A study published in 2001 found that patients with autism who received secretin showed no statistically significant improvements in core symptoms compared to those who received a placebo. The researchers tested porcine secretin and found no improvement in secondary measures of autism either.
Researchers found that deaf people's brains process vibrations in the same part of the brain as sound, leading to a similar musical experience. This discovery challenges the long-held belief that brains are hardwired at birth and instead shows that our genes provide a developmental strategy for brain organization.
Astronomers detected sodium in the atmosphere of a gas giant exoplanet orbiting a yellow star. The team used Hubble's spectrometer to analyze light passing through the planet's atmosphere, revealing less sodium than expected, which may indicate high-altitude clouds blocking some light.
Researchers found osteopontin is present in higher levels in the brains of individuals with MS and mice models. Osteopontin's presence may accelerate disease progression, prompting efforts to block its effects.
A double-blind study conducted in China found that chlorophyllin supplements reduced DNA damage related to aflatoxin exposure in healthy adults. The study showed a 55% reduction in aflatoxin damage, which could lead to a lower risk of liver cancer.
The Purdue-based center will focus on bioremediation and phytoremediation to clean up pollution. It will work with state governments, local communities, and industry to revitalize polluted sites using cost-effective natural remediation technologies.
Canadian researchers found high levels of PhIP, a suspected mammary carcinogen, in human breast milk, particularly in samples from women who consumed grilled meats. To minimize exposure, experts recommend reducing cooked meat intake, avoiding charbroiled or well-done meats, and exploring alternative cooking methods.
Researchers at UW-Madison found that female rats have an improved protective reaction to oxygen deprivation, suggesting a role for estrogen in respiratory control. The study suggests that gender hormones may be a factor in the development of obstructive sleep apnea, particularly in women.
According to Roger J. Pomerantz, M.D., physicians should treat HIV-infected individuals when their CD4 lymphocyte count is below 350 or their HIV RNA level exceeds 50,000, rather than immediately upon diagnosis.