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Left: this image shows fibrotic heart cells from a patient who had heart failure; the cells have an elaborate fibronectin matrix (shown in red) which causes fibrosis and heart damage. Right: in this image, human heart cells treated with the novel therapeutic peptide exhibit dramatically reduced fibrosis; the experimental treatment prevented the human heart cells from failing and restored their function. Image credit: Cincinnati Children’s Heart Institute.

Inhibiting Specific Protein Might Prevent Heart Failure

Apr 17, 2018 by News Staff

A team of researchers at the Cincinnati Children’s Heart Institute used an experimental targeted molecular therapy to block a matrix-forming protein,...

Current guidelines say that, if necessary, paracetamol should be used at the lowest possible dose for the shortest possible time; ibuprofen should be avoided during pregnancy. Image credit: Steve Buissinne.

Painkillers in Pregnancy May Harm Baby’s Future Fertility: Study

Apr 17, 2018 by News Staff

According to a new study, published in the April edition of the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, taking painkillers such as paracetamol (acetaminophen)...

Night owls have 10% higher risk of dying than morning counterparts. Image credit: Sasin Tipchai.

Study: Night Owls Have Higher Risk of Mortality

Apr 16, 2018 by News Staff

According to a new study published in the journal Chronobiology International, ‘night owls’ have a 10% higher risk of dying than ‘larks.’ Night...

Dogan et al developed a way to cure dental cavities. Image credit: University of Washington.

New Biogenic Dental Product Rebuilds Tooth Enamel, Treats Cavities

Apr 16, 2018 by News Staff

A team of scientists at the University of Washington has developed a new dental product that uses protein amelogenin-derived peptides to remineralize tooth...

A nasal vaccine successfully suppressed peanut allergy in mice. Image credit: Skeeze.

Nasal Vaccine Turns Off Peanut Allergy in Mice: Study

Apr 13, 2018 by News Staff

Just three monthly doses of a nasal vaccine protected mice from allergic reactions upon exposure to peanut, according to a study published in the Journal...

The Carolina Reaper, also known as the HP22B, is a cultivar of Capsicum chinense. Image credit: Magnolia677 / CC BY 4.0.

Thunderclap Headaches: Rare Case Caused by ‘Carolina Reaper’ Chili Pepper

Apr 11, 2018 by News Staff

Taking part in a hot chili pepper eating contest might have some unexpected consequences, according to a team of doctors from Bassett Medical Center and...

Thin section of a Xenorhabdus nematophila cell, showing outer membrane blebs on the surface of the cell and in the surrounding area. Image credit: Mattia2 / Kenyon College.

Odilorhabdins: Researchers Discover New Class of Antibiotics

Apr 9, 2018 by News Staff

An international team of scientists led by the University of Illinois, Chicago, has discovered a new class of naturally produced, ribosome-targeting antibacterial...

Zhang et al utilized sequencing databases to identify hundreds of mutations in DNA sequences outside of coding genes, paving the way for novel therapeutic avenues to treat cancer. Image Credit: Zhang et al, doi: 10.1038/s41588-018-0091-2.

Researchers Identify Hundreds of Mutations outside of Coding Genes that Influence Tumor Gene Expression

Apr 6, 2018 by Zvi Cramer

Scientists have for the first time linked mutations located outside of coding genes to changes in tumor gene expression, aiding the development of future...

MacLean et al suggest that smoking status is associated with poor diet quality. Image credit: Quick Fix / CC BY-SA 2.0.

Smokers Have Worse Quality Diets than Former Smokers or Non-Smokers, Says New Study

Apr 5, 2018 by News Staff

A team of researchers from Fairfield University and Yale University has evaluated data from 5,293 U.S. adults and found that smokers consumed around 200...

