COVID-19
Vaccines/Boosters
COVID Booster Plus Flu Shot Ups Reactions, but Most Are Mild: Simultaneous administration of a COVID-19 mRNA booster shot and the seasonal influenza vaccine slightly increased the risk of systemic reactions during the following week compared with a booster shot alone, but most of the reactions were mild, a retrospective cohort study shows. published online July 15 in JAMA Network Open.
The Next COVID-19 Booster Shots Will Target Omicron: With the country’s third “COVID fall” approaching, the United States is expected to soon start ramping up its autumn COVID-19 booster campaign. This year’s rollout will include something new. Moderna and Pfizer-BioNtech are working on bivalent boosters that include both the original vaccine formula and a component that targets the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of the coronavirus. The bivalent boosters from those companies are expected to be available in early to mid-September. Everyone currently eligibleTrusted Source for a COVID-19 booster will still be eligible in the fall
Treatment
The "electric pill" Hypothesised in 2020 and confirmed in the clinic in 2022: Eugenijus Kaniusas and his partners showed that stimulating the auricular vagus nerve has anti-inflammatory effects in severe Covid-19 cases.
Nanoparticle therapy may help patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 infections: Researchers say that an experimental dendrimer nanoparticle treatment called OP-101 substantially reduced the risk of death and need for a ventilator in a study of 24 severely ill adults hospitalized with COVID-19. Science Translational Medicine.
Long Covid
Long COVID Risk Associated With Certain Symptoms: People who reported sore throats, headaches, and hair loss soon after testing positive for COVID-19 may be more likely to have lingering symptoms months later, according to a recent study published in Scientific Reports.
What We Know Right Now About Your Risk of Getting Long COVID: In the study, published August 6 in The LancetTrusted Source, researchers asked over 76,000 adults to regularly fill out digital questionnaires asking about 23 symptoms commonly associated with long COVID. The questionnaires were sent out between March 2020 and August 2021, primarily when the Alpha and earlier coronavirus variants were circulating; the Delta variant appeared in the country at the end of this period.Too few people in the study had been vaccinated during this period to enable researchers to see if vaccination impacted the risk of developing long COVID. Over 4,200 participants had COVID-19 during the study — indicated by either a positive test or a doctor’s diagnosis. These people were matched to a control group of over 8,400 similar, but uninfected, people. The study found that 1 in 8 people may have symptoms 3 to 5 months after having COVID-19. Many of the long-COVID symptoms in study participants were ones reported previously, such as tiredness, loss of sense of taste and/or smell, difficulty breathing and painful muscles.
90% of People Who Lose Sense of Smell or Taste from COVID-19 Regain It Within 2 Years: A studyTrusted Source, conducted by researchers in Italy and the UK, found that around 90 percent of mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients who experienced a loss of taste or smell (or both) fully regained these senses within two years.
Other
How Long Before Someone With COVID-19 Isn't Contagious? A new studyTrusted Source provides more details on when people may be able to end their isolation. Highest infectivity appears to occur 2 days prior to symptom onset to 3 days after symptom onset. Rapid antigen tests can detect high viral loads and are currently thought to be reliable in telling people whether or not they could still be contagious. Health officials recommend isolating for at least 5 days if you develop COVID-19 and continuing to wear a mask for up to 10 days whenever you’re in public.
Updated CDC COVID-19 Guidelines: No More Social Distancing, Quarantine, or Test-to-Stay for Schools: The revised guidanceTrusted Source is explained in a new Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). The revised guidelines are now the same for both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, reflecting the high levels of population immunity from vaccination, prior COVID-19 infection, or both. The new guidelines include a significant easing of social distancing and quarantine requirements. The CDC also no longer recommends “test to stay” for schools that allow children to remain in class as long as they test negative after exposure to the virus. Experts also acknowledge that the agency likely made these changes to better align with observed public behavior and changing attitudes toward COVID-19.
Studies link COVID-19 to wildlife sales at Chinese market, find alternative scenarios extremely unlikely:Led by University of Arizona virus evolution expert Michael Worobey, international teams of researchers have traced the start of the pandemic to the market in Wuhan, China, where foxes, raccoon dogs and other live mammals susceptible to the virus were sold live immediately before the pandemic began. Their findings were published in two papers in the journal Science, after being previously released in pre-print versions in February.
