Although COVID-19 is no longer considered a global health emergency by the World Health Organization, researchers are still working to understand more about the virus and its impact on the body. A new analysis of data from 585 patients admitted to the ICU at Northwestern Memorial Hospital has found that a high percentage of those
Health
Cold water therapy has become a popular activity among many people, who believe it to be beneficial for both their mental and physical health. This practice can take various forms, such as outdoor swimming, cold showers, and ice baths. Athletes have been using cold water therapy for a while as a way to reduce muscle
Researchers from the University of Helsinki and the University of Eastern Finland have found that a particular genus of microbe, commonly found in wet and boggy environments, could play a critical role in Parkinson’s disease. The researchers discovered that the microbe generates compounds that activate proteins inside brain cells to form toxic clumps. These findings
As offices start to reopen after pandemic-induced remote working, a growing number of companies are asking employees to return to the office either full- or part-time. While this is a good opportunity to socialize with colleagues, it may have negative effects on health, depending on how long the commute is. The Research A research project
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new vaccine to protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD). This is the first time that a vaccine has been approved for this purpose, and it is a significant moment that has been decades in the making. The vaccine,
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency of international concern (Pheic). This declaration marks the end of the emergency response period that began in January 2020. The WHO has also unveiled a new strategy to transition from an emergency response to longer-term sustained COVID-19 disease management.
The blood-brain barrier is a protective shield that prevents toxins and pathogens from entering the brain. However, it also hinders the effectiveness of drugs designed to help treat brain cancer. For years, scientists have been searching for ways to overcome this barrier and deliver medications to the brain. In 2014, researchers discovered a method of
Nightmares are a common problem that affects many people. Not only do they disturb sleep, but they are also linked to other health issues such as anxiety and poor-quality sleep. Researchers have been investigating ways to help reduce the frequency and severity of nightmares, and a recent study suggests that non-invasive techniques can help manipulate
Glioblastoma is a malignant brain tumor known for its aggressiveness and difficulty to treat. However, a new hydrogel treatment has shown promising results in eliminating glioblastoma tumors in mice. The Hydrogel Treatment The hydrogel treatment uses paclitaxel, a chemotherapy drug, to create nano-sized filaments for insertion into the brain. The hydrogel covers the cancer cavity
Researchers at North Carolina State University (NCSU) have discovered that senior dogs with cognitive decline experience disruptions similar to those found in people with Alzheimer’s disease. This study suggests that dogs could provide a good model for research on Alzheimer’s. The Study The researchers recorded the brain waves of 28 senior dogs, some with cognitive
An international team of researchers conducted a five-year study of 647 Danish babies to learn more about the viral makeup of the human gut. Astonishingly, nappy samples contained approximately 10,000 species of virus, which is ten times the number of bacterial species found in the same children. Most of the viruses had never been described
A team of surgeons from two US hospitals have successfully repaired a major malformation in a fetal brain. The surgery, which was guided by ultrasound and involved embolization, treated a rare prenatal condition known as vein of Galen malformation. This condition allows blood to flow dangerously fast through the brain after birth. The successful procedure
Alzheimer’s treatments have experienced a revival, with pharma giant Eli Lilly announcing that its experimental drug donanemab has successfully slowed cognitive and functional decline in patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s. Although neither donanemab nor a similar drug called Leqembi amount to a cure for Alzheimer’s, which affects around 6.5 million Americans, Wall Street analysts estimate that
Dementia is a brain disease that affects approximately 55 million people worldwide, leading to the loss of cognitive functions. While early signs of dementia may be subtle, researchers have identified other noticeable changes to the body that can indicate dementia risk. A recent study suggests that hearing difficulties may be a warning sign of dementia
New research has shown that significant changes in gut microbiota happen in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease and can begin before the onset of symptoms. Scientists from China and Germany studied the bacteria in the guts of individuals with early Parkinson’s disease, REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), their close relatives, and healthy people. The
