Cancer cells adopt hitherto unknown state to facilitate metastasis

The ancient Egyptians, as described in the Ebers Papyrus, already knew that palpation—feeling for hardened lumps—can help diagnose breast cancer. Palpation is still an important element in early screening for breast cancer. On the other hand, measurements on individual cancer cells show that they are softer than the healthy epithelial cells from which they stem, which probably makes them better able to metastasize in dense human tissue. An international collaborative project led by the Soft Matter Physics Division at Leipzig University got to the bottom of this apparent paradox and has now published its findings in the journal Nature Physics.

Brain organoids replicate key events in human brain development

Organoids are carefully grown collections of cells in a dish, designed to mimic organ structures and composition better than conventional cell cultures and give researchers a unique view into how organs such as the brain grow and develop. To make them experimentally useful, scientists need to determine how faithfully these models reproduce the behavior of cells in the body.

Traumatic brain injury 'remains major global health problem' say experts

A new report highlights the advances and challenges in prevention, clinical care, and research in traumatic brain injury, a leading cause of injury-related death and disability worldwide.

Risk simulation calls for more regular antigen testing to reduce isolation periods for COVID-19

Around the world, many people infected with COVID-19 have been made to completely isolate from others in order to avoid passing on the infection. Some countries still recommend minimum isolation periods for as long as 10 days from when patients start to develop COVID-19 symptoms.

Researchers create new method to more accurately measure cancer lesions response to treatment

Researchers from the University of Colorado Cancer Center on the Anschutz Medical Campus have created a new way of measuring cancer lesions response to treatment that could better inform the development of new cancer drugs.

Acute respiratory illness due to EV-D68 increased in late summer 2022

In late summer 2022, for children and adolescents, there was an increase in acute respiratory illness (ARI) resulting from enterovirus (EV)-D68 in the United States, according to research published in the Sept. 27 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

New study highlights sexual problems for young women who've had cancer

Young women cancer survivors are at much higher risk of sexual problems, including loss of libido and discomfort, according to research published in the peer-reviewed journal Acta Oncologica.

Researchers investigate a biomolecule that mitigates eczema in mice

In a study recently published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers at Juntendo University investigate a biomolecule that mitigates eczema in mice

Better, shorter combination treatment for people with visceral leishmaniasis shown to be effective in Eastern Africa

A shorter, and less toxic treatment for people with visceral leishmaniasis was shown to be effective thanks to a study conducted in Eastern Africa by the non-profit medical research organization Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) and its partners. The results were published in the Clinical Infectious Diseases journal.

How deadly brain cancer evades treatments

McMaster University researcher Sheila Singh and her team have discovered how glioblastoma, a lethal brain cancer, can evade treatments and kill.

Skin whitening products remain popular in Cameroon despite risks

Wearing a large hat protecting her face from the sun's rays in Cameroon, 63-year-old Jeanne now bitterly regrets using skin whitening products after being diagnosed with skin cancer.

Clinical trial shows bionic pancreas improves type 1 diabetes management compared to standard insulin delivery method

A device known as a bionic pancreas, which uses next-generation technology to automatically deliver insulin, was more effective at maintaining blood glucose (sugar) levels within normal range than standard-of-care management among people with type 1 diabetes, a new multicenter clinical trial has found. The trial, conducted partly at Nemours Children's Health, Jacksonville, was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Loneliness is associated with double the risk of developing diabetes

A new study published in Diabetologia finds that feelings of loneliness are linked to a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Kidney disease measures are associated with structural brain damage across different domains of etiology

Cross-sectional analysis shows association of reduced kidney function and increased urine albumin excretion with brain volume reduction in regions typically affected by Alzheimer's disease and other dementia etiologies.

Organ-on-a-chip study reveals mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 invasion into blood vessels

A research group led by CiRA Junior Associate Professor Kazuo Takayama and Associate Professor Yoshiaki Okada of Osaka University has revealed that SARS-CoV-2 disrupts the vascular endothelial barrier by suppressing the expression of Claudin-5 (CLDN5) to invade the blood vessels.

Increased risk of cancer in children born to mothers with epilepsy using high-dose folic acid during pregnancy

High-dose folic acid is protective against congenital malformations if the mother is at particular risk of having a child with congenital malformations. Treatment with antiseizure medication in pregnancy is associated with risk of congenital malformations in the children, and women with epilepsy are therefore often recommended a supplementary high dose of folic acid (4–5 mg daily) before and during pregnancy. However, some studies have raised concern that folic acid can increase the risk of cancer not only in the mother, but in the child when exposed during pregnancy.

