by Reuters Nov 30 (Reuters) – The following is a roundup of some of the latest scientific studies on the novel coronavirus and efforts to find treatments and vaccines for COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus. Immune system responds strongly in asymptomatic COVID-19 Asymptomatic people infected with COVID-19 are mounting robust immune responses that...
Month: <span>December 2020</span>
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Post-COVID pain or weakness? Request an ultrasound or MRI
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY IMAGE: AN MR IMAGE OF A PATIENT IN THEIR EARLY 20S SHOWS NERVE INJURY OF THE LEFT BRACHIAL PLEXUS IN THE NECK. THE PATIENT EXPERIENCED LEFT ARM WEAKNESS AND PAIN AFTER RECOVERING FROM COVID-19 RESPIROTORY ILLNESS, WHICH PROMTED THEM TO SEE THEIR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN. CREDIT: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY CHICAGO — After recovering from...
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‘Financial toxicity’ of prostate cancer treatment: Radiation therapy has the greatest impact on patient finances
WOLTERS KLUWER HEALTH November 30, 2020 – For men with early-stage prostate cancer, choices about initial treatment carry varying risks of “financial toxicity,” reports a study in The Journal of Urology®, Official Journal of the American Urological Association (AUA). The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer. The cost of cancer care can be high and the...
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Higher Dose ‘Z-Drugs’ Tied to Serious Risks in Dementia Patients
Megan Brooks November 25, 2020 Fractures, falls, and stroke are all risks for patients with dementia who take higher dose “Z-drugs,” including zopiclone, zaleplon, and zolpidem for sleep disturbances, results of a large observational study show. The risks with higher doses of Z-drugs were similar or greater in magnitude than those for higher dose benzodiazepines. Dr Chris Fox Z-drugs “should...
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Meningococcus B vaccine prevents disease with 79 per cent effectiveness in under 18s
Posted Today Meningococcus group B, the most prevalent strain of the meningococcal infection, is prevented with 79 per cent effectiveness in children and young adults inoculated with the 4CMenB vaccine, also known as Bexsero, according to a new collaborative study from researchers in Portugal and the UK and led by the University of Bristol which evaluated...
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How a Vibrating Smartwatch Could Be Used to Stop Nightmares
The FDA has given NightWare clearance to market a “digital therapeutic” device that uses an Apple Watch to interrupt PTSD-related nightmares. COURTESY OF NIGHTWARE EVERY NIGHT, PATRICK Skluzacek woke with his heart pounding and his T-shirt drenched with sweat. The details of his nightmares often slipped away when he snapped his eyes open, but he knew...
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Higher Levothyroxine Doses Linked to Increased AF Risk in Older Patients
Cassandra Pardini, PharmD After adjusting for covariates, high cumulative levothyroxine exposure significantly increased the risk of atrial fibrillation. Older adults taking levothyroxine at higher doses may be at an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF) compared to patients taking lower doses, according to the findings of a population-based observational study. To evaluate the association...
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Smiling sincerely or grimacing can significantly reduce the pain of needle injection
by University of California, Irvine Chopsticks were used in the study to help subjects hold one of four facial expressions: A. neutral, B. non-Duchenne smile, C. Duchenne smile and D. grimace. Credit: Katherine V. Hammond / University of Oregon The coming of winter means cooler temperatures, shorter days and flu shots. While no one looks forward...
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Gastric bypass surgery leads to long-term diabetes remission
THE ENDOCRINE SOCIETY WASHINGTON–More than half of adults with type 2 diabetes had long-term remission following gastric bypass surgery, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Bariatric surgery helps people with severe obesity lose a lot of weight and improve their health. Two common types of bariatric surgery are lap band...
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Blackcurrants are favorable for glucose metabolism
UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN FINLAND IMAGE: A TASTY BLACKCURRANT SNACK WAS DEVELOPED IN THE PROJECT. CREDIT: RAIJA TORRONEN, UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN FINLAND Blackcurrants have a beneficial effect on post-meal glucose response, and the required portion size is much smaller than previously thought, a new study from the University of Eastern Finland shows. Blackcurrants have a beneficial...