PAINA new way to control pain after knee replacement surgery: The double-blind, randomized trial detailed in The Journal of Arthroplasty revealed that patients receiving a mixture of morphine and the antibiotic vancomycin injected into the tibia (more commonly known as the shin bone) of their knee joint have less pain post-surgery compared to those who received the infusion without morphine during surgery.
Perceived choice in music listening is linked to pain relief: A new study explores the use of music-listening to relieve acute pain, finding that people who were given the impression that they had control over the music they heard experienced more pain relief than people who were not given such control. PLOS ONE
Early physical therapy associated with less health care resource use for patients with acute lower back pain: Early initiation of physical therapy (PT) for U.S. patients with acute lower back pain (LBP) was associated with less health care resource use in the first month and the first year after the initial onset of symptoms, according to a new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine. These health care resources included advanced imaging, specialty appointments, epidural steroid injections and emergency room (ER) visits. Patients who began PT early were half as likely to visit the ER within 30 days of symptom onset than those who did not receive early PT, which the study defined as starting within two weeks of symptom onset. The study was published by BMC Health Services Research in July 2022.
An effective new treatment for chronic back pain targets the nervous system: The study divided 276 participants into two groups: one undertook a 12-week course of sensorimotor retraining (A treatment that trains both the brain and the body) and the other received a 12-week course of sham treatments designed to control for placebo effects, which are common in low back pain trials. "What we observed in our trial was a clinically meaningful effect on pain intensity and a clinically meaningful effect on disability. People were happier, they reported their backs felt better and their quality of life was better. It also looks like these effects were sustained over the long term; twice as many people were completely recovered. Very few treatments for low back pain show long-term benefits, but participants in the trial reported improved quality of life one year later." JAMA
Early use of oral tecovirimat successfully eases pain in two patients with monkeypox and severe proctitis Annals of Internal Medicine
COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINEYoga app can reduce urinary incontinence: People with loss of urinary control who used the Yoga of Immortals mobile app – a globally used app that combines specific yogic postures in the Sanatan tradition with breathing exercises, sound therapy and meditation – found significant improvement in the frequency and severity of urine leaks at four weeks of practice, according to a Rutgers study. “However, the 30-minute daily app sessions are easy, safe, effective and convenient as they can be done anytime and anywhere without the need for in-person visits to the health-care provider,” said Hari Tunuguntla, lead author of the study. “The app-based YOI practice involves specific breathing exercises, stimulation of the body’s specific energy centers for urinary control, postures to engage the pelvic floor, promote relaxation and muscle control, and alignment techniques to strengthen the pelvic floor.” The study is published in the journal Urology (the Gold Journal)
People Respond Differently to Psychedelic Drugs — Genetics Could Be One Reason: Studies have shown that around one-third of people with mental health conditions like depression don’t respond to psychedelic treatments. Scientists aren’t entirely sure why people respond to psychedelics differently, but new research suggests that genetic variations in a serotonin receptor may be a factor. While genetics can play a role in many mental health conditions, some experts say that DNA is unlikely to be the sole contributing factor to how a person responds to psychedelic drugs. Just as symptoms associated with various mental health conditions may present differently in different people, how people respond to psychedelics may also vary. Healthline
Microdosing Psilocybin Mushrooms May Improve Mental Health and Mood: Repeated use of small quantities of the psychedelic substance psilocybin can improve mood and mental health, a new study suggests. Researchers found that people who microdosed psilocybin saw “small- to medium-sized” improvements in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress over a 30-day follow-up, compared to those who did not. This observational study, published June 30 in Nature-Scientific ReportsTrusted Source, included over 900 people who reported microdosing psilocybin during the past month, and a control group of 180 people who did not engage in microdosing psychedelics.
Experts Warn That Not All Cannabis Alternatives Are Safe: Often referred to as ‘cannabis lite’ or ‘diet weed,’ delta-8 can still produce a ‘high,’ despite being touted for its moderate effects. Adverse reactions to delta-8 have been reported, with over 2,300 cases of accidental poisoning in adults and children. People who consume low quality delta-8 products are at risk of accidental poisoning. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug AdministrationTrusted Source (FDA) have released recent warnings about delta-8 products.
