Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Latest Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Beneficial bacteria passed on to infants through breast milk change over time

The cocktail of beneficial bacteria passed from mother to infant through breast milk changes significantly over time and could act like a daily booster shot for infant immunity and metabolism.

23 Feb 2021

GSK-3 inhibitors show promise in treating coronavirus infections

Researchers in the United States have suggested a new approach to treating infection with coronaviruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

23 Feb 2021

Countries with older populations have higher SARS-CoV-2 infections and deaths, says study

A new study examines some patterns revealed by a study of the factors operating in different regions and countries, to offer plausible hypotheses of these variations.

23 Feb 2021

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is linked with higher risks of larynx and esophageal cancers

Results from a large prospective study indicate that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which also causes heartburn symptoms, is linked with higher risks of various cancers of the larynx (or voice box) and esophagus.

22 Feb 2021

Eating low-quality diet during pregnancy is linked to late-childhood obesity

Eating a low quality diet, high in foods and food components associated with chronic inflammation, during pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of obesity and excess body fat in children, especially during late-childhood. The findings are published the open access journal BMC Medicine.

21 Feb 2021

Whole-genome study of IBD in African Americans reveals a different genetic risk landscape

In African Americans, the genetic risk landscape for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is very different from that of people with European ancestry, according to results of the first whole-genome study of IBD in African Americans.

20 Feb 2021

Domestic dogs unlikely to transmit SARS-CoV-2, say researchers

Researchers in Spain and Germany have conducted a study showing that domestic dogs are unlikely to contribute to the transmission and community spread of SARS-CoV-2 – the agent that causes COVID-19.

19 Feb 2021

Combination therapy produces clinical benefit for early stage non-small cell lung cancer

The first randomized Phase II clinical trial to report on single and combined neoadjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in stage I-III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) found combination therapy produced a significant clinical benefit, as assessed by major pathologic response (MPR) rate, as well as enhanced tumor immune cell infiltration and immunological memory.

18 Feb 2021

Nanotherapy shows potential for treating severe Crohn's disease

Scientists from the Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago demonstrated that a nanotherapy reduces intestinal inflammation and shrinks lesions in a rodent model of severe Crohn's disease.

17 Feb 2021

Researchers develop a better solution to treat short bowel syndrome

Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS) is a medical disorder caused by a lack of a fully functional small intestine.

17 Feb 2021

Study shows how SARS-CoV-2 uses an immune system defense for replication

The immune system actually wants to fight SARS-CoV-2 with antiviral signaling molecules. But a research team from Charité and MDC has now shown how such a signaling molecule can promote the replication of the virus. The results have been published in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine.

17 Feb 2021

Pre-term infants fed with B. Infantis experienced lower level of intestinal inflammation

Researchers publishing in the peer-review journal Frontiers in Pediatrics report that pre-term infants fed Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis (activated B. infantis EVC001) experienced significantly lower level of intestinal inflammation, 62% less diaper rash, and required 62% fewer antibiotics- all of which are critical health indicators in neonatal care.

17 Feb 2021

Changes to gut microbiome help melanoma patients respond to immunotherapy

Statistical modeling developed by Oregon State University researchers has confirmed that changes to melanoma patients' gut microbiome led them to respond to a type of treatment capable of providing long-term benefit.

16 Feb 2021

Study: Gut microbiota impacts the progression of brain lesions after stroke

Stroke-induced inflammation is both a blessing and a curse. Some of the inflammatory processes help heal the damaged brain after treatment, but others severely damage neurons and whole-body function.

15 Feb 2021

New research aims to explore functions of bile acids in the gut stem cell niche

Examining gut health from a different angle, Flinders University’s Associate Professor Robyn Meech is looking at what can trigger colon cancer – and she believes bile acids may provide a significant piece of the puzzle.

12 Feb 2021

New review summarises effect of aquatic pollution on cancer prevalence in wild animals

The recent review, published in Environment International and led by the University of Tartu, summarises the effect of aquatic pollution on cancer prevalence in wild animals with the help of more than 300 reviewed studies.

11 Feb 2021

New gut microbiome-based approach may have translational potential for cancer immunotherapy

Scientists from Nanjing University and the University of Macau have devised a new approach to extend the survival of transplanted probiotics in vivo, enhancing the efficacy of cancer chemo-/immunotherapies in mice.

11 Feb 2021

Seagulls could act as sentinels of the antibiotic pressure in the environment

Gulls are one of the main wild birds that act as reservoirs of Campylobacter and Salmonella, two most relevant intestinal antibiotic-resistant bacteria causing gastroenteritis in humans.

10 Feb 2021

Study reveals mechanism behind “Fecal Microbiota Transplantation”

Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI) occurs in the gut and is caused by the Gram-positive, spore-forming anaerobic bacterium, C. difficile when its spores attach to fecal matter and are transferred from hand to mouth by health care workers.

10 Feb 2021

New drug shows promise in treating pancreatic and breast cancers

ProAgio, a drug developed by Georgia State University biology professor Zhi-Ren Liu and his team, is effective at treating pancreatic cancer and prolonging survival in mice, according to a study published in the journal Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

9 Feb 2021