A new study from Western University identified the gene Panx1 as a key regulator of fat accumulation in mice. The research found that mice lacking Panx1 accumulated more fat and developed insulin resistance, increasing their risk for Type 2 Diabetes. Further studies are underway to explore the link between Panx1 and human obesity.
Chris Fox, a space buff since childhood, and his team discovered exoplanet Kepler 159d by analyzing the orbits of nearby planets. The exoplanet has a mass similar to Saturn's and likely consists of gases with no solid surface.
The study found that participants who slept between 7 to 8 hours per night performed better cognitively than those who slept less or more. Despite age differences, sleep affected all adults equally, and too little or too much sleep had a similar impairment on cognitive function.
Researchers debunk claims that brain training games improve working memory and cognitive skills, finding no transfer between trained and untrained tasks. The study's findings support previous research showing that getting good at one game does not enhance IQ or working memory.
Researchers found a significant increase in specialist referrals among family physicians switching to blended capitation models, highlighting unintended consequences of policy changes. The study's findings suggest that increased referrals may not be entirely necessary and could result in higher costs for the healthcare system.
A team of scientists, led by Madalena Kozachuk, has recovered two previously hidden daguerreotype images from the National Gallery of Canada's photography research unit. The images, taken possibly as early as 1850, were damaged due to tarnish and other degradation, but were restored using synchrotron technology.
Researchers mapped the brain of a blind woman who can see moving objects but not stationary ones due to Riddoch syndrome. Her brain takes detours around damaged pathways to bypass the visual system.
Researchers found that the Duchenne marker, a wrinkle feature around the eyes, is perceived as more intense and sincere across various facial expressions. The study suggests a potential universal language for reading emotions.
Detailed micro-CT scans reveal a 2,100-year-old Egyptian mummy was actually a near-to-term, severely malformed fetus with anencephaly. The finding provides clues to maternal diet and raises questions about mummification practices.
Researchers have discovered a 400-million-year-old anti-viral protein that can potentlly block HIV, revealing an evolutionary arms race between the virus and the immune system. This ancient gene, HERC5, has been involved in a centuries-long battle for survival with viruses, resulting in sophisticated shields to block them.
The study found that patients with unexplained atherosclerosis had significantly higher blood levels of toxic metabolites produced by intestinal bacteria. The researchers suggest that the gut microbiome plays an important role in an individual's risk for atherosclerosis, opening the door for new treatment options.
Researchers developed an MRI-based approach to identify high-risk patients who will develop psychosis, with 80% accuracy. This method may help reverse the trajectory of psychosis by providing early-intervention therapy.
A new lung MRI method helps identify where airway inflammation and smooth muscle dysfunction occur in patients with severe asthma. This innovation aims to personalize therapy for individual patients, improving disease control and quality of life.
A team of researchers has developed an open-source, clinically validated template for a 3D printed stethoscope that can be created using recycled plastic and costs less than $3 to produce. The device has been shown to have the same acoustic quality as premium brand stethoscopes.
A new prototype for wearable tremor suppression gloves has been developed by Western University researchers, which tracks voluntary movement to minimize tremors. The gloves will be custom designed for both hands of each patient to maximize benefits.
Researchers at Western University found that female rugby players experience brain changes during the regular season comparable to those caused by concussions, with glutamine levels reduced and potential implications for recovery. The study's authors suggest these metrics may be more sensitive to brain injury.
Researchers at Western University have discovered a unique neurobiological pathway triggered by head trauma that underlies both Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and Lou Gehrig's disease. The study, published in the January 2018 issue of Neurology, identifies a common link between CTE and ALS-related cognitive impairment.
A 10-minute burst of exercise can measurably boost brain power, improving focus and problem-solving skills. Research found that exercising for a short duration primes the brain's problem-solving areas, leading to faster reaction times and improved cognitive performance.
Researchers at Western University have developed a method to forecast tornadoes with 90% accuracy within a 100-kilometre radius by adding high-altitude turbulence data. This breakthrough could buy up to 20 minutes of additional warning time.
Western University researchers have found a high prevalence of bone lesions in the feet of 19th-Century Dutch farmers who wore wooden shoes, also known as klompen. The study suggests that these shoes were partly to blame for the injuries and trauma suffered by the farmers.
Researchers have found that young hockey players who suffered concussions may still exhibit white matter changes in the brain months after being cleared to return to play. Advanced MRI techniques revealed prolonged abnormalities in terms of brain structure and function, suggesting potential long-term consequences.
A study of over 1,000 Chinese individuals found a direct correlation between health and the microbes in their intestine. The researchers discovered that the overall microbiota composition of the healthy elderly group was similar to that of people decades younger.
A study found that people with an independent self-construal tend to reject public appeals for charitable giving, seeing them as social pressure. In contrast, those who value interdependence are more likely to respond positively, feeling a sense of belonging to a movement.
Western researchers have identified a specific mechanism in the prefrontal cortex for the mental health risks associated with adolescent marijuana use and developed a way to reverse those risks using pharmaceuticals. The study found that reducing GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, can lead to hyperactive states in the brain's dopami...
Researchers studying fruit flies have found that a neurotransmitter called dopamine regulates social space, with too little or too much release causing male and female fruit flies to adjust their distance. The discovery may lead to new insights into disorders where personal space is an issue.
