The Medical News

1. Most veterans with low-risk prostate cancer choose active surveillance

   Three decades after UC San Francisco pioneered "active surveillance" for patients with low-risk prostate cancer, a new study has found that the vast majority of veterans with the diagnosis pursued this option instead of treatment.

2. Synthetic peptide enables modular detection of coronavirus protease activity

   A research team has computationally designed a synthetic peptide that enables modular detection of the enzymatic activity of coronavirus 3C-like protease (3CLPro), an enzyme essential for viral replication and maturation.

3. New study focuses on starving bacteria to prevent Lyme disease

   Triggered by a near painless tick bite, Lyme disease causes severe pain and inflammation for more than 475,000 people in the U.S annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

4. Mouse study reveals memories survive massive loss of brain synapses

   Memories can survive even after the brain temporarily loses more than half of its synaptic connections, according to a new mouse study, which challenges the long-held view that long-term memories depend on stable individual synapses.

5. Subtle brain differences detected in children at risk for schizophrenia

   A study examined the brains of children at increased risk of developing schizophrenia to determine whether signs of vulnerability can be detected during childhood.

6. Astrocytes found to directly regulate memory consolidation during sleep

   Research has shown that a good night's sleep has many benefits, including memory consolidation. How sleep enables the brain to strengthen memories is still not completely understood, but a new study published in Neuron reveals how astrocytes, brain cells known for supporting neurons and their functions, can directly regulate brain circuits involved in memory consolidation.

7. Studies link traumatic brain injury to high mortality in Pakistan

   Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Pakistan is associated with a high risk of death and disability long after the initial injury, even in mild to moderate cases, according to two new studies in JAMA Network Open led by Weill Cornell Medicine researchers.

8. Dyadic coping mediates cancer recurrence fear and survivor depression

   Advances in diagnosis and treatment have extended survival for many people with gastrointestinal cancer, increasing attention to their long-term psychological health.