Overeating and depressed? There's a connection, and maybe a solution Chronic overeating and stress are tied to an increased risk of depression and anxiety, and in a new study, researchers explain why that happens and suggest a possible solution. The researchers report that the anesthetic ketamine reverses depression-like symptoms in rats fed a high-fat diet in a similar way it combats depression and synaptic damage of chronic stress in people.
Battling obesity epidemic: New look at 'fat tax' Small price differences at the point of purchase can be highly effective in shifting consumer demand from high calorie to healthier low calorie alternatives.
Humans evolved to get better sleep in less time Insomniacs take heart: Humans get by on significantly less sleep than our closest animal relatives. The secret, according to a new study of slumber patterns across 21 species of primates, is that our sleep is more efficient
Sepsis: Cell therapy to repair muscle long-term impairment Researchers reveal major players in the severe muscle damage caused by sepsis, or septicemia, which explains why many patients suffer debilitating muscle impairment long-term after recovery. They propose a therapeutic approach based on mesenchymal stem cell transplantation, which has produced encouraging results and has proved successful in restoring muscle capacity in animals.
Possible mechanism for specific symptoms in bipolar disorder discovered A gene variant linked to psychotic symptoms and cognitive impairment in people with bipolar disorder has been discovered by researchers. The study describes a possible mechanism for how the gene variant produces clinical symptoms by affecting levels of specific proteins in the brain.
Researchers learn how to grow old brain cells A new technique allows scientists to study diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's using cells from human patients. Historically, animal models -- from fruit flies to mice -- have been the go-to technique to study the biological consequences of aging, especially in tissues that can't be easily sampled from living humans, like the brain. Over the past few years, researchers have increasingly turned to stem cells to study various diseases in humans.
Breakthrough for electrode implants in the brain For nearly nine years, researchers at Lund University have been working on developing implantable electrodes that can capture signals from single neurons in the brain over a long period of time - without causing brain tissue damage. They are now one big step closer to reaching this goal.
Blood clotting protein triggers immune attack on brain\ A single drop of blood in the brain is sufficient to activate an autoimmune response akin to multiple sclerosis, new research shows. This is the first demonstration that introduction of blood in the healthy brain is sufficient to cause peripheral immune cells to enter the brain, which then go on to cause brain damage.
How the brain controls sleep Neuroscientists have discovered a brain circuit that can trigger small regions of the brain to fall asleep or become less alert, while the rest of the brain remains awake. The researchers believe this may help the brain consolidate new memories by coordinating slow waves between different parts of the brain, allowing them to share information more easily.
Schizophrenia symptoms linked to features of brain's anatomy? Using advanced brain imaging, researchers have matched certain behavioral symptoms of schizophrenia to features of the brain's anatomy. The findings could be a step toward improving diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia
Antibiotic stewardship reduces C. diff in hospitalized children Hospitalized children were three times less likely to become sick with Clostridium difficile (C. diff), a serious bacterial infection that can occur after prolonged antibiotic use, following implementation of an antibiotic stewardship program, a new study found. These programs reduce the misuse of antibiotics and therefore C. diff, and also result in antibiotic cost savings.
Children born in the summer more likely to be healthy adults Women who were born in the summer are more likely to be healthy adults, suggests new research. The authors of the study, which involved almost half a million people in the UK, say more sunlight -- and therefore higher vitamin D exposure -- in the second trimester of pregnancy could explain the effect, but more research is needed.
Tick spit protein may trigger allergic reactions Ticks have had millions of years to figure out how to bite without triggering their victims' immune response. Proteins in the arachnids' spit evolved to manipulate immune cells so that the bloodsuckers can suck blood and transmit pathogens in peace. But these measures may not always have the desired effect when ticks bite humans, leading to severe allergic reactions, argue infectious disease specialists.
Connecting Alzheimer's disease, immune system Researchers investigate how genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease may influence a key type of immune cell. Their results lay the groundwork for designing better therapeutic strategies and better prediction tools for risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
Sleep may strengthen long-term memories in the immune system More than a century ago, scientists demonstrated that sleep supports the retention of memories of facts and events. Later studies have shown that slow-wave sleep, often referred to as deep sleep, is important for transforming fragile, recently formed memories into stable, long-term memories. Now, in a new article, researchers propose that deep sleep may also strengthen immunological memories of previously encountered pathogens.
Scientists identify how normally protective immune responses kill neurons Scientists have discovered why certain immune responses, which typically help cells recognize and fight viral and bacterial infections, can sometimes be harmful to the brain. Many brain disorders involve the death of neurons, or nerve cells, but how these neurons die is not well understood. A new study describes how the activation of normally protective immune responses causes nerve cells to die and identifies the protein responsible, providing a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
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Smokers at higher risk of losing their teeth, Regular smokers have a significantly increased risk of tooth loss, a new study has confirmed. Male smokers are up to 3.6 times more likely to lose their teeth than non-smokers, whereas female smokers were found to be 2.5 times more likely.
