Health

āNanoflowersā can heal brain cells and protect against diseases
āNanoflowersā can heal brain cells and protect against diseases Nanoflowers, metallic flower-shaped nanoparticles, have been shown to protect and heal brain cells by promoting mitochondrial health and turnover. The nanoflowers target the underlying mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, rather than just managing symptoms. By improving mitochondrial function, the nanoflowers help address one […]
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Youth athletes, not just professionals, may face mental health risks from repeated traumatic brain injuries
Youth athletes, not just professionals, may face mental health risks from repeated traumatic brain injuries Repeated traumatic brain injuries in youth athletes may lead to mental health risks, including anxiety, depression, substance misuse, and thoughts about ending one’s life. A growing body of research suggests that adolescents and young adult athletes experience traumatic brain injuries […]
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Why does cancer immunotherapy work for some and not others?
Why does cancer immunotherapy work for some and not others? A new study published in Nature found that naturally occurring autoantibodies can significantly boost or hinder the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy by up to 10-fold. The researchers mapped autoantibodies from 374 cancer patients treated with checkpoint immunotherapy and 131 untreated healthy individuals, using a novel […]
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Vaccines hold tantalizing promise in the fight against dementia
Vaccines hold tantalizing promise in the fight against dementia Vaccines may hold promise in reducing the risk of dementia, with one study suggesting that the shingles vaccine could lower the risk by as much as 20%. The study used a policy change in Wales to compare vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, finding that the vaccine reduced […]
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Listen: How microplastics are invading your body
Listen: How microplastics are invading your body Microplastics have been found in human placentas, reproductive organs, and brains, particularly in the frontal cortex. Professor Matthew Campen’s research has uncovered evidence of microplastic particles entering the human body through various means, including not just water bottles. The presence of microplastics in these areas may be linked […]
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Insurance warning signs in doctorsā offices might discourage patients from speaking openly about their health
Insurance warning signs in doctorsā offices might discourage patients from speaking openly about their health Warning signs in doctors’ offices that mention potential extra insurance costs may discourage patients from speaking openly about their health issues. Research found that these warning signs can lead to patients being less willing to raise a wide variety of […]
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Fetal autopsies could help prevent stillbirths, but too often they are used to blame mothers for pregnancy loss
Fetal autopsies could help prevent stillbirths, but too often they are used to blame mothers for pregnancy loss Fetal autopsies could help prevent stillbirths by identifying underlying causes, but they are rarely performed after stillbirths, occurring in only 1 in 5 cases. In the US, at least 1 in 4 stillbirths (and up to 50% […]
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A toxicologistās guide to poison ivyās itch and bee stingsā burning pain ā 2 examples of natureās chemical warfare
A toxicologistās guide to poison ivyās itch and bee stingsā burning pain ā 2 examples of natureās chemical warfare **Poison Ivy:** Poison ivy contains an oily chemical called urushiol that causes an allergic reaction in most people, leading to a rash that can be mild or severe. Symptoms appear 12-48 hours after exposure and can […]
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A red meat allergy from tick bites is spreading ā and the lone star tick isnāt the only alpha-gal carrier to worry about
A red meat allergy from tick bites is spreading ā and the lone star tick isnāt the only alpha-gal carrier to worry about A red meat allergy from tick bites, known as alpha-gal syndrome, is spreading rapidly across the US and globally, affecting an estimated 450,000 people in the US. The allergy is caused by […]
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āForever chemicalsā found in reusable period products
āForever chemicalsā found in reusable period products Researchers have detected “forever chemicals” (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS) in reusable feminine hygiene products, including menstrual underwear and pads. A study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters found that almost a third of reusable period products contained PFAS, with some containing high concentrations suggesting intentional […]
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The 3 worst things you can say after a pet dies, and what to say instead
The 3 worst things you can say after a pet dies, and what to say instead The loss of a pet can be just as painful and valid as human loss, but it often gets minimized or dismissed by society, leading to “disenfranchised grief” that feels invisible and isolating. When responding to someone who has […]
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Speech-based AI tool flags sign of Parkinsonās
Speech-based AI tool flags sign of Parkinsonās A new speech-based AI tool has been developed to help assess signs of Parkinson’s disease, with nearly 86% accuracy. The tool uses a web-based screening test that asks users to recite two pangrams, which are short sentences using all 26 letters of the alphabet. Users simply read aloud […]
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Shingles vaccination rates rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, but major gaps remain for underserved groups
Shingles vaccination rates rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, but major gaps remain for underserved groups Shingles vaccination rates increased among adults aged 50+ during the COVID-19 pandemic, but gaps remain for underserved groups. The CDC recommends shingles vaccination for all adults aged 50 and older, but uptake has been low due to limited awareness, cost […]
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Parents donāt need to try harder ā to ease parenting stress, forget self-reliance and look for ways to share the care
Parents donāt need to try harder ā to ease parenting stress, forget self-reliance and look for ways to share the care Parents don’t need to try harder or be self-reliant to ease parenting stress; instead, they need connection and support from others. The traditional nuclear family ideal, which emphasizes self-reliance, is a relatively recent development […]
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It is becoming easier to create AI avatars of the deceased ā here is why Buddhism would caution against it
It is becoming easier to create AI avatars of the deceased ā here is why Buddhism would caution against it Buddhism cautions against creating AI avatars of the deceased as it may distort reality and intensify attachment to an illusion, potentially deepening suffering. Grief can be a catalyst for compassion in Buddhism, but it’s essential […]
