A new AI tool can identify sperm in severely infertile men in seconds, compared to the hours it takes scientists. The algorithm improves antiquated approaches and increases the chance of a couple conceiving their own biological children while reducing stress on sperm and increasing efficiency.
A study found that more than 40% of women who froze their eggs in their 30s were able to have babies when they returned to the fertility clinic. However, many didn't return or used other fertility treatments. Women who used frozen eggs had a lower miscarriage rate compared to those using fresh eggs.
Researchers have discovered that gene editing technologies may introduce unintended mutations and damage to DNA in early human embryos. The study found that most cells repair breaks in the DNA using non-homologous end joining, which can lead to additional genetic abnormalities.
A large randomized clinical trial found that culturing embryos for three days versus five days in the lab has no significant impact on live birth rates. Women's age affects outcomes, with younger women aged under 36 experiencing better results from cleavage-stage transfers.
A nationwide study of nearly two million women found that those with PCOS who have undergone menopause are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The risk was also significantly higher for a type of ovarian tumor known as serous borderline, which can lead to cancer later on.
Research found that women treated for childhood Hodgkin lymphoma may experience declining fertility and longer wait times to become pregnant, but overall success rates are high. The majority of women in the study who had tried to become pregnant were successful, with some being able to conceive at a younger age.
A small study suggests that vaginal progesterone treatment can increase the chances of conception in couples with unexplained infertility. The treatment, which is safe and low-cost, showed more than double the birth rate among treated women, but further research is needed to confirm these results.
New study finds that men who suffered from mild COVID-19 have lower sperm concentrations and motility even three months after recovery. The researchers believe that the virus may cause permanent damage to male fertility, leading to long-term decline in semen quality.
Researchers have found that embryos in pregnancies ending in miscarriage take four days longer to develop in the womb than those in live births. This delay is associated with a higher likelihood of miscarriage and may be used to estimate pregnancy outcomes.
Researchers developed a new tool to diagnose and assess sarcopenia using musculoskeletal ultrasound scans, which provides a muscle quality scoring system. The technique is validated with anatomical and histological samples and has potential applications in other muscle diseases and sports rehabilitation.
A recent study published in Human Reproduction found a significant association between prenatal alcohol exposure and changes in children's facial features. The research used AI to analyze three-dimensional images of children's faces at ages nine and thirteen, revealing that mothers' alcohol consumption before and during pregnancy can h...
A recent study at Ruhr-University Bochum found that interactive online teaching can increase students' physiological state of arousal compared to passive online or face-to-face teaching. Students in interactive online classes reported feeling more involved and attentive but also experienced increased anxiety.
A new AI algorithm, STORK-A, can predict IVF embryo viability with 70% accuracy, reducing the need for invasive genetic testing. The algorithm analyzes microscope images of embryos and incorporates information about maternal age and IVF clinic scoring to detect aneuploidy.
A new protocol for live imaging of adult C. elegans has been developed, extending imaging time to over two hours while avoiding heat stress in the specimen. This breakthrough allows for high-resolution imaging of cell dynamics and developmental processes.
A 14% decrease in live births was observed in Europe nine months after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and first lockdowns. The decline may be linked to lockdowns rather than COVID-19 infection, with countries experiencing longer lockdowns having lower birth rates.
A team of scientists uncovered fossilized remains of galeaspids, a type of jawless fish that breathed new life into the long-standing fin and limb evolutionary hypothesis. The fossils revealed paired fins extending from head to tail, contradicting previous assumptions of their absence.
A fossil discovery has revealed that ancient fish possessed paired fins, challenging the current understanding of vertebrate fin evolution. The findings suggest that these fins first evolved as a continuous head-to-tail precursor, which later differentiated into pectoral and pelvic fins.
Children born to mothers with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at a higher risk of developing infections, allergies, and other childhood illnesses by age 13. The study found that children of mothers with PCOS were 32% more likely to be admitted to hospital for various health problems.
A study reveals how consumer DNA testing is changing the way people seek information about genetic relatives in donor conception, including ethnic estimates and tracing half-siblings. The widespread availability of commercial DNA databanks is transforming the landscape of donor conception.
A large study analyzing over 4.5 million pregnancies found that frozen embryo transfers in IVF are associated with a substantially higher risk of hypertensive disorders, particularly pre-eclampsia, compared to naturally conceived pregnancies. The risk was roughly doubled for FETs, while fresh embryo transfers had similar outcomes.
