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Study shows exposure to household chemicals can lower odds of getting pregnant

A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that exposure to phthalates can lower the odds of getting pregnant, but not lead to pregnancy loss. The researchers also discovered associations between preconception phthalate exposure and changes in women's reproductive hormones, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 15, 2023

Embargoed press release: Blood hormone levels key to identifying which post-menopausal women will benefit most from taking anastrozole to prevent breast cancer

A recent study published in Lancet Oncology has found that measuring blood hormone levels can identify post-menopausal women who are most likely to benefit from anastrozole, a medication used to prevent breast cancer. The study suggests that inexpensive blood tests could be used to personalize preventive therapy for these women.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 6, 2023

Researchers profile pollutants present in an important river basin in São Paulo state, Brazil

A study by UNICAMP researchers found high concentrations of contaminants in the Piracicaba, Capivari and Jundiaí River Basin, including PFAS compounds, pesticides, and industrial chemicals. The study highlights the severity of pollution in the region, which supplies water for drinking, irrigation, and industry.

Sleep and stress give clues to understanding epileptic seizures - study

A recent study discovered two subgroups of people with idiopathic generalized epilepsy, one experiencing highest incidence during sleep and the other during daytime. The researchers found that either dynamics of cortisol or sleep stage transition explained most of the observed distributions of epileptiform discharges.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 17, 2023

University of Cincinnati research shows PFA exposure may delay girls’ puberty

A University of Cincinnati study found that exposure to PFAS may delay the onset of puberty in girls by an average of five or six months. The researchers also discovered decreased hormone levels consistent with the delay, raising concerns about negative long-term health outcomes such as breast cancer and renal disease.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·TypeObservational study·DateSep 29, 2023

Websites selling direct-to-consumer Anti-Mullerian Hormone Tests

Websites selling direct-to-consumer AMH tests frequently include misleading information, potentially causing anxiety or reassurance among consumers. The study found that these claims can lead to misplaced decisions on conception or contraceptive plans, highlighting the need for accurate and transparent fertility testing.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 21, 2023

Cheap and safe hormone treatment shows promise for couples with unexplained infertility

A small study suggests that vaginal progesterone treatment can increase the chances of conception in couples with unexplained infertility. The treatment, which is safe and low-cost, showed more than double the birth rate among treated women, but further research is needed to confirm these results.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 26, 2023

Investigating the placenta: Discovery from Stowers Scientists shows why this often-overlooked organ should be given more attention

A new study from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research reveals the placenta's polyploid cells play a vital role in supporting healthy embryonic development. The modified cell cycle controlling polyploidy is governed by the regulatory gene Myc, which supports DNA replication and prevents premature cellular aging.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalDevelopment·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 7, 2023

How tasty is the food?

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute found that ghrelin activates specialized nerve cells in the amygdala, promoting food consumption and conveying hunger feelings. The study uncovers the physiological processes behind feeding behavior, which may lead to novel therapeutic approaches for eating disorders.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience Advances·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 24, 2023

Gender-affirming hormone therapy reduces psychological distress in transgender people: systematic review

A systematic review of research on gender-affirming hormone therapy among transgender people found that the therapy reduces depressive symptoms and psychological distress. The study analyzed data from 46 relevant journal articles and identified inconsistent findings across other areas, warranting further investigation.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeSystematic review·DateMay 24, 2023

Pet rabbits need freedom to exercise, study finds

A new study finds that pet rabbits require daily freedom to exercise outside their home enclosure, even in larger hutches with access to an exercise area. The research highlights the importance of allowing pairs of rabbits to move freely throughout the day.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalApplied Animal Behaviour Science·TypeObservational study·DateApr 25, 2023

How an autism gene contributes to infertility

A UC Riverside study identifies how a Fragile X gene mutation contributes to premature ovarian failure, leading to early infertility. Researchers found that the mutation affects neurons regulating reproduction in the brain and ovaries, causing an increase in hormone production and faster secretion rates.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalFrontiers in Endocrinology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 4, 2023

An extra X chromosome-linked gene may explain decreased viral infection severity in females

A study published in Nature Immunology found that female mouse and human NK cells have more of a specific epigenetic regulator called UTX, which boosts anti-viral function while repressing NK cell numbers. This suggests that therapies need to be tailored to individual differences, including sex.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2023

Dynamic expression of brain serotonin receptors across the menstrual cycle provides clues about premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Researchers discovered a significant increase in serotonin transporter density in the midbrain of patients with PMDD during the periovulatory phase, which was associated with increased depressed mood. The study suggests that taking SSRIs at specific times during the menstrual cycle may help target these changes and alleviate symptoms.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 23, 2023

How to really reach students with online teaching

A recent study at Ruhr-University Bochum found that interactive online teaching can increase students' physiological state of arousal compared to passive online or face-to-face teaching. Students in interactive online classes reported feeling more involved and attentive but also experienced increased anxiety.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAnnals of Anatomy - Anatomischer Anzeiger·DateFeb 9, 2023

Phthalate exposure may increase diabetes risk in women

A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that phthalate exposure may contribute to a higher incidence of diabetes in women. The research, which studied 1,308 women over six years, showed that White women exposed to high levels of certain phthalates had a 30-63% higher chance of developing diabetes.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateFeb 8, 2023

Unraveling the selective transport of sugar and hormone that underlies male fertility in plants

The study reveals that SWEET13 transporter is necessary for pollen production, highlighting the importance of sucrose transport. Researchers used molecular docking and simulation to understand how SWEET13 selectively transports sucrose over gibberellin.

SourceInstitute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM), Nagoya University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 25, 2022

Aging | IGF1 gene therapy in middle-aged female rats delays reproductive senescence through its effects on hypothalamic GnRH and kisspeptin neurons

Researchers found that IGF1 gene therapy increases kisspeptin expression and GnRH release, and alters microglial cell numbers, suggesting a potential protective effect against reproductive decline. This could lead to new strategies for optimizing lifespan and combating age-related health problems in women.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 16, 2022

New insights into the processing of hormones in the human gut

New insights into the processing of hormones in the human gut reveal dozens of peptides regulating appetite, bowel movement, and insulin secretion. By studying human intestinal organoids, researchers characterized potentially novel gut hormones, including glucagon, and explored its role in human physiology.

SourceHubrecht Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 7, 2022

Stem cell-derived organoids mimic human parathyroid tissue

Researchers have successfully isolated parathyroid stem cells and maintained them in lab as organoids for an extended period. These patient-derived parathyroid organoids (PTOs) closely mimic human parathyroid tissue, enabling the study of parathyroid diseases and drug development.

SourceCell Press·JournalStem Cell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 27, 2022

Shedding light on the happy hormone

A novel fluorescent sensor has been developed to visualize the release of oxytocin, also known as the 'happy hormone', in living animals. The sensor, called MTRIA OT, allows for real-time measurement of extracellular oxytocin dynamics in the brain, revealing variability in OT levels dependent on behavioral and physical conditions.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Methods·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 22, 2022