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Effective options to give up smoking during COVID-19 pandemic

Tobacco smoking has been identified as a major risk factor for developing Coronavirus (COVID-19) and complications that may arise as a result. In addition, second-hand smoke increases the risk of acute respiratory infections.

1 Apr 2020

California’s new attack on opioid addiction hits old roadblocks

Jennifer Stilwell, a 30-year-old mother of two young children, kicked heroin cold turkey five years ago, but she got hooked again last fall.

1 Apr 2020

Scientists could soon develop saliva test for measuring cannabis levels in impaired drivers

In the U.S., those who consume alcohol and drive are often subjected to roadside stops, breathalyzer tests and stiff penalties if their blood alcohol content exceeds certain limits.

31 Mar 2020

How to boost your immune system to fight coronavirus

As the world struggles with the coronavirus pandemic, more and more people are trying to protect themselves against the virus by all means possible. There are currently no vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), so boosting the immune system by way of diet, regular exercise, and sleep are sensible measures.

31 Mar 2020

Vaping with counseling more effective than counseling alone for smoking cessation

Smokers who received smoking cessation counseling and used electronic cigarettes containing nicotine were more than twice as likely to successfully quit smoking compared to those who received counseling but did not use e-cigarettes, in a clinical trial presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session Together with World Congress of Cardiology.

30 Mar 2020

AI tool could accurately predict which COVID-19 patients will develop respiratory disease

An artificial intelligence tool accurately predicted which patients newly infected with the COVID-19 virus would go on to develop severe respiratory disease, a new study found.

30 Mar 2020

Zebrafish can provide genetic clues to human nicotine addiction

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have shown that zebrafish can provide genetic clues to smoking, a complex human behavior.

30 Mar 2020

Addiction is ‘a disease of isolation’ — so pandemic puts recovery at risk

Before the coronavirus became a pandemic, Emma went to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting every week in the Boston area and to another support group at her methadone clinic. She said she felt safe, secure and never judged.

30 Mar 2020

Tackling unhealthy lifestyle factors could increase life expectancy of people with severe mental illness

Published in the journal PLOS ONE, the study showed that tackling unhealthy lifestyle factors would provide the greatest benefit in increasing life expectancy among those with SMI.

27 Mar 2020

Microbiome could help identify pre-cancer risk in women with HPV

A new study published in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogens in March 2020 reports the possible use of the bacteria Gardnerella found in the cervix and vagina of women with Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, as a marker of precancerous change. The findings could help to find new methods of treatment that involve inducing changes in the microbiome to arrest the course of the disease.

26 Mar 2020

YAP signal pathway plays a vital role in the onset of head-and-neck cancer

Joint research between Kobe University and National Hospital Organization Kyushu Cancer Center has revealed that mice with mutations in the YAP signal pathway develop head-and-neck cancer over an extremely short period of time (world's fastest cancer onset mouse model), indicating that this pathway plays a crucial role in the onset of these cancers.

25 Mar 2020

Vaporized cannabis increases drug-seeking behavior, study shows

Rats with regular access to cannabis seek more of the substance and tend to show increased drug-seeking behavior when cannabis is absent.

24 Mar 2020

Overweight and obese people at higher risk of COVID-19

Since the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) first emerged in China, a series of studies have provided a better understanding of the virus and how it affects the human body. Evidence shows that vulnerable or high-risk populations include older adults, those who are immunocompromised, and those who have underlying medical conditions.

24 Mar 2020

Behave or expect lockdown like Italy, UK warns

Governments across the globe need to impose strict measures to implement lockdowns and quarantine procedures to fight the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. The United Kingdom has imposed social distancing guidance, but some are still not following it appropriately.

23 Mar 2020

Men who had early puberty at higher risk of type 2 diabetes

A man who experienced the onset of puberty earlier than usual is at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes as an adult, compared to boys who have later puberty. This trend does not depend on childhood weight. The study, published in the journal Diabetologia in March 2020, may help establish guidelines for prevention and testing for diabetes in men.

23 Mar 2020

Tofu nutrients called isoflavones could lower heart disease risk

Researchers from the Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital working in collaboration have found that tofu and other plant-based proteins contain certain nutrients called isoflavones that can help those with heart disease and lower their disease risk.

23 Mar 2020

Social policies may also have a positive effect on population health

A comprehensive review of U.S. social policies evaluated for their health outcomes found suggestive evidence that early life, income, and health insurance interventions have the potential to improve health.

19 Mar 2020

Substances linked to bladder cancer found in the urine of e-cigarette users

An analysis of evidence from multiple scientific studies found six substances that have a strong link to bladder cancer in the urine of people who had used electronic cigarettes and sometimes other tobacco products, researchers from the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and NYU Langone Health reported.

19 Mar 2020

Women experience more chest pain, but lesser artery narrowing than men

Women with coronary artery disease that reduces blood flow and oxygen to the heart muscle (ischemia) have significantly more chest pain caused by plaque build-up, yet less extensive disease as compared with men, according to new research presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session Together with World Congress of Cardiology.

18 Mar 2020

E-cigarette use increases while new studies reveal heart health risks

A new study adds to mounting evidence that the use of electronic cigarettes, or vaping, has increased in recent years among U.S. adults, with nearly 1 in 20 reporting current use of e-cigarettes, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session Together with World Congress of Cardiology.

18 Mar 2020