by Diego E. Rincon-Limas and Aaron N. Johnson, The Conversation Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Infectious or chronic diseases such as long COVID, Alzheimer’s disease and traumatic brain injury can cause inflammation in the brain, or neuroinflammation, that weakens muscles. While scientists are aware of this link between inflammation and muscle weakness, the molecules and processes involved have...
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Superior quality cytokines are crucial for advancing immunotherapy development
Sponsored Content by Sino Biological Inc.Reviewed by Olivia FrostDec 16 2024 Cytokines are small, secreted proteins able to pass messages between cells. Members of this superfamily include growth factors, interleukins, chemokines, interferons, colony-stimulating factors, and tumor necrosis factors (TNF).1 Cytokines are produced by a wide range of cell types, including immune cells. In this instance, these...
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New drug shows potential in treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy
by Keila DePape, McGill University Credit: Life Science Alliance (2024). DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202402831 A novel drug holds promise for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a rare genetic disorder that causes severe muscle degeneration. McGill University researchers have discovered that an experimental compound called K884 can boost the natural repair abilities of muscle stem cells. Current treatments can slow muscle damage,...
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How to keep life engaging for people with Alzheimer’s
by Greg Jicha, University of Kentucky Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Adapting activities for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease is essential for maintaining their engagement and well-being. As Alzheimer’s progresses, activities that were once routine can become challenging. Here’s how caregivers can help loved ones enjoy meaningful and fulfilling experiences. Make activities accessible Choose tasks that align with...
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Naloxone can temporarily reverse opioid overdose: Why you might need some at home or in your bag
by Shane Darke, The Conversation Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Opioids are some of the most widely used and misused drugs in the world. Opioids are central nervous system depressants, meaning they slow down brain activity and relax the muscles. They include the natural products of the opium poppy as well as synthetic (human-made) compounds derived from it. Commonly used opioids...
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Supporting a grieving loved one on holidays and special occasions: Practical tips from a clinical psychologist
by J. Kim Penberthy, The Conversation Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain The holiday season, often considered a time of joy and togetherness, can also be one of the most challenging periods for those who are grieving a loss. Nearly 95% of people who have experienced loss report dealing with at least one symptom of physical or mental distress....
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Old wisdom meets new tech: Traditional Chinese medicine inspires pulse sensors
by Sarah Small, Pennsylvania State University A team led by Penn State researchers used principles of pulse monitoring in traditional Chinese medicine to design a pressure-sensing platform to identify the optimal pulse signal, which they combined with a machine learning model to also predict blood pressure. Credit: Huanyu “Larry” Cheng Continuously monitoring a person’s pulse can provide...
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St John’s wort: Six drug interactions you should know about
by Dipa Kamdar, The Conversation Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain St John’s wort is an herbal supplement that has been used for centuries to boost mood. Even today, many people use it as a natural treatment for mild to moderate depression. St John’s wort contains several active compounds, such as hypericin and hyperforin, which are believed to influence mood. Studies which...
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Psychologists identify a new kind of human memory process
by Florida Institute of Technology Credit: iScience (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.111439 Richard Addante, who has spent more than a decade researching episodic memory—the cognitive process that involves processing and retrieving long-term memory—has identified a new kind of human memory process. According to Addante, associate professor of psychology at Florida Institute of Technology, the current framework in the psychology field...
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Scientists urge ban on creating “mirror life”
By Tina Reed Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios Scientists are sounding new alarms about man-made organisms whose constituent molecules are mirror images of what’s found in nature and could pose unprecedented risks to humans, animals and the environment.Why it matters: While the ability to create “mirror life” is probably at least a decade away, researchers already have synthesized...