by Wiley Electron micrograph of a negatively stained human papilloma virus (HPV) which occurs in human warts. Credit: public domain New evidence published in the Cochrane Library today provides further information on the benefits and harms of different human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines and vaccine schedules in young women and men. HPV is the most common viral infection of...
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Fighting opioids with an unlikely supplemental painkiller: Anti-itch medicine
by West Virginia University Shane Kaski, a graduate student in the WVU School of Medicine’s M.D./Ph.D. program, researches the pain-relieving effects of morphine given in combination with nalfurafine, a newer opioid that interacts with nerve cells in a distinct way. His preclinical study showed that–in animal models–a nalfurafine/morphine combination alleviated pain more effectively than either drug...
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Do Serotonin and Antidepressants Affect the Microbiome?
By Dr. Sanchari Sinha Dutta, Ph.D.Reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Logan, MD, MPH The gut microbiota is a collection of about 100 trillion bacteria and other microbes that reside in the intestine of the human body. Studies indicate that the gut microbiota can be significantly affected by antidepressants that target a neurotransmitter called serotonin. Image Credit: Yuliya Apanasenko...
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Virtual reality would make attending therapy easier for stroke survivors
by Matt Shipman, North Carolina State University Credit: jeanbaptisteparis. Shared under a Creative Commons license. Researchers have created a virtual reality clinic to make it easier for stroke survivors to attend their physical and occupational therapy sessions. Results from a proof-of-concept study suggest that the technology—and the social connection it facilitates—are effective at encouraging therapy participation. “Physical and occupational...
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13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine no longer routinely recommended for adults 65 and older
The 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) is no longer recommended for routine use among adults aged ≥65 years, according to research published in the Nov. 22 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Almea Matanock, M.D., from the CDC in Atlanta, and colleagues reviewed evidence accrued during the...
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A short, shaky history of curing with vibrations
by Philippa Martyr, The Conversation Vibration devices have been used to treat everything from ‘hysteria’ to hair loss. So Marie Kondo’s tuning forks and crystals are nothing new. Credit: www.shutterstock.com You might remember how Gwyneth Paltrow’s health and well-being website Goop was selling “medical” products with no proven measurable health benefits. Decluttering expert Marie Kondo may be going down...
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Paging Dr. Robot: Artificial intelligence moves into care
by Tom Murphy In this file photo from May 2, 2019, Cadet Cheyenne Quilter works with a virtual reality character named “Ellie” at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. Artificial intelligence is spreading into health care, often as software or a computer program capable of learning from large amounts of data and making...
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For Your Heart, Eat Fish Or Take Pills? A Dose Of This Drug Equals 8 Salmon Servings
In November, an FDA panel recommended broader use of the prescription-strength fish oil drug Vascepa to prevent heart attack, stroke and other life-threatening health problems.Amarin/AP It’s long been known that eating fish, especially cold-water fish such as salmon that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, is good for heart health. But, for the millions of Americans...
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With the help of ketamine, researchers rewrite memories in a bid to curb harmful drinking
By MEGAN THIELKING @meggophone JUSTIN SULLIVAN/GETTY IMAGES Our memories are immensely powerful. For a person with alcohol use disorder, a memory triggered by a simple cue — like walking by a favorite bar or spotting a beer billboard — can drive a desire for a drink. But they’re also surprisingly pliable. And scientists are trying to curb...
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Living in an area with strong air pollution increases the risk of glaucoma
More and more people choose to live in cities. They are looking for more opportunity, bigger salaries and a different standard of living. However, they are putting themselves in harms way of pollution. A new UCL-led study revealed that people who live in areas with greater air pollution are at greater risk of developing glaucoma....