A new study used neural networks to reveal how different kinds of training can change how learning happens. Training a simpler task first made neural networks respond more accurately to complex tasks, mirroring how living brains learn.
Researchers identified EFHD1 as a protein driving metabolic liver disease, triggering an antiviral immune response that can be blocked to protect against liver injury. Blocking EFHD1 shows promise in preventing liver damage, even on high-fat diets.
A new study surveyed 1,475 people on their attitudes towards antibiotic course length, finding that shorter courses are as effective and safer for pneumonia, but many people prefer longer courses due to misinformation. The study suggests more nuanced communication between doctors and patients is needed.
Researchers have found a new compound that promotes joint health and reduces inflammation-related genes in a model of osteoarthritis. The drug, M04, has shown promise as an innovative OA therapy by slowing down the disease process, giving people more years of pain-free living.
Researchers discovered that a brain protein called Arc helps spread toxic Tau from sick brain cells to healthy ones in mice. This finding suggests that targeting the spread of Tau could be a powerful tool to stop Alzheimer's disease progression. The study also highlights the potential protective role of Arc in early stages of the disease.
A study from University of Utah Health found that long-term occupational blast exposure is a risk factor for anger, even independently of other military exposures. Chronic low-level blast exposure is associated with a slightly higher risk of clinically documented anger, aggression, and violence.
A study by University of Utah Health found that older adults use cannabis edibles for non-psychoactive effects, seeking better quality of life. Many participants were influenced by positive anecdotes from friends or family members, highlighting the importance of word of mouth in their decision-making process.
Research finds association between high air pollution and increased risk of post-surgical complications, including sepsis, pneumonia, and surgical wound infection. Higher levels of PM2.5 air pollution above EPA daily limits increase risk by 8%.
A new CRISPR protein, Cas12a2, has shown potential for killing sick cells while leaving healthy ones untouched. Researchers have tested its effectiveness in destroying cancer cells and virus-infected cells with promising results.
Researchers found striking, decades-long cycles in US suicide rates, influenced by broad social forces. Suicide risk has been rising steadily for over half a century among young people, affecting each new generation earlier in life.
Researchers identify calcium as a key chemical signal that triggers immune cells during obsessive-compulsive and anxiety-related behaviors. This discovery establishes a new framework to study how anxiety arises and persists through calcium signals in microglia, potentially leading to targeted therapies.
Researchers have discovered that within the first few weeks of development, some embryo cells are already selected to take on particular roles in the peripheral nervous system. This finding overturns longstanding assumptions in biology and opens up new avenues for research into developmental diseases and potential therapies.
A new study found that high levels of air pollution can amplify the risk of suicide associated with heat stress, especially during the warm season. The researchers analyzed 7,500 suicide cases in Utah and found a strong synergistic effect of heat and nitrogen dioxide.
A new analysis found that wearing an Apple Watch with hypertension notifications can increase the probability of having hypertension in younger adults, while decreasing it in older adults. The study also revealed racial and ethnic disparities in cardiovascular health, highlighting the need for targeted screening and treatment.
A preliminary study suggests that red light therapy can protect against brain inflammation caused by repetitive head impacts in collegiate football players. The treatment, which involves shining near-infrared light at the brain through the skull, appeared to be effective in reducing inflammation throughout almost all regions of the brain.
Researchers found a progressive shift in RNA contents of sperm with age, potentially contributing to health risks of having kids later in life. The discovery may lead to improved fertility outcomes and diagnostic tools.
Researchers identified a specific type of gut bacteria, Turicibacter, that promotes metabolic health and reduces weight gain in mice. The bacterium produces fatty molecules that are absorbed by the small intestine, improving ceramide levels and preventing excessive weight gain.
A new genetic study found that people without prior suicidal thoughts or behaviors have fewer psychiatric diagnoses and genetic risk factors for psychiatric conditions compared to those with known suicidality. This suggests that conventional wisdom on how to reduce suicide may need to be rethought.
Researchers at University of Utah Health have found that AKI is triggered by ceramides, which cause serious injury by damaging kidney mitochondria. Using a backup drug candidate, the team was able to preserve mitochondrial integrity and prevent kidney injury in mice.
Researchers have identified two groups of brain cells in mice that regulate anxiety - a 'gas pedal' that accelerates anxiety and a 'brake pedal' that prevents it. The discovery could lead to the development of new therapies for anxiety disorders by targeting these microglia.
Researchers find that malaria parasites use a chemical reaction powered by hydrogen peroxide decomposition to make their iron crystals spin. This motion may be crucial for the parasite's survival, helping it to eliminate excess toxic chemicals and efficiently store essential heme.
A study from University of Utah Health found that combining psilocybin group therapy with mindfulness training significantly reduced depression in healthcare workers. Nearly half of participants experienced complete remission of depression after just two weeks.
A study published in Science Advances found that the ketogenic diet can have potentially dangerous impacts on metabolic health, including impaired blood sugar regulation and fatty liver disease. Mice fed the diet developed severe metabolic complications, with some changes starting within days.
A new study aims to uncover the link between high blood pressure, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia using a vast repository of blood samples. The project will analyze these samples for biomarkers that diagnose Alzheimer's-related brain changes.
A new survey found that the high cost of legal cannabis products is a significant barrier for many participants, while access to unbiased information helps people avoid illicit products. Understanding patients' difficulties in accessing safe products can guide strategies to make the process easier.
