Health — General Information — April 12th, 2024

A third of women found to experience migraines associated with menstruation, most commonly when premenopausal
A third of the nearly 20 million women who participated in a national health survey report migraines during menstruation, and of them, 11.8 million, or 52.5%, were premenopausal. The analysis was conducted by researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center and Pfizer, Inc., which makes a migraine medication.
April 12th, 2024 — Source

As bans spread, fluoride in drinking water divides communities across the US
Regina Barrett, a 69-year-old retiree who lives in this small North Carolina city southeast of Charlotte, has not been happy with her tap water for a while.
April 12th, 2024 — Source

California fails to adequately help blind and deaf prisoners, US judge rules NewsGuard 100/100 Score
Thirty years after prisoners with disabilities sued the state of California and 25 years after a federal court first ordered accommodations, a judge found that state prison and parole officials still are not doing enough to help deaf and blind prisoners — in part because they are not using readily available technology such as video recordings and laptop computers.
April 12th, 2024 — Source

Can media use in adolescents increase the risk of psychotic experiences in early adulthood?
In a recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry, a team of Canadian scientists investigated the association between media use among adolescents and the occurrence of psychotic experiences at the age of 23, using longitudinal data on media use.
April 12th, 2024 — Source

Cell's 'garbage disposal' may have another role: Helping neurons near skin sense the environment
The typical job of the proteasome, the garbage disposal of the cell, is to grind down proteins into smaller bits and recycle some of those bits and parts. That's still the case, for the most part, but, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers, studying nerve cells grown in the lab and mice, say that the proteasome's role may go well beyond that.
April 12th, 2024 — Source

Decoding the language of cells: Profiling the proteins behind cellular organelle communication
In cellular biology, unraveling the complexities of cellular function at the molecular level remains a paramount endeavor. Significant scientific focus has been placed on understanding the interactions at organelle contact sites, especially between mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). These sites are critical hubs for the exchange of essential biomolecules, such as lipids and calcium, which are vital for maintaining cellular homeostasis.
April 12th, 2024 — Source

Inflammation discovery advances the fight against chronic liver disease
In a world-first, QIMR Berghofer scientists have discovered the mechanism that causes severe inflammation among millions of people with chronic liver disease.
April 12th, 2024 — Source

New study probes macrophages' role in developing pulmonary fibrosis
Scientists have long known that white blood cells called macrophages accumulate in the lungs of people suffering from pulmonary fibrosis. What role macrophages play in developing the often fatal lung disease is less clear.
April 12th, 2024 — Source

Pandemic drinking hit middle-aged women hardest, study finds
Middle-aged women experienced increases in alcohol-related health complications during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new research led by a University of Pittsburgh physician-scientist and published today in JAMA Health Forum.
April 12th, 2024 — Source

Research offers insights into facial development at the cellular level
Mother Nature is an artist, but her craft of creating animal faces requires more than a paintbrush and palette. Such highly complex shapes originate from their respective transient neural crest cells.
April 12th, 2024 — Source

Researchers shed light on the molecular causes of different functions of opioid receptors
Thousands of people around the world die every day from overdoses involving opioids such as fentanyl. Drugs that target opioid receptors sometimes have severe side effects. An international team of researchers has taken a closer look at the molecular mechanisms of these active substances. The research, carried out by Dr Matthias Elgeti, a biophysicist at Leipzig University, in collaboration with research groups from the US and China, has now been published in the journal Nature.
April 12th, 2024 — Source

Sleep Divorce: Save Your Sleep and Relationship With One Move
If your partner is the source of your sleep troubles, sleep divorce might be right for you. Here's how to do it.
April 12th, 2024 — Source

Study finds that dopamine projections to the amygdala contribute to encoding identity-specific reward memories
Over the course of their lives, humans build subjective internal models outlining the associations between specific environmental stimuli and rewards that could be gained from interacting with them. These experience-based models allow them to infer what benefits they could gain from acting in specific ways.
April 12th, 2024 — Source

Study reveals potential to reverse lung fibrosis using the body's own healing technique
The most common type of lung fibrosis—scarring of the lungs—is idiopathic, meaning of unknown cause. Researchers are urgently trying to find ways to prevent or slow idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and related lung conditions, which can cause worsening shortness of breath, dry cough, and extreme fatigue. Average survival following diagnosis of IPF is just three to five years, and the disease has no cure.
April 12th, 2024 — Source

Wearable sensors for Parkinson's can improve with machine learning, data from healthy adults
Low-cost, wearable sensors could increase access to care for patients with Parkinson's disease. New machine-learning approaches and a baseline of data from healthy older adults improve the accuracy of the results from such sensors, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers and clinical collaborators found in a new study.
April 12th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — April 11th, 2024

Eye infections might seem like a minor complaint, but in some cases they can cause blindness and even death
When you think of eye infections, what comes to mind? Puffy, swollen bruised feeling eyelids that get glued together with gunk overnight? That feeling of having grit in your eye that can't be cleaned away? Eye infections may seem like a relatively minor—if unsightly and inconvenient—complaint, but they can also be far more serious.
April 11th, 2024 — Source

High rate of death soon after release from jail is avoidable: Researchers call for coordinated whole government response
More than 30 million people worldwide pass through prisons every year, including almost 70,000 in Australia.
April 11th, 2024 — Source

In the drive to deprescribe, heartburn drug study teaches key lessons
Whether it's costs, safety risks, or "pill fatigue" they're trying to reduce, many health systems and clinics have started working on ways to encourage the deprescribing of medications that patients may not need.
April 11th, 2024 — Source

NZ's mental health care is in crisis, but research shows how to shorten wait times and keep staff
New Zealand's youth mental health care continues to experience a rolling crisis with long waiting times for services. There have been calls to expand the mental health workforce and to diversify the range of available services.
April 11th, 2024 — Source

People who use willpower alone to achieve goals, resist temptation, deemed more trustworthy
People who use willpower to overcome temptations and achieve their goals are perceived as more trustworthy than those who use strategies that involve external incentives or deterrents—such as swear jars or internet-blocking apps—according to research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
April 11th, 2024 — Source

Q&A: Can weight loss drugs help in addiction treatment?
In recent years, the popularity of drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy has skyrocketed. While this new class of drugs, called GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs, are approved for use in diabetes and for weight loss, researchers have found that they might help with other conditions too, like cardiovascular disease and addiction. They've made such a splash that the journal Science named GLP-1 drugs the 2023 Breakthrough of the Year.
April 11th, 2024 — Source

Sad music study tests the direct effect hypothesis of 'pleasurable negative emotion'
A new study proposes a novel theory of why listening to sad music can make us feel good.
April 11th, 2024 — Source

Scientists discover groups of spinal cord neurons that allow for brain-independent motor learning
Aya Takeoka at the RIKEN Center for Brain Science (CBS) in Japan and colleagues have discovered the neural circuitry in the spinal cord that allows brain-independent motor learning. Published in Science, the study found two critical groups of spinal cord neurons, one necessary for new adaptive learning, and another for recalling adaptations once they have been learned.
April 11th, 2024 — Source

Study finds alcohol emergency department presentations increasing among older New Zealanders
Findings from a new University of Otago, Christchurch, study suggest alcohol harm is becoming more prevalent among older New Zealanders but less so among youth, with alcohol-related presentations placing a significant but preventable burden on the motu's over-stretched hospital emergency departments.
April 11th, 2024 — Source

Study lays the basis for new perspectives on gastrointestinal diseases
The transition from the esophagus to the stomach is a delicate region from a medical point of view, often associated with pathological disorders leading to cancer. An international research team has now gained new insights into this region that will pave the way for new prevention and treatment options.
April 11th, 2024 — Source

Successful murine model of dermatomyositis reveals underlying immune system involvement
Some diseases involve autoimmune reactions when the body begins to attack its own cells and proteins. The biological mechanisms underlying these diseases are often unknown, making treatment challenging. Now, a group at TMDU has created a murine model for a disease known as "anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis."
April 11th, 2024 — Source

Surgery won't fix my chronic back pain, so what will?
This week's ABC Four Corners episode Pain Factory highlighted that our health system is failing Australians with chronic pain. Patients are receiving costly, ineffective and risky care instead of effective, low-risk treatments for chronic pain.
April 11th, 2024 — Source

Team reports on multifractal detection of the early stages of multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a disease mainly associated with the slowing down of information processing and a lack of motor coordination. It is an incurable disease that leads to degeneration of the central nervous system, manifesting as motor and sensory disturbances.
April 11th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — April 10th, 2024

Improved support needed for PTSD in Welsh prisons, says study
Prisoners with PTSD and C-PTSD (complex post-traumatic stress disorder) in Wales may be falling through gaps in support because of variations in screening and interventions in Welsh prisons, finds new research.
April 10th, 2024 — Source

Navigation software supports kidney research
Chronic inflammatory kidney diseases cause serious illnesses, including complete kidney failure, which must be treated with extensive regular blood washing or kidney transplantation. Most of these diseases manifest themselves through protein excretion in the urine. This is because the millions of small filters in the kidneys, known as glomeruli, are damaged and therefore no longer retain protein.
April 10th, 2024 — Source

Research highlights STON2 variations involved in synaptic dysfunction and schizophrenia-like behaviors
Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder characterized by positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and cognitive deficits, with heritability estimates of approximately 80%. Synaptic dysfunction is a core component of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. However, the genetic risk factors and molecular mechanisms related to synaptic dysfunction are still not fully understood.
April 10th, 2024 — Source

Research team discovers new way to generate human cartilage
University of Montana researchers and their partners have found a new method to generate human cartilage of the head and neck. Mark Grimes, a biology professor in UM's Division of Biological Sciences, said they have induced stem cells to become the cell type that normally makes up human craniofacial cartilage. Stem cells can replicate themselves and also develop into different types of cells.
April 10th, 2024 — Source

Research uncovers differences between the sexes in sleep, circadian rhythms and metabolism
A new review of research evidence has explored the key differences in how women and men sleep, variations in their body clocks, and how this affects their metabolism.
April 10th, 2024 — Source

Researchers find new origin of deep brain waves
University of California, Irvine biomedical engineering researchers have uncovered a previously unknown source of two key brain waves crucial for deep sleep: slow waves and sleep spindles. Traditionally believed to originate from one brain circuit linking the thalamus and cortex, the team's findings, published in Scientific Reports, suggest that the axons in memory centers of the hippocampus play a role.
April 10th, 2024 — Source

Researchers show chemical found naturally in cannabis may reduce anxiety-inducing effects of THC
A Johns Hopkins Medicine-led research team has added to evidence that a chemical found naturally in cannabis (also known as marijuana) can—in the right amounts—lessen the anxiety-inducing effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive sister chemical found in cannabis. The finding has the potential to advance the medicinal use of THC and reduce the risks of its recreational use in some people.
April 10th, 2024 — Source

Revascularization enhances quality of life for patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia
Over 200 million people around the world experience peripheral artery disease (PAD) -- a condition caused by the narrowing of the blood vessels from the heart to the lower limbs that leads to pain when walking -- and for roughly 1-in-10 this advances to chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), an advanced form of PAD.
April 10th, 2024 — Source

Preventive ablation of ventricular tachycardia avoids shocks and hospitalization, finds clinical trial
The first randomized trial to investigate preventive ablation of a potential arrhythmogenic substrate associated with coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) in patients at high risk of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) reduces the risk of appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy and unplanned hospitalization in patients with no previously recorded VAs.
April 10th, 2024 — Source

Study advances understanding of liver immune response in cirrhosis
The Department of Clinical Medicine at the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH) leads research on the immune system's role in advanced chronic liver disease. Through various experiments on mouse cirrhosis models and human tissues, researchers have examined how the protein LSECtin interacts with the liver's immune response.
April 10th, 2024 — Source

The Dangerous Dyes and Other Food Additives States Want to Ban
Following California's lead, more states are trying to keep harmful additives out of our food and our schools
April 10th, 2024 — Source

The surprising ways your siblings and your health may be linked
Anybody who has worn a hand-me-down, shared a bathroom or survived a long car trip with a brother or a sister knows that siblings can affect your life in nearly every way possible.
April 10th, 2024 — Source

Why some people with rheumatoid arthritis have pain without inflammation
Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has come a long way in recent years. In many cases, a battery of medications can now successfully calm the inflammatory cells that cause swelling and pain when they infiltrate tissues around the joints.
April 10th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — April 6th, 2024

Study: Epilepsy patients benefit from structured 'seizure action plans'
A new 16-week study of 204 adult epilepsy patients found that 98% of participants believe that all patients with epilepsy should have a seizure action plan (SAP), regardless of seizure status.
April 6th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — April 5th, 2024

Blast exposure linked to intestinal problems
A study by New York and Rocky Mountain U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs researchers showed blast exposure can cause intestinal permeability, a condition that can lead to gut bacteria entering the bloodstream and causing problems in other parts of the body. The study, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, was the first to show a connection between blasts and intestinal permeability in a real-world operational setting.
April 5th, 2024 — Source

FDA approves first prescription digital therapy for major depression
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the first prescription digital therapeutic authorized for the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) symptoms.
April 5th, 2024 — Source

Radiomics nomograms predict cochlear, vestibular endolymphatic hydrops in meniere disease
Novel radiomics nomograms successfully predict cochlear and vestibular endolymphatic hydrops (EH) in patients with Meniere disease, according to a study published online March 8 in European Radiology.
April 5th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — April 4th, 2024

Chemical regulates light processing differently in the autistic and non-autistic eye, new study finds
King's College London researchers have shown that the brain chemical GABA regulates activity in the retina of the eye in autistic and non-autistic individuals differently. Autistic people have larger responses to single light flashes in the retina of the eye and this new study shows that increasing GABA activity can reduce this response.
April 4th, 2024 — Source

How the Body Reacts to Grief, and What It Can Mean
Fatigue, headaches, stomach pain and a higher risk of heart disease. Although these things may not make you think of grief at first, many people who experience a significant loss have these and other physical symptoms.
April 4th, 2024 — Source

Fans are not a magic bullet for beating the heat, modeling study shows
A new study by researchers at the University of Ottawa throws cold water on the idea that fans can effectively cool you down during extremely hot weather events.
April 4th, 2024 — Source

Frostbite: First aid
Frostbite is when skin and underlying tissues freeze after being exposed to very cold temperatures. It causes a cold feeling followed by numbness. As the frostbite gets worse, the affected skin may change color and become hard or waxy-looking.
April 4th, 2024 — Source

New book challenges the assumption that youth drinking is in decline globally
The harmful use of alcohol causes an estimated 3 million deaths every year, of which a significant proportion occur in the young. While alcohol consumption among youth appears to be decreasing in North America and Europe, a new book by University College Dublin (UCD)'s Dr. Emeka Dumbili challenges the assumption that youth drinking is "in decline" globally.
April 4th, 2024 — Source

New research identifies three distinct multiple sclerosis endophenotypes for personalized treatment
In a transformative study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, an international team of researchers has made a significant breakthrough in the understanding and potential treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS).
April 4th, 2024 — Source

Prairie voles display signs of human-like depression, show promise as animal model
Psychology researchers at The University of Texas at El Paso are making progress towards understanding the biological underpinnings of depression, a leading cause of disability that affects approximately 280 million people around the world.
April 4th, 2024 — Source

Research explores liberalization of medical marijuana and mental health in the US
The approval of marijuana for medical use has had little effect on the mental health of the general population in the US. But legalization for therapeutic purposes does benefit those for whom it is intended. This is the conclusion of a study by researchers at the University of Basel. The research is published in the journal Health Economics, Policy and Law.
April 4th, 2024 — Source

Research offers insight into future understanding of MS and its treatments
The test that was developed using an existing diagnostic procedure as its basis and has the potential to be applied in clinical trials that target the Epstein Barr Virus.
April 4th, 2024 — Source

Scientists discover potential treatment approaches for polycystic kidney disease
Innovative disease modeling and gene editing techniques begin to answer long-standing questions.
April 4th, 2024 — Source

Study finds link between cortisol and social support in couples
Couples feel more understood and cared for when their partners show positive support skills—and it's evidenced by levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body—according to new research from Binghamton University.
April 4th, 2024 — Source

Study reveals that the brain's cerebellum can shape cognition
If you reward a monkey with some juice, it will learn which hand to move in response to a specific visual cue—but only if the cerebellum is functioning properly. So say neuroscientists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Columbia University, who recently published findings in Nature Communications that show the brain region plays a crucial role in reward-based learning.
April 4th, 2024 — Source

The Horrors of TMJ: Chronic Pain, Metal Jaws, and Futile Treatments
Another woman in California, desperate for relief, used a screwdriver to lengthen her jawbone daily, turning screws that protruded from her neck.
April 4th, 2024 — Source or Source

Vaping additives harm a vital membrane in the lungs, researchers find
The health risks associated with the consumption of tobacco and cannabis products are well-established by now. Much less understood are the risks associated with vaping, particularly flavored products popular with young adults.
April 4th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — April 2nd, 2024

Early cortical remyelination has a neuroprotective effect in multiple sclerosis, study shows
Multiple sclerosis is a heterogeneous disease whose manifestations vary considerably from patient to patient and whose course appears, on the surface, unpredictable. Hence, it is crucial to identify the factors that drive disability progression.
April 2nd, 2024 — Source

Exploring the factors that influence people's ability to detect lies online
The internet has given rise to new forms of deceit and misinformation, including phishing attacks, romance scams and fake news. While many psychological studies have investigated the factors that influence people's ability to tell if others are lying in person, lie detection online has seldomly been explored.
April 2nd, 2024 — Source

Increasing positive affect in adolescence could lead to improved health and well-being in adulthood
Adolescents with high positive affect may have improved physical and mental health as adults, according to a study published April 2nd in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine by Eric Kim and Renae Wilkinson from Harvard University, US, and colleagues.
April 2nd, 2024 — Source

Model predicts need for bone marrow sampling in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
A recently developed multivariable model can accurately predict smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) or worse in persons with presumed monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), according to a study published online April 2 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
April 2nd, 2024 — Source

More women are drinking themselves sick: The Biden administration is concerned
When Karla Adkins looked in the rear-view mirror of her car one morning nearly 10 years ago, she noticed the whites of her eyes had turned yellow.
April 2nd, 2024 — Source

Novel compound AC102 restores hearing in preclinical models of sudden hearing loss
A single application of the novel compound AC102 almost completely restores noise-induced hearing loss in preclinical models. This is the key finding of a recent publication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences by the Berlin-based start-up AudioCure Pharma.
April 2nd, 2024 — Source

Q&A: How do you know when you're done with therapy?
Therapy can be a critical tool for taking care of your mental health. Finding the right therapist can take time, but patients can go to therapy for years and still see benefits, which raises the question: When is the right time to stop therapy?
April 2nd, 2024 — Source

Researchers produce grafts that replicate the human ear
Using state-of-the-art tissue engineering techniques and a 3D printer, researchers have assembled a replica of an adult human ear that looks and feels natural. The study offers the promise of grafts with well-defined anatomy and the correct biomechanical properties for those who are born with a congenital malformation or who lose an ear later in life.
April 2nd, 2024 — Source

Scientists reveal adipocytes' metabolic role and identify treatment targets
Recent research underscores the critical role of adipocytes in storing fat, vital for organismal survival. Dysfunctional adipocytes can lead to metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease, highlighting the importance of understanding lipid storage mechanisms.
April 2nd, 2024 — Source

Wound treatment hydrogel infused with amino acid kills bacteria naturally and promotes cell growth
Hydrogels are popular for use in skin ailments and tissue engineering. These polymer-based biocompatible materials are useful for their abilities to retain water, deliver drugs into wounds, and biodegrade. However, they are complicated to manufacture and not very resilient to external forces like rubbing against clothing, sheets, or wound dressings.
April 2nd, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — March 29th, 2024

An infamous 'inflammasome'—a rogue protein complex—appears to underlie a rare and disabling autoimmune disorder
Autoimmune diseases are among the most puzzling because turncoat constituents of the body wage a constant state of war. Sometimes the underlying cause of an autoimmune condition is so obscure—hidden within chemical miscues of the body—that a long investigatory search must be mounted to sleuth out a cause.
March 29th, 2024 — Source

Elevated liver enzymes
Elevated liver enzymes often are a sign of inflamed or damaged cells in the liver. Inflamed or injured liver cells leak higher levels of certain chemicals into the bloodstream. These chemicals include liver enzymes that may appear higher than usual on blood tests.
March 29th, 2024 — Source

Having a ruff day? Study says spending time with dogs can help
In a recent study published in PLoS ONE, researchers examined how interacting with dogs affects the emotions and psychophysiology of humans using an electroencephalogram (EEG).
March 29th, 2024 — Source

How blocking a neural receptor responsible for addiction could reduce alcohol use
Scripps Research scientists have found that LY2444296—a compound that selectively blocks the kappa opioid receptor (KOP)—may reduce drinking in cases of alcohol dependence in animal studies. The findings, which were published in Scientific Reports, could eventually inform new treatment options for people who experience alcohol use disorder (AUD).
March 29th, 2024 — Source

How music choices can affect productivity
Human brain states are unobserved states that can constantly change due to internal and external factors, including cognitive arousal, a.k.a. intensity of emotion, and cognitive performance states. Maintaining a proper level of cognitive arousal may result in being more productive throughout daily cognitive activities.
March 29th, 2024 — Source

Modesty and boastfulness: Study shows perception depends on usual performance
When people present themselves as capable or humble, the way this influences other people's evaluations of one's true ability and character depends on one's usual performance. Kobe University and University of Sussex researchers thus add an important factor in our understanding of how the relationship between self-presentation and perception develops with age.
March 29th, 2024 — Source

Multiple biomaterials for immediate implant placement tissue repair: Current status and future perspectives
A study published in the journal MedComm -- Biomaterials and Applications, led by Dr. Xiaojing Wang from the Department of Oral Implantology at The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, focuses on addressing tooth loss, a prevalent dental condition linked to accidents, decay, periodontal disease, and congenital deficiencies.
March 29th, 2024 — Source

New synapse type discovered through spatial proteomics
Researchers have developed a new super-resolution high-throughput imaging method. Using the new technique, the scientists were able to create a 3D neuronal cell atlas with single-molecule resolution and discovered a previously unknown type of synapse. The results of the study were published in the journal Cell.
March 29th, 2024 — Source

Prescribing alcohol use disorder medications upon discharge from alcohol-related hospitalizations works
For adults hospitalized for alcohol-related reasons, receiving a prescription for an alcohol use disorder (AUD) medication at the time of discharge may lower their risk of returning to the hospital within 30 days of discharge, including emergency room visits and readmissions.
March 29th, 2024 — Source

Professor discusses what's new in concussion treatment and management
There have been significant changes in the last few years in how concussions are identified and treated. Steven Broglio, director of the Michigan Concussion Center and professor at the U-M School of Kinesiology, can discuss.
March 29th, 2024 — Source

Social workers debunk the myths about how they help patients heal
Working side by side with physicians and nurses, social workers are instrumental in supporting patients, families, and communities. Research has found that social workers can help reduce emergency room visits, length of hospital stays, and hospital readmission rates.
March 29th, 2024 — Source

Student-athletes with self-reported autism more likely to score low on common concussion test
Schools and colleges across the country rely on Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) evaluations to assess and manage student-athlete concussions on the sidelines. However, this FDA-cleared tool is not recommended for student-athletes with neurodevelopmental disorders, who often score significantly lower than neurotypical individuals.
March 29th, 2024 — Source

Study finds increase in suicides among Black and Latino Chicagoans
When Asst. Prof. Janelle Goodwill first arrived in Chicago in 2020, she saw several news stories about gun violence in the city. But she also realized that many researchers had not yet explored a related, concerning trend. Suicides—particularly in Black communities—were increasing.
March 29th, 2024 — Source

Study reveals strong bidirectional relationship between perinatal depression and premenstrual disorders
Women affected by premenstrual disorders have a higher risk of perinatal depression compared with those who do not, according to research published March ²⁸th in the open access journal PLOS Medicine. The relationship works both ways: those with perinatal depression are also more likely to develop premenstrual disorders after pregnancy and childbirth.
March 29th, 2024 — Source

Steady rise in US suicides among adolescents, teens
U.S. rates of suicide by all methods rose steadily for adolescents between 1999 and 2020, a new analysis shows.
March 29th, 2024 — Source

Veterans help provide greater insight into Klinefelter and Jacobs syndromes
Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and collaborators across the country have conducted the largest and most diverse study of men with extra X or Y chromosomes in the US using a large dataset of military veterans.
March 29th, 2024 — Source

Women's skin study shows distinct chemical changes in response to psychological stress
In a recent study published in Scientific Reports, researchers investigated the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) generated by the skin in response to psychological stress.
March 29th, 2024 — Source or Source

Health — General Information — March 28th, 2024

Assistance dogs may detect PTSD flashbacks via breath NewsGuard 100/100 Score
Dogs' sensitive noses can detect the early warning signs of many potentially dangerous medical situations, like an impending seizure or sudden hypoglycemia. Now, scientists have found evidence that assistance dogs might even be able to sniff out an oncoming PTSD flashback, by teaching two dogs to alert to the breath of people who have been reminded of traumas.
March 28th, 2024 — Source

Attitudes to adulthood are shifting as traditional milestones become out of reach, new study finds
According to the study, people aged 18--30 have the most negative attitudes towards adulthood, which could be due to them spending their early adult years struggling to "get ahead" amid the challenges of a pandemic and cost of living crisis.
March 28th, 2024 — Source

Insomnia symptoms may predict subsequent drinking in adults
People with symptoms of insomnia may be likely to increase their drinking over time, according to a study published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research.
March 28th, 2024 — Source

Is eye movement in autism tied to facial recognition?
Some teenagers with autism use a different set of eye-movement patterns from their non-autistic counterparts while recognizing faces, according to James McPartland, Ph.D., Harris Professor in the Yale Child Study Center (YCSC) and a director of the Center for Brain and Mind Health at Yale School of Medicine; and Jason Griffin, Ph.D., the Hilibrand Postdoctoral Fellow at YCSC. Eye movements are part of the process of telling people apart and could provide information to clinicians about how people with autism process social information differently from non-autistic persons.
March 28th, 2024 — Source

For healthy spring cleaning, think NEAT (and dust carefully), says heart specialist
As traditions go, spring cleaning probably doesn't bring the thrills that come from watching a college basketball tournament, taking a break at the beach or spying the first robins outside your window.
March 28th, 2024 — Source

Japan drugmaker reports two more deaths in supplement scare
A Japanese drugmaker whose dietary supplements are at the center of a growing health scare reported on Thursday two more deaths potentially related to its tablets.
March 28th, 2024 — Source

More than 70% of B.C. inmates with substance use disorders are reincarcerated, finds study
Former prisoners with substance use and co-occurring disorders are at an alarmingly high risk of reincarceration, according to a new Simon Fraser University-led study.
March 28th, 2024 — Source

Parental avoidance of toxic exposures could help reduce risk of autism, ADHD in children, observational study suggests
Autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be preventable if parents avoid toxic exposures and adopt interventions such as environmental house calls, according to a study, published in Journal of Xenobiotics, led by researchers from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio).
March 28th, 2024 — Source

Preparing for an allergic reaction
Allergic reactions can range from irritating sneezing fits to life-threatening episodes. An allergy specialist with Baylor College of Medicine gives tips for preparing yourself and loved ones for allergic reactions.
March 28th, 2024 — Source

Protection racket or fair medical model? Why the AFL's illicit drugs policy is a necessary duty of care
Earlier this week, independent MP Andrew Wilkie accused the AFL of conducting "off the books" illicit drug testing to identify players using substances of abuse, then inappropriately withdrawing them from matches under false pretenses.
March 28th, 2024 — Source

Social media use may help to empower plastic surgery patients
For patients considering or undergoing plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS) procedures, using social media to gather information and answer questions can enhance patient empowerment—potentially leading to increased autonomy and better decision-making, reports a study in the April issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
March 28th, 2024 — Source

Synaptic protein change during development offers clues on evolution and disease
The first analysis of how synaptic proteins change during early development reveals differences between mice and marmosets, and also what's different in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. The Kobe University findings offer first insights into the mechanism behind synaptic development and open up routes for research on possible treatments.
March 28th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — March 27th, 2024

A new surgical technique enables smiling in patients with facial paralysis
A new study describes a novel surgical technique used to treat Moebius syndrome, a rare congenital condition leading to the inability to smile, oral incompetence, and a significant impact on social engagement. The study is published in Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

A promising discovery in a rare neurodegenerative disease
Imagine being middle aged and starting to feel that you are off balance a lot and that you are having a hard time coordinating your movements. Those are among the symptoms of Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6, known as SCA6, a rare neurodegenerative disease that typically appears in adulthood and worsens over time.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

ADHD medication proves most effective in treating symptoms, new study finds
In a recent review article published in Pediatricse, researchers provided a comprehensive overview of treatment options available for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for children and adolescent individuals.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

ADHD stimulants may increase risk of heart damage in young adults
Young adults who were prescribed stimulant medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were significantly more likely to develop cardiomyopathy (weakened heart muscle) compared with those who were not prescribed stimulants, according to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

Can aspirin make your breathing worse?
Spring allergies feel bad enough for people with nasal congestion and asthma symptoms. But imagine if aspirin is the culprit that makes everything feel worse and you didn't know it. For some people with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), also known as Samter's triad, it can be a challenging and long road to diagnosis.
March 27th, 2024 — Source or Source

Filters reduce arsenic levels by nearly 50% in Native American study participants with well water
A community-led water-testing project made up of households relying on private well water with high arsenic levels saw on average a 47% drop in participants' urinary arsenic levels after filters were installed and a digital health program was implemented, according to a new study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

Fractures (broken bones)
A fracture is a broken bone. It needs medical care. If the broken bone is the result of major trauma or injury, call 911 or your local emergency number.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

Investigating the loss of musical ability
Amusia is a severe musical disorder affecting both the perception and production of music. It may be either congenital, hereditary tone deafness, or acquired, that is, a condition caused by brain damage. Although amusia has been known in neurology since the late 19th century, the neural basis and mechanisms of music processing and associated disorders are not yet fully understood.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

Knees stiff with arthritis? Company studies whether fat injections can improve motion
A Louisville, Colorado, company is studying whether cells taken from patients' fat could reduce knee pain and improve motion in people with arthritis.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

Liver fibrosis, non-parenchymal cells and the promise of exosome therapy
Liver disease is a major health concern, causing millions of deaths worldwide each year. One serious complication is liver fibrosis, scarring that can lead to liver failure. There is currently no effective treatment, but new research suggests promise for exosomes, tiny sacs released by cells.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

Measuring emotional 'emptiness' could help manage this potentially life-threatening experience
Imagine a hollowness deep in your chest, a vacant space where feelings should be. Imagine being numb and devoid of all emotion, happy or sad—with any sensations simply passing right through you. You are watching the world go by from behind a screen—so disconnected that you feel a million miles away from people you care about the most.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

Micro-massaging—'artificial muscles' help fractured leg bones heal better
Orthopedic implants are used to fixate the bone fragments of fractures. Novel smart implants are now being developed that can continuously monitor and actively promote bone healing—by, for example, micro-massaging the fracture site. This innovative medical technology is currently under development at Saarland University by an interdisciplinary team of medical specialists, engineers, and computer scientists.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

'Noisy' autistic brains seem better at certain tasks. Here's why neuroaffirmative research matters
Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference associated with specific experiences and characteristics.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

New Planned Parenthood leader says real issue is fairness, health equity
Ruth Richardson waited near the Iowa capitol's grand staircase, just outside the limelight. At the podium nearby, abortion-rights supporters railed against the state's conservative swing on abortion following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, calling Republican bills "nonsense," "pseudoscientific" and "speaking for the extreme." Richardson glanced at her speech and its somewhat different message.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

People with depression see no immediate change from common GP assessment, study shows
A commonly used questionnaire adopted by GPs to monitor the treatment of depression does not provide any immediate benefits to patients, a new study has found.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

Research uncovers the neural pathways for primate reciprocity, social support, and empathy
Social interaction is key to survival and reproductive success in primates, including humans. Optimizing outcomes from these encounters requires a calculated approach to cooperation and competition—knowing whom to trust, whom to avoid, or whom to confront confers an evolutionary advantage.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

Sleeping Positions: What They Are and How They Affect Your Health
Learn what type of mattresses and pillows are best for you, whether you're a side, stomach, back or combination sleeper.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

Spot-on laser treatment for skin blemishes becoming clearer with new index
Many people bothered by skin blemishes might turn to laser treatment. To improve efficacy and reduce complications from such laser treatment, an Osaka Metropolitan University-led research group has developed an index of the threshold energy density, known as fluence, and the dependent wavelength for picosecond lasers. The work was published in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

Study of different autism types finds shared mechanism that may respond to drugs
An analysis of how brains with different forms of autism develop has revealed common underlying mechanisms that may respond to existing medications.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