CBD May Help Young People With Anxiety: Cannabidiol, or CBD – the non-psychoactive component in cannabis – could be a promising therapy for treatment-resistant anxiety in adolescents and young adults, a new Australian studyshows. After 12 weeks of CBD treatment, study participants ages 12 to 25 reported an average 42.6% reduction in anxiety severity and impairment compared to pre-treatment. Study participants took between 200 and 800mg of CBD per day, depending on observed effectiveness. The study was published today in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
Acupuncture May Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes, Study Shows: New research from Edith Cowan University in Australia finds that acupuncture may help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The meta-analysis, recently published in Holistic Nursing Practice, shows that acupuncture therapy may contribute to improved glycemic control in individuals with prediabetes.
CBD Products Often Mislabeled, Some Containing THC: According to a new studyTrusted Source, many topical CBD products available online or at retail stores don’t contain the amount of cannabidiol that’s listed on the label. The research, recently published in Jama Network Open, shows that some CBD products may even contain THC — the main active ingredient found in cannabis that causes a “high” — despite claims of being THC-free.
Cannabis May Offer Relief From Menopause Symptoms: new research, recently published in the journal Menopause, suggests that the number of both menopausal and perimenopausal women using medical cannabis for symptom relief could be much higher than originally thought. While cannabis may offer some relief from menopause symptoms, experts suggest that CBD may be a safer alternative since cannabis research is still limited.
FDA ACTION
• Approved First Targeted Therapy, trastuzumab-deruxtecan, also known by the brand name Enhertu, for HER2-Low Breast Cancer
• Authorized the emergency use of Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted for the prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in individuals 12 through 17 years of age.
• Approved First Cell-Based Gene Therapy to Treat Adult and Pediatric Patients with Beta-thalassemia Who Require Regular Blood Transfusions
• Authorized Emergency Use of JYNNEOS Vaccine to Increase Vaccine Supply for Monkeypox
PREVENTION
ExerciseFitness Trackers Can Motivate You to Walk Up to 40 Minutes More Each Day: New research, recently published in The LancetTrusted Source shows that wearable activity trackers promote positive health changes, helping a wide variety of people move more and lose a modest amount of weight. Experts say that while these devices do help improve health, there’s more to weight loss than ‘calories in, calories out,’ as a person’s ability to lose weight is often genetic. According to researchers, wearable activity trackers may also fuel unhealthy behaviors in people with anxiety disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorder and should be used with caution.
How Exercising Between 150 and 600 Minutes a Week Further Lowers the Risk of Early Death:According to a new studyTrusted Sourcereports higher levels of long-term vigorous activity and moderate physical activity are independently and jointly associated with lower mortality. The findings suggest that any combination of medium to high levels of vigorous physical activity and moderate physical activity can provide nearly the maximum mortality reduction of 35 to 40 percent. The ‘dose-dependent’ effect of increasing physical activity extended to about four times the minimum recommendations for Americans, the minimum levels defined as 150 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity accumulated throughout each week. Beyond 600 minutes of moderate activity or 300 minutes of vigorous activity, there was no significant additional benefit seen, although importantly no apparent harms observed.
How Mental, Physical Activities Can Improve Cognitive Function: Numerous studies have shown a link between mental and physical activities and improved cognitive function. A new study published in the journal Neurology has now taken this one step further. In the study, researchers report that these activities not only improve cognitive function but might be more beneficial for women. Experts recommend older adults adopt lifestyle activities such as walking, reading, socializing, and playing board games to stay mentally sharp.
Stretching May Help Slow Cognitive Decline as Well as Aerobic Exercise: New data suggests regular stretching, balance, and range-of-motion exercises may be as beneficial as aerobic exercises in slowing down mild cognitive decline. Researchers say the new data makes using physical activity to slow mild cognitive decline more accessible. Other experts say these types of movements have other physical health benefits. 2022 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference
Exercise, Chores, and Social Visits Can Help Lower Dementia Risk: According to a new study published in the journal Neurology that involved more than 500,000 people, staying active both physically and mentally can help lower the risk of dementia. These activities can include exercise, household chores, and social visits with friends and family. It’s also important to eat a healthy diet, get adequate sleep, and participate in mindful activities such as yoga.
