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Asthma sufferers have trouble breathing because of the narrowing of the airways in their lungs, an example of which is shown in the upper left. In chronic asthma (lower left), repeated cycles of inflammation, damage, and repair lead to airway remodeling and fibrosis, the buildup of collagen and other materials. A signaling molecule known as NF-κB can significantly reduce chronic asthma (lower right). Image credit: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Researchers Find New Way to Prevent Acute Asthmatic Symptoms

Oct 10, 2018 by News Staff

Asthma is one of the most common lung diseases, affecting 241 million people worldwide. This disease is characterized by airflow limitation caused by inflammation,...

Haller et al suggest that the body’s inability to fully utilize manganese might be to blame for some cases of severe scoliosis. Image credit: Blausen.com, doi: 10.15347/wjm/2014.010.

Severe Scoliosis Linked to Essential Dietary Mineral Manganese

Oct 9, 2018 by News Staff

A research team led by Washington University scientists has found that children with severe scoliosis are twice as likely as children without the disease...

$Vitamin D supplementation does not prevent fractures or falls, or improve bone mineral density.$

Vitamin D Supplementation Does Not Improve Bone Health, Meta-Analysis Shows

Oct 9, 2018 by News Staff

According to a systematic meta-analysis published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, vitamin D supplementation does not prevent fractures or falls,...

The location of the huntingtin gene on chromosome 4 and 3D structure of huntingtin. Image credit: Genetics Home Reference / NCBI / EBI.

Reducing Levels of Mutated Protein Restores Cognitive Function in Mouse Model of Huntington’s Disease

Oct 5, 2018 by News Staff

Huntington’s disease is a genetic, progressive disorder that causes uncontrolled movements, emotional problems, and loss of thinking ability. The disease...

This illustration depicts a 3D computer-generated image of a group of Escherichia coli. Image credit: James Archer, CDC.

Artificial Sweeteners are Toxic to Gut Bacteria, Study Shows

Oct 3, 2018 by News Staff

A new study, led by researchers at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, demonstrates the toxicity effect of artificial sweeteners on Escherichia...

UV active ink can be printed on paper making sensors cheap and easy to produce. Image credit: RMIT University.

Researchers Develop Wearable Paper-Based UV Sensors

Oct 3, 2018 by News Staff

An international team of researchers led by RMIT University has developed paper-based UV sensors that could help people manage vitamin absorption and avoid...

Adhering to a healthy diet, in particular a traditional Mediterranean diet, or avoiding a pro-inflammatory diet appears to confer some protection against depression in observational studies. Image credit: Rita E.

Eating Healthier, Plant-Rich Diet May Help Prevent Depression

Oct 1, 2018 by News Staff

According to a comprehensive, systematic review of previous studies, a diet of vegetables, fruits, nuts, plant-based food and fish — typical of a...

A spinal cord stimulator. Image credit: Mayo Clinic.

Spinal Implant and Physical Therapy Help Paralyzed Man Stand and Walk

Sep 27, 2018 by News Staff

Jered Chinnock, 29, injured his spinal cord at the thoracic vertebrae in the middle of his back in a snowmobile accident in 2013. He was diagnosed with...

Older adults with varied sleep-wake times weigh more, have higher blood sugar, risks of cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases.

Study: Irregular Sleep Increases Cardiovascular and Cardiometabolic Risks

Sep 25, 2018 by News Staff

According to a new study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, older adults with irregular sleep patterns weigh more, have higher blood sugar and...

This image shows a single human skeletal stem cell-derived colony. Image credit: Chan et al, doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.07.029.

Skeletal Stem Cells Identified in Humans

Sep 24, 2018 by News Staff

Human skeletal stem cells capable of self-renewal and multilineage differentiation to bone, cartilage, and stroma have been isolated by Dr. Michael Longaker...

Following a Mediterranean diet may reduce stroke risk in women over 40 but not in men. Image credit: Dana Tentis.

Mediterranean Diet Reduces Risk of Incident Stroke: Study

Sep 21, 2018 by News Staff

A new study reveals that a traditional Mediterranean-style diet reduces stroke risk among white adults who are at high risk of cardiovascular disease....

The giant red bull ant (Myrmecia gulosa). Image credit: University of Queensland.

Bull Ant Venom Could Help Develop New Pain Treatments

Sep 20, 2018 by News Staff

A team of researchers from the Universities of Queensland and Sydney, Australia, has performed the first comprehensive characterization of a polypeptidic...

Aspirin is a well-established therapy for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. However, its role in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease is unclear, especially in older persons, who have an increased risk. Image credit: Steve Buissinne.

Daily Low-Dose Aspirin Has No Effect on Healthy Life Span in Older Adults, Study Shows

Sep 18, 2018 by News Staff

According to the findings from the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) study, taking a low-dose aspirin daily does not prolong healthy living...

Dairy consumption was associated with lower risk of mortality and major cardiovascular disease events in a diverse multinational cohort. Image credit: Rita E.

Higher Dairy Consumption Reduces Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Sep 17, 2018 by News Staff

According to investigators from the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study, dairy intake of around three standard servings per day is associated...

Karshalev et al created a micromotor pill and demonstrated its attractive use as a platform for oral delivery of active micromotors: (A) left: schematic of in vivo administration of a micromotor pill for actuation in the stomach; right: schematic of the micromotor pill composition consisting of a lactose/maltose pill matrix and the encapsulated a magnesium/titanium dioxide/polylactic-co-glycolic acid (Mg/TiO2/PLGA) micromotors; a zoom-in view illustrates the micromotor structure consisting of a Mg microsphere core with a TiO2 shell layer and a cargo-loaded PLGA film coating; (B) schematic of micromotor pill dissolution in gastric fluid and subsequent micromotor release; (C) left: image showing different sizes of disk-shaped micromotor pills; center: microscope image showing the dissolution of a micromotor pill in gastric fluid simulant; right: propulsion of the released Mg-based micromotors in gastric fluid simulant. Image credit: Karshalev et al, doi: 10.1021/acsnano.8b03760.

Researchers Create Micromotor Pill

Sep 14, 2018 by News Staff

A team of scientists at the University of California, San Diego has found a way to encapsulate micromotors into pills. The pill’s coating protects the...

An experimental vaccine that boosts the immune system’s ability to fight cancers could work in tandem with other cancer therapies to fight aggressive tumors. Image credit: Julio C. Valencia, NCI Center for Cancer Research.

Experimental Vaccine-Adjuvant Combination Eliminates Melanoma in Mice

Sep 13, 2018 by News Staff

A team of scientists from the Scripps Research Institute and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center has demonstrated that adding an ‘adjuvant’...

Diclofenac is associated with an increased risk of major cardiovascular events. Image credit: Petr Vnukko.

Diclofenac Linked to Increased Cardiovascular Health Risks

Sep 12, 2018 by News Staff

A traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) called diclofenac poses a cardiovascular health risk compared with no use, paracetamol use,...

Increasing daily fasting times made mice healthier and live longer compared to mice who ate more frequently. Image credit: Mitchell et al, doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2018.08.011.

Study: Daily Fasting Improves Health and Longevity in Male Mice

Sep 12, 2018 by News Staff

A new study led by the National Institute on Aging shows that a long daily period of fasting improves the health and survival of male mice, regardless...

Chandrasekhar et al invented a proof-of-concept blood pressure app that can give accurate readings using an iPhone. Image credit: Michigan State University.

New Smartphone App Accurately Measures Blood Pressure from Fingertip

Sep 11, 2018 by News Staff

A team of researchers at Michigan State University has developed an iPhone X app that measures blood pressure via the ‘oscillometric finger pressing...