Archive / Health - 2019
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Exploring spider venom's dual attackSpider venom research has so far focused on a relatively narrow area. Now, a group of scientists in Switzerland has dug a little deeper to...Diabetes linked to different forms of cancer in males vs. femalesPrevious research has suggested a link between the presence of diabetes and a person's risk of cancer. Now, a large study in a Chinese population...Does soy protein reduce 'bad' cholesterol? The debate continuesThere is an ongoing debate surrounding soy protein and its influence on cholesterol. A new meta-analysis digs into the existing data and concludes that the...Are strangers' mental health 'recovery narratives' helpful?Researchers at the University of Nottingham in United Kingdom have reviewed dozens of articles analyzing the helpfulness of other people's "recovery narratives" and found that...Could a cell phone game detect who is at risk of Alzheimer's?An Alzheimer's diagnosis often relies on signs of memory problems. However, these issues usually do not appear until years after the disease has taken hold....Type 2 diabetes: Intensive hypertension therapy may lower death riskAccording to a new study, intensive treatment for high blood pressure may reduce the risk of death from any cause, including cardiovascular disease, in people...Is procrastination friend or foe to health and creativity?Many of us are familiar with the act of procrastinating — putting off tasks until, or past, their deadline. Why do people procrastinate? Does it...Type 2 diabetes: Simple method can help tailor treatmentUsing simple, routine measures that are easy to obtain in a diabetes clinic, such as age at diagnosis and body mass index, can be an...How religious experiences may benefit mental healthA survey of thousands of people suggests that mystical experiences positively affect a person's mental health, regardless of whether they are naturally occurring or a...Richa Chadda: There is always enough room for good actorsCritically-acclaimed actor Richa Chadda says there is always a room for good artistes.The actor, who started her Bollywood career in 2008 with 'Oye Lucky! Lucky...Just how effective is hypnosis at relieving pain?Could hypnosis relieve pain? The largest meta-analysis to date concludes that it could be a viable, safe, cost-effective option.Researchers estimate that chronic pain affects more...Why pet antibiotics could make their owners sickAt a small animal hospital in the United Kingdom, researchers have found a gene that enables bacteria to be highly resistant to linezolid — an...Scientists confirm blood test could track Alzheimer's diseaseA long-term study supports earlier suggestions that testing the blood for levels of a certain protein could be a noninvasive way to track the progress...Study reveals how general anesthetics affect the brainNew research reveals for the first time that diverse drugs that induce general anesthesia activate a brain circuit that brings on sleep. The scientists at Duke...Can a blood pressure drug protect the brain from Parkinson's?A prescription drug already in use for the treatment of high blood pressure could be effective against conditions such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's, in...Replacing red meat with plant protein reduces heart disease riskA meta-analysis of trials comparing the health effects of red meat consumption with those of other diets found that substituting healthful plant protein for red...Cancer: Scientists find 129 'jumping genes' that drive tumor growthIn cancer research, scientists usually look for cancer genes by scouring the genome for altered sequences — or mutations — in DNA. But a new...Could this protein explain why migraine is more common in women?For reasons that scientists do not fully understand, women are three times more likely to experience migraine headaches than men. Now, new research into the...Chili pepper compound may slow down lung cancerA new study finds that capsaicin, the pungent compound in chili peppers, can successfully stop lung cancer metastasis.According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer...Frequent urination at night may be a sign of hypertensionA new study conducted in Japan found that the need to urinate in the night, called nocturia, may be linked to hypertension and high salt...Tech gadgets that improve your health this World Health DayFitness today has taken the driver’s seat & has become a way of life for many in India and across the globe. There is an...Looking for beauty in your DNAWhat is the genetic basis for facial attractiveness? A new study investigates.Few would argue that being considered attractive is a social advantage. Studies have shown...Study: ‘Healthy’ moderate drinking a mythBlood pressure and stroke risk rise steadily the more alcohol people drink, and previous claims that one or two drinks a day might protect against...Can scientists 'hack' memory?Modern science brings us endless possibilities to help our bodies and our minds stay healthy, but some recent scientific pursuits have also been the center...Dementia: Amyloid PET scans can improve diagnosis and carePET scans that can detect changes in the brain relating to Alzheimer's disease could improve the diagnosis and medical care of people with dementia and...Researchers explore 'completely novel, nontoxic' IBD treatmentGastrointestinal problems — from diarrhea to issues caused by food allergies to inflammatory bowel disease — have one common characteristic. A new study suggests an...A new wearable device may detect cancer with more precisionResearchers from the University of Michigan have developed and are now testing a device they call "the epitome of precision medicine" that detects cancer in...The 'burden of disease' in those who recover from addictionRecent research shows that more than one-third of people who are recovering from addiction continue to experience chronic physical disease. Excessive use of alcohol and drugs...Wishing others well may boost your own well-beingMany people say that helping others through acts of charity or volunteer work makes them feel better and happier. New research goes further and finds...What does science say