ScienceDaily: Top Health News

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• Does eating fish protect our brains from air pollution?
• Single drop of blood could help rapidly detect radiation sickness
• 'Bystander' Cs meet their match in gene-editing technique
• World population likely to shrink after mid-century, forecasting major shifts in global population and economic power
• High-fat diet with antibiotic use linked to gut inflammation
• Molecular 'tails' are secret ingredient for gene activation in humans, yeast, and other organisms
• Scientists uncover key process in the manufacture of ribosomes and proteins
• Credit-card sized tool provides new insights into how cancer cells invade host tissues
• Only a third of pediatricians fully follow guidelines on peanut allergy prevention
• Study of natural gas flaring finds high risks to babies
• Early life stress is associated with youth-onset depression for some types of stress but not others
• Researchers find three distinct immune responses for sicker COVID-19 patients
• In one hour, surface coating inactivates virus that causes COVID-19
• Researchers outline strategy for testing ketone bodies against COVID-19
• Researchers 3D print a working heart pump with real human cells
• Common FDA-approved drug may effectively neutralize virus that causes COVID-19
• Novel biomarker technology for cancer diagnostics
• Children exposed to Deepwater Horizon oil spill suffered physical, mental health effects
• Exploring how a scorpion toxin might help treat heart attacks
• New hyperbaric oxygen therapy protocol can improve cognitive function of older adults
• New promising treatment uses smart nanoparticles to target lung cancer
• Flavored cigarette ban significantly reduced youth smoking, new study finds
• New research highlights increased loneliness in over-70s during COVID-19 pandemic
• After universal masking, health care worker COVID-19 rates drop at Mass General Brigham
• Super-agers show resistance to tau and amyloid accumulation
• COVID-19: Patients improve after immune-suppressant treatment
• Spread of flu virus in hospital environment common
• Novel test method detects coronavirus in highly diluted gargle samples
• Regular physical activity seems to enhance cognition in children who need it most
• Neuronal circuits in the brain 'sense' our inner state
• Learning the wiring diagram for autism spectrum disorders
• Move over, Siri! Researchers develop improv-based Chatbot
• A nanomaterial path forward for COVID-19 vaccine development
• Multidisciplinary approach more effective for gut disorders
• Boosting immune memory could reduce cancer recurrence
• COVID-19 may attack patients' central nervous system
• Study finds hidden emotions in the sound of words
• Researchers cast doubt on earlier COVID-19 origins study citing dogs as possible hosts
• Ups and downs in COVID-19 data may be caused by data reporting practices
• Autism researchers map brain circuitry of social preference
• Scientists find new link between delirium and brain energy disruption
• New, remote weight-loss method helped slash pounds

Does eating fish protect our brains from air pollution? Posted: 15 Jul 2020 01:35 PM PDT Older women who eat more than one to two servings a week of baked or broiled fish or shellfish may consume enough omega-3 fatty acids to counteract the effects of air pollution on the brain, according to a new study.

Single drop of blood could help rapidly detect radiation sickness Posted: 15 Jul 2020 12:42 PM PDT A new proof-of-concept study reports evidence that a new testing method has the potential to rapidly identify radiation sickness based on biomarkers measured through a single drop of blood. Scientists say the test could help save lives through early and real-time identification of the condition to enable timely clinical interventions.

'Bystander' Cs meet their match in gene-editing technique Posted: 15 Jul 2020 12:42 PM PDT Biomolecular engineers have developed new tools to increase the accuracy of CRISPR single-base editing to treat genetic diseases.

World population likely to shrink after mid-century, forecasting major shifts in global population and economic power Posted: 15 Jul 2020 12:04 PM PDT With widespread, sustained declines in fertility, the world population will likely peak in 2064 at around 9.7 billion, and then decline to about 8.8 billion by 2100 -- about 2 billion lower than some previous estimates, according to a new study.

High-fat diet with antibiotic use linked to gut inflammation Posted: 15 Jul 2020 11:24 AM PDT Researchers have found that combining a Western-style high-fat diet with antibiotic use significantly increases the risk of developing pre- inflammatory bowel disease. This combination shuts down the mitochondria in cells of the colon lining, leading to gut inflammation. Mesalazine can help restart the mitochondria and treat pre-IBD condition.

Molecular 'tails' are secret ingredient for gene activation in humans, yeast, and other organisms Posted: 15 Jul 2020 11:23 AM PDT Researchers have discovered how diverse forms of life are able to use the same cellular machinery for DNA transcription.

Scientists uncover key process in the manufacture of ribosomes and proteins Posted: 15 Jul 2020 11:23 AM PDT Researchers have shown that an enzyme called RNA polymerase (Pol) II drives generation of the building blocks of ribosomes, the molecular machines that manufacture all proteins in cells based on the genetic code.

Credit-card sized tool provides new insights into how cancer cells invade host tissues Posted: 15 Jul 2020 11:23 AM PDT Researchers have developed a credit-card sized tool for growing cancer cells outside the human body, which they believe will enhance their understanding of breast cancer metastasis. The device reproduces various environments within the human body where breast cancer cells live. Studying the cells as they go through the process of invasion and metastasis could point the way toward new biomarkers and drugs to diagnose and treat cancer.

