Columbus, OH

ScienceAlert


A protein called interleukin 11 (IL-11) appears to play a crucial role in aging, with scientists extending the lifespans of mice by up to 25 percent simply by blocking the molecule's effects.



					
			

Led by researchers from the Duke-National University of Singapore (NUS) Medical School, the team behind the study used genetic engineering to turn off IL-11 production in a sample of mice, while injecting other mice with an anti-IL-11 drug.
Deaths from  cancer and tumorous growths were reduced in both groups, while health conditions related to the effects of aging – including chronic inflammation and poor metabolism – were also less...

Blocking One Protein Extends Lifespan in Mice by Up to 25%, Study Shows

Many studies have suggested that psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, might be useful in treating a variety of mental health conditions. But we don't really know what's going on at the level of "functional brain networks" – the communication pathways that connect different regions of the brain.

Scientists Reveal What Your Brain Looks Like on Psilocybin


One of the most detailed studies yet has cemented the link between  autism and what dwells within the gut.
The new analysis hasn't just studied the bacteria native to the digestive tract, but the fungi, archaea, and  viruses that can be found there, too.



					
			

The team, led by researchers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, has developed a comprehensive assay that reveals a correlation between changes across the entire gut microbiome composition and diagnosis with  autism spectrum disorder.
While we still don't understand this link, the building evidence offers new ways to both diagnose and understand autism.
"What is exciting...

Autism in Children Linked to Changes in Gut Microbiome, Study Finds

LiveScience

Scientists are developing an engineered parasite to get drugs into the brain.

Genetically engineered 'mind control' parasite could deliver drugs to the brain

New York Post

Night owls will find this new research a hoot.

A study from Imperial College London suggests that those most active at night perform better on cognitive tests. 

The researchers analyzed UK Biobank data from more than 26,000 people to see how sleep duration, patterns and quality affect mental acuity and cognitive capacity. Participants completed several tests and identified whether they felt more alert and productive in the morning or evening. 



Researchers found that a person’s preference for p.m. or a.m. activity, also known as chronotype, greatly affected test scores. These chronotypes were designated “night owls” and “morning larks.” 

En masse, owls...

Night owls vs. early birds: Study reveals who has better cognitive function

Christian Azubike Enwuru1, Adenike Shola Aiyedobgon2, Morakinyo Bamikole Ajayi1 &. BMC Women's Health volume 24, Article number: 415 (2024) Cite this article. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), Trichomonas Vaginalis (TV) co-infection, and the antibacterial sensitivity profile of bacterial isolates. Methods. The study was...

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) co-infection, and bacterial antibiogram profile of pregnant women studied in Lagos, Nigeria

Who among us hasn’t felt that pang of guilt after a day spent lounging on the couch? It’s a common feeling in the whirlwind of our daily lives. The very idea of taking time to sit on the couch and do absolutely nothing seems like a luxury beyond our reach.

Sitting on the Couch is Good for Health, Science Confirms

Menkes syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that impairs the body’s ability to absorb and store copper. The disorder primarily affects infants, and it leads to serious complications and a shortened life span. Menkes syndrome, or Menkes disease, is a rare genetic disorder that causes problems with copper metabolism...

What Is Menkes Syndrome?

Psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, reduces the synchronicity within a brain network responsible for reflection and the sense of self.

Magic mushrooms temporarily 'dissolve' brain network responsible for sense of self


Mammals are born with all the oocytes (or egg cells) they'll ever need, but how the cells remain alive and active for so long is something of a mystery. A pair of studies have now revealed it could all come down to the robustness of their proteins.



					
			

The two investigations used traceable isotopes incorporated into growing mouse fetuses to measure the lifespans of proteins in their ovaries, finding many of them survived far longer than proteins in the rest of the body. The presence of these 'long life' molecules and the support they give oocytes and the surrounding cells seem to...