A recent study of over 5,000 women found that having a baby after breast cancer diagnosis does not negatively impact survival rates. Women who had hormone-receptor positive breast cancer and became mothers showed similar or increased survival compared to those without children.
A review suggests that women timing their intercourse with urine-based hormone tests can increase their chances of conceiving. The study found that timed intercourse resulted in a 20-28% chance of pregnancy, compared to 18% for spontaneous intercourse.
A new study found that probiotics did not improve vaginal health in women with an imbalance in their microbiota. However, 34% of women showed spontaneous improvement over a period of one to three months. The study suggests that postponing fertility treatment until a normal balance is achieved may be beneficial.
A large-scale study of intrauterine insemination cycles found that frozen sperm samples have similar clinical pregnancy rates to fresh samples. However, time-to-pregnancy was slightly longer for the frozen sperm group. The results provide reassurance to patients undergoing fertility treatment.
A new study analyzing 171 trials and almost 37,000 subjects found that short GnRH antagonist protocols significantly reduced the risk of OHSS in IVF patients with predicted normal or high response. In contrast, long GnRH agonist protocols showed little effect on live birth rates but increased the risk of OHSS.
A study published in Human Reproduction found that smoking by mothers during the periconceptional period is associated with delayed embryonic development, smaller foetuses at the 20-week ultrasound scan, and lower birth weights. The delay in embryonic development was found to have a greater impact in the second trimester of pregnancy.
Researchers from the University of Barcelona discovered that embryonic development signals can also control cancer cell growth, inhibiting proliferation and inducing differentiation in lung cancer cells. The study's findings have implications for developing new therapeutic strategies to fight lung cancer.
A team of researchers at Kumamoto University successfully created complex 3D kidney tissue in the lab using mouse embryonic stem cells. The breakthrough could lead to advances in kidney research and potentially even transplantable organs.
A new study reveals that butterfly transparency is not only for camouflage but also to signal toxicity. Researchers found that transparent wings can serve both purposes, allowing butterflies to 'cheat' by having the best of both worlds - visibility in sunlight and concealment in shadows.
Researchers at the University of Kent identified strong evidence-based benefits of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) in IVF. Live birth rates per embryo transferred and per treatment cycle were significantly higher with PGT-A compared to regular IVF, especially in women over 40.
Researchers have detected the earliest effects of Huntington's disease in the first two weeks of human embryonic development. The findings suggest that the disease process starts decades earlier than previously thought, and point to new approaches for finding treatments.
A new study provides evidence supporting the involvement of aquaporins in corneal cell proliferation and nerve regeneration, suggesting AQP5 induction as a potential therapy to accelerate corneal defect resurfacing. The study found that AQP5 deficiency can slow down corneal epithelial repair, but its specific mechanism remained unclear.
A new gene ZFP541 has been discovered by researchers at Kumamoto University to control the completion of meiosis in spermatogenesis. The study found that ZFP541 plays an essential role in regulating meiosis and is expressed in late meiotic prophase, binding to regulatory regions of meiosis-related genes.
A team of scientists at the University of Tsukuba created a computer simulation that models the Delta-Notch signaling pathway in biliary cell differentiation. The study reveals the importance of fine-grained differentiation and proper development, dependent on the rates of production of Delta ligands and Notch receptors.
A survey of 1,590 Australian IVF patients found that 82% have used fertility add-ons despite limited evidence supporting their effectiveness. The most commonly used add-ons were acupuncture and preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy, with significant costs associated with these treatments.
A large study found that pregnant women using over-the-counter painkillers have a higher risk of preterm delivery, stillbirth, and neonatal death. Healthcare guidance for pregnant women regarding non-prescription painkiller use should be reassessed.
A large cohort study found a higher risk of pre-eclampsia and hypertension in pregnancies derived from frozen-thawed embryos, particularly when hormone replacement therapies were used. The study suggests that preparation of the uterus with hormones may have harmful effects on vascular pathologies.
A new study found that a double stimulation approach, known as DuoStim, is as efficient as conventional two cycles of ovarian stimulation and reduces the time to pregnancy in predicted poor responders. This strategy recruits multiple follicles on any day of the cycle, benefiting patients with low egg collection and high treatment failu...
A retrospective observational study in the UK suggests that IVF clinics are retrieving an excessive number of oocytes, with some women having over 50 eggs collected during a single procedure. The high number of oocytes retrieved may lead to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and emotional distress for patients.
A new assessment tool has been found to predict ovarian damage in girls with cancer, helping doctors determine which patients should undergo fertility preservation. The Edinburgh selection criteria identify high-risk patients who are more likely to develop premature ovarian failure.
