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Breakthrough technology enables mRNA delivery across the blood-brain barrier

Scientists at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have developed a lipid nanoparticle system capable of delivering messenger RNA (mRNA) to the brain via intravenous injection, a challenge that has long been limited by the protective nature of the blood-brain barrier.

17 Feb 2025

Can AI be your therapist? Study shows ChatGPT outperforms professionals in key areas

AI-assisted mental health care is evolving, with ChatGPT-4 outperforming therapists in empathy and cultural competence, raising implications for psychotherapy.

17 Feb 2025

Vaping and gum health: How does it compare to smoking?

A systematic review found that e-cigarette users show increased plaque and inflammation markers compared to non-smokers, though their gum health fares better than traditional smokers. However, the certainty of these findings is low due to study bias.

16 Feb 2025

Novel method for generating antibodies could revolutionize Alzheimer's and Parkinson's research

In diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, specific proteins misfold and clump together, forming toxic aggregates that damage brain cells.

16 Feb 2025

New research sheds light on brain inflammation in Alzheimer's

Brain inflammation, while a crucial part of the body's immune response, takes on a detrimental role in Alzheimer's disease.

16 Feb 2025

Gene therapy shows promise in treating SCN1B-linked epileptic encephalopathies

Dravet syndrome and other developmental epileptic encephalopathies are rare but devastating conditions that cause a host of symptoms in children, including seizures, intellectual disability, and even sudden death.

14 Feb 2025

Study reveals key role of opsin 3 in regulating food intake and energy balance

Scientists discovered years ago that the hypothalamus - which helps to manage body temperature, hunger, sex drive, sleep and more - includes neurons that express the protein opsin 3 (OPN3).

14 Feb 2025

Innovative blood test shows potential to replace spinal tap for Alzheimer's diagnosis

Up to half of all people living with Alzheimer's Disease in Ireland remain undiagnosed. Now, a new blood test may have the potential to transform patient care, allowing for better diagnosis, earlier interventions and more targeted treatments.

14 Feb 2025

Brain's opiate pathway triggers dessert cravings even after fullness

Who hasn't been there? The big meal is over, you're full, but the craving for sweets remains. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research in Cologne have now discovered that what we call the "dessert stomach" is rooted in the brain.

14 Feb 2025

Biohybrid hand with muscle tissue mimics real-life movements

A biohybrid hand which can move objects and do a scissor gesture has been built by a team at the University of Tokyo and Waseda University in Japan.

14 Feb 2025

Intermittent fasting may harm insulin-producing cells in teens

A recent study reveals that age plays a significant role in the outcomes of intermittent fasting. Researchers from Technical University of Munich (TUM), LMU Hospital Munich, and Helmholtz Munich discovered that chronic intermittent fasting disrupted the development of insulin-producing beta cells in young mice.

14 Feb 2025

Lack of regulation in sperm donation sparks concerns in Africa

Poor regulation and lack of transparency in Africa's fertility industry leave sperm donors and recipients vulnerable to exploitation and unethical practices, including relatives unwittingly having children together, fertility experts warn.

14 Feb 2025

Extracellular vesicles show promise for diagnosing and treating oral diseases

A comprehensive review has explored the diverse roles of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the oral and maxillofacial region, highlighting their immense potential in disease detection, targeted therapies, and tissue regeneration.

14 Feb 2025

Researchers uncover the brain mechanism behind ketamine's action

Ketamine has received a Hollywood makeover. It used to be known as a rave drug (street name special K) and cat anesthetic.

14 Feb 2025

A step toward precision medicine: New drug targets for heart failure

Researchers identify several promising drug targets for heart failure and its clinical subtypes.

14 Feb 2025

Hospital sink drains found to harbor dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria

We hope to be cured when we stay in hospital. But too often, we acquire new infections there. Such 'healthcare-associated infections' (HAI) are a growing problem worldwide, taking up an estimated 6% of global hospital budgets.

14 Feb 2025

Infants with cystic fibrosis show stunted gut microbiome development

Findings from a new Dartmouth-led study, published in the journal mBio, highlight key differences in the gut microbiome (communities of bacteria) of infants with cystic fibrosis (CF) compared to that of healthy infants, and how these alterations may adversely affect their health.

14 Feb 2025