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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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,
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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
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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,
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Zocdoc, the scheduling website used by health providers, including dentists, dermatologists and optometrists, is eliminating subscriptions in favor of a model that charges for every new patient booking, despite objections from some longtime providers. The company sent an email to users in New York on Tuesday informing them of the first pricing model change since
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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