Executive Summary Semiconductors are the foundational technology enabling virtually every aspect of contemporary economic activity, from artificial intelligence and cloud computing to medical devices and…
Category: biotech/medical – Page 455
Flu vaccine performance varies by age, study reveals
New research comparing four different flu vaccines found that the ability of the vaccines to activate cells of the immune system that help to protect against infection varied greatly depending on the vaccine type and age of the patient. Researchers say these findings have the potential to guide vaccine recommendations, especially for older adults.
The 2024–2025 flu season was considered highly severe, causing at least 47 million illnesses, 610,000 hospitalizations, and 27,000 deaths.
A new study, published in The Journal of Immunology, found that while all four seasonal influenza vaccines produced similar antibody levels, their ability to activate cellular immunity varied greatly depending on the vaccine type and age group.
Newly discovered RNA molecule could limit protein aggregation and prevent neuronal damage
Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, are medical conditions that entail the progressive loss of neurons and a decline in brain function. Past studies have found a link between these diseases and the buildup of misfolded proteins, such as tau and α-synuclein.
Tau is a protein found primarily in neurons that typically helps to stabilize structures that transport nutrients and molecules within neurons, known as microtubules. α-synuclein, on the other hand, is a small protein located at the tips of neurons (i.e., pre-synapses), which typically helps to regulate the function of synaptic vesicles, small sacs that release neurotransmitters across synapses.
While these proteins have an important function in the healthy brain, their abnormal aggregation has been found to be a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases. The molecular processes that prompt their accumulation, however, have not yet been fully elucidated.
AI detects hidden objects on chest scans better than radiologists
Researchers at the University of Southampton have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that can spot hard-to-see objects lodged in patients’ airways better than expert radiologists.
In a study published in npj Digital Medicine, the AI model outperformed radiologists in checking CT scans for objects that don’t show up well on scans. The paper is titled “Automated Detection of Radiolucent Foreign Body Aspiration on Chest CT Using Deep Learning.”
These accidentally inhaled objects can cause coughing, choking, difficulty breathing and sometimes lead to more serious complications if not treated properly.
Experimental drug protects mitochondria and prevents kidney injury in mice
Serious damage to short-term kidney function—known as acute kidney injury, or AKI—can be fatal and also increase the risk of irreversible chronic kidney disease. It can be triggered by stressors ranging from sepsis to heart surgery, and it affects more than half of ICU patients. There are currently no drugs to treat AKI.
Now, researchers at University of Utah Health (U of U Health) have found that AKI is triggered by fatty molecules called ceramides, which cause serious injury by damaging kidney mitochondria. Using a backup drug candidate that changes ceramide metabolism, the team was able to preserve mitochondrial integrity and prevent kidney injury in mice.
“We completely reversed the pathology of acute kidney injury by inactivating ceramides,” says Scott Summers, Ph.D., distinguished professor and Chair of the Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology in the University of Utah College of Health and senior author on a paper describing the results.
Shared gut microbe imbalances found across autism, ADHD, and anorexia nervosa
A new study has identified distinct patterns in the gut bacteria of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and anorexia nervosa. Published in the journal Neuroscience, the research also reveals altered levels of hormones that regulate appetite, suggesting a complex interplay between gut microbes, eating behaviors, and brain health in these conditions.
The human digestive tract is home to a bustling community of trillions of microorganisms, collectively known as the gut microbiota. This internal ecosystem communicates with the brain through a complex network of signals, often called the gut-brain axis. Researchers are increasingly recognizing that an imbalance in this microbial community, sometimes referred to as dysbiosis, may be associated with a range of health conditions, including those affecting the brain.
Neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), along with the psychiatric disorder anorexia nervosa (AN), are frequently accompanied by gastrointestinal issues and atypical eating patterns.
Oxygen Deprivation Alters Gene Expression, Raising Illness Risk
Oxygen is vital to the body. When levels of oxygen in the blood get too low, serious problems can arise. This can happen as people recover from some disorders that can drive oxygen levels down, such as repeated infections or severe lung disease. New research has shown that low blood oxygen levels can alter various aspects of DNA in important immune cells, and this can hamper the body’s ability to fight dangerous infections. The findings have been reported in Nature Immunology.
Functional Connectivity Changes in Traumatic Brain InjuryA Systematic Review and Coordinate-Based Meta-Analysis of fMRI Studies
Importance There lacks data clarifying the meningioma risk conferred by depot medroxyprogesterone acetate in the US.
Objective To examine the relative risk of meningioma diagnosis in women using depot medroxyprogesterone acetate and other related progestins.
Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective population-based cohort study used data from TriNetX, a US national database of 68 health care organizations. Data were analyzed from December 2004 to December 2024. The incidence of meningioma diagnosis was compared between treatment groups through propensity-score matched analyses. Participants included a sample of females with use of only 1 of the following progestins/contraceptives: depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, oral medroxyprogesterone acetate, combined oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices, progestin only pills, or subdermal implantable contraceptive. The control group included females without use of these hormonal treatments. Of the 118 289 082 total patients in TriNetX at the time of analysis, 61 588 239 patients were female and eligible.
‘We’re already living in science fiction’: The neurotech revolution
From translating thoughts into words to allowing paralyzed people to walk, the field of neurotechnology has been quietly surging ahead, raising hopes of medical breakthroughs—and profound ethical concerns.
Some observers even think that neurotech could end up being as revolutionary as the far more hyped rise of artificial intelligence (AI).
“People do not realize how much we’re already living in science fiction,” King’s College London researcher Anne Vanhoestenberghe told AFP.
Why are more adults than ever getting cancer younger? — The Global Story podcast, BBC World Service
Cancer cases among under-50s around the world appear to have risen sharply in the past 30 years. Studies show there are rising numbers of breast, colorectal and other cancers in people in their 20s, 30s and 40s. But what is driving the increase and can anything be done to stop it?
Presenter Jonny Dymond speaks to freelance health journalist David Cox about what scientists think could be driving this worrying trend.
00:00 Intro.
01:20 Natalie’s story.
02:24 When did we find this trend?
03:36 Types of cancer.
04:53 Testing in younger people.
05:54 Where is this happening?
06:29 Why is this happening?
07:45 What are the causes?
11:05 Cancer risk for women.
13:26 What is being done?
17:18 Goodbye.
Image credit: Getty Images/Choja.
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