Interlimb and intralimb synergy modeling for lower limb assistive devices: Methods and feature selection

(A) Assistive knee brace, (B) CUHK-EXO, (C) ankle-foot prosthesis, and (D) transfemoral prosthesis. Credit: Ming Yin, State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering, Hainan University. A research paper by scientists at Hainan University proposed FSS-eq2Seq as a 2-stage strategy for gait synergy modeling in lower limb assistive devices to achieve synergic and user-adaptive trajectories that improve human-machine interactions. The new research paper, published on Jul. 3 in the journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems, indicatedSeq2Seq outperforms LSTM, RNN, and GRU in both interlimb and intralimb synergy modeling. Further, FS significantly improves Seq2Seq’s modeling performance. The concept of Read More

Looking for clues about your real age? Your grandparents’ education may offer some insight

Variables included in the current analysis came from the NHLBI Growth and Health study (1987–1997) and the follow-up National Growth and Health Study (NGHS). The combined information resulted in data from three-generation, including grandparents (F0), mothers (F1), and grandchildren (F2). The gray line represents the main goal of the current analysis, to examine the association between grandparents’ educational attainment as a socioeconomic context of mothers’ early rearing on grandchildren’s epigenetic-based age acceleration. The black lines represent the hypothesized mediational model of the pathways from grandparents’ education to grandchildren’s epigenetic age through parental education and mothers’ life course health-related factors (childhood Read More

Dengue recovery linked to higher long-term health risks than COVID-19

People who caught dengue and recovered are more likely to face long-term health complications about a year later compared to those who contracted COVID-19, according to the findings of a nationwide study led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore). Specifically, those who caught dengue have a 55% higher risk of heart complications, such as irregular heartbeats, heart disease, and blood clots, compared with those who fell sick with COVID-19 and recovered. Based on tests and medical claim records of 11,707 residents in Singapore with dengue and 1,248,326 who had COVID-19 (delta and omicron variant) between July 2021 and October Read More

Genotype matters—tailored screening for germline CHEK2 variants

A recent editorial was published in Oncotarget, titled “Genotype matters: Personalized screening recommendations for germline CHEK2 variants.” Recognized as a moderate-risk gene, CHEK2—responsible for encoding the CHK2 protein, which plays a crucial role in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks—is associated with a 20–40% lifetime risk of breast cancer (BC) by age 85. While CHEK2 pathogenic variants (PVs) were previously linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), two recent studies have not observed this association. In their recent work, researchers Adela Rodriguez Hernandez, Rochelle Scheib, Judy E. Garber, Huma Q. Rana and Brittany L. Bychkovsky from Dana-Farber Cancer Read More

Findings shed light on the cellular mechanisms causing insulin resistance

Credit: Diabetes (2024). DOI: 10.2337/db23-0802 Recent research published in the journal Diabetes sheds new light on the cellular mechanisms causing insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes, a disease affecting more than 1.2 million people in Quebec alone. Type 2 diabetes is a complex condition for which there is no cure yet, making it a chronic condition. It is characterized by a reduction in the ability of cells to respond to insulin. This is known as insulin resistance. The cellular mechanisms causing insulin resistance are far from fully understood, but the Ferron laboratory is committed to advancing knowledge on this front. Read More

Researchers in Zurich successfully perform remote magnetic endoscopy on a live pig in Hong Kong

The operating room at the Faculty of Medicine at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. On the screen in the centre you can see the live link to Zurich. Credit: ETH Zurich Researchers at ETH Zurich and The Chinese University of Hong Kong have succeeded for the first time in using remote control to perform a magnetic endoscopy on a live pig. The researchers controlled the probe from Zurich while the animal was on the operating table in Hong Kong. It’s three o’clock in the morning, and Alexandre Mesot is in a room in Zurich operating an endoscope. The doctoral Read More

Study shows Australian program could save nearly 1,000 lives over the next 20 years

Tornado diagram of one-way sensitivity analysis comparing the WA SunSmart program with no program. Credit: Health Promotion International (2024). DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daae091 Cancer Council WA has welcomed a new study showing its SunSmart program is saving money as well as lives. Published in Health Promotion International, the research confirms the SunSmart program is expected to prevent 300,000 skin cancers, save 1,000 lives and return $8.70 to the public purse for every dollar spent over the next 20 years. Cancer Council WA Cancer Prevention and Research Director, Melissa Ledger, said we know skin cancer prevention programs work, and it was reassuring after Read More

New device monitors levels of inflammation-associated C-reactive protein in real time

Graphical abstract. Credit: ACS Sensors (2024). DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.4c00249 As inflammation is the body’s natural immune response to disease or infection, it increases blood flow in the body and helps the body’s cells to defend themselves against viruses, infections or cell damage. Fast diagnostics of inflammation is crucial for effective treatments, so it is extremely important to test the levels of inflammatory biomarkers in the body. Researchers from the Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences have demonstrated a novel point-of-care device to monitor levels of the C-reactive protein (CRP) that is produced in the body during inflammation. The work Read More

New study supports annual breast cancer screening for women over 40

Women diagnosed with breast cancer who had regular screening mammograms every year were less likely to have late-stage cancer and had higher overall survival than those who received screening every other year or less often, according to new research from the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. “Only about 65% of women over age 40 are screened for breast cancer, and only about half of those women are getting annual screening—in part because of conflicting guidelines about recommended screening intervals,” said lead author Margarita Zuley, M.D., professor and chief of the Division of Breast Read More

South Florida’s Hispanic communities see fewer late-stage lung cancer diagnoses

When it comes to cancer disparities, community may count. A study published Aug. 21 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute showed that although Hispanic non-small cell lung cancer patients tend to be diagnosed at later stages than white patients, that disadvantage disappears in South Florida. The first-of-its-kind study examined disparities in lung cancer staging across all lung cancer patients in the state of Florida and found that while racial and ethnic minorities tend to be diagnosed at later stages than white patients in most of the state, that disadvantage disappears for most Hispanic populations living in South Florida. Read More

