Treatment with lemborexant (right) resulted in larger volume in the hippocampus (central purple spiral) and a smaller gap in brain tissue (white space) compared with another sleep aid treatment (left)Samira Parhizkar/WashU MedicineA widely available sleep aid has shown unexpected potential in supporting brain health by significantly reducing the accumulation of tau proteins — a...
Macrophages infected by Yersinia pestis bacteria. (Anne Derbise and Jose Barquero/Institut Pasteur/AFP)Recent research indicates that the bacteria causing the plague evolved to become less lethal over time, allowing it to infect people during three distinct pandemics over more than a thousand years.The Plague of Justinian: A Two-Century CrisisThe first pandemic, known as the Plague of Justinian, occurred...
Credit: DepositphotosMore than just loyal companions, dogs are proving to be valuable allies in medical research. A new study has shown that humans and dogs share key proteins that could speed up the understanding and treatment of complications related to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries — a condition common to both species.Comparative Oncology: A...
Image Credit: PixabayIf you’re struggling to fall asleep, it might be worth giving your partner a gentle nudge—or checking the nightstand drawer. A recent study confirms what many already suspected: engaging in sexual activity right before bedtime can lead to better sleep.Researchers from Central Queensland University and Flinders University in Australia tracked the sleep...
Credit: DepositphotosEuropean researchers tested a drug combination with anti-aging potential in mice and found that it increased the animals’ lifespan by approximately 30%. In addition to living longer, the mice also remained healthier for more time, showing reduced chronic inflammation and a delayed onset of cancer.A Drug Duo With a History in Cancer TreatmentThe...
image Credit: PixabayUnlike reptiles and fish, which routinely replace their teeth, it’s long been believed that humans and most mammals only develop two sets over a lifetime.However, Katsu Takahashi, head of oral surgery at the Medical Research Institute Kitano Hospital in Osaka, explains that a third set of tooth buds lies dormant beneath the...
Landmark treatment could not just manage spinal injury but repair itGenerated by DALL-EA major breakthrough in spinal cord injury treatment is on the horizon. For the first time, a regenerative stem cell therapy has been authorized to begin a Phase I clinical trial, with the potential to address a condition that has, until now,...
(Randy Faris/The Image Bank/Getty Images)Slight variations in a person’s heart rate may provide important clues about the likelihood of cognitive decline in the coming years, according to a new study. This finding points to a potential quick and easy test to detect early cognitive changes.Understanding and Preventing Cognitive ImpairmentDetecting when and how cognitive decline...
Image Credits: Taking metformin has been linked to a 30% lower risk of death in type 2 diabetic womenDepositphotosMetformin, a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes, has been linked to a 30% reduction in mortality risk, according to a recent study. The findings contribute to increasing evidence that the widely used medication may have...
Image Credits: PixabayWe've long understood that insufficient sleep negatively affects heart health, but scientists are now beginning to uncover the specific mechanisms behind this damage.Three Nights of Poor Sleep Affect Heart-Related Blood MarkersIn a recent study, Uppsala University researchers in Sweden found that limiting sleep to about four hours per night for just three...
