Related Science News

March 12, 2019

Pregnancy infection increases a child’s autism, suicide risk

Children whose mothers were hospitalized with an infection during pregnancy may be at increased risk for autism, depression and suicide later in life, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, Washington, and the Sahlgrenska Academy in Gothenburg, Sweden. Previous research […]
March 12, 2019

Embryos’ signals take multiple paths

Rice University scientists have found significant differences between the methods signaling pathways use to prompt cells to differentiate – that is, whether to become organs, bone, blood vessels, nerves or skin. Rice bioscientist Aryeh Warmflash and alumnus Idse Heemskerk led a team that discovered stem cells are sensitive not only to the signals that […]
March 12, 2019

New Insight into Aging Hearts

A team led by Harvard Medical School researchers based at Massachusetts General Hospital has found that activity of an important signaling pathway increases with aging and with heart failure. In a report published in Science Translational Medicine, the team describes evidence from both humans and animal models that increased activin type II […]
March 7, 2019

‘Game changer’ in treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

The Cardiff researchers say that the test could now be a ‘game changer’ in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). It also has the potential to change how other cancers, including myeloma and breast cancer, are treated. While previous versions of the test had taken a week to process, […]
March 7, 2019

Using sleep disorder to predict Parkinson’s disease

A large multi-centre study of more than 1,200 patients provides important predictors of Parkinson’s disease progression, which will allow better candidate selection for clinical trials and more effective therapy development. The study, led by Dr. Ron Postuma at The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital) and the Montreal General Hospital […]
March 7, 2019

Genomics Could Guide Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

Pancreatic cancer is a grim diagnosis, with a five-year survival rate of less than 9 percent. To improve those odds, researchers at UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine sought genetic signatures in the largest study of its kind that could be used to better match drugs to patients and for early […]
March 7, 2019

Diet reverses Alzheimer’s-like symptoms in lab model

A diet containing compounds found in green tea and carrots reversed Alzheimer’s-like symptoms in mice genetically programmed to develop the disease, USC researchers say. Researchers emphasize that the study, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, was in mice, and many mouse discoveries never translate into human treatments. Nevertheless, the findings […]
March 7, 2019

Largest-Ever Alzheimer’s Gene Study Reveals Five New Genes that Increase Risk

The International Genomic Alzheimer’s Project (IGAP) analyzed information from more than 94,000 individuals and found new information on the underlying causes of Alzheimer disease (AD), including five new genes that increase risk for the disease. Their findings were published in Nature Genetics. The study, which was funded in part by the […]
March 7, 2019

The link between sleep, genes, and mental health

We’ve known for some time that sleep can affect a person’s risk for developing mental health problems. New research from Penn Medicine and a host of other institutions and organizations shows that whether you stay up until the wee hours or bound out of bed with the first rays of sunshine matters, […]
March 6, 2019

By Blocking Protein, Researchers Keep Brain Tumors from Repairing Themselves

Researchers at the San Diego branch of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research at University of California San Diego, with colleagues around the country, report that inhibiting activity of a specific protein in glioblastomas (GBM) boosts their sensitivity to radiation, thus improving treatment prospects for one of the most common […]
March 6, 2019

Machinery Used in Basic Cell Division Does Double Duty as Builder of Neurons

Researchers at the San Diego branch of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research at University of California San Diego have identified an entirely new mechanism underlying the development and structure of the nervous system during embryogenesis. The findings, publishing in the journal Developmental Cell, focus on the dynamic coupling of microtubule […]
March 6, 2019

A new stone age?

