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Study uncovers brain biology behind postpartum depression

Chronic stress during pregnancy triggers an immune response in the brain that has potential to alter brain functions in ways that could contribute to postpartum depression, new research in animals suggests.

22 Oct 2019

Local scientists from sub-Saharan Africa are often overshadowed in collaborative health research

Local researchers from sub-Saharan Africa studying the health of their own countries are often overshadowed when they work with prominent international collaborators on scientific papers, according to a new analysis by investigators at Harvard Medical School with collaborators spanning five countries.

22 Oct 2019

Study dispels the hypothesis that metformin could help exercising seniors gain more muscle mass

A clinical trial initiated by University of Kentucky researchers argues against the hypothesis that the diabetes drug metformin could help exercising seniors gain more muscle mass. The double-blind trial, conducted at the University of Kentucky and University of Alabama at Birmingham, found that older adults who took metformin while performing rigorous resistance exercise training had smaller gains in muscle mass than the placebo group.

22 Oct 2019

Research introduces a revolutionary treatment for infections

Titanium has many properties that make it a great choice for use in implants. Its low density, high stiffness, high biomechnanical strength-to-weight ratio, and corrosion resistance have led to its use in several types of implants, from dental to joints.

22 Oct 2019

Dual action of genes and RNA influences aggressive triple-negative breast cancer

Women with an aggressive, less-common type of breast cancer, known as triple-negative, versus a more common form of the disease, could be differentiated from each other by a panel of 17 small RNA molecules that are directly influenced by genetic alterations typically found in cancer cells.

22 Oct 2019

High glucose impairs circadian clock function, may increase cardiovascular risk

High glucose in obesity appears to gum up the works of the circadian clocks inside our cells that help regulate the timing of many body functions across the 24-hour day and drive the risk of cardiovascular disease, scientists say.

22 Oct 2019

New treatment shows promise to reverse celiac disease

Results of a new phase 2 clinical trial using technology developed at Northwestern Medicine show it is possible to induce immune tolerance to gluten in individuals with celiac disease. The findings may pave the way for treated celiac patients to eventually tolerate gluten in their diet.

22 Oct 2019

Cold plasma jets as promising tool for minimally invasive cancer therapy

Modern advances in oncology have significantly improved cancer survival rates. However, personalized treatment methods are necessary, since tumors may behave differently for different patients.

21 Oct 2019

CHOP offers help and cure for children with overly picky eating habits

Families dealing with the stress and frustration of their child's overly picky eating habits may have a new addition to their parental toolbox.

21 Oct 2019

Research shows brain's immune system gets activated by stress during pregnancy

21 Oct 2019

Link found between genetic variations and size of the brainstem, other subcortical structures

Researchers have found a link between 48 common genetic variations and the size of the brainstem and other subcortical structures deep within the brain.

21 Oct 2019

Discovery about DNA-reeling bacteria can help inform strategies to stop bacterial infection

A new study from Indiana University has revealed a previously unknown role a protein plays in helping bacteria reel in DNA in their environment -- like a fisherman pulling up a catch from the ocean.

21 Oct 2019

Peptide-based nanoparticles can suppress pancreatic cancer growth without adverse effects

Despite advances in cancer survival, more than 90 percent of people with pancreatic cancer die within five years. Most patients with pancreatic tumors (and half of those with colorectal cancers) carry a mutation in the KRAS gene, which normally controls cell growth and death.

21 Oct 2019

Neutrophil extracellular traps could cause organ damage in malaria

Malaria is one of the world's deadliest infectious diseases: a small mosquito bite delivers numerous malaria parasites into the bloodstream. The human body defends itself valiantly against the parasite, which usually results in periodic flu-like symptoms and severe fever. Severe cases of the disease are accompanied by tissue damage and result in potentially fatal organ failure.

21 Oct 2019

American Indians experience higher risk of atrial fibrillation, study finds

Irregular heartbeat or atrial fibrillation (AFib) occurred more often among American Indians than among other racial and ethnic groups, according to new research published in Circulation, the American Heart Association's premier cardiovascular research journal.

21 Oct 2019

Timing of food may be nearly as important as how much we eat

Most of what we believe about eating and health stems from decades of research based on a simple premise: The amount of calories consumed affects one's ability to maintain a healthy weight and live longer.

21 Oct 2019

Insufficient placental steroid may increase autism spectrum disorder risk

A study in experimental models suggests that allopregnanolone, one of many hormones produced by the placenta during pregnancy, is so essential to normal fetal brain development that when provision of that hormone decreases or stops abruptly - as occurs with premature birth - offspring are more likely to develop autism-like behaviors.

20 Oct 2019

Smartphone app helps improve adherence to medication after a heart attack

Heart patients using a smartphone app reminder are more likely to take their medication than those who receive written instructions, according to a study presented at the 45th Argentine Congress of Cardiology.

20 Oct 2019

OPAT adherence device took top prize at IDEA Incubator competition

A device designed to improve adherence to outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy took top prize at the second IDEA Incubator, a competition showcasing inventions, products and devices to improve patient care for infectious diseases, which takes place during IDWeek.

18 Oct 2019

Whistleblower alleges Medicare fraud at iconic Seattle-based health plan

Group Health Cooperative in Seattle, one of the nation's oldest and most respected nonprofit health insurance plans, is accused of bilking Medicare out of millions of dollars in a federal whistleblower case.

18 Oct 2019