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Maternal caregiving may reverse effects of stress during pregnancy on newborns

Research suggests that high stress levels in pregnant women are associated with increased cortisol responses in infants. However, sensitive caregiving by mothers after birth can mitigate these effects. The study's findings highlight the importance of postnatal interventions to support children whose mothers experienced prenatal adversity.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateNov 17, 2021

A way in: Newly-identified state in bacteria has major implications for antibiotic treatment and resistant strains

Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem discover a 'disrupted' state in bacteria that resists current antibiotics, requiring new pharmacological agents to combat. The breakthrough model predicts bacterial population responses to treatments, offering avenues for better treatments against cancer cells.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 17, 2021

Brain connectivity is lower in adults with PTSD or a history of sexual abuse

A study found that adults with a history of childhood maltreatment, particularly sexual abuse, exhibit reduced brain connectivity in attention systems. Oxytocin treatment has been shown to increase connectivity, suggesting its potential as a treatment for PTSD and childhood trauma-related disorders.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalPsychiatry Research Neuroimaging·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 27, 2021

Novel peroxide-based material emits fluorescence in response to stress

Researchers have synthesized a novel organic peroxide mechanophore that releases fluorescence in response to mechanical stress. The compound, bis(9-methylphenyl-9-fluorenyl) peroxide (BMPF), was incorporated into a polymer network and found to retain its ability to release a fluorescent molecule when subjected to grinding or compression.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 21, 2021

Scientists publish first large-scale census of coral heat tolerance

A study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences provides immediate actions for the world's largest coral restoration program. Researchers found significant variation in the heat tolerance of staghorn corals, with certain strains exhibiting higher resistance to warming oceans.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 20, 2021

Watching nature videos on social media supported mental wellbeing during Covid-19 lockdown, finds study

Researchers analysed publicly available comments in response to nature video content on Facebook during the UK's first national Covid-19 lockdown. The study found that engaging with this virtual nature content helped people cope with stress and mental fatigue, and increased feelings of connectedness to nature and others.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 14, 2021

Study at molecular level finds IRL green sea turtles biologically stressed

Research at Florida Atlantic University found that green sea turtles in polluted environments have impaired immune systems, leading to increased disease susceptibility. The study suggests a positive feedback loop where pollution compromises immunity, making turtles more prone to Green Turtle Fibropapillomatosis.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalJournal of Wildlife Diseases·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2021

No, stress isn’t always bad. Here’s how to harness it

University of Rochester psychologists train adolescents and young adults to reinterpret their stress response as adaptive, leading to reduced anxiety, improved test scores, and healthier coping mechanisms. The study finds that 'good stress' mindset resets help students perform better under pressure and stay enrolled in classes.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 15, 2021

Married couples in supportive relationships felt significantly less stressed while watching horror movie clips with their partner than without, as measured by pupil dilation

Married couples in supportive relationships showed a significant decrease in stress levels when watching horror movie clips with their partner compared to alone. The study found that spousal emotional support and relationship quality have a buffering effect on pupillary response to horror movies.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 15, 2021

Age-related decline in two sirtuin enzymes alters mitochondrial dynamics, weakens cardiac contractions

A preclinical study found that age-related decline in two sirtuin enzymes alters mitochondrial dynamics, weakening cardiac contractions in response to ischemia-reperfusion injury. Boosting SIRT1/SIRT3 levels may help protect against such injuries, potentially reducing heart attack complications and deaths.

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·JournalAging Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2021

Using your smartwatch to reduce stress

Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a smartwatch technology that can monitor and help lower stress levels by detecting changes in skin conductance response. The device sends reminders to listen to relaxing music when stress is detected, forming a closed-loop system.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalIEEE Access·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 24, 2021

To die or not to die in response to stress, a decision regulated by MK2 protein levels

The study reveals that MK2 protein levels act as a molecular indicator for cell survival or death, with higher levels associated with cell death and lower levels linked to survival. Moderate stress triggers temporary activation of the p38-MK2 pathway, allowing cells to recover.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 19, 2021

Stress slows the immune response in sick mice

The study found that stress impairs immune cells' ability to move and fight diseases by inhibiting their movements. This effect is caused by the neurotransmitter noradrenaline, which activates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to reduced blood flow, oxygen deprivation, and calcium signaling in leukocytes.

SourceCell Press·JournalImmunity·DateApr 28, 2021

Chronic stress may reduce lifespan in wild baboons, according to new multi-decadal study

A new multi-decadal study involving 242 wild female baboons found evidence to support chronic stress as a significant factor affecting survival. High stress levels throughout adult life were linked to shorter lifespans, with females experiencing a loss of 5.4 years of life compared to those with lower stress responses.

Stress and death in female baboons

A new study has found that female baboons with high levels of glucocorticoids, a hormone involved in the 'fight or flight' response, have a greater risk of dying. The research, which analyzed data from over 20 years, showed that females with higher levels of glucocorticoids tend to die younger than those with lower levels.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 21, 2021

Scientists discover cellular stress enzyme that might play key role in neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have discovered a cellular stress enzyme called MARK2 that controls protein synthesis in response to types of stress or damage seen in neurodegenerative disorders. The finding suggests that MARK2 may play a key role in diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and ALS.

For breakthroughs in slowing aging, scientists must look beyond biology

Recent studies highlight the need to incorporate behavioral and social science alongside biological mechanisms in aging research. Behavioral and social factors are causal drivers of biological aging, with influences on healthspan and longevity being large and meaningful. Researchers emphasize the importance of including these factors i...

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalAgeing Research Reviews·DateFeb 22, 2021

Stress on every cell:

Scientists at the Weizmann Institute of Science mapped the entire stress axis in detail, identifying 21,723 cells along the route. They found significant alterations in gene expression and cell changes, particularly in the adrenal glands, which play a crucial role in the stress response.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 1, 2021

'Boss' genes could save human hearts - and the reef

Researchers have discovered rare decision-making genes that control cell responses, potentially helping to prevent diseases such as heart attacks and organ failure. This new knowledge can also be applied to understand how aquatic animals respond to global warming and improve human health, agriculture, ecology, and marine biology.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalCell Systems·DateDec 13, 2020

Scientists predict 'optimal' stress levels

The study suggests most animals remain stressed for longer than optimal after a stress-inducing incident, likely due to physiological limits. The researchers propose that environmental predictability and baseline stress levels play key roles in shaping stress responses.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalTrends in Ecology & Evolution·DateDec 3, 2020

Cellular survivors

Researchers have identified two key factors involved in cellular recovery from extreme stress, which may provide new strategies for treating cancers. The study reveals that apoptosis is a more nuanced process than previously known, and sometimes cells survive the executioner caspase via anastasis.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 12, 2020