Knowing you have a brain aneurysm may raise risk of anxiety, other mental health conditions

Among people who had aneurysms (weakened areas in brain blood vessels), the risk of developing a mental health condition was higher than among peers without an aneurysm. The highest risk was seen in patients younger than age 40, according to research published in Stroke. An unruptured intracranial aneurysm occurs when the wall of a blood vessel in the brain becomes weak and bulges out, posing a potential risk of future rupture and life-threatening bleeding in the brain. “As a neurosurgeon who treats cerebral aneurysms, I often see people who do not undergo surgery yet feel fear and/or anxiety about their Read More

Study finds nearly half of US counties have at least one ‘pharmacy desert’

Nearly half of counties in the United States have at least one ‘pharmacy desert’ where there is no retail pharmacy within 10 miles, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open by researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center—Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC—James). “As pharmacies close, more and more Americans are left without easy access to medications, with disproportionate consequences on certain communities. We found that patients in counties with higher social vulnerabilities and fewer primary care providers were up to 40% more likely to reside in a region with Read More

Frequent cannabis users miss more workdays, research shows

A new analysis of 46,499 employed adults in the United States, completed with data from the 2021–2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), found that recent and frequent cannabis use and cannabis use disorder (CUD) were associated with greater workplace absenteeism. This included both absences due to illness/injury as well as skipped work days. Among full-time employed adults, 15.9% used cannabis in the past month, with 6.5% meeting criteria for CUD. The study found that over the last 30 days, the mean number of workdays missed because of illness was 1.47 for people who didn’t have CUD but Read More

Dr. Anthony Fauci recovering at home after being hospitalized with West Nile virus

Dr. Anthony Fauci, who helped millions of Americans navigate the health challenges of the pandemic, is recovering at home after being hospitalized for a West Nile infection. Fauci should make a full recovery, a spokesperson told the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity due to security concerns. In a post on the social media platform X, Dr. Jonathan LaPook, chief medical correspondent for CBS News, said he spoke Saturday with Fauci, who believes he was likely infected from a mosquito bite that he got in his backyard. “Dr. Fauci was hospitalized about ten days ago after developing fever, chills Read More

US will offer free COVID tests by mail by late September

As a summer surge in COVID cases begins to ebb and Americans brace themselves for yet another wave of infections this winter, more free COVID tests will soon be available to all, federal health officials announced Friday. Starting in late September, every U.S. household can order up to four nasal swab tests when the federal program reopens, according to COVIDtests.gov. The U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) agency that oversees the testing has not yet announced an exact date for ordering to begin. Since the pandemic began, the program has distributed over 900 million tests directly to American households, the Read More

Strength-based cultural care improves health outcomes for Aboriginal mothers and babies

Credit: Murdoch University Bridgette Kelly and Trish Ratajczak from Murdoch University’s Ngangk Yira Institute for Change are passionate about changing this, with both addressing these gaps in their Accelerated Master’s by Research theses. Kelly, a proud Kamilaroi woman, and Ratajczak, a proud Palawa Trawlwoolway woman, have years of experience in the perinatal health space, and hope their research inspires other Aboriginal people to enter university and reclaim their rights to culturally safe health care. In Ratajczak’s thesis, the Baby Coming You Ready (BCYR) program, a model of care designed to overcome communication barriers between Aboriginal women and their health care Read More

First-of-its kind program makes organ transplants more accessible to disadvantaged Black Americans

Credit: NEJM Catalyst (2024). DOI: 10.1056/CAT.24.0140 Black people in the United States are almost four times more likely to develop kidney failure and experience heart failure compared to white Americans, but they are much less likely to receive lifesaving transplants. In 2019, Northwestern Medicine created a novel and practical solution to this complex issue by redesigning the transplant access process for Black patients challenged by structural and institutional barriers. The African American Transplant Access Program (AATAP) was the first of its kind nationally, but its founders hope the publication of a new paper in the NEJM Catalyst will propel the Read More

Waking up to the hidden struggles of inflammatory bowel diseases

Latent profiles of determinants of fatigue. Credit: BMC Gastroenterology (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s12876-024-03239-2 Helping people with inflammatory bowel diseases to get a better night’s sleep could help keep the condition at bay and improve their quality of life, say Flinders University and Flinders Medical Center researchers, as they work to untangle the threads of the disease. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects an estimated 100,000 Australians, and more than 6 million people worldwide, yet there is currently no known cause or cure. The best outcome for people diagnosed with the disease is to achieve remission—meaning the disease is not active—and maintain a Read More

Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals heterogeneity in fibrotic scars after spinal cord injury

Schematic diagram of fibrotic scar heterogeneity after spinal cord injury. Credit: Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50564-x Myofibroblasts generate fibrotic scars after spinal cord injury (SCI). This is typically regarded as an impediment to nerve regeneration. Understanding the heterogeneous characteristics of ?brotic scars might help to develop strategies for remodeling ?brotic scars after SCI. However, the composition, origin and function of fibrotic scars have been a subject of ongoing debate in the field. A recent study led by Profs. Dai Jianwu and Zhao Yannan from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences employed a combination Read More

WHO says mpox outbreaks ‘can be stopped’

Credit: AI-generated image Outbreaks of mpox in Central Africa “can be stopped”, the World Health Organization said on Monday, but $135 million of funding may be needed to tackle the disease’s spread. Earlier in August, the WHO declared an international health emergency after a surge in cases linked to a new mpox strain in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has since spread beyond its borders. “The mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring countries can be controlled, and can be stopped,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is quoted as saying in the statement. But “doing Read More