about the effects of meditation?Practicing meditation or mindfulness techniques is, at least anecdotally, supposed to smooth your way to a happier, more healthful life. But what does science say...Why do antidepressants fail for some?Research has revealed a biological explanation for why some people with depression do not respond to a class of antidepressants that doctors commonly prescribe. It...Atherosclerosis: Scans spot inflammation in arteries before they hardenBy the time plaques have formed in arteries, the process of atherosclerosis, a condition that can lead to heart attacks and strokes, is already well...Cystic fibrosis: Existing drug may improve lung functionResearchers say a drug that is already available on the market can help those affected by cystic fibrosis. Amphotericin, which is an antifungal medication, might help...Can scientists learn to remove bad memories?Traumatic memories can severely affect a person's quality of life when they become intrusive thoughts that lead to anxiety and continue to cause distress. For...This 'caterpillar fungus' may help treat osteoarthritisA parasitic fungus that infects caterpillars and various other insects may hold the key to better treatments for osteoarthritis, a condition characterized by pain and...How destroying a tumor promoter could lead to new cancer treatmentsScientists have cracked a cell mechanism that drives tumor formation in most types of cancer. This finding could lead to much-needed new therapies for cancer,...Higher cholesterol, egg consumption linked to heart diseaseA recent study has linked higher consumption of eggs or dietary cholesterol to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death. The finding is...Cosmetic surgery is on the rise, new data revealThe American Society of Plastic Surgeons have published new statistics that reveal recent trends in body-shaping procedures. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS),...Breast cancer: Does stress fuel its spread?New research in mouse models shows that stress hormones can help breast cancer grow, spread, and diversify, which makes it harder to treat. Breast cancer is...Parkinson's: Study reveals how cancer drug reduces toxic protein in brainLaboratory and animal studies have suggested that the leukemia drug nilotinib could alleviate symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Now, using early results from a clinical trial...The Mediterranean diet can boost athletic performance in just 4 daysNew research, published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, finds that adhering to the Mediterranean diet for just 4 days is enough...Could sleep apnea be a risk factor for Alzheimer's?The majority of people with sleep apnea do not receive a diagnosis. However, brain scans have revealed that there may be an association between this...How yo-yo dieting impacts women's heart healthNew research reveals worrying associations between yo-yo dieting and seven well-established markers of cardiovascular health. As if losing weight wasn't hard enough, up to 80 percent...Why do doctors underdiagnose these 3 conditions in women?International Women's Day prompts us to celebrate women and womanhood. However, recent research suggests that women may face more than their fair share of challenges,...MMR vaccine does not cause autism, even in those most at riskA new large-scale Danish study searches for connections between autism and the MMR vaccine. In particular, they investigate at-risk individuals. Once again, no links are...Pancreatic cancer: Two-hit treatment approach shows promiseIt may be feasible to treat pancreatic cancer by using one drug to get the cancer cells to depend on a single source of energy,...Psychedelics: Risks and benefits of microdosing revealedNew research, published in the journal ACS Chemical Neuroscience, finds both potential benefits and risks of using psychedelic microdosing to treat mental health problems. The...Munchies: Does cannabis really increase desire for junk food?A recent study shows that one of the stereotypical behaviors that people associate with consuming marijuana may have a firm basis in truth — legalizing...Excessive daily TV at older age tied to poorer memoryOlder people who want to preserve their faculties may wish to consider rationing their TV time. A large new study of older adults found that...Pollutants may speed up ALS progressionNew research, appearing in the BMJ Journal of Neurology, suggests that various pollutants may not only raise the risk of people developing ALS but also...Study ties arthritis pain reliever to heart valve diseaseA recent study has linked a common prescription drug that people with arthritis use to relieve pain and inflammation to a heart valve problem. The drug,...At least 150 die from tainted liquor in India's northeastAt least 150 people have died and about 200 people have been hospitalized after drinking tainted liquor in two separate incidents in India’s remote northeast,...Sleep apnea: Daytime sleepiness might help predict cardiovascular riskA recent study categorizing people with obstructive sleep apnea based on their differing symptoms found a strong link between excessive daytime sleepiness and cardiovascular disease. Obstructive...Parkinson's: How stem cells can help repair the brainNew research examines the potential of stem cell therapy in the replacement of damaged neurons in Parkinson's disease. The authors say that stem cells could...Exercise boosts well-being by improving gut healthBoth bacterial diversity in the gut and regular exercise are important when it comes to health. But how are the two related? A new study...Study finds new cognitive decline mechanism in Alzheimer'sPeople with Alzheimer's disease experience poor blood flow to the brain, which affects cognitive function. A new study conducted in a mouse model has finally...How does exercise prompt fat to benefit metabolism?An international team of scientists has uncovered molecular evidence of how exercise benefits metabolism and health through its effect on fat. The evidence reveals that...Breast cancer screening saved over 27,000 lives in 2018An analysis of mortality rates related to breast cancer from 1989 until 2018 indicates that breast cancer screening, paired