Latest news with #ASD
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Mirrorlights: Autistic patients at high risk of Parkinson's disease: Study
autism spectrum disorder People with autism could be at a higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease early in life, according to a large-scale study that showed similar underlying biological mechanisms of the from the Karolinska Institutet questioned a possible connection between the neuropsychiatric diagnosis of(ASD), which affects an individual's thought processes, behaviour, and interpersonal communication, and early-onset Parkinson's disease -- a condition that affects locomotion and results, published in JAMA Neurology, show that people with an autism diagnosis were four times more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than people without such a diagnosis.'This indicates that there can be shared biological drivers behind ASD and Parkinson's disease,' said Weiyao Yin, researcher at the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet.'One hypothesis is that the brain's dopamine system is affected in both cases, since the neurotransmitter dopamine plays an important part in social behavior and motion control,' Yin study is based on registry data from over two million people born in Sweden between 1974 and 1999, who were followed from the ageof 20 up to the end of is well-known that dopamine-producing neurons are degraded in Parkinson's studies have also shown that dopamine is possibly implicated in autism, but more research needs to be done to confirm this.'We hope that our results will eventually help to bring greater clarity to the underlying causes of both ASD and Parkinson's disease,' Yin for more studies, the researchers urged healthcare services to keep people with ASD -- a vulnerable group with high co-morbidity and high use of psychotropics -- under long-term observation.
Techday NZ
2 days ago
- Business
- Techday NZ
Is it time to re-think the business browser?
For Australian businesses, cybersecurity is no longer a peripheral concern - it's front-and-centre. With phishing scams, ransomware and data breaches growing more frequent and sophisticated, the cost of falling victim to cybercrime continues to mount. In the first half of 2024 alone, data breaches in Australia hit a three-and-a-half-year high - a figure that was immediately surpassed by a further 15% jump in the second half of the year. According to the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), the average cost of a cyber attack is rising too. Despite ongoing investments in firewalls, endpoint protection and cloud security, data breaches continue to rise. One everyday tool remains overlooked: the browser. Now the main gateway to cloud apps and sensitive data, browsers weren't designed with enterprise security in mind. Their broad access, lack of visibility, and limited control make them an easy and attractive target for attackers. This raises the question: Are browsers the overlooked weak link in enterprise cybersecurity and could securing them be the missing piece in closing today's growing security and privacy gaps? The overlooked risk in every workplace Modern browsers serve as enterprise workspaces, with employees performing critical operations across SaaS apps, handling corporate data, and managing transactions entirely through browser windows. But most businesses still rely on consumer-focused browsers, which are designed for casual use, not enterprise-level protection. While browsers enable productivity, they also open the door to a range of web-based threats - such as phishing attacks, malicious extensions, and drive-by downloads. Often, employees are unknowingly using browsers that lack the protections required to defend against modern cyber risks. Every time an employee logs into sensitive systems, uploads documents or interacts with data through an unsecured browser, they're expanding their organisation's attack surface - often without knowing it. Why browsers are now a prime cyber target Cybercriminals don't need to breach firewalls to cause damage - they just need to compromise a browser. Once inside, they can gain access to everything from cloud platforms and financial tools to intellectual property and private customer data. With remote work still prominent, browser activity now spans devices, locations and networks - making it harder for IT teams to maintain visibility and control. In the 2023–2024 financial year, phishing accounted for 23% of all cybercrime reports in Australia - making it the most common form of attack. While email is usually the entry point, the browser is where the real damage happens - when a user unknowingly clicks a malicious link, enters their credentials into a fake login page or downloads malware disguised as a legitimate attachment. Despite this, many organisations lack standardised browser policies. They allow third-party extensions without review, have no centralised visibility into browser activity and rely on employees to spot increasingly deceptive scams. A smarter way to work safely To address