As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage, yet another mutation has been observed. Dubbed a potential variant of interest, the C.1.2 strain was first identified in May 2021 during the third wave of COVID-19 in South Africa. The first detected cases were in the Mpumalanga and Gauteng province. Since May, […]
Genetic risk scores can aid accurate diagnosis of epilepsy: Study
Although epilepsy is a relatively common condition, affecting approximately 1 per cent of individuals worldwide, it is often difficult to diagnose in clinical practice, and it is estimated that up to a quarter of all cases may be misdiagnosed initially. Epilepsy is often inherited, and recent research has shown that sufferers have […]
Researchers find combination therapy cuts risk of heart attacks, strokes in half
A combination therapy of aspirin, statins and at least two blood pressure medications given in fixed doses can slash the risk of fatal cardiovascular disease (CVD) by more than half, according to an international study led by Hamilton researchers. The study was published by the journal The Lancet and concurrently presented at the European Society […]
Young athletes with history of concussions may have more changes to their brains: Study
A recent study suggests athletes with a history of concussion may show more brain injury from a later concussion, particularly in middle regions of the brain that are more susceptible to damage, when compared to athletes with no history of concussion. The research was recently published in the online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American […]
Exercise reduces calories burned at rest in obese individuals
According to a new study by researchers, exercise reduces the number of calories burned at rest in people with obesity. The study, published in Current Biology, found that people who exercise burn fewer calories on body maintenance, therefore markedly reducing the calorie-burning gains of exercise. This reduction in energy burned at rest was most […]
Distress signal from fat cells prompts heart to shore up defences against consequences of obesity
A stress signal received by the heart from fat could help protect against cardiac damage induced by obesity, a new study led by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center researchers suggests. The finding, published online in Cell Metabolism, could help explain the “obesity paradox,” a phenomenon in which obese individuals have better short- and […]
Physical exercise modulates iron in Alzheimer’s disease: Study
A recent experimental study shows how regular physical exercise modulates iron metabolism in both the brain and the muscles. The findings also help to better understand the benefits of exercise in Alzheimer’s disease. The study was published in a special issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences entitled Redox-Active Metals in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Therapeutic Implications. […]
Antibody protects against broad range of Covid-19 virus variants, study finds
The virus that causes COVID-19 today is not the same as the one that made people fall sick way back in December 2019. Many of the variants circulating now are partially resistant to some of the antibody-based therapeutics that were developed based on the original virus. As the pandemic continues, more variants inevitably will arise, and […]
Findings help explain why vaccinated people at low risk during delta surge
Despite causing a surge in infections this summer that has resulted in thousands of hospitalizations and deaths, the delta variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 is not particularly good at evading antibodies generated by vaccination, according to a study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The findings, published in the journal […]
New biomarkers may detect early eye changes that can lead to diabetes-related blindness
New biomarkers found in the eyes could unlock the key to helping manage diabetic retinopathy, and perhaps even diabetes, according to new research conducted at the Indiana University School of Optometry. The study was published in the journal ‘PLOS One’. During its early stages, diabetes can affect the eyes before the changes are detectable with a regular […]
People with stroke who walk 30 minutes per day may have lower death risk
A new study has shown that people who walk at least three to four hours per week, or bike at least two to three hours per week, or the equivalent after having a stroke may have a 54 percent lower risk of death from any cause. The findings of the […]
Castlight Health expands presence in India with new R&D Operations Center in Hyderabad
Castlight Health, Inc., a leader in healthcare navigation, today announced its plans to expand its Research & Development (R&D) operations in India through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Castlight India, located in Hyderabad. The new Castlight R&D center is expected to play a key role in helping the company stay on the cutting-edge of new technologies […]
Study: Cancer treatment outcomes can be accessed by studying DNA tags
Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers found that studying tags, or modifications to cell-free DNA (cfDNA), may lead to a better understanding of how to assess, and possibly modulate, treatment approaches for cancer and other diseases. Their perspective, drawn from a review of studies to date, appears July 27 in Frontiers in Genetics. […]
Covid-19 infections rise, Delta variant spreads to 132 countries: WHO
The global number of new COVID-19 cases reported last week (19-25 July) was over 3.8 million, an 8 percent increase as compared to the previous week, the UN health agency reported on Wednesday. The latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO) showed a “substantial” uptick in the Americas and […]
Study suggests excess coffee consumption could increase risk of dementia
It’s a favourite first-order for the day, but while a quick coffee may perk us up, new research from the University of South Australia showed that too much could be dragging us down, especially when it comes to brain health. In the largest study of its kind, researchers have found that high coffee […]