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BMC (BioMed Central)


Giving lithium to those who need it

New research found that lithium-responsive patients exhibit increased expression of anti-apoptotic genes like Bcl2 and IRS2, while those who don't respond show decreased Bcl2 levels. This study provides insight into personalized treatment for bipolar disorder.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBiology of Mood & Anxiety Disorders·DateSep 21, 2012

Charting the SH2 pool

A study in Cell Communication and Signaling reveals an extensive interactome of over 500 novel interactions between SH2 domains and phosphotyrosine peptides. The researchers identified six general classes of SH2 domain specificity, which may control the selectivity of individual domains.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalCell Communication and Signaling·DateSep 13, 2012

Improving diagnosis of thyroid nodules

Researchers developed a Bayesian Artificial Neural Network model to analyze gene expression levels from over 90 FNA samples. The model identified eight biomarkers capable of distinguishing between malignant and benign tumours with high accuracy. This approach could potentially reduce the number of people with benign nodules undergoing ...

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Cancer·DateSep 6, 2012

Lifestyle of a killer

Researchers found Hematodinium sp. and its sister species are a major problem for crab fisheries, causing 'bitter crab' disease. The parasites have bacteria-like endosymbionts that increase their chances of survival outside the shrimp, leading to significant damage to infected crustaceans.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalAquatic Biosystems·DateSep 6, 2012

No more sneezing, allergen-free house plants

Researchers have genetically engineered a type of house plant to be long-lived and produce flowers without pollen. The modified plants also exhibit improved growth characteristics, such as increased branching and leaf density. This breakthrough is great news for gardeners who want to enjoy their plants for longer periods.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Plant Biology·DateAug 30, 2012

The wasp that never cries wolf

Researchers found a direct relationship between the brightness of European paper wasps' colours and the size of their poison glands. This colouration serves as an honest signal to predators that the wasp is strong and healthy, potentially wasting energy on bright patterns.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalFrontiers in Zoology·DateAug 19, 2012

What's best for very low birth weight babies

A new study found that VLBW infants fed more than 75% human milk grew slower than those fed less than 75%. Fortifying human milk with protein and calories can help improve growth rates. The research suggests that a balanced approach is necessary to provide the benefits of human milk without sacrificing growth.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Pediatrics·DateAug 16, 2012

Lace plants explain programmed cell death

Researchers have documented the physiological events in lace plant leaves during programmed cell death (PCD), revealing how cells dismantle and disappear. The study used long-term live cell imaging and staining to observe the progression of PCD, which is essential for producing the characteristic holes in the leaves.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Plant Biology·DateJul 24, 2012

Open for business: Open access journals reaching the same scientific impact as subscription journals

A new study published in BMC Medicine has found that open access journals are producing high-quality peer-reviewed articles with a similar scientific impact to traditional subscription journals. The study compared the citation rates of over 610 open access journals and over 7,000 subscription journals, finding that the differences disa...

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Medicine·DateJul 16, 2012

Could a larger waistline be a result of too much TV as a child?

A new study found that young children who watched more hours of TV had worse muscular fitness and larger waist sizes by adolescence. This correlation could lead to increased risk of adult health problems if left unaddressed. Researchers recommend reducing screen time for toddlers to promote healthy physical development.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·DateJul 15, 2012

Overweight? There's a vaccine for that

Researchers developed two somatostatin vaccinations that reduce body weight and increase energy expenditure in diet-induced obese male mice. The vaccines induce antibodies to somatostatin, effectively removing inhibition on growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalJournal of Animal Science and Biotechnology·DateJul 8, 2012

EEG test to identify autism in children

A new EEG test distinguishes between children with autism and neurotypical controls by analyzing brain connectivity. The test reveals reduced short-range connectivity in the left hemisphere, particularly in language regions, but increased long-distance connectivity as a compensatory mechanism.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Medicine·DateJun 25, 2012

'Bad' dieting increases cardiovascular disease risk

A 25-year study in Northern Sweden found that a switch to low-carbohydrate diets after reducing fat intake led to an increase in cholesterol levels, indicating a higher cardiovascular risk. Despite initial success in reducing cholesterol levels through dietary changes, the population's BMI continued to rise over time.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalNutrition Journal·DateJun 10, 2012

Reducing post-traumatic stress after ICU

A new study published in Critical Care found that women are more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress after leaving an ICU, but a follow-up scheme has been shown to significantly reduce their symptoms. The study suggests that early intervention is crucial for women at high risk of PTSD.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalCritical Care·DateMay 13, 2012

Breastfeeding is associated with a healthy infant gut

A new study published in Genome Biology reveals that breastfeeding leads to a wider range of beneficial microbes in the infant's gut compared to formula feeding. The research also shows that breastfed infants' immune systems have developed to cope with the differences, promoting intestinal stability and defense against pathogens.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalGenome Biology·DateApr 29, 2012