Survey finds alarming number of young women have no plans of getting mammograms

About 42,000 women die of breast cancer each year, and while strides are being made in medical treatments, the best tool for preventing cancer deaths continues to be screening and early detection. But a new national survey commissioned by Orlando Health finds far too many women are skipping lifesaving mammograms and many young women have no plans to get screened at all.

UN urges action as mental health takes heavy toll on workers

Far more must be done to safeguard mental health on the job, the United Nations said Wednesday, presenting new guidelines on how to lessen psychological strains linked to the workplace.

Could greater prescription of medical cannabis be a solution to the opioid crisis?

Medical cannabis could be an important alternative to opioids when managing pain, a new study of thousands of patients concludes.

Greater predicted life expectancy confirms importance of HIV/AIDS treatment

Since the introduction of the first antiretroviral therapy (ART) drug for HIV/AIDS treatment 35 years ago, life expectancy in Sub-Saharan Africa has steadily increased. ART medications are specifically designed to help an individual's immune system fight HIV and in turn suppress HIV replication. However, there is a limited understanding of the combined effects of HIV and ART on disability and healthy longevity for individuals with the disease.

Lassa virus endemic area may expand dramatically in coming decades

In the study, which appeared on September 27 in Nature Communications, scientists analyzed decades of environmental data associated with Lassa virus outbreaks, revealing temperature, rainfall and the presence of pastureland areas as key factors contributing to viral transmission. The researchers projected that areas hospitable to Lassa virus spread may extend from West Africa into Central and East Africa in the next several decades. With this expansion and expected African population growth, the human population living in the areas where the virus should—in theory—be able to circulate may rise by more than 600 million.

Study finds different comorbidities have different impacts on COVID outcomes

A new paper in Biology Methods & Protocols, published by Oxford University Press, indicates that some pre-existing conditions—including degenerative neurological diseases, dementia, and severe disabilities—matter a lot more than once thought when assessing who is at risk for death due to COVID-19.

Being lonely and unhappy accelerates aging more than smoking, study finds

Molecular damage accumulates and contributes to the development of aging-related frailty and serious diseases. In some people these molecular processes are more intense than in others, a condition commonly referred to as accelerated aging.

Continued access to fertility preservation is critical for teens and young adult cancer patients after SCOTUS decision

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruling in Dobbs vs. Jackson overruled Roe vs. Wade, returning an individual's right to access abortion services to state law. Now, new findings led by researchers at the American Cancer Society (ACS) show more than 32,000 newly diagnosed adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients may lose or face compromised fertility preservation care each year due to legislation that has been enacted or is expected to be enacted in some states.

Longer-lasting HIV antibody treatments could offer a one-shot alternative to maintenance therapies

Antiretroviral therapy has had an enormous impact on treating HIV infections around the world. The millions of people currently taking these treatments under medical supervision can reasonably expect to reduce their viral loads to undetectable levels, eliminate the risk of transmission and live a normal life span. However, antiretroviral therapy is not without shortcomings. People need to take these medications regularly for life, and low compliance can lead to drug resistance.

Fecal transplantation: An effective remedy for life-threatening intestinal infections

Fecal transplantation in the intestine is an effective cure—and far superior to today's standard treatment—for a life-threatening infection that affects between 2,500 and 3,000 people in Denmark every year.

People with dementia could be missing out on post-diagnosis care

A new report has found that as many as 85% of people with dementia could be missing out on important post-diagnosis care.

Collaborative home-based palliative care model helps people die at home rather than hospital

Patients with chronic heart failure who received collaborative, home-based palliative care were less likely to die in hospital and more likely to die at home than people who received usual care, according to new research in Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ).

Hospitals treat thousands of drug-related bike injuries each year

From 2019 to 2020, more than 11,000 people who had been using drugs were treated in U.S. emergency departments for injuries that occurred while riding a bicycle, according to a new report in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

Babies in the womb react differently to flavours: researchers

Babies in the womb are big fans of carrots but not so much leafy green vegetables—and show it in their faces, scientists said in a new study published Thursday.

