https://phys.org/ en-us Latest news from Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Every year in the U.S., about a million people are treated at emergency rooms for traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and about 50,000 people die from the injuries or complicating factors, according to the International Brain Injury Association. Mild TBIs such as concussions can result from a hit to the head, a fall, car accident, or sports collision. Patients often experience nausea, sleep disturbances, or confusion in mild cases. However, patients with more severe TBI can lose consciousness, have memory loss, or die from the injury. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-tbi-smoothened-agonists-inflammation-neurological.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:40:01 EDT news695377413 Patients with CaV2.1 channelopathies face severe and often debilitating symptoms, such as seizures, migraines, tremors, and developmental delays. Although some symptoms overlap among these rare neurological conditions, patients often have different underlying mutations. In a recent study published in The FASEB Journal, researchers report the effects of two human CaV2.1 channelopathy mutations in a rat model, the findings of which could result in personalized therapies. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-mutation-specific-defects-neurological-disorders.html Genetics Thu, 29 Jan 2026 17:00:41 EST news688928401 Dopamine brings on a surge of pleasure, but too much dopamine in a synapse can ultimately lead to mood disorders and addiction. A recent preclinical study published in The FASEB Journal suggests that methamphetamine boosts dopamine levels by reversibly reducing the amount of a modification on the dopamine transporter. Loss of the modification decreases the transporter's ability to remove the neurotransmitter from synapses. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-11-methamphetamine-impairs-dopamine-uptake-protein.html Neuroscience Tue, 25 Nov 2025 13:05:03 EST news683298302 When improperly folded proteins build up in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), cells become stressed and conditions such as type 2 diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancers can develop. In a recent study published in The FASEB Journal, researchers found that a modification known as UFMylation plays an important role in reducing ER stress and maintaining homeostasis by altering the stability of a protein called BiP in cells. A better understanding of this process could help scientists develop improved treatments. https://phys.org/news/2025-10-protein-modification-critical-er-homeostasis.html Molecular & Computational biology Tue, 21 Oct 2025 07:18:03 EDT news680249881 Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication with serious risks for mother and child. The only real cure for preeclampsia is delivery. Now, a new mouse study reports that high levels of an mRNA splicing factor may contribute to the condition. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-splicing-factor-therapeutic-preeclampsia.html Obstetrics & gynaecology Fri, 03 Oct 2025 05:33:04 EDT news678688381 Animal studies suggest that some food additives, such as artificial colorants and sweeteners, emulsifiers, and antimicrobial preservatives, could be harmful to gut health. A recent review published in The FASEB Journal summarizes the literature and finds that more clinical studies are needed to assess the potential impacts on humans, especially those with inflammatory bowel diseases. In the meantime, the authors suggest policy changes that could help people make more informed choices. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-food-additives-gut.html Health Tue, 19 Aug 2025 13:30:29 EDT news674829027 Maternal obesity doesn't just affect the health of a pregnant woman. It can also have effects on her child, increasing their risk of developing obesity and its associated complications. According to a recent study published in The FASEB Journal, an early-in-life dietary intervention in mice can potentially reverse one of those complications—a reduction in the number of innate immune cells in the gut. The findings suggest that a healthful diet in infancy could help children of obese mothers start off on the right foot. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-healthy-diet-infants-effects-maternal.html Obstetrics & gynaecology Thu, 10 Jul 2025 09:20:03 EDT news671358002 Just as folds are important in the ancient art of origami, they are also vital for the function of many proteins. Mutations in a protein associated with conditions such as seizures and autism spectrum disorder prevent it from folding correctly and hinder its movement to the cell surface, where it would normally do its job. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-proper-important-protein-seizures.html Genetics Mon, 09 Jun 2025 15:21:03 EDT news668701261 PME-1 is a protein that modifies other proteins by removing methyl groups, but high levels of PME-1 are observed in some diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cancer. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-dual-functions-pme-protein-critical.html Genetics Wed, 14 May 2025 10:10:06 EDT news666436201 A protein that stops cells from dividing in response to damage or stress could be a new biomarker or therapeutic target for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), according to research published in The FASEB Journal. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-protein-cell-division-biomarker-therapeutic.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Mon, 21 Apr 2025 07:14:03 EDT news664438441 A strong perception of experiencing discrimination correlates with differences in human gene expression by race and sex. Interestingly, some of the affected genes are involved in conditions, such as certain cancers, that are associated with aging and have disparate health outcomes, according to research published in The FASEB Journal. