New research from an international collaboration, including researchers from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, has identified a rare genetic mutation in people of Polynesian descent, which increases their risk of severe viral infection or death. Researchers studied the highly unusual cases of seven Polynesian previously healthy children. Still, they developed severe or fatal reactions...
Month: <span>April 2022</span>
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Understanding arteriosclerosis: How blood vessels restructure under pressure
NAGOYA CITY UNIVERSITY IMAGE: THE INFLUX OF CA2+ INTO VASCULAR SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS THROUGH CAV1.2 WITHIN CAVEOLAE DUE TO HYPERTENSION ACTIVATES A PATHWAY LEADING TO INFLAMMATION AND VASCULAR REMODELING. THIS, IN TURN, CAUSES ARTERIOSCLEROSIS. THE CAMKK2 PROTEIN IS A POTENTIAL DRUG TARGET TO PREVENT THIS PROCESS. CREDIT: YOSHIAKI SUZUKI FROM NCU, JAPAN PROCEEDINGS OF THE...
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Varied strength-training programmes increase strength, but not muscle mass
UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN – FACULTY OF SCIENCE STRENGTH TRAINING For years, it has been assumed that variation in strength-training programmes impacts training outcomes. New research at the University of Copenhagen demonstrates that varied strength training has a positive effect on developing strength, but not on muscle growth. According to the researchers, the answer as to...
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New factors that can predict breast cancer recurrence defined
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER WASHINGTON – Genetics and other factors that can determine if a woman is at risk for a recurrence of breast cancer have been identified by investigators at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, providing new research avenues for preventing a new tumor from developing. The discovery was made possible by an advanced technology developed...
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Calming overexcited neurons may protect the brain after stroke
by Tamara Bhandari, Washington University School of Medicine A blood clot forming in the carotid artery. Credit: copyright American Heart Association A new study has prompted scientists to reconsider a once-popular yet controversial idea in stroke research. Neuroscientists had believed that in the aftermath of a stroke, calming overexcited neurons might prevent them from releasing a...
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Study reveals set of brain regions that control complex sequences of movement
by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain In a novel set of experiments with mice trained to do a sequence of movements and “change course” at the spur of the moment, Johns Hopkins scientists report they have identified areas of the animals’ brains that interact to control the ability to perform...
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New evidence shows cancer is not as heritable as once thought
by Adrianna MacPherson, University of Alberta Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain While cancer is a genetic disease, the genetic component is just one piece of the puzzle—and researchers need to consider environmental and metabolic factors as well, according to a research review by a leading expert at the University of Alberta. Nearly all the theories about...
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Some autism spectrum disorder symptoms linked to astrocytes
by Weill Cornell Medical College A humanized mouse model of autism. The image depicts sections of brain with astrocytes labeled in green. Top row: control astrocytes; Bottom row: astrocytes derived from patients with autism spectrum disorder. Credit: Megan Allen Abnormalities in a type of brain cell called astrocytes may play a pivotal role in causing...
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Race of people given Alzheimer’s blood tests may affect interpretation of results
by Washington University School of Medicine Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Three experimental blood tests used to identify people in early stages of Alzheimer’s disease perform differently in Black individuals compared to white individuals, according to a new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The study showed that a fourth blood test—called the...
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Study links telomere length to risk of death from COVID-19
by European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases This transmission electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 — also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19 — isolated from a patient in the US. Virus particles are shown emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab. The spikes on the outer edge of...