Disarming the immune system's lethal lung response

Neutrophils, the most abundant type of white blood cell, are the body's first line of defense against infection. Foreign pathogens can stress the body and activate neutrophils. When activated, neutrophils employ various weapons to protect the body. But if overactivated, these weapons can damage the body's own tissues. Lung tissue is saturated with blood vessels, making them very susceptible to neutrophil attacks. If severe enough, acute lung injuries can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), the leading cause of death due to COVID-19.

Transition to newer clot-busting drug improves patient outcomes, lowers cost in treating ischemic stroke

A newer-generation clot-busting drug called tenecteplase outperforms the traditional treatment for ischemic strokes in several key areas, including better health outcomes and lower costs, according to a new study published today in the American Stroke Association's journal Stroke.

Acquired immunity to random food allergens may protect some lucky people against COVID-19

Why do some people become seriously ill with COVID-19, while others have no symptoms at all? The answer may lie in the proteins our immune system has previously been exposed to.

Possible association between air pollution exposure, especially at young age, and alterations in brain structure

A study published in the journal Environmental Pollution has found an association, in children aged 9‑12, between exposure to air pollutants in the womb and during the first 8.5 years of life and alterations in white matter structural connectivity in the brain. The greater the child's exposure before age 5, the greater the brain structure alteration observed in preadolescence. The study was led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal).

Reusable contact lenses more than triple risk of rare preventable eye infection

People who wear reusable contact lenses are nearly four times as likely as those wearing daily disposables to develop a rare sight-threatening eye infection, finds a study led by UCL and Moorfields researchers.

Adults with a history of childhood trauma can benefit from recommended depression treatments, contrary to current theory

Adults with major depressive disorder who have a history of childhood trauma experience symptom improvement after pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, or combination treatment. The results of a new study, published in The Lancet Psychiatry, suggest that contrary to current theory, these common treatments for major depressive disorder are effective for patients with childhood trauma.

COVID-19 infection may increase risk of type 1 diabetes, suggests nationwide study of 1.2 million children

Testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is associated with an increased risk of new-onset type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents, according to a new research at this year's European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting in Stockholm, Sweden (19-23 Sept). The study is by Hanne Løvdal Gulseth and Dr. German Tapia, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway, and colleagues.

Type 2 diabetes remission is possible even in people with lower body weight, supporting idea of 'personal fat threshold'

Everyone has a "personal fat threshold," which if exceeded, will allow type 2 diabetes (T2D) to develop, even if they are of a lower body weight, the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Stockholm, Sweden (19-23 Sept), will hear.

A common group of viruses is strongly linked to type 1 diabetes

A common group of viruses is strongly associated with type 1 diabetes (T1D), new research being presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Stockholm, Sweden (19-23 Sept), finds.

Long COVID patients show signs of autoimmune disease a year after infection

Blood samples drawn from patients with long COVID who are still suffering from fatigue and shortness of breath after a year show signs of autoimmune disease in those patients, according to a study published today in the European Respiratory Journal.

Healthy lifestyle linked to 90% lower risk of diabetes in susceptible women

Women with a history of diabetes in pregnancy can still reduce their chances of developing type 2 diabetes by adopting a healthy lifestyle, such as eating healthy, stopping smoking, exercising regularly, and not being overweight, finds a study in The BMJ today.

Experts call for adequate tumor-free margins in breast cancer surgery to reduce recurrence and improve survival

Surgeons should aim to remove at least a 1-mm width rim (margin) of healthy tissue around a breast tumor to reduce the risk of cancer returning and improve breast cancer survival worldwide, suggests the largest analysis of the evidence to date published by The BMJ today.

Waist-to-hip ratio better predicts early death than BMI and provides superior measure of healthy weight, study finds

Waist-to-hip ratio is a stronger predictor of early death than BMI and should be considered as a superior measure of healthy weight, new research being presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Stockholm, Sweden (19-23 Sept), has found.

Cold exposure could help combat type 2 diabetes, particularly if it provokes shivering

New research being presented at this year's European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting in Stockholm, Sweden (19-23 Sept) finds that shivering during repeated exposure to cold improves glucose tolerance, decreases fasting blood sugar and blood fat levels, and markedly reduces blood pressure in overweight and obese adults.

