Health
Discovery could slash a common cancer drug’s price
Discovery could slash a common cancer drug’s price New research has identified the two missing pieces to understanding how Taxol, a common cancer drug, is formed in nature, allowing for biotech-based production. The discovery enables the development of a biotechnological method to produce Taxol in yeast cells, which could slash the price of the drug […]
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Can a pea-sized part of the brain help treat addiction?
Can a pea-sized part of the brain help treat addiction? Researchers are investigating using a small region of the brain called the habenula to potentially treat drug addiction. The habenula, also known as a “pea-sized” part of the brain, has been found to play an outsized role in addiction and substance abuse, according to research […]
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Biden is getting prostate cancer treatment, but that’s not the best choice for all men − a cancer researcher describes how she helped her father decide
Biden is getting prostate cancer treatment, but that’s not the best choice for all men − a cancer researcher describes how she helped her father decide Biden’s prostate cancer treatment decision highlights the need for personalized approach to cancer treatment, as not all men require immediate treatment. Prostate cancer can be grouped into four stages, […]
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Active young people are less likely to be depressed
Active young people are less likely to be depressed A new study found that physically active young people are less likely to be depressed. The study, conducted by Professor Silje Steinsbekk at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, followed a group of children and young people from age 6 to 18. Young people who […]
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The Women’s Health Initiative has shaped women’s health for over 30 years, but its future is uncertain
The Women’s Health Initiative has shaped women’s health for over 30 years, but its future is uncertain The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), launched in 1991, has been a groundbreaking study on women’s health for over 30 years, but its future is uncertain due to funding cuts and concerns from lead investigators. The WHI was established […]
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Children in military families face unique psychological challenges, and the barriers to getting help add to the strain
Children in military families face unique psychological challenges, and the barriers to getting help add to the strain Children in military families face unique psychological challenges due to frequent relocations, deployments, and the constant threat of war, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Military children are more likely to experience mental health […]
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What causes RFK Jr.’s strained and shaky voice? A neurologist explains this little-known disorder
What causes RFK Jr.’s strained and shaky voice? A neurologist explains this little-known disorder Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the US Secretary of Health and Human Services, has been open about his struggles with spasmodic dysphonia, a neurological voice disorder that causes a strained and shaky voice. The condition affects an estimated 50,000 people in North […]
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As heated tobacco products reenter the US market, evidence on their safety remains sparse – new study
As heated tobacco products reenter the US market, evidence on their safety remains sparse – new study Heated tobacco products, such as IQOS and Ploom, are reentering the US market despite limited evidence on their safety. The majority of studies on heated tobacco products’ safety are funded by tobacco companies, which can lead to biased […]
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Food allergy discovery could pave way for new treatments
Food allergy discovery could pave way for new treatments A recent study in mice has identified an innovative strategy to potentially manage food allergy risk by targeting essential immune cells in the intestine. The research found that a specific population of cells, called RORγt+ dendritic cells, play a crucial role in preventing food allergies by […]
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Spit test could flag risk of chemo side effects
Spit test could flag risk of chemo side effects A new saliva test using artificial intelligence algorithms may help identify cancer patients at high risk for severe side effects from chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). About 1 in 3 people has a reduced ability to process 5-FU, which can lead to toxic levels and life-threatening complications. […]
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Money from food companies could make what you eat safer
Money from food companies could make what you eat safer Researchers propose creating a user fee program for food companies to fund FDA oversight and strengthen food safety regulations. The FDA currently relies on appropriations from Congress, which amounts to only 1% of its $1.1 billion foods program budget, compared to 66% for drug regulation. […]
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Whooping cough is making a comeback, but the vaccine provides powerful protection
Whooping cough is making a comeback, but the vaccine provides powerful protection Whooping cough cases are on the rise in the US, with a recent surge correlating to a change in vaccine type and lower vaccination rates among children. The pertussis vaccine has been proven safe over the past 80 years, but its protection wanes […]
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From cats and dogs to penguins and llamas, treating animals with acupuncture has become mainstream in veterinary medicine
From cats and dogs to penguins and llamas, treating animals with acupuncture has become mainstream in veterinary medicine Acupuncture has become increasingly common in veterinary medicine, especially for pain management, and is now used to treat a wide range of species, from household dogs and cats to large animals like horses, cows, and llamas. The […]
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How alcohol abuse damages decision-making brain circuits
How alcohol abuse damages decision-making brain circuits Researchers have demonstrated that heavy alcohol use can damage brain circuits critical for decision-making in rats, leading to long-term behavioral issues. The study found that even after a monthslong withdrawal period, rats exposed to high amounts of alcohol exhibited poor decision-making during a complex task. The researchers linked […]
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2 new therapies can treat ulcerative colitis
2 new therapies can treat ulcerative colitis Two new therapies have been identified as promising treatments for ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the large intestine. A global study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that a drug called tulisokibart was effective in treating moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, with 26% […]