Surrounded by high-voltage electrical boxes, foot pedal controls and sleek computers, UCI Health’s new kidney stone pulverizer is both a step into the future and a blast from the past. “It’s a thing of beauty,” says Dr. Jaime Landman, chair of UCI’s Department of Urology, after watching a demonstration of […]
March 6, 2019

Drinking in pregnancy could affect children’s mental health

The study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, was carried out by the University’s Tobacco and Alcohol Research Group (TARG) part of the School of Psychological Science and MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (MRC IEU). High-levels of alcohol use in pregnancy is known to affect a child’s physical health.   However, less is known about the association of […]
March 6, 2019

Novel DNA repair mechanism preserves genome integrity

As David Cortez, PhD, tells the story of his research team’s latest discovery, he shakes his head in disbelief. “I’m just astounded,” said Cortez, Ingram Professor of Cancer Research and professor of Biochemistry. The investigators, led by postdoctoral fellow Kareem Mohni, PhD, have discovered a new DNA repair mechanism. “DNA repair is […]
March 6, 2019

Dementia’s gender differences revealed

Dementia is one of the leading causes of death in Australia, but University of Queensland research has found the disease affects men and women differently. UQ health biostatistician Dr Michael Waller said the collaborative study with the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health examined 1.1 million Australian death certificates for any mention of […]
March 5, 2019

New insights into underlying causes of Alzheimer’s disease

The International Genomic Alzheimer’s Project (IGAP), which is a collaboration of four consortia, including the Genetic and Environmental Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease (GERAD) consortia led by Cardiff University, analysed data from more than 94,000 individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. “This work emphasizes the need for collaborative science,” said Dr Rebecca Sims, […]
March 5, 2019

3 Heart Health Risks All Men Should Know

When it comes to cardiovascular health, men and women have many of the same risks. After all, everyone faces the challenges of managing weight, blood pressure and cholesterol, among other factors — and heart disease remains the No. 1 cause of death in both sexes. But as women have unique heart […]
March 5, 2019

Designing New Proteins Could Lead to Cancer Treatment

Using the power of computer science, physics and biology, scientists are attempting to mimic what took millions of years of evolution to refine: the creation of new proteins. The human body contains at least tens of thousands of different proteins, which act as workhorses driving many of the functions that […]
March 5, 2019

Attacking ‘Invisible Threat’ that Affects Cancer Care Workers

Chemotherapy drugs are lifesaving to cancer patients, but these toxic drugs are hazardous to the health care workers who come into contact with them. Despite the risks, many health care workers do not use recommended personal protective equipment such as gloves or gowns when handling chemotherapy. A study from the University […]
March 5, 2019

Data sharing uncovers five new risk genes for Alzheimer’s disease

Analysis of genetic data from more than 94,000 individuals has revealed five new risk genes for Alzheimer’s disease, and confirmed 20 known others. An international team of researchers also reports for the first time that mutations in genes specific to tau, a hallmark protein of Alzheimer’s disease, may play an […]
March 5, 2019

Cells use sugars to communicate at the molecular level

The human body is made up of 30 to 40 million cells, a large and complex network of blood cells, neurons, and specialized cells that make up organs and tissues. Until now, figuring out which mechanisms control communication between them has proven a significant challenge for the field of cell […]
March 4, 2019

Data science tool that reveals molecular causes of disease shows power in infant cancer analysis

Princeton University researchers are gaining new insights into the causes and characteristics of diseases by harnessing machine learning to analyze molecular patterns across hundreds of diseases simultaneously. Demonstrating a new tool now available to researchers worldwide, the team of computer scientists and biologists has already uncovered and experimentally confirmed previously […]
March 4, 2019

Study: Male circumcision protects women from STI’s, cancer

U.S. rates of sexually transmitted infections (STI) are soaring to such an extent that public health officials are posting billboards that exhort sexual partners to use condoms. But who is championing male circumcision as a mechanism to protect women? Researchers, that’s who. A recent systematic review of 81 published studies and abstracts […]
March 4, 2019

New mechanism of bone growth discovered

In a paper published in the journal Nature, an international research team led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden report that bone growth in mice takes place in accordance with the same principles as when new cells are constantly produced in blood, skin and other tissue. This contradicts the previous […]
March 4, 2019

Happy in marriage? Genetics may play a role

People fall in love for many reasons — similar interests, physical attraction, and shared values among them. But if they marry and stay together, their long-term happiness may depend on their individual genes or those of their spouse, says a new study led by Yale School of Public Health researchers. […]