Health
Ohio State researchers use AI to tackle elusive lobular breast cancer detection challenges
Ohio State researchers use AI to tackle elusive lobular breast cancer detection challenges BulletPointN One of the most common forms of breast cancer is nearly impossible to detect. Source: Youtube link Q. What is one of the most common forms of breast cancer? A. Lobular breast cancer. Q. Why is lobular breast cancer challenging to […]
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Navigating mental illness in the workplace can be tricky, but employees are entitled to accommodations
Navigating mental illness in the workplace can be tricky, but employees are entitled to accommodations Mental health challenges are becoming increasingly common in the US, affecting approximately 23% of adults, with a nearly 37% increase over the past decade. Employees with mental illness may face difficulties in completing tasks at work due to symptoms such […]
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Gut microbiome can affect desire for alcohol
Gut microbiome can affect desire for alcohol Gut microbiome research has found a connection between Candida albicans, a fungus associated with alcohol use disorder, and the brain’s dopamine reward pathway. The study discovered that an overgrowth of Candida albicans increases levels of inflammatory molecules called PGE2, which can affect the desire for alcohol in mice. […]
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Does the full moon make us sleepless? A neurologist explains the science behind sleep, mood and lunar myths
Does the full moon make us sleepless? A neurologist explains the science behind sleep, mood and lunar myths The full moon may have a modest effect on sleep, causing people to sleep about 20 minutes less, take longer to fall asleep, and spend less time in deep, restorative sleep. The most likely reason for this […]
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COVID-19 mRNA vaccines could unlock the next revolution in cancer treatment – new research
COVID-19 mRNA vaccines could unlock the next revolution in cancer treatment – new research COVID-19 mRNA vaccines have shown promising antitumor effects when used alongside immunotherapy treatments for late-stage melanoma and lung cancer, with patients receiving the vaccine being more than twice as likely to be alive after three years compared to those who didn’t […]
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Being fit might help your body handle dehydration
Being fit might help your body handle dehydration Research suggests that physically fit individuals may be better equipped to handle dehydration due to their increased voluntary running activity when deprived of water. A study using high-runner mice found that fitter animals increased their running distance and speed when water was removed, despite losing body weight […]
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Astronauts can get motion sick while splashing back down to Earth – virtual reality headsets could help them stay sharp
Astronauts can get motion sick while splashing back down to Earth – virtual reality headsets could help them stay sharp Astronauts can experience motion sickness during splashdown due to conflicting sensory inputs from their vestibular system and brain, which can impair their ability to respond quickly in emergency situations. The conflict arises when astronauts’ brains […]
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Your kids may not get as much sleep as you think
Your kids may not get as much sleep as you think Parents often overestimate how much sleep their kids are getting, while actual sleep data shows that only 14% of children meet national sleep guidelines. A new study found that elementary school children get an average of only 8 hours and 20 minutes of actual […]
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Helping friends can boost mood for older adults
Helping friends can boost mood for older adults Providing practical help to close friends can boost mood for older adults, particularly women, who tend to have more emotional intimacy and conversation-based friendships. Older men are less likely than women to provide emotional support to friends, and may experience a lower positive mood on days they […]
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Oura redesigns app with expanded stress tracking
Oura redesigns app with expanded stress tracking Oura is launching a redesigned app with expanded stress-tracking features to help users manage their stress levels. The new Cumulative Stress feature provides a weekly overview of how the body manages and recovers from sustained stress, using data from sleep, heart rate, temperature, and activity. Oura is working […]
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Zombies, jiangshi, draugrs, revenants − monster lore is filled with metaphors for public health
Zombies, jiangshi, draugrs, revenants − monster lore is filled with metaphors for public health Zombie lore has parallels with public health concepts, including infectious disease outbreaks and societal collapse. The zombie apocalypse narrative echoes key questions asked by epidemiologists during real-life outbreaks, such as how to contain an outbreak and prevent its spread. Monsters like […]
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Yes, ADHD diagnoses are rising, but that doesn’t mean it’s overdiagnosed
Yes, ADHD diagnoses are rising, but that doesn’t mean it’s overdiagnosed ADHD diagnoses are rising, but this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s overdiagnosed. The condition exists on a spectrum and can be treated differently depending on the severity of symptoms. The diagnosis of ADHD is not always clear-cut, as symptoms can vary widely from person to […]
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Weight loss drugs may curb alcohol use
Weight loss drugs may curb alcohol use Weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy may help reduce alcohol use by slowing down the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream, which can lead to a slower increase in blood-alcohol content. A study found that participants taking these medications reported feeling less intoxicated after consuming an alcoholic […]
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The right timing could make cancer treatments work better
The right timing could make cancer treatments work better Cancer treatments may be more effective when administered at the right time, based on an individual’s internal clock. The human body operates on a complex internal schedule governed by circadian rhythms, which control essential bodily functions like sleep-wake cycles and hormone production. Disruptions to these internal […]
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There’s a link between childhood stress and later chronic disease
There’s a link between childhood stress and later chronic disease New research has found a strong link between higher stress in children and adverse health conditions for them later in life. The study, published in PNAS, used measurable metrics of health over time to quantify the impact of childhood stress on adult health. Childhood stress […]
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Stethoscope, meet AI – helping doctors hear hidden sounds to better diagnose disease
Stethoscope, meet AI – helping doctors hear hidden sounds to better diagnose disease Researchers are exploring ways to use artificial intelligence (AI) to help doctors diagnose heart disease earlier and more accurately by combining stethoscopes with AI technology. The traditional stethoscope has been around for over 200 years, but it can be challenging to detect […]
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Special MRI may clarify why some depression is chronic
Special MRI may clarify why some depression is chronic A new brain imaging study uses specialized MRI to investigate the link between chronic depression and dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in reward and motivation. The study found that low neuromelanin signal in the midbrain is related to chronic depression and lower extraversion, a personality trait characterized […]
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Protein powders and shakes contain high amounts of lead, new report says – a pharmacologist explains the data
Protein powders and shakes contain high amounts of lead, new report says – a pharmacologist explains the data A new study by Consumer Reports found that some protein powders and shakes contain high amounts of lead, cadmium, and arsenic, posing serious health risks. The study tested 23 popular protein products and found that 16 exceeded […]
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Is a keto diet good for brain health?
