The accidental discovery of a six-legged embryonic mouse has sparked a new direction in spinal cord research for developmental biologists Anastasiia Lozovska and Moisés Mallo. The unexpected result occurred when a gene, Tgfbr1, was turned off early in mouse development, causing a mutation that resulted in the formation of an extra pair of legs. This
Health
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has shed light on a potential new treatment for Parkinson’s disease using a drug commonly used to treat diabetes. Parkinson’s disease is a debilitating neurological disorder affecting millions of people worldwide, characterized by symptoms such as tremors, slowed movement, impaired speech, and balance issues.
The relationship between sleep and health is a topic that has intrigued researchers for many years. A recent study has delved deeper into this complex relationship by identifying four distinct types of sleepers and their effects on long-term well-being. While previous research has highlighted the negative impact of poor sleep on various chronic conditions, many
In recent years, medications like Wegovy and Ozempic have gained popularity for their potential health benefits, including appetite control. However, a recent trend on social media platform TikTok has brought attention to a different aspect of these semaglutide-based drugs – unexpected pregnancies among women who are using them. This has raised concerns about the potential
The recent case of bird flu in a person from Texas has brought to light growing concerns over the global strain of the virus as it spreads to new species. This marks only the second known case of a human testing positive for bird flu in the United States, raising alarm among health officials and
Alzheimer’s disease has long been associated with the accumulation of proteins in brain cells, but a recent study has shed light on a different aspect of the disease. Lipid deposits, which were first observed by Alois Alzheimer over a century ago, have not received as much attention as other biological changes linked to Alzheimer’s. However,
Having surgery can be a daunting experience for many people, and the recovery process can vary from person to person. One common side effect of surgery is a decline in brain function that can last weeks to months for some individuals, leading to memory difficulties and potentially an increased risk of dementia. A new animal
Sex is often touted as having numerous physical and psychological benefits. From reducing high blood pressure to improving the immune system and aiding in better sleep, the act of sex and orgasm can have a positive impact on overall well-being. It releases oxytocin, also known as the love hormone, which helps build trust and bonding
Extending the number of years spent in school not only provides individuals with a better education but also has been linked to living longer and experiencing less cell damage, according to a recent study analyzing data from 3,101 individuals spanning three generations. While the general consensus is that increased education leads to an extended lifespan,
Recent studies have shed light on the impulses that drive us to eat, even when we are not hungry. According to researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), specific clusters of cells in the brain can trigger snacking behavior, unrelated to feelings of hunger. The area of interest is the periaqueductal gray (PAG)
Recent news of US surgeons successfully transplanting a kidney from a gene-edited pig into a human sparked great excitement in the medical world. This groundbreaking procedure marked a significant advancement in xenotransplantation, offering the potential for an endless supply of transplantable organs. With the promise of addressing organ shortage issues globally, gene-edited pigs hold immense
A groundbreaking cancer vaccine for dogs has been developed and is currently showing remarkable results in clinical trials that have been ongoing since 2016. This vaccine, known as the Canine EGFR/HER2 Peptide Cancer Immunotherapeutic, has already been administered to more than 300 dogs, with impressive outcomes. The twelve-month survival rate for canines with certain cancers