विज्ञान

London (PA Media/dpa) – A commonly prescribed antibiotic could help reduce the risk of some young people developing schizophrenia, researchers have found. An international team involving scientists at the University of Edinburgh made the discovery by analysing large-scale healthcare register data from Finland. The team examined data from more than 56,000 adolescents attending mental health services who had been prescribed antibiotics. They found that those who had been treated with the antibiotic doxycycline had a 30-35% lower risk of developing schizophrenia than peers who received other antibiotics. Doxycycline is a “broad-spectrum” antibiotic commonly used to treat infections and acne, with the team saying its effect in relation to schizophrenia may be linked to its impact on inflammation and brain development. Previous studies suggest doxycycline can reduce inflammation in brain cells and influence synaptic pruning – a natural process where the brain refines its neural connections. Excessive pruning has been associated with the development of schizophrenia, which is a severe mental disorder that typically emerges in early adulthood and is often associated with hallucinations and delusional beliefs. The team described the findings as “exciting”, and said they highlight the potential to repurpose an existing, widely used medication as a preventive measure for severe mental illness. "As many as half of the people who develop schizophrenia had previously attended child and adolescent mental health services for other mental health problems," said Professor Ian Kelleher, study lead and professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Edinburgh. "At present, though, we don’t have any interventions that are known to reduce the risk of going on to develop schizophrenia in these young people. That makes these findings exciting," he added. "Because the study was observational in nature and not a randomised controlled trial, it means we can’t draw firm conclusions on causality, but this is an important signal to further investigate the protective effect of doxycycline and other anti-inflammatory treatments in adolescent psychiatry patients as a way to potentially reduce the risk of developing severe mental illness in adulthood." The study involved researchers from the University of Edinburgh, the University of Oulu, University College Dublin, and St John of God Hospitaller Services Group, and was funded by the Health Research Board. It is published in the American Journal of Psychiatry. The following information is not intended for publication pa dpa coh

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

New York (dpa) – It has the largest mouth of any animal and uses its truck-sized curved head to batter through Arctic ice to surface from the depths. And while swimming in freezing waters and smashing cranium-first up into ice sheets might not seem like the best way to guarantee longevity, such bone-chilling rough and tumble is no obstacle to the bowhead whale. Like humpback whales, bowheads are known for their musical calls and are sometimes referred to as the jazz players of the ocean for their complex arrangements of ululations and bellows. Today’s elderly bowhead crooners were likely singing the same songs around the time of the US Civil War, the 1848 revolutions in Europe, or even the Congress of Vienna after Napoleon’s defeat. With lifespans topping 200 years, the 20-metre-long, 80-90 tonne bowhead lives longer than any other mammal and seems to be as good as impervious to cancer. According to a team of researchers led by Denis Firsanov and Max Zacher of the University of Rochester, the giant bowhead – sometimes called the Greenland right whale and the second-largest animal after the blue whale – has a cold-activated protein called CIRBP in its cells that protects its DNA from dangerous mutations. Unlike with other animals, this protein "faithfully repairs" cells – a feat that may be contributing to the bowhead’s "exceptional longevity and low cancer incidence," according to the team, whose work was published in the science journal Nature in October. And while the researchers conceded that the exact mechanism by which the repair happens remains to be determined, their findings refute the contention that "DNA repair would be difficult or even impossible."  "The bowhead whale provides evidence that this notion is incorrect," the scientists said, suggesting that therapies based on replicating the processes seen in the whale "could one day enable the treatment of genome instability."  "This could be especially important for patients with increased genetic predisposition for cancer, or more generally, for ageing populations at increased risk for developing cancer," they asserted. The following information is not intended for publication dpa spr coh

