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A genetic variation may increase tuberculosis susceptibility

Researchers discovered a single nucleotide polymorphism in the hepcidin promoter gene associated with increased susceptibility to extrapulmonary tuberculosis. This genetic variation leads to decreased hepcidin production, impairing macrophage function and allowing M. tuberculosis to spread to other areas of the body.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalGenetic Testing and Molecular Biomarkers·DateJul 21, 2017

Blood test for early detection of pancreatic cancer headed to clinic

A newly identified biomarker panel correctly detects early pancreatic cancer in human cells, improving the ability to diagnose patients at different stages of their disease. The panel combines plasma thrombospondin-2 with CA19-9 levels for reliable detection of pancreatic cancer, potentially altering treatment outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJul 12, 2017

Fasting blood sugar and fasting insulin identified as new biomarkers for weight loss

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen found that fasting blood sugar and/or fasting insulin can be used to select optimal diets and predict weight loss, particularly for those with prediabetes. A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and wholegrains may improve diabetes markers for most people with prediabetes.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateJul 7, 2017

Sleep problems may be early sign of Alzheimer's

A recent study published in Neurology suggests that people with normal thinking and memory skills but poor sleep quality may be at higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found a link between sleep disturbances and biological markers for Alzheimer's disease in spinal fluid, including amyloid plaques and tau tangles.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateJul 5, 2017

Identified brain circuitry bridges neural and behavioral roles in PTSD

A comprehensive review of rapidly changing data identified four neural-behavioral models associated with PTSD, pinpointing specific circuits in the brain that mediate between chemical changes and behavioral expressions. The study provides detailed tables to help healthcare providers recognize signs and symptoms of PTSD for diagnosis.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 21, 2017

Biomarkers may predict cognitive decline in Parkinson's

Researchers identified brain scans, genetic tests, and CSF analysis as predictive biomarkers for Parkinson's disease-related cognitive decline. Biomarkers associated with dopamine deficiency, beta-amyloid protein, and single nucleotide polymorphisms were found to correlate with cognitive impairment in newly diagnosed patients.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 17, 2017

What the age of your brain says about you

Using neuroimaging techniques and multivariate statistical models, researchers found that people with older-than-chronological-age brains are more likely to experience deteriorating conditions and early death. Combining brain-predicted age with DNA-related epigenetic biomarkers improves mortality predictions.

SourceSpringer·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateApr 25, 2017

Diagnosing cancer

Scientists at Ruhr-University Bochum have established a new process for identifying biomarkers in cancer diagnosis, utilizing infrared spectroscopy. The method enables precise analysis of protein changes in tumor tissue, facilitating personalized therapy.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 3, 2017

Kidney damage diagnosis may be inaccurate for many, suggests study

Researchers found that an initial diagnosis of acute kidney injury may have been inaccurate for many patients, as the current method of assessing kidney function may be misleading during the initial evaluation. The study identified sets of biomarkers in mouse models that could potentially detect kidney damage more reliably.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateFeb 23, 2017

New study shows GFAP and UCH-L1 are not useful biomarkers for diagnosing mild traumatic brain injury

Researchers found that elevated levels of GFAP and UCH-L1 in patients with acute orthopedic injuries did not distinguish between those with and without mild traumatic brain injury. This study highlights the need for caution when using these biomarkers, as false-positive diagnoses could lead to unnecessary imaging.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Neurotrauma·DateFeb 7, 2017

Women's fertility may decrease with physically demanding or shift work

A Harvard study found that heavy lifting and non-daytime work schedules can decrease fertility in women, especially those who are overweight or over 37. The researchers measured biomarkers of fecundity in nearly 500 women seeking infertility treatment, revealing an inverse association between physical demands and egg yields.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalOccupational and Environmental Medicine·DateFeb 7, 2017