Disease
Is there a link between viral infection and ALS?
Is there a link between viral infection and ALS? Researchers have identified a specific type of mouse (CC023 strain) that responds to a viral infection in a way similar to humans with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), providing a new animal model for studying the disease. The study found that the initial viral infection triggers an […]
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Viral outbreaks are always on the horizon – here are the viruses an infectious disease expert is watching in 2026
Viral outbreaks are always on the horizon – here are the viruses an infectious disease expert is watching in 2026 In 2026, infectious disease experts will be watching for potential viral outbreaks, including Influenza A, which could lead to a pandemic, and Mpox virus, which has spread globally and is still evolving. The Oropouche virus, […]
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Brain markers could offer early clues into Parkinson’s
Brain markers could offer early clues into Parkinson’s A new study uses brain imaging to reveal how Parkinson’s disease disrupts the normal relationship between two important neural indicators: dopamine transporters and synaptic density. The researchers found that in patients with Parkinson’s disease, the correlation between these two markers breaks down, suggesting that the disease alters […]
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Mammary glands make livestock, humans good hosts for bird flu
Mammary glands make livestock, humans good hosts for bird flu A new study finds that mammary glands in pigs, sheep, goats, beef cattle, alpacas, and humans are biologically suitable for infection by H5N1 avian influenza. The study suggests that transmission of H5N1 among these domestic mammals and humans is possible, increasing the risk of a […]
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Alternative sweetener linked to liver disease
Alternative sweetener linked to liver disease Researchers have found that sorbitol, an alternative sweetener commonly used in low-calorie foods, can be converted to disease-causing fructose in the liver. The conversion process occurs when gut bacteria fail to break down sorbitol, allowing it to reach the liver and be converted into a harmful byproduct of fructose. […]
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What is Fusarium graminearum, the fungus a Chinese scientist pleaded guilty to smuggling into the US?
What is Fusarium graminearum, the fungus a Chinese scientist pleaded guilty to smuggling into the US? Fusarium graminearum is a common fungal plant pathogen that causes Fusarium head blight (scab) in barley and wheat, as well as damage to rice and corn ears and stalks. The fungus produces a mycotoxin called vomitoxin, which can harm […]
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Parkinson’s protein clumps drain brain cells of energy
Parkinson’s protein clumps drain brain cells of energy Parkinson’s disease protein clumps can drain brain cells of energy by breaking down adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a molecule responsible for powering cellular activities. The protein clumps, composed of alpha-synuclein, reshape themselves to trap ATP in a small pocket, causing it to break apart and release energy, similar […]
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There’s a link between childhood stress and later chronic disease
There’s a link between childhood stress and later chronic disease New research has found a strong link between higher stress in children and adverse health conditions for them later in life. The study, published in PNAS, used measurable metrics of health over time to quantify the impact of childhood stress on adult health. Childhood stress […]
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1 gene, 1 disease no more – acknowledging the full complexity of genetics could improve and personalize medicine
1 gene, 1 disease no more – acknowledging the full complexity of genetics could improve and personalize medicine Genetic inheritance is more complex than previously thought, with millions of genetic variants influencing traits and diseases. The study of a single gene or mutation can be misleading, as multiple genetic variants interact to determine disease development […]
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A red meat allergy from tick bites is spreading – and the lone star tick isn’t the only alpha-gal carrier to worry about
A red meat allergy from tick bites is spreading – and the lone star tick isn’t the only alpha-gal carrier to worry about A red meat allergy from tick bites, known as alpha-gal syndrome, is spreading rapidly across the US and globally, affecting an estimated 450,000 people in the US. The allergy is caused by […]
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