Health
LA fires 1 year later: Chemicals from smoke lingered inside homes long after the wildfires were out – studies tracked the harm
LA fires 1 year later: Chemicals from smoke lingered inside homes long after the wildfires were out – studies tracked the harm LA wildfires released chemicals into the air that lingered inside homes for months after the fires were out, posing health risks to millions of residents. The LA Fire HEALTH Study found high levels […]
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Illness is more than just biological – medical sociology shows how social factors get under the skin and cause disease
Illness is more than just biological – medical sociology shows how social factors get under the skin and cause disease Medical sociology studies how social factors contribute to disease and illness, going beyond the biological aspect to examine societal forces that impact health. The field reveals that access to resources like money, knowledge, power, and […]
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‘Plug-and-play’ system could improve cancer immunotherapy
‘Plug-and-play’ system could improve cancer immunotherapy Researchers at the University of Chicago have developed a “plug-and-play” system for cancer immunotherapy called GA1CAR, which can be switched on, off, or reprogrammed to attack different cancers. The system uses engineered immune cells with a docking site that can receive updated tumor targeting information in the form of […]
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What loving-kindness meditation is and how to practice it in the new year
What loving-kindness meditation is and how to practice it in the new year Loving-kindness meditation, also known as metta, is a type of meditation that cultivates unbounded, universal love and gentle presence. It’s different from romantic love and is meant to grow people’s ability to be present for themselves and others without fail. The practice […]
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Natural antibodies could make the flu vaccine more powerful
Natural antibodies could make the flu vaccine more powerful Natural antibodies generated after infection could make flu vaccines more powerful by reducing person-to-person transmission. New research suggests that incorporating these antibodies, particularly neuraminidase (NA), into future vaccines could add an important layer of community protection. NA plays a key role in lowering infection risk and […]
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Many people who die by suicide don’t have depression
Many people who die by suicide don’t have depression Contrary to common assumptions, many people who die by suicide do not have depression or prior suicidal thoughts or behaviors. A new genetic study at the University of Utah found that individuals without prior suicidality tend to have fewer psychiatric diagnoses and different genetic risk factors […]
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How exercise fights muscle weakening that comes with age
How exercise fights muscle weakening that comes with age A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found that exercise can reverse muscle weakening that comes with age by lowering a gene regulator called DEAF1. The study, led by Hong-Wen Tang at Duke-NUS Medical School, suggests that DEAF1 pushes […]
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Cholera ‘tail’ insight could pave way for better treatments
Cholera ‘tail’ insight could pave way for better treatments Scientists have gained new insights into the structure of cholera’s flagella, which could lead to better treatments for the disease. The flagella are powerful tail-like structures that allow Vibrio cholerae bacteria to move quickly in liquid environments and infect cells in the small intestine. A new […]
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Chemicals in flame retardant gear could put firefighters at risk
Chemicals in flame retardant gear could put firefighters at risk Firefighters’ protective gear may contain harmful chemicals that could put their health at risk. A new study found that some flame retardant gear contains brominated flame retardants (BFRs), which have been linked to thyroid problems and other health issues. The study tested gear made between […]
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Brain markers could offer early clues into Parkinson’s
Brain markers could offer early clues into Parkinson’s A new study uses brain imaging to reveal how Parkinson’s disease disrupts the normal relationship between two important neural indicators: dopamine transporters and synaptic density. The researchers found that in patients with Parkinson’s disease, the correlation between these two markers breaks down, suggesting that the disease alters […]
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How does helping family across generations affect health?
How does helping family across generations affect health? A new study of over 38,000 adults across Europe explores the impact of intergenerational support on health. The study suggests that the relationships between helping family members across generations may be more complex and common than previously thought. Intergenerational support can take many forms, including financial assistance, […]
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Discovery may pave way for better cancer drugs
Discovery may pave way for better cancer drugs A new study has made a breakthrough discovery that could lead to the development of better cancer treatments by targeting a specific protein complex. The study focused on mTOR, a protein at the center of two different complexes (mTORC1 and mTORC2) that play key roles in cell […]
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Wearable tech detects subtle signs of frailty in older adults
Wearable tech detects subtle signs of frailty in older adults Researchers have developed a wearable device that uses artificial intelligence to detect subtle warning signs of frailty in older adults. The device, which resembles a soft mesh sleeve worn around the lower thigh, monitors and analyzes leg acceleration, symmetry, and step variability to identify potential […]
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Smoking is still involved for most young tobacco and weed users
Smoking is still involved for most young tobacco and weed users A new study found that most young Americans (12-34) use nicotine, tobacco, and cannabis products, but smoking those items remains a common method. The study, funded by the National Cancer Institute and NIH, analyzed data from 8,722 individuals who reported using these products in […]
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Midlife weight gain can start long before menopause – but you can take steps early on to help your body weather the hormonal shift
Midlife weight gain can start long before menopause – but you can take steps early on to help your body weather the hormonal shift Midlife weight gain can start years before menopause due to hormonal shifts that begin during perimenopause, leading to gradual muscle loss and increased insulin resistance. The real metabolic shift happens during […]
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The world risks forgetting one of humanity’s greatest triumphs as polio nears global eradication − 70 years after Jonas Salk developed the vaccine in a Pittsburgh lab
