Probe of DNA repeats reveals genetic link to schizophrenia
Researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) have found that repeated DNA sequences in the genome may contribute to an individual’s risk of developing schizophrenia. Tandem repeats are a class of DNA sequence where two or more nucleotides, known as the building blocks of DNA, are […]
Duloxetine added to multimodal pain management reduces opioid use after knee replacement
A study by researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) found that the antidepressant duloxetine reduced the use of opioid medication when added to a multimodal pain management regimen after knee replacement surgery. The study appeared in The Journal of Arthroplasty. Duloxetine, sold under the brand name Cymbalta, is prescribed to treat major depressive disorder, […]
Smart pacifier developed to monitor infant health in the hospital
A wireless, bioelectronic pacifier could eliminate the need for invasive, twice-daily blood draws to monitor babies’ electrolytes in Newborn Intensive Care Units or NICUs. This smart pacifier can also provide more continuous monitoring of sodium and potassium ion levels. These electrolytes help alert caregivers if babies are dehydrated, a danger for infants, especially those born […]
Muscle-building linked to weapon carrying and physical fighting
Gun violence and school violence have been on the rise since the pandemic, as have eating disorders and body image issues among adolescents—which includes an emphasis on muscularity as today’s body ideal for many boys. Now, a new study published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence has revealed a link between the two. Analyzing over […]
Weights can be weapons in battle against obesity
People battling with their weight who are unable to do aerobic exercise can hit the gym instead and still see positive results. Despite the commonly held belief aerobic exercise is essential for weight loss, an Edith Cowan University (ECU) study conducted at the Exercise Medicine Research Institute (EMRI) has found resistance training can also have […]
Take herbal supplements with a dose of caution
Herbal supplements may be natural, but that does not mean they are always safe. A new case report appearing in Heart Rhythm Case Reports, an official journal of the Heart Rhythm Society, published by Elsevier, is a case in point. It reports on a patient who experienced dizziness and fainting and was diagnosed with a […]
Study shows children’s physical activity levels fell below national guidelines in wake of pandemic
New research has revealed children’s physical activity levels in the UK were significantly lower by the time the COVID-19 pandemic public lockdown restrictions were lifted. The study, led by the University of Bristol, found that by the end of 2021 little more than a third (36%) were meeting the national recommended physical activity guidelines. While […]
Benefits of PSA prostate cancer screening found to be more favorable than previous estimates, especially for Blacks
New research led by investigators from Weill Cornell Medicine, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, University Hospitals Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University found that prostate cancer screening with the prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test has remarkably favorable tradeoffs. This is particularly true for Black men, the investigators found, who disproportionately bear the burden of prostate […]
Potentially dangerous synthetic cooling agents are used at high levels in e-cigarettes and refillable vaping liquids
E-cigarette makers are adding potentially dangerous levels of the synthetic cooling agents WS-3 and WS-23 to disposable e-cigarettes and e-cigarette refills sold in the U.S., according to research published at the ATS 2022 international conference. Mint and menthol-flavored e-cigarettes are highly popular due to their “cooling” effect. E-cigarette suppliers recently started marketing synthetic cooling agents […]
Astronomers find ‘gold standard’ star in Milky Way
In our sun’s neighborhood of the Milky Way Galaxy is a relatively bright star, and in it, astronomers have been able to identify the widest range of elements in a star beyond our solar system yet. The study, led by University of Michigan astronomer Ian Roederer, has identified 65 elements in the star, HD 222925. […]