Motor competence (MC), in early childhood, is an important indicator that needs to be monitored regularly as it impacts both overall health as well as cognitive function. However, most MC assessment tools are either expensive, require special equipment or large space, making them unsuitable for early childhood education and care (ECEC) facilities. To address this issue, Japanese researchers have developed a novel MC assessment tool for preschoolers, termed Simple Motor Competence-check for Kids (SMC-Kids).

Houston Methodist researchers have discovered that certain components of so-called “good” cholesterol -- high-density lipoproteins (HDL) – may be associated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease. The research team describe their findings in a paper titled “HDL-Free Cholesterol Influx into Macrophages and Transfer to LDL Correlate with HDL-Free Cholesterol Content” in the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology’s Journal of Lipid Research.

A group of researchers in Japan has found that subjective walking speed, assessed by asking individuals to compare their pace with peers, is linked to lower odds of metabolic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia in individuals with obesity. This simple, equipment-free assessment could serve as an effective tool in health examinations, paving the way for earlier interventions to prevent the “metabolic domino effect” triggered by obesity-related disorders.

In spite of intensive research, glioblastoma remains one of the most lethal types of brain cancer. Temozolomide (TMZ) is used as the front-line medicine in its treatment. While TMZ effectively penetrates the brain and targets tumors, its success depends on the tumor cells attempting to repair the DNA damage caused by the drug. Unfortunately, glioblastomas often evade treatment by inactivating the various DNA repair pathways, making them resistant to TMZ and limiting its effectiveness. In these drug-resistant cancer cells, DNA becomes mutated but does not lead to cell death.

The researchers at the Center for Genomic Integrity within the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) in Ulsan, South Korea, in conjunction with the bioinformatics team from the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), have uncovered critical insights into the mechanisms behind TMZ resistance. Their work could pave the way for more effective therapies against this devastating cancer.

A new QUT-led, international study reveals that while both surgeons and scientists agree on the importance of developing new biomaterials to treat bone defects, their uptake in clinical settings has been slow, with some advancements yet to be passed on to patients.