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

London (dpa) – Two scientists have turned their mathematical and engineering skills to the cruellest phenomenon of golf, offering an explanation for the mystery of why golf balls sometimes appear to fall into a hole only to pop straight back out again. According to a study by Stephen Hogan of the University of Bristol and Máté Antali of Széchenyi István University, published on Wednesday in the journal Royal Society Open Science, the phenomenon applies not only to golf but also to mini golf. "Half of golf is fun, the other half is putting," the authors quote golf writer Peter Dobereiner as saying, illustrating the frustration of final putts on the green. They have now developed two mechanical explanations for what golfers call a lip-out, but what has also been called a roll-out, the golfer’s dilemma, the golf ball paradox, golf balls of death and the golfer's curse. The team presents a mechanical model for a rim lip-out and one for a hole lip-out. In a rim lip-out, the golf ball’s centre of mass does not fall below the level of the green. The ball rolls towards the hole, but its centre does not move towards the hole’s centre. It therefore reaches the rim at an angle, and the inward tilt into the hole is not great enough to overcome the momentum of the rolling motion. The ball is slightly deflected, but the roll remains dominant. In a hole lip-out, the golf ball’s centre of mass drops lower. Here, the ball rotates around its own axis. More precisely, it has a spin component in a direction different from the roll. In this case, the ball can disappear completely below the rim and then, driven by its spin, turn itself back out of the hole. This only works if the ball does not touch the bottom, because that contact would disrupt the motion and the ball would remain in the hole. The authors add that there is at least one further kind of lip-out they did not analyse in detail, one they call "ballistic lip outs." "These can occur when the golf ball impacts the opposite rim, rolls along it and then returns to the green." The two researchers were also part of a 2021 author group that described in detail the physics of a ball rolling along the rim of a basketball hoop. The following information is not intended for publication dpa fm zlw yyzz n1 hu

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

Los Angeles (dpa) – Researchers at the Mayo Clinic in the United States say they have pinpointed a type of "first responder" cell that can be targeted to bolster cancer treatments and have developed an antibody that helps the process. Two teams of researchers said they have found that myeloid cells "can be manipulated to enhance the activity of tumour-killing T cells" and in turn boost some immunotherapies that are the "standard of care for some cancers." Some of the treatments "do not have lasting effects" according to the teams, who are developing a clinical test for the enhanced cells. "Identifying the myeloid cell was an unexpected discovery," said the Mayo Clinic's Michelle Hsu, whose research was published in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, a British Medical Journal publication. The teams explained that they aimed "to improve treatments that interfere with immunosuppressive proteins" and address a recycling process that puts the problem proteins "back in play" even after treatment. "Our study found the importance of the recycling process, and we present a way to address it," said Haidong Dong, another researcher at the Mayo Clinic. The team said in the paper that the antibody they developed "can provide a solution to the dearth of responses seen with current therapeutics" and could prove a "unique way to target and eliminate" a dangerous immunosuppressant. The following information is not intended for publication dpa spr coh

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

Sydney (dpa) – As women age, brittle bones or osteoporosis can be a worry, as can dementia. There have long been whispers that calcium supplements taken to prevent the former can add to the risk of the latter. Not so, according to scientists at three Australian universities, who said their research into the matter found "no evidence" linking cognitive decline with calcium pills. "Calcium supplementation for five years did not increase the risk of all-cause dementia events over 14.5 years in community-dwelling older women," the researchers said, in a paper published by The Lancet, a medical journal. "Findings do not support concerns that calcium supplementation increases long-term risk of dementia," according to the team which was made up of scientists and doctors at Edith Cowan University (ECU), Curtin University and the University of Western Australia. The study should offer reassurance to patients, particularly older women worried about dementia risk, that calcium supplements are safe, said Negar Ghasemifard of ECU, who described prior studies warning of a calcium-dementia connection as "purely observational in nature." The team's work was funded by National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and entailed a "five-year placebo-controlled randomized trial of calcium supplements" given to almost 1,500 women with a median age of 75. Osteoporosis affects around one in five women over the age of 70, the researchers said. The following information is not intended for publication dpa spr coh

