Research Roundup: Covid; Cancer; Brain Health; Tuberculosis; More
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
CIDRAP:
Mental Decline Seen In Older COVID Patients 1 Year Later
A team led by researchers at Daping Hospital in Chongqing, China, followed 1,438 COVID-19 survivors aged 60 and older released from one of three dedicated COVID-19 hospitals in Wuhan from Feb 10 to Apr 10, 2020, and compared them with 438 of their uninfected spouses. (Van Beusekom, 3/9)
ScienceDaily:
Researchers Uncover How The Human Brain Separates, Stores, And Retrieves Memories
Researchers have identified two types of cells in our brains that are involved in organizing discrete memories based on when they occurred. This finding improves our understanding of how the human brain forms memories and could have implications in memory disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. (NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 3/7)
ScienceDaily:
More Alcohol, Less Brain: Association Begins With An Average Of Just One Drink A Day
Even light-to-moderate drinking is associated with harm to the brain, according to a new study. Researchers analyzed data from more than 36,000 adults that found a link between drinking and reduced brain volume that begins at an average consumption level of less than one alcohol unit a day -- the equivalent of about half a beer -- and rises with each additional drink. (University of Pennsylvania, 3/4)
Nature:
Immune Cells Alter Genetic Decoding In Cancer
Cancer cells make proteins in which the amino acid phenylalanine is swapped for tryptophan when immune cells trigger a tryptophan shortage. This finding reveals unexpected dynamics of genetic decoding. (Baranov and Atkins, 3/9)
Nature:
AI Predicts The Effectiveness And Evolution Of Gene Promoter Sequences
A long-standing goal of biology is the ability to predict gene expression from DNA sequence. A type of artificial intelligence known as a neural network, combined with high-throughput experiments, now brings this goal a step closer. (Wagner, 3/9)
New England Journal of Medicine:
Shorter Treatment For Nonsevere Tuberculosis In African And Indian Children
Two thirds of children with tuberculosis have nonsevere disease, which may be treatable with a shorter regimen than the current 6-month regimen. (Turkova, M.R.C.P.C.H., et al, 3/10)
ScienceDaily:
Cellular Rejuvenation Therapy Safely Reverses Signs Of Aging In Mice
Age may be just a number, but it's a number that often carries unwanted side effects, from brittle bones and weaker muscles to increased risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Now, scientists have shown that they can safely and effectively reverse the aging process in middle-aged and elderly mice by partially resetting their cells to more youthful states. (Salk Institute, 3/7)
