Medical and Health Sciences

New technique for cell or drug delivery, localization of bioelectric materials, and wound healing uses ultrasound to activate printing within the body.

Researchers have completed a comprehensive analysis of cancer statistics for different age groups in the United States and found that from 2010 through 2019, the incidence of 14 cancer types increased among people under age 50.

Cryptic peptides, which are expressed in pancreatic cancer cells, could be promising targets for T-cell therapies that attack pancreatic tumors, according to a new study.

Brain metastases often occur as a result of advanced cancer and, despite medical innovations, are still associated with a poor prognosis. Now, an international expert committee has taken an important step towards improving diagnostics and therapy monitoring. A special imaging procedure, amino acid PET, can not only improve patient care, but also advance research into the development of new treatment approaches.

Consumption of ultra-processed foods, such as sugar-sweetened beverages, potato chips and packaged cookies, may be associated with adverse health outcomes. Study finds each additional 100 grams/day consumption of ultra-processed foods increased risk of hypertension, cardiovascular events, cancer and more.

Researchers have developed cutting-edge MRI technology to diagnose a common heart problem more quickly and accurately than ever before. Aortic stenosis is a progressive and potentially fatal condition, affecting about five per cent of 65-year-olds in the US -- with increasing prevalence in advancing age. Symptoms include chest pains, a rapid fluttering heartbeat and feeling dizzy, short of breath and fatigued -- particularly with activity. The new study reveals how a four-dimensional flow (4D flow) MRI scan can diagnose aortic stenosis more reliably than current ultrasound techniques. The superior accuracy of the new test means doctors can better predict when patients will require surgery.

How relatedness-to-nature is linked to well-being is determined by district-level socioeconomic status. A new analysis is based on survey results from two major Japanese metropolitan areas.

Why do cats generally live longer than dogs? New research suggests that longer lifespans of mammals like cats could be linked to their bigger brains and more complex immune systems.

From seatbelt laws to new speed limits -- many people soon stop resisting policy changes that restrict their personal freedom once the new rules come into force. Researchers also identified the underlying psychological mechanism to gain important insights for possible communication strategies when introducing such measures.

The efforts of a research team give hope for new treatment approaches for dangerous tropical diseases. The researchers have compiled a high-precision inventory of the membrane proteins of cell organelles of the African sleeping sickness pathogen.

Music could provide a breakthrough in assessing consciousness levels in children who have suffered significant brain injuries, according to new research.

Researchers have discovered a type of molecule that can kill chlamydia bacteria but spare bacteria that are important for health. The discovery opens the door for further research towards developing new antibiotics against chlamydia.

How well our brain functions depends heavily on the performance of our nerve cells. That is why they are regularly checked for their proper function -- defective cell components are marked, disposed of and recycled. This includes the mitochondria, the powerhouses of our cells. Impaired quality control of mitochondria plays a central role in Parkinson's disease.

The recent global monkeypox (mpox) outbreak, with a new and aggressive variant, has underscored the dire need for safe, broadly effective, and accessible vaccines. The LC16m8 vaccine, an attenuated vaccinia virus strain originally developed for smallpox, is a promising option for countering the mpox virus. Exploring this potential further, researchers employed a cross-species immunological analysis to provide new insights into LC16m8's immunogenicity and safety against mpox. The recent global monkeypox (mpox) outbreak, with a new and aggressive variant, has underscored the dire need for safe, broadly effective, and accessible vaccines. The LC16m8 vaccine, an attenuated vaccinia virus strain originally developed for smallpox, is a promising option for countering the mpox virus. Exploring this potential further, researchers employed a cross-species immunological analysis to provide new insights into LC16m8's immunogenicity and safety against mpox.

Looking at your biological age -- the level of deterioration in your body -- can give a clearer picture of your heart disease risk than traditional tools alone.

The drugs, called NRTIs, have the potential to prevent a million cases of Alzheimer's every year, the researchers believe.

A team of researchers has found new insight into why some lung cancer patients do not benefit from tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte, or TIL therapy. Their findings may help improve future ways to deliver this cellular immunotherapy for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

Scientists have engineered a monoclonal antibody that can protect mice from a lethal dose of influenza A, a new study shows. The new molecule combines the specificity of a mature flu fighter with the broad binding capacity of a more general immune system defender.

In the United States, breast, colorectal, endometrial, pancreatic, and kidney cancers are becoming increasingly common among people under age 50, according to a new study.

A recent study marks the first reported instance of generative AI designing synthetic molecules that can successfully control gene expression in healthy mammalian cells. As a proof-of-concept, the authors of the study asked the AI to design synthetic fragments which activate a gene coding for a fluorescent protein in some cells while leaving gene expression patterns unaltered. They created the fragments from scratch and dropped them into mouse blood cells, where the sequence fused with the genome at random locations. The experiments worked exactly as predicted and pave the way for new strategies to give instructions to a cell and guide how they develop and behave with unprecedented accuracy.