Only a third of pediatricians fully follow guidelines on peanut allergy prevention Posted: 15 Jul 2020 11:23 AM PDT While 93 percent of U.S. pediatricians surveyed were aware of the national guidelines on peanut allergy prevention in infants, only 30 percent were fully implementing the recommended practices and 64 percent reported partial implementation, according to the study.

Study of natural gas flaring finds high risks to babies Posted: 15 Jul 2020 11:23 AM PDT Researchers have found that exposure to flaring -- the burning off of excess natural gas -- at oil and gas production sites is associated with 50% higher odds of preterm birth, compared with no exposure.

Early life stress is associated with youth-onset depression for some types of stress but not others Posted: 15 Jul 2020 11:23 AM PDT Examining the association between eight different types of early life stress (ELS) and youth-onset depression, a study reports that individuals exposed to ELS were more likely to develop a major depressive disorder (MDD) in childhood or adolescence than individuals who had not been exposed to ELS.

Researchers find three distinct immune responses for sicker COVID-19 patients Posted: 15 Jul 2020 11:22 AM PDT Researchers have discovered three distinct immune responses to the SARS-CoV2 infection that could help predict the trajectory of disease in severe COVID-19 patients and may ultimately inform how to best treat them. A second study uncovered new details about the innate, or initial, response to SARS-CoV2.

In one hour, surface coating inactivates virus that causes COVID-19 Posted: 15 Jul 2020 10:12 AM PDT Researchers have developed a surface coating that, when painted on common objects, inactivates SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Researchers outline strategy for testing ketone bodies against COVID-19 Posted: 15 Jul 2020 10:12 AM PDT A new review encourages researchers studying metabolism and immunity to turn their attention to ketone bodies, which are being widely studied for their role in aging, as a possible therapeutic against COVID-19, seasonal flu and other respiratory infections.

Researchers 3D print a working heart pump with real human cells Posted: 15 Jul 2020 10:12 AM PDT In a groundbreaking new study, researchers have 3D printed a functioning centimeter-scale human heart pump in the lab. The discovery could have major implications for studying heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States killing more than 600,000 people a year.

Common FDA-approved drug may effectively neutralize virus that causes COVID-19 Posted: 15 Jul 2020 09:32 AM PDT A common drug, already approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), may also be a powerful tool in fighting COVID-19, according to new research.

Novel biomarker technology for cancer diagnostics Posted: 15 Jul 2020 09:31 AM PDT A new way of identifying cancer biomarkers has been developed. The new technology allows very sensitive, quick and cost-effective identification of cancer biomarkers.

Children exposed to Deepwater Horizon oil spill suffered physical, mental health effects Posted: 15 Jul 2020 09:31 AM PDT A recent study has found that the Deepwater Horizon disaster was harmful to the mental and physical health of children in the area.

Exploring how a scorpion toxin might help treat heart attacks Posted: 15 Jul 2020 09:31 AM PDT Scientists are discovering potential life-saving medicines from an unlikely source: the venom of creatures like snakes, spiders and scorpions. Scorpion venom, in particular, contains a peptide that has beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system of rats with high blood pressure. Now, researchers say they know a little more about how that happens.

New hyperbaric oxygen therapy protocol can improve cognitive function of older adults Posted: 15 Jul 2020 09:31 AM PDT A new study has demonstrated for the first time that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can significantly enhance the cognitive performance of healthy older adults.

New promising treatment uses smart nanoparticles to target lung cancer Posted: 15 Jul 2020 09:31 AM PDT A new and promising approach for treatment of lung cancer has been developed. The treatment combines a novel surgical approach with smart nanoparticles to specifically target lung tumors.

Flavored cigarette ban significantly reduced youth smoking, new study finds Posted: 15 Jul 2020 09:31 AM PDT Researchers analyzed National Survey on Drug Use and Health data to test the effect of the 2009 U.S. flavored cigarette ban. The study found the ban reduced underage smoking by 43% and smoking among young adults by 27%. Researchers call for more comprehensive bans of flavored tobacco products to reduce youth use of these dangerous products.

New research highlights increased loneliness in over-70s during COVID-19 pandemic Posted: 15 Jul 2020 08:14 AM PDT A new report highlights effects of COVID-19 government measures on Ireland's older population. The research finds that public health measures such as social distancing and cocooning to curb the spread of the virus has increased levels of loneliness and social isolation in older people.

After universal masking, health care worker COVID-19 rates drop at Mass General Brigham Posted: 15 Jul 2020 08:14 AM PDT A new study makes it clear: after universal masking was implemented at Mass General Brigham, the rate of COVID-19 infection among health care workers dropped significantly.

Super-agers show resistance to tau and amyloid accumulation Posted: 15 Jul 2020 08:14 AM PDT Super-agers, or individuals whose cognitive skills are above the norm even at an advanced age, have been found to have increased resistance to tau and amyloid proteins, according to new research.

