the search for one, the so-called rocaglates have come into focus: plant compounds that can inhibit the replication of viruses. Researchers have examined a library of chemically modified rocaglates for their antiviral effect. One group of active ingredients in particular stood out, a so-called amidino group. It was particularly effective in inhibiting viral replication.

Researchers uncover brain waves related to social behavior

Posted: 27 Jun 2022 07:02 AM PDT

Researchers have discovered electrical brain-wave patterns given off during social interactions in mice. They also observed that mice showing signs of stress, depression, or autism lacked these brain waves. The results reveal more about the mechanics underlying brain activity when socializing.

The effect of breast cancer screening is declining

Posted: 27 Jun 2022 07:02 AM PDT

A new research result questions whether the benefits of breast cancer screenings has gradually declined to a degree that it is too small in relation to the costs in the form of overdiagnosis and overtreatment.

Novel, sensitive, and robust single-cell RNA sequencing technique outperforms competition

Posted: 27 Jun 2022 07:02 AM PDT

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is one of the most important methods to study biological function in cells, but it is limited by potential inaccuracies in the data it generates. Now, a research team has developed a new method called terminator-assisted solid-phase complementary DNA amplification and sequencing (TAS-Seq), which overcomes these limitations and provides higher-precision data than existing scRNA-seq platforms.

Supernumerary virtual robotic arms can feel like part of our body

Posted: 27 Jun 2022 07:02 AM PDT

Researchers have developed a virtual robotic limb system which can be operated by users' feet in a virtual environment as extra, or supernumerary, limbs. After training, users reported feeling like the virtual robotic arms had become part of their own body. This study focused on the perceptual changes of the participants, understanding of which can contribute to designing real physical robotic supernumerary limb systems that people can use naturally and freely just like our own bodies.

Message received: Scientists identify the molecular mechanisms behind learning and memory

Posted: 27 Jun 2022 07:01 AM PDT

Researchers identify how acetylcholine sets off a signal cascade in brain cells that directly influence aversive learning and memory formation.

People less outraged by gender discrimination caused by algorithms

Posted: 27 Jun 2022 07:01 AM PDT

People are less morally outraged when gender discrimination occurs because of an algorithm rather than direct human involvement, according to new research.

Women achieving childbearing desires drives contraception use

Posted: 24 Jun 2022 05:15 PM PDT

The increased use of contraception in many countries is not because more women at any moment want to delay pregnancy or have no further children. Instead, it is because contraception is helping more women achieve their childbearing goals, according to a new study.

Beyond the spike: New antibody analysis predicts severe COVID-19 outcomes

Posted: 24 Jun 2022 01:04 PM PDT

Most research on immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19 vaccine development has focused on antibody responses to the spike protein and other viral surface proteins. But antibodies that recognize the virus's internal proteins could also be important for immunity and disease outcomes, according to a new study.

Improved protein function opens way for new drug development concept

Posted: 23 Jun 2022 11:05 AM PDT

Researchers describe how they have improved the ability of a protein to repair oxidative DNA damage and created a new protein function. Their innovative technique can lead to improved drugs for diseases involving oxidative stress, such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease and lung diseases, but the researchers believe it has even greater potential.