Health

A major new study challenges the idea that moderate alcohol consumption offers heart health benefits for older adults. Researchers in Britain tracked more than 135,000 people ages 60 and older for 12 years. The study found that even light alcohol consumption was linked to an increased risk of cancer-related deaths, particularly among those with underlying health conditions or living in low-income areas. These findings support a growing trend toward more stringent alcohol consumption guidelines. Traditionally, light to moderate drinking has been thought to offer some protection against heart disease. This study, however, found no evidence of such benefits in older…

Millions of people rely on convenient mail-order prescriptions for essential medications. However, scorching summer temperatures pose a hidden threat. Excessive heat and humidity can degrade the effectiveness of various medications, putting patients' health at risk. The problem goes beyond seasonal fluctuations. Extreme temperatures, even at other times of the year, can affect the chemical composition of drugs, making them less potent or potentially harmful. This is especially concerning for drugs such as insulin, birth control pills, and life-saving liquid medications used by transplant patients. While mail-order companies often use "weatherproof" packaging, independent studies raise concerns that medications exceed safe temperature…

Three research papers exploring MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD have been retracted by the journal Psychopharmacology. This follows the recent rejection of MDMA for this use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The retracted studies, written by researchers affiliated with Lykos Therapeutics, the company behind the rejected treatment application, were found to involve unethical conduct at one of the research sites. Lykos, however, maintains that the retracted research was not part of their submission to the FDA. This development adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing debate over MDMA-assisted therapy. While some research suggests its potential in treating PTSD,…

A recent pilot study found that drinking a beverage containing erythritol (an artificial sweetener used to boost the content of stevia and monk fruit and to sweeten low-carb ketogenic products) more than doubled the risk of blood clots in 10 healthy individuals. Blood clots can break off from blood vessels and travel to the heart, triggering a heart attack, or the brain, causing a stroke. Previous research has linked erythritol to an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and death. Dr. Stanley Hazen, lead author of the study and director of the Cardiovascular Diagnostic and Prevention Center at the Cleveland…

Early detection of cancer is critical to saving lives and mitigating the financial burden associated with treating this disease, health officials say. Understanding the mechanisms underlying this diagnosis becomes increasingly crucial as the incidence of cancer shifts to younger age groups, as highlighted in a report released in January by the American Cancer Society. The report, published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, reveals a troubling trend: While the general population in the United States is aging, individuals under age 50 are experiencing an increase in overall cancer incidence from 1995 to 2020. This contrasts with older age groups,…

In a groundbreaking initiative, infants with peanut allergies across Australian hospitals will now have access to a life-changing treatment program aimed at building tolerance to this common allergy. The pioneering program, the first of its kind in the world, is a collaboration between the National Centre of Excellence in Allergy (NACE) and the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI). Known as the ADAPT OIT Program, it is tailored for infants under 12 months who have been diagnosed with a peanut allergy and are under the care of allergy specialists at ten children’s hospitals in five states in Australia. The treatment, provided…

Related media - Latest news According to official visitor logs, a Parkinson’s disease expert from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center visited the White House eight times over an eight-month period from last summer to last spring, and met at least once with President Biden’s doctor. The expert, Dr. Kevin Cannard, is a neurologist specializing in movement disorders who recently published a paper on Parkinson’s. The logs, released by the White House, document visits from July 2023 to March of this year. More recent visits, if any, would not be disclosed until later, according to the White House’s voluntary disclosure…

More news - Latest news Climate change and contaminated water have triggered an epidemic of kidney disease. In Sri Lanka, a serene island nation in the Indian Ocean, a silent killer is claiming the lives of thousands of men. Statistics reveal an alarming spike in chronic kidney disease cases, and experts point to two main culprits: climate change and water pollution. In rural northern and eastern Sri Lanka, where agriculture is the backbone of the local economy, farmers face a daily struggle not only to cultivate their land but also to survive amid a growing health crisis. Extreme temperatures and…

Related media - Latest news The nervous energy was palpable as hundreds of cyclists, dressed in colorful Lycra suits, awaited the start of the 50-mile ride known as Medio Siglo from the Santa Fe Railyard, a hub of art galleries, restaurants, and a farmers market in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Finally, we began pedaling through town with eight motorcycle cops clearing the road and guarding intersections. We passed the Roundhouse, where the New Mexico Legislature meets. We passed Museum Hill, home to four museums exploring the Native American Southwest, the Spanish colonial past, and more. After about twelve miles, Santa…

Related media - Recent news Many people who have undergone mental health therapy often highlight the positive aspects of it, such as developing better coping skills, building stronger relationships, and achieving a calmer mind. But what happens when a therapist fails to help or even causes harm? A psychologist might send warning signals to a client by yawning during sessions, consistently arriving late, or offering poor advice. Patients can report unethical behavior to a counselor’s state licensing board, but there isn’t always a recourse for those who feel a therapist is poorly trained, inexperienced, or just bad at their job.…