1999 to 2023 saw increase in heat-related mortality rates

Heat-related mortality rates increased from 1999 to 2023 in the United States, according to a research letter published online Aug. 26 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Jeffrey T. Howard, Ph.D., from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and colleagues examined trends in heat-related mortality rates in the U.S. population from 1999 to 2023. For each year, the age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 100,000 person-years were extracted for heat-related deaths. The researchers found 21,518 deaths were recorded as heat-related underlying or contributing cause of death, with an AAMR of 0.26 per 100,000 person-years. From 1999 to 2023, Read More

Experts address the global health threat of Chagas disease

Chagas disease, once thought to be confined to South and Central America, is now an emerging public health threat in the United States, making it more important than ever for local physicians to understand the history of the disease and how to recognize it when caring for patients. In a historical review of Chagas, Mario Grijalva, Ph.D., director of the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute, and a team of international experts shed light on current challenges and future directions for global health efforts in the fight against Chagas. The review, titled “Chagas Disease Read More

Research team discovers how Copaxone protects the heart muscle and improves its function after heart attack

Cardiac sections of mice after an injury simulating a heart attack. In mice that were treated with Copaxone (bottom row), the sections reveal greater integrity of heart muscle tissue (green) and the expression of a protein (yellow) that prevents the death of heart muscle cells. Credit: Weizmann Institute of Science In the late 1960s, three Weizmann Institute of Science researchers developed several protein-like molecules, called copolymers, that they believed would produce a disease similar to multiple sclerosis in laboratory animals. The scientists—Prof. Michael Sela, Prof. Ruth Arnon and Dr. Dvora Teitelbaum—were surprised to discover that, instead of causing the disease, Read More

Vaccination coverage for teens similar in 2023 and 2022

In 2023, vaccination coverage for adolescents with all routine vaccines was similar to coverage in 2022, according to research published in the Aug. 22 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Cassandra Pingali, M.P.H., from the CDC in Atlanta, and colleagues analyzed data from the 2023 National Immunization Survey-Teen for 16,658 adolescents aged 13 to 17 years to examine vaccination coverage in 2023, recent trends in coverage by birth year, and trends in coverage by Vaccine for Children (VFC) program eligibility. The researchers found that coverage with all routine vaccines recommended for Read More

Approach developed for guideline-concordant phototherapy in newborns

In a technical report published online Aug. 26 in Pediatrics, a standardized approach is presented for the use of guideline-concordant phototherapy for the management of hyperbilirubinemia in newborn infants. Vinod K. Bhutani, M.D., from the Stanford University School of Medicine in California, and colleagues reviewed relevant literature regarding phototherapy devices in the United States to summarize the principles and application of phototherapy consistent with the current 2022 American Academy of Pediatrics clinical guidelines for management of hyperbilirubinemia in newborn infants at ?35 weeks of gestation. The researchers found wide variation in the efficacy of phototherapy devices due to nonstandardized use Read More

Prevalence of hypertension increases with neighborhood disadvantage

The prevalence of hypertension increases with neighborhood disadvantage, according to a study published online Aug. 23 in JAMA Network Open. Madeleine M. Blazel, from the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, and colleagues examined spatial patterns of hypertension diagnosis and treatment by neighborhood socioeconomic position and racial and ethnic composition. Geocoded electronic health record data were linked to the area deprivation index (ADI) at the U.S. Census Block Group level (neighborhood). Data were analyzed for 56,387 adults across 1,157 neighborhoods. The researchers observed a gradient of hypertension prevalence across ADI quintiles, with a higher hypertension Read More

Approaching a turning point in the treatment and prevention of disease

Top-down versus bottom-up synthetic immunology. Credit: Nature Nanotechnology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41565-024-01744-9 Synthetic immunology, an innovative field of research that could lead to fundamentally new approaches and methods in the treatment of infectious diseases and cancer, is the topic of a new article published in Nature Nanotechnology. Heidelberg researchers Prof. Dr. Kerstin Göpfrich, Prof. Dr. Michael Platten, Prof. Dr. Friedrich Frischknecht, and Prof. Dr. Oliver T. Fackler describe a so-called bottom-up approach that uses the toolbox of nanotechnology and synthetic biology to construct systems from molecular building blocks and specifically equip them with immune functions. The experts in the fields of Read More

People with physical and mobility disabilities need to work out, but there are a lot of obstacles in their way

The Movin’ Mavs, the University of Texas at Arlington’s championship-winning wheelchair basketball team, says their gym needs more adaptive exercise equipment. Credit: UTA Adaptive Sports Program, CC BY-ND Although wheelchair users, visually impaired people and others with mobility and physical disabilities need consistent exercise, it’s often hard for them to work out. In many cases, they can’t get access to “adaptive” exercise and sports equipment—meaning machines, weights and other devices that have been modified or engineered for ease of use by people with disabilities. High costs, steep learning curves and limited access constrain their use. To reach that conclusion, I Read More

Human stem cell models point to glia as key players in multiple sclerosis

Glia-enriched cultures from a primary progressive multiple sclerosis iPSC line showing astrocytes (yellow), oligodendrocytes (cyan), and neurons (magenta). Credit: New York Stem Cell Foundation A team of scientists from The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute and Case Western Reserve University has created the largest reported collection of stem cell models from multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and used them to identify unique ways in which glia—integral support cells in the brain—contribute to the disease. The study, published today in Cell Stem Cell, is the first to report that glial cells from MS patients have intrinsic hallmarks of disease, Read More

Comprehensive review identifies three key concepts for recovery from substance use disorders

Certain concepts have a demonstrated basis for aiding recovery from dangerous alcohol or substance use, according to an analysis of scientific literature since 1990. Self-efficacy (a belief in one’s ability to achieve a goal), social support, and managing cravings are among the treatment elements best supported by evidence. Effective treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD) and other substance use disorders (SUDs) depends on understanding how human behaviors change and incorporating that knowledge into clinical practice. An ongoing research effort continues to investigate varying treatment approaches and how they relate to recovery outcomes, but those findings have not been well synthesized Read More

