Declining taste and smell in elderly people can lead to malnutrition, lowered immunity, and chronic diseases. Enhanced foods with flavored powders may help increase flavor and enjoyment, potentially boosting immune status.
Researchers developed a synthetic human hormone that triples platelets received from each donor, improving recovery of platelets in patients undergoing chemotherapy. An increased supply would give physicians more options for treating chemotherapy patients and make transfusions more affordable.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories are developing a portable evidence-detection system that uses flashing lights and modified goggles to make organic substances appear to blink. The system aims to help police investigators quickly find potential evidence in lighted rooms, reducing the time spent on crime scene investigations.
The UT Southwestern Medical Center has received a five-year grant to train graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in molecular microbiology. The program will focus on the molecular basis of bacterial pathogenesis and interactions with host cells, among other topics.
Scientists have discovered that saliva can be used as a source of DNA for genetic testing, with the potential to identify individuals at risk of certain diseases. This non-invasive method has significant implications for disease screening and diagnosis, particularly for children who may not be able to give blood.
A new study suggests that an individual's control over exercise intensity and duration can affect the immune system. Voluntary exercise was found to strengthen the immune system without stress, while forced exercise led to suppression.
A team of Stanford scholars presents a comprehensive study on the forces that shaped Asia during the Mesozoic era, revealing the dynamic processes that formed mountain ranges and volcanic island arcs. The research provides new insights into the region's geology and its potential for oil and gas reserves.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have made a groundbreaking discovery that leptin causes the programmed death of fat cells. This finding could play a significant role in the development of new treatments for obesity, as rats injected with leptin stay thin even after treatment is stopped.
The study found that people with the 4/4 variant are 15 times more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than those with the 3/3 variant. In contrast, individuals with the 2/3 genotype appear to be protected from developing AD due to the presence of the protective 2 allele.
The Western Journal of Medicine publishes a special issue on successful aging, featuring expert opinions on minimizing age-related decline, delaying onset of conditions that limit function, and maintaining mental alertness. The journal aims to provide patients with advice, skills, and treatments that promote healthy aging.
The Comet Nucleus Tour mission, led by Cornell University, aims to study the composition of comet nuclei and assess their diversity. The mission will take images and comparative spectral maps of at least three comet nuclei, analyzing dust and gas flowing from them.