The world risks forgetting one of humanity’s greatest triumphs as polio nears global eradication − 70 years after Jonas Salk developed the vaccine in a Pittsburgh lab Polio nears global eradication, but the world risks forgetting its greatest triumph, which was achieved 70 years ago when Jonas Salk developed the vaccine. The development of the […]
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Team finds gene that calms the mind and boosts attention in mice
Team finds gene that calms the mind and boosts attention in mice Researchers at Rockefeller University have identified a gene called Homer1 that calms the mind and improves attention in mice. The study found that mice with lower levels of two specific versions of the Homer1 gene had quieter brain activity and improved ability to […]
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RFK Jr. wants to scrutinize the vaccine schedule – but its safety record is already decades long
RFK Jr. wants to scrutinize the vaccine schedule – but its safety record is already decades long RFK Jr.’s plan to scrutinize the vaccine schedule has raised concerns, but the childhood immunization schedule’s safety record spans decades and is backed by extensive research and testing. The US childhood immunization schedule recommends a set of vaccines […]
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Rest is essential during the holidays, but it may mean getting active, not crashing on the couch
Rest is essential during the holidays, but it may mean getting active, not crashing on the couch During the holiday season, rest and leisure are essential for reducing stress and promoting well-being, but many people struggle to unwind due to financial stress, disrupted routines, and challenging family dynamics. Research shows that active leisure experiences, such […]
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How C-reactive protein outpaced ‘bad’ cholesterol as leading heart disease risk marker
How C-reactive protein outpaced ‘bad’ cholesterol as leading heart disease risk marker C-reactive protein (CRP) has surpassed “bad” cholesterol as the leading heart disease risk marker, according to recent research and American College of Cardiology recommendations. CRP measures inflammation in the body, which plays a crucial role in the development and buildup of fatty plaque […]
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Hacked phones and Wi-Fi surveillance have replaced Cold War spies and radio waves in the delusions of people with schizophrenia
Hacked phones and Wi-Fi surveillance have replaced Cold War spies and radio waves in the delusions of people with schizophrenia A growing number of people with schizophrenia are developing delusions that incorporate modern technology, such as Wi-Fi surveillance and social media manipulation. Research has shown that over half of participants in a study on thought […]
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Fee-based primary care is hastening doctor shortages in the US
Fee-based primary care is hastening doctor shortages in the US Fee-based primary care models are rapidly growing across the US, with a 83.1% increase in concierge and direct primary care practices between 2018 and 2023. The growth of these models may benefit participating patients and clinicians, but it raises concerns about access to primary care […]
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‘Are you married?’ Why doctors ask invasive questions during treatment
‘Are you married?’ Why doctors ask invasive questions during treatment Doctors ask demographic questions during treatment to collect data that can help researchers understand who gets sick, why they get sick, and how to design interventions to improve health outcomes. The data collected from these questions can be used to predict conditions like preeclampsia, cardiovascular […]
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Time banks could ease the burden of elder care and promote connection
Time banks could ease the burden of elder care and promote connection Time banking, a community-based mutual aid system, could ease the burden of elder care by providing affordable and reciprocal support to older adults. The global demographic shift towards an aging population poses significant challenges, including high costs and a shortage of professional caregivers, […]
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Specific brain circuit drives opioid relapse
Specific brain circuit drives opioid relapse Researchers at Washington State University have discovered how a specific brain circuit drives opioid relapse, which could lead to more effective treatments for opioid use disorders. The study found that reducing activity within a neural circuit linking the prelimbic cortex and the paraventricular thalamus significantly reduced drug-seeking behavior in […]
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Sleep problems and depression can be a vicious cycle, especially during pregnancy − here’s why it’s important to get help
Sleep problems and depression can be a vicious cycle, especially during pregnancy − here’s why it’s important to get help Pregnant women are more likely to experience sleep problems and mental health challenges due to the complex interplay between sleep, stress, and hormonal changes during pregnancy. Sleep disturbances can exacerbate mental health problems such as […]
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RSV can take a toll months after hospitalization
RSV can take a toll months after hospitalization Recovering from RSV doesn’t necessarily mean recovery is complete, as adults may experience lingering effects months after hospitalization. A new study found that adults of all ages can be affected by RSV, with profound effects including breathlessness and difficulty performing daily activities. The study showed that while […]
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PFAS in pregnant women’s drinking water puts their babies at higher risk, study finds
PFAS in pregnant women’s drinking water puts their babies at higher risk, study finds Pregnant women who drink water from wells downstream of PFAS-contaminated sites are at a higher risk of having low-weight babies, preterm births, and infant mortality, according to a new study. The study found that women whose homes received water from wells […]
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Newly discovered link between traumatic brain injury in children and epigenetic changes could help personalize treatment for recovering kids
Newly discovered link between traumatic brain injury in children and epigenetic changes could help personalize treatment for recovering kids Researchers have discovered a new biological signal in the blood that could help personalize treatment for children recovering from traumatic brain injuries. The discovery focuses on epigenetic changes, which are chemical modifications to DNA that can […]
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Mammary glands make livestock, humans good hosts for bird flu
Mammary glands make livestock, humans good hosts for bird flu A new study finds that mammary glands in pigs, sheep, goats, beef cattle, alpacas, and humans are biologically suitable for infection by H5N1 avian influenza. The study suggests that transmission of H5N1 among these domestic mammals and humans is possible, increasing the risk of a […]
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