A vitamin supplement that improves metabolism in the eye appears to slow down damage to the optic nerve in glaucoma. The researchers behind the study have now started a clinical trial on patients.

AI model EVE-Vax provides clues about how a virus may evolve and the immune response it could provoke.

The growing use of smart home devices is undermining the privacy and safety of domestic workers. New research reveals how surveillance technologies reinforce a sense of constant monitoring and control by domestic workers' employers, increasing their vulnerability and impacting their mental wellbeing.

Parents' genes -- even when not directly inherited by a child -- may play a role in their educational and mental health outcomes, finds a new report.

A phase I study of a next-generation CAR T cell therapy showed a 52 percent complete remission rate for patients with relapsed/refractory lymphoma.

Women diagnosed with breast cancer who carry particular BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic variants are offered surgery to remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes as this dramatically reduces their risk of ovarian cancer. Now, researchers have shown that this procedure -- known as bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) -- is associated with a substantial reduction in the risk of early death among these women, without any serious side-effects.

Redesigning social media to suit different needs of users could make their time online more focused, according to new research.

People who eat more ultra processed foods like cold breakfast cereal, cookies and hot dogs are more likely to have early signs of Parkinson's disease when compared to those who eat very few ultra processed foods, according to a new study. The study does not prove that eating more ultra processed foods causes early signs of Parkinson's disease; it only shows an association.

Obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that causes lower oxygen levels during sleep, is linked to degeneration of brain regions associated with memory through damage to the brain's small blood vessels, according to a new study. The study found the brain changes were strongly associated with the severity of drops in oxygen levels during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. The study does not prove that sleep apnea causes this degeneration; it only shows an association.

Scientists have uncovered a promising new way to enhance the effectiveness of vaccines by tapping into the potential of a specific type of immune cell, opening the door to long-lasting vaccines for viruses and enhanced cancer therapies. The study used a novel approach combined with cutting-edge mRNA vaccine technology to increase the formation of a type of T cell which has remarkable self-renewing capacity and can remember threats for years and even decades.

Healthy hearts are adaptable, and heartbeats exhibit complex variation as they adjust to tiny changes in the body and environment. Researchers have applied a new way to measure the complexity of pulse rates, using data collected through wearable pulse oximetry devices. The new method provides a more detailed peek into heart health than traditional measures, uncovering a link between reduced complexity and future cognitive decline.

Researchers have discovered distinct roles for two dopamine receptors located on nerve cells within the portion of the brain that controls approach vs. avoidance behavior.

Researchers identified a natural 'brake' within the innate immune system: the inhibitory receptor Siglec-E (SigE) and its human counterparts, Siglec-7 and Siglec-9. This receptor helps prevent overactivation of immune cells that drive rejection. When this brake is missing, inflammation worsens, leading to faster rejection in preclinical models. Importantly, transplant patients with higher levels of Siglec-7 and Siglec-9 showed better graft survival, highlighting this pathway as a promising target for new therapies.

A new strategy may help prevent or slow the progression of Type 1 diabetes.

Scientists say human-caused climate change led to 15,000 additional early deaths from wildfire air pollution in the continental United States during the 15-year period ending in 2020.

Psychology literature has shown that curiosity tends to decline with age. Psychologists shows one type of curiosity can increase well into old age, contradicting prior research. Older adults who maintain curiosity and want to learn new things relevant to their interests may be able to offset or even prevent Alzheimer's disease. Conversely, those who show muted curiosity and disinterest may be at risk for dementia.

New research reveals that obesity, having a knee injury and occupational risks such as shift work and lifting heavy loads are primary causes of knee osteoarthritis.

Researchers have developed a new type of pipette that can deliver ions to individual neurons without affecting the sensitive extracellular milieu. Controlling the concentration of different ions can provide important insights into how individual brain cells are affected, and how cells work together. The pipette could also be used for treatments.

A research team develops disinfection robot combining physical wiping and UV-C sterilization.

Groundbreaking device instantly detects dangerous street drugs, offering hope for harm reduction A portable device that instantly detects illicit street drugs at very low concentrations, thereby highlighting the risks they pose. The device has the potential to address the growing global problem of people unknowingly taking drugs that have been mixed with undeclared substances, including synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and nitazenes.

Influenza viruses are among the most likely triggers of future pandemics. A research team has developed a method that can be used to study the interaction of viruses with host cells in unprecedented detail. With the help of their new development, they have also analyzed how novel influenza viruses use alternative receptors to enter target cells.

