Scientists have made a step forward in understanding the evolution of human feet. Unlike species such as chimpanzees, which have opposable digits on their feet, humans have evolved arched feet to enhance upright walking. These arches were thought to be supported by plantar intrinsic muscles (PIMs) — but a study by the University of Queensland and the University of Exeter shows PIMs have a “minimal impact” on this. The findings show that foot muscles are important for helping us push against the ground during walking and running. This suggests that…
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Insight into potential new strategy to target skin diseases like psoriasis
Research at UT Southwestern has shown that targeting metabolism in growing cells holds promise for the treatment of skin diseases like psoriasis that are characterized by skin overgrowth resulting from excess cell division, known as hyperproliferation. A research team led by Dr. Richard Wang, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, demonstrated in mice that inhibiting glucose transport may be a safe and effective treatment for these diseases. Actively dividing cells, like those underlying psoriasis, are more dependent on glucose for their growth. By inhibiting glucose transport in those cells, disease-associated skin overgrowth…
Read MoreInfant sleep duration associated with mother’s level of education and prenatal depression
A new study analyzing data from Canadian parents has found that babies sleep less at three months of age if their mothers do not have a university degree, experienced depression during pregnancy or had an emergency cesarean-section delivery. The study, which examined associations between a mother’s level of education, prenatal depression, method of delivery and her infant’s sleep duration, was published this month in Sleep Medicine. It found that infants born to mothers without a university degree slept an average of 13.94 hours per day — 23 minutes less than infants…
Read MoreGreen tea cuts obesity, health risks in mice
Green tea cut obesity and a number of inflammatory biomarkers linked with poor health in a new study. Mice fed a diet of 2 percent green tea extract fared far better than those that ate a diet without it, a finding that has prompted an upcoming study of green tea’s potential benefits in people at high risk of diabetes and heart disease. The benefits seen in the new study, published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, appear to stem from improved gut health, including more beneficial microbes in the intestines of…
Read MoreSkin’s immune ‘alarm’ may explain light-induced rashes in lupus patients
Imagine being so sensitive to the sun’s rays that you’re forced to either slather yourself in sunscreen or risk a rash so severe it could leave permanent scars. This is the unfortunate reality of many people with lupus. Up to 60 percent of patients with the autoimmune disease has some degree of sensitivity to ultraviolet light — a condition called photosensitivity. It can result in skin inflammation or a flare-up of a wide-range of lupus symptoms, such as joint pain and fatigue. For some patients, even the light of a…
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