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Belgian firms develop model to study heart in space: Under the AstroCardia project, Belgian companies Antleron, QbD Group, Space Applications Services, BIO INX and SCK CEN developed a “heart-on-a-chip” that will be launched to the International Space Station in 2025 to study heart health in the space environment. “A healthy heart is important [not] only for those currently suffering from cardiovascular disease, but also for healthy astronauts exploring space,” said QbD Chief Information Officer Martijn Reniers.

Mouse sleep deprivation study offers insights into depression: Sleep deprivation had an antidepressant effect in studies with mice, characterized by heightened aggressiveness and hypersexuality, which was linked to increased dopamine signaling in the prefrontal cortex, according to a study in Neuron. The findings suggest that “the prefrontal cortex is a clinically relevant area when searching for therapeutic targets … [and] reinforces the idea that … dopamine neurons play very important but very different roles in the brain,” said senior author Yevgenia Kozorovitskiy.

China agrees to limit fentanyl ingredient production: President Joe Biden met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in mid-November 2023 to discuss tightening controls on Chinese companies that produce chemical elements used to make fentanyl, which is behind an increase in opioid-related US deaths. Biden said Xi agreed to work on limiting the production and exportation of fentanyl precursor molecules supplied to Mexico, a major source of synthetic opioids that end up in the US.

Celiac Disease tied to female reproductive health issues: Girls and women with celiac disease are more likely to have later onset of menarche and higher rates of ovarian failure, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis and infertility, according to research presented at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2023 conference. Based on the findings, researchers suggest more diligent testing for these conditions and more frequent follow-ups with clinicians to help manage the disease.

Intermittent fasting may offer benefits outside weight loss: Intermittent fasting techniques have gained attention as a method to aid weight loss, and experts say they also may offer benefits for diabetes patients. Researchers reported in JAMA Network Open that limiting food consumption to a particular window of time each day may help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar and lose weight. Dr. Pam Taub, a Cardiologist, said the method also may benefit people with issues such as high blood pressure.

Algorithm designated to predict mild cognitive impairment progression: A machine learning algorithm developed to predict the risk of mild cognitive impairment progressing to Alzheimer’s disease could be helpful in clinical and research settings, researchers said in iScience. Researchers note that larger and more diverse cohorts will be needed in future studies for validation.

Law enforcement agencies take aim at fake weight-loss drugs: The Pharmaceutical Security Institute is working with international law enforcement agencies and with companies that identify counterfeit products to stanch the flow of fake weight-loss and diabetes drugs. The European Medicines Agency and the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency recently warned that pre-filled pens falsely labelled as Ozempic were found at wholesalers in the EU and the UK.

Treating drug-resistant combat wound infections: A $1.2 million grant from the US Army will support a study that aims to find an optimal regimen to treat drug-resistant combat wound infections and reduce the potential for serious side effects. Researchers are adapting micro-mist fusion technology, which was originally created to apply skin care products, to deliver antibiotics to the wound without causing damage.

Fox “wants to get things done” with Parkinson’s research: Experts suggest that twice as many Americans may have Parkinson’s disease as officially diagnosed, and research supported by the Michael J. Fox Foundation is making notable progress, including the recent discovery of a significant biomarker for early detection. Fox said that although he might not fully understand the scientific intricacies of the research, his focus is on supporting the researchers, not seeking personal recognition: “We don’t want to be famous. We don’t want to be rich. We don’t want to be celebrated. We want to get things done.”

Pregnant women with diabetes may benefit from insulin delivery system: A study in The New England Journal of Medicine found that Ypsomed’s mylife Loop system was associated with more time spent within the target pregnancy glucose level range among pregnant people with type 1 diabetes. Researchers reported that participants using the insulin delivery system gained 3.5 kg less weight.