Twin Study Finds Sensitivity Is Partly in Our Genes

The study, led by Queen Mary University of London, compared pairs of identical and non-identical 17-year-old twins to see how strongly they were affected by positive or negative experiences – their ‘sensitivity’ level. The aim was to tease out how much of the differences in sensitivity could be explained by either genetic or environmental factors during development: nature or nurture. Twins who are brought up together will mostly experience the same environment. But only identical twins share the same genes: non-identical twins are like any other sibling. If identical twins show no more similarity in their levels of sensitivity than non-identical twins, then genes are unlikely to play a role. Using this type of analysis, the team found that 47 percent of the differences in sensitivity between individuals were down to genetics, leaving 53 percent accounted for by environmental factors. The research, from Queen Mary University of London and Kings College London, is the first to show this link conclusively in such a large study. The findings are published in Molecular Psychiatry. https://www.technologynetworks.com/genomics/news/twin-study-finds-sensitivity-is-partly-in-our-genes-335679?utm_campaign=NEWSLETTER_TN_Breaking%20Science%20News&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=88976795&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--BU6Avw1x0eiOOYr7SpbhzcPZO1B3xB_U5HFtjqGfRSNA00MR3Z1Wd5E8WiQPdOjNS-ZblNdf58eHH8iBO81uGIYrxzg&utm_content=88976795&utm_source=hs_email

What Are the Risks and Benefits of Low-dose Aspirin?

Low-dose aspirin significantly lowers cardiovascular disease risk but increases the risk of bleeding, according to a review published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. Investigators conducted the review because the overall balance between risks and benefits of taking aspirin has been unclear. The team pooled information from analyses of all relevant observational studies and randomized controlled trials. Use of low-dose aspirin in people without cardiovascular disease was associated with a 17% lower incidence of cardiovascular events (such as non-fatal heart attacks, non-fatal strokes, or cardiovascular-related deaths). Low-dose aspirin use was also associated with a 47% higher risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and a 34% higher risk of intracranial bleeding. "These risks and benefits need to be weighted in formal decision analyses to guide aspirin use in primary prevention," said co-author Lee Smith, MSc, PhD, of Anglia Ruskin University, in the UK. The authors noted that although many dozens of health effects besides cardiovascular disease and bleeding have been assessed, evidence for these remains weak and therefore should not be a major consideration when deciding whether to use low-dose aspirin. Reference: Veronese, et al. (2020) Effect of low‐dose aspirin on health outcomes: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta‐analyses. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/bcp.14310 https://www.technologynetworks.com/drug-discovery/news/what-are-the-risks-and-benefits-of-low-dose-aspirin-335612?utm_campaign=NEWSLETTER_TN_Breaking%20Science%20News&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=88836729&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8RIyB2u8uiJBZMYv8oi7WpSAGzuopQl9lDpPI9G9Xge6tyl09xqBR8XJosphFBgIC1iVll98VtLtWF_LpD0OIndQPouw&utm_content=88836729&utm_source=hs_email

Dairy Consumption May Not Improve BMD Or Reduce Risk Of Osteoporotic Fracture In Women Charting Menopause,

reports, “Dairy consumption does not improve bone mineral density (BMD) or reduce the risk of osteoporotic fracture in women charting menopause,” investigators concluded in “a new analysis of the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN).” That substudy “started in 1996 and involved 3302 pre- or early perimenopausal women between 42 and 53 years of age,” and the “sample size for the annualized rate of BMD loss and fracture analysis involved 1955 women.” The findings were published online in the journal Menopause. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/931559

Scientists Question Data Cited In Two Coronavirus Studies Published In Prominent Journals

reports “a group of scientists has questioned the data used in studies in two prominent medical journals.” At issue are a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on May 1 concerning the impact of blood pressure drugs on patients with coronavirus and a study published in The Lancet on May 22 concerning the use of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine to treat patients with coronavirus. The studies share some of the same authors and both relied on the same database, which the group of scientists say may not be reliable. The AP (6/2, Marchione) reports that on Tuesday, the New England Journal of Medicine issued an “expression of concern” about the study it published that “suggested widely used blood pressure medicines were not raising the risk of death for people with COVID-19.” In its communication, the journal expressed concerns about the reliability of the database. Similarly, The Lancet issued an expression of concern about the study it published that “tied the malaria drugs hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine to a higher risk of death in hospitalized patients with the virus.” The Lancet said questions have been raised about the data used in the study. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/02/health/coronavirus-study.html

Estrogen Level Changes In Female Mice May Make Consuming Alcohol More Rewarding, Study Indicates

“Changes to levels of the hormone estrogen appear to make consuming alcohol more rewarding to female mice,” investigators concluded, which could possibly “mean women are more likely to drink to excess at different phases of the menstrual cycle, one of the scientists involved” in the study “told Newsweek.” The findings were published online in the journal JNeurosci. https://www.newsweek.com/estrogen-levels-may-make-alcohol-more-rewarding-females-say-authors-study-binge-drinking-mice-1507736

Experts Urge Caution in Interpreting COVID-19 Antibody Tests

Antibody, or serology, tests became available in April. They are performed on a blood sample and detect antibodies produced by the body in response to the virus. A positive test indicates that a person was infected at some time in the past. In a paper published recently in the journal Clinical Chemistry, Neil Anderson, MD, an assistant professor of pathology and immunology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the assistant medical director of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, and Christopher Farnsworth, PhD, an instructor of pathology and immunology at the School of Medicine, emphasized the importance of ensuring that antibody tests are used appropriately. Here, they discuss further how such tests should – and should not – be used. Why are antibody tests for COVID-19 important? https://www.technologynetworks.com/diagnostics/news/experts-urge-caution-in-interpreting-covid-19-antibody-tests-335509?utm_campaign=NEWSLETTER_TN_Breaking%20Science%20News&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=88836791&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_HfsNdlWTCK4YL2ydRjmBgfw3hDbHxXlgW8rvcpIEVTeJd98FPOUP_VeL8M_4qceuNlIBeHXnMQb-XC3SPmf30JatvzQ&utm_content=88836791&utm_source=hs_email

Could Gut Mucus Help Protect Against Brain Disorders?

Bacterial imbalance in the gut is linked with Alzheimer’s disease, autism and other brain disorders, yet the exact causes are unclear. Now a new research review of 113 neurological, gut and microbiology studies led by RMIT University suggests a common thread – changes in gut mucus. Senior author Associate Professor Elisa Hill-Yardin said these changes could be contributing to bacterial imbalance and exacerbating the core symptoms of neurological diseases. “Mucus is a critical protective layer that helps balance good and bad bacteria in your gut but you need just the right amount - not too little and not too much,” Hill-Yardin said. “Researchers have previously shown that changes to intestinal mucus affect the balance of bacteria in the gut but until now, no-one has made the connection between gut mucus and the brain. “Our review reveals that people with autism, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s and Multiple Sclerosis have different types of bacteria in their gut mucus compared with healthy people, and different amounts of good and bad bacteria. https://www.technologynetworks.com/neuroscience/news/could-gut-mucus-help-protect-against-brain-disorders-335550?utm_campaign=NEWSLETTER_TN_Breaking%20Science%20News&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=88836791&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--tAOgSnoOK4RUQu_b5xVcDqBdvcQ_SfTnw1t5qIpbqqqUF2-1bCVU5IDsocIYAj4TGNo6CbQaCi2j-8H-QCAOKO7HjPg&utm_content=88836791&utm_source=hs_email