How can smartwatch data help identify long COVID risks? This is what a recent study published in npj Digital Medicine hopes to address as a team of researchers from Germany and Austria investigated how fitness data obtained from smartwatches could help track…
Category: 5. Health
-
Probiotics Lower Fever Duration in Children with Respiratory Infections
Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are among the most common illnesses affecting children, often leading to fever, discomfort, and missed school days. While probiotics have been studied for their role in preventing infections, their potential as a…
Continue Reading
-
AI-powered mammograms: A new window into heart health
Mammograms, with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) models, may reveal much more than cancer, according to a study being presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.25). The findings highlight how these important cancer screening tools can also be used…
Continue Reading
-
How a Y chromosome gene may shape the course of heart valve disease
A study led by bioengineers at the University of California San Diego sheds new light on how a type of heart valve disease, called aortic valve stenosis, progresses differently in males and females. The research reveals that this sex-based difference can be traced to a gene on the Y chromosome.
Continue Reading
Part of the genetic risk for schizophrenia acts through the placenta
The study, which involved 28 researchers from 18 institutions across Europe and the United States, highlights the placenta as a key element in neuropsychiatric development. The research has demonstrated that specific epigenetic modifications in the placenta, particularly DNA methylation, can…
Continue Reading
The fine control of cell mechanics
Our skin and mucous membranes are protected by epithelial cells. This “barrier” tissue performs its function thanks to specialized structures called “junctions.” They ensure cell cohesion and regulate exchanges across the space between cells. Researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE), in…
Continue Reading
New CRISPR tool enables more seamless gene editing — and improved disease modeling
Advances in the gene-editing technology known as CRISPR-Cas9 over the past 15 years have yielded important new insights into the roles that specific genes play in many diseases. But to date this technology — which allows scientists to use a “guide” RNA to modify DNA sequences and evaluate the…
Continue Reading
Could the layout of trees impact human health?
A long-term Switzerland-wide study has found that neighbourhoods with numerous, well-arranged trees exhibit lower mortality risks than other areas. The reasons behind this, and the factors that play a role, will require further research.
Beyond creating a serene and open atmosphere in urban…
Continue Reading
Why do lymphatic vessels form a jigsaw puzzle-like pattern?
The lymphatic system plays a key role in maintaining the body’s fluid balance and supporting immune defences. Lymphatic vessels are composed of a single layer of endothelial cells, allowing the transfer of fluids, cells and large molecules from surrounding tissues into the vessels. These vessels…
Continue Reading
Engineer develops new security protocol to protect miniaturized wireless medical implants from cyberthreats
A brain implant designed to help control seizures is hijacked. A pacemaker receives fake signals, disrupting its rhythm. A hacker infiltrates an insulin pump, delivering a fatal overdose. While these scenarios sound like scenes from a sci-fi thriller, such cyberhealth threats are of real concern…