Study finds increased risk of type 2 diabetes after hysterectomy especially in younger women

Women (especially those aged younger than 45 years) who have undergone a hysterectomy may be at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D), according to a study of more than 83,000 middle-aged French women who were followed for an average of 16 years, being presented at this year's European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting in Stockholm, Sweden (19-23 Sept).

Genetically engineered muscle tissue being developed to treat type 2 diabetes

Injections of genetically engineered muscle tissue hold great promise in treating type 2 diabetes (T2D), according to research to be presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Stockholm, Sweden (19–23 Sept).

American adolescent substance abuse—except for cannabis and vaping—has declined

Substance abuse among American adolescents is diminishing, except for an uptake in cannabis and vaping use—show new findings published today in the peer-reviewed journal Substance Use & Misuse.

Newly discovered protein connected to Alzheimer's disease risk

A mutation in a newly discovered small protein is connected to a significant increase in the risk for Alzheimer's disease, expanding the known gene targets for the disease and presenting a new potential avenue for treatment, according to a new USC study.

Study reveals sex differences in care and outcomes of children and teens with type 1 diabetes

New research being presented at this year's European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting in Stockholm, Sweden (19-23 Sept), suggests that girls with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) have poorer metabolic control than boys and face more complications.

Diabetes and global health: Mitigating the impact of climate change

One of the sessions at this year's annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Stockholm, Sweden (19-23 September) focuses on how the environmental footprint of diabetes care can be mitigated. The presentation will be given by Dr. Fiona Adshead, Chair, Sustainable Healthcare Coalition, Newton Abbot, UK.

The Ebola virus: profile of a dreaded killer

The highly contagious Ebola virus has claimed more than 15,000 lives since it was first identified in central Africa in 1976.

Young children who see parents consume alcohol form gender-specific perceptions of drinking

Young children's exposure to their mothers' and fathers' drinking influences their perceptions of who consumes alcohol, with "vast implications" for their own future use, a new study suggests. The study, in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, provides compelling evidence of intergenerational transmission of drinking behaviors to children, including gender-based perceptions—the first time these effects have been demonstrated in children aged 4–8.

Diabetes: When circadian lipid rhythms go wrong

Like all living beings, human physiological processes are influenced by circadian rhythms. The disruption of our internal clocks due to an increasingly unbalanced lifestyle is directly linked to the explosion in cases of type 2 diabetes. Now, a team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG), in Switzerland, has found that his disturbance disrupts the metabolism of lipids in the cells that secrete glucose-regulating hormones. Sphingolipids and phospholipids, lipids located on the cell membrane, seem to be particularly affected. This change in lipid profiles then leads to a rigidity of the membrane of these cells. These results, appearing in the journal PLOS Biology, provide further evidence of the importance of circadian rhythms in metabolic disorders.

A healthy lifestyle almost halves the risk of dementia in people with type 2 diabetes

A healthy lifestyle reduces the risk of dementia in those with type 2 diabetes (T2D), according to a study of hundreds of thousands of people in the U.K. being presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Stockholm, Sweden (19–23 Sept).

China health chief tells public not to touch foreigners after first monkeypox case

A top Chinese health official has warned the public to avoid "skin-to-skin contact with foreigners" to prevent the spread of monkeypox after the country confirmed its first case.

Safer opioid supply program shows improved outcomes for people at high risk of overdose

For people at high risk of overdose enrolled in a safer opioid supply (SOS) program, there was a rapid decrease in emergency department visits and hospitalizations soon after initiation, according to new research published in Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMJA). These programs may help to address the devastating drug poisoning overdose crisis in Canada.

School start times and late screen time exacerbate sleep deprivation in US teenagers

With the school year underway around the U.S., parents and caregivers are once again faced with the age-old struggle of wrangling groggy kids out of bed in the morning. For parents of preteens and teenagers, it can be particularly challenging.

Excess weight, not high blood sugar, associated with increased risk of COVID-19 infection and long COVID

High body mass index (BMI), rather than high blood sugar levels, are associated with excess risks of COVID-19 infection and long COVID, according to a meta-analysis of over 30,000 UK adults from nine large prospective cohort studies.

Study shows hay fever among school children leads to worse asthma outcomes

A study of school children conducted by University of Rochester Medical Center researchers has found that the majority of children with asthma also reported having allergic rhinitis, or hay fever. Symptoms of hay fever include runny nose, sneezing, congestion and sinus pressure, and can contribute to asthma. The study, led by Jessica Stern, M.D., an assistant professor in the department of Pediatrics and division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, found that children with both asthma and hay fever had worse asthma outcomes.

