Five proposals for Clusters of Excellence win funding in the German federal competition / Clusters in the fields of aging research, astrophysics, plant sciences, quantum research and economics will receive funding

When the workload on the heart increases, the ventricular wall may thicken too, known as cardiac hypertrophy. This is an adaptive response that reduces pressure on the heart and maintains the activity of this vital organ. It is often a reversible process that does not cause serious effects on the structure or function of the heart, but if the factor causing cardiac overload becomes chronic, it can lead to pathological hypertrophy with more serious effects (dilatation of the ventricular cavities, alterations in cardiac function, heart failure, etc.).

Women living in neighborhoods with high vulnerability had a higher risk of earlier natural menopause onset, primarily due to socioeconomic status and household conditions.

No significant association was found between neighborhood disadvantage and the severity of menopause symptoms.

About The Study: In this cross-sectional study, 1 in 10 patients hospitalized for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) had a concurrent acute cardiovascular event. Odds of cardiac events were significantly higher in RSV vs COVID-19 hospitalizations in both vaccine-boosted and unboosted individuals. In contemporaneous hospitalizations for RSV or influenza after the pandemic (2023-2024), odds of heart failure were significantly higher in RSV hospitalizations vs vaccine-breakthrough influenza hospitalizations. These findings suggest that patients with preexisting cardiovascular risk should consider vaccination against respiratory viral infections.

About The Study: In this cohort study of children in the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) cohort, analyses identified children on the path to obesity as early as age 3.5 years. Modifiable factors could be targeted for early prevention and intervention programs aimed at reducing childhood obesity.