Understanding the psychology of what lies behind irrational opinions
Most people, at one time or another, act foolishly. However, truly ignorant individuals exhibit a lack of introspection and stubbornly cling to their opinions, regardless of how irrational they may be. These people demonstrate unwavering self-assurance and are often oblivious to their own inadequacies. They craft retrospective justifications to validate their beliefs and hold onto them.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

Want to quit vaping? There's an app for that
More Australians than ever are vaping, according to recently released data.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

Why some types of music make people want to dance more than others
A trio of neuroscientists at Aix Marseille Universite in France, working with a psychologist colleague from the University of Connecticut in the U.S., has discovered what they believe to be the mechanism in the brain that controls the desire to dance prompted by music. In their study, published in Science Advances, the group conducted three separate types of studies to explore the brain's reaction to music and a subsequent desire to dance.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — March 25th, 2024

Crackdown on illicit drugs detects rise in 'designer' drug substitutes
As authorities crack down on illicit drugs, University of South Australia experts have issued an alert on the use of the synthetic stimulant pentylone, as new research finds a 75% increase in detections across Australia.
March 25th, 2024 — Source

Early intervention after the first seizure may prevent long-term epilepsy and associated cognitive deficits
Only a very small percentage of neurons show changes after an epileptic seizure in mice, but these alterations can be permanent and trigger future seizures. An experimental treatment may prevent these long-term changes.
March 25th, 2024 — Source

Greener streets linked to better sleep
Living on a greener street or having views of blue spaces from your home will help you sleep for longer.
March 25th, 2024 — Source

High neighborhood eviction rate may harm Black moms' mental health
Living in a neighborhood with high eviction rates over time is associated with higher rates of psychological distress among pregnant Black women compared to those who live in areas with lower eviction rates, a new study has found.
March 25th, 2024 — Source

Immune responses in mesenteric lymph nodes improve understanding of Crohn's disease NewsGuard 100/100 Score
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that is sometimes insufficiently controlled by immunosuppressive therapies with a subsequent need for surgical removal of affected bowel segments. By analyzing draining mesenteric lymph nodes of affected small intestinal segments of patients who had required surgery, a research team led by Lukas Unger from MedUni Vienna identified immune responses that improve our understanding of the disease.
March 25th, 2024 — Source

New compound shows promise as a more effective treatment for schistosomiasis
A newly developed compound is showing promise in animal studies as a more effective treatment for human schistosomiasis, an understudied tropical disease caused by parasitic worms. The spread of schistosomiasis, a disease responsible for nearly 12,000 deaths globally each year, has been documented in 78 nations.
March 25th, 2024 — Source

New evidence-based guideline for the management of osteoporosis in men
Worldwide, it is estimated that one in five men over the age of 50 years will experience an osteoporotic fracture in their remaining lifetime, and the number of hip fractures in men is expected to rise by approximately 310% between 1990 and 2050. Despite its great burden among older men, osteoporosis is still often viewed as a 'woman's' disease, and underdiagnosis and undertreatment of the condition in men are even more prevalent than in women.
March 25th, 2024 — Source

Prolonged inactivity affects cholesteryl esters differently depending on age
A new study examining cholesteryl esters suggests that periods of prolonged inactivity may affect people differently depending on their age. Cholesteryl esters -; which consist of cholesterol molecules bonded with fatty acids -; store and transport cholesterol throughout the body.
March 25th, 2024 — Source

Study shows heat mitigation improves worker safety and the bottom line
Climate change is a major factor in laborer safety. A new study from UConn's Korey Stringer Institute shows how heat mitigation can help keep workers safe and productive.
March 25th, 2024 — Source

Water allergy: A debilitating but thankfully rare condition
In the realm of medical anomalies, few conditions captivate curiosity and concern quite like aquagenic urticaria, commonly known as "water allergy".
March 25th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — March 22nd, 2024

2008 to 2020 saw increase in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders
Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) increased among privately insured people from 2008 to 2020, according to a study published online March 20 in Health Affairs.
March 22nd, 2024 — Source

ADHD medications linked to reduction in psychiatric hospitalizations
For adolescents and adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the use of ADHD medications is associated with fewer psychiatric and nonpsychiatric hospitalizations, according to a study published online March 20 in JAMA Network Open.
March 22nd, 2024 — Source

AI-based conversational agents show promise in young people's mental health interventions
In a recent review published in npj Digital Medicine, researchers examined the current state of research into fully automated conversational agents (CAs)-mediated interventions for the emotional component of mental health among young individuals.
March 22nd, 2024 — Source

Allergy season arrived early in US. Here's how to keep pollen from ruining your spring
Allergy season is here—and it's earlier and stronger than expected. More than 80 million Americans deal with itchy eyes, runny nose and other symptoms of seasonal allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
March 22nd, 2024 — Source

Body dysmorphia affects many teens, especially girls
Many teens—especially girls—are affected by body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a condition in which they become obsessed with perceived flaws in their personal appearance, a new study shows.
March 22nd, 2024 — Source

Intervention after first seizure may prevent long-term epilepsy
Only a very small percentage of neurons show changes after an epileptic seizure in mice, but these alterations can be permanent and trigger future seizures that can affect the whole brain and lead to impaired cognition, like memory and learning, according to new research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
March 22nd, 2024 — Source

Multicomponent intervention aids quality of life with overactive bladder
A multicomponent intervention improves health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for women with moderate-to-severe overactive bladder, according to a study published online March 13 in JAMA Network Open.
March 22nd, 2024 — Source

New study reveals preventable-suicide risk profiles
Individuals with physical health concerns made up the largest and fastest growing of five subgroups of individuals who died by suicide in the United States over roughly twenty years, according to an analysis led by Weill Cornell Medicine in collaboration with Columbia University, UC Berkeley School of Public Health, the University of Hong Kong and University of Kentucky investigators.
March 22nd, 2024 — Source

Scientists pinpoint anorexia's neurologic origins
Anorexia nervosa, a mental health disorder in which people dangerously restrict their eating or purge their stomachs soon after a meal, is one of the deadliest psychological diseases.
March 22nd, 2024 — Source

Scientists provide novel insights into the effects of alternate day fasting on atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is the major contributor to cardiovascular mortality worldwide. Diet-induced metabolic abnormalities including obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance (IR), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are considered atherogenic risk factors.
March 22nd, 2024 — Source

Study shows that US and other countries can do more to improve quality of life for people with Down syndrome
A new study led by investigators from Massachusetts General Hospital assesses for the first time the quality of daily life for people with Down syndrome (DS) in 50 countries around the world.
March 22nd, 2024 — Source

Study suggests treating anxiety and depression significantly reduces ER visits and rehospitalizations among heart disease patients
Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a major cause of illness and death in developed countries. While advanced technology has boosted survival and rehabilitation odds, not much is known about the impact of anxiety or depression on the eventual outcomes. The prevalence of heart failure (HF) is predicted to increase by half in 2030. This will mean that eight million adults with HF, with almost $31 billion being required to treat them.
March 22nd, 2024 — Source

Survey assesses perspectives on patient image use in dermatology
Most patients report an increase in trust in the quality of their medical care if asked for permission to use their images for research or education, according to a research letter published online March 13 in JAMA Dermatology.
March 22nd, 2024 — Source

Systemic inflammation increases risk for chronic kidney disease
Systemic inflammation is associated with an elevated risk for chronic kidney disease, according to a study published online Feb. 20 in Frontiers in Immunology.
March 22nd, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — March 20th, 2024

ALG6 acts as a modifier gene in the inherited genetic eye disease retinitis pigmentosa 59
Modifier genes add complexity to precision medicine. A modifier gene is one that has genetic variants such as single nucleotide changes that differ from the most common sequence in the population. These variants do not cause disease by themselves, but can lessen or exacerbate a different genetic disease phenotype by unknown mechanisms.
March 20th, 2024 — Source

Are you one of the millions about to have cataract surgery? Here's what ophthalmologists say you need to know
Cataract surgery is one of the most popular and commonly performed procedures in the world. The vast majority of patients have excellent outcomes with few complications.
March 20th, 2024 — Source

Dermatology researchers create new tool to measure hyperpigmentation
There are currently no globally accepted methods for analyzing hyperpigmentation, a condition in which patches of skin are darker than the surrounding skin on the body. While one popular scale exists, it is specific to facial hyperpigmentation related to acne.
March 20th, 2024 — Source

Drinking water in US prisons may have dangerously high levels of PFAS
As calls increase for better water quality monitoring and mitigation in rural and economically disadvantaged communities, emerging research adds prisons, jails and detention centers to the areas of concern. A new paper published in the American Journal of Public Health finds that 47% of America's carceral facilities are in a watershed likely contaminated with "forever chemicals" known as PFAS.
March 20th, 2024 — Source

Exploring the use of body-worn cameras in mental health care settings
Findings from a study led by researchers at the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care have identified four key themes relating to the implementation and ethical use of body-worn cameras in mental health care settings.
March 20th, 2024 — Source

Fear may lead women and men to make different decisions when choosing short-vs-long-term rewards, finds study
Fear may affect women's decisions in choosing immediate rewards versus larger delayed ones, while men's decisions appear unaffected by emotion, according to a study published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Eleonora Fiorenzato, Patrizia Bisiacchi, and Giorgia Cona from the University of Padua, Italy.
March 20th, 2024 — Source

Fiber, genes and the gut microbiome: Study reveals possible triggers for inflammatory bowel disease
Abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss—these and the other symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be disruptive and debilitating. And while scientists have figured out that IBD has a genetic component, not everyone with a family history develops the disease. To date, the environmental triggers for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, known together as IBD, remain largely unknown.
March 20th, 2024 — Source

FoxO6-mediated ApoC3 upregulation promotes hepatic steatosis and hyperlipidemia in HFD aged rats: Study
A new research paper titled "FoxO6-mediated ApoC3 upregulation promotes hepatic steatosis and hyperlipidemia in aged rats fed a high-fat diet" has been published in Aging.
March 20th, 2024 — Source

Inflammation-reducing drug shows no benefit for dry age-related macular degeneration in NIH trial
The drug minocycline, an antibiotic that also decreases inflammation, failed to slow vision loss or expansion of geographic atrophy in people with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a phase II clinical study at the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health.
March 20th, 2024 — Source or Source

More evidence needed to understand consumer behavior around no- and low-alcoholic drinks
There is not yet enough data on consumer behavior around no-and-low-alcoholic (NOLO) drinks to position them as the "healthy" alternative to alcoholic beverages, say researchers.
March 20th, 2024 — Source

Neurosurgeon explains the difference in brain aneurysms
Each year, nearly half a million people worldwide die from brain aneurysms. In the U.S., an estimated 6.7 million people have an unruptured brain aneurysm, which means about 1 in 50 people might have one.
March 20th, 2024 — Source

New study reveals how the brain orchestrates motions in partnership with sensory cues from the body
Motor neurons are the cells the brain uses to command muscles to act. Scientists typically thought of them as simple connections, much like the cables that link computers with their accessories. Now, in fly studies, researchers at Columbia's Zuckerman Institute have discovered that single motor neurons can each direct an insect's body to move in far more complex ways than previously thought.
March 20th, 2024 — Source

Study highlights causal associations between gut microbes and hypothyroidism NewsGuard 100/100 Score
In a recent study published in Frontiers in Nutrition, researchers explored the association between the microbial community of the gut and hypothyroidism.
March 20th, 2024 — Source

Treating anxiety, depression in people with heart disease reduced ER visits, hospitalizations
Treating anxiety and depression reduced emergency room visits and rehospitalizations among people with heart disease, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
March 20th, 2024 — Source

Reorganization of prefrontal cortex circuitry during adolescence enables cognitive maturation of mice
Neuroscientists have been trying for decades to understand how the brains of humans and other animals develop throughout the lifespan. While their work has gathered much insight into brain maturation and development, many questions remain unanswered.
March 20th, 2024 — Source

Researchers report on the effectiveness of skin biopsy to detect Parkinson's and related neurodegenerative diseases
In a paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), neurologists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) showed that a simple skin biopsy test detects an abnormal form of alpha-synuclein, the pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease and the subgroup of neurodegenerative disorders known as synucleinopathies, at high positivity rates.
March 20th, 2024 — Source

Survey finds autism acceptance varies across countries
Societal acceptance of autism varies considerably across different countries, with lowest levels of acceptance found in Japan and Belgium, new research shows.
March 20th, 2024 — Source

The science of stress transmission
The transmission of physiological states in the collective is a robust phenomenon that can be observed in humans and animals. Stress is a natural response most often caused by a potential threat to one's physical or psychological integrity.
March 20th, 2024 — Source

To vape or not to vape: When an e-cigarette tax has an impact
E-cigarettes have become a big concern for public health, especially when it comes to young people using these harmful products. The U.S. government has considered a tax on vaping products to discourage people, especially underage users, from vaping. A new study from the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business aims to determine how much of an impact a tax might have by analyzing behavior on a social media platform.
March 20th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — March 18th, 2024

A new approach to treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are neurodegenerative diseases that commonly occur in middle-aged people. FTD is second only to Alzheimer's disease in terms of dementia prevalence. Both ALS and FTD arise from neuronal degeneration through mechanisms that remain unclear.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Amid Mental Health Staffing Crunch, Medi-Cal Patients Help One Another
Three people gathered in a classroom on a recent rainy afternoon listened intently as Derrick Cordero urged them to turn their negative feelings around.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Breathe, don't vent: Turning down the heat is key to managing anger, study suggests
Venting about a source of anger might feel good in the moment, but it's not effective at reducing the rage, new research suggests.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Clinical trial shows subcutaneous infusion pump safe, effective for Parkinson's treatment
An international, multisite Phase III trial, co-led by a University of Cincinnati researcher, has found that a Parkinson's disease medication delivered through an infusion pump is safe and effective at reducing symptoms for longer periods of time.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Do you have an ear for languages? It may be related to how you perceive the rhythms
A test that shows how good or bad we are at perceiving the rhythm of language can predict the ability to acquire language. The test results may also help us understand individual differences in brain biology.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Elon Musk's brain implant company offers an intriguing glimpse of an internet connecting human minds
Elon Musk's company called Neuralink, launched in 2016, aims to implant a piece of technology in people's brains that would allow them to control a computer or phone by thought alone. This is otherwise known as a brain-computer interface.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Implantable sensor could lead to timelier Crohn's treatment
A team of Northwestern University scientists has developed the first wireless, implantable temperature sensor to detect inflammatory flareups in patients with Crohn's disease. The approach offers long-term, real-time monitoring and could enable clinicians to act earlier to prevent or limit the permanent damage caused by inflammatory episodes.
March 18th, 2024 — Source or Source

Keeping score: Novel method might help differentiate two serious skin diseases
Your skin becomes red and spots filled with pus appear, so you visit a dermatologist. When these symptoms spread to the skin throughout the body, it is difficult for the physician to distinguish whether it is generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) or acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), as both have similar symptoms.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Low-level laser therapy offers immediate pain relief for Burning Mouth Syndrome patients
New study suggests that low-level laser therapy (PBM) offers immediate pain relief for Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) patients. Over 10 weeks, 30 participants experienced a significant drop in pain scores after each treatment. While efficacy decreased in the following week, a cumulative effect was observed, especially up to the third treatment. The findings highlight the potential of PBM as a promising treatment for BMS, despite some nuances in its effectiveness.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Scientists reveal chemical structural analysis in neural computations that allow us to identify odors
Scents, such as coffee, flowers, or freshly baked pumpkin pie, are created by odor molecules released by various substances and detected by our noses. In essence, we are smelling molecules, the basic unit of a substance that retains its physical and chemical properties.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Study finds middle-aged Americans are lonelier than European counterparts
Middle-aged adults in the U.S. tend to report significantly higher levels of loneliness than their European counterparts, possibly due in part to weaker family ties and greater income inequality, according to research published in the journal American Psychologist.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Middle-aged adults in the U.S. experience higher levels of loneliness than European counterparts
Middle-aged adults in the U.S. tend to report significantly higher levels of loneliness than their European counterparts, possibly due in part to weaker family ties and greater income inequality, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

NIH studies find severe symptoms of "Havana Syndrome," but no evidence of MRI-detectable brain injury or biological abnormalities
Compared to healthy volunteers, affected U.S. government personnel did not exhibit differences that would explain symptoms.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

New study reveals key differences in Parkinson's disease progression using real-world data NewsGuard 100/100 Score
In a recent study published in npj Parkinson's disease, researchers evaluated the differences in the progression of Parkinson's disease (PD) between real-world and research populations.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

One million adults smoke menthol-flavored cigarettes in Britain despite ban: Study
One in seven adults who smoke in Great Britain report using menthol-flavored cigarettes despite UK legislation that aimed to curb their use, according to a new study by UCL (University College London) researchers.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Researchers find branched chain amino acid supplementation may aid in concussion recovery
In the first clinical trial of a targeted pharmacologic therapeutic for mild traumatic brain injury in pediatric patients, scientists from the Minds Matter Concussion Frontier Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have found preliminary evidence that adolescents and young adults with concussion who take a specific formulation of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplements after injury experience faster symptom reduction and return to physical activity.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Single mindfulness and compassion session found to aid mental health
A single-session mindfulness and compassion intervention may lead to meaningful reductions in perceived stress and symptoms of anxiety and depression, according to a study published online in PLOS ONE.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Spleen stiffness measurement could revolutionize the diagnosis and management of portal hypertension NewsGuard 100/100 Score
Portal hypertension (PHT) is a severe complication of chronic liver disease, like cirrhosis, where increased pressure builds up in the portal vein. This major blood vessel drains blood from the intestines, spleen, and stomach to the liver. This can lead to life-threatening complications such as internal bleeding and liver failure.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Tapeworm larvae found in man's brain—how did they get there?
We have all found ourselves in a place we would rather not be, a school reunion, the never-ending work meeting or a distant relative's wedding reception. In such situations, it is often a good option to make the best of it. Well, this isn't just the case for people, it is also an occurrence in the world of parasites—those lifeforms that live in and on us. This was the case for Taenia solium, or pig tapeworm which found itself in an unlikely place.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Transcriptomic analysis of rat brain response to alternating current electrical stimulation
A new study appearing in MedComm has been led by Dr. Qian Liu and Dr. Yan Wang (Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences). The team presents the initial single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) profiles of rat cortex, hippocampus, and thalamus subjected to intracranial alternating current stimulation (iACS) at 40 Hz.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Trials shows bimekizumab response durable at four years for moderate-to-severe psoriasis
Patients with psoriasis treated with bimekizumab rapidly achieve high levels of clinical and health-related quality-of-life responses that are durable at four years, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, held from March 8 to 12 in San Diego.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — March 15th, 2024

Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch
The biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch procedure begins with the surgeon removing a large part of the stomach. This is called a sleeve gastrectomy. The valve that releases food into the small intestine is left, along with the first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum. The surgeon then closes off the middle section of the intestine and attaches the last part directly to the duodenum.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Brain stimulation shows promise in treating drug addiction
Today, neurostimulation is used to treat a variety of human disorders, including Parkinson's disease, tremor, obsessive-compulsive disorder and Tourette syndrome. A Mayo Clinic neurosurgeon and his colleagues believe one form of that treatment, called deep brain stimulation (DBS), is poised to solve one of the greatest public health challenges: drug addiction.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Could ADHD drugs reduce the risk of early death? Unpacking the findings from a new Swedish study
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can have a considerable impact on the day-to-day functioning and overall well-being of people affected. It causes a variety of symptoms including difficulty focusing, impulsivity and hyperactivity.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Economic hard times make Swedes cut back on drinking
A slumping economy gave Swedes less to cheer about last year as alcohol consumption fell the most in nearly a decade in the Nordic country, excluding the 2020 pandemic, research showed Friday.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Longitudinal gut fungal alterations and potential fungal biomarkers for the progression of primary liver disease
Science China Life Sciences has reported on the research results of Lanjuan Li's team from Zhejiang University. Recent advances in microbiome research have revealed complex changes in gut microecology across various disease states, highlighting their profound impact on disease progression.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

MRI may predict who'll respond best to schizophrenia treatment
Specialized brain scans may accurately predict whether a psychotic patient will go on to develop treatment-resistant schizophrenia, Dutch researchers report.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Newly discovered receptor influences gut development in fruit flies
Adhesion GPCRs are a group of G protein-coupled receptors associated with many bodily functions and diseases in humans. Scientists at Leipzig University have discovered a new receptor—which they have named "mayo"—and found that it influences the development of the small intestine and heart function in fruit flies, and that these phenomena may also be relevant in humans.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Rheumatology workforce increased 20 percent from 2009 to 2019
The overall number of clinically active rheumatology providers grew more than 20 percent during the last decade, according to a study published online Feb. 25 in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Scientists demonstrate how individual differences in 'whole-brain' activity are generated in roundworms
Joint research led by Yu Toyoshima and Yuichi Iino of the University of Tokyo has demonstrated individual differences in, and successfully extracted commonalities from, the whole-brain activity of roundworms. The researchers also found that computer simulations based on the whole-brain activity of roundworms more accurately reflect real-brain activity when they include so-called "noise," or probabilistic elements. The findings were published in the journal PLOS Computational Biology.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Study of fatal and nonfatal shootings by police reveals racial disparities, dispatch risks
A new study from researchers at the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions and Vanderbilt University found that an average of 1,769 people were injured annually in police shootings from 2015 to 2020, 55 percent of them or 979 people, fatally. The study covered a total of 10,308 incidents involving shootings by police.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Tick bites: First aid
Most tick bites are painless and cause only minor signs and symptoms, such as a change in skin color, swelling or a sore on the skin.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Treatments for rare diseases are needed to beat kidney failure, say researchers
Focusing on rare conditions could significantly reduce the burden of kidney disease on both patients and the NHS, according to a major new study led by UCL and the UK Kidney Association.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

What is minoxidil, the anti-balding hair growth treatment? Here's what the science says
Hair loss (also known as alopecia) often affects the scalp but can occur anywhere on the body. It's very common and usually nothing to worry about; about half of Australian men show signs of visible baldness at age 50 and over a quarter of Australian women report hair thinning by the same age.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Why do I feel lonely when I have friends?
The Google search for this question rose 300 percent in the last year.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — March 14th, 2024

Are you sitting too long in your office job? Study offers some health tips
Sedentary behavior can result in chronic health conditions such as obesity and heart diseases, bad news for the millions of office workers who are forced to sit behind their desks every day.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Cool insights: Research explores how brains perceive temperature
Christian Lemon, Ph.D., an associate professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Oklahoma, often thinks about temperature sensation and the brain when eating a chilled mint cookie. Now, research from his lab examining oral temperature perception has been published in The Journal of Neuroscience.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Engineered MgO nanoparticles: A promising path to synergistic cartilage and bone therapy
In a recent study published in Science Advances, researchers from Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital and others have unveiled a promising approach for treating osteoarthritis (OA) using engineered magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Finland managed to halve its suicide rate—here's how
The end of the 20th century was a particularly grim period for Finland. Suicide rates were among the highest in the world, peaking in 1990 with over 30 deaths per 100,000 citizens, compared with a European average of ten per 100,000.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Harnessing Gold Nanoparticles for Biofilm Disruption
If left to their own devices, bacteria on the teeth or injured skin can envelop themselves in a slimy scaffolding, forming what is known as a biofilm. These bacteria cause havoc on tissues and are hard to remove because the slime protects them from antibiotic medication. A fresh approach might provide an easy means of dislodging the grime and eliminating the bacteria.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

How to stay healthy in changing weather conditions
The weather can be unpredictable, especially in late winter. One day it might be sunny and warm, the next day it might be freezing and snowy. How does this changing weather affect your health and well-being? And what can you do to protect yourself from getting sick?
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Innovative nanoparticle therapy offers new hope for burn victims
Scientists have developed a new nanoparticle treatment that significantly improves outcomes for severe burn-induced intestinal barrier disruption. The study introduces Luminol-conjugated cyclodextrin (LCD) nanoparticles, offering a promising therapeutic intervention for one of the most critical complications following severe burn injuries.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Lived experience perspectives essential to reducing global mental health stigma: Study
Media and anti-stigma activities could help combat mental health stigma and discrimination, but only with lived experience involvement, according to research led by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King's College London in collaboration with the Global Mental Health Peer Network.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Living with IBD: What coping strategies are most effective? NewsGuard 100/100 Score
In a recent review article published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, researchers summarized the results of a systematic review that explored the impact of different coping strategies for people living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
March 14th, 2024 — Source

New LCD nanoparticle therapy offers hope for burn victims
Severe burns can cause critical issues, including deep tissue damage and an increased risk of fatal conditions such as sepsis and organ failure. A major concern is the disruption of the intestinal barrier, leading to inflammation and systemic health problems. This breakdown allows pathogens to invade, worsening the patient's condition. Given the limitations and side effects of current treatments, there is a pressing need for new, more effective therapies.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

New method that aims to help people overcome apathy shows promise
Do you sometimes feel like you just can't be bothered? Would you like to have exercised more, learned a new language or taken more education, but you feel that everything is too much effort?
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Neurobiologists uncover how stress turns into fear in the brain in conditions such as PTSD
Our nervous systems are naturally wired to sense fear. Whether prompted by the eerie noises we hear alone in the dark or the approaching growl of a threatening animal, our fear response is a survival mechanism that tells us to remain alert and avoid dangerous situations.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Oral health: A window to your overall health
Your oral health is more important than you might realize. Learn how the health of your mouth, teeth and gums can affect your general health.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Quality time with dogs increases the power of brain waves associated with relaxation
Spending quality time with dogs reduces stress and increases the power of brain waves associated with relaxation and concentration, according to a study published on March 13, 2024 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Onyoo Yoo from Konkuk University, South Korea, and colleagues.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Race, ethnicity plays role in liver transplant survival: Study
Researchers hope findings from a new study of liver transplant patients will lead to improved interventions for those from racial and ethnic minority groups.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Scientists develop new multicellular scaffold strategy for treating tendon-bone injuries
According to a study published in Science Advances, a research group led by Prof. Wu Chengtie from the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a multicellular scaffold based on inorganic bioceramics to achieve immunomodulation and integrated regeneration in tendon-to-bone injuries, i.e., injuries occurring at the tendon--bone interface.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Scientists use an innovative approach to provide relevant insights into a rare neurologic disorder
Researchers from the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP) and the Barcelona Supercomputing Center-Centro Nacional de Supercomputación (BSC-CNS) have discovered new genetic mechanisms related to spinocerebellar ataxia type 37.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Shedding new light on brain calcification
Brain calcification can cause movement disorders and cognitive impairment. Researchers at the Arnesen Lab at UiB have now identified a gene that provides new insight into how these calcifications occur.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Sleep-wake rhythm: Fish change our understanding of sleep regulation
Contrary to common belief, not all vertebrates regulate their sleep-wake rhythm in the same way. University of Basel researchers have discovered that some fish—unlike humans—do not need orexin to stay awake. This molecule was thought to be necessary for normal wake and sleep rhythms in vertebrates. Humans without orexin suffer from narcolepsy.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Using X (formerly Twitter) has a negative impact on well-being, study confirms
Researchers at the University of Toronto have confirmed what many have long suspected: Using X (formerly known as Twitter) takes a toll on our well-being—although the social media platform itself isn't entirely to blame.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Why do we usually sleep at night? What happens when we don't sleep? Experts discuss sleep health
Sleep is as essential to our health as food and water. It is important to a number of brain functions, including how nerve cells communicate with each other. We sleep for a third of our lives and there are many restorative processes going on during sleep that are needed to stay healthy.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Young people seeing GPs for mental health problems have low ongoing contact, finds study
Most children and adolescents in England presenting to their GPs with psychiatric symptoms have low or declining rates of ongoing contact, according to a study led by University of Manchester researchers.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — March 11th, 2024

At-Home Medical Tests: Are They Right for You?
At-home medical diagnostic testing has exploded in recent years. NASDAQ reports that the market for at-home testing has reached a staggering $45.6 billion and will continue to grow at a rate of over 10% per year up to 2031.
March 11th, 2024 — Source

Anxiety drug pregabalin is linked to a rising number of deaths. Here's what you should know
There has been a significant rise in deaths linked to the commonly prescribed anxiety drug, pregabalin. While in 2018 there were 187 deaths linked to pregabalin in England and Wales, this number was more than double in 2022 with 441 deaths linked to the drug.
March 11th, 2024 — Source

Dangers of smell impairment highlighted in new research
More than a third of people who self-identify as having a smell disorder have had at least one gas safety scare in the last five years, according to new research published in the European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, titled "Impact of olfactory disorders on personal safety and well" being: a cross "sectional observational study."
March 11th, 2024 — Source

Growth cone in migrating neurons involved in promoting neuronal migration and regeneration in brain injury, study shows
The structure and functions of the tip of migrating neurons remain elusive. A research group has found that the PTPσ-expressing growth cone senses the extracellular matrix and drives neuronal migration in the injured brain, leading to functional recovery.
March 11th, 2024 — Source

Poor trial results may prompt maker to pull ALS drug from market
Following disappointing trial results, the maker of a controversial ALS drug may pull the medication off the market.
March 11th, 2024 — Source

Prosthetic device developed in Brazil improves results of chest malformation repair surgery
In his day-to-day routine at the Heart Institute (INCOR) run by the University of São Paulo's Medical School (FM-USP) in Brazil, thoracic surgeon Miguel Tedde now and again sees patients with a rare disorder called pectus excavatum, also known as sunken chest, in which the breastbone and ribs grow inward, creating a depression in the chest wall.
March 11th, 2024 — Source

Study reveals shared blueprint in brain development across different functional areas
In a new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers from the University of Minnesota Medical School have investigated brain development to understand how different areas of the brain become specialized in handling information such as vision, sound, touch and planning.
March 11th, 2024 — Source

Tissue remodeling as a primary mechanism for diverticula formation
Colonic diverticulosis is a prevalent condition among older adults, marked by the presence of thin-walled pockets in the colon wall that can become inflamed and infected; they can then hemorrhage or rupture. A new study, published in the journal Gut now suggests that tissue remodeling is a primary mechanism for diverticula formation.
March 11th, 2024 — Source

Want to achieve your dreams? Try subdividing your goals
Have a massive, daring goal in mind? Breaking it into smaller steps can help you achieve your dreams.
March 11th, 2024 — Source

Why is the brain so prone to inflammation?
All living cells teem with ribonucleic acid (RNA), molecules that relay genetic messages to keep cells functioning. But these necessary molecules can also set off cellular alarms. The long twisted-together strands of RNA in viruses, for instance, are a tell-tale sign of an invader and the human immune system triggers inflammation in their presence.
March 11th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — March 8th, 2024

Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata: What are the 'Z meds' for sleep
Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata: Millions of bleary-eyed Americans turn to this class of so-called "Z-drugs" to get restful sleep.
March 8th, 2024 — Source

Brain waves found to travel in one direction when memories are made and the opposite when recalled
In the space of just a few seconds, a person walking down a city block might check their phone, yawn, worry about making rent, and adjust their path to avoid a puddle. The smell from a food cart could suddenly conjure a memory from childhood, or they could notice a rat eating a slice of pizza and store the image as a new memory.
March 8th, 2024 — Source

Dislocation: First aid
A dislocation is an injury that forces the bones in a joint out of position. The cause is usually a fall, a car accident or an injury during contact sports.
March 8th, 2024 — Source

Impact of onset time, number, type, and sequence of extrahepatic organ failure on prognosis of liver failure
The impact of the characteristics of extrahepatic organ failure (EHOF) including the onset time, number, type, and sequence on the prognosis of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) patients remains unknown. This study aimed to identify the association between the characteristics of EHOF and the prognosis of ACLF patients.
March 8th, 2024 — Source

Is there a higher risk of depression among specific populations of patients with rheumatoid arthritis?
In a recent study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers assessed the risk of depression following the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
March 8th, 2024 — Source

It's that time again: Tips on adjusting to the start of Daylight Saving Time
When the clocks spring forward or fall back, many folks will find themselves struggling to adjust.
March 8th, 2024 — Source

Just Breathe: Mindfulness Can Beat Tech Stress at Work
And on and on it goes, until what technology experts and psychologists call the digital dark side of technology — stress, anxiety, a feeling of being overloaded — wipes you out, jeopardizing your mental and physical health.
March 8th, 2024 — Source

Lack of focus doesn't equal lack of intelligence: It's proof of an intricate brain, say scientists
Imagine a busy restaurant: dishes clattering, music playing, people talking loudly over one another. It's a wonder that anyone in that kind of environment can focus enough to have a conversation. A new study by researchers at Brown University's Carney Institute for Brain Science provides some of the most detailed insights yet into the brain mechanisms that help people pay attention amid such distraction, as well as what's happening when they can't focus.
March 8th, 2024 — Source

Lead from old paint and pipes is still a harmful and deadly hazard in millions of US homes
Lead is a potent neurotoxin that causes severe health effects such as neurological damage, organ failure and death.
March 8th, 2024 — Source

Making early signs of multiple sclerosis 'VISIBL'
Awareness about a disease in at risk-population improve outcomes. That's the simple idea behind a new, bilingual resource for both patients, medical students, and providers to help them overcome cultural barriers and recognize the early and critical symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
March 8th, 2024 — Source

