Microbiome dysbiosis—changes in the composition of gut microbes that alter the metabolites present—has long been implicated in playing a causative role in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the changes in the gut microbial metabolites that are associated with ASD-specific brain alterations have remained unknown. Now, a new study suggests that gut microbiome … Read more
Cancer takes a devastating toll on the body—but the psychological burden can be just as profound. Many patients, even those with a long history of resilience and optimism, experience notable emotional downturns. New research points to a biological explanation: the lack of motivation and emotional withdrawal may be a direct result of cancer cachexia, a … Read more
Cancer diagnoses traditionally require invasive or labor-intensive procedures such as tissue biopsies. Researchers at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) have now reported on a method that uses pulsed infrared light to identify molecular profiles in blood plasma that could indicate the presence of some common cancers. In a proof-of-concept study, the team used machine learning to … Read more
Could cytokines, traditionally known for their immune-boosting roles, also be influencing your mental health? Intriguing research reveals a surprising connection, showing how the immune system messengers, particularly interleukin-17 (IL-17), can impact anxiety and sociability by altering brain function. Dive in to uncover the latest findings on how these crucial molecules shape our behavior. Cytokines’ Dual … Read more
Research in a mouse model of Huntington’s disease has shown that the adult brain can generate new neurons that integrate into key motor circuits. Building on previous work, the new findings, by a team at the Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), demonstrated that stimulating natural brain processes may help repair … Read more
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most prevalent type of pancreatic cancer, characterized as a highly lethal malignancy that is often preceded by precancerous lesions. These lesions are relatively common, but only a small portion will progress to PDAC. In a new study published in Cancer Research titled, “FGFR2 Abrogation Intercepts Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Development,” researchers from Cold … Read more
A preclinical study by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine has uncovered a mechanism that allows triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) to develop resistance to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) immunotherapy and to chemotherapy. The study, including tests in mouse models, showed that lipid accumulation in tumor cells and nearby immune cells promotes immune suppression. The results … Read more
The pleasure we get from eating junk food—the dopamine rush—is often blamed as the cause of overeating and rising obesity rates in our society. But paradoxically, anecdotal evidence suggests that people with obesity may take less pleasure in eating than do individuals with normal weight. Brain scans of obese individuals show reduced activity in pleasure-related … Read more
Scientists from the Allen Institute and Seattle Children’s Research Institute have announced a breakthrough in the development of gene replacement therapies for Dravet syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy. According to details published in a Science Translational Medicine paper, mice treated with the new therapy survived and had alleviated symptoms and long-term recovery without toxicity … Read more
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have identified a novel trigger of a deadly form of ovarian cancer. Discovery of a subset of high-risk progenitor cells that reside in fallopian tube supportive tissue, or stroma, could pave the way for better approaches to prevent and detect high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), the most common form … Read more