COVID-19 took serious toll on Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander mental and physical health

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, or NH/PIs, comprising more than 20 ethnic groups hailing from Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia, are understudied despite being the third fastest growing racial group in the United States. Two studies now report that NH/PIs have been deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cancer patients facing housing instability show greater risk of mortality

Health systems are increasingly interested in integrating health care with social care, but little is known about cancer patients' social welfare and how it affects their health outcomes.

US residents of Mexican descent may have a higher risk of liver cancer with each successive generation

The risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in individuals of Mexican descent living in Los Angeles has increased with each successive generation in the United States, according to results presented at the 15th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved, held September 16-19, 2022.

High intake of whole grains, fiber, fish and omega-3 fatty acids linked to lower death risk in type 2 diabetic adults

Eating a diet high in whole grains, fiber, fish and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may reduce the risk of dying from all causes in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D), according to a systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizing all the available evidence, being presented at this year's European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting in Stockholm, Sweden (19-23 Sept).

Actors help medical students learn the less technical side of medicine

Michael Onori thought he recognized the ER doctor who was treating him, even though it had been about a decade since they met.

Children in Northern California learn to cope with wildfire trauma

Maia and Mia Bravo stepped outside their house on a bright summer day and sensed danger.

Moral values explain differences in COVID-19 vaccination rates across US counties

Even though COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and widely available in the United States, many Americans are still hesitant to get vaccinated. Indeed, there are stark disparities in COVID-19 vaccination rates across the United States: In some counties, almost all residents are vaccinated while, in other counties, only a minority of residents are vaccinated. A new study from USC researchers sheds light on the beliefs that underlie these consequential disparities in vaccination rates.

Gay men are two times more likely to have inflammatory bowel disease, according to new research

Gay men are more than twice as likely to develop inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) than heterosexual men when both populations engage in high-risk sexual activity, according to new research from the Digestive Health Research Institute at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center (UH).

Experimental test promises to predict side-effects and cancer's return in patients treated with immunotherapy

A single research test has the potential to predict which patients treated with immunotherapies—which harness the immune system to attack cancer cells—are likely to have their cancer recur or have severe side effects, a new study found.

Bangladeshi mystic fights demons with psychiatry

Evil spirits bedevil the families that seek blessings from an elderly Bangladeshi mystic—but he knows his prayers alone are not enough to soothe their troubled minds.

Latest type 2 diabetes drug helps patients achieve blood sugar and weight targets faster

The phase 3 SURPASS trials published in 2021 established that tirzepatide lowers blood sugar and supports weight loss better than other drugs for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Now new research evaluating the time taken to reach blood glucose targets indicates that tirzepatide also helps patients achieve their blood sugar control and weight-loss goals faster than existing diabetes drugs.

Study suggests portable thermal imaging could help assess hand hygiene technique among health care professionals

Findings from a pilot study published today in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) suggest that portable thermal imaging cameras might provide a new approach to assessing and improving hand-hygiene practices among health care professionals (HCPs).

Syria reports 7 dead in first major cholera outbreak in years

Syria's first major cholera outbreak in over a decade has killed seven people and infected more than 50, the health ministry said, amid widespread damage to water treatment infrastructure.

Survey finds stress and worry over the state of the world keeps some Americans up at night

A new national survey by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center finds many Americans are losing sleep over stress and worry about the current state of the world. After a global pandemic, polarizing political division and more than two years of turbulent events, nearly one in five survey respondents report struggling to fall asleep at night.

Rabies alert issued over raccoon taken into North Dakota bar

A woman walked into a North Dakota bar carrying a raccoon, leading health officials to warn those who had contact with the animal about possible rabies exposure.

Novel imaging approach reveals important details about rare eye disease choroideremia

By combining traditional eye imaging techniques with adaptive optics—a technology that enhances imaging resolution—researchers at the National Eye Institute (NEI) have shown for the first time how cells across different tissue layers in the eye are affected in people with choroideremia, a rare genetic disorder that leads to blindness. Their study, which was funded by the NEI Intramural Research Program, is published in Communications Biology.

