- Researchers discover a new neural biomarker for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a specific neural activity pattern to accurately predict and monitor people with OCD who have undergone deep brain stimulation (DBS). OCD is a common and debilitating condition that affects 2-3% people worldwide. https://www.bcm.edu/news/researchers-discover-a-new-neural-biomarker-for-ocd 5 comments science
- Serotonin 2C receptor in the brain regulates memory in people and mice, providing new insights into the factors involved in healthy memory but also in conditions associated with memory loss (like Alzheimer’s disease) https://www.bcm.edu/news/serotonin-2c-receptor-regulates-memory-in-mice-and-humans-implications-for-alzheimers-disease 12 comments science
- Brain fungal infection produces Alzheimer's disease-like changes - Researchers discovered how the fungus Candida albicans enters the brain in mice and generates amyloid beta-like peptides, toxic protein fragments from the amyloid precursor protein related to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. https://www.bcm.edu/news/brain-fungal-infection-produces-alzheimers-disease-like-changes 242 comments science
- Excess folic acid intake increases DNA de novo point mutations https://www.bcm.edu/news/assessing-the-risk-of-excess-folic-acid-intake 26 comments science
- Dawn-to-dusk dry fasting leads to health benefits in the study of immune cells. Research found that proteins associated with atherosclerosis, heart disease and cancer promotion were decreased, while proteins associated with cancer and inflammation suppression were increased. https://www.bcm.edu/news/dawn-to-dusk-dry-fasting-leads-to-health-benefits-in-the-study-of-immune-cells 283 comments science
- Researchers discovered in mice that the rheumatoid arthritis drug auranofin can potentially be repurposed to improve diabetes-associated symptoms: “Auranofin improved insulin sensitivity, normalized obesity-associated changes and reduced inflammatory responses” https://www.bcm.edu/news/findings-support-repurposing-rheumatoid-arthritis-drug-auranofin-for-diabetes 4 comments science
- Human noroviruses, the leading cause of acute diarrhea, have been grown in the lab for the first time. The advance will allow researchers to study the viruses and potentially develop treatments. https://www.bcm.edu/news/molecular-virology-and-microbiology/norovirus-infection-grown-in-intestinal-cells 7 comments science
- Landmark study reveals that the placenta is not as sterile as once thought. It harbors a unique microbiome that could be the source of the baby’s intestinal microbiome. https://www.bcm.edu/news/obstetrics-and-gynecology/genetic-unique-placental-microbiome 11 comments science
- Human milk fat improves growth in premature infants: Researchers have now successfully incorporated a cream supplement into premature infants’ diets that improved their growth outcomes in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) https://www.bcm.edu/news/pediatrics/human-milk-fat-helps-premature-infants-grow 4 comments science
- common herbicide used in the United States may be linked to an increased risk of a congenital abnormality of the nasal cavity known as choanal atresia http://www.bcm.edu/news/item.cfm?newsid=6287 52 comments science
- Circadian Clock Linked to Sudden Cardiac Death http://www.bcm.edu/news/item.cfm?newsid=5255 7 comments science