ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 (ABC): Human beings and fruit flies have very little in common — at first sight. However, studying these flies it is in fact possible to find out more about human nature, particularly when it comes to depressive disorders. It is on this basis that scientists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) are attempting to gain a better …

ISLAMABAD, Sep 16 (ABC): According to the National Birth Defects Prevention Network, one in every 8,000 to 10,000 births in the United States result in one of two congenital malformations of the ear: microtia (the child is born with only a cartilage stump for an ear) or anotia (the complete lack of an ear). Because there is no properly shaped …

ISLAMABAD, Sep 16 (ABC): Humans help each other — it’s one of the foundations of civilized society. But a new study by scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, reveals that a lack of sleep blunts this fundamental human attribute, with real-world consequences. Lack of sleep is known to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, depression, diabetes, …

ISLAMABAD, SEP 16 (ABC): As a part of our immune defences, cytotoxic T cells — or killer T cells — seek out and destroy cells that are infected or cancerous. This process is essential for the body’s defence against diseases. These specialised immune cells are armed with lytic granules containing two key components for immune attack: perforin (proteins that punch …

WASHINGTON, Sep 16(ABC): Science has perfected the answer to calming a crying baby: Hold and walk with them for five minutes. The evidence-based soothing strategy was derived from experiments carried out in Japan and Italy, which were analyzed and published in the journal Current Biology on Tuesday. The paper s authors said they hoped the finding could benefit stressed parents, …

ISLAMABAD, Sep 16(ABC): People undergoing simulated night shift work who ate both during the day and at night saw an increase in symptoms of depression and anxiety, a new study found. However, those who ate only during the day were apparently protected from the worsening of mood symptoms. This suggests a possible way to improve the mental health of the …

ISLAMABAD, Sep 16(ABC): Cancer occurs when genetic mutations cause cells grow uncontrollably and can occur in any organ or tissue of the body. According to the World Health Organization, the condition is the secondTrusted Source leading cause of death worldwide. Whereas cancer typically affects people ages 50 years and older, studies indicate that, since the 1990s, the incidence of certain …

ISLAMABAD, Sep 16(ABC): Several studies have found higher rates of major mental illnesses in urban versus rural areas. A 2012 meta-analysis, for instance, found an increased risk for schizophrenia for those who live in cities. Other research, including this study from 2011Trusted Source, has found that people who live in cities experience increased activity in the amygdalaTrusted Source, the brain …

ISLAMABAD, Sep 15(ABC): For most people, it makes sense to get vaccinated against seasonal influenza, or the “flu,” every year. In the U.S. alone, the Centers for Disease Control estimatesTrusted Source that for the years 2019-2020, there were 35 million flu-related illnesses with 20,000 flu-related deaths. According to recent researchTrusted Source, having the flu may increase the chances of getting …

ISLAMABAD, Sep 15 (ABC): The human microbiomeTrusted Source is the community of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that inhabit our bodies, directly affecting our health. Amazingly, scientists estimate that there could be similar numbers of microbes in the body as there are human cells. The microbes that live on or in our bodies help protect us from organisms that cause disease. …