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Science News Archive January 2013 - Page 17


Page 17 of 27

Major step toward an Alzheimer's vaccine

Researchers at Université Laval have identified a molecule that stimulates the activity of the brain's immune cells, which could lead to a treatment and vaccine for Alzheimer's disease. Weekly injections of MPL eliminated up to 80% of senile plaques in mice with Alzheimer's symptoms, improving cognitive function.

SourceUniversité Laval·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 15, 2013

Virtual heart sheds new light on heart defect

Researchers developed a virtual heart model to investigate atrial fibrillation, revealing electrical heterogeneity and fibre structure as key factors in the condition's initiation. The study provides new insights into the complex mechanisms underlying AF, paving the way for potential treatments.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalInterface Focus·DateJan 15, 2013

Exon skipping to restore gene expression is promising therapeutic strategy for muscular dystrophy

Researchers developed a new gene therapy approach called exon skipping, which bypasses disease-causing mutations in genes to restore normal expression and protein production. This strategy has shown promising results in treating muscular dystrophy, with improved muscle force and increased body weight and muscle mass.

Facebook posts not easily forgotten

A new study found that Facebook posts are remarkably memorable, outperforming both human faces and sentences from books in terms of retention. The researchers suggest that this is due to the casual, gossipy language used in microblogs, which taps into people's basic language capacities.

SourceSpringer·JournalMemory & Cognition·DateJan 15, 2013

Alternative medicine use high among children with chronic conditions: UAlberta medical research

A recent study published in Pediatrics found that 71% of pediatric patients attending specialty clinics in Edmonton used alternative medicine, while only 42% did so in Ottawa. The study highlights a need for better communication between doctors and parents about alternative medicine use, which can lead to potential drug interactions.

Childhood obesity linked to more immediate health problems than previously thought

A new UCLA study reveals that obese youngsters are at far greater risk of having three or more reported medical, mental, or developmental conditions compared to their non-overweight peers. The researchers found a nearly twice the risk of obesity, as well as a higher likelihood of poorer health, disability, and emotional problems.