Strength Training for Vegans Is Key to Bone Health: New research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism shows that resistance training may be key to maintaining bone strength in people who follow a plant-based diet, even more so than nutrient intake. Vegans who regularly performed resistance exercises had better bone micro-structure than vegans who did not engage in resistance training. Study findings suggest that people who adhere to a vegan or plant-based diet should perform resistance training regularly to preserve bone strength.
How a 2-Minute Walk After Meals Can Help Lower Type 2 Diabetes Risk: A new meta-analysis of seven studies has found that walking for as little as 2 minutes after a meal can help with digestion and lower blood sugar levels. The review results suggest the best time to walk is within 60 to 90 minutes after eating. This is the window when blood sugar levels typically peak. Researchers said even just a few minutes of light-intensity slow walking was enough to create a noteworthy drop in blood sugar levels for study participants.
Exercise answer: Research shows it’s how often you do it, not how much: New research indicates a little bit of daily activity could well be the most beneficial approach, at least for muscle strength. Studies continue to suggest very manageable amounts of exercise done regularly can have a real effect on people’s strength. “People think they have to do a lengthy session of resistance training in the gym, but that’s not the case, just lowering a heavy dumbbell slowly once or six times a day is enough.” Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports
Diet/NutritionDoes Whole Milk Speed Cognitive Decline in Older Population?: Evidence suggests that dairy consumption is associated with better cognitive health in older adults. However, the results of a recent investigation introduce an exception to this possible link. Researchers found that high consumption of whole milk was associated with a higher rate of cognitive impairment in older adults with a high risk for cardiovascular disease.
Moderate Drinking Shows More Benefit for Older vs Younger Adults: Young adults aged 15-34 years derive no significant health benefits from alcohol consumption, but moderate drinking may benefit the over-40 crowd, according to a new analysis.The health risks and benefits of moderate alcohol consumption are complex and remain a hot topic of debate. The data suggest that small amounts of alcohol may reduce the risk of certain health outcomes over time, but increase the risk of others, wrote Dana Bryazka, MS, a researcher at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, Seattle, and colleagues, in a paper published in The Lancet.
How Ultra-Processed Foods Can Affect Cognitive Performance: A new study published in the European Journal of Nutrition suggests that consuming ultra-processed foods may have a negative impact on cognitive performance in older adults. The researchers defined ultra-processed foods as those that undergo “several industrial processes that can’t be reproduced at home.” They noted that these items contain little to no whole foods and typically include flavorings, colorings, emulsifiers, and other cosmetic additives. Examples include packaged snacks, chocolates, breakfast cereals, and pre-prepared dishes such as pies, pasta, and pizza.
How Eating Only in the Daytime Can Help People With Type 2 Diabetes: Restricting eating to a 10-hour window during the daytime could have beneficial health benefits for people with type 2 diabetes.That’s according to research reports that a time-restricted eating (TRE) protocol can result in improvements to metabolic health in adults with type 2 diabetes, including a decrease in 24-hour glucose levels. people with eating disorders, pregnant women, people with type 1 diabetes, and children should speak with a doctor before adopting it.
How Eating Only Between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Can Help With Weight Loss and Blood Pressure: Time-restricted eating is effective for weight loss, but it can also improve mood and blood pressure. That’s according to researchTrusted Source published in JAMA Internal Medicine that found that early time-restricted eating for a period of 8 hours between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. led to more effective weight loss, blood pressure control, and mood improvement in adults with obesity when compared with a group who ate in an eating window greater than 12 hours.
How a Diet High in Carotenoids Can Help Women Live Longer, Better: Women tend to live longer than men but may endure more health challenges from greater illness as they get older. New research indicates this may be because women have a greater need for carotenoids than men. Carotenoids are found in brightly colored fruits and vegetables. In particular, the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin are linked to eye and brain health. Getting enough carotenoids may play an important role in keeping older women healthy.
