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Study shows how gene therapy may help protect against vision loss in multiple sclerosis

New research by Dorothy P. Schafer, PhD, at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, reveals the molecular process in which synaptic connections in the brain are damaged in multiple sclerosis and how this contributes to neurodegenerative symptoms.

21 Jan 2020

Increasing opioid addiction in the US but young addicts being missed

Opioid addiction has been increasing over the last decade or so in the US, with many deaths occurring as a result of opioid overdose. As a result, many programs have been set up to deal with this addiction using medications like buprenorphine. This is one of the three approved drugs that are used for this condition, and the most useful one.

21 Jan 2020

Instagramers still love vaping despite FDA’s anti-vaping slogans

A unique study posted in the journal Frontiers in Communication in January 2020 reports that of 200,000 posts on Instagram, the number of hashtags favoring vaping or e-cigarette use outnumbers the number of those against it by an astonishing 10,000 times. Vaping refers to the use of flavored juices, often containing nicotine, in electrically operated heating devices that allow the user to inhale the fumes of the heated juice and exhale it, similar to smoking a conventional cigarette.

21 Jan 2020

Fewer children visiting pediatricians in the US

A new study from researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh shows that the number of visits to pediatricians has gone down compared to 10 years ago. However, the impact of this trend remains to be observed.

21 Jan 2020

Surgical complications are much more likely in smokers

A new study shows that smoking tobacco puts you at a greatly increased risk for complications after surgery. This includes heart and lung damage, poor wound healing and a higher chance of complications. However, quitting smoking, even as late as 4 weeks before the surgery, improves the chances of having a good post-operative result and fewer complications.

21 Jan 2020

Sunscreen ingredients absorbed into blood finds study from FDA

A new study has analyzed the amount of sunscreen ingredients that get absorbed into the blood stream via the skin. The study titled, “Effect of Sunscreen Application on Plasma Concentration of Sunscreen Active Ingredients A Randomized Clinical Trial,” was published in the latest issue of the journal JAMA.

21 Jan 2020

Researchers develop novel technology to produce cheaper, longer-lasting vaccines

A new method to produce vaccines that have a longer shelf-life, are cheaper and can be stored without the need for cooling is being presented in the open access journal BMC Biotechnology.

21 Jan 2020

Association between healthy/unhealthy low fat and low carb diet and risk of death

A large study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston has found that there are no significant associations between low carb and low fat diets and risk of death. However the converse was not true. Unhealthy low fat and low carb diets were associated with a raised risk of deaths.

21 Jan 2020

George Mason University researchers receive $314,000 to design better vaccines

George Mason University's Aarthi Narayanan, Associate Professor, College of Science and the National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Disease, and Remi Veneziano, Assistant Professor, Volgenau School of Engineering, received $314,000 from U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity for a project researching DNA-nanoparticles and vaccine design.

21 Jan 2020

Scientists develop capsule shell composition for enzyme needed to treat phenylketonuria

IKBFU scientists developed the composition of the capsule shell for the enzyme needed in the treatment of a hereditary disease called "phenylketonuria".

21 Jan 2020

Researchers estimate mortality costs associated with air pollution in the U.S.

A team of University of Illinois researchers estimated the mortality costs associated with air pollution in the U.S. by developing and applying a novel machine learning-based method to estimate the life-years lost and cost associated with air pollution exposure.

21 Jan 2020

Lack of exposure to sunlight may increase metabolic syndrome risk

Yes, fat cells deep under your skin can sense light. And when bodies do not get enough exposure to the right kinds of light, fat cells behave differently.

21 Jan 2020

High-fat milk drinkers may age faster than low-fat milk lovers, study finds

Drinking milk has long been linked to aging, but the exact connection is not well understood. Is drinking milk prevent premature aging, or if there is a type of milk you should consume? A new study may have the key answer to this long-standing question.

21 Jan 2020

Coconut oil increases bad cholesterol

Elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol level is an established risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart disease, hypertension, and stroke. Contrary to current claims that coconut oil can benefit cardiovascular health, a new study combining 16 published research shows that consumption of coconut oil is linked to higher levels of LDL and total cholesterol levels.

21 Jan 2020