As humans age, their brains receive increased load from the heart's beating due to stiffening large arteries, causing damage to smallest blood vessels. The hippocampus, crucial for episodic memory, is particularly vulnerable to this increased stress.
A research team led by Jonas Barandun has discovered a near-atomic model of the smallest known eukaryotic cytoplasmic ribosome found in microsporidia. The study reveals that microsporidian ribosomes have lost essential genes and expansion segments, allowing them to survive with a highly compacted genome.
Researchers at Umeå University found that snoring can cause swallowing dysfunction and lead to obstructive sleep apnea due to vibratory damage. The study also showed that muscle fibers in the soft palate lacked or had disturbed structural proteins, hindering healing processes.
Researchers found that Candida albicans exploits lack of oxygen to cause disease by evading immune cells and thriving in deep-seeded body sites. The fungus uses low oxygen environments to become more virulent and causes life-threatening, systemic disease.
Researchers at Umeå University discovered that Vibrio cholerae uses nitrate respiration to control its population expansion and survival, even in the absence of oxygen. This smart metabolic mechanism allows the bacterium to thrive in the intestine's low-oxygen environment.
The Umeå University researchers created a method called Multi-directional Activity Control (MAC), which allows for real-time observation and control of cell signaling pathways. Using this technology, they successfully controlled the shuttling of proteins and organelles between different compartments in a single cell.
River greenhouse gas emissions from Siberia's Ob River peak in areas where permafrost degrades, emitting large parts of the carbon received. This finding highlights the importance of studying Western Siberian rivers' role in the global carbon cycle.
A new study by Umea University researchers found that browning in lakes has a limited impact on fish populations, affecting only lakes with average depths of 2-3.5 meters. This suggests that the expected decline in fish populations due to browning is less severe than previously thought
Scientists from Umeå University have discovered a new toxin, MakA, produced by Vibrio cholerae bacteria. The toxin affects both vertebrate and invertebrate hosts, causing damage to the intestinal system, and is transported through the flagellum filamentous structure.
Researchers at Umeå University have discovered that adenovirus binds to polysialic acid, a carbohydrate receptor overexpressed on certain types of cancer cells. This finding opens new possibilities for using adenovirus as a treatment for corresponding types of cancer.
A new EU grant of EUR 2.5 million will fund research on the sexual biology of malaria parasites to develop novel intervention targets. The project aims to map the functions of approximately 700 parasite genes involved in sexual reproduction to prevent malaria transmission by mosquitoes.
Scientists at Umea University have developed a technique to track the carbon metabolism of plants over their entire lifetime, using tree rings. This method provides valuable information for refining climate models and assessing plant role in reducing CO2 concentration.
A study from Umea University found that people who use moist snuff have significantly higher levels of protein cornulin in their blood. Lifestyle factors can influence background levels, and the researchers hope to find disease-detecting proteins in the future.
A new diagnostic method uses corneal microscopy to detect nerve damage in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The study found that corneal nerve density is lower in those with type 2 diabetes, with increased reduction over time.
Researchers aim to develop concepts for designing digital things that prioritize transparency and understanding. The study focuses on the complexities of digital products and systems, exploring how they collect and use personal data.
Researchers have developed LECs that emit bright light with a high brightness of 2,000 cd/m2 and an electron-to-photon efficiency of 27.5 percent, surpassing existing technologies like fluorescent tubes and LEDs. This breakthrough enables efficient and practical operation of LEC components in various fields.
Researchers found epigenetic changes in the CRH gene, a key player in the body's stress system, are linked to serious suicide attempts and psychiatric illness. The study suggests environmental factors can affect genetic expression, highlighting the importance of regulating the stress system for mental health.
Research from Umea University shows that jawbone loss caused by periodontitis precedes and correlates with rheumatoid arthritis. Elevated levels of RANKL in the blood also indicate a causal link between the two conditions.
Research reveals a connection between genetic innate immunity deficiencies and high-risk children for dental caries. Children with defective salivary proteins are more susceptible to caries, even without bad eating habits or oral hygiene routines.
A long-term study found that 20% of women self-rated their health as worse than peers in 2014, compared to 8.5% in 1990. The researchers suggest tougher working conditions, burnouts, and societal expectations may contribute to the negative trend among young women.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that intensive blood pressure lowering treatment does not reduce death or cardiovascular disease in healthy individuals with a systolic blood pressure below 140mmHg. Treatment's beneficial effect is limited to trials in people with coronary heart disease.
A team of researchers has discovered a new function of the gene-regulatory protein CBP, which affects the recruitment and release of RNA polymerase from genes. This finding enhances our understanding of gene regulation and provides insights into why CBP is often affected in certain forms of cancer.
Recent research finds that Obamacare has reversed the trend of declining social trust in the US, as worsening health no longer negatively impacts citizens' generalized trust. The study, published in Social Science & Medicine, is based on two consecutive panel studies from the US General Social Survey.
Researchers at Umea University have discovered a plant protein that limits aphid feeding behavior, resulting in reduced sap ingestion and fewer offspring on resistant plants. The protein is thought to occlude the narrow food canal of the aphid, providing a new avenue for developing more sustainable crop resistance.
Researchers identify a novel connection between highly variant types of Streptococcus mutans and rampant caries in high-risk children. High-risk children carry more virulent variants of the bacteria with unique adhesive proteins that improve survival in the mouth.
