Articles by Sanjukta Mondal
Phys.org / Ancient Jomon DNA reveals a hidden Ice Age survival genetic toolkit
Between 29,000 and 19,000 years ago, the planet experienced some of its coldest temperatures and drastic landscape changes at the peak of the Ice Age, during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), the period of most extensive global ...
Medical Xpress / Smart delivery systems could make noninvasive nasal routes to the brain possible
A protective layer that is extremely picky about not letting harmful substances in can sometimes also keep useful things from entering the very space it is meant to protect. The body's blood-brain barrier (BBB) is one such ...
Medical Xpress / Common arthritis pill repurposed to boost hair regrowth in alopecia patients
Upadacitinib is a medication widely used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis that works by inhibiting Janus kinase (JAK) enzymes, which are involved in signaling pathways that regulate immune responses. Now, scientists ...
Medical Xpress / Experimental pill targets nerve pain pathway, cutting opioid use after abdominal surgery
Opioids can be highly effective at relieving moderate to severe pain, whether it comes from surgery, an injury or conditions such as cancer. They work by activating opioid receptors in the brain and body, which block pain ...
Phys.org / Gene-edited beagles produce no detectable major dog allergen, early tests find
Humans love dogs, but petting them can leave some people sneezing and wheezing. About 15% of the world's population lives with a dog allergy, which can increase the risk of hay fever and asthma. The main culprit is Can f ...
Medical Xpress / Brain activity reveals how people juggle changing goals in real time
Nature never sits still, and neither does anything living within it, since paths keep shifting as things move through the world. Decisions work the same way, changing shape as we go rather than settling once and for all. ...
Medical Xpress / Brain cancer cells exploit normal nerve signaling to multiply and invade, new study finds
Gliomas are malignant brain tumors that originate from glial cells, which do not produce electrical impulses like neurons but instead support neurons by maintaining their structure and function. They are the most common form ...
Phys.org / Protein-like nanoparticles sort themselves inside growing crystals, enabling controlled release
The tiny bones in your fingers withstand countless taps and swipes thanks to a precise blend of materials. Flexible collagen fibers form the framework, reinforced by hard calcium phosphate hydroxyapatite crystals. This is ...
Medical Xpress / Brain inflammation may cast a long dementia shadow in older survivors of encephalitis
Encephalitis is a serious condition in which an infection or autoimmune response triggers inflammation of the brain. The resulting swelling can disrupt normal brain function, causing neurological changes such as confusion, ...
Phys.org / Genome study reveals centromeres as one of the fastest-changing regions in human DNA
A centromere is a specific region on a chromosome that ensures that, when a cell divides, the chromosome separates accurately so each new cell receives the correct amount of genetic material. Despite their essential role, ...
Medical Xpress / Long before adulthood, a chemical mark may quietly shape how the brain handles stress
Stress or trauma during childhood may leave people more vulnerable to mental health struggles and stress later in life. Scientists think one reason could be that early-life stress leaves lasting molecular bookmarks on DNA, ...
Medical Xpress / People carrying a rare gene variant have naturally low body fat, healthier livers and better blood sugar levels
There are people around us who can maintain their weight despite what they eat. This has led scientists to believe that a person's metabolism and tendency toward obesity may have genetic factors behind them. A large study ...
Medical Xpress / Lonely people can feel their heartbeat clearly like everyone else, but their brains respond differently
For a long time, psychologists have described loneliness as the discomfort that comes from wanting more social connection than we feel we have, but there is more nuance to loneliness. Scientists are increasingly finding that ...
Medical Xpress / Ketamine triggers morning cortisol surge tied to fewer suicidal thoughts—but the link remains uncertain
In 1970, ketamine was approved as an anesthetic. It works by blocking receptors in the brain. Suicidal tendencies are among the dangers that accompany severe depression. Doctors have found that a low dose of ketamine, much ...
Medical Xpress / Common blood storage bags may leach microplastics into stored blood
In the 1970s, PVC bags revolutionized the storage of blood and blood products for transfusion. Disposable plastic (PVC) bags replaced reusable glass bottles, making the process more convenient and safer from contamination. ...
