Tobacco, Drug Use May Raise Risk of Stillbirth Smoking tobacco or marijuana, taking prescription painkillers, or using illegal drugs during pregnancy may increase the risk of stillbirth, according to a new study. Stillbirth occurs when a fetus dies at or after 20 weeks of gestation.  While the U.S. stillbirth rate decreased from 18 per 1,000 […]

How Mosquitoes Detect People Researchers discovered a receptor that mosquitoes use to detect both carbon dioxide and skin odor, and they identified compounds that interact with the receptor. The findings may help guide strategies to control mosquitoes and the diseases they transmit. Mosquitoes have an amazing ability to zero in on us from afar and […]

Study Reveals New Targets for Parkinson’s Disease Scientists used a novel approach to identify dozens of genes that may contribute to Parkinson’s disease. The discoveries may also yield insights into other disorders that involve mitochondria, the organelles that serve as power plants for our cells. Mitochondria convert compounds derived from food into the molecules that […]

Gut Microbes May Affect Cancer Treatment The effectiveness of certain cancer therapies may depend on microbes that live in the intestine, according to a study in mice. The findings suggest that antibiotics used to treat infections might hinder the effects of anti-cancer therapies. The bacterium Enterococcus faecalis, which lives in the human gut. Credit: Centers […]

Genetic Testing Doesn’t Improve Warfarin Dosing Adding genetic data to clinical information doesn’t improve the ability to determine initial doses of warfarin, a common blood thinner. The finding contradicts earlier studies and highlights the importance of using clinical trials to assess the role of genetics in optimizing treatments. Warfarin, also known as Coumadin, is an […]

Eye Contact Declines in Young Infants with Autism Beginning as young as 2 months of age, infants later diagnosed with autism show a steady decline in eye contact that might be the earliest marker yet for the disorder. If confirmed, the finding might lead to earlier autism diagnosis and treatment. Autism is a complex brain […]

Gut Microbes Linked to Rheumatoid Arthritis The presence of a specific type of gut bacteria correlates with rheumatoid arthritis in newly diagnosed, untreated people. The finding suggests a potential role for the bacteria in this autoimmune disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in […]

Key HIV Protein Structure Revealed Researchers have developed a more detailed picture of the protein largely responsible for enabling HIV to enter human immune cells and cause infection. The findings could help guide vaccine design. HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, infects more than 34 million people worldwide. Once in the body, HIV attacks and […]

Genetic Enhancers Fine Tune Each Face Researchers identified thousands of genetic sequences that may help shape each person’s unique face. The findings may explain how our facial differences develop and lead to a new understanding of how facial birth defects arise. Inherited genes are known to play a role in shaping a person’s face. Yet […]

Medical Management Best to Prevent Second Stroke Final results of a clinical trial in patients at high risk for a second stroke confirm earlier findings that stenting adds no benefits over aggressive medical treatment alone. Further study will be needed to identify specific situations in which stenting might help. Stroke is the fourth leading cause […]