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

London (PA Media/dpa) – Skipping breakfast or another meal while fasting does not slow down thinking skills, scientists say. Intermittent fasting, which involves not eating for several consecutive hours each day, has become increasingly popular, with many people choosing an eight or 10-hour window for consuming meals. A new study published by the American Psychological Association has found the eating pattern is unlikely to cloud most adults’ thinking in the short term. David Moreau, associate professor of psychology at the University of Auckland and the study’s lead author, said: “While fasting has become trendy over the years, there is widespread concern, often reflected in common sayings like, ‘You’re not you when you’re hungry’, that going without food might acutely impair mental sharpness.” Discussing the study findings, he said: “We were certainly surprised in one sense, as our results contradict the widespread assumption that fasting inherently compromises thinking ability. “Across a broad range of diverse tasks, cognitive performance remained remarkably stable. “Many people believe that missing a meal leads to immediate declines in mental acuity, but our synthesis of the evidence suggests otherwise.” Researchers looked at 71 existing studies comparing cognitive performance in healthy adults who were either fasting or had recently eaten. The studies looked at factors such as memory recall, decision-making, response speed and accuracy. Published in the journal Psychological Bulletin, the data included 3,484 people. The time spent fasting each day was across a range, with an average of 12 hours. “Our main finding was that there is generally no consistent evidence that short-term fasting impaired mental performance,” Dr Moreau said. “Individuals who fasted performed remarkably similarly to those who had recently eaten, suggesting cognitive function remains stable in the absence of food intake.” He suggested fasting may also be beneficial for the human body, not just when it comes to losing weight. “Physiologically, fasting triggers important metabolic shifts,” he said. “When glycogen stores are depleted, the body uses ketone bodies produced from fat tissue as an alternative energy source. “Emerging evidence suggests that relying on ketones may confer broad health benefits, modulate hormonal systems, and activate cellular repair processes linked to longevity.” The researchers did say there was some evidence that brain performance may be affected after 12 hours of fasting, and there was an effect in children, who made up smaller numbers in the study. Dr Moreau said: “Children showed noticeable declines in performance while fasting, echoing earlier studies that highlighted the steady cognitive advantages of eating breakfast in younger age groups.” He said one intriguing finding was that poor performance in tasks often involved those related to food, such as looking at pictures of food or processing food-related words. “Hunger might selectively divert cognitive resources or cause distraction only in food-relevant contexts, but general cognitive functioning remains largely stable,” he said. The following information is not intended for publication pa dpa coh

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

Los Angeles (dpa) – Influenza and coronavirus infections markedly raise the short-term risk of acute cardiovascular disease, according to a UCLA-led review published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The risk of a heart attack or a stroke rises to around four to five times following an influenza infection, the team led by Kosuke Kawai from the University of California in Los Angeles reported in a study published in late October. After a SARS-CoV-2 infection, the risk of both heart attack and stroke is roughly tripled, while other viruses are linked to smaller but longer-lasting risks. It is already known that human papillomaviruses, hepatitis B viruses and other viruses can trigger cancer. "The link between viral infections and other non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, is less well understood," Kawai was quoted as saying by the American Heart Association. The researchers identified more than 52,000 studies published between 1997 and 2024 on viral infections and cardiovascular disease, and selected 155 that met their quality criteria and could be compared using statistical methods. The strongest associations in the analysis were seen with SARS-CoV-2 and influenza. In the four weeks after the onset of flu, stroke risk was five times higher than in people without flu, while heart attack risk was four times higher. Within four weeks of a SARS-CoV-2 infection, heart attack risk was increased 3.1-fold and stroke risk 2.9-fold. The researchers attribute the elevated risk to substances released by the body’s immune response that drive inflammation and promote blood clotting, thereby impairing the cardiovascular system. Theanalysis also found that with infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS, heart attack risk was higher by 60% and stroke risk by 45%. Hepatitis C was linked to a 27% rise in heart attack risk and a 23% rise in stroke risk. For the varicella zoster virus (shingles), the increases were smaller (heart attack: 12%, stroke: 18%). These figures also refer to the four-week period after infection. "The risks associated with those three viruses are still clinically relevant, especially because they persist for a long period of time," Kawai emphasized. The authors argue for broader vaccination against viruses that can provoke cardiovascular disease. "Preventive measures against viral infections, including vaccination, may play an important role in decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease," Kawai said. The authors point to a 2022 review showing that a flu vaccination was associated with a 34% lower risk of a major cardiovascular event. The current study also indicated raised cardiovascular risk with other viruses, including herpes simplex virus 1, hepatitis A virus, human papillomavirus and the viruses that cause dengue fever and chikungunya fever. However, the findings were less clear than for the viruses above. The authors call for further research into links with cardiovascular disease, as these infections are widespread globally. The following information is not intended for publication dpa fm zlw yyzz n1 swe

