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Changes in prescribing practices and parental awareness contribute to teen drug decline

Since 2009, U.S. high school seniors have reported steep declines in medical use, misuse and availability of the three most commonly prescribed and misused controlled substances for teens, a new University of Michigan study found.

25 Jul 2024

Unprecedented brain cell mapping sheds light on Alzheimer's

Less than a decade ago, when Dr. Hansruedi Mathys launched an ambitious project to create an annotated library of all the gene readouts stored within 100 individual brain cells, the task felt daunting.

25 Jul 2024

Tiny titin mutation linked to developmental heart defects and adult atrial fibrillation

Millions of adults have atrial fibrillation -; an irregular beating of the upper chambers of the heart that yields increased risk of heart failure, stroke and death.

25 Jul 2024

Comprehensive analysis of Alzheimer’s brain tissue identifies novel biomarkers

From studying the human genome, to analyzing the way proteins are encoded, or monitoring RNA expression, researchers are rapidly gaining a far richer understanding of the complex genetic and cellular mechanisms that underpin dementia. But there's a catch: While new technologies are revealing myriad avenues for Alzheimer's research, it's impossible to know in advance which research pathways will lead to effective treatments.

25 Jul 2024

Cord blood banking industry faces scrutiny over unproven claims and high costs

Some private UK biobanks may be misleading expectant parents about the value of storing umbilical cord blood to treat life-threatening diseases that may arise in their child in the future, reveals an investigation by The BMJ, published today.

25 Jul 2024

Rising bed bug insecticide poisonings demand safer pest control methods, French study reveals

Researchers analyzed 1,056 cases of bed bug insecticide exposure in France, revealing a significant rise in poisoning incidents and emphasizing the need for safer pest control methods.

24 Jul 2024

WashU study reveals key mechanisms of biological clocks

In humans and other animals, signals from a central circadian clock in the brain generate the seasonal and daily rhythms of life.

24 Jul 2024

Neuroscientists discover a key piece of the placebo effect puzzle

The placebo effect is very real. This we've known for decades, as seen in real-life observations and the best double-blinded randomized clinical trials researchers have devised for many diseases and conditions, especially pain.

24 Jul 2024

CHEST releases new clinical guideline for managing central airway obstruction

The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) recently released a new clinical guideline on central airway obstruction (CAO).

24 Jul 2024

Traffic-related ultrafine particles impair mitochondrial function in human olfactory cells

Ultrafine particles, UFPs, the smallest contributors to air pollution, hinder the function of mitochondria in human olfactory mucosa cells, a new study shows.

24 Jul 2024

Boosting ketone levels enhances heart function in mice with HFpEF, study shows

Increasing ketone supply to the heart in mice with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) allowed their hearts to utilize more ketones and produce more energy, according to preliminary research presented today at the American Heart Association's Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Scientific Sessions 2024.

24 Jul 2024

Breakthrough research identifies fibrin as key factor in preterm brain bleeds

Mark Petersen, MD, has seen firsthand the devastating effects of brain bleeds in premature babies. It's an exceedingly common condition that affects up to 20 percent of infants born before 28 weeks of gestation, bringing an increased risk for developmental delays and autism.

24 Jul 2024

Lifestyle and socioeconomic status affect health impacts of ultra-processed foods

A recent study found that lifestyle and socioeconomic factors influence the negative impact of ultra-processed foods (UPF) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Higher UPF intake is linked to poorer physical health, especially among women, smokers, and those with low socioeconomic status.

24 Jul 2024

Proteomic signatures enhance risk prediction for both common and rare diseases

Researchers have developed sparse prediction models combining plasma proteins and clinical data to predict the 10-year risk of 218 diseases. The study, involving over 41,000 participants, highlights the enhanced predictive power of proteomic signatures.

24 Jul 2024

WVU researchers explore immune cell interactions in multiple sclerosis

A West Virginia University immunologist is exploring how the interaction between two types of immune cells within the central nervous system covering causes multiple sclerosis to develop.

24 Jul 2024

Challenging antibiotic resistance with dual-action macrolones

A new antibiotic that works by disrupting two different cellular targets would make it 100 million times more difficult for bacteria to evolve resistance, according to new research from the University of Illinois Chicago.

24 Jul 2024

Associations between gut microbes and Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers reviewed existing data on the role of the gut microbiome in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis.

24 Jul 2024

Life expectancy in India suffered large and unequal declines during the COVID-19 pandemic

Researchers analyzed survey data from individuals in India to understand mortality and life expectancy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

24 Jul 2024

Oral-gut axis: How mouth bacteria impact your overall health

A recent review in Nature Reviews Microbiology highlights how oral and gut microbiomes interact, impacting overall human health. Oral microorganisms can enter the gut, contributing to dysbiosis and various diseases, necessitating further research on these complex interactions.

24 Jul 2024

How indoor microbiomes shape our health and well-being

Indoor microbiomes, influenced by urbanization and building design, significantly impact human immune, neurological, and endocrine health. This research emphasizes the need for innovative approaches to harness these microbial ecosystems for improved public health outcomes.

24 Jul 2024