A new study published in PLOS One identifies unexpected 'danger zones' when the risk of going hungry is highest among Utah refugees, highlighting the need for timely interventions and improved information to reduce food insecurity. Researchers propose increasing access to gardens and empowering refugees with resources to thrive.
Researchers discovered that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) leads to blood clotting due to a lack of layilin protein, which prevents platelets from forming unwanted clots. A drug targeting Rac1 activity could reduce excessive clotting and alleviate day-to-day IBD symptoms.
Dr. Mary Jo Pugh has made significant contributions to understanding the full range of TBI's effects, including dementia, substance use disorder, and cardiovascular disease. Her research uses big data integration to analyze patterns hidden in health data and inform preemptive interventions for veterans with TBI.
Researchers found that Ozempic-induced weight loss decreased lean mass by 10% in mice, with most of the lost weight coming from non-skeletal tissues. While some skeletal muscles did shrink, others stayed the same size, and strength was affected for some but not all muscles.
Researchers discovered hibernator-specific DNA regions near the FTO locus that regulate metabolism, allowing hibernators to pack on fat reserves before hibernation. These findings could lead to treatments for human metabolic disorders by tuning up or down gene activity like an orchestra conductor fine-tunes music volume.
New research shows that weight stigma and not weight itself have the biggest impact on mental health and healthy behaviors in patients after weight-loss surgery. This reduction in weight stigma is linked to improvements in both mental and physical health, including lower levels of anxiety and depression.
Researchers created genetically modified fruit flies that become addicted to cocaine, revealing a potential model for understanding and treating cocaine use disorder. The study's findings suggest that the key to preventing cocaine addiction lies in the flies' ability to detect bitter flavors, which can be mimicked in humans.
A study of all-women extreme divers off the coast of Korea found two genetic changes that could aid their diving ability, lowering blood pressure and improving pain tolerance to cold. The researchers hope this discovery will advance care for health conditions like stroke related to high blood pressure.
Researchers at the University of Utah have developed RiskPath, an Explainable AI toolkit that predicts disease progression years before symptoms manifest. The technology analyzes health data to identify high-risk individuals with unprecedented accuracy, offering new insights into risk factor interactions and disease development.
Mathematical modeling research from University of Utah Health suggests that treating moderate cases with antibiotics could limit the spread of cholera and reduce the likelihood of antibiotic resistance. In areas where cholera spreads slowly, aggressive antibiotic use may even stop outbreaks entirely.
A team of researchers has developed a comprehensive atlas of genetic change through generations, revealing that parts of the human genome change much faster than previously known. This discovery has significant implications for understanding human disease and evolution, including the roots of genetic diseases.
Two brain proteins, Imp and Sdc, play a crucial role in preventing seizures by regulating neuronal growth and brain circuit development. Reducing either protein can lead to seizure-prone behavior in flies, highlighting their importance in seizure regulation.
Wesley Sundquist's lab developed lenacapavir, an exceptionally effective HIV-preventing drug with 99.9 to 100 percent efficacy in clinical trials involving tens of thousands of people. The drug has the potential to dramatically decrease infection rates worldwide if distributed broadly.
A new study found that Clostridium difficile infection spreads more than three times more than previously thought within intensive care units, with bacteria moving between patients and hospital surfaces. The researchers tracked bacterial movement using whole genome DNA sequencing and discovered cases of potential transmission that woul...
Scientists have identified COVID-derived molecular mimics that trigger autoimmunity, with some associated with type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. The study suggests people with specific genetics may be at higher risk of COVID-induced autoimmunity.
Research in mice found that early-life gut microbes shape insulin-producing cell development and reduce long-term changes in metabolism and diabetes risk. Exposure to a fungus called Candida dubliniensis during infancy may also promote lifelong metabolic health by supporting the growth of insulin-producing cells.
Researchers at the University of Utah Health have identified a gene variant called CNTN2 that may protect against PIGA-CDG, an ultra-rare genetic disease causing seizures and developmental delays. This finding could lead to better therapies for PIGA-CDG by targeting multiple genes involved in symptom severity.
Researchers found that specific brain signals and groups of brain cells are involved in alcohol-induced insomnia, which could lead to targeted treatments for sleep loss. The study suggests that targeting specific brain cells may help people recover from alcohol use disorder.
A new AI-based analysis of almost 10,000 pregnancies has discovered previously unidentified combinations of risk factors linked to serious negative pregnancy outcomes. The study found that there may be up to a tenfold difference in risk for infants who are currently treated identically under clinical guidelines.
A new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that COVID-19 infection significantly increases the rate of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) among COVID-19 survivors. Nearly eight times more people with ME/CFS were infected with SARS-CoV-2 than those without, according to the research.
A new gene therapy has reversed the effects of heart failure in a large animal model by increasing blood pumping efficiency and dramatically improving survival rates. The therapy restored critical functions of heart cells and improved heart function on the microscopic level.
Researchers have discovered that seemingly 'broken' genes in coronaviruses are retained due to their functional role beyond protein production. These extra genes help control the activity of other viral genes.
A new award at University of Utah Health recognizes the importance of a diverse scientific community. The Administrative Supplement to Recognize Excellence in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Mentorship award aims to enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in biomedical sciences.
Scientists have discovered a crucial protein called DMT1 that enables single-celled malaria parasites to use iron, essential for survival and reproduction. Blocking this protein may lead to effective antimalarial drugs.
A new genetic labeling tool has revealed patterns in brain extracellular matrix (ECM) in mice, including differences in matrix deposition on various neuron types. The tool allows for detection of changes in ECM over time, providing insights into brain development and function.