Health
Can a new approach control seizures without surgery?
Can a new approach control seizures without surgery? A new approach using low-intensity focused ultrasound has been demonstrated to quiet a seizure-relevant brain circuit in an animal model without surgery. The technique involves briefly opening the blood-brain barrier, delivering an engineered gene therapy to a specific region, and then flipping an on-demand “dimmer switch” with […]
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Americans are unprepared for the expensive and complex process of aging – a geriatrician explains how they can start planning
Americans are unprepared for the expensive and complex process of aging – a geriatrician explains how they can start planning Aging is an unpredictable, highly individualized process that varies depending on a person’s genetics, medical history, cognitive status and socioeconomic factors. The majority of older Americans report a strong sense of purpose and self-worth, but […]
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Algorithm for robotic prosthetics could ease pain for amputees
Algorithm for robotic prosthetics could ease pain for amputees Researchers have developed an algorithm that combines two processes to personalize robotic prosthetic devices, optimizing movement and helping users exhibit a more natural walking pattern. The new approach aims to address health challenges associated with amputations, such as lower back pain and hip problems, by considering […]
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Why do people have baby teeth and adult teeth?
Why do people have baby teeth and adult teeth? Humans have two sets of teeth: baby teeth and adult teeth. Baby teeth start developing before birth and are smaller to fit into a child’s small face, while adult teeth grow in as the face grows. Taking care of baby teeth is important because they eventually […]
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What’s a ‘black box’ warning? A pharmacologist explains how these labels protect patients
What’s a ‘black box’ warning? A pharmacologist explains how these labels protect patients A “black box” warning on a health product is a tool for alerting pharmacists and clinicians that the medication may have serious risks, which they must communicate to consumers. Black box warnings are required by law and appear on product package inserts, […]
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Want to make America healthy again? Stop fueling climate change
Want to make America healthy again? Stop fueling climate change Climate change poses significant threats to global public health, including extreme heat, air pollution, infectious diseases, and other impacts that can lead to millions of deaths each year. The US government formally recognized climate change as a threat to public health in 2009, but the […]
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Turning motion into medicine: How AI, motion capture and wearables can improve your health
Turning motion into medicine: How AI, motion capture and wearables can improve your health Advances in AI, motion capture, and wearables are revolutionizing the way we approach human movement and health, enabling researchers to decode and analyze movement data to improve performance and prevent injuries. The use of signal processing techniques can filter out noise […]
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Suicide rates among veterans have declined sharply since 2020
Suicide rates among veterans have declined sharply since 2020 Suicide rates among US military veterans have declined sharply since 2020, according to new research. The decline is particularly notable for post-9/11 veterans with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), who saw a significant drop in suicide rates from 100 deaths per 100,000 to 61 per 100,000. The […]
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Star-shaped cells make a molecule that can ‘rewire’ the brains of mice with Down syndrome – understanding how could lead to new treatments
Star-shaped cells make a molecule that can ‘rewire’ the brains of mice with Down syndrome – understanding how could lead to new treatments Researchers have discovered that delivering a protein called pleiotrophin (Ptn) to star-shaped cells in the brain can “rewire” the brains of mice with Down syndrome, reversing changes to neural circuits and improving […]
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SNAP benefits have been cut and disrupted – causing more kids to go without enough healthy food and harming child development
SNAP benefits have been cut and disrupted – causing more kids to go without enough healthy food and harming child development SNAP benefits have been cut and disrupted, causing more kids to go without enough healthy food and harming child development. Food insecurity can harm kids’ physical health, including an elevated risk of asthma and […]
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Recent studies prove the ancient practice of nasal irrigation is effective at fighting the common cold
Recent studies prove the ancient practice of nasal irrigation is effective at fighting the common cold Nasal saline irrigation has been shown to be effective in fighting the common cold, reducing its duration by approximately two days, and preventing the spread of illness. The practice involves bathing the nasal cavity in a saltwater solution, which […]
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Drug for inducing labor works better at the right time of day
Drug for inducing labor works better at the right time of day Researchers have found that the effectiveness of oxytocin, a common medication used to induce or speed up labor, depends on the time of day it’s administered. The study, published in Molecular Metabolism, combined laboratory research in mice and human cells with a retrospective […]
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Don’t let food poisoning crash your Thanksgiving dinner
Don’t let food poisoning crash your Thanksgiving dinner Undercooked turkey is a leading cause of foodborne illness on Thanksgiving, and it’s essential to cook it to an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure food safety. Washing your turkey can actually increase cross-contamination and your risk of foodborne illness. Instead, focus on proper […]
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Discovery marks 1 step closer to regrowing human limbs
Discovery marks 1 step closer to regrowing human limbs Researchers at Texas A&M University have made a breakthrough discovery that brings them closer to regrowing human limbs. The team has identified a fibroblast growth factor (FGF) called FGF8, which can regenerate an entire finger joint, including articular cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. FGF8 is capable of […]
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Community health centers provide care for 1 in 10 Americans, but funding cuts threaten their survival
Community health centers provide care for 1 in 10 Americans, but funding cuts threaten their survival Community health centers provide care to 1 in 10 Americans, but funding cuts threaten their survival. These clinics operate on razor-thin margins and already function under continual demands to do more with less. The Affordable Care Act has not […]
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Can a ‘molecular crowbar’ fight pancreatic cancer?
