Introduction
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News
Can chatbots help with genetic testing for cancer risk?
Kimberly Kaphingst, ScD, research director of the Genetic Counseling Shared Resource and co-leader of the Cancer Control and Population Sciences Program at Huntsman Cancer Institute, and professor of communication at the university, says the results of the BRIDGE (Broadening the Reach, Impact, and Delivery of Genetic Services) trial could help expand patient access to genetic care.
Using Sunlight to Turn Two Greenhouse Gases Into Valuable Chemicals
McGill University researchers have harnessed the power of sunlight to transform two of the most harmful greenhouse gases into valuable chemicals. The discovery could help combat climate change and provide a more sustainable way to produce certain industrial products.
False-positive mammograms discourage women from breast cancer screening, study finds
Every year, millions of women get mammograms to screen for breast cancer. About 10% of them are called back for further testing. And 7% to 12% of those women receive a false-positive result, meaning that the mammogram detects something that looks like cancer, but turns out not to be.
Many women are not eager to repeat the experience, and those who receive a false-positive cancer detection are far less likely to return for their next screening, according to new research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Atypical metabolite levels at birth may increase SIDS risk
Newborns who had an atypical pattern of metabolites were more than 14 times as likely to die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), compared to infants who had more typical metabolic patterns, according to a study funded in part by the National Institutes of Health. Metabolites are molecules produced by the body’s various chemical reactions. Researchers found that infants who died of SIDS had a specific pattern of metabolites compared to infants who lived to their first year. The researchers believe that checking for this pattern could provide a way to identify infants at risk for SIDS. The study was conducted by Scott Oltman, M.S., of the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, and colleagues. It appears in JAMA Pediatrics.
Iron deficiency linked to restless sleep in ADHD and autism
Iron is a trace element present in neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia. Iron is also an essential component for both the synthesis of neurotransmitters that regulate the sleep/wake cycle, as well as the dopamine synthesis pathway.
These observations indicate that iron deficiency could significantly influence sleep and wake patterns; however, iron levels are rarely considered in the clinical management of sleep/wake disorders.
Mayo Clinic study finds dysfunctional white blood cells linked to heightened melanoma risk
About 8 to 10 million Americans over age 40 have an overabundance of cloned white blood cells, or lymphocytes, that hamper their immune systems. Although many who have this condition — called monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL) — do not experience any symptoms, a new study shows they may have an elevated risk for several health complications, including melanoma, a form of skin cancer.
Brain Vasculature Changes Important for Predicting Cognitive Impairment
University of Oklahoma researchers recently published a study showing that several measurements of the brain, including blood flow and the brain's ability to compensate for the lack of it, are better predictors of mild cognitive impairment than risk factors like hypertension and high cholesterol.
Space-Based Experiments to Advance Early Cancer Detection Through Blood Tests
University of Notre Dame researchers are leveraging the International Space Station's U.S. National Laboratory to enhance biosensing technology for earlier cancer detection
Immune proteins in tooth enamel provide clues about ancient human health
A new way of looking at tooth enamel could give scientists a path to deeper understanding of the health of human populations, from the ancient to the modern.
The method, published this week in the Journal of Archaeological Science, examines two immune proteins found embedded in human tooth enamel: immunoglobulin G, an antibody that fights infection, and C-reactive protein, which is present during inflammation in the body.
Creating Longer-Lasting EV Batteries
An international team of researchers, led by an engineer at CU Boulder, has revealed an underlying mechanism behind battery degradation. Their discovery could help scientists to develop better batteries, which would allow electric vehicles to run farther and last longer, while also advancing energy storage technologies that would accelerate the transition to clean energy.