COVID-19: Patients improve after immune-suppressant treatment Posted: 15 Jul 2020 08:14 AM PDT Most patients hospitalized with COVID-19 (coronavirus) pneumonia experienced improvement after receiving an FDA-approved drug normally given for rheumatoid arthritis, according to an observational study. Outcomes for patients who received the drug, tocilizumab, included reduced inflammation, oxygen requirements, blood pressure support and risk of death, compared with published reports of illness and death associated with severely ill COVID-19 patients.

Spread of flu virus in hospital environment common Posted: 15 Jul 2020 08:14 AM PDT One in four inpatients with influenza in a given season showed signs of having become infected during care.

Novel test method detects coronavirus in highly diluted gargle samples Posted: 15 Jul 2020 08:14 AM PDT Pharmacists have succeeded in detecting small amounts of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 using mass spectrometry. For their investigation, they used gargle solutions of COVID-19 patients. The novel method might supplement conventional tests.

Regular physical activity seems to enhance cognition in children who need it most Posted: 15 Jul 2020 08:14 AM PDT Researchers re-analyzed data from three experiments that tested whether physical activity interventions lead to improved cognitive skills in children. They found that (1) the benefits of regular exercise on cognition were greater in children who have poor cognitive performance before the intervention and (2) spending time on physical activity did not hinder cognition in children who already had good cognitive performance before the intervention.

Neuronal circuits in the brain 'sense' our inner state Posted: 15 Jul 2020 08:14 AM PDT How decisions are made and how behavior is controlled is one of the most important questions in neuroscience. The neurotransmitter dopamine plays a central role in all of this. Scientists looked into the role that dopamine plays in the decision-making process and in controlling movement.

Learning the wiring diagram for autism spectrum disorders Posted: 15 Jul 2020 06:55 AM PDT Researchers have identified brain circuitry that plays a key role in the dysfunctional social, repetitive, and inflexible behavioral differences that characterize autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The findings could lead to new therapies.

Move over, Siri! Researchers develop improv-based Chatbot Posted: 15 Jul 2020 06:55 AM PDT Computer scientists have incorporated improv dialogues into chatbots to produce more grounded and engaging interactions.

A nanomaterial path forward for COVID-19 vaccine development Posted: 15 Jul 2020 06:55 AM PDT From mRNA vaccines entering clinical trials, to peptide-based vaccines and using molecular farming to scale vaccine production, the COVID-19 pandemic is pushing new and emerging nanotechnologies into the frontlines and the headlines. Nanoengineers detail the current approaches to COVID-19 vaccine development, and highlight how nanotechnology has enabled these advances, in a review article.

Multidisciplinary approach more effective for gut disorders Posted: 15 Jul 2020 06:54 AM PDT Researchers have conducted a trial involving 144 patients to compare the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary clinic - involving gastroenterologists, dieticians, psychiatrists and physiotherapists - with usual gastroenterology specialist-only care.

Boosting immune memory could reduce cancer recurrence Posted: 15 Jul 2020 06:54 AM PDT A new study on how immune memory can be targeted and improve immunotherapy and prevent cancer recurrence.

COVID-19 may attack patients' central nervous system Posted: 14 Jul 2020 11:47 AM PDT A new study finds that depressed mood or anxiety exhibited in COVID-19 patients may be a sign the virus affects the central nervous system. These two psychological symptoms were most closely associated with a loss of smell and taste rather than the more severe indicators of the novel coronavirus such as shortness of breath, cough or fever.

Study finds hidden emotions in the sound of words Posted: 14 Jul 2020 11:47 AM PDT New research shows that some sound combinations, like those in the word 'virus,' elicit more emotionally intense responses than others. This may play a role in both children's language acquisition and how we might have evolved language in the first place.

Researchers cast doubt on earlier COVID-19 origins study citing dogs as possible hosts Posted: 14 Jul 2020 11:30 AM PDT A study published earlier this year claiming the coronavirus may have jumped from dogs to humans is scientifically flawed, offering no direct evidence to support its conclusions, according to a collaborative group of international researchers.

Ups and downs in COVID-19 data may be caused by data reporting practices Posted: 14 Jul 2020 10:27 AM PDT As data accumulates on COVID-19 cases and deaths, researchers have observed patterns of peaks and valleys that repeat on a near-weekly basis. A new study reports that those oscillations arise from variations in testing practices and data reporting, rather than from societal practices around how people are infected or treated.

Autism researchers map brain circuitry of social preference Posted: 14 Jul 2020 10:27 AM PDT A new study reveals how two key neural circuits dictate the choice between social approach and avoidance. The findings will enable researchers to evaluate social interventions in autism.

Scientists find new link between delirium and brain energy disruption Posted: 14 Jul 2020 07:12 AM PDT Scientists have discovered a new link between impaired brain energy metabolism and delirium -- a disorienting and distressing disorder particularly common in the elderly and one that is currently occurring in a large proportion of patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The research suggests that therapies focusing on brain energy metabolism may offer new routes to mitigating delirium.

New, remote weight-loss method helped slash pounds Posted: 14 Jul 2020 05:28 AM PDT A new remote weight-loss program, called Opt-IN, provides maximum weight loss for the lowest cost and with much less hassle than the gold-standard National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), the most successful behavioral non-drug treatment currently available.

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