Morphology of vestibular aqueduct linked to Meniere disease
Morphological characteristics of the vestibular aqueduct (VA) are associated with the occurrence of Meniere disease (MD), according to a study published online Feb. 17 in The Laryngoscope.
March 8th, 2024 — Source

Q&A: Are nicotine pouches safe?
In an impressive showing of alliteration, Sen. Chuck Schumer recently described the trending nicotine product Zyn as a "pouch packed with problems" while delivering a warning to parents and calling for a federal investigation into the brand's marketing tactics and health effects.
March 8th, 2024 — Source

Why Black Americans are at higher risk of chronic kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease is a condition where your kidneys lose their ability to filter waste and fluid from your blood. This can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke and kidney failure.
March 8th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — March 6th, 2024

AAAAI: Early-life day care attendance may lower risk for asthma, allergies
Jonathan Witonsky, M.D., from the University of California in San Francisco, and colleagues examined the association between early-life day care exposure and allergy sensitization. The analysis included 435 children (born at >36 weeks of gestation) participating in the Puerto Rican Infant Metagenomic and Epidemiologic Study of Respiratory Outcomes (PRIMERO) and followed for two years (96 attending day care).
March 6th, 2024 — Source

An early start to spring allergies
Though it technically may still be winter, spring allergies in Houston are out in full force. An expert with Baylor College of Medicine gives an upcoming pollen and mold forecast and reviews how to properly use some allergy relief options.
March 6th, 2024 — Source

Better regulation of private rental properties could reduce deaths, injuries at home, researchers say
New regulations for private rental properties are needed to reduce injuries from slips, trips and falls at home, researchers at the University of Otago, Wellington, say.
March 6th, 2024 — Source

Decoding the language of epigenetic modifications
Epigenetic changes play important roles in cancer, metabolic and aging-related diseases, but also during loss of resilience as they cause the genetic material to be incorrectly interpreted in affected cells. A major study by scientists at Helmholtz Munich, now published in Nature, provides important new insights into how complex epigenetic modification signatures regulate the genome.
March 6th, 2024 — Source

Despite their prevalence, arthritis, neck and back pain receive few research dollars, analysis finds
Musculoskeletal diseases—a diverse category of conditions affecting bones, joints, muscles, and connective tissues—affect more than 1 in 3 people in the United States and are a leading driver of health care spending with an estimated cost of more than $380 billion in 2016, putting them ahead of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
March 6th, 2024 — Source

Factors associated with age-related hearing loss differ between males and females, finds study
Certain factors associated with developing age-related hearing loss differ by sex, including weight, smoking behavior, and hormone exposure, according to a study published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Dong Woo Nam from Chungbuk National University Hospital, South Korea, and colleagues.
March 6th, 2024 — Source

Heatstroke: First aid
Heatstroke happens when body temperature rises quickly and a person can't cool down. It can be life-threatening by causing damage to the brain and other vital organs. It may be caused by doing strenuous activity in the heat or by being in a hot place for too long.
March 6th, 2024 — Source

More than half of American Indian youth may have abnormal or high cholesterol
More than 70% of American Indian young adults aged 20--39 and 50% of American Indian teens have cholesterol levels or elevated fat in the blood that puts them at risk for cardiovascular disease, suggests a new study. In some cases, these levels—specifically high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often thought of as "bad cholesterol"—were linked to plaque buildup and cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke.
March 6th, 2024 — Source

New research shows licensed venues clinging to cigarette vending machines
One hundred years after the introduction of cigarette vending machines in Australia, new research shows that businesses have no plans to consign them to history.
March 6th, 2024 — Source

Pilot study confirms feasibility, acceptability of bowel symptom intervention studies
In a pilot study, a telephone-based dietary intervention designed to improve bowel function was shown to be widely acceptable to participants who had had surgery for rectal cancer. The intervention did not significantly improve overall bowel function in these participants, but it did provide some benefit, and the pilot demonstrated that it is feasible to conduct large studies of such approaches.
March 6th, 2024 — Source

Rare inflammatory disease responds best to double inhibition, shows study
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare and often aggressive syndrome of hyperactive inflammation with up to a 40% mortality rate. Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have shown that a drug inhibiting two major inflammatory signaling proteins works better than drugs inhibiting either protein alone in models of HLH. The drug ruxolitinib, which inhibits both inflammation-related signaling proteins Janus Kinase 1 (JAK1) and JAK2, was superior to other drugs tested, which inhibited only JAK1 or JAK2.
March 6th, 2024 — Source

Responding to mental health challenges in aftermath of panhandle wildfires
Tiffany Dowell-Lashmet, a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist in the Department of Agricultural Economics, likened the aftermath of areas affected by wildfires to a warzone. Dowell-Lashmet lives in the Texas Panhandle and had to move cattle and prepare to evacuate when the fast-moving flames encroached on her home and ranching operation.
March 6th, 2024 — Source

Study reveals unexpected literacy in autistic people who cannot speak
About one-third of autistic people are unable to communicate using speech, and most are never provided an effective alternative. However, a new study from scientists at the University of Virginia suggests that many of these individuals are literate, raising the possibility that they could learn to express themselves through writing.
March 6th, 2024 — Source

Tacrolimus microemulsion has good efficacy, safety for scalp psoriasis
For scalp psoriasis, 0.1 percent tacrolimus microemulsion has good efficacy and safety, according to a study published online Feb. 12 in Dermatology and Therapy.
March 6th, 2024 — Source

The secret to a healthier lifestyle? Your dog, says recent study
In a recent study published in BMC Public Health, researchers investigated the impact of the human-dog bond on physical activity (PA), lifestyle, and health outcomes in dog owners (DO).
March 6th, 2024 — Source

Validated COuGH RefleX score can predict likelihood of GERD
The validated Cough, Overweight/Obesity, Globus, Hiatal Hernia, Regurgitation, and Male Sex (COuGH RefluX) score can predict the likelihood of proven gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in patients with chronic laryngeal symptoms, according to a study published online Feb. 1 in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
March 6th, 2024 — Source

Virtual reality exposure plus electric brain stimulation offers a promising treatment for PTSD
Combining two treatments could be a promising option for people, especially military veterans, whose lives are negatively affected by post-traumatic stress disorder, a new study shows.
March 6th, 2024 — Source

What's the difference between kidney cysts and polycystic kidney disease?
March is National Kidney Month, which makes this a good time to learn more about the difference between two kidney disorders—kidney cysts and polycystic kidney disease.
March 6th, 2024 — Source

Why do I need to get up during the night to urinate? Is this normal?
It can be normal to wake up once or even twice during the night to wee, especially as we get older.
March 6th, 2024 — Source

Why Even Public Health Experts Have Limited Insight Into Stopping Gun Violence in America
Gun violence has exploded across the U.S. in recent years — from mass shootings at concerts and supermarkets to school fights settled with a bullet after the last bell.
March 6th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — March 4th, 2024

Being excluded or truant from school leads to mental health problems—and vice versa
In the aftermath of the pandemic there has been a substantial increase in the number of students who are absent from school in the UK, and children are reporting higher levels of mental ill health than ever before.
March 4th, 2024 — Source

Could the days of 'springing forward' be numbered? A neurologist and sleep expert explains
As people in the U.S. prepare to set their clocks ahead one hour on Sunday, March 10, 2024, I find myself bracing for the annual ritual of media stories about the disruptions to daily routines caused by switching from standard time to daylight saving time.
March 4th, 2024 — Source

Cross-cultural study reveals commonality and variation in mental representations of music
When listening to music, the human brain appears to be biased toward hearing and producing rhythms composed of simple integer ratios -; for example, a series of four beats separated by equal time intervals (forming a 1:1:1 ratio).
March 4th, 2024 — Source

Customized hearing implants: How synchrotron imaging is changing the game
A Western University team has harnessed the bright light of the Canadian Light Source at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) to obtain highly detailed images of the structures in the inner ear responsible for transmitting sound signals to the brain. With these images, they've helped pioneer customized programming strategies for hearing implants.
March 4th, 2024 — Source

Disrupting the Flow: Dr. Naseri's Revolutionary Approach to Empowering Women's Health
Welcome to our International Women's Day series, where we shine a spotlight on women who are forging paths and making significant impacts in the field of medicine, particularly in women's health.
March 4th, 2024 — Source

Dopamine production is not behind vulnerability to cocaine abuse
Why do some people who try drugs struggle with substance abuse while others don't? This question has long puzzled scientists. A team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) explored the complex interplay between personality traits and brain chemistry.
March 4th, 2024 — Source

Exposure to different kinds of music influences how the brain interprets rhythm
When listening to music, the human brain appears to be biased toward hearing and producing rhythms composed of simple integer ratios—for example, a series of four beats separated by equal time intervals (forming a 1:1:1 ratio).
March 4th, 2024 — Source

Firearm access and gun violence exposure found to be common in Black and native communities
A New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center study is the first to provide nationally representative data on gun use, storage and violence within Black and American Indian/Alaskan Native (AIAN) families.
March 4th, 2024 — Source

Inexpensive liquid works as well as dental sealants to keep tooth decay at bay
An inexpensive, cavity-fighting liquid called silver diamine fluoride (SDF) works as well as dental sealants to keep tooth decay at bay in a school cavity prevention and treatment program, according to a new study by researchers at NYU College of Dentistry.
March 4th, 2024 — Source

Mythbusting young Australians' overestimation of vaping among peers
E-cigarette use is seen as widespread, common and normal among young Australians even though hard data indicate that the clear majority of teens have not vaped, a first-of-its-kind study from The Australian National University (ANU) shows.
March 4th, 2024 — Source

New animal model created to study Parkinson's disease before neurodegeneration appears
The new model, based on the Caenorhabditis elegans worm, emerges as an essential tool in creating future therapies aimed at stopping the characteristic loss of neuronal structure and function seen in the disease.
March 4th, 2024 — Source

Personal recovery could be key to preventing long term mental illness
Definitions of what recovery means to people at risk of mental illness should extend beyond symptom remission into broader areas of life and well-being.
March 4th, 2024 — Source

Prevalence of arthritis in US adults 18.9 percent in 2022
The age-adjusted prevalence of adults with arthritis was 18.9 percent in 2022 in the United States, according to a February data brief published by the National Center for Health Statistics.
March 4th, 2024 — Source

Research uncovers link between negative attitudes and procrastination, task delay
Putting off a burdensome task may seem like a universal trait, but new research suggests that people whose negative attitudes tend to dictate their behavior in a range of situations are more likely to delay tackling the task at hand.
March 4th, 2024 — Source

Researchers find differences in how people with impulse control disorder process consequences
Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder that affects movement and muscle control. One characteristic of the disease is the deficiency of dopamine, a neurotransmitter or brain chemical that plays a role in movement and can impact how people think and feel.
March 4th, 2024 — Source

Silver diamine fluoride prevents cavities and keeps existing ones from worsening in school-based program
An inexpensive, cavity-fighting liquid called silver diamine fluoride (SDF) works as well as dental sealants to keep tooth decay at bay in a school cavity prevention and treatment program, according to a new study by researchers at NYU College of Dentistry.
March 4th, 2024 — Source

Vera Ring wearable health and fitness monitor from $249
Vera is a ring that does more than just sparkle. Picture a sleek, stylish accessory that doubles as a personal health advisor, quietly working around the clock to keep you informed about your body's well-being. This is the Vera Ring, a cutting-edge health monitoring device designed to fit seamlessly into your life, offering valuable insights into your physical condition while maintaining the appearance of a chic piece of jewelry.
March 4th, 2024 — Source

Want a noninvasive health monitor? Put a ring on it.
University of Waterloo engineers have invented a powerful antenna small enough to fit in a ring and capable of transmitting critical medical data to health care workers and individual patients.
March 4th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — March 2nd, 2024

Minoritized groups face high anxiety when taking part in research experiments
When participating in research studies, moderately anxious or highly anxious children from minoritized groups are likely to be hypervigilant to threat, further compounding the effects of their general state of anxiety, a research study led by a University of California, Riverside, psychologist reports.
March 2nd, 2024 — Source

Study unveils the role of a neural substrate in the lateral habenula in value-based decision-making
In their everyday lives, humans often weigh the value of different options and decide how to act based on this mental evaluation. This process, known as value-based decision-making, has been the topic of numerous studies rooted in psychology, neuroscience and economics.
March 2nd, 2024 — Source

Tattoos: Understand risks and precautions
Tattoos might be more common than ever, but don't take the risks lightly. Learn about tattoo safety and how to promote healthy healing.
March 2nd, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — March 1st, 2024

6 Best Vitamins and Supplements for Eye Health
Looking to bridge nutritional gaps in your diet? Here are the best vitamins and supplements for your eyes.
March 1st, 2024 — Source

A mental process that leads to putting off an unpleasant task
Putting off a burdensome task may seem like a universal trait, but new research suggests that people whose negative attitudes tend to dictate their behavior in a range of situations are more likely to delay tackling the task at hand.
March 1st, 2024 — Source

Acting out dreams can signal a serious disorder
Dreams are excursions of our central nervous system, unfolding when the body is at rest, but our brains are in thrall to rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. For people with a rare condition, their whole body acts out the dream, sometimes to the point where they leave their bed or even their room.
March 1st, 2024 — Source

Association of volatile aromatic compounds in blood with hearing impairment
In a recent study published in BMC Public Health, researchers evaluated the impact of benzene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BEX) exposure on auditory health among United States (US) adults.
March 1st, 2024 — Source

For those with an alcohol problem, are non-alcoholic beverages a wise choice?
Although Dry January is behind us, the non-alcoholic beverage trend is showing no signs of slowing. Sales of alcohol alternatives are growing 20% every year.
March 1st, 2024 — Source

Healthy sleep needs a healthy day: Boost exercise to beat your bedtime blues
Early riser or night owl, everyone appreciates a good night's sleep. But despite the best of intentions, quality sleep can elude us, sometimes to the point where it can contribute to serious health issues.
March 1st, 2024 — Source

How a friend's death turned Colorado teens into anti-overdose activists
Gavinn McKinney loved Nike shoes, fireworks, and sushi. He was studying Potawatomi, one of the languages of his Native American heritage. He loved holding his niece and smelling her baby smell. On his 15th birthday, the Durango, Colorado, teen spent a cold December afternoon chopping wood to help neighbors who couldn't afford to heat their homes.
March 1st, 2024 — Source

Movement is key to supporting adults with Down syndrome
Over the past few decades, research and greater awareness has helped adults with Down syndrome—and a well-trained support system—to be more physically active in their daily lives.
March 1st, 2024 — Source

Piercings: How to prevent complications
Piercings might be more common than ever, but don't take piercing lightly. Know the risks and understand safety steps.
March 1st, 2024 — Source

Rate of antidepressant dispensing to young people rose faster after March 2020, especially among females
Antidepressant dispensing to adolescents and young adults increased sharply after the COVID-19 pandemic began, particularly among females, or according to a new study.
March 1st, 2024 — Source

Study finds links between chronic opioid use and brain cell, DNA changes
A study led by Ryan W. Logan, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and neurobiology, has found mutations in key brain cells among individuals with chronic opioid use that could shift how we think about treatment strategies for opioid use disorder.
March 1st, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — February 28th, 2024

Calcium crystal deposits linked to worsening knee osteoarthritis, study finds
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting approximately 600 million people worldwide and 34 million people in the U.S. There are no treatments available that prevent its progression to date. Recommended pharmacological treatments for symptoms have either small-to moderate effects or short-term effects, often with side effects, and lifestyle behaviors such as exercise and weight loss are under-utilized.
February 28th, 2024 — Source

Conflicting theories of consciousness may fit together after all
Professor Emeritus Johan Frederik Storm has led research forming the basis of a article that aims to uncover an alternative approach to the understanding of how human consciousness functions. It is currently available on the PsyArXiv preprint server and in prepress in the journal Neuron.
February 28th, 2024 — Source

Foreign object in the skin: First aid
You can usually safely remove a small foreign object — such as a wood splinter, thorn, fiberglass or glass — that's just under the surface of the skin:
February 28th, 2024 — Source

Genetic risk tool could aid early diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis patients
Young people could be spared from going blind by a new genetic risk tool that could also help diagnose multiple sclerosis (MS) earlier, to start effective treatments.
February 28th, 2024 — Source

Low-level blasts from heavy weapons can cause traumatic brain injury—the physics of invisible cell death
When the force of a blast shoots a round out of a large-caliber rifle, howitzer or M1 Abrams tank gun, the teams of people operating these weapons are exposed to low-level blasts that can cause traumatic brain injuries.
February 28th, 2024 — Source

New approach may prevent deadly intestinal disease in preemies
Scientists from Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and colleagues found that an investigational protein replacement—recombinant human insulin-like growth factor 1 and its binding protein-3 (rhIGF-1/BP3)—protected neonatal mice from necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a deadly intestinal disease that often strikes extremely premature infants.
February 28th, 2024 — Source

Neurologist explains aphasia
Aphasia is a condition that can affect a person's ability to communicate.
February 28th, 2024 — Source

Poisoning: First aid
Poisoning is injury or death due to swallowing, inhaling, touching or injecting various drugs, chemicals, venoms or gases. Many substances — such as drugs and carbon monoxide — are poisonous only in higher concentrations or dosages. Certain types of cleaners are only harmful if ingested, while others also emit toxic gases/fumes.
February 28th, 2024 — Source

Poorly controlled asthma linked to excessive greenhouse gas emissions, study finds
Patients whose asthma is poorly controlled have eight times excess greenhouse gas emissions compared with those whose condition is well controlled—equivalent to that produced by 124,000 homes each year in the UK—indicates the first study of its kind, published online in the journal Thorax.
February 28th, 2024 — Source

Research and customized care make aging with multiple sclerosis better
Physician scientists at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine are studying why multiple sclerosis (MS) worsens as patients grow older.
February 28th, 2024 — Source

Say That Again: Using Hearing Aids Can Be Frustrating for Older Adults, but Necessary
It was an every-other-day routine, full of frustration.
February 28th, 2024 — Source

Seasonal allergies: Nip them in the bud
Relieve seasonal allergies with these tried-and-true techniques.
February 28th, 2024 — Source

Scientists discover neurons help flush waste out of brain during sleep
There lies a paradox in sleep. Its apparent tranquility juxtaposes with the brain's bustling activity. The night is still, but the brain is far from dormant. During sleep, brain cells produce bursts of electrical pulses that cumulate into rhythmic waves—a sign of heightened brain cell function.
February 28th, 2024 — Source

The emotional aftereffects of trauma on communities
It was shortly before noon on Dec. 6, 2023, and Stephen Benning had just wrapped up a Zoom meeting in his office in the Carol C. Harter Classroom Building Complex when his office and cell phones pinged. It was a university-issued alert that campus police were responding to a report of shots fired.
February 28th, 2024 — Source

Understanding genetic risk could save sight and predict multiple sclerosis earlier in young people
Young people could be spared from going blind by a new genetic risk tool that could also help diagnose multiple sclerosis (MS) earlier, to start effective treatments.
February 28th, 2024 — Source

Using 3D printing to make artificial eyeballs more quickly and accurately
A team of biomedical and ophthalmological researchers from several institutions in Europe, working with computer graphics specialists, has developed a technique for 3D printing artificial eyeballs that is faster, more accurate and less expensive than conventional techniques.
February 28th, 2024 — Source

What people told researchers about their experience of grief
Have you ever felt a sudden pang of sadness? A bird seems to stop and look you in the eye. A photo drops out of a messy drawer from long ago, in the mundanity of a weekend spring clean.
February 28th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — February 27th, 2024

3D printed artificial eyes faster to make and more realistic
A faster and less laborious method for modelling and 3D printing more realistic custom eye prostheses is reported in Nature Communications ("Automatic data-driven design and 3D printing of custom ocular prostheses"). The prostheses produced may have a more natural appearance and a better fit, compared to current methods, the authors suggest.
February 27th, 2024 — Source

Omega-3 fatty acids are linked to better lung health, particularly in patients with pulmonary fibrosis
Omega-3 fatty acids have garnered significant interest among patients and clinicians for their potential protective health effects, including lung health. In our recently published research, my colleagues and I found that higher dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids is linked to better lung function and longer survival in patients with pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic respiratory disease.
February 27th, 2024 — Source

Visual prosthesis simulator offers a glimpse into the future
In collaboration with their colleagues at the Donders Institute, researchers at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience have developed a simulator that enables artificial visual observations for research into visual prostheses. This open-source tool is available to researchers and offers those who are interested an insight into future applications.
February 27th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — February 26th, 2024

A clearer image of glaucoma: The relationship between unfolding and aggregation for glaucoma-associated myocilin
From Parkinson's and Alzheimer's to cardiac arrhythmia, amyloids are linked to a number of diseases. These aggregates of proteins form in the body when a protein loses its normal structure and misfolds or mutates. And since many of these proteins are large and complicated, just how some of these mutations occur and aggregate remains a mystery—as does the creation of effective treatments.
February 26th, 2024 — Source

Blindness from some inherited eye diseases may be caused by gut bacteria, news study suggests
Sight loss in certain inherited eye diseases may be caused by gut bacteria, and is potentially treatable by antimicrobials, finds a new study in mice co-led by a UCL and Moorfields researcher.
February 26th, 2024 — Source

Cannabis use policies are on the rise yet treatment for cannabis use disorder treatment remains low
Specialty treatment for the disorder did not meaningfully change among people with past-year CUD in states with recreational cannabis legislation.
February 26th, 2024 — Source

Emotionally resonant vibrotactile comfort objects as a calming social anxiety intervention
People who live with social anxiety could be given a helping hand to deal with their stress by the power of good vibrations, new research suggests.
February 26th, 2024 — Source

Generative modeling framework helps predict relationship between neural readings and patient symptoms
Over the past decade or so, scientists have amassed an impressive arsenal of weapons to address the multifaceted, complex challenge of mental illness, from new genomic analysis tools and high-resolution neuroimaging technologies, to the creation of huge patient data banks and new artificial intelligence models to analyze them.
February 26th, 2024 — Source

Grief affects the body, not just the mind
Of course grief can ravage your mind, but science shows it can also weaken your body, leaving you open to illness.
February 26th, 2024 — Source

Guideline details new recommendations for PTSD and acute stress disorder
A synopsis of new clinical guidelines from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense details 34 recommendations for treating posttraumatic stress disorder and co-occurring conditions. The VA/DoD guidelines notably recommend the use of specific manualized psychotherapies over pharmacotherapy and recommend against the use of benzodiazepines, cannabis, or cannabis-derived products.
February 26th, 2024 — Source

Intervention reduces likelihood of developing postpartum anxiety and depression by more than 70%
NIH-funded study shows prenatal mental health support is effective for women living in low-resource settings.
February 26th, 2024 — Source or Source

Horse Sedative Use Among Humans Spreads in Deadly Mixture of 'Tranq' and Fentanyl
Andrew McClave Jr. loved to lift weights. The 6-foot-4-inch bartender resembled a bodybuilder and once posed for a photo flexing his muscles with former pro wrestler Hulk Hogan.
February 26th, 2024 — Source or Source

Live music emotionally moves us more than streamed music, show researchers
How does listening to live music affect the emotional center of our brain? A study carried out at the University of Zurich has found that live performances trigger a stronger emotional response than listening to music from a device. Concerts connect performers with their audience, which may also have to do with evolutionary factors.
February 26th, 2024 — Source

Marfan syndrome and related disorders: A genetic panel approach
In a recently published study spearheaded by Giovanny Fuentevilla-Álvarez and his team at the National Institute of Cardiology in Mexico, researchers have significantly advanced the diagnostic precision for Marfan syndrome (MFS) and a spectrum of connective tissue disorders.
February 26th, 2024 — Source

New clinical practice guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for immunotherapy for inhalant allergy
The American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery Foundation has published the Clinical Practice Guideline: Immunotherapy for Inhalant Allergy in Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery. This clinical practice guideline identifies quality improvement opportunities and provides clinicians trustworthy, evidence-based recommendations on the management of inhalant allergies with immunotherapy, supporting them to provide enhanced care to patients aged 5 years and older who are experiencing symptoms from inhalant allergies.
February 26th, 2024 — Source

New discovery could lead to better treatment for severe psoriatic arthritis
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a link between a rare and severe form of psoriatic arthritis and an enzyme that produces oxygen radicals. The study, published in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine, reveals new ways to slow down or stop the disease progression.
February 26th, 2024 — Source

Nicotine pouches are being marketed to young people on social media. But are they safe, or even legal?
Flavored nicotine pouches are being promoted to young people on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.
February 26th, 2024 — Source

Why Doesn't CPAP Reduce Heart Disease?
A study of people with obstructive sleep apnea suggests that high CPAP pressures may explain why the machines do not lower a patient's risk of heart disease, which is about two to three times higher than average.
February 26th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — February 24th, 2024

Electric bike injuries, hospitalizations increased significantly in recent years
The incidence of electric bicycle (e-bicycle)-related injuries, particularly head injuries, has surged in the United States since 2017, according to a research letter published online Feb. 21 in JAMA Surgery.
February 24th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — February 23rd, 2024

A calming neurotransmitter can also be excitatory, study finds
A neurotransmitter previously thought only to calm neurons may also play a role in waking them up, according to a study published in the journal PLOS Biology, a discovery which challenges the textbook view of how neurons communicate with one another in the brain.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source

AI system can equal or surpass ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment of glaucoma and retina disorders
A large language model (LLM) artificial intelligence (AI) system can match, or in some cases outperform, human ophthalmologists in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with glaucoma and retina disease, according to research from New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai (NYEE).
February 23rd, 2024 — Source

Assessing the efficacy and viability of artificial skin in patients with severe burns
UGR scientists have demonstrated the efficacy and viability of the artificial skin UGRSKIN, an advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP) they developed in 2012, which has proven to be highly beneficial in the treatment of patients with major burns. Moreover, it does not cause any side effects or significant complications.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source

Deadly opioid detected in wastewater for the first time
University of Queensland researchers and international collaborators have found a deadly synthetic drug in wastewater in the United States—the first such detection globally.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source

EU watchdog gives new ALS treatment thumbs up
Europe's medicines watchdog gave the green light Friday to a new treatment for a rare form of the neurodegenerative disease ALS, saying it should reduce the symptoms of the deadly illness.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source

German parliament votes to legalize recreational cannabis
The German parliament voted Friday to legalize the possession and controlled cultivation of cannabis starting in April, despite fierce objections from the opposition and medical associations.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source

Is it possible to predict when prejudice will occur?
What if it were possible to use a scientific model to predict hate crimes, protests, or conflict? Researchers at McGill University and University of Toronto have begun the groundwork to develop a formal predictive model of prejudice, similar to meteorological weather predictions.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source

Marketing experts measure brain waves and skin current to predict emotions
Machines still can't think, but now they can validate your feelings, based on new research from New Jersey Institute of Technology Assistant Professor Jorge Fresneda.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source

Nearly one-third of adults struggle to meet recommended sleep duration, study reveals
It's official. Getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep a night is currently out of reach for almost one-third of the population as Flinders University experts found 31% of adults had average sleep durations outside the recommended range.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source

New research challenges conventional picture of Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease, the second most common type of progressive dementia after Alzheimer's disease, affects nearly 1 million people in the U.S. and an estimated 10 million individuals worldwide. Each year, close to 90,000 new cases of Parkinson's disease are diagnosed in the U.S.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source

New tool for assessing diarrhea-related dehydration is built for global deployment
For adults and older children, dehydration from diarrhea is a common, pervasive threat: Annually, more than 1 million die from it.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source

Research finds relaxing words heard during sleep can slow the heart down
Center of Research Cyclotron at the University of Liege reveals that the sleeping body also reacts to the external world during sleep, explaining how some information from the sensory environment can affect sleep quality.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source

Poll shows strong support among Black voters for menthols ban
Black voters support a ban on menthol cigarettes by a wide margin, refuting claims that such a ban would be strongly opposed by Black Americans, a new survey shows.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source

Researchers identify protein integral to gut health, may lead to treatments for inflammatory bowel disease
La Trobe University researchers have identified a protein that is integral to gut health, providing an important lead in the search for a treatment for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Research published in Communications Biology shows for the first time that in mice, the removal of the protein BECLIN1 causes a condition with similarities to IBD.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source

Scientists discover neural pathway that explains the escalation of fear responses
Scientists have discovered a new neural pathway involved in how the brain encodes the transition to high-intensity fear response behaviors that are necessary for survival, according to a recent study published in Nature.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source

Suicide screening should not be limited to those with psychiatric history, suggests experts
Nearly one in five who attempt suicide do so without meeting criteria for an antecedent psychiatric disorder, according to a study published online Feb. 21 in JAMA Psychiatry.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source

Wake-up call for us all to establish regular healthy sleeping patterns
It's official. Getting the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep a night is currently out of reach for almost one-third of the population as Flinders University experts found 31% of adults had average sleep durations outside the recommended range.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source

Where neural stem cells feel at home
Researchers have created an artificial cell environment that could promote the regeneration of nerves. Usually, injuries to the brain or spinal cord don't heal easily due to the formation of fluid-filled cavities and scars that prevent tissue regeneration. One starting point for medical research is therefore to fill the cavities with a substance that offers neural stem cells optimal conditions for proliferation and differentiation.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source

Zinc discovery holds promise for people with cystic fibrosis
University of Queensland researchers have identified an opportunity to reduce infections in people living with cystic fibrosis (CF). Professor Matt Sweet, Dr. Kaustav Das Gupta and Dr. James Curson from UQ's Institute for Molecular Bioscience have discovered a fault in the bacteria-killing function of immune cells in people with CF and a potential way to get around it.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — February 21st, 2024

A pacemaker for the brain helped a woman with crippling depression. It may soon be available to more
Emily Hollenbeck lived with a deep, recurring depression she likened to a black hole, where gravity felt so strong and her limbs so heavy she could barely move. She knew the illness could kill her. Both of her parents had taken their lives.
February 21st, 2024 — Source

Activity levels of four genes linked to pediatric appendicitis severity diagnosis
A multi-institutional team of medical researchers has found that measuring the activity of four specific genes in pediatric patients suspected of having appendicitis can predict whether the case is simple or perforated. In their study, reported in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, the group studied gene expression signatures in children diagnosed with appendicitis to learn more about associations between such signatures and severity of the ailment.
February 21st, 2024 — Source

Adults with ADHD exhibit camouflaging behavior
Noting that camouflaging is thought to be an important reason for late autism diagnoses and mental health difficulties, Wikke J. van der Putten, from the Autism Outpatient Clinic in Amsterdam, and colleagues examined whether adults with ADHD could camouflage.
February 21st, 2024 — Source

Age, sex, race among top risk factors for revision knee surgery
Patients who are younger than about 40, male, or Black are among those most at risk for revision surgery after having had a total knee replacement, according to researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center. The study, published in the Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, was the first to explore relationships among risk factors for revision after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
February 21st, 2024 — Source

Bio-inspired neuroprosthetics: Sending signals the brain can understand
A few years ago, a team of researchers working under Professor Stanisa Raspopovic at the ETH Zurich Neuroengineering Lab gained worldwide attention when they announced that their prosthetic legs had enabled amputees to feel sensations from this artificial body part for the first time.
February 21st, 2024 — Source

Chronic inflammation and inactivity may affect age-related changes in gene and protein expression in skeletal muscle
New research indicates that some age-related changes in gene and protein expression in the skeletal muscles of older individuals may be affected more by physical inactivity and chronic inflammation than primary aging, or intrinsic maturational processes.
February 21st, 2024 — Source

Clinical markers improve with IV ertapenem for hidradenitis suppurativa
Treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) with intravenous ertapenem is associated with improvement in clinical and inflammatory markers, according to a study published online Feb. 19 in JAMA Dermatology.
February 21st, 2024 — Source

Compounds in female ginseng could lead to new osteoporosis treatments
With ever-increasing life expectancy comes the challenge of treating age-related disorders such as osteoporosis. Although there are effective drugs for treating this metabolic bone disease, they can be expensive and have side effects, limiting their availability to some people.
February 21st, 2024 — Source

Female ginseng compound holds promise as osteoporosis treatment
With ever-increasing life expectancy comes the challenge of treating age-related disorders such as osteoporosis. Although there are effective drugs for treating this metabolic bone disease, they can be expensive and have side effects, limiting their availability to some people. In the search for alternative drug candidates, researchers reporting in ACS Central Science have discovered and fully replicated a compound from a botanical source, female ginseng, that had potent anti-osteoporotic activity in cellular tests.
February 21st, 2024 — Source

Food watchdog lodges complaint over Nestle mineral water 'fraud'
Consumer watchdog Foodwatch said it was filing a legal complaint Wednesday against food giant Nestle and another group over them allegedly fraudulently treating water for their top mineral water brands.
February 21st, 2024 — Source

For Many, Stigma of Hearing Loss Brings Trouble; Here's What May Help
Eyeglasses are ubiquitous. More people wear them than don't, with some 62% of Americans wearing corrective eyewear in any number of shapes and styles. And that doesn't even account for the 45 million of us who wear contact lenses.
February 21st, 2024 — Source

