- 2022
- Press releases - 02.05.2022
Il existerait un lien entre la taille du réseau social et la structure du cerveau
With previous findings having highlighted the role of our social environment as one of the key factors behind the expansion of the cerebral cortex, researchers went one step further in elucidating this link. They were more specifically interested in a species of macaques whose brain architecture is comparable to that of humans. By observing these non-human primates in their natural state and by analyzing images of their brains, they discovered that the number of companions they have is predictive of the size of certain brain regions associated with social cognition and empathy.
- Press releases - 20.04.2022
Infertility: New Avenues to Understand the Harmful Effects of Chemotherapy
In a new study, researchers investigated a receptor found on male germ cells that produce gametes, their aim being to find out more about its role in chemotherapy-related infertility. Their findings pave the way for a better understanding of male infertility and the development of treatments to reduce the risk of sterility from chemotherapy.
- Press releases - 15.04.2022
Decoding a direct dialog between the gut microbiota and the brain
Scientists from the Institut Pasteur (a partner research organization of Université Paris Cité), Inserm and the CNRS have discovered that hypothalamic neurons in an animal model directly detect variations in bacterial activity and adapt appetite and body temperature accordingly. These findings demonstrate that a direct dialog occurs between the gut microbiota and the brain, a discovery that could lead to new therapeutic approaches for tackling metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity. The findings are due to be published in Science on 2022 04 15.
- Press releases - 14.04.2022
Colon cancer: how mutation of the APC gene disrupts lymphocyte migration
In patients with familial adenomatous polyposis, a genetic disease predisposing to colon cancer, mutations of the APC gene induce the formation of intestinal polyps, but also reduce immune system activity. In a new study, researchers describe the mechanisms that modify the structure of T lymphocytes and hinder their migration towards the tumors to be destroyed. This discovery provides new perspectives on the migration of immune cells, a key process in antitumor immune defense.
- Press releases - 13.04.2022
Long COVID: When Symptoms Persist Months after the First Wave
Dans une nouvelle étude, des scientifiques ont identifié, à partir des données de près de 26 000 volontaires de la cohorte Constances, quels symptômes persistants sont le plus fréquemment rapportés par les personnes ayant été infectées par le SARS-CoV-2 comparé au reste de la population. Il s’agit principalement de la perte de goût ou d’odorat, de gêne respiratoire ou de fatigue.
- Press releases - 12.04.2022
New joint Declaration of Intent between the Quebec Health Research Fund and Inserm
Rémi Quirion, Quebec’s Chief Scientist, and Dr. Gilles Bloch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm), are pleased to announce the signing of a new joint Declaration of Intent between the Quebec Health Research Fund and Inserm. Covering the next four years, this declaration renews an institutional partnership spanning over half a century.
- Press releases - 12.04.2022
HIV: The Antibodies of “Post-treatment Controllers”
A very small percentage of people with HIV-1, known as “post-treatment controllers” (PTCs), are able to control their infection after interrupting all antiretroviral therapy. Understanding the fundamental mechanisms that govern their immune response is essential in order to develop HIV-1 vaccines, novel therapeutic strategies to achieve remission, or both. A recent study investigated the humoral immune response – also known as antibody-mediated immunity – in some PTCs in whom transient episodes of viral activity were observed. The researchers have shown their humoral immune response to be both effective and robust, which could help to control the infection in the absence of treatment.
- Press releases - 07.04.2022
Older Adults: Understanding and Preventing Barriers to an Active Lifestyle
Researchers have studied the impact of individual sociodemographic, behavioral and health factors on the practice of daily physical activity in later life, using data from 3,896 participants of the Whitehall II cohort. This research highlights the complexity of individual barriers to an active lifestyle among older adults and suggests that this complexity should be better taken into account when redefining public health policies.
- Press releases - 04.04.2022
Alzheimer’s Disease: The Identification of 75 Genetic Risk Factors Brings New Insights
Researchers have identified 75 regions of the genome that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Forty-two of these regions are novel, meaning that they have never before been implicated in the disease. The findings bring new knowledge of the biological mechanisms at play and open up new avenues for treatment and diagnosis.
- Press releases - 24.03.2022
Artificial Sweeteners: Possible Link to Increased Cancer Risk
In order to evaluate the risk of cancer linked to them, researchers analyzed data relating to the health of 102,865 French adults participating in the NutriNet-Santé cohort study and their consumption of artificial sweeteners. The results of these statistical analyses suggest a link between the consumption of artificial sweeteners and an increased risk of cancer.