How a Potassium-Rich Diet Can Help Women Improve Their Heart Health: Eating a potassium-rich diet can help women improve their heart health. That’s according to a new study published in the European Heart Journal. A diet high in potassium, among other things, helps reduce sodium levels in the blood. Foods rich in potassium include bananas, potatoes, beans, and spinach.
A Diet Rich In Omega-3s May Lower Breast Cancer Risk in Women with Obesity: According to a new study, recently published in the journal Menopause, there is an inverse relationship between breast cancer risk and intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), particularly in premenopausal women who have obesity. The study findings indicate that higher consumption of n-3 PUFAs was linked to a decreased risk of breast cancer. This was most prominent in premenopausal women and those with certain types of breast tumors. According to a press release, women who were overweight or had obesity and increased their intake of n-3 PUFAs had a decreased risk of breast cancer. However, there was no significant association between decreased breast cancer risk among women with a healthy weight. Foods rich in Omega-3 include fish, vegetable oil, walnuts, flax seeds and flaxseed oil and leafy vegetables.
Green Tea Extract May Help Reduce Blood Sugar and Gut Inflammation: new research on people with a handful of heart disease risk factors is showing that ingesting green tea extract for four weeks can also reduce blood sugar levels and lower gut inflammation. Researchers say this is one of the first studies to assess whether health risks linked to metabolic syndrome may be lessened by green tea.
Alcohol Might Speed Up Aging: Here's How: The studyTrusted Source, published in Molecular Psychiatry, is the largest of its kind to date. It involved more than 245,000 individuals aged between 40 and 69 years old. Shorter telomeres were found in those who drank heavily or had alcohol use disorder. No effect on telomeres was seen in light-to-moderate drinkers. Telomere length is linked to biological aging and disease onset.
Cocoa Shown to Lower Blood Pressure, May Offer Treatment for Hypertension: A new study published in Frontiers in Nutrition shows that consuming flavanol-rich cocoa could help lower blood pressure and reduce arterial stiffness, offering exciting implications for future treatments. While the results seem promising, eating more chocolate products is not a recommended strategy to help reduce blood pressure. Instead, heart-healthy diets, such as the DASH diet and the Mediterranean diet, are advised for people with hypertension.
Heart Disease Risk: How Our Bodies Digest Red Meat May Be a Factor: A new studyTrusted Source is reporting that the chemicals your body produces to digest red meat could also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Experts recommend cutting red meat consumption in half and eating a more plant-based diet. They add that other lifestyle factors such as sleep, exercise, and stress can also contribute to heart disease risk.
Salt Substitutes May Help Lower the Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke: A new review of 21 studies, published in the online journal Heart, found salt substitutes are a good way to reduce that goal as you lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. Experts urge caution when using salt substitutes as some contain potassium chloride, which can be detrimental to some people if taken in large quantities.
Diets higher in calcium and potassium may help prevent recurrent symptomatic kidney stones: Mayo Clinic researchers designed a prospective study to investigate the impact of dietary changes. Their findings show that enriching diets with foods high in calcium and potassium may prevent recurrent symptomatic kidney stones. The findings, which were published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, show that lower dietary calcium and potassium, as well as lower intake of fluids, caffeine and phytate, are associated with higher odds of experiencing a first-time symptomatic kidney stone.
Plant-based 'meat' 'healthier and more sustainable than animal products': Plant-based dietary alternatives to animal products are better for the environment and for human health when compared with the animal products they are designed to replace, say the authors of a new study. A new paper published in Future Foods argues that because these foods are 'specifically formulated to replicate the taste, texture, and overall eating experience of animal products', they are a much more effective way of reducing demand for meat and dairy than simply encouraging people to cook vegetarian whole foods.
