Category Health/Medical

A cross-section of mouse dorsal root ganglia stained for memory CD4 T cells (green) and the vascular cell adhesion molecule, VCAM-1 (red) after six days of genital herpes challenge. Credit: Norifumi Iijima

Yale scientists have solved a puzzle of the immune system – how antibodies enter the nervous system to control viral infections. Their finding may have implications for the prevention and treatment of a range of conditions, including herpes and Guillain-Barre syndrome, which has been linked to the Zika virus.

Many viruses, such as West Nile, Zika, HSV enter the nervous system, where they were thought to be beyond the reach of antibodies. Yale immunobiologists Dr...

Surfing internet before sleep. Scientists found bright light exposure increased insulin resistance compared to dim light exposure in both the morning and the evening. In the evening, bright light also caused higher peak glucose (blood sugar) levels. Credit: © Sergey Nivens / Fotolia

Northwestern scientists found bright light exposure increased insulin resistance compared to dim light exposure in both the morning and the evening. In the evening, bright light also caused higher peak glucose (blood sugar) levels. Over time, the excess blood glucose could result in increased body fat, weight gain and a higher risk for diabetes. “These results provide further evidence that bright light exposure may influence metabolism,” said Prof. Kathryn Reid.

Previous research by Northwestern scientists sho...

Salk researchers uncover a fasting molecule, Crtc, which enhances immunity. The gastrointestinal tract of flies lacking Crtc, which is turned on during fasting (right panel), expresses more immune-related molecules compared with those of normal flies (left panel). These signs of inflammation mean that the gut barrier is compromised and more permeable to bacteria. Credit: Salk Institute

A molecular pathway activated in the brain during fasting helps halt the spread of GI bacteria into the bloodstream, according to a new study researchers at the Salk Institute. A molecular pathway by which the brain communicates with the GIT prevents unnecessary activation of the immune system during fasting by strengthening the barrier against gut microbes...

This is an atherosclerotic lesion. Such lesions can rupture and cause heart attacks and strokes. Credit: UVA School of Medicine

Gene helps prevent heart attack, stroke; may offer way to block effects of aging. A gene that scientific dogma insists is inactive in adults actually plays a vital role in preventing the underlying cause of most heart attacks and strokes, researchers at the Uni of Virginia School of Medicine have determined. “Finding a way to augment the expression of this gene in adult cells may have profound implications for promoting health and possibly reversing some of the detrimental effects with aging,” said Gary K. Owens, PhD, director of UVA’s Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center.

The gene, Oct4, plays a key role in the development of all living organisms, but s...