Recent media reports have suggested a rise in a dangerous new party drug known as “monkey dust”. This is a slang name for the drug MDPV (3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone), as well as other members of the chemical class known as “synthetic cathinones”, or “bath salts”. The effects of monkey dust are similar to other stimulants such as...
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Everything you need to know about basophils
Basophils are white blood cells from the bone marrow that play a role in keeping the immune system functioning correctly. Doctors may order basophil level tests to help diagnose certain health problems. If basophil levels are low, this may be a sign of an allergic reaction or another condition. High basophil levels may indicate an...
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What is an alanine aminotransferase (ALT) blood test?
The liver makes several enzymes, including alanine aminotransferase, or ALT. These enzymes help break down proteins so that the body can digest them. Besides helping the liver break down proteins, ALT helps the liver perform its basic functions. Some of these include: filtering toxins from the blood storing nutrients and iron producing bile, which aids digestion Most ALT that the liver produces stays...
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How to relieve nerve pain in MS
Multiple sclerosis causes many symptoms, including loss of mobility, fatigue, and pain. There are, however, lots of prescribed and natural remedies that can help lessen the impact of the pain. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often disabling condition that affects the central nervous system. There, it interrupts the flow of neurological signals between the...
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How to prevent psoriasis flares
Psoriasis is a long-term autoimmune skin condition. There is no cure, but people can use medical treatments, home remedies, and lifestyle changes to prevent psoriasis flares and reduce their severity. Psoriasis prevention requires people with this condition to take prescription medication or to identify and avoid any psoriasis triggers. The best treatment option may vary...
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What to know about lichen planus and psoriasis
Lichen planus and psoriasis are common skin conditions that can cause similar symptoms. Because of this, people may confuse the two. Both lichen planus and psoriasis can cause patches of scaly bumps or rashes on the skin. A doctor can usually tell the conditions apart with a physical exam, though they may need further tests...
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What to know about psoriasis and tinea versicolor
A type of psoriasis called guttate psoriasis and tinea versicolor can look very similar. However, they have very different causes and treatments. Both guttate psoriasis and tinea versicolor cause a rash of small, red spots, which is why some people may confuse the two conditions. This article looks at psoriasis and tinea versicolor, exploring the risk factors, treatments, prevention, and other similar conditions. What are psoriasis and tinea versicolor? Psoriasis is a chronic health condition, while tinea versicolor is...
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A new database pools what scientists know about the BRCA genes
A sweeping new resource gives researchers a chance to comb through data on thousands of variants in two genes — BRCA1 and BRCA2 — to understand how they shape cancer risk. The database, dubbed the BRCA Exchange, is the product of a five-year project funded by the National Cancer Institute. Some variants in the BRCA...
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Finger joint enlargements may be linked to knee osteoarthritis
Heberden’s nodes (HNs) are bony enlargements of the finger joints that are readily detectable in a routine physical exam and are considered hallmarks of osteoarthritis. A new Arthritis & Rheumatology study found that the presence of HNs may also indicate structural damage associated with knee osteoarthritis. In the study of 395 patients with HN and...
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First-in-class DNA-encoded monoclonal antibody therapy rapidly advances into the clinic
The Wistar Institute, along with partners Penn Medicine and Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., announce that the FDA has approved the initiation of a first-in-human clinical trial investigating the safety and tolerability of a novel synthetic DNA-encoded monoclonal antibody (DMAb) therapeutic technology for the prevention of Zika virus infection. DMAb therapeutic technology is unlike all known conventional...