Brain shows changes in regions associated with anxiety after quitting alcohol

Group?×?anxiety and group?×?sex interactions in BNST functional connectivity during unpredictable versus predictable neutral cues. Credit: Alcohol, Clinical and Experimental Research (2024). DOI: 10.1111/acer.15407 Certain regions of the brain show changes during the early stages after quitting drinking that may contribute to increased anxiety and relapse rates in people attempting recovery from alcohol use disorder, according to a study published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research. The study further found that an individual’s sex and severity of their anxiety play a significant role in the brain’s response during early abstinence from alcohol use, with the brains of men and women responding Read More

Digital intervention shows promise for moderating alcohol consumption

In a large group of frequent drinkers who used a digital application offering tailored text-based support for reducing their alcohol intake, weekly drink amounts fell by 1/3 over 12 weeks. The study of real-world users shows promise for people who are uncomfortable with their drinking habits but may not meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Although they may be unlikely to aim for abstinence or to seek formal treatment, many are open to moderating their drinking. Digital interventions, such as self-guided online programs and smartphone apps, are easily accessible and engaging. Studies have shown that text-based messaging interventions Read More

African countries have beaten disease outbreaks before—here’s what it takes

Barely over a year after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that mpox was no longer a public health issue of international concern, it is back in the news. This time with a diversity of variants, new modes of transmission and new populations infected. In this interview, Oyewale Tomori, a professor of virology, explains why the declaration of mpox as a global public health emergency is connected with the failure of African governments to properly fund disease surveillance activities and create an environment for their deeply experienced health workers to function. He also sheds light on what it takes to Read More

Study finds solution to a major source of doctor burnout

Who hasn’t sat in a medical office, listening to computer keys clacking while their provider rapidly types up notes, wondering what they are spending so much time writing about? For doctors, who have always written clinical care notes but increasingly must spend time cataloging billing details, this additional documentation is a major source of job dissatisfaction and burnout. A new study out today by University of Maryland’s School of Public Health illuminates a solution that can meaningfully reduce the amount of time doctors spend writing notes, without losing vital information. “Providers are already stretched thin and under intense pressure to Read More

Is white rice bad for me? Can I make it lower glycemic index or healthier?

Rice is a culinary staple in Australia and around the world. It might seem like a given that brown rice is healthier than white and official public health resources often recommend brown rice instead of white as a “healthy swap.” But Australians definitely prefer white rice over brown. So what’s the difference, and what do we need to know when choosing rice? What makes rice white or brown? Rice “grains” are technically seeds. A complete, whole rice seed is called a “paddy,” which has multiple parts: the “hull” is the hard outer layer which protects the seed the “bran,” which Read More

Personalizing cognitive health approaches for older adults

The orchid and dandelion phenomenon offers a new framework for understanding the diverse experiences of cognitive aging. Credit: Erwin, Razzmatazz0r/Pixabay As the global population ages, understanding the variability in cognitive aging becomes increasingly important. Why do some individuals remain cognitively sharp while others experience significant decline? This question has been central to my doctoral research. Recent studies introduce the “orchid and dandelion” phenomenon to cognitive aging, suggesting that some people, like orchids, are highly sensitive to their environment, thriving or deteriorating based on external conditions. Others, like dandelions, show resilience and maintain cognitive performance regardless of their surroundings. This framework Read More

Research reveals environmental and disease factors can speed up the brain’s biological age

Dataset characterization and analysis pipeline. Credit: Nature Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-03209-x The pace at which the brain ages can vary significantly among individuals, leading to a gap between the estimated biological age of the brain and the chronological age (the actual number of years a person has lived). This gap may be influenced by various factors, including physical (e.g. pollution) and social (e.g. socioeconomic or health inequalities) exposomes, especially in aging and dementia. Until now, it was unclear how these combined factors could either accelerate or delay brain aging across diverse geographical populations. Now, in a trailblazing study published in Read More

Mechanisms of postoperative pain reveal a path for localized and targeted therapy

Pain neurons in the skin (magenta) and mast cells (yellow) with a subset of pain neurons (substance P+neurons, cyan). Credit: MedUni Vienna/Rohit Jain & Shweta Tikoo An international research group led by MedUni Vienna and IMBA—Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Vienna, has made significant progress in understanding the mechanisms that influence the sensation of pain after surgery. Currently available treatment methods for post-operative pain can cause considerable side effects and are often only partially effective. The latest findings reveal a new possibility for localized and targeted therapy. The study has now been published in Science Immunology. In their research, the team Read More

New prognostic biomarker identified in small cell lung cancer

Graphical abstract. Credit: iScience (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110413 Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a fast-growing and highly malignant subtype of lung cancer. One of the biggest challenges doctors face is the cancer’s resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy, the standard treatment for SCLC patients. Recently, a research group led by Prof. Hong Bo from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, identified a novel prognostic biomarker that could help predict chemotherapy resistance in SCLC by multi-omics integrative analysis. This finding, published in iScience, could improve treatments for this aggressive form of cancer. In this study, researchers conducted Read More

Scientists uncover the role of dopamine in mediating short-term and long-term memory dynamics

Neural activity gives information about how fruit flies respond to various sensory stimuli, revealing insights into how they process and encode these experiences into short-term and long-term memories. Credit: Cheng Huang. Fly image credit: https://prints.sciencesource.com/featured/6-fruit-fly-drosophila-melanogaster-oliver-meckes-eye-of-science.html. In a recent study published in Nature, researchers from Stanford University and Yale University have explored the interplay between short-term and long-term memory in animals. Learning and memory in insects are controlled by a structure known as the mushroom body, analogous to the hippocampus in mammals. While previous studies have explored this in insects, the researchers wanted to understand how pre-existing, innate responses to stimuli Read More

Scientists find neurons that process language on different timescales

Experimental procedure and the distribution of the implanted electrodes for Dataset 1. Credit: Nature Human Behaviour (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41562-024-01944-2 Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), neuroscientists have identified several regions of the brain that are responsible for processing language. However, discovering the specific functions of neurons in those regions has proven difficult because fMRI, which measures changes in blood flow, doesn’t have high enough resolution to reveal what small populations of neurons are doing. Now, using a more precise technique that involves recording electrical activity directly from the brain, MIT neuroscientists have identified different clusters of neurons that appear to Read More

Old chemo drug, new pancreatic cancer therapy?

