Researchers have successfully predicted and created a new enzyme with improved heat tolerance by inserting mutations from a pig enzyme into an Antarctic bacterial variant. The hybrid enzyme showed a 6°C higher optimum temperature and increased catalytic activity compared to the original variants.
A new study found that a higher body mass index (BMI) increases the risk of five different rheumatic diseases, including gout and psoriatic arthritis. Women are more susceptible to these diseases than men, particularly those who have gone through menopause.
A large-scale study found that women who used combined contraceptive pills were at a greater risk of developing depression than those who did not. The risk was particularly high for teenage users, who had a 130% higher incidence of symptoms of depression.
The UCDP reported a 97% increase in deaths in armed conflicts to 237,000 in 2022, with Ethiopia and Ukraine being the deadliest conflicts. The number of active conflicts remains at a historically high level, with over 50 state-involved conflicts and 82 non-state conflicts.
A genomic analysis of ancient human remains from Morocco shows that food production was introduced by Neolithic European and Levantine migrants who later adopted by local groups. This discovery provides new insights into the transition to farming in northwestern Africa.
Researchers have visualized the C-H bond breakage in alkanes using X-ray light, revealing the role of metal catalysts. The study solves a 40-year-old mystery and provides new insights into catalyst performance. Scientists hope to direct electron flow to develop better catalysts for the chemical industry.
Researchers discovered that ZC3H11A is essential for regulating metabolic genes in embryos and their absence leads to complete lethality. The study's findings suggest that ZC3 may be a promising therapeutic target for the development of anti-viral agents against medically significant human viruses.
Researchers at Uppsala University developed a modified lactic acid bacteria treatment that accelerated wound healing in humans. The study showed improved outcomes and safety with ILP100-Topical, a potential new treatment for complex and hard-to-heal wounds.
A new study from Uppsala University found that consuming junk food can lead to shallower deep sleep, which can impact hormonal release and brain activity. The researchers monitored the sleep patterns of healthy participants who followed a healthier diet and an unhealthier diet in a randomised order.
Researchers found that piglets born to stressed sows in concrete stalls showed epigenetic changes in brain regions related to emotion, learning, and memory. The study highlights the importance of animal welfare and suggests that even small improvements can have significant effects.
Researchers have visualized the crucial final step of oxygen formation in Photosystem II, a protein complex that powers photosynthesis. The study provides new insights into the interaction between the protein environment and the Mn/Ca cluster, shedding light on the mechanism behind water-splitting and oxygen production.
A large-scale genomic study of 240 mammal species reveals previously uncharacterized regulatory elements in the human genome, linked to disease risks and distinctive traits. The research provides insights into the evolutionary development of mammalian genomes and their potential applications in medical research.
A new study by Uppsala University and hospital reveals a link between neurodevelopmental disorders and an increased risk of testicular cancer, specifically seminoma. The study found that men with these conditions are more likely to develop cancer at a younger age and may have advanced disease at diagnosis.
A study published in Nature Sustainability found that countries with wide income gaps have significantly higher mortality rates during large-scale flood disasters. The researchers analyzed data from over 500 major floods and found a median mortality rate of 26 times higher in countries with an unequal distribution of income.
A new study from Uppsala University found that patients can experience twice as much improvement in blood pressure by changing medication as they would by doubling their current dose. The study, involving 280 patients and testing four different blood pressure-lowering drugs, challenges the conventional strategy of recommending equally ...
A new study reveals that autistic children have distinct brain activity when viewing complex visual motion patterns as early as 5 months old. This suggests that autistic individuals process visual motion differently from a young age, which may impact their development and learning.
Researchers used cryo-electron microscopy to visualize the protein synthesis mechanism in Giardia intestinalis, resolving high-resolution structures of six different states of elongation. These findings provide valuable information for screening specific drugs against Giardia and other protozoan parasites.
A team of Swedish and Norwegian palaeontologists has discovered remains of the earliest known ichthyosaur on the remote Arctic island of Spitsbergen. The discovery pushes back the origin and early diversification of ichthyosaurs to before the beginning of the Age of Dinosaurs.
A comprehensive study of 200,000 Swedish children found a significant increase in overweight and obesity rates between 2018 and 2020, with obesity rates rising by 30%. The greatest increase was seen in morbid obesity, highlighting the challenges faced by those who were already struggling before the pandemic.
A Swedish study of children's drawings during the COVID-19 pandemic found that young children drew detailed images of illness, death, and cancelled activities. The researchers also discovered a high level of health literacy among the children, showing they understood the virus's characteristics and symptoms.
A research group at Uppsala University has developed an artificial blood-brain barrier model that can validate the effectiveness of antibodies in reaching the brain. The model allows for the testing of antibodies without the need for animal experimentation, providing a more efficient and cost-effective alternative.
Researchers at Uppsala University developed a prognostic method using a combination of immune cells to provide clearer disease prognoses and predict which patients will respond best to immunotherapy. The method was shown to be associated with patient fate in several types of cancer.
A new study from Uppsala University found that early introduction of solid foods to infants leads to an earlier end to breastfeeding and a shorter duration of breastfeeding. The research involved 1,251 infants and their mothers, with nearly half receiving tastings as early as four months.
As we age, fat cells replace immune system tissue in lymph nodes, impairing their ability to fight infections and respond to vaccinations. This phenomenon, known as lymph node lipomatosis, is more common and prevalent with age, affecting the effectiveness of our immune system.
Researchers found that Scandinavian wolves have an average of 100,000 harmful mutations, with a high proportion occurring in two copies due to inbreeding. This increases the risk of inbreeding depression and defects such as deformed vertebrae and cryptorchidism.