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-02-discrimination-differences-gene.html Genetics Wed, 19 Feb 2025 15:39:04 EST news659201942 A signal that the body adds to an mRNA can disrupt placental development and lead to fetal growth restriction (FGR). In this condition, a fetus is smaller than expected for its age during pregnancy and complications such as feeding difficulties, jaundice, and stillbirth can result. A molecule called STM2457 reversed most of the effects in mice and could someday be used to treat patients, according to research published in The FASEB Journal. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-12-potential-molecular-therapy-reverses-placental.html Medical research Thu, 05 Dec 2024 16:33:30 EST news652638806 An antibody called bFKB1 improves liver disease and atherosclerosis in a mouse model of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), which is associated with obesity. The antibody also decreased body weight and improved inflammation and insulin sensitivity. Learning how the antibody exerts these effects could someday lead to development of a new drug to fight MASH, according to research that was published in The FASEB Journal. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-10-antibody-obesity-liver-disease-atherosclerosis.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Tue, 29 Oct 2024 15:25:03 EDT news649434301 A fluorescent dye could help scientists listen in on biochemical conversations between cartilage and bone during the earliest stages of osteoarthritis (OA)—even before the disease causes pain. The unexpected finding could someday lead to novel treatments for patients, according to research conducted on mice that was published Oct. 7 in FASEB BioAdvances. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-10-tool-early-osteoarthritis-biochemical-communication.html Arthritis & Rheumatism Tue, 08 Oct 2024 11:31:03 EDT news647605861 Until recently, B cells—present in the blood stream—were mainly thought to produce antibodies and present antigens to help with the immune response to pathogens. A research team at the Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center (VIC) at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) led by Ruxandra Sîrbulescu Ph.D., and Mark Poznansky, MD, Ph.D., is exploring the novel protective roles that B cells may play in the context of injury. The group previously observed that mature B cells purified from the blood or spleen can greatly accelerate wound healing in the skin and even protect the brain after injury in mice. https://phys.org/news/2021-11-cells-infection-skin-wound-brain.html Cell & Microbiology Thu, 18 Nov 2021 16:25:40 EST news556475135 In its May issue, The FASEB Journal is publishing a comprehensive review on the science and clinical experiences with the drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, first introduced as effective weapons against malaria, rheumatoid arthritis, and the autoimmune disease lupus. Recent anecdotal reports suggested these drugs might be effective against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic. This new review describes the growing skepticism regarding adoption of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for the respiratory infection caused by this virus. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-04-clinical-chloroquine-hydroxychloroquine-covid-.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Thu, 30 Apr 2020 14:00:07 EDT news507463081 The genetic mechanism of hereditary human hair diseases, such as alopecia and thinning hair, has drawn much attention in human genetics research, yet many questions around this mechanism persist. A recent animal study in The FASEB Journal revealed that a mutation in the gene that encodes a protein called MAP2 (for "microtubule-associated protein 2") may be an essential component of the hairless phenotype. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-11-animal-link-map2-mutation-hereditary.html Medical research Thu, 21 Nov 2019 14:00:12 EST news493542170 Glioblastoma multiforme, or GBM, is the most frequently occurring and gravest primary tumor of the central nervous system in adults. Poor survival rates among patients with GBM are associated with the development of resistance to chemotherapy drug temozolomide (TMZ). A recent study in The FASEB Journal sheds light on a potential strategy to overcome TMZ resistance in GBM cells. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-11-snap-reverses-chemotherapy-resistance-human.html Oncology & Cancer Thu, 14 Nov 2019 14:00:01 EST news492937928 Scientists have a relatively precise idea about where whales and their closest terrestrial relatives evolved more than 50 million years ago (early Eocene), thanks to the discovery of ancient cetacean fossils in India and Pakistan. Around 45 million years ago, four-legged whales (protocetids) gradually dispersed out of Asia, westward towards Africa and then reached the east coast of North America more than 41 million years ago. Due to the relatively fragmentary fossil record on both sides of the North Atlantic, questions remain about the path they took to make it to the New World and their locomotion abilities. The newly described species Peregocetus pacificus, from middle Eocene (42.6 million years old) deposits of the fossil rich Pisco Basin (southern coast of Peru), provides some answers. Lead author, Olivier Lambert, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Bruxelles,Belgium, presented the team's findings at this year's annual meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology held this year in Brisbane, Australia. https://phys.org/news/2019-11-early-dispersal-quadrupedal-cetaceans-amphibious.html Archaeology Sat, 09 Nov 2019 06:15:24 EST news492502365 Penguins are descendants of seabirds that lost the ability to fly more than 60 million years ago in exchange for chasing the abundant food available in the ocean. New Zealand is a key area for understanding the diversity of the extinct penguins and has even revealed the existence of 'giant' penguin species (larger than living penguins). A new study describing a remarkably complete giant penguin skeleton from the Oligocene, Kawhia Harbour in the North Island of New Zealand was presented by Simone Giovanardi, Massey University Albany, Auckland, New Zealand, at this year's annual meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology held this year in Brisbane, Australia. https://phys.org/news/2019-11-sphenisciform-fossil-bauplan-extinct-giant.html Archaeology Sat, 09 Nov 2019 06:09:59 EST news492502193 The long-necked, big bodied sauropod dinosaurs comprise some of the largest terrestrial vertebrates to walk the earth. These behemoths were herbivores that survived solely on plant material. There has been long speculation as to what food resources could have supported their size, particularly when young and growing fast. New research being presented at this year's annual meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology held this year in Brisbane, Australia by lead author, Carole Gee, University of Bonn, Germany, points to a plant commonly known as the horsetail. https://phys.org/news/2019-11-superfood-mesozoic-herbivores.html Archaeology Fri, 08 Nov 2019 15:48:39 EST news492450504 A recent study in The FASEB Journal identifies a new mechanism of pancreatic tumors' resistance to chemotherapeutic treatment. The mechanism involves the loss of function of promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML), which operates like a tumor suppressor. Surprisingly, researchers found that the PML dysfunction was due not to a genetic mutation or altered gene expression, but rather to an alteration of a specific type of protein modification. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-09-pml-potential-treatment-pancreatic-cancer.html Oncology & Cancer Thu, 26 Sep 2019 14:00:05 EDT news488707704 Tendon injuries are among the most common injuries seen in athletes at all levels, from weekend warriors to professional basketball players. For those who rupture their tendons, returning to the same level of physical activity they enjoyed before the injury is rare. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-09-igf1-gene-essential-adult-tendon.html Genetics Thu, 19 Sep 2019 14:00:03 EDT news488094112 Patients with sepsis often require surgery or imaging procedures under general anesthesia, yet there is no standard regimen for anesthetizing septic patients. Of volatile (inhaled) anesthetics, sevoflurane and isoflurane are the most commonly used drugs, despite their undetermined mechanisms of action. A novel study in The FASEB Journal suggests that the type of drug used in general anesthesia could be critical to the survival of patients with sepsis. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-09-anesthetic-drug-sevoflurane-sepsis-outcomes.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Thu, 12 Sep 2019 14:00:09 EDT news487489232 A recent human study published in The FASEB Journal discovered the presence of fungal communities in the fetal gut. The study marks the first of its kind to observe fungal DNA in this developmental setting. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-09-reveals-presence-fungal-dna-fetal.html Genetics Thu, 05 Sep 2019 14:00:04 EDT news486882906 Sepsis is a serious condition that can result in organ failure and even death. A novel human study published in The FASEB Journal demonstrates for the first time that the gut microbiota of patients with sepsis plays a major role in organ damage. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-08-gut-microbiota-linked-patients-sepsis.html Immunology Thu, 29 Aug 2019 14:00:07 EDT news486282302 Targeting obesity through exercise and calorie restriction is often the first line of approach to treat diabetes and related cardiovascular disorders, such as cardiomyopathy. A recent animal study published in The FASEB Journal explored an alternative sirtuin-based therapy to block the development of obesity and cardiomyopathy under conditions of excess nutrition, when diet restriction and regular exercise are not feasible. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-07-sirt6-over-expression-diabetes.html Overweight & Obesity Thu, 18 Jul 2019 14:39:59 EDT news482679587 Estimates are that roughly 1 percent of people in Western countries may have bile acid diarrhea, including patients with Crohn's disease, ileal resection, diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), and chronic functional diarrhea. Current management for bile acid diarrhea has demonstrated limited efficacy, with some therapies producing significant side effects. A recent study published in The FASEB Journal explored the efficacy of CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) inhibition to reduce excessive secretion in the colon due to bile acids. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-07-cftr-inhibition-key-bile-acid.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Wed, 03 Jul 2019 14:00:13 EDT news481351909 Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that can reduce mobility and agility in patients. PsA is known to increase the risk of type II diabetes. A recent study published in The FASEB Journal tested a novel mouse model that may one day lead to therapeutic approaches or reagents for human skin pathology, as well as joint erosion and disc degeneration, that would improve quality of life for patients with PsA. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-06-psoriatric-arthritis-mouse.html Arthritis & Rheumatism Thu, 06 Jun 2019 14:00:09 EDT news479027869 Current anti-cancer drugs can be quite effective but too often, tumors are not fought off completely and end up returning. A recent study published in The FASEB Journal provides the first evidence that some cancer cells evade therapy by switching over to alternative molecular mechanisms that are not affected by existing anti-cancer treatments. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-05-alternative-molecular-mechanisms-cancer-cells.html Oncology & Cancer Thu, 30 May 2019 14:00:09 EDT news478419058