Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive August 2018 - Page 8


Page 8 of 41

Paternal diet and offspring health

A new study suggests that paternal diet influences offspring health by affecting sperm DNA methylation tags and seminal plasma immunological responses. Mice fed a low-protein diet had overweight offspring with dysfunctional metabolism, highlighting the importance of a healthy father's nutrition for child well-being.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 27, 2018

Diseased heart muscle cells have abnormally shortened telomeres, Stanford researchers find

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine discovered that people with cardiomyopathy have abnormally short telomeres in their heart muscle cells. This finding opens the door to new research and drug discovery, potentially allowing for the identification of individuals at risk for heart failure due to genetic defects.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 27, 2018

Care coordination improves health of older patients with multiple chronic diseases

A large study found that care coordination strategies significantly reduce symptoms of depression and improve health in seniors with multiple chronic diseases. The review included 25 studies and 12,579 older adults, highlighting the potential benefits of managing co-existing chronic illnesses in a coordinated manner.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateAug 27, 2018

Antithrombin drug not effective in heart failure with sinus rhythm and coronary disease

The COMMANDER HF trial found that rivaroxaban did not significantly reduce the risk of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke in patients with recent worsening of chronic heart failure and coronary artery disease. Rivaroxaban was associated with a lower rate of nonfatal stroke, but a higher risk of major bleeding compared to placebo.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 27, 2018

Physicians deserve answers as public service loan forgiveness program hangs in the balance

Health policy experts argue that expunging the program could worsen educational debt in America and threaten the medical workforce. The authors call for clarity and swift decisions to resolve the uncertainty, which is particularly unfair to recent graduates who are already facing significant loan debt.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateAug 27, 2018

Algae a threat to walleye vision, study finds

A new study led by Ohio State University found that algae poses a greater threat to freshwater fish vision than sediment, causing a 40% decrease in their ability to see in cloudy water. This could jeopardize the future of walleye and other fish populations if harmful algal blooms persist.

SourceOhio State University·JournalConservation Physiology·DateAug 27, 2018

Providing care for transgender patients

The article highlights the importance of providing care for transgender patients by incorporating patient-centered approaches and creating more inclusive healthcare environments. Key strategies include using preferred names, pronouns, and gender-affirming language, as well as training staff on trans-specific health issues.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateAug 27, 2018

Can 'microswimmers' swim through jelly?

Scientists from Tokyo Metropolitan University studied how microswimmers navigate gels with contrasting results based on swimmer features and size relative to the gel's mesh. They discovered two mechanisms for achieving motion, one through breaking time-reversal symmetry and the other by modulating arm amplitudes

SourceTokyo Metropolitan University·JournalEPL (Europhysics Letters)·DateAug 27, 2018

Drug reduces deaths and hospitalizations from underdiagnosed form of heart failure

A phase three clinical trial has shown that tafamidis can reduce deaths by 30% and cardiovascular-related hospitalizations by 32%. The treatment also slows the decline in quality of life among patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy. If approved, it would be the first medical therapy for this life-threatening disease.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 27, 2018

Beluga whales and narwhals go through menopause

Researchers discovered that beluga whales and narwhals undergo menopause, mirroring killer whales' behavior. This reproductive strategy may have evolved due to increased relatedness among family members and the need for older females to contribute to group survival through knowledge sharing.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 27, 2018

Study defines mechanisms behind focused-ultrasound-assisted treatment of brain tumors

A study defines mechanisms behind focused-ultrasound-assisted treatment of brain tumors, improving drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier and into abnormal tumor tissues. The approach enhances permeability of endothelial cells lining tumor blood vessels, increasing cellular uptake of anti-cancer drugs.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 27, 2018

HIV RNA expression inhibitors may restore immune function in HIV-infected individuals

A study by Boston University School of Medicine researchers suggests that HIV RNA expression inhibitors can diminish atypical inflammation and restore immune function in HIV-infected individuals on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Chronic viral infection leads to immune activation, causing non-AIDS complications such as cardi...

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 27, 2018

Jupiter had growth disorders

Researchers have proposed a new model for Jupiter's birth, revealing three distinct phases of growth. The first phase was characterized by rapid accretion of small pebbles and core building, followed by slower accretion of larger planetesimals that brought energy to the growing planet.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Astronomy·DateAug 27, 2018