Author: healthadmin

Recent research published in nature A specific gene sequence that does not produce a protein has been suggested to play an important role in the core behavioral features of autism in men. By examining the genetics of genetically modified mice and humans, scientists discovered that this missing piece of genetic material leads to social difficulties and repetitive behaviors without affecting general intelligence. These findings provide evidence that targeting specific brain circuits may ultimately help people with autism. Autism spectrum disorders exhibit key characteristics such as differences in social communication and repetitive behaviors. Approximately 1 in 50 children and youth in…

AstraZeneca employees’ LinkedIn activity has once again landed the drug company in hot water, with Britain’s marketing watchdog identifying eight breaches of rules in the latest series of incidents. The incident came after a medical professional alerted the PMCPA, the UK’s self-regulatory body, to a LinkedIn post published by an independent organization. The post announcing the winner of the “Best Medication” award described AstraZeneca’s cancer drug Lynparza as “groundbreaking.” The plaintiff claimed that UK-based AstraZeneca employees, including senior staff, were contacted by the post. AstraZeneca confirmed that 18 UK-based employees were involved in the posts, including two vice presidents and…

Muscle spasms are a common and often debilitating consequence of spinal cord injuries and can have a significant impact on mobility and quality of life. Spasticity is a condition in which muscles become abnormally stiff or tense due to impaired nerve signal transmission, often causing hyperreflexia, involuntary muscle spasms, and difficulty moving. Current treatments can help manage symptoms, but often require continuous administration and can have side effects. In a recent preclinical study, researchers evaluated a gene therapy approach designed to restore nerve signals that help keep muscle activity under control. This combination gene therapy targets the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid…

A new study led by Curtin University researchers has provided new insight into one of Stonehenge’s most enduring mysteries: how the giant stone moved across Britain and became part of the famous monument. The focus of the study is the Altar Stone, a six-tonne sandstone megalith at the center of Stonehenge. Previous research has suggested that the stone came from northeastern Scotland, about 700 kilometers (435 miles) from Salisbury Plain, making its presence at Stonehenge one of the most remarkable examples of long-distance transport in prehistoric Europe. The latest discoveries strengthen the idea that ancient people, rather than natural forces,…

People with diabetes are at increased risk of periodontitis (gum disease) and tooth loss. The risk of inflammation and bone loss in dental implants has also increased. These are the results of a paper at the University of Gothenburg. Diabetes is associated with complications in multiple organs, including the oral cavity. As a group, people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes are at increased risk for oral disease. This paper is based on a comprehensive dataset with high completeness from seven Swedish registries covering a long period of time. The paper was presented by Anna Torlenke Eriksson, a dentist…

New longitudinal study published in Development and psychopathology provide evidence that most children have low or declining levels of lying as they grow up, but that this generally does not cause serious problems in adulthood. However, the study also suggests that a small number of children who lie frequently or whose deception increases over time tend to develop symptoms of antisocial personality and are at higher risk of being convicted of a crime later in life. Deception is a common human behavior that emerges from the preschool stage. Although most people have the cognitive ability to lie, research shows that…

Even what many Americans consider moderate drinking is associated with an increased risk of death, disability, and chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease, a new study published in the journal Science finds. Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research. “This study provides the most comprehensive U.S. estimate of lifetime risk of alcohol-related mortality and morbidity to date, and shows that even moderate drinking increases the risk of premature death and disability,” said study co-author Katherine M. Keyes, Ph.D., professor of epidemiology at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. “We did not observe any protective effect of alcohol consumption,…

Blood tests have proven to be a promising tool for detecting and monitoring cancer. Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Gothenburg in Sweden have developed a new method that allows them to analyze samples containing just 5 percent cancer DNA in blood, compared to the 15 to 20 percent currently required. This method could lead to better cancer treatment and improved monitoring of tumor progression. The technique of using blood tests to analyze changes in tumor DNA is being studied in several clinical trials around the world. Current analytical methods work well when the amount of…

IIn the parched fields of northwestern Bangladesh, where the unforgiving sun has hardened the earth into cracked red clay, farmers in the Barind region say they are watching the foundations of their rural life disappear underground.Over the decades, groundwater has transformed Barind, one of Bangladesh’s driest regions, into a productive agricultural region. Thanks to deep tube wells, farmers were able to grow rice, wheat, corn, and vegetables all year round on land that was once formed by drought.But now the aquifers that drove that change are collapsing under the combined pressures of the climate emergency, extreme rainfall, and decades of…

The upcoming loss of deep-sea monitoring systems is causing deep anxiety in Alaska, the nation’s largest fish-producing state, where temperatures are rising twice as fast as the global average. In May, the National Science Foundation announced plans to eliminate the Ocean Observatory Initiative, a nearly $368 million network of scientific instruments that track ocean chemistry, wave movement, water temperature, salinity and many other metrics. Real-time information from these ocean observatories helps scientists, fisheries managers, coastal hazard planners, and even military planning and future preparedness. Whether it’s calculating how much fish to harvest or when ocean heatwaves or giant wave activity…