A small study found that premature babies who avoid eye contact in early infancy are less likely to display symptoms of autism at age 2 compared to those who maintain eye contact. The researchers suggest that preemies may avert their gazes as a coping mechanism, signaling an inability to handle stressors.
Researchers found that urine samples with higher acidity actually hindered bacterial growth due to the presence of specific compounds called aromatics. On the other hand, samples with less acidity showed increased activity of siderocalin, a protein that deprives bacteria of iron.
Scientists have identified a gatekeeper enzyme that prevents cell death in Wolfram syndrome, a rare form of diabetes. Replacing or enhancing the enzyme strengthens cellular membranes and stops molecules from leaking into other parts of the cell.
A recent study found that adult Americans aged 25 and older have become increasingly obese, with 67.6 million estimated to be obese and 65.2 million considered overweight.
A team of researchers has identified a specific neural circuit in the eye's retina that enables motion detection. This discovery could lead to the development of artificial retinas for people with vision loss. The study focused on mice, but similar cells are also found in other species, including humans.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine identified a key player in maintaining brain tumor stem cells' ability to survive and replenish themselves. Disrupting this process using protein CDC20 has been shown to reduce tumor growth by up to 95 percent in mice, offering new hope for treating glioblastoma.
Researchers have designed a nanoparticle-based therapy that effectively treats mice with multiple myeloma, a cancer of immune cells in the bone marrow. The nanoparticles carry a Myc inhibitor, which blocks a protein active in many types of cancer, and increase survival by 23 days compared to control groups.
Researchers discovered that an antiviral compound called interferon-lambda can tighten the blood-brain barrier, making it harder for viruses like West Nile to invade the brain. This finding holds promise for treating deadly neurological conditions caused by viral infections.
A new study suggests a diabetes drug may prevent cardiovascular problems in HIV-positive adults by reducing inflammation linked to heart disease and stroke. The drug, sitagliptin, improved metabolism and reduced inflammation in HIV patients taking antiretroviral therapy.
Scientists have found that certain bacteria produce tiny particles called vesicles that can provoke an immune response in the gut, leading to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The study highlights a potential target for IBD treatments, a bacterial enzyme that could help prevent symptoms.
A recent study found that losses had a measured impact two to three times greater than gains on behavior, leading researchers to suggest using negative feedback as an effective teaching strategy. This approach may help students avoid making the same mistake again and could provide insights into learning behaviors.
Researchers found that elevated blood sugar can rapidly increase amyloid beta levels in the brain, contributing to Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests a new connection between diabetes and Alzheimer's, providing a potential therapeutic target for treatment.
Researchers at WashU Medicine have identified a potential target for treatments for fragile X carriers, who can experience social deficits and milder versions of cognitive and behavioral disorders. A potential way to boost levels of the key brain protein could lead to symptom easing for carriers.
Researchers found that extra sleep can restore memory formation in fruit flies with disrupted genes, similar to Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that sleep helps reinforce connections between brain cells and cut back on useless information.
The study found that a key enzyme produced by fat tissue regulates brain function and energy levels, suggesting an optimal amount of body fat for maximizing health and longevity. Mice with low NAMPT in fat tissue had impaired energy levels and physical activity, while those with high NAMPT exhibited increased physical activity.
Scientists have discovered a protein called SARM1 that triggers axon degeneration after an injury, leading to a rapid decline in energy supply within axons. Supplementing neurons with a precursor to NAD, nicotinamide riboside, can block axon degeneration and neuron cell death.
Researchers found antibiotic resistance genes in Yanomami tribespeople who had never been exposed to antibiotics, suggesting that bacteria have resisted antibiotics since long before their use. The study reveals a link between decreased bacterial diversity and increased diseases such as obesity and diabetes.
Researchers have found that the Ebola virus uses a protein called VP35 to remove its genetic material's protective coat, allowing it to replicate. Disrupting this process could potentially stop the spread of the disease.
A new study suggests that using plain language, graphics, and stories can simplify the health insurance enrollment process for people who have never had insurance before. The research found that these methods helped participants make informed choices about their coverage options and increased their confidence in their decisions.
Researchers developed personalized melanoma vaccines that target unique mutations in each patient's tumor, increasing the number and diversity of cancer-fighting T cells. The vaccines were shown to be safe and effective in a first-in-people clinical trial, setting the stage for potential use in preventing recurrence.
A new study found that exercise alone can lower the risk of heart defects in babies born to older mouse mothers. The research suggests that genetic mutations are tied to age, not egg quality, and that healthy metabolism and exercise may play a crucial role in preventing congenital heart disease.
Two antibiotic resistance genes, KPC and NDM-1, can be shared among bacteria responsible for hospital-associated infections. The study found that genetic similarity between US and South Asian strains suggests easy transmission of these superbugs.
Researchers developed a non-invasive method to screen for kidney cancer by measuring protein biomarkers in urine, achieving over 95% accuracy. The findings suggest the potential for an easy-to-use screening test, similar to mammograms or colonoscopies, to identify patients with kidney cancer at early stages.
Researchers found that vitamin D helps regulate glucose metabolism, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. In mice without adequate vitamin D, immune cells became fat transporters, leading to artery clogging and inflammation.
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine has linked a protein called CLCA1 to the overproduction of mucus in diseases like asthma and COPD. Increased expression of CLCA1 increases the number of TMEM16A channels present in nearby cells, leading to more Ca2+ dependent chloride currents.
