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Mother-infant touch and contact promote baby's neurophysiological development

As the world prioritizes social distancing to stop or slow down the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), a new study by researchers at Florida Atlantic University demonstrates that mother-infant touch and contact are essential for optimal neurodevelopmental regulation in early infancy.

25 Mar 2020

Study identifies brake on immune activity raising new possibilities for anticancer therapy

The immune system is like a carefully regulated machine, complete with its own built-in "brakes" that prevent it from overreacting and causing excess inflammation in otherwise healthy tissues.

25 Mar 2020

Research shows how stress restructures the brain

Stress restructures the brain by halting the production of crucial ion channel proteins, according to research in mice recently published in JNeurosci.

25 Mar 2020

Novel imaging technique sheds light on Alzheimer's disease

To understand what happens in the brain when Alzheimer's disease develops, researchers need to be able to study the molecular structures in the neurons affected by Alzheimer's disease.

25 Mar 2020

Researchers uncover molecular link between trans fats and variety of disorders

Tohoku University researchers in Japan have uncovered a molecular link between some trans fats and a variety of disorders, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.

25 Mar 2020

Cognitive abilities mainly influence physical activity and not vice versa, study shows

Someone dies somewhere in the world every 10 seconds owing to physical inactivity - 3.2 million people a year according to the World Health Organization.

25 Mar 2020

Researchers examine efficiency of non-invasive brain stimulation for memory improvement

A group of scientists from the Research Center of Neurology and Skoltech showed that human working memory can be tweaked using non-invasive magnetic stimulation of the brain. Also, they discovered that the effect of magnetic stimulation weakens as the brain works on a cognitive task under stimulation.

25 Mar 2020

Supercomputer helps benchmark new molecular docking tool

With the American Cancer Society estimating 1.76 million new cases and more than 600,000 deaths during 2019 in the U.S. alone, cancer remains a critical healthcare challenge.

25 Mar 2020

Scientists discover tuberculosis bacterium channels vitamins into the cell

A new study published in the journal Nature in March 2020 reports a unique transport protein found within the tubercle bacillus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This huge membrane-spanning vesicular protein is different from other transport proteins and is instrumental in carrying hydrophilic molecules, notably vitamin B12 or cobalamin, across the cell membrane.

24 Mar 2020

Detailed map of human tongue microbiome

A new study published in the journal Cell Reports in March 2020 reports the use of advanced and rapid spectral imaging techniques to develop a detailed map of microbial communities on the human tongue. The research will help to understand how such communities grow and form organized patterns.

24 Mar 2020

Vaporized cannabis increases drug-seeking behavior, study shows

Rats with regular access to cannabis seek more of the substance and tend to show increased drug-seeking behavior when cannabis is absent.

24 Mar 2020

Research team identifies a molecule that directs neurons

The habenula is a small region at the centre of the brain, but is crucial for people's lives. It is made up of groups of nerve cells that control the "neurotransmitters" of the brain, that is to say substances like dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin.

24 Mar 2020

Study: Bacterial protein fragment instigates lung tissue death in pulmonary fibrosis

A bacterial protein fragment instigates lung tissue death in pulmonary fibrosis, a mysterious disease affecting millions of people worldwide, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Mie University in Japan.

24 Mar 2020

Cannabidiol helps fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Since the discovery of penicillin in 1928 by Sir Alexander Fleming, antibiotics have saved millions of lives from fatal infections world-wide. However, with time bacteria have developed mechanisms to escape the effects of antibiotics - they have become resistant.

24 Mar 2020

Commonly used mouthwash increases lactate-producing bacteria that lower saliva pH

The first study looking at the effect of chlorhexidine mouthwash on the entire oral microbiome has found its use significantly increases the abundance of lactate-producing bacteria that lower saliva pH, and may increase the risk of tooth damage.

24 Mar 2020

Penn State engineers model genetic mutations causing drug resistance

Whether it is a drug-resistant strain of bacteria, or cancer cells that no longer react to the drugs intended to kill them, diverse mutations make cells resistant to chemicals, and "second generation" approaches are needed.

24 Mar 2020

Drebrin autoantibodies trigger epilepsy

Certain forms of epilepsy are accompanied by inflammation of important brain regions. Researchers at the University of Bonn have now identified a mechanism that explains this link.

24 Mar 2020

Researchers identify novel blood-based markers to detect Alzheimer’s disease

In a recent study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, researchers at Okayama University developed a technique to uncover molecules within the blood which can help doctors differentiate patients with Alzheimer’s disease from healthy individuals.

24 Mar 2020

New graphene patch for remote wound monitoring

French scientists at the Neel Institute have produced a graphene patch that records the condition of chronic wounds, such as ulcers suffered by the elderly or those with diabetes, at any time.

24 Mar 2020