Patient M was a man who had a unique perspective on the world. People and objects appeared to be coming from the opposite side to where they actually were, something that extended to his hearing and sense of touch too. He could read letters and numbers printed both normally and back-to-front, without his brain being
Health
Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating condition that currently has no cure. However, recent research has identified that our diet may play a significant role in increasing or decreasing our risk of developing the disease. A review of 38 studies conducted over the last five years concluded that the Western diet pattern is a risk factor
Semaglutide, a popular drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, has been found to have a new potential benefit. While it was originally designed to help diabetic patients regulate their blood sugar levels, a small study has discovered that it could help restore the function of immune cells that target cancer, regardless of whether people
An EPA-certified laboratory has discovered that 18 popular brands of contact lenses contain traces of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyls), also known as ‘forever chemicals.’ The organic fluorine, a marker for PFAS, ranged from 105 parts per million (ppm) to 20,700 ppm. Although it is unknown whether PFAS in contact lenses is dangerous to consumer health,
Eli Lilly, a US pharmaceutical company, has announced encouraging clinical trial results for its new Alzheimer’s medication, donanemab. The experimental drug has demonstrated in a late-stage trial that it can slow cognitive decline by 35%, by targeting amyloid plaques in the brain, a common hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Beta-amyloid, a protein that plays an important
A recent study conducted by neuroscientist Frank Scheer, from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, suggests that eating earlier in the day can positively impact our biological weight regulation in three significant ways. The three ways are through the number of calories burned, our hunger levels, and the way our bodies store fat. The research
A recent study has found that menthol can improve cognitive abilities in mice with Alzheimer’s disease. The study discovered that the chemical compound can help stop some of the damage done to the brain that is usually linked with the disease. Researchers have observed that menthol can reduce the interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β) protein, which regulates the
An international team of researchers has found that wearing a peanut patch for 12 months could effectively desensitize toddlers with mild peanut allergies, which means they can tolerate eating small amounts of peanuts without experiencing any allergic symptoms. The patch was tested in a late-stage clinical trial conducted on toddlers aged between 1 to 3
Blood clots are a vital defense mechanism in the body that helps to stop bleeding and keep us alive. However, if the body is losing a lot of blood, the clotting process may not be sufficient. Researchers have developed a new synthetic replacement system that targets internal injuries without causing any damage of its own.
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
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.