Fungal Meningitis Pathogen Discovers New Appetite for Human Brains
The primary culprit in the recent flare-up caused by tainted steroids, Exserohilum rostratum, is not an especially picky eater. Although the fungus prefers grasses, it will dine on many items - including humans
Anthropologist finds large differences in gait of early human ancestors
The walking gait between two of our early ancestors was likely so different that it's doubtful they would have done so together
Early Human Ancestors Ate Grass
Early human ancestors in central Africa 3.5 million years ago ate a diet of mostly tropical grasses and sedges, finds new research.
Humans are slowly but surely losing intellectual and emotional abilities, article suggests
Hypothesis suggests that we are losing our intellectual and emotional capabilities because the web of genes endowing us with our brain power is susceptible to mutations which are not being selected against in society
Ancient foot massage technique may ease cancer symptoms
Study offers the strongest evidence yet that reflexology can help cancer patients manage their symptoms and perform daily tasks
Less of a shock
A novel electrotherapy greatly reduces the energy needed to shock a heart back into rhythm, potentially making implanted defibrillators more acceptable to patients
Experts report 1 of 2 remaining types of polio virus may be eliminated in Pakistan
But researchers, reporting at ASTMH annual meeting, also cite barriers to complete elimination from a surge of cases in Nigeria to intensifying vaccine refusals in Pakistan
Natural product produced by marine algae shows promise in stroke recovery treatment
A new study using brevetoxin-2, a compound produced naturally by marine algae, stimulated nerve cell growth and plasticity in cultured mouse neurons.
Glutamate neurotransmission system may be involved with depression risk
Researchers have found that variants in a group of genes involved in transmission of signals by the neurotransmitter glutamate appear to increase the risk of depression
International action needed to ensure the quality of medicines and tackle the fake drugs trade
A global treaty is urgently needed to tackle the deadly trade of substandard and fake medicines, say leading experts in a paper published on bmj.com today.
Astronomers find 'homeless' planet wandering through space
The planet does not orbit a star and is the first of its kind to be found
Give pregnant women vitamin D supplements to ward off MS, say researchers
Risk of MS highest in April and lowest in October, large analysis shows
New brain gene gives us edge over apes, study suggests
Scientists have taken a step forward in helping to solve one of life's greatest mysteries - what makes us human?
Gene nearly triples risk of Alzheimer's, global team including Mayo Clinic finds
A gene so powerful it nearly triples the risk of Alzheimer's disease has been discovered by an international team including researchers from Mayo Clinic.
Brain waves make waves
Listeners' brain rhythms synchronize with the acoustic stimulus, which causes hearing abilities to "oscillate".
Sussex hospital pioneers hip operation to cut recovery time
A new way of doing hip operations in Sussex has reduced the amount of time patients spend in hospital by almost a half.
20-year-old stroke patient part of growing trend of strokes in young people
Michelle Nimmerrichter was only 20 years old when she suffered a stroke that left her in a coma and on a ventilator.
Venomous Aussie redback spiders zero in on Tokyo
Australia's venomous redback spider, first sighted in Japan 17 years ago, is crawling toward Tokyo, with at least one of the creepy-crawlies found in a neighbouring city, officials said.
Archaeologists identify spear tips used in hunting a half-million years ago
Findings suggest hunting with stone-tipped spears began much earlier than previously believed
When the going gets tough, the tough get... more relief from a placebo?
University of Michigan-led brain research may help explain why sham medicines work for some more than others, and could be used to improve tests of new treatments
Meteorites reveal warm water existed on Mars
Hydrothermal fractures around Martian impact craters may have been a habitable environment for microbial life
Hubble helps find candidate for most distant object in the universe yet observed
Astronomers have found what is probably the most distant galaxy yet seen in the Universe
Researchers report potential new treatment to stop Alzheimer's disease
Molecular 'tweezers' break up toxic aggregations of proteins in mouse model
New Infection, Not Relapse, Brings Back Lyme Symptoms, Study Says
When people who have been treated for Lyme disease recover but later come down with its symptoms again, is the illness a relapse or a new infection?
Remodeled enzyme converts carbon dioxide into methane
Its structure could provide clues that improve other catalysts.
Ebola may go airborne
Infected pigs can transmit virus to primates without contact, study finds
Gene distinguishes early birds from night owls and helps predict time of death
Common gene variant helps determine the time you will wake up each day -- and the time of day you are likely to die
Reconsidering cancer's bad guy
This new research stands on the shoulders of many years of work on S100A4 in its deadlier role in cancer progression.
Strep Throat: New Guidelines, Mysteries Remain
Every season, strep throat cases spike and now there is new advice for medical professionals treating patients.
Protein's destructive journey in brain may cause Parkinson's
Clumps of alpha-synuclein move through dopamine-producing cells, mouse study finds
Is the toilet seat really the dirtiest place in the home?
The toilet seat has acquired an unfair reputation as the dirtiest item in the average household. But scientists say there are far filthier places in our house, some of them where we least expect.
Twitter shows language evolves in cities
WHERE do new words come from? On Twitter at least, they often begin life in cities with large African American populations before spreading more widely, according to a study of the language used on the social network.
Cesium in trout 110 times over limit
A trout caught in Fukushima Prefecture contained 11,400 becquerels of cesium per kilogram
Research breakthrough selectively represses the immune system
NIH-funded scientists develop new treatment to combat autoimmune disease in mouse model
Nose cell transplant enables paralysed dogs to walk
Scientists have reversed paralysis in dogs after injecting them with cells grown from the lining of their nose.
Inpatient sleeping drug quadrupled fall risk
A drug commonly prescribed to help patients sleep in hospitals has been associated with an increased risk of falls, according to a study published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
Decreased kidney function leads to decreased cognitive functioning
Decreased kidney function is associated with decreased cognitive functioning in areas such as global cognitive ability, abstract reasoning and verbal memory
Fraud fighter: 'Faked research is endemic in China'
Shi-min Fang tells us how risking his life and libel writs to expose scientific misconduct in his native China has just won him the inaugural Maddox prize