Study: Obesity could affect brain development in children

Published studies have long found a correlation between obesity in children and decreased executive function. New research published in JAMA Pediatrics, based on data mined from a massive national research study, suggests that a change in brain structure—a thinner prefrontal cortex—may help explain that interrelationship. “Our results show an important connection; that kids with higher BMI tend to have a […]

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Humans’ ‘inner salamander’ capacity could regrow cartilage

Humans have the ability to regrow cartilage, a new study has found. In a way similar to how salamanders and other creatures can regrow lost limbs, humans have the capacity to repair and regenerate cartilage in their joints, researchers at Duke Health discovered. “We believe that an understanding of this ‘salamander-like’ regenerative capacity in humans, and the critically missing components […]

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Bioelectronic implant could prevent opioid deaths

Researchers are developing a novel, implantable device that can sense the effects of a potentially fatal level of ingested opioids and then automatically and immediately deliver a life-saving dose of naloxone. The interdisciplinary research team, led by Northwestern University and Washington University at St. Louis, recently received a grant from the National Institutes of Health’s Helping to End Addiction Long-term […]

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Glass-coated catheters could wipe out infections and save NHS millions

Scientists at Aston University in Birmingham have developed a new technique to eradicate life-threatening urinary tract infections among hospital patients needing catheters, potentially saving the NHS nearly £100million per year. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by catheters—flexible tubes which are attached to a bag and inserted into the bladder to empty it and collect urine—are one of the most common […]

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Ancient viruses could help kill cancers

DNA “echoes” of viruses that infected our ancestors millions of years ago could help the immune system to identify and kill cancer cells, according to new research from Crick scientists. The new study, published in Genome Research, looked at “endogenous retroviruses,” fragments of DNA in the human genome that were left behind by viruses that infected our ancestors. Over millions […]

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Tiny blood cells could protect against cerebral palsy

Platelets—tiny cells critical for blood clotting—could be the key to protecting against brain damage occurring during pregnancy or around the time of birth. Information gained from the pre-clinical study led by Dr. Alison Farley and Dr. Samir Taoudi from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute could enable doctors to intervene at the right time to prevent brain bleeds—a significant risk […]

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