Preterm babies are fragile. This is especially true for infants born just six to seven months into a pregnancy. Called extremely preterm infants, these children essentially finish developing outside the uterus. Studying this vulnerable population is challenging because standard tests—such as blood draws—can be life-threatening for these small patients who have too little blood to support the amount needed in standard assays.
Early-life gut microbes linked to diabetes protection in mice
The microbiome shapes the development of insulin-producing cells in infancy, leading to long-term changes in metabolism and diabetes risk, new research in mice has found.
Labrador study uncovers genetic ties to human obesity, highlighting shared pathways
Researchers studying British Labrador retrievers have identified multiple genes associated with canine obesity and shown that these genes are also associated with obesity in humans. The results are published in the journal Science.
At-home light-emitting diode devices safe, effective for acne treatment
At-home light-emitting diode (LED) devices are effective for treating acne, according to a research letter published online March 5 in JAMA Dermatology.
Low-frequency bladder vibration beneficial for UTI in spinal cord injury
Applying low-frequency bladder vibration (LFBV) to patients with spinal cord injury (SCI)/neurogenic bladder who developed urinary tract infections (UTIs) during rehabilitation is associated with a reduction in urinary leukocytes and urinary bacteria on day 10, according to a study recently published in International Urology and Nephrology.
Liver cancer study finds optimal timing for transplants after immunotherapy
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents about 80 to 90% of cases of primary liver cancer. On a global level, 905,700 new cases and 830,200 deaths were registered in 2020, according to the World Health Organization. In Switzerland, the Statistics Office lists 960 new cases and 720 deaths every year. HCC is the third cause of death due to cancer in the world and fifth in Switzerland.
Monkey brain map reveals blood vessels are densest in energy-intensive regions, such as the visual cortex
In the brain, not all blood flow is created equal. RIKEN researchers have developed a detailed cortical layer map of the blood vessels that weave through the brain of macaque monkeys. It reveals how blood supply is finely tuned to fuel critical functions such as perception and cognition.
Study provides greater reassurance for people at risk of inherited heart disease
If you’ve lost a family member prematurely to heart disease, greater reassurance about your risk of suffering the same fate is critical. That’s why a high-powered randomized controlled study led by the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute that followed patients over three years has confirmed how we can better manage people who sit in the precarious intermediate risk zone, where they can often be overlooked.
Sugary drinks are a killer: A 20% tax would save lives and rands in South Africa
Non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular conditions account for over 70% of global deaths annually.
Vaping hits alarming levels among South African teens
It’s become common to see kids, some in their school uniforms, puffing on a vape.