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

In the latest research showing the benefits of staying active as you get older, exercise has been found to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. A new study show it's still beneficial even when harmful deposits are already present in the brain. Washington (dpa) – Even a few thousand steps a day can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, according to new research published in the medical journal Nature Medicine. The analysis is the first to show effects in people who already have Alzheimer-typical changes in the brain, said Emrah Düzel, who heads an institute for cognitive neurology in Germany and was not involved in the study. "Here, physical activity appears to slow the spread of these changes over years and, in connection with that, to protect mental performance." Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and is believed to contribute to 60–70% of the world's 57 million cases of dementia, according to World Health Organization figures. The causes of the disease, in which nerve cells gradually die, are not yet fully understood. Known risk factors include diabetes, sleep disorders and depression. Among physically active people with preclinical – and still asymptomatic – Alzheimer’s, the researchers recorded less cognitive decline than among those who were physically inactive. According to the study, as few as 3,000 steps a day can help slow the build-up of harmful tau protein clusters in the brain. An even greater effect was seen at 5,000 to 7,500 steps, reported the team led by Wai-Ying Wendy Yau of Mass General Brigham in Boston in Nature Medicine. The results confirm that a lack of exercise is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s, Düzel commented. He added that, in general, physically active older people can preserve their brain substance better than those who are inactive. The study does not allow conclusions about the precise mechanism. One possible effect is that regular walking trains cognition. "The people have to navigate, orient themselves and interact with their surroundings." Cardiovascular health is also trained. In addition, increased physical activity releases a number of blood-borne growth and protective factors that can have a positive effect on the brain and could slow the spread of tau. For the study, the cognitive abilities of around 300 older adults were assessed, as was the presence of beta-amyloid plaques and tau in the brain at the start and then several times thereafter. Eighty-eight participants initially had preclinical Alzheimer’s. They had no symptoms, but an elevated burden of beta-amyloid plaques. The number of steps taken each day was measured at the outset, but long-term physical activity was not recorded. The data showed that tau, a marker of disease progression, accumulated more slowly in the brains of physically active people, which explains the cognitive decline being delayed by several years in some cases. People in the early phase of Alzheimer’s can therefore significantly slow disease progression by moving a lot on a regular basis. "Every step counts," Yau said, noting that even small increases in daily activity can add up over time to lasting changes in habits and health. One limitation of the study is that step counts were recorded only once at the beginning, said Düzel. "We know little about how much the participants moved in the years that followed." The researchers’ inference that there is barely any further improvement above 5,000 to 7,000 steps should be interpreted with caution. "I would by no means conclude that more exercise is not necessary." Intensive physical activity such as jogging or dancing can very likely trigger additional effects, he said. Additional factors were probably relevant as well. For example, Düzel explained that, beyond physical activity, a higher step count may also reflect a more cognitively active lifestyle. "Walking requires planning, orientation, memory and a range of other cognitive factors." The physician advises taking the results to heart and walking at least 5,000 to 7,000 steps a day. Walks should ideally be combined with exploring the surroundings, and preferably new surroundings. Sports such as cycling, dancing and jogging could, because of their intensity and the stimulation of the brain, have additional effects, Düzel said. "It's important that physical activity takes place regularly and is individually appropriate – in a form that is enjoyable and easy to integrate into everyday life," added René Thyrian from the German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE). It should also be borne in mind that exercise is an important, but not the only, building block for promoting brain health; protective effects also come from lifestyle factors such as mental activity, social activity, low alcohol consumption and a healthy diet. The following information is not intended for publication dpa kll yyzz n1 cst coh

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

London (dpa) – Widely used processed vegetable fats have negligible cardiovascular impact if consumed in moderation, according to nutritionists at King's College London and Maastricht University. Margarine, long marketed as a heart-healthy alternative to butter due to its lower saturated fat content, has come under scrutiny in recent years amid concerns about the health impact of processed foods. However, two fats commonly found in margarine are not likely to have a negative effect on heart health when consumed in amounts achievable in most people’s diets, say the authors of the study. "With the current demonisation of everything processed, this research highlights that not all food processing is bad for us," said Sarah Berry, professor of nutritional sciences at King’s College London, whose team's work was funded by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board. Published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the research was based on a randomized trial in which participants followed different diets over two six-week periods, with food items featuring the fats making up 10% of energy intake. "People's heart health is unlikely to be affected by two types of industrially processed hard fats widely used in everyday food," the researchers found. The study looked at the effect of so-called interesterified (IE) fats, which are derived from vegetable oils such as palm and used as alternatives to trans fats and animal fats in foods such as baked goods and margarines. Those who took part were assessed for "a comprehensive set of cardiometabolic health markers, including cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin sensitivity, liver fat, inflammation and blood vessel function," the team said. The researchers said they picked up no "adverse effects" related to inflammation, insulin resistance, liver fat or vascular function. The following information is not intended for publication dpa spr coh

