oxygen

Heart failure and atrial fibrillation share underlying genetic and molecular mechanisms

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New research published in Nature Cardiovascular Research reveals that heart failure and atrial fibrillation share underlying genetic and molecular mechanisms, suggesting that the two cardiovascular conditions may be less distinct than previously thought. Two serious heart conditions that often coexist Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle is damaged and unable to pump enough nutrient-rich blood to meet the … Read more

Gene mutation that aids high-altitude survival could repair myelin sheath damage

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A genetic mutation that helps animals like yaks and Tibetan antelopes survive at high altitudes may hold the key to repairing nerve damage in conditions such as cerebral paralysis and multiple sclerosis (MS). The finding, publishing March 13 in the Cell Press journal Neuron, reveals a naturally existing pathway that promotes regeneration after nerve damage and could open new doors for treating diseases like MS by leveraging molecules that are already present in the human body.  … Read more

Specific gut microbe may boost muscle strength and performance

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A species of gut bacteria called Roseburia inulinivorans is specifically associated with human muscle strength and improved muscular performance in mice, finds research published online in the journal Gut.  R inulinivorans changes certain metabolic processes in muscle, and converts muscle fibres to ‘fast-twitch (type II)—designed for short intensive movement, such as sprinting and weights-the findings show.  R inulinivorans holds promise … Read more

Brain connectivity differences found in infants with congenital heart disease

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The prevalence of congenital heart disease points to the need for a better understanding of how it influences neurodevelopment. New in JNeurosci, Jung-Hoon Kim and Catherine Limperopoulos, from Children’s National Hospital, led a study examining brain network disruptions that may be linked to congenital heart disease.  Compared to publicly accessible brain imaging data from healthy newborns, babies with … Read more

Study sheds light on potential therapeutic strategies for post-traumatic osteoarthritis

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Post-traumatic osteoarthritis often affects younger, active individuals and progresses quickly following ligament or cartilage injury. Chondrocytes, the sole cell type in articular cartilage, survive in a low-oxygen environment by relying heavily on glycolysis, producing large amounts of lactate. While lactate has traditionally been associated with tissue stress and inflammation, emerging evidence suggests it also functions … Read more

High-dose curcumin fails to produce lasting gut microbiome changes in IBD patients

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Even at pharmacological doses that flood the colon but barely enter the bloodstream, curcumin’s effects on the gut microbiome proved temporary, highlighting the remarkable resilience of the human microbial ecosystem. Study: Effect of curcumin on the gut microbiota of patients with ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and healthy participants. Image Credit: Faizal Ramli / Shutterstock In … Read more

COVID-19 ARDS survivors face lasting disability and high late mortality, researchers report

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Four years after ICU admission, mortality remains strikingly high in ventilated COVID-19 ARDS patients, and many survivors continue to struggle with fatigue, insomnia, functional decline, and reduced quality of life. Study: Four year mortality and quality of life after ICU treatment for COVID 19 related acute respiratory distress syndrome. Image Credit: Design_Cells / Shutterstock In … Read more

Decoding the purpose of fetal yawns in the womb

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Even in the womb, where all oxygen is provided by the parental placenta, fetuses can-and do-yawn. More yawns during observation were associated with a lower weight at birth-potentially indicating mild fetal stress in the womb, according to a study published February 25, 2026 in the open-access journal PLOS One by Damiano Menin, of the Università … Read more

High-fat ketogenic diet improves exercise response in diabetic mice

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To be healthy, conventional wisdom tells us to exercise and limit fatty foods. Exercise helps us lose weight and build muscle. It makes our hearts stronger and boosts how we take in and use oxygen for energy – one of the strongest predictors of health and longevity. But people with high blood sugar often don’t … Read more

Researchers show red blood cells drive better glucose tolerance at high altitude

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New research reveals how hypoxia-driven red blood cell adaptations may reshape glucose regulation, offering fresh insight into diabetes biology and potential therapeutic strategies. Study: Red blood cells serve as a primary glucose sink to improve glucose tolerance at altitude. Image Credit: nobeastsofierce / Shutterstock In a recent study published in the journal Cell Metabolism, researchers investigated … Read more