Ovarian Egg Cells Live an Unusually Long Time, And We Finally Know Why

The Independent

 A deadly superbug that causes about 300,000 deaths a year evolved from being a common environmental bacterium and spread rapidly in just over two centuries, according to a new study that could help improve our understanding of immunity against invading bacteria.Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause multidrug-resistant infections, particularly in people with underlying conditions such as cystic fibrosis and lung damage from smoking. It wasn’t always a specialised human killer, however.Scientists at the University of Cambridge assessed nearly 10,000 DNA samples infected by the bacterium from around the world to construct a “family tree” of the bug and found that just...

Superbug that now kills 300,000 people a year evolved rapidly from common bacteria

A recent study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research has unveiled disruptions in the brain connectivity of males with cocaine use disorder. This study found that male individuals with cocaine use disorder exhibit increased and more persistent brain connectivity in specific states, particularly within the default mode network, cognitive control network, and sensorimotor network. This heightened connectivity is linked to greater impulsivity and borderline personality traits, suggesting disruptions in self-regulation and emotional processing.

Increased brain connectivity in male cocaine users revealed by recent neuroimaging study

NewsNation

The findings suggest the levels of certain fatty acid in the umbilical cord blood during pregnancy have an impact on the development of autism spectrum disorder.

Researchers may have found the cause of autism

Although the overall use of benzodiazepines does not appear to increase the risk of dementia, long-term use is associated with a reduction in the volume of critical brain areas, such as the hippocampus and the amygdala, according to new research published in BMC Medicine. This finding supports current medical guidelines that caution against prolonged benzodiazepine use.

Long-term benzodiazepine use linked to shrinkage in two brain regions

Autism spectrum disorder risk was similar with prenatal topiramate or lamotrigine vs. no antiseizure medication exposure. Prenatal valproate was tied to a dose-dependent increased autism spectrum disorder risk. Autism spectrum disorder incidence was higher for children with prenatal exposure to antiseizure medications vs. the general population, but some associations weakened...

Childhood autism may be linked to prenatal exposure to antiseizure medication

uInterview.com

South Korean officials revealed that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un regained weight and appears to be experiencing obesity-related health problems like high blood pressure and diabetes. South Korea’s spy agency told lawmakers on July 29 that Kim’s doctors are seeking new medicines abroad to treat him. The North Korean...

South Korean Officials Fear North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un May Die From Obesity-Related Health Problems

Saint Louis, MO

CBS News

Ziyad Al-Aly is chief of research and development at VA St. Louis Health Care System and a clinical epidemiologist at Washington University in St. Louis.Since 2020, the condition known as long COVID-19 has become a widespread disability affecting the health and quality of life of millions of people across the globe and costing economies billions of dollars in reduced productivity of employees and an overall drop in the work force. The intense scientific effort that long COVID sparked has resulted in more than 24,000 scientific publications, making it the most researched health condition in any four years of recorded human history.Long COVID...

Long COVID has affected millions. Here's what scientists now know.

Deseret News

Researchers say there are health benefits associated with one to two bowel movements a day, which they deem the "Goldilocks zone."

Does your poop tell a story of your health?

Napping can be a powerful tool for maintaining brain health and reducing the risk of cognitive decline. Regular afternoon naps help refresh our memories and enhance brain functions, providing a much-needed reset for the mind. This habit is part of a broader set of practices that can keep our brains sharp and resilient against age-related dementia. Engaging in activities like brain games, reading aloud and practicing mindfulness also contribute significantly to cognitive wellness. Associative memory techniques, where new information is linked to existing knowledge, create a robust mental network, improving recall and understanding. A healthy lifestyle, starting as early as your 20s or 30s, is essential. This includes adopting a nutritious diet, moderating alcohol consumption, and ensuring regular, meaningful rest periods. Incorporating these habits not only boosts brain function but also promotes overall well-being.

Napping Is Good For Your Brain Health

American Skyler Mapes and Italian local Giuseppe Morisani spent a magical evening together in Rome. Then they drove across Italy together. Here’s what happened.

She hit it off with the guy she met at the bar on vacation. Then he sent her an unexpected text message

NewsBreak

Size Doesn’t Matter for Mammals With More Complex Brains, According to New Study

New research led by the University of Bath in the UK suggests that mammals with more advanced brain development tend to exhibit smaller size differences between...

Size Doesn’t Matter for Mammals With More Complex Brains, According to New Study

Comments / 0