The world’s first phase three trials of a new drug have shown that it can ease the often distressing symptom of chronic cough with few side effects. Principle researcher Jacky Smith, Professor of Respiratory Medicine at The University of Manchester and Honorary Consultant at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University Foundation Trust and Director of NIHR Manchester Clinical Research Facility (CRF), says Gefapixant has...
Month: <span>March 2022</span>
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Study: autism correlated with changing sensory preferences during early childhood
Results from a new study published in Child Development provide the first longitudinal evidence about the trajectories of sensory reactivity patterns during early childhood among a large community sample with diverse developmental outcomes. Many autistic children have particular preferences for specific sensory stimuli, like focused interest on the flicker of fluorescent lights, pronounced discomfort from a scratchy...
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New tool reveals function of enigmatic gene sequences
While the large proportion of our genome that does not instruct our cells to form proteins has been harder to study than protein-coding genes, it has been shown to have vital physiological functions. Scientists at Karolinska Institutet have now developed new high-precision tools able to identify what these noncoding sequences do. The study, which is published in...
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Artificial Neurons and Synapses from Printed Transistors
MARCH 2ND, 2022 CONN HASTINGS MATERIALS, NEUROLOGY, NEUROSURGERY Researchers at Linköping University in Sweden have created artificial neurons and synapses using organic electrochemical transistors that can be printed onto plastic foil in their thousands. The printed structures can conduct both electrons and ions, helping them to mimic the action potentials generated in biological neurons. So far, the...
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Using paracetamol for protecting kidneys in patients with severe malaria
by Menzies School of Health Research Credit: Pixabay Paracetamol is used in many illnesses for the relief of pain and fever, but a study just published in Clinical Infectious Diseases has shown that it may also help protect against kidney damage in patients with malaria. The study led by former Menzies Ph.D. student Daniel Cooper with A/Professors...
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Researchers produce fully functional pancreatic beta cells from stem cells for the first time
by University of Helsinki Beta cells (green) produce the hormone insulin. Credit: Masur / Wikimedia Commons Insulin is a vital hormone produced by pancreatic beta cells. Type 1 diabetes is caused by the destruction of these cells, which results in patients having to replace the lost insulin with multiple daily injections. Insulin secretion can be...
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Boosting function and survival of stem cell-derived pancreatic cells by genetic engineering
by International Society for Stem Cell Research Credit: CC0 Public Domain Recent advances in the transplantation of stem cell-derived insulin-producing beta cells (SC-beta cells) to treat type 1 diabetes (T1D) has generated considerable interest and excitement. A major obstacle to the long-term survival and functioning of SC-beta cells is their vulnerability to stress or attacks...
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More alcohol, less brain: Study finds an association that begins with an average of just one drink a day
by University of Pennsylvania Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The science on heavy drinking and the brain is clear: The two don’t have a healthy relationship. People who drink heavily have alterations in brain structure and size that are associated with cognitive impairments. But according to a new study, alcohol consumption even at levels most would...
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Researchers develop new treatment to combat obesity and heart disease
by Ryan Schoensee, University of Texas at San Antonio 3D Model of the heart by Dr. Matthew Bramlet. Credit: NIH An interdisciplinary research team at The University of Texas at San Antonio has successfully developed an innovative inhibitor that shows promise in fighting obesity and potentially preventing heart disease. Francis Yoshimoto, an assistant professor in...
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Handheld devices for A-fib screening may be most effective in oldest adults during primary care visits
by Massachusetts General Hospital Credit: CC0 Public Domain Point-of-care screening for atrial fibrillation (A-fib) using a new generation of handheld electrocardiogram (ECG) devices increased the rate of diagnosis in patients 85 and older, but failed to show similar results in those 65 and older, a study by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) has found. Though ineffective...