A recent study published findings on the availability and advertising of tobacco products. The use of tobacco products is prevalent across the United States, from cigarettes to tobacco products such as cigars and electronic cigarettes. Nicotine in these products is responsible for their addictive natures, but the most toxic effects result from burning tobacco, which
Month: January 2019
Researchers at the University of Alberta have identified a drug that could target one of the major proteins responsible for ALS. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a debilitating disease marked by gradual neuromuscular degeneration. Previous studies have implicated several genes in the onset of the disease. One protein, called SOD1, has a propensity to misfold
General Electric expects to sell off almost half of its health unit — substantially upping its original plans — as the struggling conglomerate looks to generate cash and reduce its massive debt, according to GE CEO Larry Culp. GE first announced its plan to spin off GE Healthcare, under the leadership of CEO Kieran Murphy,
In a recent study, researchers have compared the effects of a plant-based meal with those of a meal that includes animal-derived products on a person’s health. The study concludes that vegan meals may help a person stay healthy and manage weight gain. New research shows how plant-based meals contribute to your health. In the United
Alcohol has links with many potential health problems. These range from heart and liver damage to a greater risk of certain cancers. For some people, alcohol can also make allergy symptoms worse. People who experience discomfort, such as stomach cramps, hives, or other unusual symptoms, after drinking alcohol may have one of the following: allergic
New research from Case Western Reserve University in the United States makes strides in understanding why HIV-infected patients often suffer from higher cancer rates. Controlling HIV infection with antiretroviral therapy has considerably reduced the risk of AIDS-defining cancers such as Kaposi’s sarcoma and certain B-cell lymphomas. However, cancer remains a leading cause of death in
Fenugreek is an herb in the same family as soy. People use its fresh and dried seeds, leaves, twigs, and roots as a spice, flavoring agent, and supplement. While more research is necessary, some studies show that fenugreek may have varied health benefits. Fenugreek may be able to help reduce the risk of: However, using
An article, published in JAMA Network this month, attacks what it refers to as pseudomedicine. In particular, the authors are concerned that individuals with dementia and their families are being targeted. Is fear of dementia being used to sell pseudomedicine? Dementia is becoming increasingly prevalent as the population of the United States ages. Currently, 5.7
Researchers pin down the faulty brain circuitry that drives negative symptom severity in schizophrenia and look at noninvasive methods of targeting and “repairing” this breakdown. A new study identifies the brain network that drives the severity of negative symptoms in schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a mental health condition with characteristic symptoms that include delusions and hallucinations.
A convulsion is a general term that people use to describe uncontrollable muscle contractions. Some people may use it interchangeably with the word “seizure,” although a seizure refers to an electrical disturbance in the brain. Seizures may cause a person to have convulsions, but this is not always the case. In this article, learn more
When a baby begins crying in their sleep, caregivers may worry that something is wrong. However, in most cases, for babies, crying while asleep is a phase rather than a sign of a serious problem. For many caregivers, sleep-related issues are among the biggest challenges during the baby and toddler years. Sleep problems are common,
Researchers conducted a study to find out if fish oil supplementation reduced the number of units of blood transfusions during and after major surgery. People with or at high risk of heart disease often use fish oil supplements, due to the well-known beliefs that fish oil is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, such
Recent research adds to a growing body of knowledge that links hearing loss with cognitive decline, which is a hallmark of dementia and often precedes the disease. Research suggests a link between hearing loss and cognitive decline. After analyzing 8 years of data from a health study of more than 10,000 men, scientists at Brigham
Democratic leaders sent letters Wednesday to three major pharmaceutical companies asking for the “root causes” of rising insulin costs, the latest attempt by Democrats to tackle high health-care costs in the U.S. Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr, D-Nj, and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Diana DeGette, D-Co, sent letters to Eli Lilly,
A new study in European Urology has described the results of a 20-year study describing how the presence of IBD in men influences prostate cancer risk. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes a group of chronic conditions that lead to prolonged inflammation within organs of the digestive tract. IBD is a disorder that primarily occurs due
Recent research carried out at the University of Arizona in the United States examined the effectiveness of a diabetes drug, metformin, to treat heart failure. There are different types of heart failure, one of which is referred to as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Approximately half of all patients with heart failure have the
Diabetes is manageable with proper care, but no cure is yet available. Some scientists believe that transforming stem cells into insulin-secreting cells might offer hope. Stem cell researchers are attempting to crack diabetes. A new study, which features in the journal Stem Cell Reports, highlights research from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis,
Researchers at Virginia Tech are testing a new drug for chronic pain treatment that may avoid the addictive effects of opioids. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin are commonly used for mild and moderate generalized pain but may have limited effectiveness in alleviating chronic nerve pain. NSAIDs inhibit the activity of cyclooxygenase enzymes responsible
Multifocal breast cancer is a form of breast cancer in which multiple tumors arise in the same area of the breast. There are many types of breast cancer. The type and characteristics, including the number of tumors and where they are, can affect a person’s treatment and long-term outlook. This article covers information about multifocal
People who have found a lump, have recently had their breast cancer diagnosed, or know someone who has may wonder how fast it can grow or spread. Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis among women in the United States. It is very hard to estimate how a person’s breast cancer will change over
A recent study published in Research in Sports Medicine examined the benefits of compression stockings for female soccer players. Soccer-induced muscle injury and fatigue are possible and unfortunate aspects of the sport. Previous studies have revealed various benefits of compression stockings when worn by male soccer players. These benefits included a reduction in muscle stress
Investigating an enzyme that stops cells from dividing could be a fruitful avenue for research into how to slow aging and treat aging-related diseases. Aging is inevitable, but can it be slowed? This was the conclusion that researchers at Kobe University in Japan came to after studying the enzyme D-amino acid oxidase (DAO) and its
A recent study examined how strongly anxiety and depression predict physical illnesses, compared to obesity and smoking. Preventative efforts in primary care often focus on physical risk factors such as obesity and smoking. While significant evidence exists linking mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, to poorer health outcomes, these are not the focus
Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer reported fourth-quarter earnings and revenue on Tuesday that beat Wall Street’s expectations but its guidance for 2019 disappointed investors. Shares of Pfizer fell more than 3 percent in premarket trading. Here’s how the company did compared with what Wall Street expected: Earnings: 64 cents per share vs. 63 cents per share forecast
Pancreatic cancer is typically an aggressive form of the disease, with a fairly low 5-year survival rate. Diagnosing pancreatic cancer in its early stages could help people receive treatment more quickly, but what kind of test would work best? The specific bacterial abundance on a person’s tongue may indicate the presence of pancreatic cancer. The
Both men and women can experience depression, but the signs and symptoms can be different. Although the primary symptom of depression for many is often a feeling of sadness, men may have a higher tendency than women to feel anger, demonstrate aggressive feelings, and engage in substance abuse. Due to the different symptoms, and because
Duodenal cancer is a rare type of cancer that forms in the first part of the small intestine. Symptoms can be vague, which can make early diagnosis difficult. In this article, we look at what duodenal cancer is, along with its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. We also discuss survival rates for this type of cancer.
Researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia conducted a study to investigate the antibacterial properties of a drug called PBT2 being tested for Alzheimer’s disease. Antibiotic resistance has become a critical global health issue. Over the last 10 years, the number of bacteria exhibiting antibiotic resistance has increased significantly. In the United States, more