Japan versus UK: Impact of social camouflage on mental health in autistic adults
As people with autism grow up, they face unique challenges. They find it difficult to deal with mental health issues. There is a big gap in understanding how pretending to fit in (known as social camouflage), cultural beliefs, and mental well-being are connected. This is especially true for non-Western countries like Japan.
February 21st, 2024 — Source

Maryland lawmakers announce $111 in mental health funding for child-serving organizations
Maryland state lawmakers, on Feb. 20, announced $111 million in grant funding for child-serving organizations across the state to help them bolster their behavioral health service offerings, including counseling, early intervention and parent encouragement programs.
February 21st, 2024 — Source

Menthol cigarette ban would likely lead to meaningful reduction in smoking rates
A new paper in Nicotine & Tobacco Research, published by Oxford University Press, finds that banning the sale of menthol cigarettes would likely lead to a meaningful reduction in smoking rates.
February 21st, 2024 — Source

Musk says patient moves cursor with brain implant
Elon Musk says the first human patient with a brain implant from his Neuralink startup is able to move a computer mouse with thought.
February 21st, 2024 — Source

New study aims to define the progeria phenome
Progeroid disorders are a heterogenous group of rare and complex hereditary syndromes presenting with pleiotropic phenotypes associated with normal aging. Due to the large variation in clinical presentation the diseases pose a diagnostic challenge for clinicians which consequently restricts medical research.
February 21st, 2024 — Source

Parents scrambling after asthma inhaler Flovent removed from market
A popular asthma inhaler was discontinued on Jan. 1, and the business move has left families scrambling to find a replacement for their kids.
February 21st, 2024 — Source

Prolonged TV and video viewing linked to higher risk of nocturia
The study drew from 2011--2016 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Among 13,294 US individuals aged 20 and older, 4,236 (31.86%) reported experiencing nocturia, while 9,058 (68.14%) did not. Participants with 5 or more hours of TV and/or video viewing time per day had a 48% higher risk of experiencing nocturia compared with those with less than 1 hour of daily TV and/or video viewing time.
February 21st, 2024 — Source or Source

Research suggests yoga benefits individuals with chronic back pain
New research published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research suggests that the physical postures, breathing exercises, and mindfulness practices of yoga may benefit individuals with back pain.
February 21st, 2024 — Source

Researchers discover how cells modulate macropinocytic activity
Macropinocytosis is one of the major pathways by which cells non-selectively internalize extracellular fluids. The laboratory strain Dictyostelium discoideum serves as a valuable model for studying the regulation of macropinocytosis.
February 21st, 2024 — Source

Sleep improves ability to recall complex events, shows study
Researchers have known for some time that sleep consolidates our memories of facts and episodic events. However, the research to date has concentrated mainly on simple associations—that is to say, connections between elements, such as we make when learning new vocabulary.
February 21st, 2024 — Source

Study finds ancestry-driven disparities in pathogenic variation
A lack of diversity in large genomic studies presents a major challenge in understanding how pathogenic variants impact different populations. To address this problem and advance precision medicine for all populations, the National Institutes of Health's All of Us Research Program aims to collect health data, including whole-genome sequences, for at least 1 million volunteers from diverse backgrounds.
February 21st, 2024 — Source

Study reveals sleep's role in consolidating complex memories
Sleep helps consolidate our memory of complex associations, thus supporting the ability to complete memories of whole events.
February 21st, 2024 — Source

The continued rise of maternal mortality in Georgia leaves families broken in its wake
Women who die during pregnancy or within a year after giving birth are closely studied by state health officials. Policymakers have worked in earnest for a decade to improve pregnancy outcomes, yet Georgia remains one of the least safe states in the country for women to give birth.
February 21st, 2024 — Source

The powerful constraints on medical care in Catholic hospitals across America
Nurse midwife Beverly Maldonado recalls a pregnant woman arriving at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital in Maryland after her water broke. It was weeks before the baby would have any chance of survival, and the patient's wishes were clear, she recalled: "Why am I staying pregnant then? What's the point?" the patient pleaded.
February 21st, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — February 19th, 2024

Behind the wheel: Navigating driving with epilepsy
Jessica Veach didn't wait long enough at the stop sign.
February 19th, 2024 — Source

Can grandparental support improve the mental health of single mothers?
In a recent study in Population Studies, researchers explored the role of grandparental support in protecting mothers from depression.
February 19th, 2024 — Source

Can Ozempic treat depression? Early signs point to yes
Add depression to the growing list of chronic diseases that obesity medicines might alleviate. Signs of improved mental health are showing up in the health records of people who take the broader class of medicines known as GLP-1s, which include Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Eli Lilly & Co.'s Zepbound.
February 19th, 2024 — Source

E-cigarettes boost tobacco use abstinence with smoking cessation counseling
The addition of electronic cigarettes to standard smoking-cessation counseling results in greater abstinence from tobacco use among smokers than smoking-cessation counseling alone, according to a study published in the Feb. 15 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
February 19th, 2024 — Source

Emerging role of lipids in metabolic disorders and lipid alterations in fatty liver disease
The importance of lipids as one of the fundamental biological compounds is well established as they are important signaling molecules and key components of metabolic disorders. The imbalance in lipid homeostasis and the dysregulation of lipid uptake and trafficking contribute to a multitude of metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance and fatty liver disease and it is crucial to identify new mechanistic insights and the role of genetic variants involved in these disorders.
February 19th, 2024 — Source

Frozen shoulder research may hold the key to understanding fibrosis resolution
Researchers have identified how cells work to resolve frozen shoulder, opening up potential new targets for treatment and reducing the need for surgery.
February 19th, 2024 — Source

Key regulator of decision-making pinpointed in brain
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have new insight on what goes on inside people's heads as they make decisions to obtain information about the future.
February 19th, 2024 — Source

Neural network model identifies distinct brain organization patterns in women and men
A new study by Stanford Medicine investigators unveils a new artificial intelligence model that was more than 90% successful at determining whether scans of brain activity came from a woman or a man.
February 19th, 2024 — Source

PFAS: Can we adapt to live without?
Over the past two years, 3M sold nearly 25,000 different products that contain PFAS, the "forever chemicals" that will soon be largely illegal in Minnesota.
February 19th, 2024 — Source

Pickleball-related fractures up significantly in older adults
As pickleball has gained in popularity, associated fractures have skyrocketed 90-fold since 2002, according to a study presented at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, held from Feb. 12 to 16 in San Francisco.
February 19th, 2024 — Source

Protein production glitches in Huntington's disease revealed
DNA, often thought of as "the blueprint of life," contains instructions for building proteins that cells need to survive and function properly. But DNA isn't perfect and errors can occur during replication. Sometimes, this can result in snippets of the DNA building blocks called nucleotides—G (guanine), A (adenine), T (thymine), C (cytosine)—getting repeated too many times in a row.
February 19th, 2024 — Source

Spring allergies have wide-ranging effects, say experts
Spring allergies bring to mind thoughts of stuffy noses and watery eyes. But allergies actually affect many different and interconnected systems within a person's body, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).
February 19th, 2024 — Source

Study reveals five common ways in which the health of homeless pet owners and their companions is improved
A rapid scoping review has been conducted, which reveals five common ways in which the health of homeless pet owners and their companion animals is improved.
February 19th, 2024 — Source

What is the association between relationship factors, financial difficulties, and socio-demographic factors with mental health?
In a recent study published in PLoS ONE, a group of researchers investigated the impact of marital/relationship perceptions, financial difficulties, and socio-demographic factors on the mental health of Australian adults, using data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey.
February 19th, 2024 — Source

Xylazine
A medicine used to sedate animals is now being sold illegally as a thrill for humans. The effects can be deadly.
February 19th, 2024 — Source

Health — Nanotechnology — February 16th, 2024

Engineered living materials achieve reconfigurable growth
Morphogenesis marks one of nature's most astonishing feats. Starting from a single cell, cascading genetic and physical patterns progressively sculpt intricate structures exquisitely tailored for specialized function - spikes for snails, smooth skin for sharks, branched airways in human lungs.
February 16th, 2024 — Source

First human trial shows graphene can be developed safely
Graphene, a revolutionary nanomaterial with huge potential to tackle multiple global challenges could be developed further without acute risk to human health, research suggests.
February 16th, 2024 — Source

Health — Health Field — February 16th, 2024

Faceoff Between Anthem Blue Cross, UC Health Shows Hazards of Industry Consolidation
For weeks, more than half a million Anthem Blue Cross enrollees who receive health care from the University of California were held in suspense. It wasn't clear whether they would have to find new doctors or switch plans as the health system and one of its largest insurance partners struggled to reach agreement on a new contract.
February 16th, 2024 — Source

HIMSSCast: Maintaining and optimizing EHRs: Long-term strategies
When is it time to optimize an EHR? Where is the best place to start? Who should be involved? Peyman Zand, chief strategy officer at consulting firm CereCore and a former provider CIO, has the answers to these questions and many more.
February 16th, 2024 — Source

How generative AI can help address the critical nursing shortage
The healthcare workforce should prepare for a "once-in-a-century revolution," a labor law expert says, with artificial intelligence poised to directly impact the way nurses and other healthcare professionals do their jobs.
February 16th, 2024 — Source

Most vendors now using APIs to expand EHR functionality, says ONC
The agency's national survey of digital health companies shows that 73% use standards-based application programming interfaces when they are integrating with electronic health records, with a majority using the FHIR standard.
February 16th, 2024 — Source

Neuroscientists discover interactions between brain waves and nerve cells during human memory processes
Spatial navigation and spatial memory play a central role in our lives. Without these abilities, we would hardly be able to find our way around and it would be difficult to remember past events. However, the neuronal basis of spatial memory is far from being fully understood.
February 16th, 2024 — Source

New FDA-approved drug makes severe food allergies less life-threatening
Injections over several months allowed people to tolerate larger doses of trigger foods.
February 16th, 2024 — Source

Patients See First Savings From Biden's Drug Price Push, as Pharma Lines Up Its Lawyers
Last year alone, David Mitchell paid $16,525 for 12 little bottles of Pomalyst, one of the pricey medications that treat his multiple myeloma, a blood cancer he was diagnosed with in 2010.
February 16th, 2024 — Source

Protective mechanism discovered in the formation of fear memories could be starting point for new therapies
Researchers at the Central Institute of Mental Health and Heidelberg University have identified a biological mechanism that regulates the strength of the memory of an aversive event. The results of their study offer new starting points for the development of therapies for psychiatric disorders.
February 16th, 2024 — Source

Pulmonary expert explains importance of warm air during cold weather
Colder, dry air impacts lung health, with symptoms that range from bothersome to distressing. With cold temperatures forecasted for the Houston area this weekend, a pulmonary expert with Baylor College of Medicine explains the importance of warm air during colder temps and which populations should pay close attention to forecasted temperatures.
February 16th, 2024 — Source

Southern Lawmakers Rethink Long-Standing Opposition to Medicaid Expansion
Patrick Dunnagan of Raleigh, North Carolina, hasn't been able to work for years because of kidney disease and chronic pain. When North Carolina on Dec. 1 became the 40th state to expand Medicaid, Dunnagan finally qualified for the state-federal health insurance program, which covers people with low incomes. "The financial security is huge," he says
February 16th, 2024 — Source

Study suggests CT imaging with automated AI system predicts EGFR genotype, identifying mutation status cost-effectively and non-invasively
In a recent study published in The Lancet Regional Health-Southeast Asia, researchers developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-based predictive system (AIPS) model for the early detection of lung cancer by combining radiological, clinical, and genetic data.
February 16th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — February 16th, 2024

6th CKD Drug Development Summit: Countdown Begins
The 6th CKD Drug Development Summit is just around the corner! This highly anticipated summit is set to bring together KOLs, industry experts, and regulators to concentrate kidney innovation onto the next generation of drug development.
February 16th, 2024 — Source

Discovery provides new insight into severe liver disease
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a severe and chronic liver disease. It affects men more than women, and most people who are diagnosed with PSC are between 30 and 40 years old.
February 16th, 2024 — Source

Gender variations in brain aging among Parkinson's Disease patients
In a recent study published in npj Parkinson's Disease, researchers explored how sex influences brain aging in Parkinson's disease (PD) by analyzing Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-derived brain age differences and their clinical correlations.
February 16th, 2024 — Source

How our brains' beta waves predict stuttering
Beta waves are brainwaves associated with thought, actions, and reactions; for example, beta waves affect how you would react to a cyclist speeding toward you as you cross the street. New research finds that they can also predict when a person will stutter.
February 16th, 2024 — Source

Is it broken? A strain or sprain? How to spot a serious injury now school and sport are back
Kids are back at school, playgrounds, sport and general mucking around. This can lead to two things: happy children and injuries.
February 16th, 2024 — Source

Jelqing: The latest in a long history of attempts to enlarge the male member
Advice about a penis-enlargement method called jelqing (also "jelquing") is being widely shared online. Posts advise that stretching a semi-erect penis could add up to an inch in length and girth by exploiting the body's repair mechanisms.
February 16th, 2024 — Source

Mental health needs of young people with language disorder are being neglected, researchers say
There is an urgent need to address inequality in health services, especially mental health provision, for young people with developmental language disorder (DLD), according to a team led by UCL researchers.
February 16th, 2024 — Source

Nanomaterial with potential to tackle multiple global challenges could be developed without risk to human health
A revolutionary nanomaterial with huge potential to tackle multiple global challenges could be developed further without acute risk to human health, research suggests. The study is published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.
February 16th, 2024 — Source

Researchers identify genes and cell types that may have causal role in primary open-angle glaucoma formation
Although primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 55, there remains no cure for the disease and its biological mechanisms are not well understood. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a major risk factor for the disease, but many patients with glaucoma have normal eye pressure and still lose vision.
February 16th, 2024 — Source

The role of odor and verbal cues in recalling memories
Disruptions in effortful recall could lead to difficulties in autobiographical memory (AM), a condition associated with major depressive disorder (MDD).
February 16th, 2024 — Source

Wildfires linked to surge in mental health-related emergency department visits, study shows
An Emory University study published Thursday in Nature Mental Health shows wildfires lead to an increase of anxiety-related emergency department visits in the western United States, amplifying the concerning parallel trajectory of two escalating public health crises—mental health and climate change.
February 16th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — February 14th, 2024

A sense of touch: ASICs are the receptor for a proton synaptic messenger between Merkel cells and an afferent nerve
Transduction is the changing of one form of energy into another, such as a spoken voice changed into radio waves by a cellphone.
February 14th, 2024 — Source

A patch a day? Why the vitamin skin patches hyped on social media might not be for you
Vitamin patches are trending on social media and advertised in posts and podcasts.
February 14th, 2024 — Source

Are robots easier to interact with than humans for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder?
In a recent review published in Behavioral Science, researchers summarized the current evidence regarding whether people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) find it easier to interact with robot partners than human partners.
February 14th, 2024 — Source

Cities know that the way police respond to mental crisis calls must change. But how?
Philadelphia police officers Kenneth Harper and Jennifer Torres were in their patrol car sitting at a red light when a call came in over the 911 radio dispatch.
February 14th, 2024 — Source

Female lab mice behave very differently when placed outdoors
A new study has examined social behavior of lab mice in large outdoor enclosures.
February 14th, 2024 — Source

'Flash and Freeze-fracture' technique allows for neuronal insights into medial habenula
Fear and addiction exert significant influence within society. Managing them is often challenging, as they are driven by intricate neuronal circuits in our brains. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms is crucial to intervene when these processes malfunction.
February 14th, 2024 — Source

New algorithm disentangles intrinsic brain patterns from sensory inputs
Maryam Shanechi and her team have developed a new machine learning method that reveals surprisingly consistent intrinsic brain patterns across different subjects by disentangling these patterns from the effect of visual inputs. The work has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
February 14th, 2024 — Source

New treatment developed to dramatically slow down the progression of blindness-causing retinal diseases
A research team has successfully incorporated anti-inflammatory drugs into a hydrogel to suppress inflammation in the retina and effectively deliver the drugs to the inflamed area.
February 14th, 2024 — Source

Study hints at an early shift towards a more positive attitude in middle-aged people
Past psychology studies have found that on average, older adults tend to view the world in a more positive light than younger adults. People in their 30s to 50s, in fact, often display a negativity bias, which essentially means that they are more prone to remember unfavorable and information interpret neutral events in a negative light.
February 14th, 2024 — Source

Using three AI protein prediction tools, study uncovers new wrinkles in the folding story of 'orphan' proteins
When Profs. Joel Sussman and Israel Silman were asked to mentor Chinese students online during the COVID-19 pandemic, the last thing they expected to come out of the experience was highly innovative research on protein evolution that could change our understanding of the way new proteins come into being.
February 14th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — February 12th, 2024

A flicker of truth: Piercing the 'continuity illusion'
A study by a team at the Champalimaud Foundation (CF) has cast a new light on the superior colliculus (SC), a deep-seated brain structure often overshadowed by its more prominent cortical neighbor. Their discovery uncovers how the SC may play a pivotal role in how animals see the world in motion, and sheds light on the "continuity illusion," an essential perceptual process integral to many of our daily activities, from driving vehicles to watching movies.
February 12th, 2024 — Source

Can a $6.4 billion mental health ballot measure solve California homelessness?
For decades, thousands of Californians struggling with mental health and addiction have languished on the street. Now, voters will decide whether a March 5 ballot measure is the solution to get them the care they desperately need.
February 12th, 2024 — Source

Fitness trackers find new symptom of depression—body temperature
When a group of California researchers started a COVID-19 study in 2020 using fitness tracking rings, they didn't know they would make a leap forward for an entirely different condition.
February 12th, 2024 — Source

Home lighting tied to activity levels in adults with visual impairment
The home environment, particularly lighting, may influence home activity metrics in older adults with visual impairment, according to a study published online Feb. 8 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
February 12th, 2024 — Source

IU researchers develop a breakthrough new blood test for schizophrenia
A team of researchers led by Indiana University School of Medicine faculty have developed a breakthrough new blood test for schizophrenia, a psychiatric disorder that includes hallucinations and delusions.
February 12th, 2024 — Source

Limiting screen time and returning to school early may speed up recovery after a concussion
Researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital have found that when it comes to concussion recovery, activity type matters. In a study published today in British Journal of Sports Medicine, researchers found that limiting screen time and returning to school early following a concussion may speed up recovery.
February 12th, 2024 — Source

Newly discovered brain cells play a key role in right and left turns
Have you ever wondered what happens in the brain when we move to the right or left? Most people don't; they just do it without thinking about it. But this simple movement is actually controlled by a complex process.
February 12th, 2024 — Source

Rainwater significantly reduces damage from lightning strikes to the head: Study
Research at the Technical University of Ilmenau has shown that rainwater on the scalp can reduce damage caused by direct lightning strikes to the head. When the scalp is wet, fewer impacts are recorded compared to dry scalp, and the wetness also reduces the electrical current to which the brain is exposed.
February 12th, 2024 — Source

Scientists discover biological mechanism of hearing loss caused by loud noise, and find a way to prevent it
Anyone who has ever been to a loud concert knows the feeling of ringing ears. Some people experience temporary or even permanent hearing loss or drastic changes in their perception of sound after the loud noises stop. Thanos Tzounopoulos, Ph.D., director of the Pittsburgh Hearing Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has focused his scientific career on investigating how hearing works and developing ways to treat tinnitus and hearing loss.
February 12th, 2024 — Source

'Self-love' might seem selfish. But done right, it's the opposite of narcissism
"To love what you are, the thing that is yourself, is just as if you were embracing a glowing red-hot iron" said psychonalyst Carl Jung.
February 12th, 2024 — Source

Sleep aid models sleep patterns, plays soothing music at appropriate times
Insomnia is a pervasive sleep disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. It has long been considered a significant health concern characterized by difficulty falling asleep or remaining asleep for a sufficiently long period. While almost everyone suffers sleeplessness on occasion, it can often be alleviated by changing one's bedtime routine, avoiding late food and drink, relaxation and breathing exercises, switching off one's gadgets earlier in the evening, reducing stress overall, and with short-term medication.
February 12th, 2024 — Source

Study reveals microbiome changes linked to autism spectrum disorder
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by decreased social communication and repetitive behaviors, has long intrigued scientists seeking to unravel its underlying mechanisms. Researchers from the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine of Bar-Ilan University have now identified a potential link between ASD and the composition of the gut microbiome.
February 12th, 2024 — Source

This is how tobacco damages our cells
My father smoked a pipe for some time, and I vividly remember that sticky black substance—tar—which stuck to the device's filter. Now imagine this stuff going into your lungs, and coating their walls. The picture is unpleasant, to say the least.
February 12th, 2024 — Source

What are the best products to prevent, relieve chapped lips?
When the cold temperatures hit your lips and dry them out this winter, you might turn to some sort of lip product for a solution. But with a plethora of options to choose from, which will work best?
February 12th, 2024 — Source

Why it's a bad idea to mix alcohol with some medications
Anyone who has drunk alcohol will be familiar with how easily it can lower your social inhibitions and let you do things you wouldn't normally do.
February 12th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — February 9th, 2024

Anger, sadness, boredom, anxiety—emotions that feel bad can be useful
Remember the sadness that came with the last time you failed miserably at something? Or the last time you were so anxious about an upcoming event that you couldn't concentrate for days?
February 9th, 2024 — Source

As pickleball's popularity surges, injuries are also on the rise
America's fastest-growing sport with the silly name—pickleball—continues to lure new players onto courts in droves. But before hopping into the game, UC San Diego Health physical therapists recommend acing a pickleball pre-game routine to help keep injuries at bay.
February 9th, 2024 — Source

Do one in six Indians over 59 really have a mild brain disorder, as a new study suggests?
India is often perceived as a country with a young population, while European and North American populations are regarded as aging. Although this is true, the country's demographics are rapidly shifting, according to a UN study. And people aged 60 and over are expected to constitute 20% of the population by 2050.
February 9th, 2024 — Source

Is marriage a prescription for happiness? A new poll says yes
While marriage can be hard work, a new survey suggests it can also be a powerful elixir for happiness.
February 9th, 2024 — Source

Ketamine's promise for severe depression grows, but major questions remain
Using an old anesthesia drug to pull people out of the depths of severe depression has gone from fringe idea to widespread use in just a few years.
February 9th, 2024 — Source

Largest ever study of autistic people's research priorities finds need for focus on mental health
The largest ever study of autistic people's priorities has revealed a desire to focus research on mental health, post-diagnosis support and social stigma.
February 9th, 2024 — Source

Recommendations for imaging in crystal-induced arthropathies
Crystal-induced arthropathies (CiA) are caused by crystal deposits in a person's joints and associated tissues. The most frequent forms of these very common conditions be caused by three different types of crystals: monosodium urate (MSU), calcium pyrophosphate (CPP), and basic calcium phosphate (BCP).
February 9th, 2024 — Source

Stapokibart shows promise in reducing nasal congestion in seasonal allergy patients, study finds
In a recent study published in EClinicalMedicine, researchers assessed the efficacy and safety of stapokibart as an add-on therapy in patients with moderate-to-severe uncontrolled seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR).
February 9th, 2024 — Source

Study finds that Oura Ring data helps pinpoint depressive states
In 2020, a group of California researchers wanted to see if fitness trackers, such as the Oura Ring, could detect early signs and symptoms of COVID-19 (spoiler: they can). What the study also found, however, was a correlation between the depressive symptoms reported by the study's participants with the body temperature data that Oura provides.
February 9th, 2024 — Source

Why are so many Australians taking antidepressants?
Around one in seven Australians take antidepressants; more than 3.5 million of us had them dispensed in 2021--22. This is one of the highest antidepressant prescribing rates in the world.
February 9th, 2024 — Source

Women experience larger increase in antidepressant use after break-up than men, study suggests
While both divorce and remarriage in later life are becoming more frequent, there is inadequate research on their effects on mental health. A new study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health explored patterns of antidepressant use among Finnish adults aged 50--70 years experiencing divorce, separation from cohabitation, or bereavement, alongside usage trends before and after subsequent repartnering.
February 9th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — February 7th, 2024

Findings shed light on the role of platelets in patients with cirrhosis
Next to other complications, cirrhosis is also linked to abnormalities in hemostasis. However, the role of alterations in platelet function had previously been insufficiently investigated.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

It's Time to Accept That Sleep Divorce May Be the Best Way to Sleep
Sometimes, your partner is the source of your sleep troubles. Sleep divorce may be what saves your relationship and your health.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

Livening up your space with plants can boost your mental health
While you may not associate lush greenery with the winter months, incorporating plants into your home can beautify your space and help combat the winter blues. Various indoor plants thrive during the winter months and can provide color in your home during an otherwise dreary time of year.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

Loneliness declared health emergency in California's San Mateo County
San Mateo County recently became the first county in the country to recognize loneliness as a public health emergency.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

Male sex, high age, little physical exercise and low level of education are associated with allostatic load
Allostatic load refers to a disorder of the body's stress response, which has been shown to increase the risk of mortality and various health risks, as well as being associated with mental disorders. A recent study by the University of Eastern Finland explored the associations of allostatic load with depressive symptoms, lifestyles, health behaviors, and sociodemographic factors, such as age and level of education.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

Naturally-occurring material is an effective disinfectant for contact lenses, study suggests
A new study suggests a naturally-occurring material is an effective disinfectant for contact lenses, worn by millions of people worldwide.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

Neuronal abnormalities in autism-associated canine model carry Shank3 mutations
Researchers led by Prof. Zhang Yongqing from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology (IGDB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have established for the first time a brain slice electrophysiology system in an autism-associated canine model and revealed neuronal structural and functional abnormalities in Shank3 mutant dogs.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

New direct links discovered between the brain and its surrounding environment
In a recent study of the brain's waste drainage system, researchers from Washington University in St. Louis, collaborating with investigators at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) discovered a direct connection between the brain and its tough protective covering, the dura mater.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

Novel drug could protect brains from damage after repeat concussions
Repeat concussions, also referred to as repetitive mild traumatic brain injury, can lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and raise the risk of Alzheimer's disease. However, some people who experience repetitive mild traumatic brain injury never develop major disease.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

Organic compound found in trees could prevent contact lens eye infections
A new study suggests a naturally-occurring material is an effective disinfectant for contact lenses, worn by millions of people worldwide.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

People with lower incomes particularly benefit from nature, suggests study
Data from a representative sample of the Austrian population suggests that the connection between contact with nature and well-being is stronger among people with lower incomes than among people with higher incomes. However, this pattern was only found when people actively sought out nature and not when they simply lived near green spaces.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

Position of stroke patient's head before surgery may improve neurological function
Positioning patients with large vessel ischemic (clot-caused) stroke with their heads flat (0-degrees) before surgery to remove the blood clot resulted in significant improvements in neurological function, compared to patients whose heads were elevated (at a 30-degree angle), according to preliminary late-breaking science presented today at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2024.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

Progress toward developing blood tests for psychiatric and neurological disorders
Researchers in a Johns Hopkins Children's Center-led study that used genetic material from human blood and lab-grown brain cells say they have made progress in developing a blood test to identify disease-associated changes in the brain specifically linked to postpartum depression and other psychiatric and neurological disorders.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

Psychedelic experiences linked with improved sexual function
Magic mushrooms, LSD and other psychoactive compounds may help to improve sexual function for months after the psychedelic experience.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

Research highlights simple things we can do to cope with traumatic loss
A new study finds there are simple activities that can help people improve their mood and emotional well-being on a day-to-day basis after the traumatic loss of a loved one.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

Researchers find a molecular mechanism related to neuronal death
The human brain is an organ that requires 20% to 25% of the energy the body creates. This high energy demand for neuronal functions depends on the transport and precise distribution of mitochondria—the energy-generating cell organelles—in each neuron.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

Researchers map mortality due to heat waves
While the most extreme heat waves have the greatest short-term impact on mortality, it is the mildest heat waves that kill most lives over time. This is because mild heat waves are more common. This is according to a new study published in Environment International that has mapped the health risks of heat waves in India.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

Screen time can seriously harm your eyes: Here's how to avoid it
Every day, more and more patients are seeking medical attention after spending long days in front of computer screens. The most common symptoms include irritated or itchy eyes, and a sensation of dryness or sand on the surface of the eye.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

Smart earrings can monitor a person's temperature
Smart accessories are increasingly common. Rings and watches track vitals, while Ray-Bans now come with cameras and microphones. Wearable tech has even broached brooches. Yet certain accessories have yet to get the smart touch.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

Study finds neighborhood socioeconomic status may play an important role in suicides
Attempted suicide is one of the most significant predictors of completed suicide, which is becoming a leading cause of mortality in the U.S., especially among young adults. While prior research has focused mainly on individual-level risk factors for suicide--such as psychiatric diagnoses, impulsiveness, substance use, and previous suicide attempts—there is little information on risk factors at the community level, including the physical and social environment in which people live.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

Study finds non-white victims of lethal violence and suicide in the US die younger than their white counterparts
In the US, people of color who are killed by violence or die by suicide lose more potential years of life than white victims, according to a new study, which also explored factors that may contribute to these disparities. Gregory Zimmerman of Northeastern University in Boston, US, and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

Stress found to influence brain and psyche via immune system
Chronic stress has far-reaching consequences for our bodies. For example, many stress-related psychiatric illnesses, such as depression, are associated with changes in the immune system. However, the underlying mechanisms of how these changes affect the brain remain largely unknown.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

The size of your meniscus matters: Knee pain explained
With all of the fantastic imaging techniques available in health care today, clinicians are capable of diagnosing tissue and joint deformities using non-invasive imaging with remarkable accuracy. However, one vexing question remains: Why are some patients with specific joint deformities symptomatic while others are not?
February 7th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — February 5th, 2024

Distance education in Sweden during pandemic led to less care for ill mental health: Study
Upper secondary school students were less likely to seek help for ill mental health when they were forced to study at home during the pandemic. A similar decrease was not seen for secondary school students aged 14--16 who remained in school. This has been shown in a new study at Uppsala University, based on data covering all of Sweden's upper secondary school students between 2015--2021.
February 5th, 2024 — Source

How does car traffic influence airborne fungal diversity?
Microbial particles including fungi, bacteria, allergens, etc., are common natural components of air. In particular, fungi represent a large portion of the airborne microbes since they are among the most abundant, widely dispersed, and pervasive organisms in the world. Spores of different fungal species dispersed in the atmosphere are considered to be related to air pollution, thus affecting human health.
February 5th, 2024 — Source

Hydrogel with built-in antibiofilm and antioxidative functions promotes faster healing of infected chronic wounds
Diabetic wounds often become chronically infected and are notoriously difficult to treat. Two primary reasons for this include the formation of a bacterial biofilm and high levels of oxidative stress. A novel hydrogel dressing was developed recently to combat both these undesirable characteristics and tested for its effects on diabetic-infected wound healing. The report appeared in Nature Communications.
February 5th, 2024 — Source

Ketamine therapy for mental health a 'Wild west' for doctors and patients
In late 2022, Sarah Gutilla's treatment-resistant depression had grown so severe, she was actively contemplating suicide. Raised in foster care, the 34-year-old's childhood was marked by physical violence, sexual abuse, and drug use, leaving her with life-threatening mental scars.
February 5th, 2024 — Source

Study finds new treatment to reverse inflammation and arterial blockages in rheumatoid arthritis
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London have found that the molecule RvT4 enhances the body's natural defenses against atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
February 5th, 2024 — Source

Unlocking precision medicine for inflammatory bowel disease
The prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), is rapidly increasing worldwide, affecting an estimated 6.8 million people. This surge brings significant economic burdens, with annual health care costs exceeding $12,000 and $7,000 for CD and UC patients, respectively.
February 5th, 2024 — Source

Visualizing multiple sclerosis with a new MRI procedure
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease that usually leads to permanent disabilities. It affects about 2.9 million people worldwide, and about 15,000 in Switzerland alone. One key feature of the disease is that it causes the patient's own immune system to attack and destroy the myelin sheaths in the central nervous system.
February 5th, 2024 — Source

Women's blood lipid metabolism found to be better at countering effects of sleep apnea
Sleep apnea, which involves recurring, temporary interruptions of breathing during sleep, can disturb regulation of blood lipid levels, a key factor in the development of cardiovascular disease. A University of Ottawa research team has shown that the impact of sleep apnea on the metabolism of blood lipids differs by sex, with women regulating their blood lipids better than men.
February 5th, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — February 2nd, 2024

Ayahuasca-induced personal death subjective experiences: A literature review
Researchers analyzed studies on self-reported experiences related to the sensation of death during ayahuasca ceremonies (ayahuasca-induced personal death—APDs). More than half of the participants report having felt APDs and classify them as strong and transformative experiences, being associated with an increased sense of transcending death, as well as the certainty of the continuation of consciousness after death.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source

COPD and the effect of low-dose cadmium, a highly toxic metal, on airway epithelial cells
Cigarette smoke exposure is associated with the development and severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, which is the third leading cause of death worldwide.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source