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

Ageing affects your metabolism, but lifestyle choices, like diet and exercise, also have a significant impact. London (PA Media/dpa) – Many of us attribute gradual weight gain in middle age and beyond to a slow metabolism, but to what extent is this assumption true? In a world flooded with health advice and ever-changing diet trends, we consulted Matyas Fehervari, consultant bariatric surgeon at Nuffield Health in the UK, who works extensively with metabolic issues, to cut through all the noise. He has helped demystify exactly what a metabolism is, how it can change with age and has also identified some key ways we can maintain a healthy metabolism as we get older. What is a metabolism and a metabolic rate? “Metabolism refers to the chemical processes that keep our bodies functioning – from converting food into energy to repairing cells and supporting organ function,” says Fehervari. “The metabolic rate is the amount of energy your body uses to maintain these vital processes. “Even when you’re resting, your body is still working to keep your heart beating, lungs breathing, and brain active – this is known as your basal metabolic rate (BMR).” What are some misconceptions about metabolism? “One of the biggest myths is that people with a “fast” metabolism can eat whatever they like without gaining weight,” says Fehervari. “In reality, differences between individuals are usually modest.” Another common misconception is that metabolism alone determines someone’s body weight. “Weight regulation is shaped by a complex network of factors extending far beyond calorie burning,” explains Fehervari. “These include diet quality, muscle mass, sleep, and physical activity, but also deeper physiological mechanisms such as changes in bile flow, adjustments in stomach function and size, nerve (vagal) signalling, and the modulation of gut hormones. “The gut microbiome also plays a vital role, influencing how efficiently we extract energy from food, how bile acids are processed, and how our metabolism functions overall.” Furthermore, some people assume that metabolism steadily declines after early adulthood, however, Fehervari says “large, high-quality studies show it remains remarkably stable for decades before gradually slowing later in life”. How does our metabolism change with age? “Metabolism isn’t a straight downward curve,” says Fehervari. “A major study published in Science in 2021, involving over 6,000 people, showed that energy expenditure peaks in infancy – when it can be over 50% higher than in adults – then gradually declines until around age 20. “From the 20s through to around 60, metabolic rate remains remarkably stable when adjusted for body size and composition. After 60, there tends to be a slow but measurable decline.” What are the reasons for the decline at 60 onwards? “After 60, metabolic rate typically decreases by about 0.7% per year,” says Fehervari. “The main reasons are loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia), reduced physical activity, and subtle hormonal shifts such as lower levels of growth hormone and sex hormones. “Mitochondrial efficiency – the body’s energy-producing machinery – may also decline slightly with age. It’s not that your body “forgets” how to burn energy, rather it becomes a little less efficient at doing so.” What lifestyle factors impact your metabolism? Several lifestyle habits can either support or slow metabolic function. Low muscle mass or inactivity “Muscle tissue burns more energy than fat, even at rest,” explains Fehervari. Crash dieting “Severe calorie restriction can temporarily suppress metabolic rate,” says Fehervari. Poor sleep “Poor sleep can alter hunger and energy-regulating hormones such as leptin and ghrelin,” notes Fehervari. Chronic stress “Elevated cortisol can promote fat storage and affect energy use,” says Fehervari. Smoking and excessive alcohol “Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can both impair cellular metabolism and hormone balance,” says Fehervari. Is it actually possible to “boost” your metabolism? “There’s no magic pill or quick fix,” says Fehervari. “Temporary increases in energy expenditure can occur after exercise or with caffeine, but these are modest. The most effective, evidence-based way to maintain a healthy metabolism is to preserve muscle mass and stay active throughout life.” How can we look after our metabolism as we get older? Stay active “Combine aerobic activity like brisk walking or cycling with resistance training to maintain muscle,” recommends Fehervari. Prioritise protein “Eat enough protein, especially in later life, to support muscle repair and prevent sarcopenia,” advises Fehervari. Avoid extreme diets “Sustained, balanced nutrition keeps metabolic processes steady,” says Fehervari. Sleep well “Aim for seven to nine hours to support hormonal and energy balance,” advises Fehervari. Manage stress “Mindful activities and social connections reduce cortisol’s long-term effects,” says Fehervari. Regular check-ups “Thyroid, vitamin D, and hormonal imbalances can all influence energy metabolism, so I would recommend regular check-ups,” says Fehervari. In conclusion: “Your metabolism does not inevitably “crash” with age, it remains stable for decades and only begins to slow slightly after around 60,” says Fehervari. “Much of that change is due to muscle loss and lifestyle, not age alone. By staying active, eating well, and maintaining strength, most people can keep their metabolism healthy well into later life.” The following information is not intended for publication pa dpa coh

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)