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (red) resists the body’s immune response by surrounding itself with a protective lining that keeps T cells (green) at bay. Credit: Fearon lab/Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory The fight against cancer is an arms race, and one of the most effective weapons in clinicians’ arsenals is immunotherapy. Immune checkpoint therapy has become the standard for treating several types of cancer. However, the Nobel Prize-winning strategy is ineffective for most pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients. “Immune checkpoint therapy is only an option in rare cases of PDAC,” Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) Professor Douglas Fearon says. “It’s only effective Read More

Interdisciplinary team integrates crucial immune cells into heart-on-a-chip platform

Credit: Cell Stem Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2024.05.011 Researchers at the University of Toronto have discovered a novel method for incorporating primitive microphages—crucial immune cells—into heart-on-a-chip technology, in a potentially transformative step forward in drug testing and heart disease modeling. In a study published in Cell Stem Cell, an interdisciplinary team of scientists describe how they integrated the microphages—which were derived from human stem cells and resemble those found in the early stages of heart development—onto the platforms. These macrophages are known to have remarkable abilities in promoting vascularization and enhancing tissue stability. Corresponding author Milica Radisic, a senior scientist in Read More

WHO launches plan to stanch mpox transmission and says the virus can be stopped

Red Cross officials create awareness around mpox in the Don Bosco refugee camp in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa The U.N. health agency on Monday launched a six-month plan to help stanch outbreaks of mpox transmission, including ramping up staffing in affected countries and boosting surveillance, prevention and response strategies. The World Health Organization said it expects the plan from September through February next year will require $135 million in funding and aims to improve fair access to vaccines, notably in African countries hardest hit by the outbreak. “The mpox outbreaks in Read More

Key discovery advances fight to reduce breast cancer recurrence

Loss of G?13 in ER+ breast cancer cells leads to increased cell growth and tumour development, suggesting that G?13 may suppress tumours in this subtype of cancer. Credit: Liao Pei-Ju, Duke-NUS Medical School In looking for new ways to fight breast cancer, scientists from Duke-NUS Medical School have unmasked a surprising role of a protein generally associated with cancer growth. They have discovered that in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, this protein acts as a tumor suppressor instead. ER+ breast cancer constitutes about 80% of all breast cancer diagnoses, yet nearly 50% of women diagnosed with it experience a relapse Read More

New insight into the protein mutations that cause Rett syndrome

Working model for normal MeCP2 function on chromatin and its dysregulation in disease. Credit: Nature Structural & Molecular Biology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41594-024-01373-9 One particular protein lies at the heart of brain development. A master regulator of gene expression, it’s abundantly present in neurons, and its dysfunction underlies Rett syndrome, a neurological disorder that could lead to severe cognitive, motor, and communication impairments in young girls. Yet scientists understand little about how this essential protein does its crucial work at the molecular level. “People have been studying this protein for decades without a clear consensus on what it is doing, where Read More

Study highlights changes in how paramedics approach airway management

Longitudinal trends in the annual percentage of cardiac arrest endotracheal intubation or supraglottic airway insertion attempts. Credit: JAMA Network Open (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.27763 A new study from The Ohio State University College of Medicine shows that the way paramedics help people breathe before they get to the hospital is changing. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, looks at how emergency medical services (EMS) in the United States manage their patients’ airways. Airway management is used in life-threatening conditions such as cardiac arrest, trauma and respiratory failure. “Paramedics and emergency medical technicians are usually the first to provide lifesaving medical Read More

DNA-based analyses suggest a hidden key to academic success

Credit: Yan Krukau from Pexels A new Nature Human Behaviour study, jointly led by Dr. Margherita Malanchini at Queen Mary University of London and Dr. Andrea Allegrini at University College London, has revealed that non-cognitive skills, such as motivation and self-regulation, are as important as intelligence in determining academic success. These skills become increasingly influential throughout a child’s education, with genetic factors playing a significant role. The research, conducted in collaboration with an international team of experts, suggests that fostering non-cognitive skills alongside cognitive abilities could significantly improve educational outcomes. “Our research challenges the long-held assumption that intelligence is the Read More

Almost half of FDA-approved AI medical devices are not trained on real patient data, research reveals

Artificial intelligence (AI) has practically limitless applications in health care, ranging from auto-drafting patient messages in MyChart to optimizing organ transplantation and improving tumor removal accuracy. Despite their potential benefit to doctors and patients alike, these tools have been met with skepticism because of patient privacy concerns, the possibility of bias, and device accuracy. In response to the rapidly evolving use and approval of AI medical devices in health care, a multi-institutional team of researchers at the UNC School of Medicine, Duke University, Ally Bank, Oxford University, Colombia University, and University of Miami have been on a mission to build Read More

Study reveals how cancer outsmarts immunity—and how to potentially turn the tables

Cell mapping by scRNA-seq of early and late tumors in a breast cancer GEMM. Credit: Nature Immunology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41590-024-01932-8 A new study led by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and Boston Children’s Hospital and published in Nature Immunology shows how tumors grow by avoiding the immune system. The researchers revealed how genes in tumors edit themselves to escape the immune system’s detection. The study identifies, for the first time, the actual genes that are silenced by tumors, offering a roadmap for better immunotherapies. The researchers studied breast cancer in a mouse model, using genome-wide single-cell RNA Read More