Researchers have discovered that slow-growing brain cancer stem cells are resistant to treatment and can survive stress by producing a protein called Abcg1. The study suggests that using different drugs and higher dosages may be necessary to target these treatment-resistant stem cells.
A study by Washington University School of Medicine found that the abuse-deterrent formulation of OxyContin successfully reduced its illicit use, but only temporarily. As a result, many abusers switched to heroin due to cost-effectiveness and increased availability, highlighting the need for addressing the demand side of drug abuse.
Researchers have developed a new light therapy that can reach deep tumors using nanoparticles and FDG, producing different kinds of free radicals that overwhelm tumor cells. This treatment shows promise in reducing cancer growth and increasing survival rates with minimal toxic side effects.
Researchers found that early post-traumatic stress symptoms are the strongest predictors of later disability in military personnel with mild brain injuries. A study evaluated 38 patients with mild blast-related brain injury and 34 controls, showing that mental health assessments soon after injury were more predictive of long-term disab...
Research suggests statin therapy provides greatest benefit to patients with highest genetic risk of heart attack. Genetic analysis assesses heart attack risk independently of traditional factors, identifying those at higher baseline risk who reap greater benefits from therapy. The study's findings have implications for precision medici...
Researchers found that a protein called TREM2 triggers the clearance of debris from the brain, which can contribute to neurological diseases. Triggering this protein may help slow the progression of conditions like Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis.
A new investigational drug, reslizumab, has been shown to reduce asthma attacks in patients who have difficulty controlling the disorder with standard medications. The study found that patients treated with reslizumab were at least 50% less likely to experience severe asthma exacerbations.
Researchers at WashU Medicine found that the epigenome plays a significant part in guiding development in zebrafish embryos within the first 24 hours after fertilization. The study suggests an underappreciated fraction of the genome is involved in gene regulation, with many noncoding regions acting as developmental enhancers.
Researchers have assembled a comprehensive map of the human epigenome, detailing epigenetic markers in 111 cell types and tissues. This resource will aid in understanding the molecular basis of disease and lead to new treatments.
Researchers found that certain bacterial DNA can be passed from mother to child, affecting traits such as immunity and inflammation. This discovery suggests a new factor in understanding how genes influence illness and health.
A new study found that supplementary feeding for 12 weeks makes an impact, but treating children until they reach target weights and arm circumference is more important. Raising these targets could significantly lower the rate of relapse.
Researchers found hormonal IUDs and contraceptive implants to be highly effective one year beyond their approved duration of use, with no pregnancies reported in the implant group. The study aims to enroll a total of 800 women to determine if these methods are effective for up to three years beyond FDA-approved duration.
Researchers found that blood tests can produce similar results for patients with Chikungunya virus and those with rheumatoid arthritis, highlighting the need for diagnostic tools. Detailed travel histories are crucial to distinguish between the two conditions.
A new study found that women with high levels of endocrine-disrupting chemicals experience menopause two to four years earlier than those with lower levels. The research analyzed data from 31,575 people and identified 15 chemicals significantly associated with earlier ages of menopause.
Researchers found patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis had greater viral diversity than healthy volunteers, suggesting viruses play a role in the diseases. The study suggests that studying the virome may reveal new insights into obesity and diabetes.
Researchers analyzed over 7.6 million tweets about marijuana, finding that 77% were pro-pot, while only 5% were anti-marijuana. Pro-pot tweets often encouraged use and made claims about health benefits, reaching a large audience of young people at risk for substance abuse.
Researchers identified a gene called Gpr56 that regulates nerve cell insulation in the central nervous system. Without proper insulation, nerve cells can't transmit signals efficiently, leading to diseases like multiple sclerosis.
Researchers have discovered a unique case of fragile X syndrome with only two classic symptoms, allowing them to identify a previously unknown function of the gene. The study suggests that drugs recently tested as treatments for fragile X may be ineffective due to overactive transmitters.
Researchers found that certain symptoms of conduct disorder, such as high-intensity defiant behavior, aggression, and destruction of property, indicate a higher likelihood of problems persisting into school age. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to help young children avoid recurring issues.
A recent study published in Neurology found that depression and behavioral changes often occur before memory decline in people with Alzheimer's. Researchers analyzed data from over 2,400 participants and found that those who developed dementia were more likely to exhibit mood swings, including depression and delusions.
Researchers found that antibiotics can help prevent norovirus infections by eliminating a bacterial collaborator. They also identified an immune system molecule that can cure persistent norovirus infections even in mice with partially disabled immune systems.
Enzymes linked to diabetes and obesity play key roles in arthritis and leukemia, potentially opening new avenues for treating these diseases. Targeting ether lipids may reduce neutrophil levels, allowing the immune system to return to normal.
A study at Washington University School of Medicine found that a subset of obese individuals do not develop common metabolic abnormalities associated with obesity, such as insulin resistance and high blood pressure. In contrast, those who already had these problems worsened after gaining weight.
A new study published in Neurology eliminated hepatitis C virus as a cause of mental impairment in HIV patients. The research, conducted by a team of scientists at Washington University School of Medicine, involved 1,582 HIV patients and found no evidence that hepatitis C infection affects the brain.
A pilot study found that two-thirds of patients with treatment-resistant clinical depression experienced an improvement in symptoms after receiving nitrous oxide, compared to one-third who improved with a placebo. The researchers are encouraged by the results and plan to replicate the study and test various concentrations of laughing gas.