Program Improves Blood Pressure Control A large-scale program for controlling high blood pressure in a California health care system could help pave the way for improving blood pressure control in the general population. About 1 in 3 adults has high blood pressure, or hypertension. The condition itself usually causes no symptoms, but it can damage […]

Brain Circuit Affects Visual Development A mouse study revealed a circuit within the developing visual system that helps dictate how the eyes connect to the brain. The findings have implications for treating amblyopia, or lazy eye, the most common cause of visual impairment in childhood. A retinotopic map shows the connections of the eyes to […]

Bacteria Trigger Nerve Cells to Cause Pain Researchers have found that bacteria can directly stimulate sensory neurons to produce pain and suppress inflammation. The finding may lead to better treatments for painful bacterial infections. A tooth abscess, urinary tract infection, or other type of bacterial infection can cause intense pain. The pain is often accompanied […]

Insights Into Genetic Causes of Childhood Epilepsies A new study linked 2 novel genes to severe forms of childhood epilepsies. The results provide opportunities for exploring the origins and treatment of the disorders. Epilepsy is a group of neurological disorders caused by misfiring nerve cells in the brain. When the normal pattern of nerve activity […]

Blood Markers May Signal Suicide Risk Scientists identified signs in blood that might help doctors identify people with suicidal feelings and thoughts. The discovery could lead to more effective interventions. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death nationwide and the 3rd leading cause of death among adolescents. It can be prevented when a person […]

Tumor Imaging Technique Tracks Responses to Cancer Therapies Researchers have determined a new way to analyze MRI image data to assess blood vessels in cancer tumors. The technique may help identify patients who would benefit from certain therapies. Cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow out of control. Tumors can develop a network of new blood […]

Cancer Chromosome Abnormalities Visualized in Living Cells Researchers have observed for the first time how broken ends of chromosomes incorrectly reattach to each other—an abnormality common in cancer cells. Chromosomes are structures inside our cells that are made up of tightly coiled DNA. The DNA contains genes, which instruct the cell how to make specific […]

Malaria Vaccine Found Safe and Protective A candidate malaria vaccine is safe and protects against infection in adults, according to the results of an early-stage clinical trial. Malaria is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world and an enormous public health problem. It kills hundreds of thousands of people each year, most […]

Genes Help Predict Response to Alcoholism Treatment A set of 5 genetic variants can help predict whether an experimental treatment for alcohol dependence will succeed. The finding is another step toward personalized therapy for alcoholism. The chemical messenger serotonin plays a key role in mediating the rewarding effects of alcohol. A protein called the serotonin […]

How Diet and Activity Affect Weight in Children Researchers created a mathematical model that simulates how weight and body fat in children respond to changes in diet and physical activity. The model may offer new insights for addressing childhood obesity. More than one-third of children and adolescents in the United States are overweight or obese. […]