Long sleep and high blood copper levels go hand in hand People who sleep fewer than 6 hours or more than 10 hours per night suffer from low-grade inflammation more often than people who sleep 7-8 hours per night. Earlier studies have found a relation between reduced sleep and low-grade inflammation, according to one of the study researchers. Furthermore, low-grade inflammation occurs in overweight, depression and diabetes. This new study is the first to analyze the association between sleep duration and serum micronutrient concentrations in a large sample, and it found a link between high serum copper concentration and long sleep duration.
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Back to school and back to sleep Poor sleep might explain how stress impacts health in kids, a new study suggests. Researchers found that getting a good night's sleep might buffer the impact of stress on kids' cortisol level, which is a hormone produced in the adrenal gland to regulate the body's cardiovascular, metabolic and immune systems.
Teens lose sleep after change to daylight saving time High school students lose sleep on school nights following the change to daylight saving time that occurs in March, a study has concluded. The loss of sleep during the school week was associated with a decline in vigilance and cognitive function, which raises safety concerns for teen drivers.
FDA Seizes Counterfeit Drugs, Devices Sold Online The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced June 18 that it had worked with international partners to seize counterfeit medicines and medical devices being sold over 1,050 Web sites worldwide. The FDA also sent warning letters to the operators of nearly 400 sites selling illegal prescription medicines and unapproved medical devices online, as part of an international effort led by Interpol.
Increased anxiety associated with sitting down Low-energy activities that involve sitting down are associated with an increased risk of anxiety, according to new research. These activities, which include watching TV, working at a computer or playing electronic games, are called sedentary behavior
Scientists turn white fat into obesity-fighting beige fat Scientists have shown that berries, grapes and other fruits convert excess white fat into calorie-burning 'beige' fat, providing new strategies for the prevention and treatment of obesity. In the study, mice were fed a high fat diet. Those receiving resveratrol in amounts equivalent to 12 ounces of fruit per day for humans gained about 40 percent less weight than control mice.
Access to electricity is linked to reduced sleep New research comparing traditional hunter-gatherer living conditions to a more modern setting shows that access to artificial light and electricity has shortened the amount of sleep humans get each night.
How to wipe out polio and prevent its re-emergence Public health officials stand poised to eliminate polio from the planet. But a new study shows that the job won't be over when the last case of the horrible paralytic disease is recorded. Using disease-transmission models, graduate researchers demonstrate that silent transmission of poliovirus could continue for more than three years with no reported cases.
Public divided on heart benefits from alcohol consumption In one of the first published studies using data from the Health eHeart Study, researchers have found that people are divided on the cardiovascular benefits of alcohol consumption. And, those who do perceive alcohol as 'heart healthy' drink substantially more than their counterparts.
Vinculin protein boosts function in the aging heart A team of researchers provide new insights on how hearts 'stay young' and keep functioning over a lifetime despite the fact that most organisms generate few new heart cells. Identifying key gene expression changes that promote heart function as organisms age could lead to new therapy targets that address age-related heart failure
Fructose powers a vicious circle Researchers have found a hitherto unknown molecular mechanism that is driven by fructose and can lead to cardiac enlargement and heart failure
Poor sleep associated with increased risk of heart attack, stroke Poor sleep is associated with increased risk of heart attack and stroke, according to results from a recent study. The study included a representative sample of 657 men aged 25 to 64 years with no history of heart attack, stroke or diabetes. In terms of sleep quality, very bad, bad or poor ratings were considered a sleeping disorder in the study. Cases of myocardial infarction and stroke were recorded over the next 14 years.
New vision on amygdala after study on testosterone and fear The activity of the emotion centres in the brain – the amygdalae – is influenced by motivation rather than by the emotions themselves. This can be concluded from research carried out into the hormone testosterone. Testosterone increases amygdala activity in a person who is approaching a socially threatening situation and decreases the activity when such a situation is avoided. It was already known that the amygdala response to images of angry faces was stronger in a person who had received testosterone. This new study shows that this only happens when people approach angry faces and not when they avoid them.
For safer care, simple steps yield substantial improvements in colorectal surgery Simple steps that include the consistent use of experienced medical teams for a single type of surgery, pre emptive antibiotics before the procedure, less reliance on potent opioids during recovery and urging patients to get out of bed and move around sooner can not only prevent infections, blood clots and other serious complications in people undergoing colorectal operations, but can also accelerate recovery and reduce cost of care.
Study redefines role of estrogen in cervical cancer Scientists have prior evidence that the hormone estrogen is a major driver in the growth of cervical cancer, but a new study examining genetic profiles of 128 clinical cases reached a surprising conclusion: Estrogen receptors all but vanish in cervical cancer tumors.
Sleep duration, quality may impact cancer survival rate Pre-diagnostic short sleep duration and frequent snoring were associated with significantly poorer cancer-specific survival, particularly among women with breast cancer.