Physician shares four ideas for avoiding the ‘freshman 15’

Credit: Helena Lopes from Pexels The term “freshman 15” often refers to weight gain by students during their first year in college. Many times, it’s their first time away from home and their normal routines. Dr. Denise Millstine, a Mayo Clinic internal medicine physician, shares daily goals for every freshman. In this season of packing up for college, here’s a warning about packing on the “freshman 15.” “It’s usually not actually 15 (pounds). It’s more often 7 or 8,” says Dr. Millstone. Still, it’s extra weight that Dr. Millstine says is often caused by a change in activity and eating Read More

Inside the political fight to build a rural Georgia hospital

Ed Whitehouse stood alongside a state highway in rural Butts County, Georgia, and surveyed acres of rolling fields and forests near Interstate 75. Instead of farmland and trees, he envisioned a hospital. Whitehouse, a consultant for a local health care company that wants to build a hospital there with at least 150 beds, said the group could break ground within a year. The idea, he said, is to provide medical services beyond those currently provided by Wellstar Sylvan Grove Medical Center, an aging, nonprofit “critical access” hospital that offers limited services, including emergency care, rehabilitation, wound care, and imaging. But Read More

Insurance coverage could impact survival of patients after spinal cord injury

The care of people seriously harmed by spinal cord injury can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and a new analysis suggests that ability to pay influences how long a patient remains on life support. In a study of more than 8,400 U.S. adults with severe spinal cord injury, “uninsured patients had greater odds of withdrawal of life-supporting treatment,” compared to those who had private insurance, researchers said. The findings were published in the journal JAMA Surgery. According to background information in the study, an estimated 1.3 million people in North America have been affected by a spinal cord injury, Read More

Structural racism in neighborhoods linked to risk of cancer from traffic-related air pollution

High levels of traffic-related air pollutants have been linked with elevated risks of developing cancer and other diseases. New research indicates that multiple aspects of structural racism—the ways in which societal laws, policies, and practices systematically disadvantage certain racial or ethnic groups—may contribute to increased exposure to carcinogenic traffic-related air pollution. The findings are published in the journal Cancer. Most studies suggesting that structural racism, which encompasses factors such as residential segregation and differences in economic status and homeownership, may influence neighborhood exposures to air pollutants have focused on residential racial segregation, which is only one indicator of structural racism. Read More

2 in 3 parents want help preventing their child from developing hereditary health conditions, national polls finds

When parents have knowledge of their child’s family health history, they can take steps to reduce their child’s risk, experts say. Credit: Sara Schultz, University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health Among things many families don’t wish to pass down to their children and grandchildren: medical issues. One in five parents say their child has been diagnosed with a hereditary condition, while nearly half expressed concerns about their child potentially developing such a condition, a new national poll suggests. And two thirds of parents want their health care provider to suggest ways to prevent Read More

Survey finds more than 3 in 4 Americans don’t feel they could help someone suffering an opioid overdose

International Overdose Awareness Day is a worldwide campaign held each Aug. 31 that acknowledges the grief of family and friends left behind from those who have died from a drug overdose. This year’s campaign theme “Together we can” highlights the power of the community standing together to help end overdose. However, a new survey of 1,000 Americans from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine found more than three in four Americans say they would not be able to step in to treat an overdose. “A recent Ohio State survey found that 77% of people are Read More

A case of tick-borne Powassan virus in a child

With tick-borne viruses such as Powassan virus increasing in Canada, clinicians should consider these infections in patients with encephalitis, as a case study shows in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Although rare, Powassan virus is serious, with a death rate of 10–15% in people with encephalitis, and it can cause lingering health effects after infection. The virus can transmit within 15 minutes of tick attachment, and symptoms can develop one to five weeks later. In this case study, a 9-year-old child with up-to-date vaccinations was admitted to hospital after a visit to an emergency department for fever, neck stiffness, and Read More

People of lower socioeconomic status less likely to receive cataract surgery in private clinics, research shows

Despite increased funding for cataract surgeries to private, for-profit clinics, access to surgery fell 9% for lower-income people, according to new research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. “Unexpectedly, despite new public funding for operations provided in private for-profit surgical centers, which was intended to fully cover all overhead costs and remove the need to charge patients, this disparity did not decrease, but instead grew during the funding change period,” says lead author Dr. Robert Campbell, a clinician–scientist in the Department of Ophthalmology at Queen’s University and a senior adjunct scientist at ICES. The COVID-19 pandemic created backlogs for Read More

Targeting deubiquitinase OTUB1 protects vascular smooth muscle cells in atherosclerosis by modulating PDGFR?

Credit: Frontiers of Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s11684-024-1056-8 A recent study investigates the role of the deubiquitinase OTUB1 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) within the context of atherosclerosis, a disease characterized by lipid accumulation and plaque formation in arteries. Atherosclerosis is a major cause of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, with VSMCs playing a significant role in its development. The research explores the potential of targeting OTUB1 to modulate the phenotype switch of VSMCs, which is considered a critical pathological process in atherosclerosis. The research is published in the journal Frontiers of Medicine. Ubiquitylation, a post-translational modification, has been implicated in Read More

Study finds higher SARS-CoV-2 risk in obese individuals

A study finds an increased risk of developing a productive SARS-CoV-2 infection in obese people. Obesity is known to predict worse outcomes and higher mortality for those with COVID-19. Masanori Aikawa and colleagues sought to determine if obesity also affected the likelihood of getting ill in the first place. The article is published in PNAS Nexus. To investigate, the authors analyzed electronic medical records for 687,813 patients from the Mass General Brigham health care system, including 72,613 individuals with suspected SARS-CoV-2 exposure, 18,447 of whom tested positive. The authors limited their data to a timeframe before vaccination became widespread in Read More