Vitamins/SupplementsVitamin D Supplements Do Not Lower Risk of Fractures: Taking vitamin D supplements did not significantly reduce the risk of fractures among adults in midlife and older adults, compared with placebo, according to results from an ancillary study of the Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial (VITAL). The findings were published online July 27 in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Vitamin D supplementation seems to alleviate depressive symptoms in adults: An extensive meta-analysis suggests that vitamin D supplementation may alleviate depressive symptoms in adults with depression. Conducted by an international team of researchers, the meta-analysis includes dozens of studies from around the world Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition
It doesn't matter much which fiber supplement you choose -- just get more fiber! The benefit of dietary fiber isn't just the easier pooping that advertisers tout. Fermentable fiber is an essential source of nutrients that your gut microbes and cells of the intestines need to stay healthy. Study participants who had been eating the least amount of fiber before being fed three different kinds of fiber supplement showed the greatest benefit from supplements, regardless of which ones they consumed. Microbiome and The ISME Journal
B vitamins can potentially be used to treat advanced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Scientists have found that elevated blood levels of an amino acid called homocysteine correlate strongly with the severity of an advanced form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. They also found vitamin B12 and folic acid could be used to prevent and/or delay disease progression. Journal of Hepatology
The best way to take pills according to science: The team tested four postures. Taking pills while lying on the right side was by far the best, sending pills into the deepest part of the stomach to achieve a dissolution rate 2.3 times faster than even an upright posture. Lying on the left side was the worst. The team was very surprised to find that if a pill takes 10 minutes to dissolve on the right side, it could take 23 minutes to dissolve in an upright posture and over 100 minutes when laying on the left side. Standing upright was a decent second choice, essentially tied in effectiveness with lying straight back. The work is newly published in Physics of Fluids.
OtherFrequent Napping May Be a Signal of Risk of Stroke, High Blood Pressure: A studyTrusted Source recently published reports that people who take regular daytime naps might be more at risk for hypertension and strokes. Naps themselves aren’t necessarily a health concern, but they may be an indicator of poor sleep quality at night that does impact overall health. Experts recommend that naps be short rests and that they not be taken late in the afternoon. They add you can lower your risk of high blood pressure by eating a plant-based diet and exercising at least 30 minutes a day.
How Social Isolation, Loneliness Can Affect Heart Health, Cognitive Abilities: Older adults who are lonely, socially isolated, or do not participate in engaging activities are at risk for heart attack, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease, according to a pair of studies recently released. The first studyTrusted Source, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, found that social isolation and loneliness might increase the risk of either heart attack, stroke, or death. The data showed that being socially disconnected can increase the risk of heart attack by 29 percent and stroke by 32 percent. People with three or fewer social contacts per month could have a 40 percent increased risk of recurrent heart attack or stroke. The second study, published in the online issue of Neurology, looked at why some people with amyloid plaques in their brains associated with Alzheimer’s disease show no sign of the disease. In contrast, others with similar plaques have memory and cognitive issues.The researchers hypothesized that genetic and life factors can create a cognitive reserve that helps protect the brain. Participating in clubs, religious groups, sports, artistic activities, and education before age 26 may affect the brain’s cognitive reserve. Continuing to learn throughout life could also protect the brain from dementia. “Although cognitive decline can’t be cured, it may be prevented by implementing activities, which are beneficial to build new neural pathways and connections in the brain, helping to keep the mind sharp and putting it to work.” “Good choices include puzzles Sudoku, games, music, card games, reading, playing instruments, or practicing hobbies in which the mind must think outside everyday tasks.” While college education played a part in higher scores. Leisure activities also raised cognitive scores. Those who engaged in six or more leisure activities, such as adult education classes, clubs, volunteer work, social activities, or gardening, scored 1.53 points more on average than people who engaged in only four activities.
How Gout Flare-ups May Increase the Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke: A studyTrusted Source published by the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom reports that the risk of heart attacks and strokes temporarily increases in the four months after a gout flare. The research showed that people with gout who had a heart attack or stroke were twice as likely to have had a gout flare in the 60 days prior to the event. They were also one and a half times more likely to have a gout flare in the 61 to 120 days prior.
Perfectionism May Be a Risk Factor for Severe Alcohol Use Disorder: According to a new studyTrusted Source, recently published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research,traits such as perfectionism and self-criticism — leading to social disconnection — may contribute to an increased risk of developing severe alcohol use disorder (SAUD).
Chronic Inflammation: Low Vitamin D Levels May Be a Possible Cause: new genetic research from the University of South Australia, recently published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, found an association between low vitamin D levels and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood. This discovery has researchers suggesting that boosting vitamin D in people with a deficiency may reduce chronic inflammation.
of the night.