this growing risk, a new solution is gaining traction: the enterprise browser. Built specifically for business use, these browsers embed security directly into the browsing experience - without slowing users down or requiring complex integrations. They include built-in protections like data loss prevention, centralised policy enforcement, zero-trust access controls and AI-powered threat detection. Rather than relying on separate software layers, enterprise browsers secure sensitive activity at the source - where work actually happens. Solutions like Zoho's Ulaa Enterprise offer a familiar interface with a far more secure backend. IT teams can restrict downloads, block screen captures, manage login permissions and monitor for potentially malicious activity in real time - without disrupting user experience. As threats grow more sophisticated, AI is now essential to browser security. Enterprise browsers use it to analyse behaviour in real time, block phishing pages, categorise sites and stop users from interacting with malicious content. This protection lightens the load on IT teams, enables faster responses and adapts to evolving threats. For instance, if a user clicks on a fake login page, the AI can block input immediately - stopping the breach before it begins. Enterprise browsers offer a practical, cost-effective way to strengthen security without requiring major infrastructure changes. As hybrid work continues and employees - with varying degrees of risk understanding - increasingly use unmanaged devices, securing the browser is one of the most efficient ways to reduce risks. These solutions protect businesses by catching threats right in the browser, reducing the chance of mistakes or gaps in other security tools. They also support compliance by logging activity, protecting sensitive data, and helping businesses stay audit-ready as privacy regulations evolve. With built-in protections, businesses can keep security simple and easy to manage - saving time and money while staying in control. Simultaneously, enterprise browsers respect user privacy, helping to build trust in flexible work settings. For too long, browsers have been treated as consumer tools, even in professional settings. As more business happens online and cyber threats grow smarter, this outdated approach no longer holds up. Companies today need to rethink security, putting the browser front and centre in their defence strategy. Thanks to AI-powered enterprise browsers, businesses can now safeguard their most-used tool without slowing down teams or adding strain to IT. The solution isn't to stop browsing - it's to browse smarter.
CBS News
2 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Autism in adulthood is on the rise. A Maryland medical expert explains the symptoms.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has long been associated with childhood diagnoses, but as new research shows a shift, a Maryland medical expert is sharing insight into symptoms for adults. A recent study shows that a growing number of adults are learning they've been living with autism for their entire lives. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, recorded a 450% increase in autism diagnoses among adults ages 26 to 34 between 2011 and 2022. Signs of autism in adults Dr. Peter Crino is the Chair of the Department of Neurology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Chief of Neurology at the University of Maryland Medical Center. He said the signs of adult autism can be subtle and long overlooked, especially for those who have spent years unsure of their symptoms. "I had one patient once tell me, 'I felt my whole life as though I didn't get the memo,'" Dr. Crino said. "I thought it was a beautiful way of explaining it. And I think for those individuals, yes, the first step is to reach out to your primary care physician and just talk about your concerns." Once that conversation starts, getting a diagnosis is often more straightforward than people expect. "Most primary care physicians can then place a referral to a behavioral health specialist who can just simply go through the questions that we ask," Dr. Crino said. "It's not by any stretch an opaque diagnosis or a challenging diagnosis. We have diagnostic criteria that we can use." What is ASD? Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication, behavior and sensory processing. Though it presents differently in everyone, common adult symptoms include social anxiety, a preference for routine, sensory sensitivities and difficulty with interpersonal communication. Many adults with ASD also experience co-occurring mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, sometimes as a result of years of feeling out of place. "Having the diagnosis for many people retrospectively gives them tremendous relief," Dr. Crino said. "They worry their whole life there's something wrong with them, and the truth is, there isn't. It's just a neurodivergent, neurotypical world in just a very different way. I think it may allow them a little bit of grace and sort of giving themselves some