A study published in Child Development found that moderate alcohol exposure during pregnancy can harm infant development, leading to reduced motor skills, shorter attention span, and increased drowsiness. The study, conducted on rhesus monkeys, suggests that even moderate drinking poses a risk to infant health.
A combination of urine and blood-based tests has been found to be more sensitive in detecting HIV-1 antibodies, potentially identifying individuals with compartmentalized infections or immune responses. This breakthrough could lead to the development of a safe and effective AIDS vaccine.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital discovered that chemotherapy treatment with doxorubicin causes mouse oocytes to undergo apoptosis, or programmed cell death. The study sheds light on the mechanisms behind female infertility after chemotherapy, potentially leading to new ways of selectively targeting cancer cells.
Researchers at UPMC Health System found abnormally high metabolism in the amygdala, a small area of the brain, may cause many symptoms of depression. The study's findings may lead to more effective antidepressant and mood stabilizing treatments for nearly 19 million people affected by these disorders.
Researchers at Oregon Health Sciences University have found that HIV infection of endothelial cells leads to the development of cancerous B-cells in AIDS patients. The virus disrupts normal signaling mechanisms, causing an increased number of adhesion molecules to form and support the growth of malignant cells.
Male sparrow brains grow larger when housed with females, with increases of 15-20% in brain regions controlling song production. Social cues influence the birds' breeding efforts and song behavior, revealing new insights into the avian brain's plasticity.
VA-10,367 has been shown to enhance the recovery of function following spinal cord injury through effects on neuronal regeneration. In a peripheral nerve injury model, the compound accelerated the days to onset of foot movement and walking, leading to recovery of function.
A study of genetically normal rats reveals that overfeeding during infancy can lead to changes in basic metabolism and reproductive issues in subsequent generations. The research, led by Elsie Taylor at the University of Washington, shows that even without genetic abnormalities, conditions during development can have lasting consequences.
A study by scientists at NIAID found that gene therapy can result in prolonged production of functionally normal white blood cells in patients with chronic granulomatous disease. This finding has important clinical implications for the treatment of this rare immunologic disorder.