March 17, 2022
In individuals with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease, the immune cells of the brain -- the 'microglia' -- start exerting a protective effect up to two decades before the first symptoms appear. A team draws this conclusion based on a study of more than 200 volunteers. In light of their study data, the scientists consider modulating the activity of microglia to be a promising therapeutic approach. To this end, they aim to develop drugs that target a cellular receptor called TREM2.
Alzheimer’s: Protective immune cells active decades before symptom onset
March 17, 2022
Young and middle-aged adults with high blood pressure whose systolic blood pressure (top-number) rose more than 6.5 mm Hg upon standing were more likely to later have a heart attack, stroke, heart-related chest pain or other major heart disease-related event than those with lower systolic blood pressure in response to standing. The researchers highlight the importance of measuring standing blood pressure in young and middle-aged adults with hypertension, suggesting early treatment for those who have elevated blood pressure upon standing.
If blood pressure rises upon standing, so may risk for heart attack
March 16, 2022
The first large-scale trial to test the long-term effects of a cocoa flavanol supplement to prevent cardiovascular disease offers promising signals that cocoa flavanols could have protective cardiovascular effects.
Trial testing cocoa flavanol supplement shows promise for reducing cardiovascular risk
March 16, 2022
A research team has discovered novel metabolic mechanisms that contribute to how ovarian cancer escapes from immune attack, and how combination therapies can exploit these pathways to improve ovarian cancer treatment.
March 16, 2022
Bile acids, well known for their role in dissolving fats and vitamins, are also important players in gut immunity and inflammation because they regulate the activity of key immune cells linked to a range of inflammatory bowel conditions, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, according to new research.
March 16, 2022
Researchers peg the economic burden of excessive sugar consumption in Canada at $5 billion a year, thanks to the direct and indirect costs related to 16 chronic diseases. The researchers call on governments to use taxation, subsidies, education and other measures to encourage healthier eating habits, saying it is 'an area of urgent need for action' in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era.
Excess sugar consumption costs Canada’s health-care system $5 billion each year, study finds
March 15, 2022
Women are more likely than men to experience severe side effects from cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, a new study suggests.
Severe Side Effects of Cancer Treatment Are More Common in Women than Men
March 15, 2022
Study finds eating carbs earlier in the day is linked to better heart health
People with diabetes who eat less processed food at night may live longer
March 15, 2022
Highlights In 2018-2019, 8.7 percent of non-elderly adults, on average, filled at least one outpatient opioid prescription, and 2.3 percent had five or more prescription fills during the year. Women were more likely than men to have any opioid use during the year (10.3 percent vs. 7.0 percent) and to have frequent opioid use (2.7 percent vs. 1.8 percent). In 2018-2019, the average annual percentages of non-elderly adults who had any use and frequent use of prescription opioids during the year were lowest for those in excellent health (3.9 percent and 0.4 percent) and highest for those in poor health (36.8 percent and 20.1 percent). Non-elderly adults who had family incomes below the federal poverty line (13.3 percent), lived in rural areas (12.4 percent), or were covered by public insurance due to a disability (30.3 percent) were more likely than others to have at least one opioid prescription fill during the year.
March 14, 2022
New research has linked phthalates, commonly called the 'everywhere chemical,' to higher incidence of specific childhood cancers.
Exposure to phthalates — the 'everywhere chemical' — may increase children’s cancer risk