Two new advanced predictive algorithms use information about a person's health conditions and simple blood tests to accurately predict a patient's chances of having a currently undiagnosed cancer, including hard to diagnose liver and oral cancers. The new models could revolutionize how cancer is detected in primary care, and make it easier for patients to get treatment at much earlier stages.

A new study surveyed 21,000 children in China and found that the association between parental bereavement and school bullying varied by sex of the child and deceased parent, age when the death occurred, and geographical area. Adolescents in rural areas, girls, and older youth (ages 13-17) were at higher risk of bullying after either parent died.

The age at which babies take their first steps is strongly influenced by their genes, according to new research. Scientists analyzed the genetic information of more than 70,000 infants. They identified 11 genetic markers influencing when babies start walking, thus offering multiple targets for future in-depth biological investigation.

Learning about one's risk for Alzheimer's disease may not lead to emotional distress, but motivation to maintain healthy lifestyle changes tends to fade over time, even in people at high risk, according to a new study.

An international study has shown that increasing levels of the Klotho protein in mice extends lifespan and improves both physical and cognitive health when aging.

Surgical face masks help prevent the spread of airborne pathogens and therefore were ubiquitous during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, a modified mask could also protect a wearer by detecting health conditions, including chronic kidney disease. Researchers incorporated a specialized breath sensor within the fabric of a face mask to detect metabolites associated with the disease. In initial tests, the sensor correctly identified people with the condition most of the time.

A recent study found that six cardiometabolic risk groups previously identified in middle-aged individuals can also be applied to older adults without diabetes. Using data from the KORA F4/FF4 study of people aged 61 to 82, researchers identified clusters with varying risks of developing type 2 diabetes and related complications. One cluster, marked by high inflammatory load and insulin-resistant fatty liver, showed particularly high risk. The study highlights the importance of personalized risk assessment and early prevention strategies even in older age.

A landmark study exploring consumption of chips, frozen pizzas, breakfast cereals and other ultra-processed foods typically loaded with fat, sugar and additives has confirmed these foods are directly and significantly linked to poor health outcomes.

The most effective way to harness the power of artificial intelligence when screening for breast cancer may be through collaboration with human radiologists -- not by wholesale replacing them, says new research.

National Football League (NFL) players may be more likely to sustain a specific type of knee injury if they have a shorter period of rest between games.

Scientists have developed a lactation pad equipped with sensing technology that allows parents of newborns to monitor breast milk in real time. The device is capable of ensuring that breast milk contains safe levels of the painkiller acetaminophen, which is often prescribed after childbirth and can be transferred to breastfeeding infants.

Our brain is a complex organ. Billions of nerve cells are wired in an intricate network, constantly processing signals, enabling us to recall memories or to move our bodies. Making sense of this complicated network requires a precise look into how these nerve cells are arranged and connected. A new method makes use of off-the-shelf light microscopes, hydrogel and deep learning.

A study of starlings in Africa shows that they form long-term social bonds similar to human friendships.

Climate scientists reveal that millions of today's young people will live through unprecedented lifetime exposure to heatwaves, crop failures, river floods, droughts, wildfires and tropical storms under current climate policies. If global temperatures rise by 3.5 C by 2100, 92% of children born in 2020 will experience unprecedented heatwave exposure over their lifetime, affecting 111 million children. Meeting the Paris Agreement's 1.5 C target could protect 49 million children from this risk. This is only for one birth year; when instead taking into account all children who are between 5 and 18 years old today, this adds up to 1.5 billion children affected under a 3.5 C scenario, and with 654 million children that can be protected by remaining under the 1.5 C threshold.

Researchers reviewed US national fatal crash data (2016-2021) and examined the vehicle age and driver assistance technologies of vehicles driven by teen and middle-aged drivers, and their associations with driver deaths during fatal crashes.

An artificial intelligence (AI) model improved outcomes in hospitalized patients by quadrupling the rate of detection and treatment of delirium. The model identifies patients at high risk for delirium and alerts a specially-trained team to assess the patient and create a treatment plan, if needed.

Medulloblastomas, brain tumors in children, are thought to develop between the first trimester of pregnancy and the end of the first year of life. Researchers have now analyzed the genetic changes of each individual cancer cell in tumor samples in order to reconstruct which genetic changes occur first during tumor development and when.

A new class of molecules capable of killing the cancer cells that are refractory to standard treatments and responsible for recurrence has just been developed. This crucial advance in the fight against metastatic cancer is based on identifying the cellular site for ferroptosis initiation, a natural process, catalyzed by iron, that sparks the oxidative degradation of cell membranes.

Brain researchers have identified a bridge between the thalamus and the cortex as the key area that is modified during motor learning functions. They found that such learning does much more than adjust activity levels, it sculpts the circuit's wiring, refining the conversation between brain regions.