Past history of abuse leads to worse menopause symptoms

Adversity occurring early in a woman's life will likely continue taking its toll physically and mentally years after those stressors have been removed. A new study suggests that a history of psychosocial stressors (physical or sexual abuse or financial instability) can lead to worse menopause symptoms and poorer well-being almost 2 decades later. Study results are published online today in Menopause.

Technique developed in mice could aid detection of cancer in dense breasts

A two-pronged approach to imaging breast density in mice, developed by researchers at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, has resulted in better detection of changes in breast tissue, including spotting early signs of cancer. The researchers hope that this approach will be translated from mice and improve breast imaging for people; it may also help with prognosis of disease as density can be linked to specific patterns of mammary gland growth, including signs of cancer development.

Current vaccine approach is not enough to eradicate measles, research shows

Current vaccination strategies are unlikely to eliminate measles, according to a new study led by faculty at the University of Georgia.

Organs donated and eligible organ donors in UK both fell by about 30% during early pandemic

Organs donated and eligible organ donors in UK both fell by around 30% during the first and second waves of the COVID pandemic.

Study finds white children more likely to be overdiagnosed for ADHD

A new study led by Paul Morgan, Harry and Marion Eberly Faculty Fellow and professor of education (educational theory and policy) and demography, and published in the Journal of Learning Disabilities, examines which sociodemographic groups of children are more likely to be overdiagnosed and overtreated for ADHD.

Why focusing COVID vaccination efforts on least advantaged populations benefits everyone

When vaccine access is prioritized for the most disadvantaged communities, it improves both social utility and equity—even when such populations have strong vaccine hesitancy.

Patients prefer stool test to colonoscopy

Three-quarters of people prefer to do a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) rather than a colonoscopy for their regular colorectal cancer screening, according to a new Cedars-Sinai study.

What do aged care residents do all day? We tracked their time use to find out

What's the daily routine like for older people in residential aged care facilities?

Twice-daily nasal irrigation reduces COVID-related illness, death

Starting twice daily flushing of the mucus-lined nasal cavity with a mild saline solution soon after testing positive for COVID-19 can significantly reduce hospitalization and death, investigators report.

Study results offer new hope for advanced lung cancer patients being treated with immunotherapy

Patients with advanced lung cancer had a better chance at survival when their treatment combined chemotherapy with a drug designed to turn the immune system against cancer, according to two studies released Sunday at a conference in Paris, France.

Americans give health care system failing mark: AP-NORC poll

When Emmanuel Obeng-Dankwa is worried about making rent on his New York City apartment, he sometimes holds off on filling his blood pressure medication.

China quarantines college students under strict COVID policy

Almost 500 students at China's premier college for broadcast journalists have been sent to a quarantine center after a handful of COVID-19 cases were detected in their dormitory.

Malaria booster vaccine continues to meet WHO-specified 75% efficacy goal

Researchers from the University of Oxford and their partners have today reported new findings from their Phase 2b trial following the administration of a booster dose of the candidate malaria vaccine, R21/Matrix-M—which previously demonstrated high-level efficacy of 77% over the following 12 months in young west African children in 2021.

Scientists discover how air pollution triggers lung cancer

Scientists said Saturday they had identified the mechanism through which air pollution triggers lung cancer in non-smokers, a discovery one expert hailed as "an important step for science—and for society".

Sweeteners may be linked to heart disease risk, study suggests

A large study suggested Thursday that artificial sweetener could be associated with a higher risk of heart disease, however experts urged caution about the findings.

Scientists discover how air pollution may trigger lung cancer in never-smokers

A new mechanism has been identified through which very small pollutant particles in the air may trigger lung cancer in people who have never smoked, paving the way to new prevention approaches and development of therapies, according to late-breaking data [to be] reported at the ESMO Congress 2022 by scientists of the Francis Crick Institute and University College London, funded by Cancer Research UK. The particles, which are typically found in vehicle exhaust and smoke from fossil fuels, are associated with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) risk, accounting for over 250,000 lung cancer deaths globally per year.

Immune cells engineered to battle cancer can be turned 'on' or 'off'

The billions of immune cells that help protect us from diseases do amazing things, but sometimes they need a little boost. For decades, scientists have been trying to figure out ways to engineer living immune cells to better combat aggressive diseases, like cancer.

Study examines how to improve hospitalized patients' access to antimicrobials

Published in the Journal of the American Pharmacist's Association, University of Minnesota researchers found that establishing better mechanisms for information sharing and collaboration between healthcare institutions may help facilitate timely and effective acquisition of non-stocked antimicrobials.

