New genetic target for blood cancer treatment

Targeting a pathway that is essential for the survival of certain types of acute myeloid leukaemia could provide a new therapy avenue for patients, the latest research has found.

Study identifies diverse spectrum of neurons that govern movement

In a mouse study, National Institutes of Health researchers have identified and mapped a diverse spectrum of motor neurons along the spinal cord. These neurons, which send and receive messages throughout the body, include a subset that is susceptible to neurodegenerative diseases. Created with a genetic sequencing technique, the atlas reveals 21 subtypes of neurons in discrete areas throughout the spinal cord and offers insight into how these neurons control movement, how they contribute to the functioning of organ systems and why some are disproportionately affected in neurodegenerative diseases.

Care teams differ for Black, white surgical patients in the same hospitals

A new study finds Black patients are more likely to die after their heart bypass surgery if they're at a hospital where some care teams see mostly white patients and others see mostly Black patients. On the other hand, mortality rates are comparable between Black and white patients after heart bypass surgery when the teams of health care providers at their hospitals all care for patients of all races.

New brain-like computing device simulates human learning

Researchers have developed a brain-like computing device that is capable of learning by association.

Doctors should screen over-50s for cannabis use, say researchers

Older people who use cannabis to relieve or treat health problems are failing to discuss their substance use with doctors, according to research published in peer-reviewed The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse.

An hour of daily exercise could help Arctic Inuit people with faulty gene to control their high blood sugar

New research published in Diabetologia (the journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes [EASD]) suggests an hour of hiking with hunting gear may be enough to help control blood glucose levels in Arctic Inuit with a faulty copy of the TBC1D4 gene, which increases their risk of type 2 diabetes. The findings, made by scientists in Denmark and Greenland, open the door to lifestyle precision medicine for the population, with the potential to help thousands across the Arctic region.

Spending on cloud computing hits $42 bn worldwide: tracker

A record-high $41.8 billion was spent on cloud computing in the recently ended quarter as businesses leaned heavily on the internet to survive the pandemic, market tracker Canalys said on Thursday.

FAA to audit Boeing's 'minor' design changes after latest MAX issue

US air safety regulators are auditing Boeing's procedures for making "minor" design changes to planes in the wake of the latest problem with its troubled 737 MAX, regulators said Thursday.

Austria courts face fallout from ski resorts' virus spread

The last time Sieglinde Schopf hugged Hannes, her husband of almost 50 years, was before he boarded a train to go skiing in Austria's popular Alpine province of Tyrol last March.

Worldwide COVID-19 cases pass 150 million

Worldwide COVID-19 cases passed 150 million on Friday, according to an AFP count, with numbers soaring recently due to a relentless second wave in India.

AI, captain! First autonomous ship prepares for maiden voyage

The "Mayflower 400"—the world's first intelligent ship—bobs gently in a light swell as it stops its engines in Plymouth Sound, off England's southwest coast, before self-activating a hydrophone designed to listen to whales.

AstraZeneca makes $275 million in sales from COVID vaccine

British pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca reported on Friday $275 million (227 million euros) in sales from its COVID vaccine in the first three months of the year.

Delivery delays force Mexico to put off Sinovac second doses

Mexican authorities said Thursday that delays in the delivery of 1.5 million doses of the Chinese Sinovac vaccine will mean that almost 1.3 million Mexicans won't get their second doses on time.

Brazil tops 400,000 virus deaths amid fears of renewed surge

Brazil on Thursday became the second country to officially top 400,000 COVID-19 deaths, losing another 100,000 lives in just one month, as some health experts warn there may be gruesome days ahead when the Southern Hemisphere enters winter.

India posts COVID daily record as worldwide cases hit 150 million

India on Friday posted another global record for daily coronavirus infections, pushing worldwide cases past 150 million as a pandemic that has killed almost 3.2 million worldwide continues to wreak devastation.

Free rides and beer: Incentives are added to vaccine drive

Free beer, pot and doughnuts. Savings bonds. A chance to win an all-terrain vehicle. Places around the U.S. are offering incentives to try to energize the nation's slowing vaccination drive and get Americans to roll up their sleeves.

Thailand says COVID-19 has peaked, but adds restrictions

Health authorities said Thailand's recent COVID-19 wave has peaked after setting record daily highs of new cases and deaths, but they are still implementing new restrictions starting Saturday to curb the spread of the virus.

Alarm grows in Africa as it watches India's COVID-19 crisis

Africa is "watching with total disbelief" as India struggles with a devastating resurgence in COVID-19 cases, the continent's top public health official said Thursday, as African officials worry about delays in vaccine deliveries caused by India's crisis.

Flooding and mudslides add to St. Vincent's volcano woes

Heavy rains poured down on the island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Thursday, causing flooding and mudslides that damaged some homes and further battered areas already burdened by heavy ashfall from eruptions of La Soufriere volcano.

Northern forest fires could accelerate climate change

New research indicates that the computer-based models currently used to simulate how Earth's climate will change in the future underestimate the impact that forest fires and drying climate are having on the world's northernmost forests, which make up the largest forest biome on the planet. It's an important understanding because these northern forests absorb a significant amount of Earth's carbon dioxide.

Many more people could benefit from blood pressure-lowering medication

Blood pressure-lowering medication can prevent serious cardiovascular conditions such as strokes, heart failure and heart attacks even in adults with normal blood pressure, according to new research published in The Lancet.