AI study reveals individuality of tongue’s surface
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and 3D images of the human tongue have revealed that the surface of our tongues are unique to each of us, new findings suggest. The results offer an unprecedented insight into the biological make-up of our tongue’s surface and how our sense of taste and touch differ from person to person. The […]
Manipulation of gut microbiota with flaxseed could reduce breast cancer risk
A new study demonstrates that the human gut microbiome may be a factor in breast health. Lifestyle and diet have long been known to affect human health. In the study, flaxseed components called lignans were shown to influence the relationship between gut microorganisms and the expression of mammary gland microRNAs (miRNAs). A subset of these […]
Specific genetic variant may help prevent obesity
A preclinical study by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators shows that a specific human genetic variant of a receptor that stimulates insulin release may help individuals be more resistant to obesity. The researchers discovered that this variant behaves differently in the cell which may contribute to more efficient metabolism. The study, posted online in Molecular Metabolism […]
Epigenetic signature for obesity found in study of twins
A susceptibility to gain weight may be written into molecular processes of human cells, a Washington State University study indicates. The proof-of-concept study with a set of 22 twins found an epigenetic signature in buccal or cheek cells appearing only for the twins who were obese compared to their thinner siblings. With more research, the […]
Study Confirms Better Survival for HPV-Positive Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer associated with detectable human papillomavirus (HPV+) RNA or DNA had significantly better outcomes, including survival, a large meta-analysis of published studies showed. Patients who tested positive for HPV had a 62% improvement in disease-free survival (DFS), 44% improvement in cancer-specific survival (CSS), and 41% improvement in overall survival (OS), as compared with patients […]
FDA Reviewers Have Concerns About Artificial Womb Trials in Humans
FDA staff raised concerns that need to be addressed prior to potential human tests of artificial womb technology (AWT), a device that simulates a womb for extremely premature infants, as detailed in briefing documents released ahead of a Pediatric Advisory Committee meeting next week. AWT devices are intended to treat extremely premature infants, who have […]
Teen HPV Vaccine Rates Stall for First Time in a Decade
After rising steadily since 2013, new human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations in teens stalled for the first time in 10 years, a CDC report showed. The proportion of 13- to 17-year-olds who received at least one dose of HPV vaccine in 2022 was essentially identical to 2021 (76.0% vs 76.9%, respectively), including when it came to […]
Opinion | ‘This Has Never Been Shown Before in a Human’: What We Heard This Week
“This has never been shown before in a human.” — Jayme Locke, MD, MPH, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, on the successful pig-to-human kidney xenotransplant that assumed normal functioning in a brain-dead decedent. “High smoke days might be taking a toll on our brains.” — Boya Zhang, PhD, of […]
Adenovirus May Trigger Thrombocytopenia, Thrombosis, Case Studies Suggest
In rare cases, symptomatic human adenovirus infection may trigger a life-threatening prothrombotic anti-platelet factor 4 (PF4) disorder resembling vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), according to a report based on two patients. A 5-year-old boy and a 58-year-old woman based in the U.S. developed serious — and in the case of the boy, ultimately fatal — […]
Scientists build a healthy dietary pattern using ultra-processed foods
Scientists at the USDA Agricultural Research Service’s (ARS) Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center led a studythat demonstrates it is possible to build a healthy diet with 91 percent of the calories coming from ultra-processed foods (as classified using the NOVA scale) while still following the recommendations from the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). […]