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Ambrosia arborescens is a species of plant native to the Andes from Colombia south to Bolivia. Image credit: Dick Culbert / CC BY 2.0.

South American Medicinal Plant Compound Shows Anti-Cancer Stem Cell Activity

Oct 3, 2017 by Enrico de Lazaro

Damsin, a natural compound isolated from the South American medicinal plant Ambrosia arborescens, has been found to inhibit the growth of cancer stem cells,...

This is a digitally-colorized transmission electron microscopic (TEM) image of Zika virus. Virus particles, here colored blue, are 40 nm in diameter, with an outer envelope, and an inner dense core. Image credit: Cynthia Goldsmith, CDC.

Study: Anti-Dengue Antibody Protects against Zika Virus Infection

Sep 26, 2017 by News Staff

An antibody that protects against dengue virus is also effective against Zika in mice, according to a new study published in the journal Nature Immunology. This...

Immunohistochemical analysis of a human lung section stained with anti-PIWIL4 antibody. Scale bars - 10 μm. Image credit: Wasserman et al, doi: 10.1172/JCI94639.

Researchers Identify New Type of Lung Cell

Sep 19, 2017 by News Staff

A research team led by Boston University scientists has identified a new type of lung cell that is implicated in the body’s immune defense against pneumonia-causing...

A finger stick helps patients with diabetes take control of their blood sugar levels. Image credit: Darryl Leja National, Human Genome Research Institute.

Type 2 Diabetes is Reversible Condition, Researchers Claim

Sep 14, 2017 by News Staff

A body of research putting type 2 diabetes patients on a low calorie diet has confirmed that the condition is reversible. For many patients it can be reversed...

Researchers from the University of Michigan have uncovered that the cause of turbulence in non-equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma is due to heat-induced sound waves from the instrument’s electrodes. Image credit: Texas A&M University.

Heat-Induced Sound Waves Drive Turbulence in Plasma Therapy, Study Says

Sep 12, 2017 by Zvi Cramer

Non-equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma jets are a promising mode of treating a variety of afflictions. However, unpredictable turbulence in the plasma...

The only equipment needed to run the newly developed diagnostic test is a pen, paper and a digital drawing tablet. Image credit: RMIT University.

New Diagnostic Tool Detects Parkinson’s before Physical Symptoms Appear

Sep 11, 2017 by News Staff

A new diagnostic tool — which has an accuracy rate of 93% — developed by RMIT University researchers could detect Parkinson’s disease before...

Poor olfaction predicts Parkinson’s disease in short and intermediate terms, according to Chen et al. Image credit: Northwestern University.

Simple Scratch-And-Sniff Test Could Spot Parkinson’s Disease in Early Stages

Sep 8, 2017 by News Staff

A simple smell test may one day be able to help identify people at greater risk of developing Parkinson’s disease up to 10 years before the disease could...

Higher intake of red meat and poultry is associated with significantly increased risk of developing diabetes. Image credit: Snufkin.

Red Meat and Poultry Consumption Increases Risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Study Finds

Sep 7, 2017 by News Staff

In a research article published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, Professor Koh Woon Puay of the Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, and colleagues...

‘Vampires’ May Have Been Real People with Erythropoietic Protoporphyria, Researchers Say

Sep 7, 2017 by News Staff

An international team of researchers, led by Dr. Barry Paw of the Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, has identified a genetic...

Zika Virus Kills Glioblastoma Stem Cells, New Research Shows

Sep 6, 2017 by News Staff

In a research paper published this week in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, scientists report that Zika virus could be used to target and kill brain...

Olive Oil-Enriched Dark Chocolate Improves Cardiovascular Risk Profile

Sep 5, 2017 by News Staff

A new study from University of Pisa researchers has found that small daily portions of extra virgin olive oil-enriched dark chocolate are associated with...

According to Rowley IV et al, cocoa compounds have beneficial effects on beta-cell function. Image credit: Pernilla Klockars.

Study: Cocoa Compounds Help Cells Release More Insulin

Sep 1, 2017 by News Staff

When a person has diabetes, their body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t process blood sugar properly; at the root of that is the failure...

Among patients with stable atherosclerotic vascular disease, those assigned to rivaroxaban (2.5 mg twice daily) plus aspirin had better cardiovascular outcomes and more major bleeding events than those assigned to aspirin alone. Image credit: Val-gb.

COMPASS Study: Combination of Rivaroxaban and Aspirin Works Best for Heart Diseases

Aug 29, 2017 by News Staff

A major new study has found that the combination of two drugs — rivaroxaban and aspirin — is superior to aspirin alone in preventing further...

According to Paardekooper et al, ethylene release is an early and integral component of in vivo lipid peroxidation with important clinical implications as a breath biomarker of bacterial infection. Image credit: James Heilman / CC BY-SA 4.0.

Study: Inflammatory Response to Bacterial Infection Rapidly Changes Composition of Exhaled Breath

Aug 28, 2017 by Zvi Cramer

In a recent study, scientists have revealed that ethylene can be detected in the breath of healthy volunteers shortly after bacterial infection, indicating...

The caffeine we habitually consume in coffee can inhibit the perception of sweet taste. Image credit: Felix Broennimann.

Caffeine Alters Perception of Sweet Taste, New Study Says

Aug 25, 2017 by News Staff

According to a new study published in the Journal of Food Science, caffeine tempers taste buds temporarily, making food and drink seem less sweet. The...

A diet with walnuts leads to an overall significant increase in the diversity of bacteria in the gut. Image credit: Utroja0.

Study: Walnuts Keep Gut Healthy, Act as Prebiotic

Aug 24, 2017 by News Staff

Regular consumption of walnuts may be beneficial for digestive health by increasing the amount of good probiotic-type bacteria in the gut, according to...

This illustration depicts a 3D computer-generated image of a group of clindamycin-resistant GBS bacteria, which were arranged in chains. The artistic recreation was based upon scanning electron microscopic (SEM) imagery. If you look carefully, you’ll be able to see a number of these organisms undergoing the process of cell division along the long axis of their respective chains. Image credit: James Archer / CDC.

Study: Breast Milk Oligosaccharides Kill Group B-Streptococcus, Block Biofilm Formation

Aug 21, 2017 by News Staff

Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B-Streptococcus, or GBS) is a type of bacteria that can cause invasive infections in people of all ages. A research team...

ANCOVA (analysis of covariance) comparing decline in DaTscan (electrocardiographic and single photon emission CT) binding between the placebo and exenatide groups: (A) placebo group: reduced DaTscan binding in the left caudate, right caudate, and left putamen; (B) exenatide group: reduced DaTscan binding in the left caudate and right caudate; (C) significant clusters derived from the first level of analysis used to do an ANCOVA between placebo and exenatide groups showing a reduced rate of decline in the right caudate, left putamen, and right putamen. Image credit: Athauda et al, doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(17)31585-4.

Diabetes Drug Exenatide Shows Promise against Parkinson’s Disease

Aug 7, 2017 by News Staff

Exenatide, a drug commonly used to treat Type 2 diabetes, may have disease-modifying potential to treat Parkinson’s disease, according to new research...

Overfat prevalence categories in 30 of the most developed countries. Image credit: Maffetone et al.

Up To 90% of Men in the United States and Other Developed Countries are Overfat

Aug 1, 2017 by News Staff

The term ‘overfat’ refers to the presence of excess body fat that can impair health, even for normal weight individuals. In the U.S., New Zealand,...