Author: healthadmin

Experiencing social isolation early in development may increase later anxiety and preference for alcohol. A new study in rats shows that these early stressors physically change the brain’s response to alcohol, changing how it regulates the chemical dopamine, particularly in areas associated with reward processing. The results of this study were published in the journal Addiction Neuroscience. As children and teens reach critical periods of brain development, social contact helps form neural circuits. Environmental stressors during this sensitive period can disrupt normal developmental trajectories. Experiencing isolation and neglect in early life can increase the risk of developing mood disorders and…

Gladstone Institute researcher Dr. Ryan Coces has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Pershing Square Foundation’s MIND Award. This prestigious award recognizes the next frontier thinkers who are uncovering a deeper understanding of the brain and cognition. The award is awarded to eight scientists each year and aims to advance high-impact neuroscience research by fostering collaboration across academia, biomedical industry, philanthropy, and business communities. The 2026 recipient will receive $750,000 over three years to support groundbreaking research into neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related dementias, which affect millions of people around the world. “Thanks to advanced…

In 1991, cancer mortality rates in the United States underwent a major shift, and for the first time, deaths began to decline steadily, a trend that continues to this day. Researchers at the Mississippi Social Science Research Center, in collaboration with scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, investigated this decline to determine where and who benefited most from this dramatic improvement. A recent article published in the British Journal of Cancer by MSU SSRC Giles Emeritus Professor Arthur G. Cosby and a team of researchers analyzed cancer deaths in nearly 3,000 U.S. counties from 1981 to 2019 and found that…

It turns out that an anti-cancer drug target already being studied in clinical trials has a more profound effect than researchers realized. Scientists at Scripps Research have discovered that the enzyme pol theta (Polθ) drives DNA repair machinery directly at broken replication forks, one of the most frequent forms of DNA damage in cancer cells. The survey results are molecular cell The March 16, 2026 announcement helps explain how tumors endure relentless replication stress and reveals why Pol theta inhibitors may be an effective strategy to selectively target cancer. We uncovered an entirely new dimension of how cancer cells…

Researchers at New York University Abu Dhabi have developed a smart molecule that can both detect and treat cancer, providing a safer and more precise treatment approach. This study Journal of the American Chemical Society, focuses on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a widely used tool that allows doctors to see tumors inside the body. MRI machines are often used for diagnosis but are not usually involved in treatment. A team at New York University Abu Dhabi has designed a molecule that combines both functions in a single system. Unlike traditional drugs, which are small and relatively simple, these molecules have…

A new research paper has been published in Volume 18. Aging-United States on March 26, 2026, entitled “Effects of intravenous furosemide and small doses of hypertonic saline on inflammation, remodeling markers and epigenetic signatures in patients with congestive acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF).” First author Mario Daidone (Polyclinic University Hospital, Paolo Giaccone, University of Palermo) and corresponding author Antonino A randomized trial led by Dr. Tuttolomondo (University Hospital, Policlinico, Paolo Giaccone, University of Palermo) compared intravenous furosemide plus low-dose hypertonic saline (HSS) versus intravenous furosemide alone in patients with acute decompensated heart failure. Ejection fraction. The study enrolled 200 subjects,…

An international research team led in part by scientists from the University of Florida and Trinity College Dublin has solved a long-standing mystery in human biology: how cells absorb key micronutrients associated with brain health and cancer protection. Kew-osin (pronounced “ky-oh-seen”) is a vitamin-like compound that the body cannot produce on its own. Instead, it comes from certain foods and bacteria that live in your intestines. Despite its importance, this nutrient remained largely ignored for decades. Discovered a gene that allows it to invade cells In a study published this week, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciencesscientists have identified…

New research published in autism research found that the age at which maternal grandparents had children was associated with the likelihood that their grandchildren would develop autism. Research shows that this association varies widely by race and ethnicity. These changes suggest that environmental and social factors act in parallel with biology to influence child development over multiple generations. Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by repetitive behaviors and difficulties with social communication. In recent decades, a rapid increase in the prevalence of autism has been observed. In California, the percentage of children diagnosed with the disease has increased…

A sharp drop in demand for Merck & Co.’s HPV vaccine Gardasil in China has forced the New Jersey drugmaker to review its agreement with Chinese partner Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products. The two companies have agreed to eliminate minimum purchase commitments and adopt a demand-based rolling supply model for the three Merck vaccines that Zhifei will sell in China. In addition to Gardasil, Zhifei distributes the rotavirus vaccine RotaTeq and the pneumococcal vaccine Pneumovax 23. The Chongqing-based company said in a regulatory filing that the arrangement between the two companies will “strengthen Zhifei’s ability to respond to market fluctuations in…

Scientists at Oregon State University have teamed up with a group of undergraduate students to uncover new real-time details about a chemical process associated with Alzheimer’s disease. This discovery could help researchers design more effective drugs in the future. Using specialized measurement techniques, the research team tracked how certain metals cause protein aggregation that contributes to the blockage of communication pathways in the brain, a key feature of Alzheimer’s disease. The study was led by Marilyn Rampersad Makiewicz, an associate professor of chemistry in the OSU College of Science. Her team also observed how molecules called chelators can interfere with…