Revealing the individual immune cells inside carotid plaque
Through single-cell RNA sequencing, a research group has successfully illuminated the characteristics of Myeloid immune cells in coronary plaque, which causes acute coronary syndrome (this term includes conditions such as unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction [heart attack]). Based on this data, they hope to develop a treatment method that can stabilize coronary plaque. This […]
Why are there so many new omicron sub-variants, like BA.4 and BA.5? Will I be reinfected? Is the virus mutating faster?
By now, many of us will be familiar with the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID. This variant of concern has changed the course of the pandemic, leading to a dramatic rise in cases around the world. We are also increasingly hearing about new omicron sub-variants with names such as BA.2, BA.4 […]
Rotating night shifts may hamper healthy aging
Rotating night shift work is associated with a decreased probability of healthy aging among U.S. female nurses, according to a study published online May 4 in JAMA Network Open. Hongying Shi, Ph.D., from the School of Public Health and Management at Wenzhou Medical University in China, and colleagues examined whether rotating night shift work is […]
Women advised to wait at least two years after weight loss surgery before trying for a baby
Women who have had weight loss surgery should wait at least two years before trying for a baby, new research presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Maastricht, the Netherlands (4-7 May), suggests. (EASO) Bariatric surgery is increasingly common in women of reproductive age and reduces the risk of obesity-related complications, such as […]
You’ve likely heard of the brain’s gray matter. Here’s why the white matter is important too
The human brain is a three-pound organ that remains largely an enigma. But most people have heard of the brain’s gray matter, which is needed for cognitive functions such as learning, remembering and reasoning. More specifically, gray matter refers to regions throughout the brain where nerve cells—known as neurons—are concentrated. The region considered most important […]
Dairy products linked to increased risk of cancer
Overall evidence to date on whether eating dairy products affects the risk of cancer has been inconsistent. Studies on Western populations indicate that dairy products may be associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer and a higher risk of prostate cancer, but have found no clear link for breast or other types of cancer. […]
Testing a one-time treatment to relieve Parkinson’s symptoms
After decades of research into the causes and treatment of Parkinson’s disease, UC Irvine Health neurologist Dr. Claire Henchcliffe is hopeful that a new cell therapy can finally bring meaningful relief to patients with the progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder. A national expert on Parkinson’s disease, she is one of a small group of U.S. researchers […]
Candy-coated pills could prevent pharmaceutical fraud
While most of us were baking sourdough bread and watching “Tiger King” to stay sane during the pandemic shutdown, UC Riverside bioengineering professor William Grover kept busy counting the colorful candy sprinkles perched on top of chocolate drops. In the process, he discovered a simple way to prevent pharmaceutical fraud. The technique, which he calls […]
Dental care reduces likelihood of hospitalization for people with diabetes or coronary artery disease
There are many unknowns with respect to the effects of regular dental care and a healthy mouth, teeth and gums. Physicians and dentists know that oral health is a critical element of overall health. Furthermore, Medicare does not cover dental care, and although children receive dental care as part of Medicaid, coverage for adults varies […]
Researchers develop new computational tool to interpret clinical significance of cancer mutations
Researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have developed a new tool to help researchers interpret the clinical significance of cancer mutations. The tool, known as CancerVar, incorporates machine learning frameworks to go beyond merely identifying somatic cancer mutations and interpret the potential significance of those mutations in terms of cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and targetability. […]