Protein-bound microplastics can disrupt brain cells and potentially cause neurotoxicity

Scientists at the University of Virginia School of Medicine and the University of Michigan have developed a monoclonal antibody to stop sepsis, a deadly full-body infection. The antibody also has the potential to treat a broad array of other inflammatory conditions, including autoimmune disorders, their research indicates.

The underlying causes of this increase are not fully understood. The researchers note that the trend does not appear to be driven by known risk factors for colorectal cancer in younger people, such as inflammatory bowel disease and hereditary factors. Instead, environmental and lifestyle factors early in life may play a role.

People who have had COVID-19 are at increased risk of developing certain inflammatory diseases of the airways, such as asthma, hay fever and chronic sinusitis. However, vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 virus appears to reduce the risk, according to a comprehensive epidemiological study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet.

A novel drilling plate simulating the tactile and structural properties of natural human dental tissues may provide dental students with increasingly realistic training opportunities in the preclinical phase. The new drilling plate was assessed by dental educators as part of an international study led by the University of Eastern Finland.

Preventing and managing high blood pressure with healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as following a heart-healthy diet including reducing salt intake, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight and managing stress—combined with early treatment with medication to lower blood pressure if necessary—are recommended to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, cognitive decline and dementia, according to a new clinical guideline published in Circulation, Hypertension, and in JACC.

A study, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation titled "Single Dose Genome Editing Therapy Rescues Auditory and Vestibular Functions in Adult Mice with DFNA41 Deafness," provides an example of a successful use of gene-editing technology to treat a mouse model of human genetic hearing loss.

A research team co-led by UCLA investigators has found that pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy drug that helps the immune system attack cancer cells, can effectively shrink or eliminate tumors in patients with unresectable advanced desmoplastic melanoma, a rare and often aggressive form of skin cancer.

Wildfire smoke contains pollutants that are hazardous to health, including fine particles (PM2.5), which have been linked to increased mortality and morbidity. A new study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), provides strong evidence that PM2.5 from wildfires poses a greater mortality risk than non-fire-related particles. The results, published in The Lancet Planetary Health, also indicate that mortality associated with wildfire smoke may be underestimated by 93%.

Roughly two-thirds of children with pediatrician-diagnosed asthma have a confirmed diagnosis in accordance with international guideline criteria requiring two or more positive objective tests, according to a study published online Aug. 8 in Pediatric Pulmonology.

In patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is associated with improved urinary function and reduced lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), according to a study published online July 6 in The Prostate.

Many different mutational signatures, or "fingerprints" of DNA damage have been identified across different tumor types which can provide a record of environmental exposure or clues about the etiology of carcinogenesis. Most of the mutational signature characterization has been performed using tumors from American and European populations due to the availability of sequencing data in these regions from large-scale atlases such as The Cancer Genome Atlas and the International Cancer Genome Consortium. While some unique mutational signatures have been identified in various Asian populations, mutational signatures and their activity in tumors from Chinese patients have not been well characterized across cancer types.

Communication is vital to expressing and getting what we want and need, bonding with other people and navigating the world in which we live. But, by definition, autistic people often deal with difficulties communicating, which impacts their quality of life. To better understand the communication difficulties experienced by autistic adults and help the clinicians and researchers who have autistic people in their lives, researchers from Drexel University's A.J. Drexel Autism Institute reviewed recent research on the subject and crafted a set of recommendations.

Seaweed is one of the few foods that can credibly claim to be good for both people and the planet. So why don't westerners eat more of it?

A team of WashU Medicine researchers has discovered a promising new use for Prozac, which is the brand name of the antidepressant fluoxetine, in the treatment of children with rare forms of epilepsy.

University of Georgia researchers have developed a new type of hand sanitizer that eliminates more than 97% of bacteria and fungi, including antibiotic-resistant strains. The new gel provides an alternative to traditional, drying alcohol-based sanitizers.

Imagine being 25, fresh out of post-secondary education and full of optimism about starting your career, and then you hear the words: "You have cancer."

While fasting has become a popular trend, particularly for people who hope to lose weight, new UBC Okanagan research suggests fasting does not have the same effect on all body types.

Every day, clues are released about a population's health through toilets, sinks, showers, and tubs. In wealthier countries like the United States, sewer networks collect tiny bits of feces, urine, skin cells, sweat, and even blood, creating a snapshot of what's happening in our bodies.