An interdisciplinary team developed a novel method to scan the internal development of live insects using carbon dioxide-induced suspended animation. The technique allows for detailed, three-dimensional views of insect innards without harming them.
A new CT Perfusion technology has been developed to measure blood flow and predict how well ovarian cancer patients will respond to treatment. The study found that a decrease in blood flow is associated with longer survival times, while an increase is linked to shorter survival times.
A new study published in Nature Communications identifies specific neurons in the Lateral Prefrontal Cortex that encode perceived and memorized information. The researchers found that these neurons can signal whether a representation is real or imaginary, which may help treat disorders like schizophrenia.
Scientists have developed a new technique to date ancient meteorite strikes using tiny crystal fragments. By analyzing the atomic nanostructure of these crystals, researchers can determine the age of impact and gain insight into the beginnings of life on Earth.
Researchers found that smiling makes a person appear to be two years older due to associated wrinkles. In contrast, surprised expressions are perceived as youthful, contradicting common perceptions of age and emotions.
Researchers at Western University developed a simple blood test to identify physiological changes causing resistant hypertension, leading to improved treatment outcomes. The study found that patients treated with the test had 50% controlled blood pressure after one year, compared to 11.1% in those receiving usual treatment.
A Canadian survey reveals that street racers are five times more likely to have crashed their vehicle within a year. The study found that street racers are more likely to be single, young men who drive after using alcohol or marijuana. This correlation remains true even when adjusting for other variables such as age and driving distance.
Acoustic habituation is a common form of sensory filtering that allows the brain to block out extraneous sounds and focus on important information. The Western-led research identified the underlying molecular mechanism that controls this ability, which can be regulated with drugs in animal models.
Asteroid Bee-Zed, orbiting the wrong way around the sun, has been playing a cosmic game of chicken with Jupiter for a million years. The asteroid's retrograde motion allows it to maintain a stable orbit despite its unusual path, thanks to Jupiter's gravity deflection.
Researchers discover that brain cells work together to store and retrieve short-term memory, contradicting previous assumptions about single neurons. This finding has implications for understanding cognitive function, particularly in conditions like Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.
Researchers have developed a new enzyme called TevCas9, which cuts DNA in two places instead of one, making it more difficult for DNA-repair to regenerate the site of the cut. This modification shows promise at being more specific in targeting genes and less likely to cause off-target effects.
A new genetic testing method, LipidSeq, has been developed to identify a genetic basis for high-cholesterol in almost 70% of targeted patient populations. The method uses next-generation sequencing technology to pinpoint specific areas of a person's DNA and provides a more cost-effective way to diagnose genetic forms of high-cholesterol.
A 15-year international study found that HIV-1 subtype C, the most dominant form of the virus, is also the slowest to progress to AIDS. This counterintuitive finding challenges Darwinian evolutionary theory.
A new study by Western University found that smaller carnivores like European badgers fear humans more than their traditional enemies, leading to altered ecosystem processes. This discovery highlights the impact of human activity on wildlife and conservation efforts.
Researchers found that blocking acetylcholine in genetically modified mice caused Alzheimer's-like pathology, highlighting the importance of this neurotransmitter for brain health. The study suggests that targeting one of the affected messenger RNA pathways may lead to a reversal of dementia progression.
Epilepsy patients experience increased seizures when stressed, but researchers found the disease alters brain signaling; a new potential treatment blocks this stressful effect. New research reveals stress-induced seizures in epilepsy are triggered by changed neurotransmitter signaling.
A new gene testing technology has been developed to identify mutations and prioritize variants in breast and ovarian cancer genes. The method reveals gene variants that were missed by conventional genetic testing, increasing the number of patients that can be properly diagnosed.
A new study published in Nature Communications demonstrates that the fear of large carnivores can have cascading effects on the food chain and restore ecosystems. The researchers found that instilling fear in raccoons reduced their time spent feeding and reversed their impacts on their prey, leading to a healthier ecosystem.
Western University researchers have developed an artificial intelligence-powered tool that can predict a patient's response to paclitaxel and gemcitabine chemotherapy medications. The tool uses genetic analysis of tumours to identify the genetic signatures most important for determining resistance and remission for each medication. Wit...
Researchers have identified a common gene variant, GPER, that makes women more prone to high blood pressure and increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The study found that many women with the less functional form of GPER had higher blood pressure, highlighting a genetic basis for heart disease in women.
A new study found a significant decline in speeding-related injuries and fatalities among young men in Ontario since the province's tough laws were introduced in 2007. The study credits the deterrence of swift and severe sanctions for reducing risky driving behavior.
Researchers have developed a new imaging technique to track Multiple Sclerosis (MS) progression from its earliest stages. The study uses QS Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to measure damage in specific brain areas, revealing that even at early disease stages, patients already show significant damage.
Researchers engineered a bacterial toxin to attach to tumour cells, forcing the immune system to recognize and attack cancer. The engineered toxin significantly reduced human colon cancer tumours in mice with minimal metastasis.
A new study published in Pediatrics finds that patients' degree of acceptance of genetic testing and gene-based drug dosing depends on their knowledge of these concepts. The researchers surveyed over 1,500 participants and found that those with higher knowledge levels were more open to the idea.
A new study by University of Western Ontario researchers reveals that specific interactions between breast cancer stem cells and lung-derived proteins contribute to lung metastasis. Understanding this phenomenon could lead to improved treatment options for breast cancer patients.