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Cancer research in the US is world class because of its broad base of funding − with the government pulling out, its future is uncertain
Cancer research in the US is world class because of its broad base of funding − with the government pulling out, its future is uncertain Cancer research in the US faces an uncertain future due to government funding cuts, which could lead to a decline in research and development of new cancer treatments. The US […]
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Tiny gold bits may one day help restore lost vision
Tiny gold bits may one day help restore lost vision A new study suggests that gold nanoparticles could help restore vision in people with macular degeneration and other retinal disorders. The nanoparticles, when injected into the retina, can stimulate the visual system and restore vision in mice with retinal disorders by bypassing damaged photoreceptors. The […]
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Pope Francis’ death right after Easter sounds miraculous – but patients and caregivers often work together to delay dying
Pope Francis’ death right after Easter sounds miraculous – but patients and caregivers often work together to delay dying Prioritizing patients’ goals and values can improve their quality of life and outcomes during terminal illness. Helping patients achieve their goals, whether it’s attending a special event or spending time with loved ones, can give them […]
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Poor sleep quality could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s
Poor sleep quality could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s Poor sleep quality may be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease, according to new research from Yale School of Medicine. A study found that individuals who spent less time in slow-wave sleep and rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep had smaller volumes of the inferior parietal region, […]
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Kids exposed to higher ozone levels face higher asthma risk
Kids exposed to higher ozone levels face higher asthma risk Children exposed to higher ozone levels early in life are more likely to develop asthma, according to a new study. Asthma affects over 6% of US children, making it the most common chronic disease in kids nationwide, and air pollution is a major contributor to […]
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Hotter and drier climate in Colorado’s San Luis Valley contributes to kidney disease in agriculture workers, new study shows
Hotter and drier climate in Colorado’s San Luis Valley contributes to kidney disease in agriculture workers, new study shows Agricultural workers in Colorado’s San Luis Valley are at increased risk of kidney damage due to a hotter and drier climate, according to a new study. The study found that a 10% decline in humidity is […]
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Gratitude comes with benefits − a social psychologist explains how to practice it when times are stressful
Gratitude comes with benefits − a social psychologist explains how to practice it when times are stressful Practicing gratitude can have numerous benefits for mental well-being, relationships, and overall happiness, despite the current stressful times. The negativity bias, which makes us more aware of negative information than positive, can make it challenging to notice and […]
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Can social media improve your mental health?
Can social media improve your mental health? Researchers found that social media can boost mood and emotional well-being when used carefully and mindfully. However, social media can also be an emotional minefield, filled with vitriol, unrealistic portrayals of perfect lives, and doomsday scenarios. A new study showed that young and middle-aged adults often turn to […]
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1 gene is key to drug resistance in multiple myeloma
1 gene is key to drug resistance in multiple myeloma Researchers at the National University of Singapore have identified a key gene, ADAR1, that contributes to drug resistance in multiple myeloma patients. The study found that ADAR1 inhibits lenalidomide’s activity by editing double-stranded RNA, suppressing the immune response and reducing the effectiveness of the drug. […]
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Temporary anxiety can hamper learning
Temporary anxiety can hamper learning A recent study published in Nature Science of Learning found that temporary anxiety can significantly impact learning and spatial memory. The researchers used a virtual reality game to test participants’ ability to distinguish between safe and dangerous areas, and found that those who learned to do so showed better spatial […]
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New bird flu vaccine works really well in mice
New bird flu vaccine works really well in mice A new bird flu vaccine has shown promising results in mice, offering complete protection against a deadly variant of the virus. The vaccine targets two key proteins, hemagglutinin (H5) and neuraminidase (N1), which are crucial for the virus’s ability to infect cells and replicate. Researchers used […]
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Certain behavior may signal autism risk in the first year of life
Certain behavior may signal autism risk in the first year of life Researchers at the University of Missouri’s Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment have found that certain behaviors in infants as young as 9 months old may signal an increased risk of autism. The study, led by Erin Andres and Stephen Sheinkopf, used parent-reported […]
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Can immune cell ‘couriers’ deliver Alzheimer’s therapy?
Can immune cell ‘couriers’ deliver Alzheimer’s therapy? Researchers at University of California, Irvine have created “living cellular couriers” called microglia that can deliver disease-fighting proteins to specific areas of the brain, potentially improving treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders. The microglia cells were engineered using CRISPR gene editing to secrete an enzyme that […]
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Popular diabetes drugs may protect against Alzheimer’s
Popular diabetes drugs may protect against Alzheimer’s Researchers have found that popular diabetes drugs may offer protective effects against Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. A study published in JAMA Neurology found a statistically significant association between lower risk of Alzheimer’s and the use of GLP-1RAs and SGLT2is compared to other glucose-lowering medications. The two diabetes […]
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Can a new treatment restore lost sense of smell?
Can a new treatment restore lost sense of smell? A potential new treatment for lost sense of smell has been discovered using a vitamin D nasal spray. The treatment, which uses an active form of vitamin D called calcitriol, significantly reduced nasal inflammation and improved the sense of smell in mice. The researchers believe that […]
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