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New mechanism may explain neurons shrinking in Huntington's disease

A hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's is the progressive death of nerve cells in the brain. The cells don't die quickly, though. They first start to disconnect from each other because their neurites -- long finger-like extensions that make connections all through the brain -- become smaller.

25 Dec 2018

Surfer's ear reveals important clues to lives of ancient pearl divers in Panama

While examining a skull from an ancient burial ground in a pre-Columbian village in Panama, Nicole Smith-Guzmán, bioarchaeologist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), was surprised to discover an example of surfers' ear: a small, bony bump in the ear canal common among surfers, kayakers and free divers in cold climates.

24 Dec 2018

The impact of maternal diabetes on fetal heart development

Congenital heart disease is the most common birth defect. And even with remarkable advances in care, it remains the leading cause of non-infectious death in infants.

24 Dec 2018

Simple protocol rescues stressed liver cells

Isolated human hepatocytes are essential tools in preclinical and clinical liver research, but cell quality is highly variable. Now, researchers from Uppsala University have devised a simple protocol that improves hepatocyte quality and enables cells from a wider quality spectrum to be used in standard and advanced cell culture. The findings are published in Archives of Toxicology.

21 Dec 2018

Study lays foundation for addressing unresolved questions in human aging

Doctors have long observed that biological age and chronological age are not always one and the same. A 55-year-old may exhibit many signs of old age and have numerous age-related diseases, whereas an 80-year-old may be healthy and robust.

20 Dec 2018

Scientists discover new biomarkers for early detection of cystic fibrosis

Scientists at McMaster University have discovered several new biomarkers from a single drop of blood that could allow earlier and more definitive detection of cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease which strikes both children and adults, causing chronic problems with the digestive system and the lungs.

20 Dec 2018

Childbirth delivery mode linked with woman’s risk of developing pelvic floor disorders

Research completed at Johns Hopkins and the Greater Baltimore Medical Center has demonstrated that vaginal childbirth substantially increases the probability a woman will develop a pelvic floor disorder later in life.

20 Dec 2018

Stress related pathway instrumental in controlling function of immune cells

The immune system is composed of a wide range of different immune cells each with dedicated functions. Natural killer T cells form a specialized immune cell that protects against a variety of diseases such as cancer, autoimmunity, metabolic disease or certain infections such as Lyme disease.

20 Dec 2018

Osteoporosis is not only a women's disease

Osteoporosis, a bone disease that can result in painful fractures - typically in the back, hip or wrist - is often thought of as a woman's disease. But men get it too, just usually later in life than women.

18 Dec 2018

Cognition not affected by major heart procedure

Patients who undergo heart surgery do not experience major memory changes—either better or worse—when compared with those who have a much less invasive, catheter-based procedure, according to a study published online today in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.

18 Dec 2018

Surgeons make more mistakes in the operating room during stressful moments, shows study

A new study reveals that during stressful moments in the operating room, surgeons make up to 66 percent more mistakes on patients.

18 Dec 2018

Green leafy vegetables may reduce risk of developing liver steatosis

A larger portion of green leafy vegetables in the diet may reduce the risk of developing liver steatosis, or fatty liver. In a study published in PNAS researchers from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden show how a larger intake of inorganic nitrate, which occurs naturally in many types of vegetable, reduces accumulation of fat in the liver.

17 Dec 2018

Strong committed relationships can reduce military suicides

Can being in a strong committed relationship reduce the risk of suicide? Researchers at Michigan State University believe so, especially among members of the National Guard.

17 Dec 2018

New bacterial species may help fight obesity and metabolic disorders

The MyNewGut project has discovered new bacterial species and strains in healthy people that seem to be effective against obesity, metabolic and mental disorders related to stress and obesity (e.g. depression).

17 Dec 2018

Mechanisms behind neonatal diabetes uncovered

Researchers at the University of Helsinki, Finland, have described mechanisms linking chronic cellular stress to the poor development of the insulin-producing cells.

17 Dec 2018

Study provides insight into health risks facing new mothers

African-American women undergo more physical "wear-and-tear" during the first year after giving birth than Latina and white women, a consequence that may have long-lasting health effects, according to a study of a diverse group of more than 2,400 low-income women.

14 Dec 2018

Exercise-induced hormone activates cells critical for bone remodeling in mice

Exercise has been touted to build bone mass, but exactly how it actually accomplishes this is a matter of debate. Now, researchers show that an exercise-induced hormone activates cells that are critical for bone remodeling in mice.

14 Dec 2018

Mammalian collagen nanofibrils become stronger and tougher with exercise

Collagen is the fundamental building block of muscles, tissues, tendons, and ligaments in mammals. It is also widely used in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. Although scientists have a good understanding about how it behaves at the tissue-level, some key mechanical properties of collagen at the nanoscale still remain elusive.

14 Dec 2018

Adolescents who use cognitive reappraisal had better metabolic measures, shows study

Most teens get stressed out by their families from time to time, but whether they bottle those emotions up or put a positive spin on things may affect certain processes in the body, including blood pressure and how immune cells respond to bacterial invaders, according to Penn State researchers.

14 Dec 2018

Researchers discover protein involved in nematode stress response

When humans experience stress, their inner turmoil may not be apparent to an outside observer. But many animals deal with stressful circumstances - overcrowded conditions, not enough food - by completely remodeling their bodies.

14 Dec 2018