Past News

Reprogramming the brain's cleaning crew to mop up Alzheimer's disease

August 11, 2022

The discovery of how to shift damaged brain cells from a diseased state into a healthy one presents a potential new path to treating Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, according to a new study.

Reprogramming the brain's cleaning crew to mop up Alzheimer's disease

Why thinking hard makes you tired

August 11, 2022

It's no surprise that hard physical labor wears you out, but what about hard mental labor? Sitting around thinking hard for hours makes one feel worn out, too. Now, researchers have new evidence to explain why this is, and, based on their findings, the reason you feel mentally exhausted (as opposed to drowsy) from intense thinking isn't all in your head.

Why thinking hard makes you tired

Bioengineered cornea can restore sight to the blind and visually impaired

August 11, 2022

Researchers and entrepreneurs have developed an implant made of collagen protein from pig's skin, which resembles the human cornea. In a pilot study, the implant restored vision to 20 people with diseased corneas, most of whom were blind prior to receiving the implant. The promising results bring hope to those suffering from corneal blindness and low vision by providing a bioengineered implant as an alternative to the transplantation of donated human corneas, which are scarce in countries where the need for them is greatest.

Bioengineered cornea can restore sight to the blind and visually impaired

Monoclonal Antibody Reduces Asthma Attacks in Urban Youth

August 10, 2022

A monoclonal antibody, mepolizumab, decreased asthma attacks by 27% in Black and Hispanic children and adolescents who have a form of severe asthma, are prone to asthma attacks and live in low-income urban neighborhoods, a National Institutes of Health clinical trial has found. This population has been underrepresented in previous clinical trials of asthma therapeutics. The findings were published today in the journal The Lancet.

Monoclonal Antibody Reduces Asthma Attacks in Urban Youth

Blood-based biomarkers help predict outcomes after traumatic brain Injury

August 10, 2022

A study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that biomarkers present in the blood on the day of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can accurately predict a patient’s risk of death or severe disability six months later. Measuring these biomarkers may enable a more accurate assessment of patient prognosis following TBI, according to results published today in Lancet Neurology.

Blood-based biomarkers help predict outcomes after traumatic brain Injury

Research identifies, exploits vulnerability in certain high-risk cancers

August 10, 2022

A subset of cancers exist that produce predominantly poor outcomes because their cells employ a mechanism known as alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) to maintain telomere length so they can continue to grow and multiply. Telomeres are caps on the end of chromosomes that serve as protectors for the genetic information contained within the cell.

Research identifies, exploits vulnerability in certain high-risk cancers

Study shows annual screening before age 50 leads to lower proportions of advanced breast cancer

August 10, 2022

A new study has found Canadian provinces that annually screen women aged 40-49 had lower proportions of advanced breast cancer compared to women aged 50-59 from provinces that did not hold annual mammograms.

Study shows annual screening before age 50 leads to lower proportions of advanced breast cancer

Dementia risk may be higher if an upper heart chamber is abnormal

August 10, 2022

A large, diverse study of over 5,000 older adults in the U.S. found that abnormal size or functioning in the left atrium (one of the two upper heart chambers), even before symptoms are present, may play a role in the development of dementia. The abnormalities, called atrial cardiopathy, appeared to increase participants' risk of developing dementia by 35%.

Dementia risk may be higher if an upper heart chamber is abnormal

Collagen a key player in breast cancer metastasis

August 10, 2022

The level of collagen type XII in breast tumors plays an important role in triggering the spread of cancer cells around the body

Collagen a key player in breast cancer metastasis

Aging neutralizes sex differences in the brain: Animal study

August 10, 2022

When male and female fruit flies age, their brains become desexualized. Age-related changes take place in both sexes, but the male brain becomes feminized to a larger extent than the female brain becomes masculinized.

Aging neutralizes sex differences in the brain: Animal study