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Changing long-term opioid prescribing behavior
Notifying clinicians that one of their patients died of an overdose reduced the amount of opioids they prescribed for up to a year afterwards.
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Link between hydration and aging
Higher blood sodium in middle age was associated with increased mortality, chronic disease risk, and biological aging.
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Lab-grown eye cells form new neural connections
Eye cells that were grown from skin-derived stem cells could be collected from 3D cultures and coaxed to form new neural connections.
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April 24, 2018 Edition
Study reveals subtypes of lymphoma
Researchers identified genetic subtypes of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, the most common type of lymphoma, and showed that these subtypes can be used to predict treatment response.
Epstein-Barr virus and autoimmune diseases
Researchers found a mechanism that may explain why the Epstein-Barr virus is associated with certain autoimmune illnesses such as lupus.
Sleep deprivation increases Alzheimer's protein
In a small study, losing just one night of sleep led to an increase in beta-amyloid, a protein in the brain associated with Alzheimer's disease.
April 17, 2018 Edition
Study suggests way to improve flu vaccines
Current flu vaccines mainly target the virus surface protein hemagglutinin. A study suggests that vaccines designed to target neuraminidase might be more effective.
Lingering feelings over daily stresses may impact long-term health
Researchers found that people who continued to have negative feelings about a stressful event the day after were more likely to have health issues ten years later.
Disrupting normal hormone cycle spurs fat cells
In mice, interfering with the natural cycle of a certain hormone spurs development of fat cells. The finding may help explain how stress and conditions that affect hormone levels can cause obesity.
April 10, 2018 Edition
Genomic analysis of 33 cancer types completed
Using molecular and clinical information from more than 10,000 tumors, researchers finished a detailed genomic analysis of 33 types of cancer.
Artificial intelligence enhances MRI scans
Researchers used machine learning to improve images from MRI scanners. The technique may enable better quality medical images for people who need MRI, PET, CT, and other scans.
Procedure makes heart valve replacement safer for high-risk patients
Scientists developed a novel technique that prevents a rare but often fatal complication that can arise during a heart valve procedure called transcatheter aortic valve replacement.
March 27, 2018 Edition
Improving control of bionic prosthetic hands
A small study showed that sensory illusions can provide feedback to help improve control of a prosthetic hand’s detailed movements.
Gut microbe drives autoimmunity
A study found that a certain gut microbe can trigger autoimmune disease in mice that are prone to such disease and identified the same microbe in people with autoimmune diseases.
Immune cell regeneration in mouse retina
Findings from a study in mice showed how immune cells in the retina can regenerate after being nearly eliminated.
March 20, 2018 Edition
Scientists define molecule's role in itch and pain pathways
Researchers defined the neural pathways for itch sensation and identified a signaling molecule called somatostatin that enhances itch and blunts pain in mice.
Brain network for social understanding develops in early childhood
A new study reveals that a network of brain areas involved in interpreting other people’s states of mind has started developing by age three.
Minoxidil may improve blood vessel structure
Minoxidil, when given orally to mice, changes blood vessel structure to reduce stiffness and increase blood flow to the brain. The drug may have potential for people with certain health problems.
March 13, 2018 Edition
Controlling childhood asthma
New study findings raise doubt about the common practice of increasing inhaled steroid dose in young children when asthma symptoms begin to worsen.
Smiles affect response to stress
In a study of men who were stressed by having to give short speeches, seeing different types of smiles affected the men’s stress responses differently.
Thirst circuitry mapped in the brain
Researchers mapped the wiring of the thirst center in the mouse brain, providing a glimpse into the rules that govern how brain circuits regulate fluid intake.
March 6, 2018 Edition
New stem cell identified for lung tissue regeneration
Researchers identified a type of stem cell that produces new air sac cells in lung tissue. The findings suggest new potential targets for stimulating lung regeneration.
Bystanders save lives using defibrillator for cardiac arrest
A study found that people are more likely to survive a cardiac arrest if a bystander uses a defibrillator while waiting for emergency medical services to arrive.
Intermittent dietary restriction may boost physical endurance
Mice fed a standard diet but deprived of food every other day developed more efficient energy metabolism and improved running endurance. The findings pave the way for studies in people.
February 27, 2018 Edition
Biological factors and weight loss methods
Researchers found that certain biological differences didn’t predict whether someone would lose more weight from a low-fat or low-carbohydrate diet.
Mental disorders may share molecular origins
Patterns of gene expression in the brains of people with five major mental disorders suggest some overlapping mechanisms.
Molecule halts herpes of the eye
A small molecule prevents herpes simplex-1 virus from making viral proteins. The finding suggests a new class of molecule that may be useful for developing antiviral treatments.
February 13, 2018 Edition
Compound repairs features of Alzheimer's disease in mice
Researchers found that a compound called an NAD+ precursor helped mice with features of Alzheimer's disease perform better on learning and memory tests.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders prevalent in U.S. communities
A study of the prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in U.S. communities highlights the need for strategies to address this problem.
Injection prompts mouse immune system to destroy tumors
Scientists found agents that, when injected into a tumor, direct the mouse immune system to destroy tumors of the same type throughout their bodies. The approach might be applied to many forms of cancer.