Medical News Observer

Researchers identify role of protein TOM-1 in Alzheimer’s disease pathology

The scientists from the University of California Irvine discovered that reducing the amount of protein TOM-1 in Alzheimer’s rodent models increased pathology, which included increased inflammation, and exacerbated cognitive problems associated with the disease and restoring TOM-1 levels reversed those effects. This research is significant as it explores the molecular pathways underlying Alzheimer’s disease. It…
Optoceutics: controlling regenerative cells using visual light.

For the first time, the research group from Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) in Milan proposed an innovative strategy to gain optical control of epithelial regenerative cells by using visible light together with photo-sensitive and bio-compatible conjugated polymers used as photo-actuators. This research is published in Science Advances. In this study, the researchers managed to…
New technology to monitor chemotherapy using magnetic nanoparticles

Researchers from Michigan State University propose a novel non-invasive magnetic particle imaging (MPI) to monitor chemotherapy release in vivo. This method employs superparamagnetic nanoparticles as the contrast agent to monitor drug release in the body. In this study researchers designed iron oxide nanocomposite loaded with a chemotherapy drug doxorubicin which serves as a drug delivery…
Machine learning algorithms to speed up image biomarker analysis in heart MRI scans

According to research published in journal Circulation:Cardiaovascular imaging cardiac MRI analysis utilizing machine learning algorithms can be performed significantly faster and with similar precision compared to human experts. In the study, researchers trained a neural network to read the cardiac MRI scans. Utilizing artificial intelligence, a scan can be analyzed in approximately four seconds compared…
Fat mass index better predictor of cardiovascular events in diabetics

According to research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, type 2 diabetics with higher fat mass index are prone to develop cardiovascular events. The study showed that fat mass index (FMI) is superior to lean body mass index (BMI) in predicting heart-related events. Researchers conducted a post hoc analysis of data from the Action…
Animal study shows flavored e-cigarettes may worsen asthma

Researchers from the University of Technology Sydney, University of Vermont and the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research conducted an animal study in mice to determine the effect of flavored e-cigarettes, with or without nicotine, on allergic airways disease. Results of the study showed that some flavored e-cigarettes may alter asthma pathophysiology even when used without…
Contaminated tap water and cancer

Researchers from Environmental Working Group conducted a cumulative assessment of cancer risk due to carcinogenic compounds found in drinking water. They used a novel analytical framework that calculated their combined health impacts. Results of the study showed that these substances would result in more than 100,000 cancer cases nationwide. Findings of the study are published…
Animal tests show promise for needle free flu vaccine patch

Researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center published a study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology about a technology that could replace needle-based vaccination methods. In this study, researchers utilized a synthetic peptide to bind and inhibit the claudin-1 protein. Claudin-1 protein is essential for skin barrier strength and decreases the permeability of the…
New retinal biomarker for identifying early Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) have identified changes in retinal layer thickness, inflammation or thinning in patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease. These changes are identified with non invasive assessment using optical coherence tomography may be an important biomarker for early diagnosis. Researchers observed that in some patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, the…
Use of mobile phone games to assess cognitive decline

Researchers from University of Kent shown that mobile phone games could be used as new tool for identifying early signs of cognitive decline and thus identify a possibility of developing dementia. Investigating the link between patterns of tap, swipe and rotational gestures during mobile game play and the users’ cognitive performance, the research shows that…