Researchers at VIB-KU Leuven shed light on an unusual signaling pathway that orchestrates synaptic structure and function during brain development. Leuven, 20 May 2025 – Researchers from the lab led by Prof. Joris De Wit (VIB-KU Leuven) have discovered an important clue to how connections between brain cells, known as synapses, mature. These new findings, published in Developmental Cell, demonstrated how two different proteins, GPR158 and PLCXD2, interact to form a specific component in developing synapses – the spine apparatus….

A new paper in Nicotine and Tobacco Research, published by Oxford University Press, finds that today’s pod-style electronic cigarette devices are more addictive than nicotine gum, indicating that such devices have a very high potential for abuse. Since entering the market in 2003, electronic cigarettes have become very popular in the United States, particularly among youth and young adults. A significant proportion of people who use electronic cigarettes devices never used other tobacco products regularly. Over 30% of adult users…

Family of parasite proteins presents new potential malaria treatment target Researchers from the Francis Crick Institute and the Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (GIMM) have shown that the evolution of a family of exported proteins in the malaria-causing parasite Plasmodium falciparum enabled it to infect humans. Targeting these proteins may hold promise for identifying new drugs that are less susceptible to resistance. Malaria infects over 200 million and kills over 500,000 people every year. It is caused by Plasmodium parasites…

Research finds a possible solution to a common problem during cold storage transportation Researchers have discovered a new molecular process that occurs when donor hearts are preserved in cold storage which contributes to failure after transplant, a study in both humans and animals shows. The team, a collaboration between Michigan Medicine and Mayo Clinic, also found a therapy to reduce that damage using medication that is typically prescribed for high blood pressure. Investigators say the therapeutic solution can significantly improve…

Belgrade, Serbia – 17 May 2025. An artificial intelligence-enabled electrocardiogram-based algorithm performed well in the early detection of heart failure among healthcare-seeking individuals in Kenya, according to late-breaking research presented today at Heart Failure 2025,1 a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Heart failure is highly prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa, where patients are often younger and face worse outcomes than in high-income countries.2 Explaining the rationale for the current study, presenter Dr. Ambarish Pandey from the University…

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, most often caused by cigarette smoking or long-term exposure to air pollutants. While there is no cure, progression can be slowed by reducing exposure to these factors. A new study from Mass General Brigham researchers uncovered another factor linked to progression of the disease: the accumulation of mucus in the lungs. People with COPD who had persistent airway-clogging mucus plugs over a five-year period…

Chlorinated organic substances can be converted into dioxins in the atmosphere Are the risks of hazardous chemicals being determined appropriately? In certain cases, apparently not–according to a study published in the journal Angewandte Chemie by a team of Chinese researchers. The study indicates that chlorinated volatile organic compounds on mineral dust particles in the atmosphere can be converted into highly toxic polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans by sunlight. Hazardous chemicals are frequently assessed under national and international regulatory frameworks, which primarily…

In well-designed gardens, our gaze shifts quicker and more often. Researchers believe this could be key to understanding the relaxing effects gardens can have on viewers. When was the last time you sat in a garden and simply let your gaze wander? Observation gardens are built especially for this purpose, but can also fulfil other functions, such as providing aid for meditation. Now, an international team of researchers has investigated what it is about these gardens that makes us feel…

Could a mini-stroke leave lasting fatigue? MINNEAPOLIS — A transient ischemic attack, also known as a mini-stroke, is typically defined as a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain that causes symptoms that go away within a day, but a new study finds that people who have this type of stroke may also have prolonged fatigue lasting up to one year. The study is published on May 14, 2025, online in Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy…

A small deletion in a gene on the X-chromosome lies behind the fiery coats of ginger tabbies and the splotchy orange patches of calicos and tortoiseshell cats. Fukuoka, Japan – From Tama, Japan’s most famous stationmaster calico cat, to the lasagna-loving, ginger Garfield, cats with orange fur are both cultural icons and beloved pets. But their distinctive color comes with a genetic twist-most orange tabbies are male, while calicos and tortoiseshells are nearly always female. This pattern points to an…

Updated estimates point to need for more treatment A large percentage of American children are growing up in households with at least one parent who uses alcohol or other drugs in problematic ways—raising the risk that those children will go on to do the same, a new study suggests. Using data from 2023 to give as current a view as possible, the researchers estimate that 19 million children—1 in 4 of Americans under age 18—live with a parent or other…

Like GLP-1, hormone works by signaling the brain OKLAHOMA CITY – A pioneering research study published today in Cell Metabolism details how the hormone FGF21 (fibroblast growth factor 21) can reverse the effects of fatty liver disease in mice. The hormone works primarily by signaling the brain to improve liver function. University of Oklahoma researcher Matthew Potthoff, Ph.D., is the lead author of the study, which provides valuable insight about the mechanism of action of the hormone, which is a…

Scientists observed chimpanzees in Uganda apparently cleaning and treating their own and others’ wounds Scientists studying chimpanzees in Budongo Forest, Uganda, have observed that these primates don’t just treat their own injuries, but care for others, too — information which could shed light on how our ancestors first began treating wounds and using medicines. Although chimpanzees elsewhere have been observed helping other community members with medical problems, the persistent presence of this behavior in Budongo could suggest that medical care…

Research from the University of Adelaide shows microbial communities in echidna pseudo-pouches undergo dramatic changes while the animal is lactating, which could help in creating an environment for their young, known as puggles, to thrive. Echidnas are monotremes, which are the only mammals that lay eggs. The early developmental stage at which they hatch from their egg means that the puggles lack a functioning immune system. “We know the reproductive microbiome is important to infant health, including for humans, but…

UC Riverside tool empowers scientists, accelerates discovery Biologists and chemists have a new programming language to uncover previously unknown environmental pollutants at breakneck speed – without requiring them to code. By making it easier to search massive chemical datasets, the tool has already identified toxic compounds hidden in plain sight. Mass spectrometry data is like a chemical fingerprint, showing scientists what molecules are in a sample such as air, water, or blood, and in what amounts. It helps identify everything…

Stomp dancing, head jerking, chattering and skimming generate whorls and eddies that funnel brine shrimp and small animals into the birds’ mouths Flamingos standing serenely in a shallow alkaline lake with heads submerged may seem to be placidly feeding, but there’s a lot going on under the surface. Through studies of Chilean flamingos in the Nashville Zoo and analysis of 3D printed models of their feet and L-shaped bills, researchers have documented how the birds use their feet, heads and…