Engineered cartilage could turn the tide for patients with osteoarthritis
About 1 in 7 adults live with degenerative joint disease, also known as osteoarthritis (OA). In recent years, as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and other joint injuries have become more common among adolescent athletes, a growing number of 20- and 30-somethings have joined the ranks of aging baby boomers living with chronic OA pain.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source

Dermatologists' group offers latest guidance on acne
It might take a combination of treatments to rein in problem acne in teens and adults, updated guidelines from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggest.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source

Geographic differences in telehealth found among mental health clinics
Telehealth availability for mental health care varies significantly across states—from less than half of treatment facilities contacted in states like Mississippi and South Carolina to every facility contacted in states like Maine and Oregon, according to a new study.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source

In overactive bladder patients, nocturnal urinary frequency is tied to bruises, fractures from falls
For patients with overactive bladder (OAB), increasing nocturnal urination frequency is a common risk factor for falls with bruises and fractures, according to a study recently published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source

Neurons can feel the pulse in the brain, study shows
As opposed to the sensory perception of the external world, interoception is the sensing of internal body signals, which informs the brain about the state of the body. Rhythmic bodily processes such as breathing, the heartbeat, or the pulsing of the gut may help keep brain activity organized. Indeed, it seems that how we think and see the world is affected by our heartbeat.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source

New guidelines aim to elevate comprehensive care for people with severe epilepsy
The National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) has developed updated guidelines that outline the comprehensive services and resources epilepsy centers should provide to improve quality of care for people whose epilepsy is not well-controlled.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source

New health evidence advocates for clean fuels in African homes and schools
University of Liverpool researchers have conducted the first comprehensive analysis of the substantial health gain that can be realized when switching African homes from polluting fuels to clean fuels such as bottled gas (Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG). Evidence from this global evidence synthesis has crucial energy and health policy implications for the region.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source

New UK report reveals autism assessment and support crisis
A report published today (Friday 2 February) by the Child of the North initiative—led by the N8 Research Partnership and former Children's Commissioner Anne Longfield's new Center for Young Lives think tank, reveals a crisis in children's autism assessment.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source

Psychological care by phone is an effective way to combat loneliness and depression, according to new study
Depression and loneliness can be prevented using structured, telephone-based psychological care, delivered over eight weeks, according to new research. The study, led by a team based at the University of York and Hull York Medical School and at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, has found levels of depression reduced significantly and the benefits were greater than those seen for antidepressants.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source

Research into autoimmune liver condition suggests unique cell movements may drive disease
Research suggests that a recent understanding of cell movements may help shed light on the mechanisms driving primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), an autoimmune disease that attacks the bile ducts of the liver.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source

Researchers use supercomputer to determine whether 'molecules of life' can be formed naturally in right conditions
Basic biology textbooks will tell you that all life on Earth is built from four types of molecules: proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. And each group is vital for every living organism.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source

Study reveals turban style and thickness affects head injury risk in Sikh cyclists
A new study from Imperial College London has revealed that the style and thickness of turbans affect the risk of serious head injury in Sikh cyclists
February 2nd, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — January 31st, 2024

Abnormal proteins found in the spinal fluid of people with ALS and frontotemporal dementia
Proteins could serve as biomarkers that improve diagnosis and guide the development of novel therapies.
January 31, 2024 — Source

Analysis reveals a significant rise in use of complementary health approaches, especially for pain management
An analysis conducted by the National Institutes of Health's National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) reveals a substantial increase in the overall use of complementary health approaches by American adults from 2002 to 2022.
January 31, 2024 — Source

Compounded effects of racism on mental distress, alcohol use, firearm purchases among Asian Americans during pandemic
Racism provoked during the COVID-19 pandemic is directly tied to increased firearm purchases among Asian Americans, according to a study led by researchers at the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University.
January 31, 2024 — Source

Eating disorders are among the most lethal mental health conditions. Reconnecting with internal body sensations can help
Did you know that anorexia is the most lethal mental health condition? One person dies from an eating disorder every hour in the U.S. Many of these deaths are not from health consequences related to starvation, but from suicide.
January 31, 2024 — Source

Efficacy of electronic cigarettes found to be noninferior to varenicline
For smokers who are motivated to quit, the quit rate is noninferior for electronic cigarettes (ECs) versus varenicline and is higher for ECs than nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in the form of nicotine gum, according to a study published online Jan. 29 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
January 31, 2024 — Source

Firing nerve fibers in the brain are supplied with energy on demand, shows study
Brain function depends on the swift movement of electrical signals along axons, the long extensions of nerve cells that connect billions of brain cells. The nerve fibers are insulated by a fatty layer called myelin, which is produced by specialized cells called oligodendrocytes. These cells wrap around and insulate nerve fibers ensuring the rapid and efficient transmission of signals that are essential for brain function.
January 31, 2024 — Source

Is hypnotizability related to risk-taking behavior?
In their daily lives, humans can encounter many situations that can put them at a varying degree of risk, or in other words, situations in which their choices can increase or decrease the possibility that an adverse event will occur. In these situations, different people can be more or less prone to engage in risk-taking behavior, such as gambling or investing large sums of money.
January 31, 2024 — Source

Ketamine therapy for mental health a 'wild West' for doctors and patients
In late 2022, Sarah Gutilla's treatment-resistant depression had grown so severe, she was actively contemplating suicide. Raised in foster care, the 34-year-old's childhood was marked by physical violence, sexual abuse, and drug use, leaving her with life-threatening mental scars.
January 31, 2024 — Source

Looking for love? Try finding purpose as well
The world of online dating can be overwhelming with the dizzying array of options for attracting a partner but new research from Washington University in St. Louis shows that those looking for love may have more success if they also seek a sense of purpose in life.
January 31, 2024 — Source

NIH study shows higher mortality rates for patients on respiratory support in rural intermediate care units
Findings highlight the importance of providing ICU-level care to rural patients with respiratory failure
January 31, 2024 — Source

New research explores the effects of cannabidiol on general health
For 20 years, Laura Stewart, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition and Dietetics, at the University of Northern Colorado, has been exploring how exercise improves the immune system. Over the last decade, however, her interests shifted to focus on the relationship between cannabidiol (CBD) and immune function.
January 31, 2024 — Source

New study recommends 2000 IU daily vitamin D supplementation
In a recent narrative review published in Nutrients, researchers discuss the evidence arguing for the efficiency and safety of 2000 international units, i.e., 50 micrograms (µg) of vitamin D supplementation per day to prevent and treat vitamin D deficiency in the general adult population.
January 31, 2024 — Source

Pedestrian injuries from falls versus motor vehicle collisions: Are we lacking critical policy and interventions?
Using Emergency Medical Services (EMS) data, researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health have compared the national burden of pedestrian injuries from motor vehicles to that of pedestrian falls occurring on streets and sidewalks, and found that the probability of a pedestrian suffering a severe injury is higher for motor vehicle collisions as compared to falls.
January 31, 2024 — Source

Sleep can give athletes an edge over competitors, but few recognize how fundamental sleep is to performance
In the adrenaline-packed world of professional sports, the power of sleep rarely gets adequate attention.
January 31, 2024 — Source

Study finds recipients of e-cigarette coupons 1.5 times more likely to begin using, less likely to quit
A new study led by a researcher in the Georgia State University School of Public Health finds that people who receive coupons for e-cigarettes are more than 1.5 times more likely to begin using them and less likely to quit.
January 31, 2024 — Source

Using neuroimaging, researchers confirm cumulative, brain-wide effects of ADHD
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University and the University of Minnesota Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain leveraged a large national dataset and neuroimaging to confirm the brain-wide effects of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.
January 31, 2024 — Source

Vast majority of vaping shops in WA are near schools or in poorer areas, researchers find
New research shows that vape stores are densely located around schools and in disadvantaged areas. Public health experts say the alarming data reinforces the pressing need for the Federal Government's planned further regulation to protect children and vulnerable people.
January 31, 2024 — Source

What do you know about pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, a long, flat gland that lies horizontally behind your stomach. The pancreas produces enzymes for digestion and hormones that regulate the way your body processes sugar.
January 31, 2024 — Source

What your blood can tell you about your health
Blood tests are commonly used to help not only monitor one's health but also to diagnose conditions. A blood sample can reveal a lot about a person's health.
January 31, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — January 29th, 2024

Arts, medicine combine to help patients with chronic digestive symptoms
In a study led by a team at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Ohio State's Wexner Center for the Arts, patients suffering from digestive symptoms were prescribed participation in an art program designed to help ease stress associated with their chronic illness.
January 29, 2024 — Source

Certain indoor air pollutants can be absorbed through the skin. What you need to know
Even though most of us will spend a majority of our lives indoors, that doesn't mean we aren't still exposed to air pollution. Indoor air contains a wide array of pollutants including chemicals found in many common household items, building materials and cleaning products.
January 29, 2024 — Source

Do you need to see a doctor for that rash?
When should you worry about a rash? Rashes may look alike, but while over-the-counter medications can treat some rashes, others can signal a more serious condition, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says.
January 29, 2024 — Source

Expert advice for women with thinning hair
Thinning hair is common as we age. And while the signs might not be as obvious as in men, about 55% of women experience some hair loss by the time they're 70. Treatments to prevent or stop it can help many women who are losing their hair.
January 29, 2024 — Source

Is inflammatory bowel disease causing your erectile dysfunction?
A recent Scientific Reports study used Mendelian randomization (MR) trials to explore the causal link between erectile dysfunction (ED) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
January 29, 2024 — Source

Jobs and geography may affect hearing: New study maps hearing loss by state and county across the US
The first study to map the prevalence of bilateral hearing loss in the United States by state and county finds that rates of hearing loss are higher among men, non-Hispanic whites, and residents of rural areas. Bilateral hearing loss is hearing loss in both ears.
January 29, 2024 — Source

Neglected tropical diseases persist in the world's poorest places: Four reads about hurdles and progress
It's sobering to reflect that "neglected tropical diseases" are referred to as "neglected" because they persist in the poorest, most marginalized communities even after being wiped out in more developed parts of the world.
January 29, 2024 — Source

New study indicates that many people will conceal their illnesses, putting others at risk
Have you ever hidden the fact that you were sick with a contagious illness from people around you?
January 29, 2024 — Source

New study on promising stem cell-based therapy for Crohn's disease
The research, published in npj Regenerative Medicine, showed that human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) helped heal the lining of the intestines and prompted a positive immunologic response. These effects were noted early after the administration of the stem cells and were sustained when no live hMSCs were present.
January 29, 2024 — Source

Study identifies molecule that could improve asthma treatments
Researchers are passionate about their fields of study for a variety of reasons. For Satish Madala, his focus on asthma is deeply personal.
January 29, 2024 — Source

UK unveils plan to ban disposable e-cigarettes
The UK will introduce legislation to ban disposable e-cigarettes in order to tackle a rise in youth vaping, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced Monday.
January 29, 2024 — Source

Updated EULAR recommendations for hip and knee osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) affects more than 500 million people worldwide. The disease is age-related, and usually starts to affect people in middle age. For elderly people, OA is the most common cause of disability, resulting in pain, limited mobility, and impacts on participation in both social and work contexts.
January 29, 2024 — Source

UH optometry researcher warns against the use of low-level red light therapy to control myopia
A University of Houston optometry researcher is warning against the use of low-level red light (LLRL) therapy as a method to control myopia, or nearsightedness, especially in children. Over the last few years, LLRL has emerged as a viable myopia treatment after studies reported the treatment as effective and responsible for significant reduction in myopia progression.
January 29, 2024 — Source

Updated recommendations for management of people with hip and knee osteoarthritis
OA affects over 500 million people worldwide. The disease is age related, and usually starts to affect people in middle age. For elderly people, OA is the most common cause of disability, resulting in pain, limited mobility, and impacts on participation in both social and work contexts.
January 29, 2024 — Source

Who can give blood and how long does it take? Your questions answered
With the blood supply falling to critically low levels, here are a few answers to common questions about blood donation.
January 29, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — January 26th, 2024

1 in 20 people has no sense of smell: Here's how they might get it back
During the pandemic, a lost sense of smell was quickly identified as one of the key symptoms of COVID. Nearly four years later, one in five people in the UK is living with a decreased or distorted sense of smell, and one in twenty have anosmia—the total loss of the ability to perceive any odors at all.
January 26, 2024 — Source

Clues to autism's causes may lie in the gut
Professor Alessio Fasano, a gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in the US, has several relatives and friends raising children with autism—a neurological disorder characterized by impaired social behavior—so is keenly aware of the challenges faced by families that have children with autism.
January 26, 2024 — Source

Decoding how the brain manages the appetite for salt and water
Staying hydrated and consuming appropriate amounts of salt is essential for the survival of terrestrial animals, including humans. The human brain has several regions constituting neural circuits that regulate thirst and salt appetite, in intriguing ways.
January 26, 2024 — Source

Exploring the link between aesthetic judgments and 'screen swiping' hand movements
Humans commonly evaluate the beauty of other humans, as well as objects, places, natural landscapes, and even animals. The innate human tendency to make aesthetic judgments has been the topic of numerous psychological studies, yet its neural and cognitive underpinnings are not yet fully understood.
January 26, 2024 — Source

Nonprescription laxatives for constipation: Use with caution
Laxatives can help relieve and prevent constipation. But not all laxatives are safe for long-term use. Overuse of certain laxatives may lead to dependency and decreased bowel function.
January 26, 2024 — Source

Genomic 'butterfly effect' explains risk for autism spectrum disorder
Researchers in the RIKEN Center for Brain Science (CBS) examined the genetics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by analyzing mutations in the genomes of individuals and their families. They discovered that a special kind of genetic mutation works differently from typical mutations in how it contributes to the condition.
January 26, 2024 — Source

Passive exposure can speed up learning, new research shows
Learning a new skill takes deliberate practice over time, but passive exposure to the subject matter at hand can help speed up the process, new University of Oregon research in mice suggests.
January 26, 2024 — Source

Psychologists finds that when listening to music to relieve stress 'genre doesn't matter'
Feeling stressed? "Take Me Home, Country Roads," "Nothing Else Matters" or "Baby One More Time" might calm you down again. Psychologist and music scientist Krisna Adiasto discovered that music genre doesn't seem to play a role in the songs we choose to recover from stress, but the songs that work do have shared characteristics.
January 26, 2024 — Source

Schools are using surveillance tech to catch students vaping, snaring some with harsh punishments
When Aaliyah Iglesias was caught vaping at a Texas high school, she didn't realize how much could be taken from her.
January 26, 2024 — Source

Study links social media use to increased inflammation over time
A University at Buffalo social scientist has extended a line of research that has already suggested an association between social media use and inflammation with a rigorous new study that showed that same association over time.
January 26, 2024 — Source

Using fMRI, a new vision study finds promising model for restoring cone function
In the retinas of human eyes, the cones are photoreceptor cells responsible for color vision, daylight vision, and the perception of small details. As vision scientists from the Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Gustavo D. Aguirre and William A. Beltran have been working for decades to identify the basis of inherited retinal diseases.
January 26, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — January 24th, 2024

Addressing coercion in mental health care
Finding a common goal for action to address coercion in mental health care is the goal of a new Griffith University paper that identifies what the World Health Organization (WHO) and World Psychiatry Association (WPA) agree on.
January 24, 2024 — Source

Ban on disposable vapes would affect one in seven young adults in Great Britain
A ban on disposable vapes, currently being considered by the U.K. Government, would affect 1 in 7 young adults (aged 18--24) in Great Britain, and 1 in 20 adults overall, according to a new study led by UCL researchers.
January 24, 2024 — Source

Brain mechanism teaches mice to avoid bullies: Findings may offer insight into human social disorders
Like humans, mice live in complex social groups, fight over territory and mates, and learn when it is safer to avoid certain opponents. After losing even a brief fight, the defeated animals will flee from the mice that hurt them for weeks afterward, a new study shows.
January 24, 2024 — Source

Climate change emerges as major eczema trigger
In an analysis of all relevant published studies that assessed atopic dermatitis (also known as eczema) associated with trends in climate-related hazards due to greenhouse gas emissions, investigators found that impacts include direct effects on eczema, like particulate matter-induced inflammation from wildfires, and indirect effects, such as stress resulting from drought-induced food insecurity.
January 24, 2024 — Source or Source

European consortium awarded €6.5M to study psychedelic-assisted therapy
A European consortium of 19 partners has been awarded over €6.5M by the European Union to study psilocybin to treat psychological distress in people with progressive incurable illnesses requiring palliative care. This is the first time the EU has funded a multi-site clinical study into psychedelic-assisted therapy.
January 24, 2024 — Source

Functional seizures have long been misunderstood and may be more serious than previously thought, study suggests
The death rate for patients with functional, non-epileptic seizures is higher than expected, with a rate comparable to epilepsy and severe mental illness, a Michigan Medicine-led study finds.
January 24, 2024 — Source or Source

Higher prevalence of asthma linked to unhealthy living conditions in Dublin South Inner City community
New research has found that residents of Oliver Bond House flats in Dublin's south inner city are 2.4 times as likely to have asthma in their medical records, compared to other patients attending the same general practice living locally.
January 24, 2024 — Source

How people with suicidal thoughts can help each other through tough times
Discussing suicidal thoughts is a difficult task, often hindered by the reluctance to burden family or friends with worries. At the same time, people may not always receive the necessary support from existing social and mental health care structures.
January 24, 2024 — Source

How the brain handles the complexity of chewing
You bite into an apple, you chew, the flavors flood your mouth, you swallow, and then you do it all over again. Eating is so effortless that you can do it while chatting, reading, watching TV, walking, working...
January 24, 2024 — Source

Lockdown air quality boost in Oxford helped 41% reduction in adult asthma hospital stays
Oxford residents with asthma had fewer hospital stays during 2020 compared to the previous five-year average largely due to reductions in air pollution, new research has found.
January 24, 2024 — Source

Protein TDP-43 keeps genetic zombies at bay: New insights into neurodegenerative disease mechanisms
A new Cell Reports paper from Bing Yao's lab in Emory's Department of Human Genetics provides insights into mechanisms underlying several neurodegenerative diseases, such as ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and Alzheimer's.
January 24, 2024 — Source

Relaxation techniques: Try these steps to lower stress
Relaxation techniques can lower stress symptoms and help you enjoy a better quality of life, especially if you have an illness. Explore relaxation techniques you can do by yourself.
January 24, 2024 — Source

Research shows irregular sleep rhythm challenges the health of middle-aged people
According to recent research, an irregular sleep rhythm is associated with poorer cardiovascular health in middle-aged people. Inconsistent bedtimes appear to particularly increase waist circumference. The results are revealed in a joint study by the University of Oulu and Oulu Deaconess Institute Foundation sr., Department of Sports, and Exercise Medicine.
January 24, 2024 — Source

Research suggests chronic pain is different for males and females
A University of Alberta research team has uncovered differences in the way male and female mice develop and resolve chronic pain, pointing to potential pathways for future targeted treatments for humans.
January 24, 2024 — Source

Rising suicide rate among Hispanics worries community leaders
A group from teens to seniors gathered in an office inside a grocery store, where Spanish-language food signs cater to the large Hispanic population in this northwestern Georgia city dominated by the carpet industry.
January 24, 2024 — Source

Risk of death during heat waves in Brazil linked to socioeconomic factors
A new study suggests that heat waves are exacerbating socioeconomic inequalities in Brazil, with people who are female, elderly, Black, Brown, or who have lower educational levels potentially facing greater risk of death during heat waves. Djacinto Monteiro dos Santos of Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and colleagues present these findings in PLOS ONE.
January 24, 2024 — Source

Simple steps can cut snakebite deaths
Scientists have called for simple, effective steps to cut the number of people bitten by venomous snakes.
January 24, 2024 — Source

Stop Using the Medicine Cabinet. Oh, and Now Clean It Out
If old bottles of prescription medicines and over-the-counter pain relievers are gathering dust behind your bathroom mirror, you're not alone. But it's important to take stock of what medications you have, what you can get rid of, and figure out how to store and discard your pills with care.
January 24, 2024 — Source

Why attention spans seem to be shrinking and what we can do about it
No, the average human attention span is not shorter than a goldfish's.
January 24, 2024 — Source

Why you should feed both a cold and a fever
Respiratory viruses like rhinovirus (the cause of the common cold), flu and SARS-CoV-2 make the rounds during the winter season, and many people claim to have a remedy to help illness pass quicker. But how much merit do these cures have? An expert with Baylor College of Medicine explains why the coldest time of the year brings sickness and how to prevent and power through some seasonal illnesses.
January 24, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — January 22nd, 2024

A new drug candidate can shrink kidney cysts
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), the most common form of polycystic kidney disease, can lead to kidney enlargement and eventual loss of function. The disease affects more than 12 million people worldwide, and many patients end up needing dialysis or a kidney transplant by the time they reach their 60s.
January 22, 2024 — Source

Advancing noninvasive diagnosis of NASH: Potential of sequential ultrasound molecular imaging in NAFLD/MAFLD
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), recently renamed metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), is spectrum of diseases that ranges from non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
January 22, 2024 — Source

Endosomal stress, a newly defined organelle stress, induces inflammation via ubiquitin signaling
The endosome is an essential organelle located at the center of membrane traffic and mainly sorts plasma membrane proteins internalized by endocytosis in cooperation with ubiquitination, especially lysine-63-linked polyubiquitin chains (K63 ubiquitin chains).
January 22, 2024 — Source

Evaluating the effectiveness of locally led digital public health campaigns
Kingston University academics and staff from the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames' Department of Health Behaviors and Public Health Services have published an evaluation of the effectiveness of a series of locally led digital public health campaigns.
January 22, 2024 — Source

Extra vigilance at beaches needed as school holidays raise coastal drowning risk, shows study
A study has found that adults, and not just children, are at increased risk of drowning at the beach during school holidays.
January 22, 2024 — Source

Financial stress linked to worse biological health, finds study
People who experience stressful life events or circumstances are more likely to have worse biological health, as indicated by biomarkers involved in the interaction between our immune, nervous and endocrine systems, according to a new study by UCL researchers.
January 22, 2024 — Source

Good and bad news for people with low back pain
Low back pain is a major cause of disability around the globe, with more than 570 million people affected. In the United States alone, health care spending on low back pain was $134.5 billion between 1996 and 2016, and costs are increasing.
January 22, 2024 — Source

How the brain responds to reward is linked to socioeconomic background
MIT neuroscientists have found that the brain's sensitivity to rewarding experiences—a critical factor in motivation and attention—can be shaped by socioeconomic conditions.
January 22, 2024 — Source

Immune cells drive sex reversal in zebrafish, a discovery that could improve treatments for female infertility
Mutations that disrupt development of germ cells cause infertility or birth defects. Mutations that cause female infertility in humans, such as mutations in the gene BMP15, also cause infertility in zebrafish. However, female zebrafish can undergo a complete reversal of sex traits.
January 22, 2024 — Source

Lack of fluoridated water affects oral health of Queenslanders from lower socio-economic areas
University of Queensland biostatistician Christopher Sexton led a team that investigated the link between geographical areas' socio-economic status and access to fluoridated water across the state.
January 22, 2024 — Source

New biomarkers for active lupus nephritis discovered
New biomarkers with improved diagnostic performance for early detection of lupus nephritis have been discovered in the University of Houston lab of Chandra Mohan, a pioneer in lupus research. Early identification of renal involvement in lupus and prompt treatment are essential in reducing the pain, suffering and eventual mortality it causes.
January 22, 2024 — Source

Office air conditioning can reduce the risk of harm from bushfire smoke, research shows
Air conditioning in our workplaces doesn't just cool the air—it can also help trap particles from bushfire smoke and reduce our exposure to potentially harmful elements like soluble mercury, sulfate and nitrate, new research shows.
January 22, 2024 — Source

Q&A: Expert discusses new report on how access to transportation affects public health
In a country of suburban sprawl and endless highways, most Americans need a car in order to complete such basic tasks as going to work, getting groceries, and seeing the doctor. Those without cars are at the mercy of uneven sidewalks and unpredictable transit systems, meaning they don't often get where they need to go, says Megan Latshaw, associate professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
January 22, 2024 — Source

Quality of life outcomes stable with neurostimulation in Parkinson disease: Study
For patients with Parkinson disease (PD), differences in quality of life (QOL) outcomes are seen with deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS), according to a study published online Jan. 18 in JAMA Network Open.
January 22, 2024 — Source

Research overturns previous findings on potential Parkinson's disease target
A new study has found a molecule hailed as a potential drug candidate for Parkinson's disease is no longer an effective therapeutic option. The WEHI-led research has debunked over 10 years of research that suggested a specific 'activator molecule' could be used to enhance the activity of a protein linked to early-onset Parkinson's disease, PINK1.
January 22, 2024 — Source

Six surprising things about placebos everyone should know
Placebos have been studied more than any treatment in the history of medicine, yet they remain mysterious.
January 22, 2024 — Source

Sleep disorders found to differ for autism, ADHD versus typical development
For most types of sleep disorders, there are significant differences for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared with typically developing (TD) children, according to a study published online Dec. 29 in Autism Research.
January 22, 2024 — Source

Study finds low-frequency ultrasound can improve oxygen saturation in blood
Research conducted by a team of scientists from Kaunas universities, Lithuania, revealed that low-frequency ultrasound influences blood parameters. The findings suggest that ultrasound's effect on hemoglobin can improve oxygen's transfer from the lungs to bodily tissues.
January 22, 2024 — Source

The vaping warning labels paradox: Encouraging adults, dissuading kids
Getting tobacco vaping warning labels right for both adults and teens has proven complex, as regulators confront two public health challenges: How to promote e-cigarette use as an alternative for adults who smoke cigarettes, while warning teens who use e-cigarettes of the potential long-term consequences, which include nicotine addiction and exposure to toxic chemicals.
January 22, 2024 — Source

Tips to help your skin thrive this winter
Winter isn't kind to your skin. Dry, cold weather causes dryness, and you might even develop "winter rash"—dry, irritated skin that's red, bumpy, flaky and burns. That's why it's prime time to step up your skincare routine.
January 22, 2024 — Source

Unnecessary cataract surgery? Some do it to improve their eyesight, but it's not without risk
Judy is an accomplished consultant who regularly travels for business meetings. She came to see me because she was finding her contact lenses uncomfortable and wanted to explore other options—notably surgical alternatives.
January 22, 2024 — Source

Why the UK's 20-meter number plate eyesight test isn't fair
Less than half of UK motorists surveyed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) know they must be able to read a number plate from 20 meters away in order to drive safely.
January 22, 2024 — Source

Zebrafish's eye muscles give hope for people with muscular dystrophy diseases
Muscular dystrophies are a group of diseases in which proteins in the muscles do not function properly, either through inherited or spontaneous mutations. This, in turn, leads to muscle tissue breaking down over time and patients eventually become wheelchair-bound and often die prematurely due to the muscles that help with breathing or the heart stop working.
January 22, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — January 19th, 2024

AI model unveils how memories blend reality and imagination
Recent advances in generative AI help to explain how memories enable us to learn about the world, re-live old experiences and construct totally new experiences for imagination and planning, according to a new study by UCL researchers.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Alcohol intervention for college drinkers leads to safer drinking behaviors among their close social network
Following a brief intervention delivered to certain heavy drinkers, alcohol use and risky social ties decreased among those students' close social connections who were also heavy drinkers, according to a novel study of first-year college students' alcohol consumption and social networks.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Body image issues are rising in men: Research suggests techniques to improve it
Body image issues are sometimes thought to mainly affect women. But some surveys estimate around 28% of men aged 18 and over regularly struggle with their body image.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Clarifying the cause of Guillain-Barre syndrome
Patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) face a rare and heterogeneous disorder of the peripheral nervous system that is often triggered by preceding infections and causes severe muscle weakness. In Europe and the U.S., around one to two cases per 100,000 people occur every year.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Climate Change Raises Pressure on Biden To Keep Workers Cooler
With climate change posing rising threats to human health, the Biden administration is drafting federal rules to protect construction crews, warehouse workers, delivery drivers and the rest of America's workforce from extreme heat. The regulatory effort has been years in the making, and its fate is far from certain.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Energy supply in human cells is subject to quality control, researchers discover
Researchers at the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG) have discovered a new quality control mechanism that regulates energy production in human cells. This process takes place in mitochondria, the power plants of the cell.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Graves' disease: When the thyroid is overactive
Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder that triggers the thyroid gland to produce more thyroid hormones than the body needs. It's the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Higher use of any prescription medications seen years before IBD diagnosis
Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) universally show increased prescription medication use years before diagnosis, according to a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology.
January 19, 2024 — Source

How to tell if a loved one is abusing opioids
Signs of opioid abuse may be hard to see clearly, especially in someone you love.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Insect bites and stings: First aid
Most insect bites and stings are mild and can be treated at home. They might cause itching, swelling and stinging that go away in a day or two. Some bites or stings can transmit disease-causing bacteria, viruses or parasites. Stings from bees, yellow jackets, wasps, hornets and fire ants might cause a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
January 19, 2024 — Source

Insurance doesn't always cover hearing aids for kids
Joyce Shen was devastated when doctors said her firstborn, Emory, hadn't passed her newborn hearing screening. Emory was diagnosed with profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears as an infant, meaning sounds are extremely muffled.
January 19, 2024 — Source

New Jersey bill would legalize 'magic mushrooms' for medical, recreational use
New Jersey lawmakers have introduced a bill that would make it the third state to legalize "magic mushrooms."
January 19, 2024 — Source

New study reports first known use of positron emission particle tracking in a living animal subject
Researchers from the School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences have published a new study exploring the use of positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) in a living subject for the first time.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Research into the nature of memory reveals how cells that store information are stabilized over time
Think of a time when you had two different but similar experiences in a short period. Maybe you attended two holiday parties in the same week or gave two presentations at work. Shortly afterward, you may find yourself confusing the two, but as time goes on that confusion recedes and you are better able to differentiate between these different experiences.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Rising Suicide Rate Among Hispanics Worries Community Leaders
A group from teens to seniors gathered in an office inside a grocery store, where Spanish-language food signs cater to the large Hispanic population in this northwestern Georgia city dominated by the carpet industry.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Sleeping positions that reduce back pain
A good night's sleep is important for physical and mental health. Back pain can make sleeping a challenge. By making simple changes in your sleeping position, you can take strain off your back.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Stress management
Get comfortable in your chair. Loosen any tight, uncomfortable clothing. Let your arms rest loosely at your side. Allow yourself a few moments to relax.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Tardive dyskinesia impact scale captures relevant info about condition
The Tardive Dyskinesia Impact Scale (TDIS) patient-reported outcome measure captures information about the impact of TD, according to a study published online Jan. 4 in the Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Testosterone therapy: Potential benefits and risks as you age
Considering testosterone therapy to help you feel younger and more vigorous as you age? Know the risks before you decide.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Unveiling the cellular mechanisms of engram consolidation and memory refinement
Think of a time when you had two different but similar experiences in a short period. Maybe you attended two holiday parties in the same week or gave two presentations at work. Shortly afterward, you may find yourself confusing the two, but as time goes on that confusion recedes and you are better able to differentiate between these different experiences.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Walk like a penguin: Tips on keeping your balance in winter
When winter storms hit, good balance can prevent falls and injuries—ranging from broken arms, legs or hips to back injuries and concussions.
January 19, 2024 — Source

What does it mean to have an enlarged prostate?
An enlarged prostate, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a common condition often associated with the natural aging process in men. Dr. Scott Cheney, a Mayo Clinic urologist, says it's a condition where the prostate enlarges over time and restricts the flow of urine.
January 19, 2024 — Source

What is the association between prenatal opioid exposure and risk of immune-related conditions?
In a recent study published in JAMA Network Open, a group of researchers compared the risk of hospitalization and emergency department presentation for immune-related conditions in children with and without prenatal opioid exposure (POE).
January 19, 2024 — Source

Women's sexual health: Talking about your sexual needs
Talking about your sexual needs can help bring you and your partner closer together and promote sexual fulfillment. Try these tips for talking to your partner.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — January 16th, 2024

A newly discovered receptor appears to protect against Parkinson's disease—but only in females
More men than women are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The reason why is still followed by a big question mark, but the sex difference is nonetheless a growing area of interest for researchers.
January 16, 2024 — Source

Amnesia caused by head injury reversed in early mouse study
A mouse study designed to shed light on memory loss in people who experience repeated head impacts, such as athletes, suggests the condition could potentially be reversed. The research in mice finds that amnesia and poor memory following head injury is due to inadequate reactivation of neurons involved in forming memories.
January 16, 2024 — Source

Bioengineered approach shows promise in ulcerative colitis
By taking advantage of mechanisms that allow cancer cells to evade immune attack, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have developed a new strategy in animal models that has potential for treating ulcerative colitis.
January 16, 2024 — Source

Contact lenses to diagnose glaucoma
Glaucoma effects around 70 million people worldwide and can cause irreversible loss of vision if not treated -- but around half of those living with the condition are not aware of it.
January 16, 2024 — Source