Is a keto diet good for brain health? A new study suggests that a ketogenic diet may help preserve brain health and prevent cognitive decline in individuals at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The research, led by Ai-Ling Lin and Kira Ivanich, found that females with the APOE4 gene, a genetic risk factor for late-onset […]
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How sperm kick into ‘overdrive’ for their final sprint
How sperm kick into ‘overdrive’ for their final sprint Researchers at Michigan State University have identified the molecular switch that supercharges sperm for their final sprint to an egg, paving the way for safe and nonhormonal male contraceptives. The study reveals that sperm undergo a rapid metabolic shift from low to high energy states as […]
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HIV rates are highest in the American South, despite effective treatments – a clash between culture and public health
HIV rates are highest in the American South, despite effective treatments – a clash between culture and public health The American South has the highest HIV rates in the country, despite effective treatments like PrEP being available. A clash between culture and public health plays a significant role in why effective medical treatments are still […]
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Higher temps may increase overdose deaths in the US
Higher temps may increase overdose deaths in the US A new study found that higher temperatures may increase overdose deaths in the US, regardless of drug type. The researchers analyzed county-level mortality data across the continental US from 1999 to 2020 and found a significant association between heat exposure and increased drug overdose deaths. Heat […]
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Focused sound energy holds promise for treating cancer, Alzheimer’s and other diseases
Focused sound energy holds promise for treating cancer, Alzheimer’s and other diseases Focused sound energy holds promise for treating various diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer’s, and other conditions, by directing powerful beams of energy to specific disease targets in the body. Researchers have made significant advances in focused ultrasound technology, overcoming technical hurdles such as skull […]
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Antioxidants help stave off a host of health problems – but figuring out how much you’re getting can be tricky
Antioxidants help stave off a host of health problems – but figuring out how much you’re getting can be tricky Antioxidants are essential for preventing oxidative stress, which can lead to various health problems like cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and dementia. The best way to get antioxidants is through whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, […]
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Wings, booze and heartbreak – what my research says about the hidden costs of sports fandom
Wings, booze and heartbreak – what my research says about the hidden costs of sports fandom Research suggests that being a sports fan can have negative effects on physical health, particularly among the most committed fans. The relationship between fandom and physical health isn’t just about excessive drinking or unhealthy eating; it’s also about emotional […]
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New test could make tuberculosis screening way simpler
New test could make tuberculosis screening way simpler New tuberculosis test uses CRISPR technology to detect TB from simple tongue swabs, offering a potential breakthrough for easier community-based screenings. The current sputum testing method is difficult and unfeasible in about 25% of symptomatic cases and nearly 90% of asymptomatic cases, leading to an estimated 4 […]
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New insights may pave way for painkillers with fewer side effects
New insights may pave way for painkillers with fewer side effects New insights from scientists may lead to painkillers with fewer side effects by targeting specific receptors that cause pain but not inflammation. The study, published in Nature Communications, identified the EP2 receptor as the main culprit behind prostaglandin-mediated pain, rather than inflammation. Blocking the […]
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How some antibiotics keep working against resistant bacteria
How some antibiotics keep working against resistant bacteria Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding how some antibiotics can still work against resistant bacteria. The study used advanced imaging technology and computer simulations to visualize how aminoglycoside antibiotics attach to ribosomes, which are modified by bacteria to block these drugs. Some aminoglycosides, such as amikacin […]
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How does your immune system stay balanced? A Nobel Prize-winning answer
How does your immune system stay balanced? A Nobel Prize-winning answer The Nobel Prize-winning discovery of regulatory T cells (Tregs) by Shimon Sakaguchi, Mary Brunkow, and Fred Ramsdell revealed a new layer of protection against autoimmunity, where these cells act as “security guards” to suppress rogue immune responses. FOXP3 is the molecular key that controls […]
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Even small drops in vaccination rates for US children can lead to disease outbreaks
Even small drops in vaccination rates for US children can lead to disease outbreaks Vaccination rates among US children have declined by more than three-quarters of counties and jurisdictions since 2019, leading to a “large swath” of the country lacking basic immunity against diseases like measles. The decline in vaccination rates is concerning because it […]
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