understanding, but also some new strategies." Therapy and resources for ASD Experts say a diagnosis can also unlock access to helpful therapies and resources, from cognitive behavioral therapy to occupational support and workplace accommodations. It may even lead to a stronger sense of identity and self-acceptance. Dr. Crino believes the broader culture is beginning to shift, but said much of the responsibility lies with the world around neurodivergent individuals. "With a world that's, let's face it, designed largely for neurotypical individuals, I think that's gone a long way to help the ASD community feel as though they have a very prevalent and very common way of looking at the world," he said. "And I think the responsibilities, frankly, are going to come on the rest of the world to sort of find ways to integrate better with the neurodivergent community." Adults seeking a diagnosis are encouraged to speak with their primary care provider or contact a local autism center. National organizations, like Autism Speaks, also offer directories to adult ASD assessment specialists.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Infant with rare genetic disorder gets life saving treatment
Vadodara: An infant boy from Panchmahal district got a new lease of life after he was diagnosed with an extremely rare hormonal disorder. The child was suffering from Aldosterone Synthase Deficiency (ASD), specifically the Corticosterone Methyl Oxidase Type II (CMO II), which slows down growth. The baby was presented with symptoms of poor feeding, frequent vomiting and developmental delays when it was five months old. The weight of the baby was 5kg and was not increasing. After observing the baby for some time, the doctors advised the parents to get genetic testing done. The report came in when the boy was seven months old and revealed that he had ASD. The condition affects the body's ability to retain salt and maintain normal blood pressure. Dr Bhargav Patel, a paediatrician at MT Mirani Hospital, which is run by the Sad Vichar Parivar in Godhra, said tests initially showed electrolyte imbalance and low aldosterone levels, prompting further genetic testing. He added that the condition, caused by mutations in the CYP11B2 gene, is so rare that only a handful of cases have been reported worldwide. "In this infant, the Thr185Ile mutation was identified. It is the first such case reported not only in Gujarat but across India, marking a rare genetic discovery," said Patel. He added that the diagnosis was confirmed through Whole Exome Sequencing. Treatment was initiated with fludrocortisone and salt supplementation, which led to visible improvements in just a few weeks. The child will have to keep taking hormones orally for life. "His feeding improved, weight increased and developmental milestones that had stalled began progressing again," said Dr Patel. He emphasized the need for awareness and genetic testing for rare paediatric disorders.
Cision Canada
3 days ago
- Health
- Cision Canada
Metabolon's Untargeted Metabolomics Services Used for Landmark Study Linking a Western Dietary Pattern During Pregnancy to Neurodevelopment Disorders
Metabolomic profiling uncovered how maternal diet and metabolism may contribute to the risk of ADHD and autism in children MORRISVILLE, N.C., May 28, 2025 /CNW/ -- Metabolon, Inc., the global leader in providing metabolomics solutions advancing a wide variety of life science research, diagnostic, therapeutic development, and precision medicine applications, today announced that Metabolon's untargeted metabolomics services were used in a landmark study led by principal investigators Rassmussen, Stokholm, Lasky-Su, and Kelly. The study, published in Nature Metabolism, revealed that blood metabolomic profiling was instrumental in uncovering biological mechanisms linking maternal diet and metabolism to neurodevelopmental disorders and in validating these associations through a consistent metabolic signature observed across multiple independent cohorts. Globally, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects approximately 5–7% of children and adolescents and 2–5% of adults, with variations in prevalence influenced by regional differences in diagnostic practices. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has an estimated global prevalence of about 1–2% (around 1 in 100 children), although some recent studies suggest rates up to 2.3%. Boys are diagnosed with autism roughly four times more frequently than girls. Horner et al. conducted a large-scale analysis involving over 60,000 mother-child pairs, with untargeted blood metabolomic profiling performed on a subset of approximately 1,500 pairs, featuring longitudinal maternal and child sampling, to identify metabolic dietary signatures associated with neurodevelopmental risk. Metabolon's Global Discovery Panel, an untargeted metabolomics platform, was used to generate high-resolution metabolic profiles from maternal plasma during pregnancy and from children at multiple developmental stages. Subanalyses of the child metabolomic data