Why the Human Mind Is 'Not Designed' to Stay Awake Past Midnight: A new research review, recently published in the journal Frontiers in Network Psychology, suggests that staying awake past midnight may have implications that stem beyond needing an extra cup of coffee the next day. In fact, the study authors suggest that the mind simply isn’t “designed” to be awake into the wee hours
People With Poor Sleep Behaviors May Be at Risk for Fatty Liver Disease: People with sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy sleep behaviors could develop fatty liver disease, according to new research published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
TREATMENTRosuvastatin Again Linked With Risks to Kidneys: Rosuvastatin for cholesterol lowering was associated with slightly greater risks for kidney harm than atorvastatin, risks that were greater at higher-dose levels, in a large retrospective cohort study. The most potent statin on the market, rosuvastatin has been linked with excess risk for kidney damage compared with atorvastatin in case reports and small trials, but there has been little surveillance of the issue following its approval in 2003. published online July 19 in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
Light Treatment Shows Promise in Dry Macular Degeneration: Photobiomodulation with low-level red infrared light could improve visual acuity in dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), clinical researchers say. The treatment, already approved in Europe and parts of Latin America, may be the first to arrest the progress of the disease. PReliminary results in the LIGHTSITE III trial of the Valeda Light Delivery System at the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) annual meeting
At-Home Ketamine Therapy: Largest-Ever Study Shows Mental Health Benefits: Several sessions of at-home ketamine therapy supported by telehealth are a safe and effective way to treat moderate to severe anxiety and depression, a new study found. The results, recently published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, suggest that an at-home approach using ketamine tablets that dissolve under the tongue rather than intravenous (IV) infusion or intramuscular injection could make ketamine therapy more accessible.
Breakthrough in search for tinnitus cure: The study randomised 61 patients to one of two treatments, the prototype of the new 'digital polytherapeutic' or a popular self-help app producing white noise.On average, the group with the polytherapeutic (31 people) showed clinically significant improvements at 12 weeks, while the other group (30 people) did not. Frontiers in Neurology.
Deep brain stimulation to brain area linked to reward and motivation is potential therapy for treatment-resistant depression, study finds: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) to the superolateral branch of the medial forebrain bundle (MFB), which is linked to reward and motivation, revealed metabolic brain changes over 12 months post-DBS implantation, making it a strong potential therapy for treatment-resistant depression. The results of the study, which included 10 patients, were published in Molecular Psychiatry.
Researchers find combining antiviral drugs and antibody therapy could treat seasonal flu and help prevent next flu pandemic: Antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu have been prescribed for decades to treat flu symptoms in people at risk for serious complications. Researchers found when these medications were used with antibody therapy, the combination was more effective than either approach alone: the antibodies were significantly more efficient at killing infected cells and the drugs were more potent. Cell Reports Medicine
OTHER
Depression, Diabetes, Hypertension: 1 in 2 Young People in the U.S. Have a Chronic Condition Over half of Americans between 18 and 34 years old are living with a chronic medical condition, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionTrusted Source (CDC). These conditions include obesity, depression, high blood pressure, and asthma. CDC findings show that depression affected 27 percent of young adult women, compared with only about 16 percent of men.
Hearing Aids Will Soon be Available OTC: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a new ruling that will improve access to over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. The move will remove some of the barriers — including high costs and medical exam requirements — that have historically prevented many Americans with hearing loss from being able to access hearing aids. The hearing aids are expected to be available in local pharmacies, drug stores, and online retail stores in mid-October when the rule takes effect. The rule applies to air-conduction hearing aids, a common type of hearing aid that amplifies sound, for people 18 and older with mild-to-moderate hearing loss.
CDC to Undergo Major Overhaul: Everything We Know Right Now: Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, announced August 17 that the nation’s lead public health agency will undergo a major overhaul, saying it responded too slowly to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a meeting with senior CDC leadership, Walensky laid out her plans, reported CNN. This includes reorganizing the structure of the agency to focus on public health needs and responding to outbreaks such as those caused by the coronavirus and monkeypox virus. In line with this, there will be less emphasis on publishing scientific papers, with Walensky calling for staff members to produce “data for action” as opposed to “data for publication,” according to a briefing document, as reported by the New York Times.
