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More than 1,000 genetic switches reveal why female immunity is different

2 weeks 2 days ago
More than 1,000 genetic switches behave differently in male and female immune cells, helping explain why women are much more vulnerable to autoimmune diseases such as lupus. Female immune systems appear genetically tuned for stronger inflammatory responses—a powerful defense against infection that may also make dangerous immune misfires more likely.

Researchers reveal deeper workings of brain’s information hub

2 weeks 2 days ago
The brain has a remarkably flexible system for handling uncertainty and changing situations. Researchers found that the frontoparietal cortex constantly shifts how it communicates with other brain regions depending on what information is needed to make a decision. Rather than simply becoming more active when things get difficult, this network appears to reorganize itself in real time.

A mother’s age can shape her offspring without changing their DNA

2 weeks 2 days ago
Scientists have found evidence that the effects of a mother’s age on her offspring may be driven by reversible changes in gene activity rather than permanent DNA damage. The discovery raises the fascinating possibility that biological information from mothers, grandmothers, and even great-grandmothers can shape the health of future generations.

Coffee drinkers have less fat, more muscle, and surprising hormone differences

2 weeks 2 days ago
Coffee drinkers may be getting more than an energy boost. A Finnish study found that people who drank more coffee tended to have less total and abdominal fat, more muscle, and healthier metabolic markers despite having similar BMIs. Higher coffee intake was also linked to lower levels of certain amino acids associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes risk.

Exendin-4 improves neurodevelopmental outcome after neonatal germinal matrix hemorrhage

2 weeks 2 days ago
Germinal matrix hemorrhage (GMH) is a common complication in premature infants and is associated with a high risk of neurodevelopmental impairment and mortality. Currently, there are no specific neuroprotective treatments available. Exendin-4 is a drug used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and it has shown neuroprotective effects in several neurological disorders including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. In this study, we used the preterm postnatal day 5 rat model of GMH to...
Andrea Jonsdotter