Discovery unravels the mystery of a rare bone disease
The study, published in Nature Communications, reveals that a defect in a specific gene (heterozygous variants in the matrix Gla protein, or MGP) may cause a disorder that affects the structure of connective tissues that supports the body.
January 16, 2024 — Source

Eight Examples of Why Tik Tok Is Not Great for Health Tips
There is no shortage of reasons why getting health and lifeadvice from TikTok is a bad idea.
January 16, 2024 — Source

Hidradenitis suppurativa is more common than thought, only a few seek treatment
A new study from the University of Oulu, Finland, published in the journal Acta Dermato-Venereologica, provides new insights into a skin condition called hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).
January 16, 2024 — Source

Hoping to clear the air in casinos, workers seek to ban tobacco smoke
Some casinos continue to allow indoor smoking even as the share of Americans who smoke fell from about 21% in 2005 to 12% in 2021 and smoking is banned in at least some public spaces in 35 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. Still, 13 of the 22 states and territories that allow casino gambling permit smoking in at least part of their facilities.
January 16, 2024 — Source

How looking after your willpower can help you reduce stress and stay productive, wherever you are working
The COVID pandemic led to big increases in psychological distress for many people, including symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression. The negative impact on mental health has been substantial and is likely to be long-lasting, with many people experiencing psychological distress even now.
January 16, 2024 — Source

Is the extreme cold bad for your lungs?
From frostbite to hypothermia, extremely cold can be dangerous. The cold can also affect your lungs.
January 16, 2024 — Source

Kush: What is this dangerous new west African drug that supposedly contains human bones?
A new drug called kush is wreaking havoc in west Africa, particularly in Sierra Leone where it is estimated to kill around a dozen people each week and hospitalize thousands.
January 16, 2024 — Source

Music can ease the January blues—but the types of songs that work depend on your age and mindset
Music can significantly boost your mental health—delivering benefits similar to those provided by exercise or weight loss. It can also reduce feelings of anxiety and physiological measures of stress and, as neuropsychologist Daniel Levitin argues, even create the same "neurochemical cocktail" as other pleasurable activities, like orgasms or eating chocolate.
January 16, 2024 — Source

Neuroscientific study suggests violence in video games does not negatively impact adults' empathy
Neuroscientists from the University of Vienna and the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm have investigated whether playing violent video games leads to a reduction in human empathy. To do this, they had adult test subjects repeatedly play a violent video game over the course of an experiment lasting several weeks.
January 16, 2024 — Source

New dust testing methodology better protects workers from lung diseases
A new dust testing methodology developed by University of Queensland researchers offers workers better protection from diseases such as black lung and silicosis.
January 16, 2024 — Source

New study shows how brain glucose affects fungal disease treatment
In a recent study published in Nature Microbiology, researchers examined metabolite-drug-fungal interactions in the fungal meningitis pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans.
January 16, 2024 — Source

Simulations of the human body and advanced data promise more personalized medical treatment
In a laboratory in the Italian capital Rome, Marco Evangelos Biancolini and his team are poking patients to gauge the effectiveness of different surgical procedures.
January 16, 2024 — Source

Spain bans flavored heated tobacco products
Spain's government on Tuesday approved a decree that bans the sale of flavored heated tobacco products as part of efforts to discourage tobacco use, the health ministry said.
January 16, 2024 — Source

Teens who up screen time raise mental health risks: Study
Young people who spent progressively more time online or playing video games were more likely to be depressed, anxious or to self-harm at 20, the study found.
January 16, 2024 — Source

Tobacco use shrinking despite industry efforts: WHO
The number of adult tobacco users is steadily dropping, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday, but warned that Big Tobacco was working hard to attract young people.
January 16, 2024 — Source

Toronto police data underreports cyclist and pedestrian injuries, study finds
Cycling and pedestrian injuries are severely underrepresented by police data, particularly those not involving a motor vehicle, according to new research believed to be the first of its kind in Canada.
January 16, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — January 15th, 2024

82% of asthma hospitalizations not getting recommended two-day follow-up
Asthma patients who ended up in hospital only had a GP appointment within recommended 48-hour period in 18% of cases between 2017-19, new research shows.
January 15, 2024 — Source

A surgeon general report once cleared the air about smoking. Is it time for one on vaping?
Sixty years ago, the U.S. surgeon general released a report that settled a longstanding public debate about the dangers of cigarettes and led to huge changes in smoking in America.
January 15, 2024 — Source

Be sure to get enough of the 'sunshine vitamin' this winter
In the middle of winter when sunshine can be hard to come by, it's tough to get enough vitamin D, but one expert has some advice.
January 15, 2024 — Source

Erectile dysfunction medications may increase risk of death when combined with common chest pain medication
Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i)—an erectile dysfunction drug sold under the names Viagra, Levitra, Cialis, and others—are a common medical treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) in men with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, a new Swedish study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests that patients are at higher risk for morbidity and mortality over time when PDE5is and nitrate medication are both prescribed.
January 15, 2024 — Source

Chemists discover three new recreational drugs that have not previously been reported in Australia
Three new recreational drugs that have never been reported in Australia before have been identified by chemists at Australia's only fixed-site drug checking service, CanTEST, located in Canberra.
January 15, 2024 — Source

Cycling deaths on the decline in Australia, but not in all age groups
New research shows there is a stark contrast between fatality rates in younger and older cyclists in Australia.
January 15, 2024 — Source

Cycling to work linked with better mental health
People who cycle to work are less likely to be prescribed drugs to treat anxiety or depression than those who commute using different modes of transport, new research shows.
January 15, 2024 — Source

Gabapentinoids associated with severe exacerbation of COPD
A population-based cohort study of more than 10,000 persons using gabapentinoids found that their use was associated with an increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation. This study supports the warnings from regulatory agencies and highlights the importance of considering this potential risk when prescribing gabapentin and pregabalin to patients with COPD.
January 15, 2024 — Source

Four street drugs that could pose the biggest threat to UK public health in 2024
As with fashion and music, illicit drugs go through peaks and troughs of popularity. There are popular staples, such as cannabis, and more disruptive and transient substances, such as mephedrone. As with clothing fashion, the drugs that most people are able to buy are determined by the choices of designers, manufacturers, and logistical operations, rather than consumers.
January 15, 2024 — Source

Future benefits of water fluoridation not guaranteed, study shows
Existing drinking water fluoridation programs in England still provide marginal savings for the NHS, but there is no guarantee new schemes would continue to do so, a new study called LOTUS led by University of Manchester researchers finds.
January 15, 2024 — Source

Impacts during everyday physical activity can slow bone loss
A study conducted at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, found that the bone mineral density at the femoral neck decreased, but the structural properties were maintained or even slightly improved during a year-long multicomponent exercise training intervention in 70- to 85-year-old men and women who had previously been physically inactive.
January 15, 2024 — Source

Is too much screen time bad for our eyes?
In the modern world, it's clear that screens dominate our lives. But is excessive screen time having an impact on our eyesight?
January 15, 2024 — Source

Largest study using machine learning in neuroimaging sets new benchmark for major depression diagnosis
In a recent study published in Scientific Reports, researchers established a benchmark classification of major depressive disorder (MDD) using machine learning (ML) on cortical and subcortical measures.
January 15, 2024 — Source

Malnutrition often seen in patients treated for inflammatory bowel disease
Some patients seen in an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) clinic screen positive for malnutrition, according to a research letter published online Nov. 20 in Gastro Hep Advances.
January 15, 2024 — Source

Nurse creates app to help peers manage anxiety
While being a nurse can be fulfilling, it can also be challenging and taxing, especially when it comes to mental health and anxiety.
January 15, 2024 — Source

Q&A: Identifying the barriers to earlier autism and ADHD diagnosis
Diagnostic delay is a major concern for children and young people with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)—and also for their loved ones.
January 15, 2024 — Source

Sociologist explores perceptions of street safety in urban and rural communities
Crime is often perceived as an urban phenomenon whereas rural life is viewed as more bucolic, but Timothy Bryan is testing these ideas.
January 15, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — January 13th, 2024

Domestic violence against men: Recognize patterns, seek help
Domestic violence against men isn't always easy to identify, but it's a serious threat. Learn how to recognize if you're being abused — and how to get help.
January 13, 2024 — Source

Study explains why "being in love" makes us tunnel visioned
Love is blind, the saying goes, and thanks to a world-first Australian study, we are now a step closer to understanding why.
January 13, 2024 — Source

Tapering of inhaled steroids feasible for asthma controlled with benralizumab
For patients with severe eosinophilic asthma controlled on bevacizumab, tapering of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is feasible and is not associated with worse asthma control, according to a study published online on Dec. 7 in The Lancet.
January 13, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — January 12th, 2024

A bid to stamp out parasitic disease strongyloidiasis in remote Australian communities
Strongyloidiasis—a poorly understood parasitic worm disease common in remote Australian communities and some returned travelers, refugees or asylum seekers—is finally gaining attention in the national research arena.
January 12, 2024 — Source

Association between vitamin D supplementation and fatigue
In a recent review published in Nutrients, researchers reviewed existing data on the mechanisms underlying vitamin D's effects on fatigue.
January 12, 2024 — Source

Autism can be predicted from routine developmental surveillance data
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be predicted from routine developmental surveillance data, according to a study published online Jan. 10 in JAMA Network Open.
January 12, 2024 — Source

Brain structure predicts treatment response to antidepressant and placebo medications, finds study
New research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King's College London, University of East London (UEL) and the University of Pennsylvania has used artificial intelligence to analyze the brain images in people living with major depressive disorder (MDD).
January 12, 2024 — Source

Candida evolution disclosed: New insights into fungal infections
Global fungal infections, which affect 1 billion people and cause 1.5 million deaths each year, are on the rise due to the increasing number of medical treatments that heighten vulnerability. Patients undergoing chemotherapy or immunosuppressive treatments after organ transplant often present compromised immune systems.
January 12, 2024 — Source

Cosmetic procedure in your plans for '24? An expert offers advice
More than a few folks are considering a cosmetic skin procedure to enhance their looks heading into 2024.
January 12, 2024 — Source

Mental illness in patients with chronic kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than 10% of adults worldwide. Mental health is an important yet under-recognized issue in patients with CKD. Depression is common and related to poor prognosis in CKD patients, but previous research has primarily focused on dialysis patients, leading to an insufficient understanding of depression in earlier stages of CKD.
January 12, 2024 — Source

Neuroscientists find that animals replay incidentally encoded episodic memories
Indiana University neuroscientists have found the first evidence that rodents can call upon their episodic memory—the ability to recall seemingly unimportant streams of events from the past—and use incidentally encoded information to answer unexpected questions.
January 12, 2024 — Source

Persistent fluorinated chemicals tied to higher risk for inflammatory bowel disease
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) exposure is associated with later occurrence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), according to a research letter published online Dec. 26 in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
January 12, 2024 — Source

Researchers identify diverse neuron types associated with vulnerability to Parkinson's disease
Through transcriptomic profiling of more than 300,000 cells in human substantia nigra, a part of the brain that helps control the body's movements, a research team has identified a previously unreported neuron type with vulnerability in Parkinson's disease. This novel finding could help explain the complexity of the disease symptoms and direct new therapeutics development.
January 12, 2024 — Source

Stress, via inflammation, is linked to metabolic syndrome
Lifestyle and genetics, and a range of other factors within and outside our control, are known to contribute to development of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that add up to increased risk for serious health problems.
January 12, 2024 — Source

Study links cord blood lipid levels to early ADHD and autism symptoms
In a recent study published in eBioMedicine, researchers evaluated the relationship between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptomatology and the cord blood lipidome at the age of two years.
January 12, 2024 — Source

Study provides insights into depression via ophthalmology
Scientists from the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry measured the pupillary reaction of participants while they were solving a task. In healthy participants, the pupils dilated during the task in anticipation of a reward, but this reaction was less pronounced in participants with depression.
January 12, 2024 — Source

Study reveals function of little-understood synapse in the brain
New research from Oregon Health & Science University for the first time reveals the function of a little-understood junction between cells in the brain that could have important treatment implications for conditions ranging from multiple sclerosis to Alzheimer's disease, to a type of brain cancer known as glioma.
January 12, 2024 — Source

Why does depression cause difficulties with learning?
When learning, patients with schizophrenia or depression have difficulty making optimal use of information that is new to them. In the learning process, both groups of patients give greater weight to less important information and, as a result, make less than ideal decisions.
January 12, 2024 — Source

Withings Body Scan Review: High-End Health Monitoring at a High-End Price
When the holiday festivities are done with and January rolls around, people naturally look to improving their health and usually turn to smart devices to get their lifestyle back on track. Weight loss is typically part of that calculation, and while smart scales can help, there's little to distinguish between the majority of offerings on the market.
January 12, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — January 11th, 2024

AI discovers that not every fingerprint is unique
From "Law and Order" to "CSI," not to mention real life, investigators have used fingerprints as the gold standard for linking criminals to a crime. But if a perpetrator leaves prints from different fingers in two different crime scenes, these scenes are very difficult to link, and the trace can go cold.
January 11, 2024 — Source or Watch Video

ADHD medication—can you take it long term? What are the risks and do benefits continue?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a condition that can affect all stages of life. Medication is not the only treatment, but it is often the treatment that can make the most obvious difference to a person who has difficulties focusing attention, sitting still or not acting on impulse.
January 11, 2024 — Source

Altering key ion channel found to protect against pancreatitis-associated acute lung injury
A group of Chinese researchers has conducted a mouse study to determine the role of Orai1, a membrane calcium-selective ion channel protein, in pancreatitis-associated acute lung injury.
January 11, 2024 — Source

An artificial muscle device that produces force 34 times its weight
Soft robots, medical devices, and wearable devices have permeated our daily lives. KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) researchers have developed a fluid switch using ionic polymer artificial muscles that operates at ultra-low power and produces a force 34 times greater than its weight. Fluid switches control fluid flow, causing the fluid to flow in a specific direction to invoke various movements.
January 11, 2024 — Source

Commensal T cells: How a healthy microbiome reduces gut inflammation
The microbiome has a profound influence on our health, but exactly how our resident bacteria wield their power is still unclear. A type of T cell appears to provide some answers for gastrointestinal health, a study of the mouse microbiome finds.
January 11, 2024 — Source

Eczema website delivers for patients and the NHS
A website that helps people with eczema to manage their symptoms could be saving the NHS hundreds of thousands of pounds, according to new research by the University of Southampton.
January 11, 2024 — Source

Enhanced mental wellbeing linked to workplace interventions on physical activity and sedentariness
In a recent article published in BMC Public Health, researchers investigated the effects of six months of multi-level workplace interventions aimed at decreasing sedentary behavior (SED) or increasing moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) on the mental health of office workers.
January 11, 2024 — Source

From ancient apothecary to modern medicine
Throughout history, humanity has used nature's pharmacy for healing. In exploring nature as a source of shelter and food, early humans fortuitously discovered the therapeutic properties of plants, with many of today's drugs having their roots in ancient knowledge.
January 11, 2024 — Source

Hoping to Clear the Air in Casinos, Workers Seek to Ban Tobacco Smoke
The instant Tammy Brady felt the lump in her breast in February 2022, she knew it was cancer. With no known genetic predisposition for breast cancer, she suspects 38 years of working in smoky Atlantic City casinos played a role.
January 11, 2024 — Source

How does social attention develop in autistic children?
As they grow, children increasingly focus their attention on social elements in their environment, such as faces or social interactions. However, children with autism are often more interested in non-social stimuli, such as textures or geometric shapes.
January 11, 2024 — Source

It's normal for your mind to wander. Here's how to maximize the benefits
New UC Davis research shows that men with an FMR1 premutation who experienced reduced executive function were at higher likelihood of developing fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS).

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-01-loss-function-onset-neurodegenerative-condition.html
Loss of executive function may signal onset of neurodegenerative condition FXTAS
January 11, 2024 — January 11, 2024 — Source

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Neural implant can read deep neural activity from the brain surface
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a neural implant that provides information about activity deep inside the brain while sitting on its surface. The implant is made up of a thin, transparent and flexible polymer strip that is packed with a dense array of graphene electrodes.
January 11, 2024 — Source

Neural mechanisms may serve as therapeutic target for depression
A recent study publishedpublished in Molecular Psychiatry has identified previously unknown alterations in neural connectivity that promote psychomotor disturbance—a slowing or reduction in movement—in individuals with major depressive disorder.
January 11, 2024 — Source

New immune system-targeting compound shows early promise in treating lupus
Scientists from Scripps Research have developed a small molecule that blocks the activity of a protein linked to autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Crohn's disease. This protein, known as SLC15A4, has been considered largely "undruggable," as most researchers have long struggled to isolate the protein, determine its structure, or even pin down its exact function within immune cells—until now.
January 11, 2024 — Source

New smoke exposure model may help determine the effects of cannabis on consumers more accurately
The legalization of cannabis in Canada is driving the demand for scientifically backed insights to inform public health messaging.
January 11, 2024 — Source

Opinion: Seeing through the cigarette tax smokescreen
The high taxes on tobacco are counterproductive in decreasing smoking. It only benefits the illegal cigarette trade—and its political masters.
January 11, 2024 — Source

Pain-based weather forecasts could influence behavior
For individuals who experience chronic pain, weather can be a significant factor in their day-to-day plans. In a recent study from the University of Georgia published in the International Journal of Biometeorology, about 70% of respondents said they would alter their behavior based on weather-based pain forecasts.
January 11, 2024 — Source

Pandemic-era demand for ADHD meds is fueling shortages today
A spike in the use of ADHD medications during the pandemic likely prompted drug shortages that continue to frustrate patients and doctors today, a new study shows.
January 11, 2024 — Source

Quest for personalized medicine hits a snag: Current models have limited effectiveness to predict treatments, says study
The quest for personalized medicine, a medical approach in which practitioners use a patient's unique genetic profile to tailor individual treatment, has emerged as a critical goal in the health care sector. But a new Yale-led study shows that the mathematical models currently available to predict treatments have limited effectiveness.
January 11, 2024 — Source

Small changes in specific immune cell populations linked to autoimmune disorders
Much like ripples on the water can betray powerful currents below the surface, small changes in our bodies can sometimes be an indicator of a serious condition. Now, researchers from Japan say that cells in the blood may provide telltale signs of important immune dysfunction.
January 11, 2024 — Source

Study reveals high prevalence of anemia with low rates of screening in Ireland
A study by researchers at University of Limerick in Ireland has found high rates of anemia among patients in the Irish health system, while screening for common causes was found to be low.
January 11, 2024 — Source

Research highlights prevalence of mental health conditions in young male offenders
A new study looking at the mental health of young male prisoners has found that more than 85% had a current mental health condition; however, less than 3% had received a clinical assessment (i.e., a comprehensive assessment of mental health and neurodevelopment) while in prison.
January 11, 2024 — Source

There are no US clinical guidelines for treating and diagnosing adult ADHD: That may change soon
The number of adults being diagnosed with ADHD—a neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity—is increasing rapidly in the U.S. According to a 2019 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, such adult diagnoses are growing roughly four times faster than they are among children.
January 11, 2024 — Source

Three-quarters of autistic children also have other types of neurodivergence, finds study
Three quarters of children (76.2%) who were diagnosed with autism also had traits of other neurodivergent neurotypes—including traits associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), learning and motor differences—according to a new study.
January 11, 2024 — Source

Time for a 'Weed-Free January?' How cannabis users could benefit from a 'dry' month
By now, most are familiar with the idea of Dry January, a voluntary month without alcohol that follows a month when many drink more than usual.
January 11, 2024 — Source

We are more sensitive to temperature than we thought, study reveals
An experiment conducted by Laura Battistel involved the use of four temperature-controlled climate chambers, ranging from 23 to 25 degrees Celsius. Twenty-six participants were involved: 13 men and 13 women. Volunteers had to compare pairs of chambers, moving from one chamber to another, and then say which was warmer and which was colder.
January 11, 2024 — Source

What Did You Say? Eye Glasses That Could Replace Some Hearing Aids Seem Really Cool
At CES 2024, we tried on and learned about Nuance Audio glasses, which use a technology similar to AirPods Pro 2 to help people hear better without dedicated hearing aids.
January 11, 2024 — Source

Why poor sleep quality can be a matter of life and death for migrant roofers
Migrant roofers in the U.S. helping communities rebuild from natural disasters often struggle with poor quality of sleep, according to new research from Rice University. The issue can be a matter of life and death for these individuals, who are working in environments where a sleepy misstep can literally end their life or permanently injure them.
January 11, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — January 10th, 2024

A beginner's guide to sound baths—what they are, how to choose a good one and what the research shows
In recent years, sound bathing, a therapy in which sound is used for healing, has been marketed as one of many "self-care" practices, such as journal-keeping or candle-burning, in support of personal well-being. Sold also as sound "immersions," or sound "healing" or "therapy," sound baths are pitched as a safe and effective way to reduce stress and increase inner peace.
January 10, 2024 — Source

A more eco-friendly facial sheet mask that moisturizes, even though it's packaged dry
Starting a new year, many people pledge to enact self-care routines that improve their appearance. And facial sheet masks soaked in skin care ingredients provide an easy way to do this. However, these wet masks and their waterproof packaging often contain plastics and preservatives.
January 10, 2024 — Source

Adults with PTSD have smaller cerebellums, study reveals
Adults with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have smaller cerebellums, according to new research from a Duke-led brain imaging study.
January 10, 2024 — Source

Ancient DNA reveals reason for high multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's rates in Europe
Researchers have created the world's largest ancient human gene bank by analyzing the bones and teeth of almost 5,000 humans who lived across western Europe and Asia up to 34,000 years ago.
January 10, 2024 — Source

Blood tests offered in New Mexico amid query into 'forever chemical' contamination at military bases
Hundreds of residents and personnel stationed at a U.S. Air Force base in eastern New Mexico will be able to have their blood tested as state officials expand their investigation into contamination from a group of compounds known as "forever chemicals."
January 10, 2024 — Source

Can drinking alkaline water help prevent kidney stones? Not likely, study finds
Bottled water marketed as "alkaline water" is unlikely to be an effective alternative for prevention of recurrent urinary stones, reports a study in the January issue of The Journal of Urology.
January 10, 2024 — Source

Cannabis products may harbor fungal toxins harmful to human health, but regulations are uneven or nonexistent
Hemp and cannabis host many fungi inside and outside the plant, most of which are harmless to most people. However, certain types of fungi such as Aspergillus and Fusarium pose potential health concerns, particularly for the immunocompromised, both through direct infection and consumption of the toxins they produce.
January 10, 2024 — Source

Decoding the mysteries of medically unexplained neurologic diseases
New research may create some respite for sufferers of two medically unexplained fatigue-inducing conditions: myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM).
January 10, 2024 — Source

Feeling depressed linked to short-term increase in body weight, study finds
Increases in symptoms of depression are associated with a subsequent increase in body weight when measured one month later, new research from the University of Cambridge has found.
January 10, 2024 — Source

Five dental TikTok trends you probably shouldn't try at home
TikTok is full of videos that demonstrate DIY hacks, from up-cycling tricks to cooking tips. Meanwhile, a growing number of TikTok videos offer tips to help you save money and time at the dentist. But do they deliver?
January 10, 2024 — Source

High tech glove stymies Parkinson's disease tremors
Roberta Wilson-Garrett looked at the glove keeping her right hand steady and smiled.
January 10, 2024 — Source

MedUni Vienna researchers discover possible trigger of chronic inflammatory bowel disease
As the cause of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis is not yet known, treatment for sufferers is currently aimed at alleviating the often agonizing symptoms. The discovery by a MedUni Vienna research team that the trigger for IBD could be found on the surface of intestinal epithelial cells provides a new potential starting point for the development of therapeutic measures. The results of the study were recently published in the scientific journal "EMBO Reports".
January 10, 2024 — Source

Novel microfluidic device models gut neuro-epithelial connections
Epithelial cells and sensory neurons communicate through neuro-epithelial connections in the GI tract, essential for major senses and digestion. Studying these interactions has been complicated due to the differing needs of epithelial cells and neurons.
January 10, 2024 — Source

PhD students' mental health is poor and the pandemic made it worse—but there are coping strategies that can help
A pre-pandemic study on Ph.D. students' mental health showed that they often struggle with such issues. Financial insecurity and feelings of isolation can be among the factors affecting students' well-being.
January 10, 2024 — Source

Researchers identify cellular traffic jams in a rare neurological disease
Researchers from McGill University, led by Professor Alanna Watt of the Department of Biology, have identified previously unknown changes in brain cells affected by a neurological disease. Their research, published in eLife, could pave the way to future treatments for the disease.
January 10, 2024 — Source

Reduced drug use is a meaningful treatment outcome for people with stimulant use disorders, data show
Reducing stimulant use was associated with significant improvement in measures of health and recovery among people with stimulant use disorder, even if they did not achieve total abstinence. This finding is according to an analysis of data from 13 randomized clinical trials of treatments for stimulant use disorders involving methamphetamine and cocaine.
January 10, 2024 — Source

Research finds dark web fentanyl-selling operations have grown rapidly, offer steep discounts
Overdose deaths in North America have skyrocketed, primarily because of the spread of illegally manufactured fentanyl. In a new study, researchers have analyzed an early and prominent fentanyl-selling operation on the dark web. The organization sustained a significant growth rate, which allowed it to offer consumers steep discounts.
January 10, 2024 — Source

State variance seen in requirements to report medically impaired drivers
There is considerable variance in state reporting requirements regarding medically impaired drivers, according to a study published online Jan. 5 in JAMA Network Open.
January 10, 2024 — Source

Stronger social networks key to addressing mental health in young adults, research finds
Having strong social networks, or a set of individuals a person is connected to, can make people more resilient to symptoms of anxiety and depression, particularly among young adults whose social lives and relationships were disrupted by COVID-19.
January 10, 2024 — Source

Study draws lessons about drug policy by examining history of fireworks regulation, prohibitions
Policymakers worldwide wrestle with whether to prohibit products that can harm consumers. Prohibitions can reduce consumption and consumption-related harms, but also create other problems, including illegal markets. In a new study, researchers have reviewed the history of fireworks regulations, sales, and harms, then contrasted these with those for cannabis.
January 10, 2024 — Source

Study shows special brain cells react to unexpected situations
New research from the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience shows that chandelier cells, a specific type of brain cell, become active during unexpected situations. Researchers have been wondering about the functionality of these cells for a long time.
January 10, 2024 — Source

Tinnitus: Ringing in Your Ear Really Comes From Your Brain
Uncontrolled ringing, buzzing, or whooshing in your ear can seriously interfere with your quality of life. Just ask Jeff Grace, who has tinnitus.
January 10, 2024 — Source

US teen smoking rates have plummeted, with fewer than 1% now daily smokers
The number of American teens who smoke or have even tried smoking has dropped dramatically compared to a generation ago, with less than 1% now saying they light up cigarettes daily.
January 10, 2024 — Source

Therapy against spider fear can also reduce fear of heights, shows study
It has long been assumed that it is necessary to use different exposure therapies to treat different fears. A new study from Ruhr University Bochum challenges this view.
January 10, 2024 — Source

What's your bedtime routine? Survey finds Americans' favorites
A hot shower, a glass of wine, a good book and sex are a few of Americans' favorite ways to unwind at bedtime, a new survey shows.
January 10, 2024 — Source

When is a cough a concern?
Hearing a chorus of coughs is typical at this time of year. An occasional cough is normal and healthy. A cough that persists for several weeks or brings up discolored or bloody mucus may indicate a condition that needs medical attention.
January 10, 2024 — Source

Wristband monitors provide detailed account of air pollution exposure
Environmental epidemiologists at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of researchers at Oregon State University, Pacific Northwest National Labs, and Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, report on the findings of a new study of air pollution exposures collected using personal wristband monitors worn by pregnant individuals in New York City matched with data from a questionnaire.
January 10, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — January 9th, 2024

A common marker of neurological diseases may play a role in healthy brains
Researchers have discovered that a protein called phosphorylated α-synuclein, which is associated with several neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia, is also involved in the normal processes of how neurons communicate with each other in a healthy brain.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Current research on prevalence of prolonged grief disorder is inadequate, says study
Proper procedures for diagnosing prolonged grief disorder (PGD) are not being followed in research into its prevalence, according to a study published in Harvard Review of Psychiatry. What's more, most published literature doesn't clearly acknowledge the limitations of the methodology used.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Discovering a new mechanism of vestibular neuritis
Prof. Sun-Uk Lee of the Department of Neurology and Prof. Euyhyun Park of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology from Korea University's Anam Hospital have discovered a new mechanism of vestibular neuritis.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Emotional well-being and subjective health are linked during adulthood, shows study
A study conducted at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, showed that mood and life satisfaction are linked to people's experiences of their health. Emotional well-being was found to predict subjective health up to 11 years later. And vice versa, better health predicted life satisfaction later in life. The paper is published in the journal Psychology & Health.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Engineering a more elegant deep brain stimulation therapy for Parkinson's
A team of physicians, neuroscientists and engineers at Duke University has demonstrated two new strategies that use deep brain stimulation to improve the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Exposure to air pollution associated with increase in sedentary time, study finds
Long-term exposure to current levels of UK air pollution has been found to be associated with an annual increase of up to 22 minutes of sedentary time each day, in a study published in the Journal of Public Health.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Hepatitis linked to alcohol increasingly drives emergency department visits, especially among younger adults: Study
Hepatitis linked to alcohol, the most severe form of alcohol-associated liver disease, is increasingly prevalent, severe, and likely to involve emergency departments, according to a new analysis. The findings reflect increased drinking and alcohol-linked liver disease in the general population.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Hospitalizations for scooter injuries nearly tripled in the US between 2016 and 2020, research finds
UCLA-led research finds that scooter injuries nearly tripled across the U.S. from 2016 to 2020, with a concurrent increase in severe injuries requiring orthopedic and plastic surgery over the same period.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Imetelstat leads to durable red blood cell transfusion independence
For heavily transfused patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (LR-MDS) who are not responding to or are ineligible for erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), the competitive telomerase inhibitor imetelstat leads to durable red blood cell (RBC) transfusion independence, according to a study published online Dec. 1 in The Lancet.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Improved cellular recycling could benefit patients with neurodegenerative conditions
For the first time, a research team at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) has uncovered a way to potentially reduce the amount of toxic cellular waste accumulating in patients with Zellweger Spectrum Disorder (ZSD).
January 9, 2024 — Source

Innovative wearables offer glimpse into continuous, unobtrusive health monitoring
In a review published in Communications Materials, researchers discussed the recent advances and barriers in the development of a digitally connected body via a network of wearable sensors and bio-interfaces.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Irritable bowel syndrome patients found to suffer higher rates of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome
Researchers at the University of Missouri School of Medicine have uncovered a link between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and somatic disorders, such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Learning a second language strengthens neural connections in the language network, study shows
They organized a large intensive German learning program for Syrian refugees and studied their brains using advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), uncovering dynamic modulations in the wiring of crucial language regions that enabled them to communicate and think in the new language.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Love scrambles the brain and scientists can now tell us why
Love is blind, the saying goes, and thanks to a world-first Australian study, we are now a step closer to understanding why.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Microfragmented adipose tissue injection beneficial for knee OA
For patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), microfragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) injection with arthroscopic surgery is associated with improved midterm clinical outcomes, according to a study published online Dec. 26 in the World Journal of Stem Cells.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Re-frame of mind: Do our brains have a built-in sense of grammar?
For centuries, a prevailing theory in philosophy has asserted that at birth the human mind is a blank slate. More recently, the same notion has also held sway in the field of neurobiology, where it is commonly held that neural connections are slowly created from scratch with the accumulation of sensory information and experience.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Researchers use a soft, wearable robot to help a person living with Parkinson's walk without freezing
In a recent study published in Nature Medicine, a group of researchers demonstrated the effectiveness of soft robotic apparel in averting Freezing of Gait (FoG) in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, showcasing significant improvements in mobility and gait quality.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Scientists find about a quarter million invisible nanoplastic particles in a liter of bottled water
The average liter of bottled water has nearly a quarter million invisible pieces of ever so tiny nanoplastics, detected and categorized for the first time by a microscope using dual lasers.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Severe multiple sclerosis predicted using machine learning
A combination of only 11 proteins can predict long-term disability outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS) for different individuals. The identified proteins could be used to tailor treatments to the individual based on the expected severity of the disease. The study, "Proteomics reveal biomarkers for diagnosis, disease activity and long-term disability outcomes in multiple sclerosis," led by researchers at Linköping University in Sweden, has been published in the journal Nature Communications.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Study: Psychological differences between sexes persist in countries with higher standards of living
Researchers from Karolinska Institutet have published an article in Perspectives on Psychological Science showing that psychological differences between the sexes persist in countries with higher standards of living. Some differences become even greater, while others decrease, with women appearing to benefit more than men from the changes. The findings confirm to some degree the so-called equality paradox.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Texas Health Department Claims It Has Nothing to Do With Warnings on Porn From Texas Health Department
An age verification law in Texas demands that porn sites put up a warning from Health and Human Services about the dangers of porn. But the department claims it has nothing to do with it, and no records to show.
January 9, 2024 — Source

