Medical research explores aquatic plants for cancer prevention and birth order health risks

Researchers at the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin are investigating the chemopreventive properties of aquatic plants found in the lakes of the Łęczyńsko-Włodawskie Lakeland. The team from the Department of Molecular Biology is analyzing extracts from over 20 species to identify substances that may inhibit the mechanisms leading to cancer development before tumor cells form.

Preliminary results indicate that most of the studied extracts show strong biological activity against cancer cells. The research focuses on how these substances affect cell proliferation, oxidative stress, and the cell cycle, specifically looking at signaling pathways involved in oncogenic transformation.

Separately, a study published in the journal Nature suggests that birth order may influence health risks. First-born children show a higher risk for certain conditions compared to younger siblings, including a 26% higher risk of autism, a 20% higher risk of food allergies, a 9% higher risk of hay fever, and a 7% higher risk of ADHD. Additionally, second-born children showed a 19% higher risk of substance use disorders and a 14% higher risk of gastrointestinal issues.