Scientists gain first glimpse of new concepts developing in the brain Scientists have documented the formation of a newly learned concept inside the brain and show that it occurs in the same brain areas for everyone. The results from this study also indicate that it may be possible to use a similar approach to understand the 'loss' of knowledge in various brain disorders, such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease, or due to brain injuries.
'Alzheimer's protein' plays role in maintaining eye health, muscle strength Amyloid precursor protein (APP), a key protein implicated in the development Alzheimer's disease, may play an important role in eye and muscle health. In a new report, scientists say they have discovered that when proteins that bind to the APP, called FE65 and FE65L1, are deleted, they cause cataracts and muscle weakness in mice.
Researchers isolate smallest unit of sleep to date Scientists have grown a tiny group of brain cells that can be induced to fall asleep, wake up and even show rebound sleep after 'staying up late.' The study opens the door to deeper understanding of the genetic, molecular and electrical aspects underlying sleep disorders
Strokes steal eight years' worth of brain function Having a stroke ages a person's brain function by almost eight years, robbing them of memory and thinking speed as measured on cognitive tests. In both black and white patients, having had a stroke meant that their score on a 27-item test of memory and thinking speed had dropped as it would have if they had aged 7.9 years.
Preventive neural radiology: Brain imaging bolsters efforts to lower Alzheimer's risk Armed with new knowledge about how neural degenerative diseases alter brain structures, increasing numbers of neurologists, psychiatrists and other clinicians are adopting quantitative brain imaging as a tool to measure and help manage cognitive declines in patients. These imaging findings can help spur beneficial lifestyle changes to reduce risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Viral infection history in a single drop of blood New technology makes it possible to test for current and past infections with any known human virus by analyzing a single drop of a person's blood. The method, called VirScan, is an efficient alternative to existing diagnostics that test for specific viruses one at a time
Study maps types of physical activity associated with better sleep Physical activities, such as walking, as well as aerobics/calisthenics, running, weight-lifting, and yoga/Pilates are associated with better sleep habits, compared to no activity, according to a new study. In contrast, the study shows that other types of physical activity -- such as household and childcare -- work are associated with increased cases of poor sleep habits.
How salmonella synchronizes its invasion plan A new study has uncovered a mechanism by which Salmonella bacteria organize the expression of genes required for infection. Salmonella bacteria are one of the leading causes of foodborne illness. Part of what makes them so successful is their ability to invade our bodies, overcoming our natural defenses. Understanding how they do this could lead to new ways of preventing their invasion.
Developing delirium in ICU linked to fatal outcomes About one-third of patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) will develop delirium, a condition that lengthens hospital stays and substantially increases one’s risk of dying in the hospital.
Association between teen sleep patterns, alcohol or marijuana use Studying adolescents in Southern California, researchers found that the link between sleep and alcohol/marijuana use was consistent even after controlling for other known risk factors, such as depression. For every 10 minutes later that teens went to bed, there was a 6 percent increased risk of alcohol or marijuana use in the previous month. In addition, teens who reported significant trouble sleeping were 55 percent more likely to have used alcohol in the past month
How early childhood vaccination reduces leukemia risk A team of researchers has discovered how a commonly administered vaccine protects against acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL), the most common type of childhood cancer. The Haemophilus influenzae Type b vaccine not only prevents ear infections and meningitis caused by the Hib bacterium, but also protects against ALL, which accounts for approximately 25 percent of cancer diagnoses among children younger than 15 years.
Researchers develop custom artificial membranes with programmable surfaces Researchers have developed artificial membranes with programmable features, enabling studies of cell communication and the molecular basis of disease. The new study demonstrates how researchers can examine the interactions of cell surfaces with other biological molecules, with far ranging applications in medicine, biochemistry and biophysics.
Sleep loss impedes decision making in crisis The difference between life and death in the operating room, on the battlefield or during a police shootout often comes down to the ability to adapt to the unexpected. Sleep deprivation may make it difficult to do so, according to a study that for the first time created a laboratory experiment that simulates how sleep loss affects critical aspects of decision making in high-stakes, real-world situations
Ecologist warns of bamboo fueling spread of hantavirus The popularity of bamboo landscaping could increase the spread of hantavirus, researchers say, with the plant's prolific seed production creating a population boom among seed-eating deer mice that carry the disease.
The opioid epidemic and its impact on orthopaedic care The United States makes up less than five percent of the world's population but consumes 80 percent of the global opioid supply and approximately 99 percent of all hydrocodone -- the most commonly prescribed opioid in the world.
Novel approach blocks amyloid production in Alzheimer's mouse model Offering a potential early intervention for Alzheimer's disease (AD), researchers have identified compounds that block the production of beta amyloid peptides in mice. The build-up of beta amyloid plaques is widely believed to cause irreversible brain damage, associated with AD, which accounts for about 60 to 80 percent of all cases of dementia in the U.S.
Why one of three people aged over 70 are discharged with functional decline One in three patients aged 70 and older who are independent in their daily functioning and are admitted for acute conditions, like pneumonia, are discharged from the hospital with functional decline and around one in two report a decline in functioning a month after their discharge,