Mpox global emergency not an imminent threat in US, expert says

While the World Health Organization declares mpox a global emergency based on rapid spread in African countries, the infectious disease formerly known as monkeypox has been considered an epidemic in the U.S. since 2022. Dr. Kevin Dieckhaus, chief of UConn Health’s Division of Infectious Diseases, has been keeping an eye on it, both here and overseas. “At this point there is no cause for great alarm,” Dieckhaus says. “Our local epidemic is not from the strain that led to the WHO declaration of a public health emergency of international concern. At this time, the concern in Africa is due to Read More

Ohio study reveals high risk of overdose deaths among those using drugs when they’re alone

In Cuyahoga County, the stark reality of the opioid crisis is that most drug overdose victims die alone, with no one nearby to help. A recent study, done in partnership with Case Western Reserve University and Cuyahoga County, highlights the critical need for “targeted harm-reduction strategies” in Northeast Ohio, where the opioid epidemic continues to claim lives at nearly twice the national average. The paper is published in the journal Substance Use & Misuse. Those strategies include the distribution of Naloxone (an opioid antagonist that can reverse the effects of an overdose), and increasing the availability of medication-assisted treatment options Read More

Study finds females have lower salivary flow than males before and after radiation therapy for head, neck cancer

Reduced salivary flow, or hyposalivation, can cause an increased risk for tooth decay and other mouth conditions. Measuring salivary flow is important to guide risk assessment and management strategies when treating patients with oral health diseases. Typically, the same standard normal values are used for both females and males in interpreting results of salivary flow testing. A recent publication led by Dr. Rajesh Lalla, professor and associate dean for research at the UConn School of Dental Medicine, took a deeper look at differences in salivary flow between female and male patients before and after radiation therapy for head and neck Read More

New study reveals key to long-term vaginal microbiome balance with just a few samples

Credit: Ina Schuppe Koistinen, Karolinska Institutet A new study published in Microbiome by researchers at Karolinska Institutet, suggests that a few well-timed samples could help predict long-term imbalances in vaginal health, which is linked to various health issues. The vaginal microbiome fluctuates during the menstrual cycle, with some women maintaining balance while others shift toward imbalance. This study tracked 49 women daily through a cycle using metagenomic sequencing, identifying four Vaginal Community Dynamics (VCDs): constant eubiotic, constant dysbiotic, menses-related, and unstable dysbiotic. Higher bacteriophage levels and specific bacterial genes were linked to instability. The study suggests that just a few Read More

Finding epilepsy hotspots before surgery: A faster, non-invasive approach

Neurosurgery for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy requires locating the precise brain areas that are generating the seizures. Typically, patients undergo seven to 10 days of invasive intracranial EEG monitoring, with electrodes surgically implanted inside the brain through one or more skull openings to capture seizure activity as it happens. Eleonora Tamilia, Ph.D., directs the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit Signal and Data Science Program within the Epilepsy Center at Boston Children’s Hospital. Her team has piloted a much briefer method for mapping seizure zones. Not only is it noninvasive, but can it provide information a traditional EEG reading cannot. It combines standard Read More

The challenges Paralympic athletes face compared to their Olympic peers

Over the past few weeks, billions of eyes have been glued to the Paris Olympic Games. While we watched these amazing sportspeople with enthusiasm, a cohort of roughly 160 elite Australian athletes were completing their final preparations. This group of athletes has faced a vastly different path to the pinnacle of their competition. They are the Paralympians who will compete in 22 sports at the Paris Paralympic Games. The Australian squad will compete in 17 of those sports and many athletes have overcome significant obstacles to reach Paris. Money matters High-performance funding helps our athletes reach their potential and qualify Read More

Tips from an audiologist about hearing loss for patients and medical providers

The red flag signs of a hearing-related issue that requires medical attention include sudden hearing loss, or hearing loss in only one ear. Such symptoms should be taken seriously and assessed by a physician, audiologist Stephanie DiSpigno advises. DiSpigno treats hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ear), and fits patients with hearing aids at Listen 2 Life Hearing Centers, which has clinics in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. She spoke to The Inquirer about what patients need to know when considering visiting a professional to address hearing complaints. The difference between an audiologist and a physician Audiologists assess the severity Read More

The Mediterranean diet is all the rage because it represents a way of life we’ve lost

The promise of a long, healthy, happy existence living an active, community-based lifestyle under warm, sunny skies may be within reach. In fact, it could be on your table. The Mediterranean diet has been included on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list since 2010. Not only does the diet have guaranteed cultural value, it is also a powerful strategic tool for promoting food products such as olive oil. Often cited for its health benefits, the Mediterranean diet was first described in a 1953 book about Crete. At the time, people were amazed at the low incidence of cardiovascular disease among the Read More

Personalized brain stimulation significantly decreases depression symptoms in pilot study

Credit: Wikimedia Commons In a small pilot study, UNC School of Medicine researchers led by Flavio Frohlich, Ph.D., used a new closed-loop system to measure the electrical brain patterns of individual patients and then stimulate those patterns with a weak electrical current, resulting in significantly improved symptoms of major depressive disorder. Our brains are full of electricity, billions of signals being sent each day whether we’re exercising, eating, singing, reading, working, sleeping, or just relaxing. And when we’re sitting with our thoughts—awake with our eyes closed—particular electrical patterns at 8–12 Hz dominate our brains. They are called alpha oscillations. In Read More

How our brains cross musical boundaries

An early network (A) including the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) and posterior temporal cortex (PTC) responded to movement boundaries followed by a (B) network including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and posterior parietal cortex (PPC). Reproduced, with permission, from Sridharan et al. Credit: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2319459121 What happens in the brain when one musical phrase ends and another begins? The answer lies in musical boundaries—the invisible lines shaping our listening experience. Researchers at the University of Jyväskylä (Finland) have uncovered new insights into how the brain processes musical boundaries—the points in music where Read More

