by Katie Bohn, Pennsylvania State University Relaxing is supposed to be good for the body and soul, but people with anxiety may actively resist relaxation and continue worrying to avoid a large jump in anxiety if something bad does happen, according to Penn State research. In a new study, the researchers found that people who...
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Low blood pressure could be a culprit in dementia, studies suggest
by Kenneth McLeod, The Conversation Decline in brain function often occurs as people age. People often worry that declining brain function is an inevitable part of growing old and will lead to dementia, but it is not. Many people do not experience age-related cognitive decline. Clinical studies that have followed older individuals over many years have consistently...
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Antidepressants linked to heightened pregnancy related diabetes risk
by British Medical Journal Taking antidepressants while expecting a baby is linked to a heightened risk of developing diabetes that is specifically related to pregnancy, known as gestational diabetes, finds research published in the online journal BMJ Open. The risk was greatest among mums to be who were taking venlafaxine, a type of drug known...
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New study shows response to HIV vaccine in 6 weeks
By Dr. Liji Thomas, MD A US study using DNA-based and protein HIV vaccines in various combinations shows that antibody and a cellular immune response occurs within 6 weeks from the date of vaccination, and the combination must be administered together for the most rapid protection. This will enable more large-scale testing of the vaccine...
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NIH researchers create new viral vector for improved gene therapy in sickle cell disease
‘Forward-oriented’ design might boost treatment effectiveness and broaden use NIH/NATIONAL HEART, LUNG AND BLOOD INSTITUTE Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have developed a new and improved viral vector–a virus-based vehicle that delivers therapeutic genes–for use in gene therapy for sickle cell disease. In advanced lab tests using animal models, the new vector was up to 10 times more efficient at incorporating corrective genes into bone marrow stem...
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Fungal invasion of pancreas creates cancer risk
by Greg Williams, NYU Langone Health Certain fungi move from the gut to the pancreas, expand their population more than a thousand-fold, and encourage pancreatic cancer growth, a new study finds. Published online in Nature October 2, the study is the first to offer strong evidence that the mycobiome—the local mix of fungal species in...
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U of G researchers discover potential drug to treat heart attacks
A potential drug to treat heart attacks and to prevent heart failure — for which no cure currently exists — may result from pioneering research by a University of Guelph professor UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH A potential drug to treat heart attacks and to prevent heart failure – for which no cure currently exists — may...
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Sentinels in the mouth
Special sensory cells in the gums protect against periodontitis MONELL CHEMICAL SENSES CENTER PHILADELPHIA (October 3, 2019) – Newly discovered chemical-sensing cells in the gums protect the mouth by standing guard against infections that damage soft tissue and destroy the bone that supports the teeth, report researchers from the Monell Chemical Senses Center in an animal study...
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Researchers discover a new way that telomerase acts to keep cancer cells multiplying
by Children’s Medical Research Institute Faster cancer treatments may be possible thanks to research from Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI). Researchers were surprised to discover a new way that an enzyme in cancer cells, telomerase, acts to keep cancer cells multiplying. This could mean a faster way to stop cancer cells in their tracks. Tracy Bryan, the lead author on research released in Science Advances, was initially skeptical of the findings. “We were very surprised at the...
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Exploring the role of insulin in heart disease among men
by The City University of New York Men have shorter life expectancy than women, in part due to the higher rates of heart disease among men. To address this disparity, heart disease is now being considered with the well-established evolutionary biology theory that suggests that the intrinsic drive to achieve reproductive success can sometimes occur...