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Vampire bats give a little help to their 'friends'

Researchers observed vampire bats developing strong social bonds during captivity that persisted in the wild, suggesting shared history plays a role in maintaining relationships. The study used pioneering technology to track bat interactions and found test bats had stronger bonds with each other than control bats.

SourceOhio State University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 31, 2019

Are we 'brainwashed' during sleep?

Researchers at Boston University have made the first-ever images of cerebrospinal fluid washing in and out of the brain during sleep. The study shows that CSF pulses in rhythmic waves, closely tied to brain wave activity and blood flow, which could provide insights into age-related impairments and neurological disorders.

SourceBoston University·JournalScience·DateOct 31, 2019

Birds do not habituate to traffic noise

Researchers found that birds in constant traffic noise had lower levels of corticosterone in their blood compared to quiet environments. This suppression may protect against negative effects of chronic stress on the immune system. Chicks from noisy parents were also smaller but caught up after leaving the nest.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalConservation Biology·DateOct 25, 2019

Lead poisoning reduced with safer mining practices

A pilot program introducing safer mining practices in Nigerian gold mining communities has reduced blood lead levels among miners by 32%. The study, published in the British Medical Journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine, also found that women miners experienced lower reductions in lead levels. The project's success demonstrat...

SourceOK International·JournalOccupational and Environmental Medicine·DateOct 21, 2019

Rise in testosterone level boosts young women's running capacity

A clinical trial found that testosterone significantly increases young women's running capacity, with a notable impact on anaerobic performance and lean body mass. The study suggests that allowing female athletes with high testosterone levels to compete without hormone reduction could be fair.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·DateOct 15, 2019

Aggressive and agitated behaviors in dementia are better treated without medications

A systematic review and meta-analysis found that nonpharmacologic treatments, such as massage and touch therapy, were more effective than pharmacologic treatments in reducing aggression and agitation in adults with dementia. The authors recommend prioritizing nonpharmacologic approaches over medications due to potential harms associate...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateOct 14, 2019

Stanford researchers find lead in turmeric

A Stanford-led study reveals that turmeric is sometimes adulterated with lead-laced chemical compounds in Bangladesh, leading to elevated blood lead levels among consumers. The researchers aim to shift consumer behaviors, reduce incentives for the practice and develop business opportunities to promote lead-free turmeric.

SourceStanford University·JournalEnvironmental Research·DateSep 24, 2019

Daily aspirin may benefit many patients without existing cardiovascular disease

Researchers found that 2.5% of women and 12.1% of men without established CVD could derive net benefit from aspirin treatment for 5 years. The study used data from a well-characterized web-based decision support program in New Zealand, identifying persons likely to benefit from aspirin treatment based on personalized benefit-harm analy...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateSep 16, 2019

Papillomaviruses may be able to be spread by blood

A recent study found that rabbit and mouse papillomaviruses can be transferred by blood to their respective hosts, raising the possibility of human papillomavirus (HPV) transmission through blood in humans. The researchers also detected HPV sequences in mucous membranes like the tongue and genitals, as well as in the stomach.

SourcePenn State·JournalEmerging Microbes & Infections·DateSep 11, 2019

Bone particles in blood

Researchers have discovered bone-like particles in the peripheral circulation of individuals with advancing age, which may lead to vascular calcification and restricted blood flow. These particles are potentially more dangerous due to their sharp edges and could contribute to diseases such as heart attack and stroke.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalMicrocirculation·DateAug 19, 2019

Older adults should be regularly screened for heart disease, diabetes risk

The Endocrine Society recommends regularly screening older adults for heart disease and diabetes risk, prioritizing lifestyle modification as the first-line therapy. Patients with at least three metabolic risk factors should be screened annually, while those with one or two risk factors should be screened every three years.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateJul 31, 2019