Scientists have discovered new compounds that may explain whole grain health benefits, reports a new study led by the University of Eastern Finland. A high intake of whole grains increased the levels of betaine compounds in the body which, in turn, was associated with improved glucose metabolism, among other things. The findings shed new light...
Post
What’s one of the most Googled medical issues? It’s dark, and it’s green, officials say
A recent study revealed what medical symptoms were the most commonly searched on Google, state by state across the U.S. People turned to the search engine for a variety of health-related questions and concerns. Although many of the searches were for common symptoms, that was not the case in South Carolina. The symptom Palmetto State...
Post
Nursing homes increasingly pushing patients into rehab at end-of-life
A new study reveals a growing trend of potentially unnecessary—and harmful— high-intensity rehabilitation services for residents of nursing homes. The study finds that this trend, which may be driven by a desire to maximize reimbursement rates, is on the rise for patients in the last 30 days of life, indicating that these services may be...
Post
Have asthma and a pet? Re-homing your cat or dog may not be necessary
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CHEST PHYSICIANS A study from the Nationwide Children’s Hospital analyzed environmental exposures, like a pet and secondhand smoke, to determine if they have a role in asthma control among children whose asthma is managed per NAEPP (EPR-3) guidelines. Researchers found that once asthma guidelines are followed, environmental exposures to pets or secondhand...
Post
Tarragon supplements may make healthy women gain weight
Pennington Biomedical study indicates plant extracts’ benefits may be sex-dependent Russian tarragon and bitter melon supplements may be less helpful for women than men when it comes to combating metabolic syndrome, whose symptoms include high blood sugar, high blood pressure and excess fat around the waist. IMAGE: CO-DIRECTOR OF LSU’S PENNINGTON BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH CENTER’S BOTANICAL DIETARY...
Post
Diabetes: Fridge temperature may make insulin less effective
New research that set out to analyze the temperatures at which people living with diabetes store their insulin is now warning against the perils of improper storage for the quality and effectiveness of the hormone. Storage temperatures may affect the quality of the insulin. More than 30 million people in the United States are currently living with diabetes....
Post
New test detects tell-tale danger signs in spinal fluid
Rare cells resembling those previously thought to exist only in the brain have been discovered in the spinal fluid of HIV patients by using a sensitive new genetic test that could provide insights into a host of neurological diseases. Microglia in the hippocampus. Credit: stock.adobe.com In many infected adults, HIV affects the central nervous system and...
Post
Deciphering how memory works in the brain – at the level of individual cells
Say you meet an old friend at the train station. She is standing about a meter ahead of you, and on the tracks to your right a train has just pulled into the station. Behind your friend, you see a bakery. We often remember such scenes in vivid detail. But exactly how we do that...
Post
Overwhelming evidence shows hepatitis C treatment effective for people who inject drugs
Researchers are calling on an end to discriminatory health and illicit drugs policies, based on overwhelming evidence that new hepatitis C therapies are effective at curing the virus in people who inject drugs. Electron micrographs of hepatitis C virus purified from cell culture. Scale bar is 50 nanometers. Credit: Center for the Study of Hepatitis...
Post
Allopurinol dose escalation for gout doesn’t improve mortality
(HealthDay)—Allopurinol dose escalation is not associated with reductions in mortality risk among patients with gout, according to a study published in the August issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology. Brian W. Coburn, Ph.D., from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, and colleagues assessed whether allopurinol dose escalation is associated with cause-specific mortality in patients with...