New insights into how feet work when people walk

Though most people are born with two feet, and use them throughout their lives, feet function in complex ways that are not completely understood by scientists. Researchers have many open questions and unproven assumptions about feet and the mechanisms that arose from our evolution as bipedal, upright walkers. Now, new research from Penn State's Department of Kinesiology challenges long-held beliefs about how feet evolved and function and may contain implications for shoe designers.

Omega-3 fatty acids, and in particular DHA, are associated with increased attention scores in adolescents

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is associated with a greater capacity for selective and sustained attention in adolescents, while alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is associated with lower impulsivity, according to a study co-led by ISGlobal, a center supported by the "la Caixa" Foundation and the Pere Virgili Institute for Health Research (ISPV). The results, published in European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, confirm the importance of having a diet that provides sufficient amounts of these polyunsaturated fatty acids for a healthy brain development.

Kidney disease measures are associated with structural brain damage across different domains of etiology

Cross-sectional analysis shows association of reduced kidney function and increased urine albumin excretion with brain volume reduction in regions typically affected by Alzheimer's disease and other dementia etiologies.

Organ-on-a-chip study reveals mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 invasion into blood vessels

A research group led by CiRA Junior Associate Professor Kazuo Takayama and Associate Professor Yoshiaki Okada of Osaka University has revealed that SARS-CoV-2 disrupts the vascular endothelial barrier by suppressing the expression of Claudin-5 (CLDN5) to invade the blood vessels.

Increased risk of cancer in children born to mothers with epilepsy using high-dose folic acid during pregnancy

High-dose folic acid is protective against congenital malformations if the mother is at particular risk of having a child with congenital malformations. Treatment with antiseizure medication in pregnancy is associated with risk of congenital malformations in the children, and women with epilepsy are therefore often recommended a supplementary high dose of folic acid (4–5 mg daily) before and during pregnancy. However, some studies have raised concern that folic acid can increase the risk of cancer not only in the mother, but in the child when exposed during pregnancy.

UN urges action as mental health takes heavy toll on workers

Far more must be done to safeguard mental health on the job, the United Nations said Wednesday, presenting new guidelines on how to lessen psychological strains linked to the workplace.