Health – Science & research news

Ethnobotanical medicine is effective against the bacterium causing Lyme disease

February 21, 2020

A preclinical study in test tubes showed that selected plant-based herbal medicines, especially Ghanaian quinine and Japanese knotweed, work better than antibiotics: Frontiers in Medicine [...]

Tourists pose continued risks for disease transmission to endangered mountain gorillas

February 14, 2020

Gorillas are susceptible to human diseases, with respiratory infections causing up to 20% of sudden deaths: Frontiers in Public Health [...]

Seeing blue after the little blue pill: visual disturbances in sildenafil users

February 7, 2020

Some men taking the highest recommended dose of sildenafil reported blurred vision, light sensitivity and color issues: Frontiers in Neurology [...]

Nanoparticles produced from burning coal result in damage to mice lungs

February 6, 2020

Highly toxic titanium oxide found in coal smog can cause lung damage in mice after a single exposure: Frontiers in Immunology [...]

Be wary of online probiotic health-benefit claims

January 15, 2020

Most probiotic information online originates from unreliable sources: Frontiers in Medicine [...]

Baby’s first breath: a new method for helping preemies to breathe

December 12, 2019

Two joint papers demonstrate that administering oxygen can help premature babies breathe independently sooner: Frontiers in Pediatrics [...]

How a Manuka honey 'sandwich' could be the key to fighting infections

December 4, 2019

Using small amounts of Manuka honey between layers of surgical mesh acts as a natural antibiotic. [...]

MS linked to variant of common herpes virus through new method

December 3, 2019

A certain herpes variant may have a role in the development of multiple sclerosis: Frontiers in Immunology [...]

Access to food and nutrition more limited in sub-Saharan Africa than previously estimated

November 25, 2019

Chronic and hidden hunger affect nearly half of rural households in sub-Saharan Africa: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems [...]

Where the Sun doesn’t shine? Skin UV exposure reflected in poop

October 24, 2019

Exposure of the skin to UVB light alters the mix of bacteria found in the gut, possibly via vitamin D; Frontiers in Microbiology [...]

An innovative new diagnostic for Lyme disease

October 18, 2019

Lyme disease is one of medicine's great mimics, and notoriously difficult to diagnose. A new study has uncovered six potential biomarkers for accurate and early identification; Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology [...]

High salt reduces tumor growth by tackling immune cells

October 14, 2019

A high salt diet inhibited tumor growth in two independent mouse models; Frontiers in Immunology [...]

Bacteria injections help the immune system fight cancer

September 23, 2019

After decades of mouse studies, bacterial immunotherapy looks set for a return to oncology clinics; Frontiers in Oncology [...]

Researchers identify cancer killing capability of lesser-known immune cells

September 12, 2019

Linked with obesity, esophageal cancer is one of the fastest growing cancers in the Western world. Image: Shutterstock. Finding new ways to reverse the inhibition of [...]

The vagina monocultures

September 11, 2019

Johns Hopkins team develops donor screening for vaginal microbiota transplantation; Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology [...]

The mind-muscle connection: for aesthetes, not athletes?

August 9, 2019

Focusing on movement instead of muscle can enhance weightlifting performance, suggests research; Frontiers in Sports and Active Living [...]

Common food additive found to affect gut microbiota

August 7, 2019

Experts call for better regulation of a common additive in foods and medicine, as research reveals it can impact the gut microbiota and contribute to inflammation in the colon; Frontiers in Nutrition [...]

Online information on how to boost immunity based on commercially biased sources

August 6, 2019

Just 12% of search engine results for "boost immunity" mentioned vaccines, the most proven and effective method of boosting immunity; Frontiers in Medicine [...]

An apple carries about 100 million bacteria. Good luck washing them off.

July 24, 2019

Most microbes are inside the apple – but the strains depend on which bits you eat, and whether you go organic; Frontiers in Microbiology [...]

Are the ‘viral’ agents of MS, ALS and schizophrenia buried in our genome?

July 23, 2019

An estimated 8% of our DNA comes from viruses. Image: Shutterstock. Viruses hid themselves in your ancestors’ DNA. Now they’re waking up. — by Matthew Prior, [...]

Red wine’s resveratrol could help Mars explorers stay strong

July 18, 2019

Nutraceuticals that preserve muscle in reduced gravity will support long-term space missions; Frontiers in Physiology [...]

Meet the six-legged superfoods: grasshoppers top insect antioxidant-rich list

July 15, 2019

Grasshoppers and silkworms have antioxidant capacity similar to fresh orange juice, says study; Frontiers in Nutrition [...]

Zero-calorie sweeteners on trial again

June 26, 2019

Exposure to sucralose and acesulfame-K in the womb and via breastmilk leads to altered intestinal flora and liver toxicity in mouse pups; Frontiers in Microbiology [...]

Brain changes linked with Alzheimer’s years before symptoms appear

June 23, 2019

Brain imaging and spinal fluid analysis could help to guide the use of future preventive treatments for Alzheimer's; Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience [...]

The app teaching anorexics to eat again

June 13, 2019

More patients with anorexia go into long-term remission by re-learning how to eat, than through CBT or drugs; Frontiers in Neuroscience [...]

The bacteria building your baby

June 5, 2019

Exposure to influential bacteria begins before we are born, new evidence confirms; Frontiers in Microbiology [...]

Changes to immune genes link paternal smoking with childhood asthma

May 31, 2019

Children exposed to paternal tobacco smoking before birth are more likely to develop asthma – and associated changes to immune genes predict the level of risk [...]

Vitamin D study sheds light on immune system effects

May 28, 2019

Researchers find vitamin D causes dendritic cells to produce more of a molecule called CD31 on their surface, which hinders activation of T cells; Frontiers in Immunology [...]

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 [...]