with access to better treatment, has...Can social media really cause depression?The notion that social media has a negative impact on mental well-being is widespread. The researchers who conducted a new long-term study, however, say that...Blocking fatty acids slows prostate cancer progressionNew research featuring in the journal Science Translational Medicine shows that fatty acids fuel prostate tumor growth. As blocking fatty acids seems to slow disease...Are we 'approaching an era where no antibiotics work?'Researchers are worried about the fast development and spread of "superbugs," which are bacteria that do not respond to antibiotics. For the first time, scientists...Flaxseed fiber could help reduce obesityFlaxseed has many culinary uses, most commonly in granola and smoothies. It is a popular add-on in foods because research has suggested that it has...UV light could reduce hospital-acquired infectionsA new study shows that ultraviolet disinfection technology eliminates up to 97.7 percent of pathogens in the operating room. Using this light wavelength might help...Nanoparticles in food can alter the behavior of gut bacteriaNew research on nanoparticles in food has yielded fresh insights about their impact on gut bacteria.Researchers from the University Medical Center of Mainz in Germany...Schizophrenia: Restoring brain circuitry to improve symptomsResearchers pin down the faulty brain circuitry that drives negative symptom severity in schizophrenia and look at noninvasive methods of targeting and "repairing" this breakdown.Schizophrenia...Could stem cells reverse diabetes?Diabetes is manageable with proper care, but no cure is yet available. Some scientists believe that transforming stem cells into insulin-secreting cells might offer hope. A...Mild cognitive impairment: Reducing blood pressure can lower riskA recent study in older people suggests that reducing blood pressure to levels below the usual standard can lessen the risk of mild cognitive impairment,...Antibiotics disrupt gut bacteria, impact bone healthA new study about the side effects of antibiotic treatment reveals that it may dysregulate postpubertal skeletal development by interfering with gut bacteria.The trillions of...How gum disease could lead to Alzheimer'sIn a new study, researchers have found that a bacterium largely responsible for gum disease also contributes to the development of Alzheimer's disease.According to data...Modified herpes virus effective against late-stage melanomaA new treatment with a genetically modified herpes virus is effective against stage 3B and stage 4 melanoma, a recent human study confirms.In 2015, the...Struggling to focus? This new brain training app may helpIn a world in which our brains are almost constantly overstimulated, many of us may find it challenging to stay focused for extended periods. Researchers...Alzheimer's: What leads to brain cell damage?Scientists have uncovered a mechanism through which a toxic brain protein that is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease can damage neurons, or brain cells.The team...What role does the immune system play in hypertension?Millions of people in the United States and across the world have hypertension, a condition that, without proper management, can contribute to the risk of...Multiple sclerosis: Small molecule could delay onsetTreatment with a small molecule could delay the damage that multiple sclerosis inflicts in the brain and other parts of the central nervous system, say...Label discrepancies, chemicals linked to cancer found in cookies, pastries: Hong Kong consumer bodyFood producers in Hong Kong have been urged to improve their recipes after a test on cookies and sweet pastries found that most samples contained...Exercise can halve heart attack risk in healthy peopleNew research, appearing in the European Heart Journal, suggests that lack of physical activity can drastically increase the risk of a heart attack in the...Healthy babies' gut bacteria prevent common food allergyGut bacteria have a crucial role in protecting against food allergies, according to recent research. When scientists transplanted gut microbes, or microbiota, from healthy human babies...Common pain relievers may worsen C. difficile infectionA study finds that certain pain relievers may promote Clostridium difficile infection. The results may help improve the management of the condition and its symptoms.Clostridium...Targeting this protein could help combat agingScientists have discovered an unknown genetic mechanism of cell metabolism that becomes increasingly dysfunctional with aging.Researchers at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in...Diabetes: Can we teach the body to heal itself?In diabetes, the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin, the hormone that is key to regulating levels of blood sugar. New research now asks...Bullying alters brain structure, raises risk of mental health problemsNew research is suggesting that there may be physical structural differences in the brains of adolescents who are regularly bullied. According to the National Center for...Childbirth may increase risk of breast cancerMany believe that childbirth can protect women against breast cancer, but new findings suggest that this benefit may take 2 decades to make an appearance.The...Effect of temperature on lifespan depends on genesRecent research into aging has challenged the notion that colder temperatures can increase lifespan simply by slowing metabolic rate. Instead, it has revealed that genes determine...Diabetes: Drug duo helps body replenish its insulin-producing cellsScientists have taken a key step in the pursuit of a cure for diabetes that restores the body's ability to make insulin.They have created a...Chronic fatigue syndrome: New evidence of immune roleResearchers recently investigated the immune system's role in chronic fatigue system in unprecedented depth. The findings might help design future treatments.Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), or...Diabetes and erectile dysfunction may be genetically linkedNew research, published in the American Journal of Human Genetics, suggests that a genetic susceptibility to type 2 diabetes may be a cause of erectile...