ALMA discovers rotating infant galaxy with help of natural cosmic telescope

Using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), astronomers found a rotating baby galaxy 1/100th the size of the Milky Way at a time when the universe was only 7 percent of its present age. Thanks to assistance by the gravitational lens effect, the team was able to explore for the first time the nature of small and dark "normal galaxies" in the early universe, representative of the main population of the first galaxies, which greatly advances our understanding of the initial phase of galaxy evolution.

Foods associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death in middle-age

Two common dietary patterns identified in British adults, which include high intakes of chocolate and confectionary, may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death in middle-age, according to a study published in the open access journal BMC Medicine.

Stop-smoking drug Chantix/Champix does not increase risk of psychiatric problems

A new analysis of data from a randomized, controlled trial of the stop-smoking drug varenicline (brand name Chantix in the U.S. and Champix elsewhere) has provided clear evidence that varenicline does not increase the risk of psychiatric problems. The study also assessed the risk of psychiatric problems associated with bupropion and the nicotine patch. It similarly found moderate to strong evidence for no increased risk of neuropsychiatric adverse events relative to use of a placebo.

The immune link between a leaky blood-brain barrier and schizophrenia

Like a stern bodyguard for the central nervous sytem, the blood-brain barrier keeps out anything that could lead to disease and dangerous inflammation—at least when all is functioning normally.

Significant life expectancy increase for adults living with HIV on ART in Latin America

Life expectancy among adults living with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Latin America and the Caribbean has increased significantly since HIV testing and treatment services became more widely available, according to research published today in The Lancet HIV journal.

Large clinical trial to study repurposed drugs to treat COVID-19 symptoms

Using an ACTIV master protocol, the trial will focus on potential interventions for mild-to-moderate illness.

Food allergies, changes to infant gut bacteria linked to method of childbirth, ethnicity

Researchers have found a causal link between caesarean section birth, low intestinal microbiota and peanut sensitivity in infants, and they report the effect is more pronounced in children of Asian descent than others, in a recently published paper in the journal of the American Gastroenterological Association.

Shift-work causes negative impacts on health, affects men and women differently

Shift-work and irregular work schedules can cause several health-related issues and affect our defense against infection, according to new research from the University of Waterloo.

Drug development platform could provide flexible, rapid and targeted antimicrobials

When disease outbreaks happen, response time in developing and distributing treatments is crucial to saving lives. Unfortunately, developing custom drugs as countermeasures is often a slow and difficult process.

Augmented reality in retail and its impact on sales

Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that superimposes virtual objects onto a live view of physical environments, helping users visualize how these objects fit into their physical world. Researchers from City University of Hong Kong and Singapore Management University published a new paper in the Journal of Marketing that identifies four broad uses of AR in retail settings and examines the impact of AR on retail sales.

Fast brainwave oscillations identify and localize epileptic brain

Professor Bin He's team at Carnegie Mellon University, in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic, has discovered that fast oscillations in scalp-recorded electroencephalography can pinpoint brain tissues responsible for epileptic seizures. The collaborative research, recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), leverages noninvasive EEG technology along with the development of a novel machine learning algorithm to automatically identify and delineate concurrent high-frequency oscillations and epileptiform spikes, a key link related to epilepsy. In the near future, these findings may be harnessed to rethink imaging and treatment options for epilepsy patients.

NASA NeMO-Net video game helps researchers understand global coral reef health

Marine ecosystems are in the midst of a conservation crisis, with coral reefs in particular facing numerous challenges as a result of climate change. In an effort to better understand these environments and the threats they face, researchers collect huge image libraries of these underwater environments, using 3D imagery collected from divers and snorkelers, as well as 2D images collected from satellites. These approaches provide researchers with huge amounts of data, but to extract value from these libraries requires a method to quickly analyze for patterns or 'classifications'.

A good night's sleep could do wonders for your sex life

The importance of getting a good night's sleep cannot be overstated. Lack of sleep can lead to a number of health problems and affect a woman's overall quality of life. A new study suggests that insufficient quality sleep also may lead to problems in the bedroom in the form of female sexual dysfunction. Study results are published online today in Menopause.

Environmental DNA and RNA may be key in monitoring pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2

Real-world disease and parasite monitoring is often hampered by the inability of traditional approaches to easily sample broad geographical areas and large numbers of individuals. This can result in patchy data that fall short of what researchers need to anticipate and address outbreaks. Writing in BioScience, Jessica Farrell (University of Florida), Liam Whitmore (University of Limerick), and David Duffy (University of Florida) describe the promise of novel molecular techniques to overcome these shortcomings.

Music improves older adults' sleep quality

Listening to music before going to be can improve sleep quality among older adults, according to an analysis of all relevant published clinical trials.

New insights on inflammation in COVID-19

Severe cases of COVID-19 can involve extensive inflammation in the body, and clinicians have wondered if this state is similar to what are called cytokine storm syndromes, in which the immune system produces too many inflammatory signals that can sometimes lead to organ failure and death. A new study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology indicates that different markers in the blood clearly differentiate excessive inflammation in critical COVID-19 from cytokine storm syndromes.

Probiotic strain helps pregnant women maintain healthy iron levels

A new study published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica found that taking a particular probiotic strain improves iron levels in healthy pregnant women and may therefore help to prevent iron deficiency.

New analysis addresses fear of cancer recurrence

After undergoing treatment for cancer, patients may worry that the disease will recur. An analysis of published studies indicates that fear of cancer recurrence may lead to an increased use of healthcare resources—such as more visits to see physicians and greater use of medications—by cancer survivors.

Pharmacist-led programs help prevent medication harm in older adults in care facilities

An analysis of published studies indicates that pharmacist-led efforts can reduce medication-related harms—such as cognitive impairment, falls, drug-drug interactions, and bacterial infections—in older adults in residential aged care facilities. The findings are published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

Do school shootings have a copycat effect?

Following a school shooting, the risk for additional school shootings in the same and neighboring states increases in the next year, according to an analysis published in Contemporary Economic Policy.

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on international higher education

An article published in Geographical Research examines how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted international higher education and the mobility of students around the globe, noting that universities face the urgent task of reimagining alternative futures for themselves.

Study reveals the complexity of microplastic pollution

Microplastics—small plastic pieces less than 5 millimeters in length—are ubiquitous in the environment, and they can have significant effects on wildlife. A new study published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry reveals that there are multiple impacts of different microplastics—with varying sizes, shapes, and chemical makeup—to the survival, growth, and development of larval fathead minnows, an important prey species in lakes and rivers in North America.