Month: <span>September 2023</span>

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Hookworms successfully prevent type 2 diabetes in human trial
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Hookworms successfully prevent type 2 diabetes in human trial

By Bronwyn Thompson The microscopic larvae the trial participants were innoculated with James Cook University For many, the idea of having a few dozen hookworms set up shop in your gut sounds more like a Survivor challenge than a beneficial health therapy, but scientists see a bright future in this human worm farm for treating many chronic conditions. In...

Study adds to evidence that Parkinson’s starts in the gut
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Study adds to evidence that Parkinson’s starts in the gut

by Columbia University Irving Medical Center An autoimmune reaction in mice to a protein associated with Parkinson’s disease damaged neurons in the GI tract, adding to evidence that the disease may get its start in the gut. Credit: David Sulzer Ask any neurologist: Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder. The conspicuous symptoms of Parkinson’s disease—uncontrollable tremors,...

A new DNA drug to fight blood clots: A potentially new and less risky treatment for thrombosis
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A new DNA drug to fight blood clots: A potentially new and less risky treatment for thrombosis

by University of Tokyo A new DNA drug to fight blood clots—a potential new and less risky treatment for thrombosisHuman thrombin. Thrombin is the enzyme responsible for bleeding and for blood clotting, depending on how it’s activated, and has two DNA drug-binding sites. Credit: Yoshimoto et al, CC-BYVarious medical circumstances, including heart attacks and extreme...

Melatonin and its derivatives found to enhance long-term object recognition memory
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Melatonin and its derivatives found to enhance long-term object recognition memory

by Sophia University Melatonin and its derivatives enhance long-term object recognition memory Melatonin and its derivatives enhance long-term object recognition memory in male mice by modulating the phosphorylation of memory-related proteins through receptor and non-receptor signaling pathways. Credit: Atsuhiko Chiba from Sophia UniversityMultiple studies have demonstrated the memory-enhancing effects of melatonin and its derivatives in...

‘Viral relicts’ in the genome could fuel neurodegeneration
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‘Viral relicts’ in the genome could fuel neurodegeneration

by Marcus Neitzert, Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen e.V. (DZNE) Different HERV glycoproteins increase intercellular protein aggregate spreading. a Experimental workflow. Donor HEK cells stably propagating aggregated NM-HA were transfected with a plasmid coding for V5-epitope tagged HERV-W Syncytin-1 or a plasmid coding for V5-epitope tagged HERV-K Env. Cells were subsequently cocultured with recipient HEK NM-GFPsol. b Western blot...

Electrotherapy without surgery using temporary organic electrodes
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Electrotherapy without surgery using temporary organic electrodes

by Lund University Electrotherapy without surgery is possible The green areas in the zebrafish brain indicate that the nerve cells send electrical signals when the implanted electrode transmits external stimuli. The characteristic shape indicates successful stimulation. No tissue damage was observed. Credit: Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40175-3 Researchers at Lund University and Gothenburg University have...

Study shows medial preoptic area mediates depressive-like behaviors associated with ovarian hormone fluctuations
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Study shows medial preoptic area mediates depressive-like behaviors associated with ovarian hormone fluctuations

by Ingrid Fadelli , Medical Xpress The medial preoptic area mediates depressive-like behaviors associated with ovarian hormone fluctuations Electrophysiological recording from MPOA GABAergic neurons (Vgat+) demonstrated that these neurons reduced their spiking activity in HW-treated mice compared to non-HW controls (NHW). Credit to Can Tao.Fluctuations in the hormones secreted by women’s ovaries, namely estrogen and...

Few children—especially those with safety-net insurance—get vision checked at checkups
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Few children—especially those with safety-net insurance—get vision checked at checkups

by University of Michigan Estimated Probability of Primary Care Vision Testing by Age and Insurance Status Error bars represent 95% CIs. Estimated probabilities were calculated using adjusted coefficients held at their mean values after running multivariable analysis. Public insurance meant having public insurance only or both public and private insurance. Primary care vision testing was defined...

Ultrasound can briefly induce a hibernation-like state in animals
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Ultrasound can briefly induce a hibernation-like state in animals

by National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering Ultrasound can briefly induce a hibernation-like state in animalsUltrasound device for inducing a torpor-like hypothermic and hypometabolic state. Credit: Nature Metabolism (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s42255-023-00804-zScience fiction has long described sophisticated technology that can temporarily put humans into a suspended state, permitting characters to awaken far into the future,...