showed that the most pronounced associations with neurodevelopmental outcomes were linked specifically to maternal diet during pregnancy, highlighting the prenatal period as a particularly sensitive window of exposure. The study revealed that consuming a Western diet during pregnancy significantly increased the risk of autism and ADHD in infants and children. Dietary survey data from COPSAC2010, a mother-child cohort based in Denmark, initially showed that moderate dietary shifts toward a Western dietary pattern were associated with increased ADHD risk by 66% and autism by 122%. Encouragingly, even modest improvements away from Western eating habits could meaningfully lower these risks, highlighting practical implications for prenatal nutrition. This Western dietary pattern was externally validated in the U.S.-based VDAART cohort using blood metabolomic modeling aligned with independently assessed food frequency questionnaires. Moreover, the association between this dietary pattern and ADHD risk was replicated across three independent mother-child cohorts, strengthening the inference for ADHD. Metabolomic profiling identified 15 circulating metabolites that significantly mediated the relationship between diet and neurodevelopment, offering insights into potential biological mechanisms. "This study analyzed maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy and evaluated children's mental health at age 10. Using dietary surveys and blood metabolomics, we discovered that a Western dietary pattern in pregnancy was strongly associated with increased risk of ADHD and autism. By comparing metabolomic profiles from mid-pregnancy in the COPSAC cohort with early and late pregnancy samples from the VDAART cohort, we were able to infer that early to mid-pregnancy may represent a particularly sensitive window during which maternal diet can shape child neurodevelopment," said lead author of the study and lead COPSAC researcher Morten Arendt Rassmussen. Co-author and Principal Investigator of the VDAART cohort Jessica Lasky-Su added, "One of the most compelling aspects of this study is that metabolomic profiling was able to identify consistent dietary signals linked to neurodevelopmental risk across cohorts that differ significantly in socioeconomic status, race, and geographic setting. These insights pave the way for targeted nutritional interventions during pregnancy that could potentially reduce the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children across a broad range of populations. The breadth of metabolites captured on the Metabolon platform was instrumental in enabling us to draw these conclusions." "We're extremely pleased to support the international efforts of the COPSAC and VDAART investigative teams led by Morten Arendt Rassmussen, Jakob Stokholm, Jessica Lasky-Su, and Rachel Kelly," said Greg Michelotti, Director of Population Health at Metabolon. "This study shows the power of metabolomics and specifically Metabolon's industry-leading untargeted metabolomics services to elucidate novel insights for caregivers and parents worldwide seeking the healthiest possible outcomes for children." Learn more about this groundbreaking scientific research here. Learn more about Metabolon's untargeted metabolomics services here. About Metabolon Metabolon, Inc. is the global leader in metabolomics, with a mission to deliver biochemical data and insights that expand and accelerate the impact of life sciences research and complement other 'omics' technologies. With more than 20 years, 10,000+ projects, 3,500+ publications, and ISO 9001:2015, CLIA, and CAP certifications, Metabolon has developed industry-leading scientific, technology, and bioinformatics techniques. Metabolon's Global Discovery Panel is powered by the world's largest proprietary metabolomics reference library. Metabolon's industry-leading data and translational science expertise help customers and partners address some of the most challenging and pressing questions in the life sciences, accelerating research and enhancing development success. The company offers scalable, customizable multiomics solutions, including metabolomics and lipidomics, that support customer needs from discovery through clinical trials and product life-cycle management. For more information, please visit and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. About Metabolomics Metabolomics, the large-scale study of all small molecules in a biological system, is the only omics technology that provides a complete current-state functional readout of a biological system. Metabolomics helps researchers see beyond the genetic variation of individuals, capturing the combined impact of genetic and external factors such as the effect of drugs, diet, lifestyle, and the microbiome on human health. By measuring thousands of discrete chemical signals that form biological pathways in the body, metabolomics can reveal important biomarkers, enabling a better understanding of a drug's mechanism of action, pharmacodynamics, and safety profile, as well as individual responses to therapy.