Antibiotics given in infancy may have adverse impact on adult gut health

Preterm and low birth-weight babies are routinely given antibiotics to prevent⁠—not just treat⁠—infections, which they have a high risk of developing. A new study published in The Journal of Physiology has found that early life exposure to antibiotics in neonatal mice has long-lasting effects on their microbiota, enteric nervous system, and gut function. This could mean that babies given antibiotics may grow up to experience gastrointestinal issues.

FDA panel backs much-debated ALS drug in rare, 2nd review

A panel of federal health advisers voted Wednesday to recommend approval for an experimental drug to treat Lou Gehrig's disease, a remarkable turnaround for the much-debated medication that was previously rejected by the same group earlier this year.

How to deal with sleep problems during heat waves

With heatwaves occurring more frequently, investigators from the European Insomnia Network recently explored how outdoor nighttime temperature changes affect body temperature and sleep quality. Their review of the literature, which is published in the Journal of Sleep Research, indicates that environmental temperatures outside the thermal comfort can strongly affect human sleep by disturbing the body's ability to thermoregulate.

Cells help immune system tolerate friendly gut bacteria

Immune cells called group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) play an essential role in establishing tolerance to symbiotic microbes that dwell in the human gastrointestinal tract, according to a study led by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine.

Neutralizing antibodies from single COVID-19 booster steadily decline

Neutralizing antibody levels against the original COVID-19 virus and omicron variants in vaccinated adults tend to decline by at least 15% per month after a single booster shot, a new study using serum from human blood samples suggests.

Depression among those caring for partners with dementia can start a decade before dementia diagnosis

Depressive symptoms and caregiving hours among older adults caring for partners with dementia can emerge up to 10 years before a routine screening detects the first signs of their partner's cognitive impairment, according to a University of Michigan study published in Medical Care.

Dosage of inpatient prism adaptation treatment for spatial neglect predicts outcomes of stroke rehabilitation

A team of stroke researchers found that the dosage of prism adaptation treatment correlated with improvement in post-stroke spatial neglect as well as in outcomes of rehabilitation. Their findings appeared in Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, published online on June 8, 2022.

Cap and invest policy could pay dividends for children's health

A cap-and-invest strategy to cut transportation-related carbon emissions could provide substantial health benefits to children in New York City, with greater benefits among Black and Hispanic children. The results of the study by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health are published in Environmental Research.

Ultrasound color Doppler twinkling in commercial breast biopsy markers

According to ARRS' American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR), ultrasound color Doppler twinkling may aid the detection of certain biopsy markers in metastatic axillary nodes that resume normal morphology after neoadjuvant systemic therapy.

Artificial Intelligence tool could reduce common drug side effects

Research led by the University of Exeter and Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust, published in Age and Ageing, assessed a new tool designed to calculate which medicines are more likely to experience adverse anticholinergic effects on the body and brain. These complications can occur from many -prescription and over-the-counter drugs which affects the brain by blocking a key neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. Many medicines, including some bladder medications, anti-depressants, medications for stomach and Parkinson's disease have some degree of anticholinergic effect. They are commonly taken by older people.

Eating behaviors of parents play a role in teens' emotional eating

Emotional eating, or eating as a coping mechanism for negative, positive, or stress-driven emotions, is associated with unhealthy dietary patterns and weight gain. A research article featured in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior discusses adolescent vulnerability to emotional eating and how various feeding practices used by parents, such as restriction, food as reward, and child involvement, influence eating behavior.

Experts unite to provide guidelines on exercise and physical activity in cystic fibrosis

World leading experts have joined forces to create a gold standard document to help people living with cystic fibrosis.

Boosting physical activity and curbing sitting time are highly likely to lower breast cancer risk

Boosting physical activity levels and curbing sitting time are highly likely to lower breast cancer risk, finds research designed to strengthen proof of causation and published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Low-dose steroids: Helping babies come off ventilators and preserving the heart at the same time

In the United Kingdom 60,000 babies are born prematurely each year. Many of them will be treated with steroids, such as dexamethasone sodium phosphate, to aid with lung development. A new study published in the Journal of Physiology shows that treating these babies with a lower dose of dexamethasone, not only leads to less time on ventilators, but for the first time, notes its beneficial effects on blood circulation to the lungs, influencing better cardiorespiratory outcomes.

