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Possible psoriasis drug target identified by Stanford researchers

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified Rac1 as a potential target for treating psoriasis. The small protein is involved in wound repair and has been linked to environmental triggers of the disease, as well as genetic predisposition. Blocking Rac1 activation may offer a new way to treat psoriasis without s...

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 13, 2016

Take a picture, you'll enjoy it more

Researchers found that people who take photos of their experiences enjoy them more than those who don't. Photo-taking increases engagement, making the experience more pleasurable. However, the effect is limited to active participation and not when taking pictures interferes with the experience.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateJun 9, 2016

What happens when parents comment on their daughter's weight?

A new study from the Cornell Food & Brand Lab found that women who recall their parents commenting on their weight are more prone to being overweight and less satisfied with their weight as adults. Commenting on a daughter's weight can have a negative impact later in life, damaging body image regardless of weight.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalEating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia Bulimia and Obesity·DateJun 7, 2016

Army personnel most at risk for violent suicide

A study found that Army personnel were most at risk for violent suicide among active duty enlisted service members. Firearms accounted for 62% of suicides with a known cause of death. The results suggest that infantry and special operations job classifications may be more likely to use firearms to commit suicide.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJun 6, 2016

Innovative surgical practices using tissue-based regenerative therapies may be tightly regulated

The FDA draft guidelines aim to restrict the use of human cell and tissue products in various surgical procedures, potentially hindering the development of new therapies. This could impact surgeons performing reconstructive surgeries, such as breast, chest, and abdominal wall reconstructions, as well as pelvic floor reconstruction.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalTissue Engineering·DateJun 1, 2016

How Zika infects the placenta

Scientists have discovered that Zika virus can infect and replicate in immune cells from the placenta without killing them. This finding may explain how the virus passes through the placenta of a pregnant woman to infect developing brain cells in her fetus.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateMay 27, 2016

Bright lights, healthy choices

Research published in the Journal of Marketing Research found that diners in well-lit rooms are more likely to order healthier options, such as grilled fish or vegetables, compared to those in dimly lit spaces. The study also revealed that increased alertness leads to better food choices.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalJournal of Marketing Research·DateMay 26, 2016

More than a myth: Drink spiking happens

A study by the American Psychological Association found that 7.8% of college students reported being drugged, with women more likely to be victims and experience negative consequences. The research highlights the need for interventions targeting those who engage in drink spiking, focusing on consent and the dangers of overdosing.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalPsychology of Violence·DateMay 24, 2016

Full extraction

Lomonosov Moscow State University scientists have developed a new method to extract DNA from various organisms. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of preventive vaccines against infectious diseases, allergies, and cancers.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalEuropean Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience·DateMay 19, 2016

Screening strategy identifies adults at risk for developing kidney disease

A targeted screening program in Canada identified a high proportion of individuals with risk factors for chronic kidney disease and many with unrecognized CKD. The See Kidney Disease (SeeKD) program successfully promoted good kidney health and provided early detection of CKD, emphasizing the importance of targeted screening.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateMay 19, 2016

Nudging health in food pantries

Researchers found that placing protein bars at the start of the dessert line increased selection by 46%, while keeping them in original packaging boosted selection by 59%. These simple changes made healthy foods more convenient and appealing to clients.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalJournal of Public Health·DateMay 17, 2016

Kidney disease may increase hospitalized patients' risk of complications

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at a higher risk of experiencing hospital-acquired complications when hospitalized. A study of 536,549 adults found that CKD patients were 19% more likely to experience complications than those with normal kidney function, with the risk increasing as CKD severity worsened.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateMay 12, 2016

Apples or fries

A study by Cornell Food & Brand Lab found that 86.7% of children aged 6-8 opted for fries over apples when the apples were the default option. The researchers suggest offering smaller portions of fries with apples as a more realistic solution to encourage healthier eating habits.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalBMC Research Notes·DateMay 6, 2016

Can personality traits affect likelihood of using mindfulness-based stress reduction?

A study found that specific personality traits, such as neuroticism and extraversion, were associated with individual differences in the use of MBSR during and post-training. The findings suggest that MBSR programs can be tailored to targeted populations based on their personality traits.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine·DateMay 3, 2016

Building a CRISPR rainbow

Researchers have developed a new technology using CRISPR/Cas9 to label and track up to seven different genomic locations in live cells. This allows for real-time study of chromosome dynamics and gene expression, enabling better understanding of biological processes and health outcomes.

SourceUMass Chan Medical School·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateApr 20, 2016