Health – Science & research news

Germ-fighting catheter coating may help prevent infections

April 24, 2019

For the first time researchers have incorporated auranofin -- an antibiotic with low resistance potential -- into a coating for intravascular catheters; Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology [...]

Scientists clarify what probiotics are and what they are not

April 18, 2019

Frontiers in Microbiology: A new scientific paper calls for strict adherence to the scientific definition, ensuring improper use of the term doesn't mislead consumers or limit advancements in the emerging field of microbiome science [...]

Urban biodiversity to reduce chronic disease

April 11, 2019

'Rewilding' the urban environment with native microbes could restore the human microbiome and reduce our risk of chronic disease; Frontiers in Microbiology [...]

Underwater forests a treasure trove of new drugs

April 10, 2019

Scientists recover dozens of antimicrobial and anticancer compounds from seaweed; Frontiers in Microbiology [...]

Stressed? Take a 20-minute nature pill

April 9, 2019

Just 20 minutes of contact with nature will lower stress hormone levels, reveals new study; Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Quantum physics and origami for the ultimate get-well card

April 2, 2019

Scientists have combined the simplicity of paper with the complexity of quantum physics for point-of-care testing in low-resource environments; Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology [...]

More scrutiny needed for less-deadly foodborne bacteria

April 1, 2019

Foodborne pathogens in the Bacillus cereus group cause diarrhea and vomiting. Credit: Penn State. — by Penn State University, USA Employing advanced genetic-tracing [...]

New drug resistance process found in bacteria

March 29, 2019

This is the research team in charge of the study. From left to right: Ivan Erill, Pilar Cortés, Jordi Barbé and Miquel Sánchez-Osuna. Credit: UAB. — by Autonomous [...]

Can you ‘catch’ cancer?

March 27, 2019

Parasitic worms cause cancer – and could help cure it; Frontiers in Medicine [...]

Superbugs have colonized the International Space Station – but there’s a silver lining

March 25, 2019

An antimicrobial coating made of precious metals reduced growth of bacteria on contamination-prone surfaces inside the ISS, where extreme conditions can foster antibiotic-resistant superbugs; Frontiers in Microbiology [...]

Dormant viruses activate during spaceflight – NASA investigates

March 18, 2019

The stress of spaceflight gives viruses a holiday from immune surveillance, putting future deep-space missions in jeopardy; Frontiers in Microbiology [...]

New method uses AI to screen for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

March 8, 2019

Scientists have developed a new AI tool that can screen children for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder quickly and affordably: Frontiers in Neurology [...]

Bedtime protein for bigger gains? Here’s the scoop

March 7, 2019

Downing a casein shake just before sleep increases muscle mass and strength gains from resistance training, without 'making you fat' -- but is the effect any different to your regular post-workout protein supplement? Frontiers in Nutrition [...]

New target could help protect vision following optic nerve trauma

March 4, 2019

A new study sheds light on the mechanism of prolonged neuronal degeneration following optic nerve injury, which could provide treatment targets for preserving eyesight; Frontiers in Neuroscience [...]

Blindfolded training could help doctors save young lives

February 20, 2019

Doctors' leadership in pediatric resuscitation improved most when they wore a blindfold during simulation training; Frontiers in Pediatrics [...]

Oral contraceptives could impair women’s recognition of complex emotions

February 19, 2019

Healthy women who use birth control pills are poorer judges of subtle facial expressions than non-users, according to new research; Frontiers in Neuroscience [...]

Tat vaccine could provide a functional cure for HIV

February 18, 2019

Recipients of the vaccine develop characteristics of spontaneous ‘post-treatment controllers’, whose immune system can control the reactivation of HIV after discontinuing therapy; Frontiers in Immunology [...]

What can a snowflake teach us about how cancer spreads in the body?

February 13, 2019

Studying fractals could lead to novel approaches in drug therapy to treat cancer and other diseases; Frontiers in Physiology [...]

Salivary RNA test for early autism diagnosis

February 11, 2019

Results from multi-institutional research collaboration show saliva-based RNA panel distinguishes children on autism spectrum from non-autistic peers; Frontiers in Genetics [...]

Scientists identify ‘origin’ of cancer spread

February 8, 2019

Research suggests that "high energy" stem cells born from old, dying parents are responsible for cancer growth and spread; Frontiers in Oncology [...]

Understanding water’s role in antibiotic resistance in Africa

February 7, 2019

Scientists have studied antibiotic resistance emergence and dissemination in the Chobe River, northern Botswana's only permanent surface water resource; Frontiers in Microbiology [...]

Toxins override key immune system check

February 4, 2019

S. aureus bacterial toxins can cause a deadly immune system overreaction -- but could be harnessed to enhance immune responses to tumors; Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology [...]

Are you a super pooper?

January 23, 2019

Fecal transplants could be used to treat intestinal disorders like inflammatory bowel disease -- and perhaps even help prevent Alzheimer's and cancer -- if we can unlock the secrets of the gut-rejuvenating 'super donor,' say researchers; Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology [...]

Tobacco increases risk of schizophrenia, psychosis

January 22, 2019

Study urges further research into association between e-cigarette use and psychosis, particularly in adolescents and young adults; Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience [...]

Scientists pave the way for saliva test for Alzheimer’s disease

January 21, 2019

UAlberta researchers have identified biomarkers for identifying Alzheimer's and mild cognitive impairment in saliva samples; Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience [...]

Widely used food additive may cause celiac disease

January 17, 2019

Research suggests that celiac disease could be caused by a bacterial enzyme used to manufacture sausages, cheese, bread and other processed foods; Frontiers in Pediatrics [...]

Study highlights potential benefits of continuous EEG monitoring for infant patients

January 16, 2019

In a large cohort of child ICU patients with continuous brain monitoring, nearly half of those younger than 14 months were found to have suffered seizures -- many of which were asymptomatic; Frontiers in Pediatrics [...]

Challenges for sex workers in holding the line in condom use

January 10, 2019

Image of condoms. Research shows consistent condom use among Western Australian sex workers has declined over past decades: Frontiers in Public Health

Criminalization of sex work is a primary factor behind a decline in consistent condom use among sex workers in one Australian state: Frontiers in Public Health [...]

Common tactics for health promotion at work may be detrimental to employees with obesity

December 24, 2018

Image of employee wellness program. Study finds common health promotion tactics in the workplace may increase weight stigma and discrimination - and even lead to increased obesity and decreased well-being: Frontiers in Psychology

Workplace health programs may increase weight stigma and discrimination, and even lead to increased obesity and decreased well-being: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

10 ways your research shaped the last decade

December 17, 2018

As Frontiers celebrates its 10th anniversary, we look back at 10 ways our authors' research has contributed to, and built on, breakthroughs of the past decade. [...]

Ketogenic diet appears to prevent cognitive decline in mice

November 27, 2018

Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience: New research show increased brain activity in rodents fed a ketogenic or calorie-restricted diet -- paving the way for clinical trials for Alzheimer's prevention in humans.

New research show increased brain activity in rodents fed a ketogenic or calorie-restricted diet; Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience: [...]

Sex, drugs and estradiol: why cannabis affects women differently

November 26, 2018

Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience: Females use and experience cannabis differently to males -- and neuroscience is beginning to explain why, says a new review

Females use and experience cannabis differently to males -- and neuroscience is beginning to explain why, says new review; Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience [...]