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Hormonal markers predict treatment response in alcohol use disorder

A new study reveals hormonal and biochemical factors that affect alcohol dependence (also known as Alcohol Use Disorder), suggesting that men and women with alcohol problems may benefit from different treatments.

22 Sep 2024

Brain scans reveal link between SSRI use and cognitive function

Researchers have found that SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) antidepressants have the potential to improve certain cognitive functions, such as verbal memory. They measured brain function in patients before and after taking the SSRI escitalopram and correlated this to a drop in the level of one of the serotonin receptors in the brain and to cognitive improvements during treatment.

22 Sep 2024

U.S. health system underperforms despite massive spending, while Australia and the Netherlands excel

A recent Commonwealth Fund report compares health systems across 10 countries, revealing that the U.S. ranks last overall despite high healthcare spending, with significant gaps in health outcomes, equity, and access to care.

22 Sep 2024

Vitamin D during pregnancy boosts childhood bone health for years, study shows

Researchers examine the persistence of this improvement in bone mineral density from the MAVIDOS trial into later childhood years.

22 Sep 2024

Excess body weight at first cancer diagnosis increases risk of second cancer

Adults with excess body weight at their first cancer diagnosis face a higher risk of developing a second primary cancer, particularly those related to obesity, according to a recent study. The research emphasizes the need for survivorship guidelines targeting weight management.

22 Sep 2024

Mediterranean diet during pregnancy reduces childhood obesity risk

Following a Mediterranean diet during pregnancy reduced the likelihood of children being overweight or obese by age two, with no cases of obesity in the diet group. The diet’s influence on the leptin gene may explain these effects.

22 Sep 2024

Dietary antigens reduce small intestine cancer by boosting immune T-cells

Study shows that dietary antigens can suppress small intestine carcinogenesis by activating T-cells through Peyer's patches. Adding bovine serum albumin (BSA) or ovalbumin (OVA) to antigen-free diets restored immune function and reduced tumor growth in mice.

22 Sep 2024

Living in food deserts during early childhood raises long-term obesity risk

Children living in low-income areas with limited food access during early childhood are at greater risk for higher BMI and obesity by age 15. The strongest effects are seen when food insecurity is experienced during pregnancy and early childhood.

22 Sep 2024

AI-driven urban planning models mislead public health interventions, study shows

AI models using Google Street View (GSV) for urban planning can lead to incorrect conclusions about public health, especially regarding obesity and diabetes. The study reveals that physical activity levels, not environmental features like sidewalks, are more impactful on health outcomes.

22 Sep 2024

Researchers identify new oscillatory patterns in COVID-19 cases across the U.S.

Researchers discovered previously unrecognized oscillatory trends in COVID-19 cases across the U.S., particularly a north-south oscillation around the 37°-38° north latitude. These patterns highlight the complexity of pandemic dynamics and the importance of understanding regional disease transmission.

22 Sep 2024

Cranberry juice: A natural boost for women's skin health

A polyphenol-rich cranberry beverage was found to improve skin elasticity, reduce UV-induced erythema, and modulate the skin microbiome, with effects most pronounced in women aged 40 and older.

22 Sep 2024

Sexual health symptoms associated with lower adherence to breast cancer therapy in Black women

Among patients with early-stage breast cancer treated with adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET), symptoms related to sexual health were associated with decreased adherence to treatment in Black women, according to results presented at the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved, held September 21-24, 2024.

21 Sep 2024

Affordable Care Act boosts colon cancer care for underserved groups in Pennsylvania

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has led to increased guideline-concordant care for colon cancer among non-white patients, patients from rural areas, and patients from the most deprived neighborhoods in Pennsylvania, according to results presented at the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved, held September 21-24, 2024.

21 Sep 2024

Research highlights racial disparities and trends in pediatric firearm homicides

Homicide is a leading cause of death among people 19 and younger in the United States, and firearms are used in a large proportion of these crimes. Although the homicide rate for this population declined in the 1990s and 2000s, it has increased every year since 2013, with a large spike during the COVID-19 pandemic.

20 Sep 2024

Endoscopic spine surgery reduces opioid use and postoperative pain

An emerging type of minimally invasive spine surgery reduces the use of pain medication in patients' recovery compared to those who undergo other less minimally invasive spine surgery, which use larger incisions that result in more postoperative pain, according to a study published in World Neurosurgery in September.

20 Sep 2024

Bariatric surgery outperforms GLP-1 medications in protecting kidney function

A Cleveland Clinic study showed that in patients with type 2 diabetes, obesity, and chronic kidney disease, bariatric surgery was associated with a significant decrease in the progression of chronic kidney disease compared to those who received GLP-1 diabetes medications. The paper was published in Annals of Surgery.

20 Sep 2024