Boosting Cell Defenses Scientists designed a compound that successfully induces autophagy, a cell “housekeeping” process that may help fight cancer, infection, neurodegenerative disease and aging. The compound showed promise in laboratory cells and protected mice from deadly infection. A lysosome, in red, within a cell. Image courtesy of University of Edinburgh, Wellcome Images. All rights reserved […]

High Salt Detected by Sour and Bitter Taste Cells Researchers discovered that high levels of salt trigger both sour- and bitter-sensing taste cells in mice. The finding may help explain why we find high levels of salt unappetizing. Photo by Peggy Greb, courtesy of USDA. Over the past 15 years, the laboratories of Dr. Nicholas […]

Many Doctors Don’t Ask Teens About Alcohol In a new study, more than one-third of 10th graders reported recent alcohol use. But many didn’t recall their doctors asking them about drinking or counseling them about related harms. The finding reveals important missed opportunities to prevent underage alcohol use. Unhealthy alcohol use is the third-leading preventable […]

Sleep and Memory in the Aging Brain New findings reveal a connection between sleep and memory, and shed light on why forgetfulness is common in the elderly. Our brains naturally deteriorate with age. Sleep quality—specifically the slow-wave activity that occurs during deep sleep—also decreases as we get older. Previous research found that slow waves are […]

Sensing Positive Touch Scientists have identified a rare type of neuron in mice that’s responsible for detecting the pleasant stroking of skin. The finding opens the door to exploring the molecules and neural pathways that recognize a positive touch. One specific nerve fiber shows an increase in activity (boxed area, red color) during stroking with […]

H1N1 Flu Shots Safe for Pregnant Women A study of pregnant women in Norway found that those who were infected with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus had an increased risk of miscarriages and stillbirths. But those vaccinated against the virus had no increased risk of pregnancy loss. Influenza viruses have 2 surface proteins—hemagglutinin (H) and […]

Dengue Vaccine Shows Early Promise Just one dose of a low-cost vaccine proved safe and stimulated a strong immune response against the dengue virus in most participants in an early-stage clinical trial. With further development, the vaccine may help ease the burden of dengue fever in developing countries. Round dengue virus particles revealed in a […]

Strategy May Improve Survival after Shock Scientists found that blocking digestive enzymes in rat intestines increases survival, reduces organ damage and improves recovery after shock. The innovative approach may lead to therapies to improve patient outcome following shock, sepsis and multiorgan failure.   Shock is a life-threatening condition in which blood pressure drops and not […]

Genes, Junk Food and Weight Researchers gained new insight into how genetics may influence obesity by studying how the mouse equivalent of a fast-food diet affects different mouse strains. The findings may help explain why some people gain weight more easily than others. Excess weight can raise your risk for type 2 and gestational diabetes, […]

New Drug Effective Against MRSA in Mice Scientists identified an effective new drug for mice with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a bacterial infection that is very hard to treat. The findings may lead to new antibiotics for people infected with the resistant bacteria. Surface of a white blood cell fighting MRSA. Credit: Frank DeLeo, NIAID. Antibiotic resistance is […]