Atherosclerosis is Alzheimer's disease of blood vessels In atherosclerosis, plaque builds up on the inner walls of arteries that deliver blood to the body. Studying mice and tissue samples from the arteries of patients, researchers now suggest this accumulation is driven, at least in part, by processes similar to the plaque formation implicated in brain diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson'
Inflammatory link discovered between arthritis, heart valve disease Researchers have used models to identify a potential link between excess production of inflammatory proteins that cause rheumatoid arthritis and the development of heart valve disease. The research team discovered that a critical inflammatory protein involved in rheumatoid arthritis could also lead to inflammation and disease of the heart valves, including aneurysms. The research could lead to improved treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, and suggests investigating existing medicines that dampen inflammation to treat heart valve diseases, such as rheumatic heart disease
Blood vessels can actually get better with age Oxidative stress has been linked to cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases including diabetes, hypertension and age-related cancers. However, researchers recently found that aging actually offered significant protection against oxidative stress. These findings suggest that aging may trigger an adaptive response to counteract the effects of oxidative stress on blood vessels.
The earlier the better: bystanders save lives with CPR for cardiac arrest Sudden cardiac arrest kills an estimated 200,000 people a year in the United States, but many of those lives could be saved if ordinary bystanders simply performed CPR, a new study shows. The early application of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by an average person nearby, combined with defibrillation by firefighters or police before the arrival of emergency medical services (EMS), was the one intervention that substantially increased survival from cardiac arrest, according to new findings.
Salmonella and Campylobacter in poultry Last summer’s preliminary data from Salmonella and Campylobacter testing of raw meat and poultry for USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) are out, and there were mixed results. During the July-September quarter, FSIS collected and tested 3,985 samples for its Salmonella and Campylobacter.
Students break new ground in understanding genetic diversity of bacteriophages Over the last seven years, thousands of undergraduate students have sequenced and analyzed the genomes of bacteria-infecting viruses, known as bacteriophages. Those genomes are now the focal point of a new study that examined the genetic diversity of 627 phages isolated from a single species of bacteria. The study shows
Facts about our microbial menagerie Trillions of microorganisms inhabit us -- inside and out. Scientists are surveying these microbial metropolises to learn more about their role in health. Here are a few details of what researchers have learned so far
New material for creating artificial blood vessels Blocked blood vessels can quickly become dangerous. It is often necessary to replace a blood vessel – either by another vessel taken from the body or even by artificial vascular prostheses. Researchers have developed artificial blood vessels made from a special elastomer material,. Over time, these artificial blood vessels are replaced by endogenous material a natural, fully functional vessel is once again. The method has already been used successfully
Challenging work tasks may have an upside for the brain Professionals whose jobs require more speaking, developing strategies, conflict resolution and managerial tasks may experience better protection against memory and thinking decline in old age than their co-workers.
Botulism suspected in 1 death, 18 illnesses following church potluck One death and at least 18 illnesses reportedly followed a potluck luncheon held at Crosspoint Free Will Baptist Church in Lancaster, OH. All of those sickened attended the potluck, according to health officials, which drew a total of 50-60 people. Those sickened went to the emergency room at Fairfield Medical Center in Lancaster and...
Three companies fined for incorrectly labeling Pesticides Settlements emphasize that pesticides need to be labeled correctly, protecting public and environment from misbranded products. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reached settlements with 3 companies that produce and/or market pesticides to resolve charges that the businesses or their agents sold pesticide products that failed to meet Federal labeling requirements.
Insects inspire next generation of hearing aids An insect-inspired microphone that can tackle the problem of locating sounds and eliminate background noise is set to revolutionize modern-day hearing aid systems. Despite remarkable advances in sound analysis in hearing aids, the actual microphone itself has remained essentially unchanged for decades.