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How FDA panelists casting doubt on antidepressant use during pregnancy could lead to devastating outcomes for mothers
How FDA panelists casting doubt on antidepressant use during pregnancy could lead to devastating outcomes for mothers Despite FDA panelists casting doubt on the safety of antidepressant medications (SSRIs) during pregnancy, research shows that the risks of untreated depression far outweigh those of SSRIs. The benefits of using SSRIs in pregnancy, including improved maternal mental […]
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Fruits and veggies could help you sleep better
Fruits and veggies could help you sleep better Fruits and vegetables may help improve sleep quality by reducing sleep fragmentation and promoting deeper, more uninterrupted sleep. A new study found that eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables during the day was associated with better sleep quality at night, with participants who consumed more […]
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Are you really allergic to penicillin? A pharmacist explains why thereās a good chance youāre not ā and how you can find out for sure
Are you really allergic to penicillin? A pharmacist explains why thereās a good chance youāre not ā and how you can find out for sure Only 1% of Americans who report a penicillin allergy actually have one, making it likely that many people are incorrectly labeled as allergic. A penicillin skin test can safely determine […]
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When disasters fall out of the public eye, survivors continue to suffer ā a rehabilitation professional explains how sustained mental health support is critical to recovery
When disasters fall out of the public eye, survivors continue to suffer ā a rehabilitation professional explains how sustained mental health support is critical to recovery Disasters can have long-lasting impacts on mental health, even after headlines fade, highlighting the need for sustained emotional support to facilitate recovery. The emotional toll of disasters can be […]
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āForever chemicalsā affect developing male brains
āForever chemicalsā affect developing male brains Research conducted by the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience at the University of Rochester found that early life exposure to PFHxA, a type of “forever chemical,” may increase anxiety-related behaviors and memory deficits in male mice. The study suggests that males are more vulnerable to environmental insults during neurodevelopment, […]
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Wildfire smoke can make your outdoor workout hazardous to your health ā an exercise scientist explains how to gauge the risk
Wildfire smoke can make your outdoor workout hazardous to your health ā an exercise scientist explains how to gauge the risk Wildfire smoke can make outdoor exercise hazardous to your health due to air pollution from fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that worsens heart and lung disease. The effects of exposure to wildfire smoke on health […]
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What you should know about artificial food dye concerns
What you should know about artificial food dye concerns Artificial food dyes have been used for over 150 years to color foods, but recent concerns have led to a shift towards natural coloring. Kraft Heinz and General Mills are phasing out artificial dyes in their US foods, while Texas has passed a law requiring food […]
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The AI therapist will see you now: Can chatbots really improve mental health?
The AI therapist will see you now: Can chatbots really improve mental health? Artificial intelligence-powered mental health tools are becoming increasingly popular, but their effectiveness and limitations are still unclear. The use of AI-based therapy has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in mild to moderate cases, with some studies suggesting that […]
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The aftermath of floods, hurricanes and other disasters can be hardest on older rural Americans ā hereās how families and neighbors can help
The aftermath of floods, hurricanes and other disasters can be hardest on older rural Americans ā hereās how families and neighbors can help Rural areas are disproportionately affected by disasters, with older adults being particularly vulnerable due to higher rates of chronic health problems and limited access to healthcare. The aging population in rural America […]
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Muscle weakness in cancer survivors may be caused by treatable weakness in blood vessels ā new research
Muscle weakness in cancer survivors may be caused by treatable weakness in blood vessels ā new research Researchers have discovered that muscle weakness in cancer survivors may be caused by treatable weakness in blood vessels, which can lead to a condition called cachexia. The study found that tumors can destroy blood vessels in muscles even […]
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Is 1 type of water healthier for you than others?
Is 1 type of water healthier for you than others? According to Roger Fielding, senior scientist at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA), there is no physiological basis for a nutritional advantage to consuming specialty waters like alkaline water or electrolyte water over regular plain old water. The main concern […]
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How weather changes cause migraines ā a neurologist explains the triggers and what you can do to ease the pain
How weather changes cause migraines ā a neurologist explains the triggers and what you can do to ease the pain Approximately 30-50% of people with migraines identify weather changes as a trigger, making it one of the most commonly reported migraine sources. Weather triggers can vary from person to person, but common culprits include barometric […]
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Heart drug kills dangerous antibiotic resistant bacteria
Heart drug kills dangerous antibiotic resistant bacteria Fendiline, a heart drug previously used to treat arrhythmia, has been found to selectively kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The researchers identified a specific weakness in the lipoprotein trafficking pathway of the bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii, which is weakened in resistant bacteria. The study employed an entirely new strategy to target […]
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Face analysis tech could spot PTSD in kids
Face analysis tech could spot PTSD in kids Researchers at the University of South Florida are developing a new technology that uses face analysis to identify childhood PTSD. The system, led by Alison Salloum and Shaun Canavan, analyzes facial expressions to detect subtle patterns linked to emotional expression in children with PTSD. The technology strips […]
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AI in health care could save lives and money ā but change wonāt happen overnight
AI in health care could save lives and money ā but change wonāt happen overnight Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize healthcare by analyzing patient data prior to surgery, helping doctors make faster and more accurate diagnoses, and streamlining hospital workflows. However, AI’s impact on healthcare so far has been relatively low due […]
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