Can a ‘molecular crowbar’ fight pancreatic cancer? Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, have developed a novel “molecular crowbar” strategy to degrade the oncogenic enzyme Pin1, which is overexpressed in many tumors, including pancreatic cancer. The approach targets not only cancer cells but also tumor-supporting cells like cancer-associated fibroblasts and macrophages, potentially overcoming treatment […]
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Canada loses its official ‘measles-free’ status – and the US will follow soon, as vaccination rates fall
Canada loses its official ‘measles-free’ status – and the US will follow soon, as vaccination rates fall Canada has lost its official “measles-free” status due to a significant increase in measles cases over the past year, with thousands of people infected and two infants dying from the disease. The US is also at risk of […]
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Why does your doctor seem so rushed and dismissive? That bedside manner may be the result of the health care system
Why does your doctor seem so rushed and dismissive? That bedside manner may be the result of the health care system Many patients experience rushed and dismissive doctor visits due to productivity pressures and administrative burdens within the healthcare system. The root cause of these issues lies in financial pressures, declining reimbursements, and increasing administrative […]
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Weights may beat running for preventing diabetes
Weights may beat running for preventing diabetes Researchers found that resistance training (weightlifting) may be more effective than running in preventing diabetes and obesity. A study published in the Journal of Sport and Health Science compared the effects of endurance exercise (running) and resistance exercise (weightlifting) on mice fed a high-fat diet, and found that […]
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The beauty backfire effect: Being too attractive can hurt fitness influencers, new research shows
The beauty backfire effect: Being too attractive can hurt fitness influencers, new research shows Research suggests that being too attractive can backfire for fitness influencers, leading to fewer likes and follows than their moderately attractive peers. The “beauty backfire effect” occurs because people view extremely attractive fitfluencers as less relatable, which can lead to lower […]
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Strict school vaccine mandates work, and parents don’t game the system − new research
Strict school vaccine mandates work, and parents don’t game the system − new research States that eliminated nonmedical vaccine exemptions for children entering kindergarten saw significant increases in vaccination rates, with an average increase of 3.2 percentage points over three years. The elimination of nonmedical exemptions did not lead to a shift to medical exemptions, […]
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Sound waves could activate chemo drugs
Sound waves could activate chemo drugs Researchers at Syracuse University have developed a method to activate chemotherapy drugs precisely where they’re needed using sound waves, sparing healthy cells. The approach uses ultrasound waves to trigger a chemical transformation in a specially designed prodrug, releasing the active drug only in targeted areas like tumors. The technology […]
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Nasal congestion is really common among ISS astronauts
Nasal congestion is really common among ISS astronauts Nasal congestion is a common issue among ISS astronauts, affecting around 85% of them during their missions. Prolonged exposure to microgravity causes fluid to shift upward toward the head, leading to swelling and pressure in the sinuses, resulting in headaches, congestion, fatigue, and disrupted sleep. The study […]
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Hydroponic gardening can boost quality of life for cancer patients
Hydroponic gardening can boost quality of life for cancer patients Indoor hydroponic gardening has been shown to improve the quality of life for cancer patients by reducing pain, increasing mental well-being, and promoting healthier eating habits. A pilot study conducted at the Houston Methodist Cancer Center found that participants who used an AeroGarden brand hydroponic […]
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How to keep dementia from robbing your loved ones of their sense of personhood – tips for caregivers
How to keep dementia from robbing your loved ones of their sense of personhood – tips for caregivers Dementia affects millions of people worldwide, with over 6 million living with dementia in the US and 57 million globally, and is predicted to double by 2060. The social stigma associated with cognitive decline can exacerbate the […]
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How to ditch your bad sleep habits
How to ditch your bad sleep habits One in three adults don’t get the recommended 7 hours of sleep per night, leading to persistent sleep problems. Common culprits of bad sleep habits include addiction to electronic devices, everyday worries, stimulants, and excessive alcohol use. Sleep disorders like sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and insomnia can […]
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FDA recall of blood pressure pills due to cancer-causing contaminant may point to higher safety risks in older generic drugs
FDA recall of blood pressure pills due to cancer-causing contaminant may point to higher safety risks in older generic drugs The FDA has recalled over 580,000 prazosin capsules due to elevated levels of cancer-causing chemicals called nitrosamines. Prazosin, a generic blood pressure drug, was produced by Teva Pharmaceuticals and is prescribed to around 510,000 patients […]
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Can FitBits help treat veterans for PTSD?
Can FitBits help treat veterans for PTSD? A new study explores using wearable devices like FitBits to help veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) adjust to civilian life. The study, which involved 74 recently discharged US veterans, found that wearing a device on their wrist and self-reporting through a daily questionnaire could help doctors and […]
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Algorithm beats docs at diagnosing heart attacks via EKG
Algorithm beats docs at diagnosing heart attacks via EKG Researchers have developed a machine learning algorithm that can interpret electrocardiogram (EKG) data more accurately than medical professionals when it comes to diagnosing heart attacks. The algorithm, which is being developed into a user-friendly platform, provides enhanced feature detection and more information about the EKG, helping […]
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People abused by intimate partners have worse asthma – but researchers are still untangling the reasons behind this surprising link
People abused by intimate partners have worse asthma – but researchers are still untangling the reasons behind this surprising link Asthma sufferers who have been abused by intimate partners have worse asthma symptoms, but researchers are still trying to understand the reasons behind this link. Most current treatments for asthma target inflammation, but a new […]
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