Managing variety in MRI scans can lead to better stroke diagnoses

The first few hours following a stroke are crucial. To be able to treat a patient effectively, doctors must rapidly localize the damaged blood vessel and determine what kind of stroke occurred. In most cases, either a ruptured blood vessel releases blood into the brain, or a blood clot obstructs a blood vessel in the brain. Patients who experience the second type of stroke are prescribed medication to dissolve the blood clot. If this medication is given to patients of the first type, however, it will fluidify the blood and only make the hemorrhaging worse.

Medicaid extensions for new moms grow, may run into limits

States around the country are making it easier for new moms to keep Medicaid in the year after childbirth, a time when depression and other health problems can develop.

Stem cell-gene therapy shows promise in ALS safety trial

Cedars-Sinai investigators have developed an investigational therapy using support cells and a protective protein that can be delivered past the blood-brain barrier. This combined stem cell and gene therapy can potentially protect diseased motor neurons in the spinal cord of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a fatal neurological disorder known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease.

How changes in length of day change the brain and subsequent behavior

Seasonal changes in light—longer days in summer, shorter in winter—have long been associated with human behaviors, affecting everything from sleep and eating patterns to brain and hormonal activity. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a prime example: A type of depression related to diminished exposure to natural sunlight, typically occurring during winter months and more often at higher latitudes when daylight hours are shortest.

It's raining diamonds across the universe, research suggests

It could be raining diamonds on planets throughout the universe, scientists suggested Friday, after using common plastic to recreate the strange precipitation believed to form deep inside Uranus and Neptune.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/its-raining-diamonds-across-the-universe-research-suggests

Treatment improves cognition in Down Syndrome patients

A new hormone treatment improved the cognitive function of six men with Down Syndrome by 10-30 percent, scientists said Thursday, adding the "promising" results may raise hopes of improving patients' quality of life.

Bodies in UK well killed in mediaeval anti-Semitic massacre: study

Seventeen bodies found at the bottom of a mediaeval English well were likely Jews who were murdered in an anti-Semitic massacre more than 800 years ago, scientists have revealed.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/bodies-in-uk-well-killed-in-mediaeval-anti-semitic-massacre-study

'Radical decentralisation' needed in Iran to allow Kurdish communities to benefit from natural resources, study argues

A radical decentralisation of politics and decision-making in Iran is needed to allow Kurdish communities to benefit from natural resources, experts have argued.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/radical-decentralisation-needed-in-iran-to-allow-kurdish-communities-to-benefit-from-natural-resources-study-argues

UT Southwestern geriatric fracture initiatives result in expedited care and shorter hospital stays

A multidisciplinary effort to improve care for older patients who arrive at the emergency room with a hip fracture has decreased the time before they have surgery, shortened hospital stays, and resulted in better follow-up care, UT Southwestern physicians reported in Geriatric Nursing.

Variation matters: Genetic effects in interacting species jointly determine ecological outcomes

The greatest diversity of life is not counted in the number of species, says Utah State University evolutionary geneticist Zachariah Gompert, but in the diversity of interactions among them.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/variation-matters-genetic-effects-in-interacting-species-jointly-determine-ecological-outcomes

Circadian rhythm disruption found to be common among mental health disorders

Anxiety, autism, schizophrenia and Tourette syndrome each have their own distinguishing characteristics, but one factor bridging these and most other mental disorders is circadian rhythm disruption, according to a team of neuroscience, pharmaceutical sciences and computer science researchers at the University of California, Irvine.

Toxins in old toys an obstacle for circular economy

Letting children play with hand-me-down plastic toys could constitute a health risk. When researchers at the University of Gothenburg tested a large number of old toys and dress-up items made of plastic, 84% of the items were found to contain toxins that can disrupt growth and development and reproductive capacities in children. These toxins are an obstacle for the circular economy in the future involving reuse and recycling, the researchers explain.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/toxins-in-old-toys-an-obstacle-for-circular-economy

Republican-donating CEOs more likely to lay off staff when pandemic hit, research says

Chief executives of major companies who donate mostly to the Republican Party were more likely to lay off staff to avoid a loss during the pandemic, new research shows.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/republican-donating-ceos-more-likely-to-lay-off-staff-when-pandemic-hit-research-says