MARTIN-LUTHER-UNIVERSITÄT HALLE-WITTENBERG The movement disorder ADCY5-related dyskinesia can be treated with the asthma drug theophylline. This has been shown in a recent study by Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU), University Medicine Halle and University of Leipzig Medical Center. In the journal PLOS ONE, the researchers describe the case of a child with this disease whose symptoms improved...
Month: <span>March 2023</span>
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Alert banners dramatically increase prescribing rates of life-saving heart failure medication
by NYU Langone Health Credit: CC0 Public Domain An automated system that flags which patients could most benefit from an underused yet life-saving cardiology drug more than doubled new prescriptions, according to a pilot program test by researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. “Our findings suggest that tailored electronic notifications can boost the prescription...
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Imaging the adolescent heart provides ‘normal’ reference values for clinical practice
by Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.) Cardiac magnetic resonance images used to study distinct aspects of cardiac anatomy and function. (A and B) Atria. (B and C) Ventricles. (E and F) Cardiac tissue characterization. Credit: CNIC Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has allowed scientists at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) to...
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Variant-specific vaccines offer better protection against COVID, shows study
by University of New South Wales Getting boosted with any of the available vaccines will provide significant protection against COVID-19. Credit: Shutterstock Newer variant-specific bivalent vaccines offer on average 1.6 times better immunity against COVID-19 than the original, single-strain “ancestral” vaccines, new research by UNSW’s Kirby institute published today in Nature Medicine shows. “We’re in an incredible...
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Weight loss surgery showing promising results for type 2 diabetes
by Emma O’Connor, Griffith University Changes to body weight and body mass index following bariatric surgery. (A) Body weight and (B) BMI were measured prior to bariatric surgery and at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups and (C) the patient distribution across obesity classes was tracked throughout this period. Similarly, (D) the weight loss of...
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Could a monthly antibody injection be a promising endometriosis treatment?
tResearchers are testing an experimental injection for endometriosis in macaques. Image credit: Anna Efetova/Getty Images. Endometriosis affects around 10% of females of reproductive age worldwide. In people with endometriosis, tissue similar to the endometrium, or uterine lining, grows outside the uterus, causing severe period pain and heavy bleeding, and, in some, infertility. This tissue can form lesions, scar...
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Adding antipsychotic med to antidepressant may help older adults with treatment-resistant depression
by Jim Dryden, Washington University School of Medicine Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain For older adults with clinical depression that has not responded to standard treatments, adding the drug aripiprazole (brand name Abilify) to an antidepressant they’re already taking is more effective than switching from one antidepressant to another, according to a new multicenter study led by Washington...
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Detecting anemia earlier in children using a smartphone
by University College London Credit: Dr Christabel Enweronu-Laryea, University of Ghana. Researchers at UCL and University of Ghana have successfully predicted whether children have anemia using only a set of smartphone images. The study, published in PLOS ONE, brought together researchers and clinicians at UCL Engineering, UCLH and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana, to investigate a...
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Can’t take statins? New pill cuts cholesterol, heart attacks
by Lauran Neergaard This undated photo provided by Esperion Therapeutics Inc. shows the cholesterol-lowering drug Nexletol. In a major study released Saturday, March 4, 2023, Nexletol reduced the risk of heart attacks and other health problems in people who can’t take drugs called statins, the main cholesterol-lowering treatment. Credit: Esperion Therapeutics Inc. via AP, File...
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Regular Laxative Use Tied to Increased Dementia Risk
Megan Brooks February 24, 2023 Regular use of over-the-counter laxatives has been tied to a significantly increased risk of dementia, particularly among those who use multiple types of laxatives or osmotic laxatives. Among more than 500,000 middle-aged or older adults in the UK Biobank, those who reported regular laxative use had a 51% increased risk of dementia...