What happens to our online activity over the switches to and from Daylight Saving Time?
Daylight Saving Time (DST) might be influencing our internet habits, according to research from the University of Surrey and the University of Padova (Italy).
January 9, 2024 — Source

Women more resistant to anesthetic than men, finds study
Sex hormones may contribute to increased anesthetic resistance in women compared with men, according to a new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. General anesthetics exert their hypnotic effects partly by modulating the activity of hypothalamic circuits, which regulate sleep and wakefulness.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — January 8th, 2024

Age plays a critical role in the diagnosis of von Willebrand disease, study reveals
New research by RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences published in Blood journal has revealed that the age at which individuals are tested for von Willebrand disease (VWD), a common bleeding disorder, significantly affects their diagnosis. This could be key in addressing current challenges in misdiagnosis and treatment of patients, potentially reducing the risk of bleeding complications during surgery and childbirth.
January 8, 2024 — Source

Bottled water harbors a quarter of a million tiny plastic particles, posing unknown health risks
In recent years, there has been rising concern that tiny particles known as microplastics are showing up basically everywhere on Earth, from polar ice to soil, drinking water, and food. Formed when plastics break down into progressively smaller bits, these particles are being consumed by humans and other creatures, with unknown potential health and ecosystem effects.
January 8, 2024 — Source

Cannabinoids Are Common: Why So Many Use CBD, Delta-8, Others
They're not regulated by the federal government, at least not yet, but a substantial number of Americans reportedly use hemp-derived alternative cannabinoid products.
January 8, 2024 — Source

Distinct sex differences persist in countries with higher standards of living, finds study
Psychological gender differences persist in countries with improved living conditions, according to a study published in Perspectives on Psychological Science by researchers from Karolinska Institutet. Some differences become larger and others smaller as women seem to benefit more than men from improved living conditions. The findings confirm to some extent the so-called gender paradox.
January 8, 2024 — Source

E-cigarettes found to help more tobacco smokers quit than traditional nicotine replacement
Nicotine e-cigarettes are more effective in helping people quit smoking than conventional nicotine-replacement therapy (NRT), according to the latest Cochrane review co-led by a University of Massachusetts Amherst public health and health policy researcher.
January 8, 2024 — Source or Source

Mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement boosts methadone treatment
Telehealth-delivered mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement (MORE) is a feasible and effective adjunct to methadone treatment (MT) for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) and pain, according to a study published online Dec. 7 in JAMA Psychiatry.
January 8, 2024 — Source

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio can distinguish cystitis from OAB
Hanwei Ke, from Peking University People's Hospital in Beijing, and colleagues conducted a retrospective analysis involving 70 women diagnosed with IC/BPS, 20 diagnosed with OAB, and a randomly selected cohort of 150 healthy women (normal). All participants underwent a comprehensive panel of blood tests, and the NLR was determined.
January 8, 2024 — Source

New program for psoriasis patients highlights cardiovascular risk
Almost 30% of the patients in a pilot program for those with psoriasis that was devised by researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania were identified as having undiagnosed, elevated risk for cardiovascular disease. Those patients were then able to be given more individualized care over the next year, but all participants received extra care and guidance.
January 8, 2024 — Source

Novel test holds promise for detecting Parkinson's disease early
In the development of Parkinson's disease (PD), the changes that will lead to neurodegeneration take place in the brain long before patients show any symptoms. But without a test that can detect these changes, it's difficult to intervene early to more effectively slow disease progression.
January 8, 2024 — Source

Renal macrophages observed playing crucial role in preventing kidney stones
Researchers at Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China, have investigated how the body's innate immune system of renal macrophages works to prevent kidney stones. In a paper, "Renal macrophages monitor and remove particles from urine to prevent tubule obstruction," published in Immunity, the authors detail their findings of mechanistic actions and strategic positioning of macrophages to surveil epithelial cells and intratubular environments.
January 8, 2024 — Source

Study explores the causal links between emotional well-being and subjective health
A study conducted at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, showed that mood and life satisfaction are linked to people's experiences of their health. Emotional well-being was found to predict subjective health up to 11 years later. And vice versa, better health predicted life satisfaction later in life.
January 8, 2024 — Source

Study finds Epstein-Barr virus T-cells prevalent in early multiple sclerosis
The body's immune response to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may play a role in causing damage in people with multiple sclerosis, according to a new study led by UTHealth Houston.
January 8, 2024 — Source

Study suggests EBV-specific T cells play key role in development of multiple sclerosis
The body's immune response to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may play a role in causing damage in people with multiple sclerosis, according to a new study led by University of Texas Health Houston.
January 8, 2024 — Source

Sunscreen: Why wearing it even in winter could be a good idea
Sunscreen has taken center stage in many skincare routines, especially among those hoping to prevent visible signs of aging. But while it makes sense to wear sunscreen every day in the summer when the sun's rays are most powerful, many may wonder whether there's any benefit of wearing sunscreen daily in the winter months.
January 8, 2024 — Source

Targeting the mRNA of 'undruggable' proteins in the fight against Parkinson's disease
Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute, Florida, have developed a new method to counteract α-synuclein protein levels by targeting the mRNA that forms them. The strategy unlocks many research doors with potential therapeutic approaches for addressing neurodegenerative diseases.
January 8, 2024 — Source

The curious link between animal hibernation and aging, and what humans could learn from it
When the cold and dark winter is setting in, some of us envy animals that can hibernate. This long, deep rest is an example of how nature develops clever solution to difficult problems. In this case, how to survive a long, cold and dark period without much food and water.
January 8, 2024 — Source

Thirdhand smoke study teaches reveals more about the risks
It's long been established that secondhand smoke is a detriment to health and linked to cancer. Now, researchers are looking more closely at thirdhand smoke, which is the presence of toxic tobacco by-products that remain on surfaces such as furniture, decor, walls, and floors.
January 8, 2024 — Source

UK facing unusually large scabies outbreaks, treatment shortages appear mostly to blame
Scabies is an unpleasant skin infection that's common all around the world. Outbreaks happen regularly—with an estimated 450 million cases occurring globally each year. But since the start of winter, outbreaks in the UK have been higher than normal. In November 2023 alone, cases were double the seasonal average.
January 8, 2024 — Source

What is resilience? A psychologist explains the main ingredients that help people manage stress
The word resilience can be perplexing. Does it mean remaining calm when faced with stress? Bouncing back quickly? Growing from adversity? Is resilience an attitude, a character trait or a skill set? And can misperceptions about resilience hurt people, rather than help?
January 8, 2024 — Source

Why do we sleep? Researchers propose an answer to this age-old question
Sleep is a fundamental need, just like food or water. "You'll die without it," said Keith Hengen, an assistant professor of biology at Washington University in St. Louis. But what does sleep actually accomplish? For years, the best researchers could say is that sleep reduces sleepiness—hardly a satisfying explanation for a basic requirement of life.
January 8, 2024 — Source

Why you should take vitamin D this winter
The days are finally getting longer, but the sun is still low in the sky—and that means you probably aren't getting your recommended daily allowance of vitamin D through solar rays alone.
January 8, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — January 7th, 2024

Blood flow changes in the eyes could influence visual symptoms of migraines
A recent study found changes in blood flow in the retina could explain why some migraine patients experience visual symptoms. The findings could represent a long-sought observable marker for migraines that doctors can use to aid in the clinical treatment of the condition.
January 7, 2024 — Source

Can we fight back against Parkinson's disease? These research volunteers hope so
About three years before he retired, David Campbell noticed something weird happening as he typed. Whenever he tried to hit a letter, say "a," he'd get "aaa," like the keyboard was jamming or his finger was triple-tapping the key. That wasn't the only thing that seemed off—his sense of smell was faltering. "Little things," he says, "that I didn't think of as being a big deal."
January 7, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — January 6th, 2024

Blisters: First aid
If a blister isn't too painful, try to keep it intact. Unbroken skin over a blister may provide a natural barrier to bacteria and decreases the risk of infection. Cover it with a bandage or moleskin. Cut a piece of moleskin into a doughnut shape and place the pad so that it encircles and protects the blister. Then cover the blister and moleskin with gauze.
January 6, 2024 — Source

Chemical burns: First aid
Chemical burns are tissue damage caused by strong acids, drain cleaners, paint thinner, gasoline and many other substances. Usually, you are aware of such a burn and its cause. But sometimes you may not immediately recognize a burn caused by a milder chemical. As with some sunburns, the damage may develop hours after the exposure. Major chemical burns need emergency medical help. Minor chemical burn can usually be treated with first aid.
January 6, 2024 — Source

Harvard's robotic exoskeleton can improve walking, decrease falls in people with Parkinson's
If you follow the world of robotic exoskeletons with any frequency, you're no doubt aware of the two primary categories. The first is aimed firmly at workers with strenuous or repetitive jobs such as lifting and transporting packages. The second is assistive, largely focused at individuals with mobility impairments.
January 6, 2024 — Source

How living like a hunter-gatherer could improve your health
Many of us want to live long, happy and healthy lives. Yet it's often confusing to know the best way to achieve this, and many aspects of modern, westernized living conspire to keep us from achieving this goal.
January 6, 2024 — Source

PTSD, depression, and anxiety nearly doubles in Israel in aftermath of Hamas attack
A study conducted by researchers at Ruppin Academic Center in Israel and Columbia University documents the broad impact on the mental health of Israelis, both Jews and Arabs, with sharp increases in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety in the aftermath Hamas' attack in October.
January 6, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — January 5th, 2024

3 things you didn't know about cold sores
Ian Roth: Cold sores on the lips can be embarrassing and tough to hide. But, turns out, you might not have a reason to be embarrassed.
January 5, 2024 — Source

Asbestos: The size and shape of inhaled nanofibers could be exclusively responsible for the development of pulmonary fibrosis
The pathogenic potential of inhaling the inert fibrous nanomaterials used in thermal insulation (such as asbestos or fiberglass) is actually connected not to their chemical composition, but instead to their geometrical characteristics and size. This was revealed by a study conducted on glass nanofibers.
January 5, 2024 — Source

Soft robotic, wearable device improves walking for individual with Parkinson's disease
Robotic exosuit eliminated gait freezing, a common and highly debilitating symptom
January 5, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — January 5th, 2024

Migraine symptoms linked to retinal blood flow changes
A recent study found changes in blood flow in the retina could explain why some migraine patients experience visual symptoms. The findings could represent a long-sought observable marker for migraines that doctors can use to aid in the clinical treatment of the condition.
January 5, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — January 4th, 2024

Study reveals new genetic link between anorexia nervosa and being an early riser
Individuals with the eating disorder often wake early and experience insomnia
January 4, 2024 — Source

Health — General Information — December 29th, 2023

Asthma inhaler switch in 2024 could leave some patients scrambling
A popular asthma inhaler is being discontinued Jan. 1, fueling concerns that patients may have trouble getting insurance coverage for alternatives.
December 29, 2023 — Source

Blood poisoning keeping many people out of work
A few years ago, the World Health Organization estimated that blood poisoning, or sepsis, is involved in 1 in 5 deaths around the world; 11 million people die from sepsis each year, of which nearly 3 million are children.
December 29, 2023 — Source

Cadmium and particulate matter toxicity in a bronchial epithelial cell model
Particulate matter causes health problems for those who inhale the fine droplets and particles, but the chemical composition of the mixture matters—and can vary widely across space and time.
December 29, 2023 — Source

Compassion and mindfulness eight-week program for those with post-traumatic stress symptoms
A little compassion can go a long way in life, and just eight weeks of a new compassion and mindfulness-based program has made a world of difference to those with post-traumatic stress symptoms.
December 29, 2023 — Source

Six ways to look after your eyes in 2024
The World Health Organization estimates that over 80% of all vision impairment around the world can be prevented and even cured. Reducing the risk of eye diseases involves adopting a combination of lifestyle changes, protective measures, and regular eye care. Here are six ways to look after your eyes in 2024.
December 29, 2023 — Source

Small magnetic balls sold at Walmart recalled over swallowing dangers
Tiny, powerful magnetic balls sold exclusively online at Walmart as building blocks and stress relievers have been recalled for swallowing dangers, the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) said Thursday.
December 29, 2023 — Source

Thinking of a(nother) tattoo this summer? What you need to know about sunburn, sweating and fading
More of us have tattoos than ever before. About 25% of Australians are inked.
December 29, 2023 — Source

Vietnam war veterans at no higher risk for suicide: Study
However, there's a glimmer of good news from recent research: Suicide rates for Vietnam veterans over the past four decades were no higher than that of the general population.
December 29, 2023 — Source

Young people took up smoking during the pandemic—how tobacco has been used for stress relief for more than a century
In the UK and much of the west, smoking rates have consistently declined since the turn of the millennium. But during some of the most anxiety-ridden months of the COVID pandemic in early 2020, that rate of decline slowed almost to a stop.
December 29, 2023 — Source

Health — General Information — December 28th, 2023

A new test could save arthritis patients time, money and pain. But will it be used?
Erinn Maury knew Remicade wasn't the right drug for Patti Schulte, a rheumatoid arthritis patient the physician saw at her Millersville, Maryland, practice. Schulte's swollen, painful joints hadn't responded to Enbrel or Humira, two drugs in the same class.
December 28, 2023 — Source

'An Arm and a Leg': When Hospitals Sue Patients (Part 2)
Some hospitals sue patients who can't afford to pay their medical bills. Such lawsuits don't tend to bring in much money for the hospital but can really harm patients already experiencing financial hardships.
December 28, 2023 — Source

Mental Health Courts Can Struggle to Fulfill Decades-Old Promise
In early December, Donald Brown stood nervously in the Hall County Courthouse, concerned he'd be sent back to jail.
December 28, 2023 — Source or Source

Study finds ED visits for schizophrenia spectrum disorders up after pandemic onset
The number of emergency department visits for schizophrenia spectrum disorders increased after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study published online Dec. 27 in JAMA Network Open.
December 28, 2023 — Source

Health — General Information — December 27th, 2023

An African history of cannabis offers fascinating and heartbreaking insights—an expert explains
When I tell people that I research cannabis, I sometimes receive a furtive gesture that implies and presumes: "We're both stoners," as if two members of a secret society have met.
December 27, 2023 — Source

Arthritic hands: What works (and doesn't) to ease the pain?
Millions of people who live with the pain and stiffness of arthritis in their hands get steroid or hyaluronic acid injections directly into their finger joints in the hopes of feeling better.
December 27, 2023 — Source

Low liver awareness among the public
Liver doctors tell us that the general public's level of knowledge about the liver is surprisingly low. A study confirms this.
December 27, 2023 — Source

Off-label use of a common antibiotic to treat muscular dystrophy
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a genetic disease characterized by progressive muscular weakness. There is currently no treatment despite many recent efforts. But now researchers from Japan may have found a cure.
December 27, 2023 — Source

Power of illusion can help with learning new movements
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University showed that visual aids that create the illusion of movement, like a screen placed in front of one's hand showing the hand move, can improve motor performance and the early stages of motor learning. Compared to observing third-person motions, functional near-infrared spectroscopy data also showed greater changes in brain activity in regions associated with motor learning.
December 27, 2023 — Source

Q&A: Cleft lip and palate repair
Dear Mayo Clinic: I'm pregnant with my second child. During the 20-week anatomy scan, my obstetrician detected my baby has a cleft lip. Does this mean my baby also has a cleft palate? How and when is a cleft lip or cleft palate corrected?
December 27, 2023 — Source

Sleep may be compromised with a bed partner
If you're having trouble sleeping, perhaps contact with a bedmate is causing the problem, say University of Michigan researchers.
December 27, 2023 — Source

What does 'male menopause' mean?
Hormone changes are a natural part of aging, but the experience is different for men and women. Unlike the more dramatic plunge that occurs in women during menopause, sex hormone changes in men occur gradually. This is sometimes called male menopause.
December 27, 2023 — Source

Health — General Information — December 24th, 2023

What to Know About EndeavorRX, the Video Game to Treat ADHD
The FDA extended its authorization to more kids and teens; adults can play it without prescription. Here's what to know about it.
December 24, 2023 — Source

Health — General Information — December 23rd, 2023

Depression and anxiety: Exercise eases symptoms
Depression and anxiety symptoms often improve with exercise. Here are some realistic tips to help you get started and stay motivated.
December 23, 2023 — Source

Resilience: Build skills to endure hardship
Resilience means being able to adapt to life's misfortunes and setbacks. Test your resilience level and get tips to build your own resilience.
December 23, 2023 — Source

Health — General Information — December 22nd, 2023

AI can spot suicidal tendencies among young people
The number of suicide attempts is rising at an alarming rate: In 59 low- and middle-income countries, 1 in 6 young people have attempted suicide, according to studies. This worrying development calls for stronger preventive efforts, which is also at the center of a new international research project.
December 22, 2023 — Source

Alone Time versus Loneliness: What's a Good Balance?
For many, 'tis the season for nonstop holiday and family gatherings, lasting from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day. While some wish those nonstop parties would continue, others feel an overwhelming desire to just be alone and bask in peace and quiet.
December 22, 2023 — Source

Brain distributes signals differently before real and imaginary movement: Study
Scientists have established how the activity of our brain during imaginary movement differs from that during real action. It turns out that in both cases, a previous signal occurs in the cerebral cortex, but with an imaginary movement, it does not have a clear link to a specific hemisphere.
December 22, 2023 — Source

Depression and anxiety: Exercise eases symptoms
Depression and anxiety symptoms often improve with exercise. Here are some realistic tips to help you get started and stay motivated.
December 22, 2023 — Source

Ease up on drinking to cut your risk for 'holiday heart syndrome,' doctors warn
Rum-laced eggnog, mulled wine, or a hot toddy all sound good around the holidays, but too much imbibing can increase your risk of "holiday heart syndrome," doctors warn.
December 22, 2023 — Source

Light color is less important for the internal clock than originally thought
Light in the evening is thought to be bad for sleep. However, does the color of the light play a role? Researchers compared the influence of different light colors on the human body. The researchers' findings contradict the results of a previous study in mice.
December 22, 2023 — Source

Microglia found to play a key role in regulating the body's response to anesthesia
Though it may be a surprise to the millions of people who undergo general anesthesia every year for medical procedures, the biological mechanism for how different anesthetics block consciousness is still not fully understood. However, researchers may be one step closer after uncovering the way small immune cells in the brain called microglia are impacted by general anesthesia.
December 22, 2023 — Source

Microplastics as pathogen carriers in water pose environmental and public health risks
Microplastics, which are minute plastic particles under 5mm in size, are becoming ever more ubiquitous in marine and freshwater ecosystems around the globe. These particles, derived from primary and secondary sources, such as industrial raw material nurdles and the degradation of larger plastic items, have escalated into a major environmental issue. In aquatic settings, these microplastics take on the role of carriers for a range of pathogens, encompassing bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. This dynamic presents a considerable hazard, with the potential to cause infections in both marine life and humans.
December 22, 2023 — Source

Monkey stem cells made easy: New method unveils xeno-free, efficient culture system
Non-human primates (NHPs) have a high degree of similarity to humans compared to other animal models. These similarities manifest at the genetic, physiological, socio-behavioral, and central nervous system levels, making NHPs uniquely suitable for research into stem cell therapy and increasingly used in preclinical trials to test the safety and efficacy of biotechnology therapies.
December 22, 2023 — Source

Mysterious morel mushrooms at center of food poisoning outbreak
A food poisoning outbreak that killed two people and sickened 51, stemming from a Montana restaurant, has highlighted just how little is known about morel mushrooms and the risks in preparing the popular and expensive delicacy.
December 22, 2023 — Source

New research debunks color's influence on the human internal clock
Vision is a complex process. The visual perception of the environment is created by a combination of different wavelengths of light, which are decoded as colors and brightness in the brain. Photoreceptors in the retina first convert the light into electrical impulses: with sufficient light, the cones enable sharp, detailed, and colored vision. Rods only contribute to vision in low light conditions allowing for different shades of grey to be distinguished but leaving vision much less precise.
December 22, 2023 — Source

Plastic particles harm gut health and immunity in mice, study shows
Scientists have found that tiny plastic particles can accumulate in the intestines of mice and cause damage to their gut health and immune system.
December 22, 2023 — Source

Polluted air means more asthma attacks for urban kids, says new study
Air pollution may trigger more asthma attacks in urban children and teens, a new study reports. Even moderate levels of ozone and fine airborne particulates—two ingredients of smog—appear to increase kids' risk of asthma attacks, according to findings published online in The Lancet Planetary Health journal.
December 22, 2023 — Source

Researchers discover functional compensatory effects in Treg cells
Professor Yi Sun's team at the Zhejiang University report a functional compensatory effect between the Ube2m-Rbx1 and Ube2f-Sag axes of the neddylation--Cullin-RING ligases (CRLs) system in Treg cells, using conditional KO mouse models. The team also revealed that both Ube2m-Rbx1 and Ube2f-Sag axes are essentially required for the functions of Treg cells, and elucidated mechanistically that the Rbx1/Sag-CRLs function in both neddylation-dependent and -independent manners.
December 22, 2023 — Source

Researchers find link between lonely veterans and firearm purchases
Low-income U.S. veterans who are experiencing feelings of loneliness are more likely to purchase firearms, according to new research from UTHealth Houston.
December 22, 2023 — Source

Screens are everywhere: Resolve to protect your vision
Screens are everywhere—on desks, in laps, on the wall—and eye strain is a temporary but uncomfortable condition that comes with overuse.
December 22, 2023 — Source

Study finds two types of cognitive behavior therapy are equally effective in the treatment of fibromyalgia
There does not appear to be any profound differences between so-called exposure-based CBT and traditional CBT in the treatment of fibromyalgia, according to a study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet. Both forms of treatment produced a significant reduction in symptoms in people affected by the disease.
December 22, 2023 — Source

Study suggests need to produce and disseminate information on over-the-counter drug abuse
A non-prescription drug abuse crisis in Japan seems only one overdose away. The demand for a particular anti-cough drug has been rising, along with the social impact of its abuse due to its psychosomatic effects.
December 22, 2023 — Source

Study: Traditional CBT as effective as exposure therapy for fibromyalgia
There does not appear to be any profound differences between so-called exposure-based CBT and traditional CBT in the treatment of fibromyalgia, according to a study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet. Both forms of treatment produced a significant reduction in symptoms in people affected by the disease. The study is one of the largest to date to compare different treatment options for fibromyalgia and is published in the journal PAIN.
December 22, 2023 — Source

Tainted applesauce now linked to more than 200 lead poisoning cases
More than 200 cases of lead poisoning linked to contaminated fruit puree pouches have now been reported in the United States, up from 125 cases in the last weekly tally, with 33 states now reporting poisonings, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in its latest update.
December 22, 2023 — Source

Health — General Information — December 21st, 2023

8 brain health tips for a healthier you
The brain controls thought, movement and emotion. Use the following brain health tips to help protect it.
December 21, 2023 — Source

Best Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids to Try in 2023
Treating your hearing loss is easier than ever, thanks to over-the-counter hearing aids. Here's what to know about price, performance and accessibility.
December 21, 2023 — Source

Champagne cork related eye injuries can be a substantial threat to eye health
Be careful this holiday season, warn researchers in the Christmas issue of The BMJ. Eye injuries while opening bottles of fizz can be significant and easily avoided.
December 21, 2023 — Source

Deciphering how amino acids control cell growth and autophagy in yeast
Amino acids are the building blocks of life. We obtain them from the food we eat, and the body uses them to make proteins, which in turn are used for growth, development, and a multitude of other functions. However, before the body can build with these blocks, it must first be able to sense their presence.
December 21, 2023 — Source

Investigating the impact of auditory beat stimulation on cognition
New research conducted by the Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas investigates the impact of binaural beat (BB) on language skills. BB is a sound that occurs when two slightly mismatched pure tones are heard. There is a growing interest in using BB as a non-invasive neuromodulation to enhance cognitive performance.
December 21, 2023 — Source

One in four e-scooter users admit riding under the influence
E-scooter users may be taking extra risks such as riding while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, new research has found.
December 21, 2023 — Source

Report says Parkinson's disease diagnoses must include a message of hope
As Parkinson's disease diagnoses continue to rise in the U.S., limited patient access to movement disorder specialists means the job of delivering the often-devastating, life-changing news falls on primary care physicians or community neurologists who may not have the necessary expertise for this sensitive task.
December 21, 2023 — Source

Structures of Parkinson's disease-linked proteins offer a framework for understanding how they work together
Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have revealed the complex structure of two Parkinson's disease-related proteins, both of which are implicated in late-onset cases. Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is a protein kinase that modifies other proteins in a process called phosphorylation; Rab29, a member of the Rab GTPase family that regulates cellular trafficking, modulates the activity of LRRK2.
December 21, 2023 — Source

Study reveals indoor metabolites as key indicators in asthma and allergic rhinitis
Millions of children worldwide suffer from asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR), two chronic respiratory conditions that significantly impact their quality of life. While environmental factors are known to play a role, pinpointing the exact culprits has been challenging, particularly due to the vast diversity of the indoor microbiome.
December 21, 2023 — Source

Health — General Information — December 19th, 2023

Human brain cells put much more energy into signaling
Signaling molecules help modulate the brain's overall activity.
December 19, 2023 — Source

Flavonoid supplement shown to reduce swelling after total knee arthroplasty
For patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA), treatment with diosmin—a flavonoid supplement derived from citrus fruits—reduced swelling of the knee and leg and some measures of associated pain can be achieved, reports a clinical trial in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
December 19, 2023 — Source

From Neanderthals to now: Tracing the evolution of human sleep cycles
In a recent study published in the journal Genome Biology and Evolution, researchers examined the differences in circadian biology between the ancestors of modern humans and the archaic hominins such as Denisovans and Neanderthals and the contribution of archaic introgression in human chronotypes by using genomes to trace chronotype evolution from archaic hominins to modern-day humans.
December 19, 2023 — Source

New study shows air quality impacts imagination and inventiveness
Air quality in the office may affect our level of creativity at work, scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have found.
December 19, 2023 — Source

Scientists design non-hallucinogenic psychedelic treatments potentially accelerating research on mental health benefits
In a recent study published in Nature Communications, researchers identified 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor signaling pathways associated with psychedelic potential.
December 19, 2023 — Source

New study explores how young people with early-onset psychosis view substance use and interventions
A new study led by SMU medical and psychological anthropologist Neely Myers indicates that while young people diagnosed with early psychosis understand the importance of discontinuing the use of substances like cannabis, many are ambivalent about stopping.
December 19, 2023 — Source

Night sweats reveal the severity of sleep apnea
In Greek, apnea denotes the "absence of breathing." Hence, obstructive sleep apnea is a disease defined by interruptions in breathing, which recurs while the person suffering from it is asleep. A feeling of breathlessness, fatigue and drowsiness are symptoms that patients suffer. This disease is also related to the incidence of cardiovascular disorders, so to deal with these related problems, adequate diagnosis of the severity of the disease is necessary.
December 19, 2023 — Source

Q&A: Are over-the-counter eye drops safe?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled dozens of over-the-counter lubricating eye drops and artificial tears in 2023 due to contamination and unsafe manufacturing practices.
December 19, 2023 — Source

Q&A: How to jump-start new psychiatric and neurological drug development
Psychiatric and neurological disorders are widespread, yet the pace of drug development for these conditions lags far behind that of heart disease, cancer, and other conditions. Brain disorders are difficult to study and many drug candidates have failed in clinical trials, causing pharmaceutical companies to reduce their investments or even exit the field entirely.
December 19, 2023 — Source

Tech to transform human-machine interaction with brain data wins €30M
This marks the largest single investment by an EU government into a research project
December 19, 2023 — Source

Waking up to your phone alarm could be putting you at risk
Your morning alarm clock might not just be annoying. It could be raising your blood pressure, putting you at greater risk for adverse cardiovascular events, such as stroke and heart attack, according to new research from the University of Virginia's School of Nursing.
December 19, 2023 — Source

Vervet monkeys follow different social 'norms' and respond to 'peer pressure,' new long-term study shows
People living in different communities follow different social customs or norms. In some places, for instance, it might be standard practice to greet each person you see on the street, while in others that simply isn't done. In some cases, such differences may even vary from one neighborhood to the next. Now researchers have found similarly varied social traditions and styles among neighboring groups of vervet monkeys.
December 19, 2023 — Source

Health — General Information — December 18th, 2023

Health Risks of Ketamine: What to Know
The autopsy report of 54-year-old Friends actor Matthew Perry issued Friday by the Los Angeles County medical examiner has drawn attention to the possible risks of ketamine use, a drug traditionally used as an operating room anesthetic but more recently touted as a possible treatment for depression and other mental health conditions.
December 18, 2023 — Source

New discovery could expand the possibilities for medical use of Botox
PSI researchers have discovered a surprising trick that could expand the possibilities for medical use of botulinun toxin A1, better known under the name Botox, as an active agent. They have developed antibody-like proteins that speed up the enzyme's effect on the transmission of nerve signals. This suggests that Botox might, for example, be able to relief pain more quickly than before. The study has now been published in the journal Nature Communications.
December 18, 2023 — Source

Study reveals connection between early-life diseases and childlessness
Led by Aoxing Liu and senior authors Melinda Mills, Andrea Ganna and an international team, the study examined the link between 414 early-life diseases and lifetime childlessness in over 2.5 million individuals born in Finland and Sweden.
December 18, 2023 — Source

Study suggests iron accumulation plays a central role in senescence and fibrosis
In a recent study published in Nature Metabolism, researchers investigated the association between cellular damage, iron buildup, senescence, and fibrosis.
December 18, 2023 — Source

Firearms and hanging primary methods for suicide in US as rates continue to rise
Suicide rates in the United States increased across all racial groups in the United States between 1999 and 2020 but were highest among white people, followed by American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) persons. Firearms and hanging were the top methods used, with a sharp and substantial increase in hangings among women.
December 18, 2023 — Source

Matthew Perry died of 'acute effects of ketamine'—what you need to know about the drug
Millions of people worldwide were left devastated by the death this year of 54-year-old Matthew Perry, the "Friends" star famous for bringing wise-cracking Chandler Bing to life. A global superstar, recently sober with an autobiography on the bestseller lists, it looked like his troubled past was behind him. So the world was especially shocked and saddened to learn of his untimely death by apparent drowning.
December 18, 2023 — Source

Q&A: Digital interventions for binge drinking
Brian Suffoletto, MD, associate professor of emergency medicine, views interactions with patients in the Emergency Department as valuable opportunities to identify specific risks and then facilitate positive behavior changes post-ED discharge using digital devices.
December 18, 2023 — Source

Q&A: How proteins interact may hold key to future autism treatments
Tremendous progress has been made over the last decade in identifying genes leading to autism spectrum disorders (ASD), especially for those who are severely affected. To date, however, these genetic insights have not translated into improvements in clinical care, particularly for those who need it most.
December 18, 2023 — Source

Screen time may not be tied to autism spectrum disorder
Screen time for children may not be associated with development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a study published online Dec. 8 in JAMA Network Open.
December 18, 2023 — Source

Spike in dermatology visits for skin problems seen during summer of wildfires
New research suggests that air pollution may contribute to the development or worsening of skin conditions.
December 18, 2023 — Source

Study underlines impact of air pollution on people with asthma in Scotland
New research by the University of Stirling has offered a greater understanding of how people with asthma in Scotland are affected by air pollution.
December 18, 2023 — Source

Teaching positive psychology skills at school may be one way to help student mental health and happiness
Youth mental health has worsened significantly over the past decade, but new interventions that teach positive psychology concepts in school may help.
December 18, 2023 — Source

US physical inactivity pandemic is a crisis within a crisis, experts say
Findings from a new study in The American Journal of Medicine show that increased social vulnerability worsens both unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and health characteristics. Researchers found distinct geographic variance and disparities within the United States. They support adoption of precision medicine approaches to target specific groups of individuals and communities to alleviate these disparities.
December 18, 2023 — Source

What is dandruff and how is it treated?
Dandruff becomes more common in the cold winter months, when the chilly air and dry heat causes a person's scalp to flake and itch.
December 18, 2023 — Source

Health — General Information — December 15th, 2023

Automated insomnia intervention found to improve both sleep and hazardous alcohol use
An online treatment for insomnia may improve both sleep and problem drinking patterns in people who drink heavily, according to a study in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research.
December 15, 2023 — Source

Blood testing identifies biomarkers of suicidal thoughts
Major depressive disorder affects 16.1 million adults in the United States and costs $210 billion annually. While the primary symptoms of depression are psychological, scientists and doctors have come to understand that depression is a complex disease with physical effects throughout the body. For example, measuring markers of cellular metabolism has become an important approach to studying mental illnesses and developing new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent them.
December 15, 2023 — Source

Brief teacher training found to better prepare medical students for patient education and communication
Teaching is an integral communication skill central to the practice of medicine. The art of teaching extends beyond disseminating information. The skill directly translates to health provider-patient communication, the success of which is positively correlated with improved patient outcomes.
December 15, 2023 — Source