Nutritionist offers advice on iron supplementation

Taking your supplement alongside foods rich in vitamin C, like orange juice or kiwifruit, can help your body absorb the iron. Credit: Anete Lusina/Pexels Iron deficiency is common and can be debilitating. It mainly affects women. One in three premenopausal women are low in iron compared to just 5% of Australian men. Iron deficiency particularly affects teenage girls, women who do a lot of exercise and those who are pregnant. The body needs iron to make new red blood cells, and to support energy production, the immune system and cognitive function. If you’re low, you may experience a range of Read More

Know the difference between these mosquito-borne diseases

In this Aug. 26, 2019 file photo, a municipal biologist examines a mosquito in Salt Lake City. Credit: AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, file The world’s deadliest animal can be squashed flat with a quick slap: It’s the mosquito. The buzzing insects are more than annoying—they spread disease. When they bite and drink blood from a person or animal they can pick up viruses or germs too. If they can go on to bite someone or something else, they deposit the germ right under the skin. People in some areas of Massachusetts have been warned to stay indoors when mosquitoes are most Read More

Smoking while pregnant risks academic achievement of unborn babies, says study

Smoking harms almost every part of your body. But if you smoke when pregnant, the toxic chemicals in tobacco will also harm your unborn baby, with new research showing that it could lead to reduced academic outcomes at school. The research is published in the journal Addictive Behaviors. In a systematic review of 19 studies and 1.25 million participants, researchers at the University of South Australia along with a team at Curtin University, SAHMRI, Harvard University and others, found that 79% of studies reported reduced academic achievement in children exposed to maternal prenatal smoking. An additional meta-analysis of eight primary Read More

Researchers identify immune profile for lung disease caused by allergic reaction

Fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis is a chronic and progressive interstitial lung disease, caused by an immune response to inhaled foreign antigens or allergens. Researchers from Yale’s Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine have used single-cell sequencing technology to provide the first high-resolution atlas of this disease, revealing a previously unrecognized immune signature. Their findings were published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis belongs to a category of diseases known as pulmonary fibrosis, which is characterized by inflammation and irreversible scarring in the lungs. Other diseases under this umbrella include idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, Read More

Helping elite athletes adjust to life away from the spotlight

Credit: Psychology of Sport and Exercise (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2024.102697 University of Queensland research is supporting elite athletes in adjusting to life after retiring from sport. Dr. Tarli Young from UQ’s School of Psychology evaluated a digital intervention program developed by UQ researchers and collaborators in Scotland and Belgium, to help athletes transition from a professional sports career. The research is published in the journal Psychology of Sport and Exercise. “Many elite athletes struggle with mental health after leaving sport,” Dr. Young said. “It’s a major life change as it often requires a complete reconfiguration of identity, and in some cases Read More

Expert panel endorses new ultrasound terminology for early pregnancy

Specific normal and abnormal pregnancy location sites. Schematic illustration of normal pregnancy implantation sites on the left half of the uterine diagram and abnormal implantation sites on the right. Representative round icons indicate the implantation site with corresponding letters to lexicon terms in the box. Of note, it is optional to further describe a tubal ectopic pregnancy location as isthmic, infundibular, or ampullary when the precise location is clear at ultrasound. Credit: Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) For the first time, a multi-medical society panel has developed and endorsed a uniform lexicon for describing the observations seen on ultrasound Read More

Multipurpose vaccine shows new promise in the presence of pre-existing immunity

Graphical abstract. Credit: Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.07.052 As researchers estimate that nearly all Americans have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, whether through infection or vaccination, we are no longer “immunologically naive”—in other words, our immune systems are familiar with certain variants of SARS-CoV-2. This familiarity can pose a problem for vaccine development. In immunology, the phenomenon of “original antigenic sin” or OAS is a colloquial term for the body’s first encounter with a virus, which can forever “bias” the immune response to produce antibodies tailored to the initial strain in an exposure, regardless of subsequent infections Read More

How exercise influences addiction recovery: Q&A with neuroscientist

A University at Buffalo neuroscientist whose focus is the brain’s reward system and its role in addiction is helping to illuminate how exercise can aid the brain in addiction recovery. Over the past year, this research has revealed that because exercise acts on the same areas of the brain that addiction does, it has the potential to become an important treatment tool for people with substance use disorder. Panayotis (Peter) K. Thanos, Ph.D., senior research scientist in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at UB, is a lead or senior author Read More

Weight-loss drug Zepbound now in single-dose vials at half the price

Eli Lilly, maker of one of the blockbuster GLP-1 weight-loss drug Zepbound, says it will now offer the medication in single-dose vials at half the price currently available to consumers. The new 2.5 milligram (mg) and 5 mg weekly dose vials differ from the standard preloaded injector pens that are used to administer Zepbound (tirzepatide) and competitors such as Wegovy (semaglutide). Instead, patients will use a syringe to withdraw the liquid drug from the vial. A four-week supply of the 2.5 mg vials will be priced at $399, and a similar supply of the 5 mg vials at $529—about half Read More

Researchers develop affordable, rapid blood test for brain cancer

The biochip is used to detect biomarkers for glioblastoma, a fast-growing brain cancer. Credit: Matt Cashore / University of Notre Dame Researchers at the University of Notre Dame have developed a novel, automated device capable of diagnosing glioblastoma, a fast-growing and incurable brain cancer, in less than an hour. The average glioblastoma patient survives 12–18 months after diagnosis. The crux of the diagnostic is a biochip that uses electrokinetic technology to detect biomarkers, or active Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors (EGFRs), which are overexpressed in certain cancers such as glioblastoma and found in extracellular vesicles. “Extracellular vesicles or exosomes are unique Read More