Ashwanikumar et al have developed a drug delivery system using cell-penetrating self-assembling peptide nanomaterials (CSPNs); these drilled-shaped nanomaterials traverse cellular membranes to deliver drugs and can be fine-tuned into different shapes to optimize delivery. Image credit: Ashwanikumar et al, doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.02.041.

Scientists Develop Drug-Delivering ‘Nanodrills’ that Penetrate Cell Membranes

Mar 30, 2018 by Zvi Cramer

Researchers have created new drill-shaped nanomaterials that infiltrate cellular membrane and deliver drugs inside the cell, providing a versatile means...

The study’s primary finding is that chronic oral supplementation with 1,000 mg per day of NR is a well-tolerated and effective strategy for stimulating NAD+ metabolism in healthy middle-aged and older humans. Image credit: Arek Socha.

Nicotinamide Riboside Improves Blood Pressure and Arterial Health, Mimics Caloric Restriction: Study

Mar 29, 2018 by News Staff

A study published in the journal Nature Communications indicates that when people consume a form of Vitamin B3 called nicotinamide riboside (NR) daily,...

The interstitium is seen here beneath the top layer of skin, but is also in tissue layers lining the gut, lungs, and urinary systems, as well as those surrounding blood vessels and the fascia between muscles; the organ is a body-wide network of interconnected, fluid-filled compartments supported by a meshwork of strong, flexible proteins. Image credit: Jill Gregory / Mount Sinai Health System.

Interstitium: ‘New’ Organ Found in Human Body

Mar 28, 2018 by News Staff

A team of researchers from New York University School of Medicine, Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center, the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research...

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, characterized clinically by progressive memory loss, cognitive decline, and aberrant behavior. In Alzheimer’s, changes in tau protein lead to the disintegration of microtubules in brain cells. Image credit: Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center / National Institute on Aging.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Can Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease, New Studies Claim

Mar 27, 2018 by News Staff

A daily regimen of non-prescription NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen can prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s, according to...

Adipose tissue. Image credit: Blausen.com Staff / Medical Gallery of Blausen Medical 2014 / WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2), doi: 10.15347/wjm/2014.010.

Study: Low Temperatures Activate ‘Good’ Fat Formation at Cellular Level

Mar 26, 2018 by News Staff

A new study from the University of Nottingham, UK, shows that the way in which fat is made within the body is not ‘pre-programmed’ during the early...

Dry age-related macular degeneration is one of the most common causes of vision loss in people over the age of 50. Image credit: Pexels.

New Genetic Cause of Posterior Polymorphous Corneal Dystrophy Discovered

Mar 23, 2018 by News Staff

A new genetic cause of an autosomal-dominant corneal endothelial dystrophy has been discovered in a study led by University College London scientists. Posterior...

Pecans (Carya illinoinensis). Image credit: Tesa Robbins.

Pecan-Rich Diet Lowers Risk of Heart Disease, Type 2 Diabetes

Mar 23, 2018 by News Staff

Eating just 1.5 ounces (42.5 grams) of pecans every day may protect adults at risk for developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, according...

Betanin could eventually help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Image credit: Gyöngyi Nagy.

Beetroot Compound Could Help Slow Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease

Mar 20, 2018 by News Staff

Betanin, a natural pigment found in the sugar beet (Beta vulgaris), could eventually help slow the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the brain, a process...

Ramsey et al identified eight components of lavender and tea tree oils as endocrine disruptor chemicals. Image credit: Ilona Couleur.

Study: Lavender and Tea Tree Oils Contain Hormone-Disrupting Components

Mar 20, 2018 by News Staff

A new study from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences lends new evidence to a suspected link between regular exposure to lavender oil...

Beta-carboline compounds offer great promise for the treatment of alcoholism. Image credit: Imagens Evangelicas / CC BY 2.0.

Alcohol Use Disorders are Major Risk Factor for Dementia, Study Claims

Mar 19, 2018 by News Staff

According to a new observational study carried out in France, alcohol use disorders are the most important preventable risk factors for the onset of all...