As we learn, the connections between brain cells that are being used become stronger. But after many hours without rest, this overall buildup can leave the brain with less room to make new, specific changes. Scientists have long suggested that sleep helps the brain stay flexible by easing back this buildup, but it has not been clear whether a short daytime nap is enough to do the same. Researchers brought 20 healthy young adults into a sleep lab for two experimental sessions. In one session, they were given a one-hour afternoon sleep opportunity. In the other, they stayed awake for the same am... cognition memory sleep
Read moreCognitive decline and cardiovascular disease often go hand in hand—and both become more common with age. Nutrition plays a key role in protecting brain and heart health, and certain fruits rich in antioxidants may offer targeted benefits. A recent study found that consuming fresh strawberries daily improved cognitive function and lowered systolic blood pressure by an average of 3% in older adults. Researchers provided 35 healthy adults, ages 60 to 78, a strawberry powder or a placebo each day for eight weeks. Each person tried both options in random order, with a four-week break in between. Th... nutrition diet heart disease memory blood pressure polyphenol cardiovascular
Read moreHeart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, and clogged arteries—caused by a buildup of fatty plaques—are a major culprit. While some plaques remain stable, others can rupture and trigger heart attacks. A recent study found that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may help shrink fatty arterial plaquesin people with coronary artery disease who have undergone stent placement, reducing plaque size by 1.2% in just six months. Researchers randomly assigned 60 patients with stable coronary artery disease to a supervised HIIT program or standard preventive care twice a week. After six... exercise heart disease cardiovascular
Read moreA lively social life might be one of the best defenses against dementia. With more than 50 million people affected worldwide and care costs soaring into the hundreds of billions, finding ways to delay dementia is a public health priority. A recent study found that older adults who were more socially active developed dementia about five years later than those who were the least socially engaged. Researchers tracked nearly 2,000 older adults without dementia as part of the Rush Memory and Aging Project (https://www.rushu.rush.edu/research-rush-university/departmental-research/rush-alzheimers-d... aging dementia
Read moreOmega-3 fatty acids have long been praised for their health benefits, but their role in treating heart failure has been unclear. While some studies suggest they improve heart function, others have produced mixed results. A recent meta-analysis found that high-dose omega-3 supplementation for a year or more markedly improved heart function and exercise capacity in people with heart failure. Researchers analyzed the findings of 14 randomized controlled trials, including more than 9,000 participants with heart failure. They examined the effects of different omega-3 doses and treatment durations... heart disease omega-3 inflammation mortality cardiovascular
Read moreFrom the article: At this week's American College of Surgeons meeting in New Orleans, Derek T. Woodrum, M.D., a U-M resident in general surgery, will present new research results showing that smooth muscle cells from aortas of male rats contain 2.5 times more destructive MMP-9 protein and 10 times the level of MMP-9 gene expression compared to the same cells from female rat aortas. Known to be involved in AAA [abdominal aortic aneurysms] formation, MMP-9 is a cell-digesting enzyme that eats away at the wall of the aorta, leaving it vulnerable to expansion and rupture. However, when Woodrum tr... hormones aneurysm
Read moreCurrently selected for this coming member's digest (/crowdsponsor) by team member Melisa B. From the article: > Researchers report in the April issue of Cancer Research that the GPR109A receptor is activated by butyrate, a metabolite produced by fiber-eating bacteria in the colon. The receptor puts a double-whammy on cancer by sending signals that trigger cell death, or apoptosis, and shutting down a protein that causes inflammation, a precursor to cancer. [...] > That got the German research team to search for alternative activators of the receptor, resulting in identification of beta-... nutrition cancer diet ketosis fiber butyrate hdac inhibitor
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