Showing 20 articles starting at article 1
Published Posttraumatic brain activity predicts resilience to PTSD


After a traumatic experience, most people recover without incident, but some people -- between 2% and 10% -- develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental health condition that can cause debilitating symptoms of anxiety due to emotional dysregulation. PTSD symptoms are present in up to 40% of trauma survivors in the acute aftermath of trauma, but full-blown PTSD develops in only a small subset of cases. Early identification of those at risk is critical for both early treatment and possible prevention.
Published Your body's own cannabinoid molecules calm you during stress


When you're under stress, your brain may release its own cannabinoid molecules to calm you, activating the same brain receptors as THC derived from cannabis plants. But the brain activity regulated by these cannabinoid molecules were not well known. A new study in mice has discovered a key emotional brain center, the amygdala, releases cannabinoid molecules under stress that dampen the incoming stress alarm from the hippocampus, a memory and emotion center in the brain. The finding may reveal novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of stress-related disorders.
Published Active children are more resilient


The school year has hardly begun and the first exams are already approaching. According to findings by researchers from the University of Basel, school children cope better with the stress if they get plenty of daily exercise.
Published Stress and insomnia linked to irregular heart rhythms after menopause


A study of more than 83,000 questionnaires by women ages 50-79, found more than 25% developed irregular heart rhythms, known as atrial fibrillation, which may increase their risk for stroke and heart failure.
Published High-quality sleep promotes resilience to depression and anxiety


Research has shown quality sleep can help bolster resilience to depression and anxiety.
Published Research challenges current thinking on the genetic causes of very early menopause



The genetic causes of very early menopause will have to be reconsidered after researchers found that nearly all women who carried variations thought to cause the condition in fact had their menopause at an older age.
Published One in five women become pregnant naturally after having a baby conceived with IVF



New research analyzed data from 11 studies of over 5,000 women around the world between 1980 and 2021, to evaluate how common it is to get pregnant naturally after having a baby conceived by fertility treatment. Around 20% of women who needed fertility treatment, such as IVF, to conceive their first child are likely to get pregnant naturally in the future, finds a new study.
Published New diagnostic finds intact sperm in infertile men



Researchers develop new diagnostic tool to visualize protein biomarkers of well-developed sperm to determine if surgical sperm extraction may be successful for certain infertile men.
Published Elimination of type of bacteria suggests treatment for endometriosis



A research group has discovered that using an antibiotic to target Fusobacterium, a common bacterium that causes inflammation, improved the symptoms of endometriosis. Their findings suggest an alternative treatment for the disease.
Published New research identifies cells linking chronic psychological stress to inflammatory bowel disease



For the first time, cells involved with the communication between stress responses in the brain and inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract have been identified in animal models. Glial cells, which support neurons, communicate stress signals from the central nervous system (CNS) to the semi-autonomous nervous system within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, called the enteric nervous system (ENS). These psychological stress signals can cause inflammation and exacerbate symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Published How chronic stress drives the brain to crave comfort food



Stress can override natural satiety cues to drive more food intake and boost cravings for sweets.
Published Researchers successfully induce primate oocytes in the lab



The many types of cells in the human body are produced through the process of differentiation, in which stem cells are converted to more specialized types. Currently, it is challenging for researchers to control the differentiation of stem cells in the lab (in vitro). Of particular interest are oocytes, which are female germ cells that develop into eggs. Understanding their development could have far-ranging impacts, from infertility treatment to conservation of endangered species. A new study has successfully induced meiotic (dividing) oocytes from the embryonic stem cells of cynomolgus monkeys, which share many physiological traits with humans. By establishing a culture method for inducing the differentiation of meiotic oocytes, the researchers aimed to shed light on germ cell development in both humans and other primates.
Published Anti-depressant agent KNT-127 reduces stress as well as depression



Depression is a condition affecting millions across the globe. However, efficient drugs with minimal adverse effects are scarce. Now, researchers have reported how KNT-127, a delta opioid receptor agonist, quickly and efficiently reduces classic parameters of depression in a mouse model. This anti-depressant agent exhibits the dual nature of being a stress reliever and an anti-depressant and could broaden the potential of existing treatments.
Published Happy worms have healthy eggs



Researchers have exposed roundworms (a well-established model organism in biological research) to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of drugs used for treating depression and anxiety. Surprisingly, this treatment improved the quality of aging females' egg cells.
Published Scientists discover the dynamics of an 'extra' chromosome in fruit flies



Most chromosomes have been around for millions of years. Now, researchers have revealed the dynamics of a new, very young chromosome in fruit flies that is similar to chromosomes that arise in humans and is associated with treatment-resistant cancer and infertility. The findings may one day lead to developing more targeted therapies for treating these conditions.
Published Sleep phase can reduce anxiety in people with PTSD



A new study shows that sleep spindles, brief bursts of brain activity occurring during one phase of sleep and captured by EEG, may regulate anxiety in people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Published Stress increases Alzheimer's risk in female mice but not males



Stress causes the levels of Alzheimer's proteins to rise in females' brains but not males' brains, according to a new study. This difference may contribute to women's greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
Published Impact of maternal stress during pregnancy on child's health



New research examines the impact that maternal stress during pregnancy has on the neuro-development of babies.
Published Diet high in fruit and vegetables linked to lower miscarriage risk



A preconception and early-pregnancy diet that contains lots of fruit, vegetables, seafood, dairy, eggs and grain may be associated with reducing risk of miscarriage, a new review of research suggests.
Published New genetic target for male contraception identified



Discovery of a gene in multiple mammalian species could pave the way for a highly effective, reversible and non-hormonal male contraceptive for humans and animals. Researchers identified expression of the gene, Arrdc5, in the testicular tissue of mice, pigs, cattle and humans. When they knocked out the gene in mice, it created infertility only in the males, impacting their sperm count, movement and shape.