Researchers at Uppsala University discovered a connection between loss of the Y chromosome (LOY) and the risk of severe COVID-19 in men. LOY was linked to impaired lung function, blood clots, and a higher risk of death.
Research by Uppsala University and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences links atopic dermatitis in dogs to specific genome regions. The study identifies genes coinciding with human atopic eczema, including the filaggrin gene region.
A new EU-funded research project aims to improve understanding of mental health by combining biological and social factors, focusing on four critical life stages: early life, puberty, peripartum, and old age. The project seeks to develop personalized preventive and therapeutic measures and reduce stigma associated with mental illness.
Researchers at Uppsala University have discovered a crucial DNA sequence in jawed vertebrates that plays a major role in shaping the joint surfaces during embryonic development. This finding has significant implications for understanding the evolution of vertebrate jaws, which is believed to have occurred around 423 million years ago.
A study by Uppsala University has identified a stem cell protein, SOX9, that makes tumor cells resistant to radiation treatment, leading to recurrence and increased mortality. The research found that SOX9 protects resting cancer cells against radiation, promoting their survival and resistance.
Researchers found shared endogenous retroviruses among all individual birds, suggesting most retrovirus-host interactions pre-date host speciation. The study also reveals considerable ERV variation across different populations, indicating recent retrovirus colonization.
Researchers identified protein levels that were higher or lower than normal in tissues from individuals at different stages of type 2 diabetes. The study found a correlation between metabolic pathway disturbances and disease progression, suggesting new potential causal mechanisms for the disease.
A new study from Uppsala University found that using a weighted blanket at bedtime increases melatonin production by about 30 percent. The researchers also discovered that the weight of the blanket (12% of participant's body weight) reduced stress system activity, but had no effect on oxytocin and cortisol levels.
A recent study published in Nature Communications has found a strong connection between the gut microbiome and certain blood metabolites. The research, led by Uppsala University, analyzed fecal and blood samples from over 8,500 participants in the SCAPIS study, identifying novel associations between gut bacteria and plasma metabolite s...
Higher temperatures shorten the lifespan of fig wasps, making it difficult for them to pollinate fig trees. This could have major consequences for animals in tropical forests that rely on figs as a food source.
Researchers at Uppsala University identified 99 DNA regions associated with physical activity levels, confirming that physical activity is beneficial for health. The study also found that less screen time lowers the risk of obesity, diabetes, and other health issues.
An international team has uncovered that eukaryotes have made hundreds of big leaps from sea to soil and freshwater habitats during their evolution. This reveals that adapting to a different salinity is difficult, even for microbes, but still allows them to occupy vacant ecological niches.
Loss of the Y chromosome in white blood cells causes fibrosis in the heart, impaired heart function, and death from cardiovascular diseases in men. Men with this genetic change have an increased risk of developing age-related diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
A study by researchers at Uppsala University found that crocodiles can regenerate their hair cells due to the activation of support cells and efferent nerves. This discovery may lead to new treatments for people with impaired hearing, who affect over 1.2 billion worldwide.
Scientists studied oxygen isotopes in lava samples from the Fagradalsfjall eruption to understand magma sources and mantle dynamics. The research revealed diverse mantle components with uniform oxygen isotope ratios, shedding light on Iceland's geology and refining mantle models.
The total number of fatalities stemming from organized violence increased in 2020, with over 80,100 deaths recorded, following five years of declining numbers. New conflicts, such as the Artsakh conflict in Azerbaijan and the Ethiopian government vs. TPLF war, contributed to the increase.
Researchers from Uppsala University have identified new inherited retroviruses in the koala genome, including novel ERV lineages related to the squirrel monkey retrovirus. These findings provide a potential model for studying retroviral establishment and health effects in real-time.
A new study has uncovered evidence of very early Islamic burials in the Levant, dating back to the late 7th and early 8th centuries. The analysis of two individuals' remains revealed a possible connection to the Arabian Peninsula, highlighting the arrival of new cultural/religious practices in the region.
A new coronavirus has been identified in Swedish bank voles, with the virus found in 3.4% of voles between 2015 and 2017. Researchers from Uppsala University discovered the 'Grimsö Virus' in red-backed voles caught around Grimsö in Örebro County.
Researchers at Uppsala University found that rare genetic variants contribute less to common diseases than previously thought. Common genetic variants with small effects play a major role in disease risk. High-throughput sequencing technologies are crucial for identifying individuals with pronounced genetic risks, suitable for precisio...
Researchers found that MS patients treated with Rituximab who have higher B cell counts of 40/µL or more develop protective levels of antibodies after vaccination. This suggests that measuring B cell level before vaccination is crucial for increasing the chance of a positive response.
A new study by Uppsala University reveals that sleep deprivation affects the way humans evaluate facial expressions, particularly those conveying negative emotions. Young adults who were sleep-deprived rated angry faces as less trustworthy and healthy-looking, while neutral and fearful faces appeared less attractive.
Researchers from Uppsala University developed a new method to predict temperature tolerance in individual microalgae symbionts, enabling the identification of climate resilient cells. This study aims to accelerate coral reef restoration efforts by introducing more robust coral symbionts to combat climate change.
Researchers used symptom data from over 10 million participants to estimate regional COVID-19 prevalence and predict hospital admissions. The findings confirm previous reports that symptoms are related to community infection rates, providing a scalable tool for pandemic preparedness.
A recent study by Uppsala University has identified the main limitations in lithium-sulfur batteries, which are hampered by short lifetimes and energy loss. The research aims to develop new strategies and materials to improve battery performance, making them more suitable for heavy truck applications.