Researchers found that whitefish DNA in lake sediment dates back 10,000 years to Stora Lögdasjön, while Lake Hotagen was only colonized 2,200 years ago. This discovery provides insights into the spread of fish species and how they responded to climate change.
A recent study published in Nature Communications suggests that reindeer grazing can help protect tundra plant diversity in a warming climate. By allowing more plant species to co-exist and benefit from warmer conditions, reindeer can increase light availability and preserve small and slowly-growing plant species.
A new method using molecular spectroscopy enables researchers to extract biochemical profiles containing information about disease progression. The method facilitates improved understanding of the mechanistic processes on molecular and cellular levels that are key to developing diabetes.
A new study from Umeâ University reveals that bird genera inhabiting climatically stable areas have diversified into more species than their sister genera. Climatic stability reduced the risk of extinction and allowed diverging lineages to persist without going extinct or merging until speciation was completed.
A Swedish study found that biological treatments for psoriasis have a long-lasting positive impact on skin clearance and quality of life, even after switching between different medications. The study followed 583 individuals for up to 10 years and analyzed the effectiveness of treatments using three different measurements.
Researchers developed a model that uses satellite data to predict malaria outbreaks with one-month lead time, allowing for targeted resource allocation and public health responses.
Researchers at Umeå University have successfully mapped the structure and function of a transient enzyme state using X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. The study reveals that the transient state is essential for enzyme function and provides clues on how enzymes speed up reactions with incredible specificity and efficacy.
CIRC researcher Keith Larson will lead a citizen science project in Abisko, Sweden, where the public can help collect valuable climate change data and learn about climate research methods. The project aims to replicate a study from 1917-1919 and modernize it with new climate stations and smartphone app.
Researchers estimate the total volume of lake water to be around 184,000-199,000 km³, highlighting its relative scarcity compared to the ocean's massive 1.3 billion km³. Human activities like climate change and water diversion significantly impact lake quality and quantity.
Research from Umeå University found that women have a statistically significant lower incidence of severe psoriasis compared to men. Women with psoriasis had significantly lower median PASI values, indicating less severe disease.
Researchers at Umeå University have created detailed 3D maps of the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The data includes information on cell volume and coordinates, providing a valuable resource for studying diabetes.
The study reveals that H. pylori uses a pH-responsive mechanism to detach from old cells before reaching the gastric acid, allowing it to rapidly recycle the infection. This adaptive mechanism enables only the best-fit bacterial cells to survive and fortify the chronic infection.
Scientists at Umeå University discovered a protein interaction that slows down a key chemical reaction in the bacteria Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. This finding opens up new avenues for studying the regulation of bacterial virulence, which can help develop new treatments for infections.
Researchers at Umeå University discover a new mechanism for protein EHD2, which stabilizes the cell membrane by forming oligomers. This discovery sheds light on the role of caveolae in maintaining cellular structure and function.
A new study predicts that climate change will convert much of temperate grasslands and deserts to subtropical vegetation, leading to changes in precipitation and soil moisture. This shift could have significant impacts on ecological services and human populations, particularly for agriculture and ecosystems.
A study of over 33,000 people found that preventing adult weight gain can reduce type 2 diabetes cases twice as much as targeting high-risk individuals, and that population-based strategies could prevent nearly one in five diabetes cases if everyone who gained weight maintained their weight.
A study of 2,646 Swedish psoriasis patients found that nearly one in five still experienced high disease activity despite ongoing systemic treatment. The authors suggest increasing access to biologics and exploring new treatments, as well as supporting lifestyle improvements for better outcomes.
Research at Umeå University found a sevenfold increase in methylmercury in zooplankton due to altered food web structures. Climate change scenarios predict similar increases, highlighting the need for considering effects on ecosystems and human exposure.
A Rift Valley fever outbreak has been reported in Niger, with 64 human cases and 23 deaths confirmed. Umeå University's Osama Ahmed Hassan joined a UN expert mission to develop action plans to curb the spread of the disease. The mission aimed to implement short-, mid- and long-term strategies to prevent further outbreaks.
Researchers have created a locally feasible method to estimate maternal mortality rates, providing insights into the effectiveness of local interventions. The approach has shown improved reproductive health and reduced pregnancy-related deaths in the Tigray region.
A recent study from Umeå University found that young salmon's desire to migrate to the sea is partly limited by their fear of the unknown downstream. Researchers used anxiolytic medication to treat the salmon and found that treated fish migrated nearly twice as fast as untreated ones.
Researchers have visualized the reaction of water molecules forming oxygen in plants, paving the way for studying this process step-by-step. This breakthrough could lead to developing technology to produce hydrogen gas from solar energy, mitigating climate change.
Researchers have found a strong association between El Niáo-Southern Oscillation conditions and observed weather in Sri Lanka, leading to exacerbated dengue epidemics. The study used the Oceanic Niño Index to quantify data associations and found an increasing relative risk of dengue with increasing rainfall and temperatures.
The ZikaPLAN consortium aims to address knowledge gaps, prevent disease spread, and educate affected populations in Latin America. The global network will also build sustainable response capacity for Zika and other emerging infectious diseases.
A group of researchers at Umeå University studied the effects of improved methods for restoring Swedish streams, including adding large boulders and trees. The results showed that while complex channels and watercourses can be easily created, reintroducing plants and aquatic animals takes time and patience.