Doctors are excited, concerned about AI's role in medicine: Poll
American physicians have mixed feelings on the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) into mainstream medical practice, a new survey shows.
December 15, 2023 — Source

FDA seizes more than 1.4 million illegal vaping products
Federal agents have seized more than 1.4 million illegal vaping products being smuggled into the United States from China.
December 15, 2023 — Source

Hundreds of young people urgently needing a mental health bed are being admitted far from home, finds UK study
Young people needing beds urgently for their mental health needs are waiting for long periods on acute general hospital wards, before being placed on wards far from where they live, according to a new study.
December 15, 2023 — Source

New Australian standards will force providers to disclose risks of cosmetic surgery and consider suitability
People considering cosmetic surgery—such as a breast augmentation, liposuction or face lift—should have extra protection following the release this week of new safety and quality standards for providers, from small day-clinics through to larger medical organizations.
December 15, 2023 — Source

New insights into intervertebral disk degeneration: Role of oxygen concentration and HIF1A in nucleus pulposus cells
In a rapid communication published in the journal Genes & Diseases, researchers from Chongqing Medical University and Yongchuan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Chongqing have unveiled crucial insights into the factors that might influence Intervertebral Disk Degeneration (IDD).
December 15, 2023 — Source

OCT scans in optometry could boost glaucoma detection
Optometry clinics that routinely used optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanners as part of their regular eye tests were 34% more likely to refer patients for a specialist glaucoma assessment, according to new research that examined the results of almost 1 million people.
December 15, 2023 — Source

Psilocybin has treatment potential for a range of psychiatric conditions but remains poorly understood, says study
Medicinal psilocybin may prove to be an untapped therapeutic resource for a variety of psychiatric conditions identified by researchers at The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health.
December 15, 2023 — Source

Report: Chronic kidney disease affects 1 in 7 people over 50 in Ireland, and 98% don't know
Findings from the largest study to date in Ireland to characterize the population affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD), over the age of 50 years, have been published.
December 15, 2023 — Source

Research shows immune cells shape lung tissue before birth, provides new avenues for treating respiratory diseases
Immune cells play an active and intimate role in directing the growth of human lung tissue during development, researchers find, revolutionizing our understanding of early lung development and the role of immune cells outside of immunity.
December 15, 2023 — Source

Researchers reveal a connection between cellular metabolism and depression, suicidal ideation
Major depressive disorder affects 16.1 million adults in the United States and costs $210 billion annually. While the primary symptoms of depression are psychological, scientists and doctors have come to understand that depression is a complex disease with physical effects throughout the body. For example, measuring markers of cellular metabolism has become an important approach to studying mental illnesses and developing new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent them.
December 15, 2023 — Source

Substance-abuse stigma impedes treatment in various ways, scientists say
Addiction is one of society's most misunderstood and rebuked health conditions. That stigma discourages many people from seeking treatment for substance dependence, according to a new report published in Psychological Science in the Public Interest
December 15, 2023 — Source

Health — General Information — December 14th, 2023

AI can already diagnose depression better than a doctor and tell you which treatment is best
Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionize the way we diagnose and treat illness. It could be particularly helpful for depression because it could make more accurate diagnoses and determine which treatments are more likely to work.
December 14, 2023 — Source

Hope brings happiness, builds grit and gives life meaning. Here's how to cultivate it
What is hope? In its simplest form, hope is about the future.
December 14, 2023 — Source

Meditation: A simple, fast way to reduce stress
Meditation can wipe away the day's stress, bringing with it inner peace. See how you can easily learn to practice meditation whenever you need it most.
December 14, 2023 — Source

Q&A: Persistent pain in your funny bone? It could be ulnar neuropathy
Everyone knows hitting your funny bone isn't actually funny. But what happens when that feeling continues to persist?
December 14, 2023 — Source

Thinking about God inspires risk-taking for believers, study finds
Does thinking about faith make religious people more likely to take leaps? A new study lead by York University's Faculty of Health says yes, finding that participants were more likely to take risks when thinking about God as a benevolent protector.
December 14, 2023 — Source

Vitamin D supplements can keep bones strong—but they may also have other benefits to your health
Most of us don't worry about getting vitamin D when the weather's warm and the sun is shining. But as winter approaches, accompanied by overcast days and long nights, you may be wondering if it could be useful to take a vitamin D supplement—and what benefit it might have.
December 14, 2023 — Source

Health — General Information — December 12th, 2023

Creatine
Creatine is a compound that comes from three amino acids. Creatine is found mostly in your body's muscles as well as in the brain. Most people get creatine through seafood and red meat — though at levels far below those found in synthetically made creatine supplements. The body's liver, pancreas and kidneys also can make about 1 gram of creatine per day.
December 12, 2023 — Source

Effectiveness of environmental interventions in managing autism
In a recent study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers evaluate the health-related outcomes of nature-based interventions (NBIs) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
December 12, 2023 — Source

Drinking during the super bowl linked to more aggressive parenting among mothers, unlike on valentine's day
Alcohol use on certain special occasions may contribute to harsher parenting by mothers, according to an innovative study. The findings compare drinking and parenting behaviors on Super Bowl Sunday and Valentine's Day and may help create environments conducive to positive parenting.
December 12, 2023 — Source

High incidence of strangulation found among patients who experienced intimate partner violence
A new study underscores the alarming occurrence of intimate partner violence (IPV) as the cause of assault-related injuries resulting in anoxia, or the complete lack of oxygen flow to tissues and organs. Led by investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital, a founding member of the Mass General Brigham health care system, the study found that IPV accounted for 40 percent of assault-related anoxia occurrences and 30 percent of neck contusions (bruising).
December 12, 2023 — Source

Mouse study successfully regenerates thyroid glands in the spleen
Patients undergoing total thyroidectomy typically require lifelong oral levothyroxine sodium (L-T4) treatment. While effective in maintaining basic serum hormone levels, this treatment falls short in restoring the dynamic, responsive regulatory capacity of triiodothyronine (T3), essential for critical physiologic regulatory functions. Clinical data indicates that T3 deficiency can elevate the risk of hypertension, cardiac dysfunction, and other metabolic or mental health conditions.
December 12, 2023 — Source

Researchers fuse lab-grown human brain tissue with electronics
It could lead to neuron-infused silicon chips.
December 12, 2023 — Source

Study finds no soil-transmitted hookworm in Alabama children, despite ongoing sanitation, public health crisis
A study published in Emerging Infectious Diseases found no cases of soil-transmitted hookworm in hundreds of tested children, refuting a long thought public health concern that linked the illness to the ongoing sanitation crisis plaguing Alabama's Black Belt region.
December 12, 2023 — Source

Study shows smoking likely leads to brain shrinkage
Smoking likely shrinks the brain, according to a study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The good news is that quitting smoking can prevent further loss of brain tissue—but still, stopping smoking doesn't restore the brain to its original size. Since people's brains naturally lose volume with age, smoking effectively causes the brain to age prematurely, the researchers said.
December 12, 2023 — Source

Health — General Information — December 11th, 2023

Barbers can partner with dermatologists to augment pseudofolliculitis barbae care
An educational intervention targeted at barbers substantially increases knowledge regarding the causes, prevention, and treatment of pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), according to a research letter published online Dec. 6 in JAMA Dermatology.
December 11, 2023 — Source

Caffeine can have a negative impact on soccer players' decision-making skills, new research shows
A study published in the Behavioural Brain Research by Staffordshire University and Shiraz University in Iran has found that while consuming caffeine before a game can improve the accuracy of soccer passes, it can have an adverse effect on more tactical play involving a higher number of passes.
December 11, 2023 — Source

Can experienced meditators voluntarily turn off their consciousness?
A study reveals that experienced meditators are able to voluntarily modulate their state of consciousness during meditation. In other words, they have the unusual ability, without the use of drugs, to induce a momentary void of consciousness during cessations through large-scale modulation of brain activity.
December 11, 2023 — Source

Despite mounting mental health concerns, teens remain heavy social media users
Some teens describe "almost constant" social media use.
December 11, 2023 — Source

Here's Why Doxylamine Succinate Might Not Help Your Insomnia
Doxylamine is a type of medication to improve sleep, but there are other types of sleep aids that may be able to help long-term.
December 11, 2023 — Source

Inclusive content, peer support, media information literacy can combat health misinformation spread on social media
Social media has become one of the main sources of information for youth, a population that on average engages with platforms such as TikTok and Instagram for nearly five hours per day.
December 11, 2023 — Source

Mindfulness could hold the key to mitigating relapse in women with opioid use disorder
Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) -; a behavioral intervention that integrates training in mindfulness, emotion regulation strategies and savoring of natural rewards -; could hold the key to mitigating relapse in women undergoing medically assisted opioid use disorder treatment, a Rutgers study found.
December 11, 2023 — Source

Researchers compare mental illness, gun violence rates in US, Australia and UK
Considerable attention has focused on mental illness as a major contributor to homicides in the United States. Serious mental illness affects more than 14 million Americans ages 18 and older and nearly 58 million people reported having a mental illness.
December 11, 2023 — Source

Sore throat? Try these 5 home remedies for relief
Sore throats are commonplace during cold and flu season, but luckily there are lots of home remedies that can help ease your misery, doctors say.
December 11, 2023 — Source

The relationship between health and structural racial discrimination
In celebrating its 75th anniversary, the World Health Organization has recently called for a renewed drive for health equity—that is, the opportunity for everyone to achieve an optimal health status.
December 11, 2023 — Source

Young adults report lower alcohol use after learning that drinking is declining among their peers
Learning that their peers' alcohol use is declining over time may help reduce young adults' drinking, according to the first study that tested this approach among community-based participants (versus college students). During young adulthood, drinking habits tend to become established. Young adults are known to be influenced by social norms, particularly their peers' drinking behaviors.
December 11, 2023 — Source

Why get high? Teens use cannabis for coping and enjoyment, finds study
A study in Psychology of Addictive Behaviors by researchers at UC Davis Health and the University of Washington surveyed teens over a six-month period to better understand their motives for using cannabis.
December 11, 2023 — Source

Why you might not find your favorite cold meds at the pharmacy
It's winter and many people are contending with the sniffles and coughs. For some, that means heading to the pharmacy to resupply on cold medications.
December 11, 2023 — Source

Health — General Information — December 8th, 2023

Are No-Spray Christmas Trees Better for You? What to Know
Michelle Pridgen sometimes finds tiny black bugs called aphids in her Christmas tree, and usually a bird's nest as well.
December 8, 2023 — Source

Best Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids for You
We tested 10 OTC hearing aids made by Audien, Eargo, Go Hearing, Jabra, Lexie, Lucid, and Sony
December 8, 2023 — Source

Key gene linked to male bias in autism, Tourette's, and ADHD uncovered
Research has documented a strong male sex bias in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and Tourette syndrome (TS).
December 8, 2023 — Source

Multinational study finds biologic therapies can control severe asthma
A study has shown that severe asthma can be controlled using biologic therapies, without the addition of regular high-dose inhaled steroids, which can have significant side effects.
December 8, 2023 — Source

Scientists develop potential new drug treatment for multiple sclerosis
CAMH-led pre-clinical studies using a small molecule drug have shown promise as a potential new treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). The results have been published in the journal Science Advances.
December 8, 2023 — Source

Sickle cell disease explained
The Food and Drug Administration is expected to decide by Dec. 8 on a new therapy to treat sickle cell disease using gene editing technology called CRISPR, which stands for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats.
December 8, 2023 — Source or Watch Video

Suicide rates among Black women and girls are on the rise for two decades
Suicide rates among Black women increased from 1999 to 2020, especially among Black teens and young adults, according to latest research published by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. The study is the first to examine the epidemiology of suicide among Black females in the U.S. by geographical region. The results are published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
December 8, 2023 — Source

The quest to bring osteoarthritis to its knees
Millions of people in Europe and elsewhere suffer degeneration of joint cartilage in the knee, driving EU research into better treatments.
December 8, 2023 — Source

Young people find cocaine use increasingly common in party settings, finds report
Cocaine use is becoming normalized in parts of party culture, according to a new study of Roskilde festival attendees. It also shows that cannabis is now widely accepted and not even considered a "drug" by many young people.
December 8, 2023 — Source

Health — General Information — December 6th, 2023

Clinical trial highlights possible treatment for anemia in myelodysplastic neoplasms
In patients affected by myelodysplastic neoplasms, the body does not produce enough functional blood cells. Patients suffer from anemia—a lack of red blood cells and hemoglobin—which can progress to acute leukemia. Imetelstat, a new agent beyond the current standard of care, may help to avoid blood transfusions, which can be a burden for MDS patients, especially over a long period of time.
December 6, 2023 — Source

Do you need more vitamin D in the winter?
Vitamin D is a nutrient your body needs to keep your bones healthy and strong. It also has properties that support your immune system and neuromuscular health.
December 6, 2023 — Source

Guidance on EHR-based public health surveillance for chronic diseases
As hospitalizations due to chronic conditions increase across the United States, attention is focusing on using data collected in electronic health records (EHRs) by health care systems to enable public health departments to gain an understanding of the incidence and prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, asthma, obesity and other chronic diseases with the ultimate goal of improving disease outcomes.
December 6, 2023 — Source

Military personnel repeatedly exposed to blasts show increased brain inflammation and structural changes
The brains of special warfare community personnel repeatedly exposed to blasts show increased inflammation and structural changes compared with a control group, potentially increasing the risk of long-term, brain-related disease, according to a new study.
December 6, 2023 — Source

Model uses sociodemographic factors to predict aromatase inhibitor non-adherence risk
A new risk model uses baseline sociodemographic and financial measures to predict which patients prescribed long-term therapy with aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer are at significantly higher risk of stopping that therapy early (non-adherence).
December 6, 2023 — Source

Music could hold the key to developing effective mental health interventions
A recent narrative review published in Translational Psychiatry explores how human beings respond to music and the biological underpinnings of this response, highlighting the role of music therapy in creating effective interventions for mental health and wellness.
December 6, 2023 — Source

New findings reveal important insights into age-related nonresolving inflammation
Aging is associated with chronic, nonresolving inflammation, or "inflammaging," that can lead to tissue dysfunction. New findings reported in The American Journal of Pathology reveal insights into the cellular programs and factors that promote the resolution of inflammation during aging. These findings may lead to the development of new strategies to limit age-related organ decline.
December 6, 2023 — Source

Research shows tennis ball concussions are rare, but possible
It's well-known that playing football and soccer can cause concussions and other head injuries. But how fast would a tennis ball need to be traveling to possibly cause traumatic brain injury?
December 6, 2023 — Source

Study paints a new picture of colon development in mammals
University of Oregon researchers are filling in gaps in our understanding of the formation and growth the colon, a crucial part of the digestive system, by being among the first to apply modern molecular biology tools to the study.
December 6, 2023 — Source

Health — General Information — December 5th, 2023

Epic integrates Qualtrics patients' experience data
Through a new partnership, providers and frontline staff can get Qualtrics patient experience insights via Epic electronic health records.
December 5, 2023 — Source

Eye scans provide crucial insights into kidney health
3D eye scans can reveal vital clues about kidney health that could help to track the progression of disease, research suggests. The advance could revolutionize monitoring of kidney disease, which often progresses without symptoms in the early stages. Experts say the technology has potential to support early diagnosis as current screening tests cannot detect the condition until half of the kidney function has been lost.
December 5, 2023 — Source

Fitness program: 5 steps to get started
Are you thinking about starting a fitness program? Good for you! You're only five steps away from a healthier lifestyle.
December 5, 2023 — Source

It's hunting season: Keep safety in your sights
Hunting season has begun in many parts of the United States, with millions of Americans heading into the woods in hopes of bagging a big buck.
December 5, 2023 — Source

Mice pass the mirror test, a classic indicator of self-recognition
Researchers report that mice display behavior that resembles self-recognition when they see themselves in the mirror. When the researchers marked the foreheads of black-furred mice with a spot of white ink, the mice spent more time grooming their heads in front of the mirror -- presumably to try and wash away the ink spot. However, the mice only showed this self-recognition-like behavior if they were already accustomed to mirrors, if they had socialized with other mice who looked like them, and if the ink spot was relatively large.
December 5, 2023 — Source

Reverse metabolomics: New method finds biomarker for inflammatory bowel disease
In recent years, microbiome research has started to shift its focus from the microbes themselves to the molecules they produce. After all, it's these molecules that directly interact with human cells to influence a person's health. However, trying to identify which molecules are being made by a person's microbiome is quite challenging. A typical metabolomics study can only characterize about 10% of the molecular data from a human microbiome sample.
December 5, 2023 — Source

Short sleep duration linked to all-cause mortality in apnea patients
For patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), those sleeping less than seven hours have increased risk of all-cause mortality, according to a study published online Dec. 5 in JAMA Network Open.
December 5, 2023 — Source

Surgical labyrinthectomy efficient, safe for Meniere disease
For patients with Meniere disease (MD), surgical labyrinthectomy (SL) is efficient and safe, according to a study published online Nov. 2 in the European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology.
December 5, 2023 — Source

Using solid-state nanopores and DNA barcoding to identify misfolded proteins in neurodegenerative disorders
A team of chemists, microbiologists and physicists at the University of Cambridge in the U.K. has developed a way to use solid-state nanopores and multiplexed DNA barcoding to identify misfolded proteins such as those involved in neurodegenerative disorders in blood samples. In their study, reported in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, the group used multiplexed DNA barcoding techniques to overcome problems with nanopore filtering techniques for isolating harmful oligomers.
December 5, 2023 — Source

Health — General Information — December 4th, 2023

2011 to 2022 saw little change in smoking prevalence for older adults
Between 2011 and 2022, there were significant decreases in smoking prevalence among younger adults, but not older adults, according to a study published online Dec. 1 in JAMA Health Forum.
December 4, 2023 — Source

Altering the behavior of living mice by editing genes in the brain
Researchers at Fudan University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China, have conducted whole-brain genome editing targeted to correct a single-base mutation associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in mice.
December 4, 2023 — Source

American Psychological Association report highlights effective strategies to combat misinformation
A recent report from the American Psychological Association (PDF) reviewed the available psychological science research to explore and combat health misinformation.
December 4, 2023 — Source

Bladder function disorders common in refractory nocturnal enuresis
Children with refractory monosymptomatic (MNE) and nonmonosymptomatic (NMNE) primary nocturnal enuresis have considerable prevalence of bladder function disorders, according to a study published in the October issue of Health Science Reports.
December 4, 2023 — Source

Brain implants revive cognitive abilities long after traumatic brain injury in clinical trial
In 2001, Gina Arata was in her final semester of college, planning to apply to law school, when she suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident. The injury so compromised her ability to focus she struggled in a job sorting mail.
December 4, 2023 — Source

Brain stimulation decreases involuntary shaking, researcher finds
Neurosurgical treatment with deep brain stimulation in a relatively new target area has been shown to relieve involuntary tremors in Parkinson's disease and Essential Tremor for up to at least five and 10 years after treatment initiation. In addition, by using this target area, the operation could be performed under general anesthesia. This is shown in a thesis by Rasmus Stenmark Persson at Umeå University.
December 4, 2023 — Source

Do you know the signs of inflammatory bowel disease?
Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Week will be observed Dec. 1--7, which makes this a good time to learn about the signs and symptoms of these disorders.
December 4, 2023 — Source

Epilepsy study uncovers 'wake slow waves' link to brain balance and cognition
A recent Nature Communications study investigated the association between local wake slow waves (LoWS) and cognitive processing.
December 4, 2023 — Source

Evaluating the safety and efficacy of thalamic DBS in treating traumatic brain injury
In a recent study published in Nature Medicine, a group of researchers evaluated the safety and efficacy of deep brain stimulation in the central lateral (CL) nucleus of the thalamus and medial dorsal tegmental (DTTm) tract for improving executive function and processing speed in patients with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (msTBI).
December 4, 2023 — Source

For Happier Holidays, Set Your Expectations -- and Breathe
The holiday season is upon us, and with it, a flurry of activities and obligations. There are gifts to buy, parties to attend, cookies to bake, latkes to fry, and families to entertain. The stress can be relentless, and expectations can be off the charts.
December 4, 2023 — Source

Lightweight helmet with tiny sensors records magnetic fields generated by brain activity
A man walking around a room wearing a helmet that records his brain function would have seemed like science fiction five years ago. Now researchers have designed a lightweight helmet with tiny LEGO-size sensors that scan the brain while a person moves.
December 4, 2023 — Source

Mathematical dermatology: Unraveling the mechanism of urticaria from eruption shapes
The skin is the largest organ in the human body and plays an important role in maintaining homeostasis as well as protecting the body from the outside environment. Skin diseases can be life-threatening or heavily impair patients' quality of life. Urticaria (also called "hives") is common, affecting at least one in five people in their lifetime, and can persist for years or even decades.
December 4, 2023 — Source

Middle ear pressure therapy aids vertigo symptoms
Middle ear pressure therapy (MEPT) using the EFET01 device effectively controls vertigo symptoms with Meniere disease and delays endolymphatic hydrops (DEH), according to a study published online Nov. 23 in Acta Oto-Laryngologica.
December 4, 2023 — Source

New model enhances precision in seizure localization for epilepsy patients
A research team led by Prof. Zhan Yang from the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has recently introduced a novel unsupervised dual-stream model based on adaptive graph convolution to predict seizure onset zones in epilepsy patients. The study is published in Neuroimage.
December 4, 2023 — Source

New study maps ketamine's effects on brain
A mouse study found that the drug ketamine can alter the brain's dopamine system, boosting the case for more targeted medical use.
December 4, 2023 — Source or Source

Q&A: Why 'Jack Frost' may spoil winter plans for some with autoimmune diseases
Most Coloradans look at winter as a time of excitement when the high country turns into our own winter wonderland with the opportunity to create lifelong memories. But for many who live with autoimmune diseases, the colder months may mean more pain, fatigue and unexpected disease flares that hamper the excitement of the snow and the holiday season.
December 4, 2023 — Source

Research examines how protein aggregates can trigger neurodegenerative diseases
Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the deposition of clumped proteins in the brain and progressive neuronal cell death. Although the causal link between protein aggregates and neurodegeneration is clear, how misfolded proteins trigger cell death is not known.
December 4, 2023 — Source

Researchers identify traces of trauma in the young brain and suggest how to erase them
The images of Israeli child hostages being freed from Hamas captivity are heartwarming, but for most of these children, the release is just the start of a long rehabilitation process. Countless studies have shown that exposure to warfare, abuse and other traumatic events at a young age significantly raises the risk of ill health, social problems and mental health issues later in life.
December 4, 2023 — Source

Researchers suggest use of natural fermentation may have led to early human brain size increase
A trio of researchers with varied backgrounds is suggesting in an article published in the journal Communications Biology that eating naturally fermented foods may have led to an increase in brain size for early humans. In their paper, Katherine Bryant, an evolutionary neuroscientist at Aix-Marseille Universite, Christi Hansen, a dietician at Hungry Heart Farm and Dietary Consulting, and Erin Hecht, a biologist at Harvard University, suggest that eating naturally fermenting foods may also have led to a decrease in the size of the colon.
December 4, 2023 — Source

Health — General Information — December 1st, 2023

Brain peptide identified as key player in heavy alcohol drinking
Alcohol is the most common addictive substance in the world. Every year in the U.S. excessive alcohol use costs $249 billion and causes approximately 88,000 deaths, as well as various chronic diseases and social issues. Alcohol use disorder, a highly prevalent, chronic, relapsing disorder, affects more than 14 million people in the U.S. alone, in addition to being severely under-treated, with only three modestly effective pharmacological therapies available.
December 1, 2023 — Source

Loss of smell
Losing the sense of smell touches many parts of life. Without a good sense of smell, food might taste bland. It can be hard to tell one food from another.
December 1, 2023 — Source

The "totonou" effect: physiological and subjective benefits of sauna relaxation
In a recent study published in the journal PLOS One, researchers investigated the neural impacts of the Japanese sauna practice called 'tononou'.
December 1, 2023 — Source

Novel screening tool and recovery program may help reduce mental health problems after trauma
A novel screening tool helps to identify hospitalized trauma patients at high risk for later mental health problems, and an emotional recovery program for trauma patients is feasible, according to two studies published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS).
December 1, 2023 — Source

One in eight older adults use cannabis products, suggesting need to screen for risks
More older Americans use cannabis now than before the pandemic, with 12% saying they've consumed a THC-containing substance in the past year and 4% saying they do so multiple times a week, according to a new study of people aged 50 to 80. Those who drink alcohol at risky levels have a much higher rate of cannabis use.
December 1, 2023 — Source

Research shows human behavior guided by fast changes in dopamine levels
What happens in the human brain when we learn from positive and negative experiences? To help answer that question and better understand decision-making and human behavior, scientists are studying dopamine.
December 1, 2023 — Source

Scientists work to bring tissue regeneration to replace root canal treatment
Want to avoid a root canal? In the future, you might be able to opt for tissue regeneration instead. ADA Forsyth scientists are testing a novel technology to treat endodontic diseases (diseases of the soft tissue or pulp in your teeth) more effectively.
December 1, 2023 — Source

Study identifies peptide as key mediator in heavy alcohol drinking
Alcohol is the most common addictive substance in the world. Every year in the U.S. excessive alcohol use costs $249 billion and causes approximately 88,000 deaths, as well as various chronic diseases and social issues. Alcohol use disorder, a highly prevalent, chronic, relapsing disorder, affects more than 14 million people in the U.S. alone, in addition to being severely under-treated, with only three modestly effective pharmacological therapies available.
December 1, 2023 — Source

Thicker choroid, Haller layer seen on ipsilateral side in Meniere disease
Patients with Meniere disease (MD) have a thicker choroid and Haller layer on the ipsilateral side than controls, according to a study published online Nov. 2 in The Laryngoscope.
December 1, 2023 — Source

Health — General Information — November 30th, 2023

Combined use of alcohol and THC can affect rat brains, study finds
The increased legalization of cannabis over the past several years can potentially increase its co-use with alcohol. Concerningly, very few studies have looked at the effects of these two drugs when used in combination. In a series of new studies, researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign used rats to understand how brain structure and behavior can change when cannabis and alcohol are taken together.
November 30, 2023 — Source

EPA to require removal of all lead pipes from U.S. water system
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday that it plans to require the removal of all lead pipes from the country's water systems.
November 30, 2023 — Source

Job burnout: How to spot it and take action
Feeling burned out at work? Find out what you can do when your job affects your health.
November 30, 2023 — Source

Long-term ADHD medication use associated with increased cardiovascular disease
Research led by the Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, has found an increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with long-term ADHD medication use. Specific associations with different medications and dosages were connected to hypertension and arterial disease, with a higher risk observed for stimulant medications.
November 30, 2023 — Source

Pregnancy nutrition: Foods to avoid during pregnancy
More foods can affect your health or your baby's health than you might realize. Learn what not to eat when you're pregnant.
November 30, 2023 — Source

Prenatal stem cells treat hemophilia A in preclinical study
Researchers at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) have recently published an article in Nature Communications that demonstrates the potential of bioengineered human placental cells as a cure for Hemophilia A.
November 30, 2023 — Source

MS Patients See Encouraging Results From Injectable Stem Cell Therapy Trial
The very early-stage cohort only involved 15 patients, but their observed drop in disease progression is promising nonetheless.
November 30, 2023 — Source

Nanoplastics linked to Parkinson's and some types of dementia--new study
Since it was first produced at the start of the 20th century, synthetic plastic--and especially plastic packaging--has been an ever-present fixture in everyday life. Yet all the convenience plastic has given us comes at a price.
November 30, 2023 — Source

Health — General Information — Resources

American Nutrition supplements vitamins and herbs
Vitamins herbs and supplements sports and body building
Provides Products — Source

American Pain Foundation, Inc.
a non-profit consumer information, education, and advocacy organization dedicated to helping people who suffer from pain.
Provides a Service — Source

Autism Speaks
It's time to speak
Provides Information — Source

Bioinformatics Consulting
provides scientific consulting, software development, data processing and computing support services for molecular biologists and biotechnology companies.
Provides a Service — Source

CDC Swine Flu update page
Including Stats. Infection Rates and Death rates.
Provides Information — Source

Cheap Prescription Glasses Online — Reading Glasses.
Cheap prescription sunglasses online. Based in the UK and delivering Worldwide offering quality cheap prescription sunglasses from £15 and was founded to provide the customer with a cheaper alternative to the more expensive high street opticians.
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Chickenpoxinfo
consumer information site from Merck.
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Clinical Research Consulting
contract research organization offering monitoring of clinical trials in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Poland.
Provides a Service — Source

Conquer Autism: Effective Autism Treatments
Conquer Autism is a comprehensive guide to autism treatments
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DeKaye Consulting, Inc
specializing in hospital finance, accounts receivable, physician practice, medical records, managed care, and EDI systems management.
Provides a Service — Source

Disabilities Trust, The
An imaginative new concept of personal care and rehabilitation housing for people with severe physical disabilities, brain injury and autism.
Provides a Service — Source

Domos HME Consulting Group
home medical equipment consulting: compliance audits; reimbursement; sales and marketing strategies; and accreditation preparation.
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E-LyteSport
Sports Nutrition for Serious Athletes. the ultimate sport drink!
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East Earth Trade Winds
Suppliers of Chinese herbs and herbal products, books on Chinese medicine and philosopy, essential oils and much more!
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Find a Flu Clinic
 
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Garrick Hyde Consulting
offers benchmarking and consulting services for hospitals and healthcare organizations, with an emphasis in department-level costs, productivity, and skill mix.
Provides a Service — Source

Handy Tech Consulting
markets Handy Tech Elektronik Braille displays, services, and other products for the blind in North America.
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Home Care Association of Washington
non-profit association for licensed home health, hospice, and home care agencies. Includes consumer information.
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Humira
HUMIRA is approved for reducing the signs and symptoms, inducing major clinical response, improving physical function, and helping to keep the joint damage from getting worse in adult patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis.
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Infectious Disease Society of America
The IDSA Education and Research Foundation supports research and education activities that improve patient care and provide information about infectious diseases for the benefit of physicians, scientists, health care professionals and the public.
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JAMA — the Journal of the American Medical Association
To Promote the Science and Art of Medicine and the Betterment of the Public Health.
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Lasik San Diego | Orange County Custom Lasik | NearVision CK | Global Laser Vision | 800-GET-LASIK
Our surgeons are in the top 1% of Refractive Surgeons in the country. all surgeons are LASIK specialists and our staff features Harvard ophthalmologists. Two convenient locations in downtown San Diego and Orange County.
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Maverick Healthcare Consultants
Source of information on evaluating health provider quality and performance.
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MCSports.com
Shop for the best selection of Fitness Equipment!
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Medical Alert Jewelry
can save your life, order one today.
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Medical Consulting Group
management and marketing services for ophthalmology, optometry and plastic surgery.
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Medical School Admissions Consulting
offered by Judy Colwell, M.A., consultant and personal achievement coach.
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Medical Technology Consulting, LLC & Medical Imaging Links
provides technical marketing and product development services to medical imaging manufacturers.
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Men's Health Consulting
promotes better health in men by offering consultation for organizations and training for professionals and consumers.
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Quality Management Consulting Group Ltd.
healthcare consulting, peer review, case review for doctors, nurses,and administrators.
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Reading Glasses
Can't read the fine print?
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Rely Services
is HIPAA Compliant Company & saves upto 40% or more on all your Data entry, Medical transcription and Voice transcription services.
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Rxhomeo
Online Retail Healthcare Pharmacy Natural Medicine, Free Prescriptions. Shipping, Door Delivery, NetClinic, Discounts on Family kits.
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Schafer Consulting, Inc.
behavioral health, managed care, and social services consulting firm.
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Slade QA Consulting
specialises in the implementation, maintenance, training, and support of quality management and occupational health and safety systems for SME's.
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SpinLife.com
Our line of mobility products and resources are second to none. Unique to the industry, we offer a wheelchair configurator, which allows customers to customize products to meet their specific needs.
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Swine Flu FAQ
WebMD Provides Answers to your Questions About Swine Flu
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Swodeam Consulting Inc.
clinial consulting and education in orthopedic manual therapy.
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Synergy Consulting Group Limited
specialists in pharmaceutical, medical, scientific, and medical diagnostic recruitment.
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Trac Services
TRAC Services are a regulatory affairs consultancy who help pharmaceutical companies meet the regulatory requirements needed to market and sell their products within Europe.
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Vitacost.com
We are the low price leaders in health products on the Internet. Period. Many site claim to offer the 'Lowest Prices', but only vitacost.com truly offers wholesale prices on every product we carry. Our products are sold at the Published Wholesale Price which is typically 33% to 75% less than what you would pay at the retail level.
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Women and Chlamydia
You might not be intimately familiar with the name, but chlamydia is actually the most commonly reported bacterial sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the U.S. Each year, about 1.2 million infections are reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But because chlamydia often has no symptoms, at least as many people could be living with the disease without even realizing it.
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