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When science hits the headlines, we seek the views of expert sources who assess the news rigorously and quickly, according to the available evidence.

A study shows the potential of large language models to detect signs of depression and suicide in patients

Large language models—artificial intelligence systems based on deep learning—could be useful in detecting mental health risks such as depression and suicide risk in narrative tests of patients undergoing psychiatric treatment. This is one of the conclusions of research published in JAMA Network Open, which also shows the potential of embeddings — a natural language processing technique that converts human language into mathematical vectors — to achieve the same end.

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Using triptans for migraine during pregnancy does not increase risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring

Prenatal exposure to triptans—alone or in combination with other migraine medications—does not increase the risk of developmental disorders in children up to age 14, according to research published in Neurology. The study is based on data from more than 26,000 pregnancies in a national registry in Norway and includes autism spectrum disorders, language disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, among other diagnoses.

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The meningococcal B vaccine may provide partial protection against gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is the second most common sexually transmitted disease in the world, with 80 million cases each year. There is no effective vaccine, and the bacteria responsible are becoming resistant to common antibiotics. Some studies have suggested that the meningococcal B vaccine, a unrelated bacterium, may offer partial protection against gonorrhoea. Now, an Italian team has identified 17 antibodies that could explain this cross-immunity, which, according to the authors, could be used to develop treatments and vaccines. The results are published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

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A genetic variant has been discovered that increased height and accelerated metabolism in modern humans

A team from China has analysed the genetic data of more than 450,000 people and identified a variant in a gene that contributed to increased height and basal metabolic rate in modern humans, especially when meat consumption increases. In addition to providing insight into evolutionary processes, the finding ‘also has important implications for understanding susceptibility and resistance to contemporary metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome,’ according to the authors. The results are published in the journal Cell Genomics.

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Cases of skin cancer in people over the age of 65 will increase in the coming decades

Research analyzing data from more than 200 countries concludes that people over the age of 65 will face an increase in skin cancer cases over the next two decades. The study, published in JAMA Dermatology, used data from 1990 to 2021 and made estimates through 2050. Men and people living in countries with higher sociodemographic indices showed a higher incidence.

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Detected patterns of change in blood cells with age, which could be used to develop anti-ageing therapies

A technique developed under the coordination of researchers from the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) and the Institute for Biomedical Research (IRB) in Barcelona has made it possible to track methylation patterns or “barcodes” in blood cells and construct their epigenetic family tree. This has enabled them to trace their evolution and changes with age, which could be useful for disease prevention and for the study or even development of specific therapies against ageing. The results are published in the journal Nature.

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New antimalarial compounds identified that kill parasites in the mosquito vector

A study has identified and tested 22 compounds that inhibit the development of Plasmodium falciparum—one of the parasites that cause malaria—in the mosquitoes that transmit it. The most effective molecule killed 100% of the parasites present within six minutes, even in insecticide-resistant mosquitoes, according to the study published in Nature. These compounds could be used to treat bed nets.

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By 2030, half of all adolescents will be at risk of experiencing poor health, including mental health issues and being overweight

By 2030, there will be more than 1 billion adolescents (aged 10 to 24) living in countries facing preventable and treatable health issues. This figure represents half of the world’s adolescent population, according to a new analysis by the Lancet Commission on adolescent health and well-being. Among these health issues, the study highlights HIV/AIDS, early pregnancies, risky sexual behavior, depression, poor nutrition, and injuries.

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Cold sores infections are associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease

A US study analysing data from nearly 700,000 people concluded that those with a history of herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) infections were at greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The study, published in BMJ Open, also showed that patients with this virus who used anti-herpes treatments were less likely to develop the disease.

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