A large cohort study found that the transfer of embryos at the blastocyst stage and increasing use of embryo freezing are behind the improvements in IVF success rates. The study showed a significant increase in cumulative live birth rates over the decade, with single blastocyst transfers emerging as an increasing strategy.
A 18-year follow-up study of babies born from treatments including ICSI and frozen embryo transfer found no increased cancer risk in ART-conceived offspring. The study compared outcomes between ART children and those conceived naturally or with fertility drugs, concluding that there is no overall increase in cancer risk for those born ...
A recent study found that women previously infected with COVID-19 have similar ovarian reserve and fertility treatment outcomes compared to those without a history of the virus. The study monitored hormone levels in 46 patients undergoing IVF in Spain between May and June 2020, revealing no variation in anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) lev...
A new study suggests that AI can visually distinguish between euploid and aneuploid embryos based on their cell activity, potentially removing the need for cell biopsy in embryo testing. The AI-based system achieved 73% sensitivity and specificity in its results, offering a fast and economical alternative to current non-invasive methods.
Researchers found a large number of macrophages migrate to the liver after resection, influencing cell growth and metabolism. The study revealed essential roles of macrophages in mouse liver recovery from massive resections.
Researchers discovered the glasswing butterfly's unique wing structure, creating transparency through a lower density of scale cells and nanostructures. The findings also revealed an anti-glare coating made of waxy hydrocarbon nanopillars, making butterflies nearly invisible to predators.
A study published in Human Reproduction found that women who drink alcohol are less likely to conceive, with heavy drinking associated with a 61% reduced odds of becoming pregnant. Moderate drinking during the luteal phase also linked to lower conception rates, highlighting the importance of avoiding alcohol for those trying to conceive.
A recent study found that dragonflies from the Yaeyama and Taiwan islands, despite being geographically close, have higher genetic diversity than expected due to island fragmentation. This discovery suggests that historical dispersal events may have influenced genetic exchange between islands.
A study published in Human Reproduction found a link between ozone in air pollution and an increased risk of developing fibroids among Black American women. Higher levels of ozone were associated with a 35% increased risk of fibroids, particularly among younger women and those who had been pregnant.
Scientists have identified new biomarkers in exosomes produced by cancer stem cells, which could help diagnose and predict malignant melanoma. These biomarkers were found to be present in the blood of patients with different stages of the disease, distinguishing them from healthy individuals.
A study found a significant increase in boys born with undescended testicles in France between 2002 and 2014. The researchers identified clusters of cases in areas with high levels of environmental pollution from industries such as coal mining and metal works.
A new study reveals a significant increase in global twin births, with about 1.6 million twins born each year worldwide. The rate has risen by a third since the 1980s, mainly due to growth in medically assisted reproduction and delayed childbearing.
Children born through fertility treatment have different growth patterns than naturally-conceived children, but by age 17, they are similar in height, weight, and BMI. ART children grew more quickly in their first 18 months and showed a similar growth pattern as subfertile parents' children.
Researchers used CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to identify a gene responsible for regulating coral's response to heat stress. The study found that corals can die of starvation without the nutrients provided by photosynthesis, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts for fragile reef ecosystems.
A retrospective study of nearly a million pregnancies in the US found that men with metabolic syndrome had an increased risk of pregnancy loss, with risks increasing by 10-27% for each component. The study suggests that pre-conception counselling should not overlook the father's health as it may impact the pregnancy.
A team of researchers led by the University of Tsukuba examined five different stonefly species' eggs to understand their evolutionary relationships. They found that differences in egg structure, such as hard outer membranes and attachment structures, provided insight into the order's ground plan and evolutionary history.
Researchers used zebrafish to study the effects of chronic stress, finding that it can lead to anxiety-like conditions and serotonin metabolism deficits. The study suggests that zebrafish can be a valuable translational model for researching complex neurobiological conditions.
A new study published in the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology found that tanning bed use and sunburns may increase a woman's chances of developing endometriosis. The research analyzed data from over 116,000 women and found a higher risk among those who used tanning beds frequently or got sunburnt during teenage years.
A study published in Scientific Reports reveals that prepubertal male and female rats exhibit distinct immune responses to infection, with males exhibiting a more severe inflammatory reaction. The researchers suggest that the X chromosome may play a key role in determining this difference.
A recent study using CRISPR-Cas technology identified a key gene responsible for heat tolerance in corals, providing insights into their response to climate change. The research found that modifying this gene made coral larvae more susceptible to heat stress.