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Aging | DNA methylation-based measures of biological aging and cognitive decline over 16-years: preliminary longitudinal findings in midlife

A 16-year longitudinal study found associations between DNA methylation-based measures and neuropsychologically-validated cognitive decline in midlife. The results suggest that these measures may serve as biomarkers for a molecular aging mechanism, potentially identifying individuals at risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeObservational study·DateDec 29, 2022

Catch a break: Higher vitamin K intake linked to lower bone fracture risk late in life

A long-term study found that eating more than 100 micrograms of vitamin K1 daily reduced the risk of fractures and hospitalizations by 31-49%. Dark leafy vegetables and one-to-two serves of vegetables are recommended for optimal benefits. Vitamin K1 has been shown to enhance cardiovascular health and promote bone health.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalFood & Function·TypeObservational study·DateNov 27, 2022

1 in 8 older adults experienced depression for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic

A large-scale study of 20,000 older adults found that nearly half who had experienced depression before reported being depressed again, highlighting the pandemic's devastating impact on mental health. Factors associated with depression included low income, chronic pain, and family conflict.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 24, 2022

Corporal punishment affects brain activity, anxiety, and depression

A new study explores how corporal punishment impacts neural systems, linking it to increased anxiety, depression, and altered brain activity. The research found that adolescents who experienced physical punishments showed a larger neural response to error and a blunted response to reward.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 16, 2022

Myocardial strain parameters on MRI in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

A multicenter study found that left ventricular global longitudinal strain is a significant independent predictor of all-cause mortality and/or heart-failure hospitalization in patients with ischemic or nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. The study used cardiac MRI feature tracking to calculate six myocardial strain parameters.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·TypeImaging analysis·DateNov 9, 2022

Study shows how math, science identity in students affects college, career outcomes

A new study from the University of Kansas suggests that fostering positive attitudes toward math and science early in students' lives can address gender and socioeconomic gaps in STEM. The study analyzed data from over 21,000 students and found that having a science or math identity in ninth grade can increase the likelihood of enrolli...

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalSocius Sociological Research for a Dynamic World·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 3, 2022

Did the pandemic change our personalities?

A study of 7,109 Americans found small shifts in personality traits between pre-pandemic and 2022, with younger adults showing disrupted maturity. The changes were about one-tenth of a standard deviation and suggest that population-wide stressful events can slightly bend the trajectory of personality.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateSep 28, 2022

Spanish scientists combine genetic and imaging data to improve the treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy

A Spanish study combines genetic and imaging data to predict patient prognosis, identifying those at risk of malignant arrhythmias or severe complications. The findings open the way for personalized medicine in treating dilated cardiomyopathy.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalEuropean Journal of Heart Failure·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 26, 2022

Pollution exposure associated with multimorbidity risk

A new study found that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure is associated with an increased risk of having a cluster of multiple chronic diseases, particularly cardio-metabolic and respiratory conditions. The analysis revealed four distinct multimorbidity clusters, with lower PM2.5 exposure linked to musculoskeletal conditions.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·TypeSurvey·DateJun 29, 2022

COVID-19 on the brain: Neurological symptoms persist in majority of long-haulers

A UC San Diego longitudinal study found that most COVID-19 long-haulers continue to suffer from neurological symptoms six months after infection, with memory impairment and decreased concentration being the most prevalent. Researchers identified a new subgroup with advanced symptoms, including tremor and difficulty balancing.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalAnnals of Clinical and Translational Neurology·DateJun 15, 2022

Combination of weak muscles and abdominal obesity can be an early sign of functional decline in men

A Brazilian study analyzing data from 3,875 elderly men and women found that weak muscles combined with abdominal obesity can indicate an early sign of functional decline. The study suggests that monitoring simple actions such as sitting down, standing up, walking short distances may help identify this condition.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateApr 28, 2022

About 30% of COVID patients develop “Long COVID,” UCLA research finds

A study of 309 people with long COVID found that fatigue, shortness of breath, and loss of sense of smell were the most persistent symptoms. The research also revealed that factors such as history of hospitalization, diabetes, and body mass index increased the risk of developing Long COVID.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateApr 18, 2022

High cardiovascular risk is associated with symptoms of depression

A new study published in PLOS ONE finds that high and very high cardiovascular risk are associated with depressive symptoms, especially in women. The researchers used data from a Mediterranean Diet trial and found that participants with higher cardiovascular risk had lower depressive status scores after following the diet.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateApr 13, 2022

Researchers find patterns of handgun carrying among youth in rural areas, building foundation for injury prevention

A recent study found that young people in rural areas carry handguns nearly twice as often as urban youths, with one in three reporting carrying by age 26. The study identified six longitudinal trajectories of handgun carrying, suggesting different cultural contexts and motivations for the behavior.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeSurvey·DateMar 31, 2022

Are e-cigarettes a “gateway” to cannabis use among adolescents? It depends on mental health status

A new study found that e-cigarette use significantly increases adolescents' risk of cannabis use, especially among those with externalizing mental health problems. However, for those with internalizing mental health issues, the relationship is reversed, and they are less likely to begin using cannabis.

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 17, 2022

Social support may lower American Indians’ risk of cardiovascular disease, death

A study by Washington State University found that social support can mitigate the risk of heart disease and death in older American Indians. Higher rates of depression symptoms, poor quality of life, and social isolation were linked to increased mortality, but instrumental social support reversed this effect.

SourceWashington State University·JournalSocial Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 14, 2022

Granddaughters and great-granddaughters of men who start to smoke before puberty, have more body fat than expected, research shows

A new study by University of Bristol researchers found increased body fat in females whose grandfathers or great-grandfathers started smoking before puberty. This study extends previous findings on paternal smoking and its effects on sons, now exploring the impact on daughters across multiple generations.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateJan 21, 2022

Smoking may increase risk of heart attack via enhanced platelet activity, new research suggests

A new study published in Circulation Research found that smoking can increase the risk of a heart attack by activating a gene that affects blood clotting. The researchers discovered that smoking causes changes to DNA methylation at specific sites, leading to increased platelet activity and an increased risk of clotting events.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalCirculation Research·DateJan 11, 2022

Behavioral indicator for preterm infants

A new study suggests that a behavioral marker in preterm infants can indicate potential development problems. Researchers used digital eye tracking to test the infants' visual motor coordination and found that those who struggled with this task were more likely to face cognitive and social difficulties later on.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 10, 2022

Low birth weight among IVF children not linked to infertility treatments

Research involving nearly 250,000 US families found that medically assisted reproduction techniques, including IVF, do not significantly affect birth weight and pregnancy term. Once family circumstances are considered, the differences between MAR-conceived babies and naturally conceived children become insignificant.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 6, 2022

Abnormal brain changes over time with bipolar disorder

Longitudinal study reveals cortical thinning in people with bipolar disorder, especially those with more manic episodes. The findings suggest that bipolar disorder may be a neuroprogressive disorder, worsened by the progression of symptoms.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateNov 2, 2021

McCullough and Liu awarded $3.7M NIH grant to study sex differences in COVID-19 outcomes

The research team aims to understand the mechanisms that contribute to long-term consequences of COVID-19 infection, particularly in women who may be disproportionally affected by chronic symptoms. They plan to leverage a biorepository and longitudinal study to assess the impact of acute and chronic inflammation on brain injury and neu...