Our blogs explain health conditions and clinical research in a way that is easy to follow, so readers can feel more informed
Both Pain and Itching Blocked by One Molecule
An antibody that specifically blocks the NaV1.7 voltage-gated sodium channel and suppresses pain in mice has surprisingly been found to also suppress itching in mice, even though pain and itch sensations usually follow different paths. (Source: Seok-Yong Lee and Ben Chung,...
Genes Predict Alcoholism Risk at Indiana University
Alexander Niculescu, M.D., Ph.D. (Source: Indiana University) A group of 11 genes can successfully predict whether an individual is at increased risk of alcoholism, a research team from the United States and Germany reported. “This powerful panel of just 11 genes...
Cancer Drug Structure Discovered by Chemists
A new report shows the structure of a promising anticancer compound, TIC10, differs subtly but importantly from a previously published version. (Source: Scripps Research Institute)Chemists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have determined the correct structure of a highly promising anticancer...
Controversial “Right to Try” Bill signed by Colorado Governor
The “Right to Try” law allows terminally ill patients to obtain experimental drugs without getting federal approval. The bill doesn’t require drug companies to provide any drug outside federal parameters, and there’s no indication pharmaceutical companies will do so. (Source: AP...
New Molecule to Treat Asthma found by researchers
A new study carried out by researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham), the Max Planck Institute for Colloids and Interfaces (Germany), the Free University of Berlin (Germany), UC San Diego, and Shinshu University (Japan) has identified a novel molecule that...
Newly arrived virus in Caribbean gains strength
A recently arrived mosquito-borne virus that causes an abrupt onset of high fever and intense joint pain is rapidly gaining a foothold in many spots of the Caribbean, health experts said Thursday. There are currently more than 4,000 confirmed cases of...
Accelerated Brain Aging Linked to Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes may be associated with brain degeneration, and some specific diabetic brain changes, according to a new multicenter study published online in the journal Radiology. The study also found that, contrary to common clinical belief, diabetes may not be...
New Gene Technology Has Therapeutic Implications
For thousands of years humans have been tinkering with plant genetics, even when they didn’t realize that is what they were doing, in an effort to make stronger, healthier crops that endured climates better, and produced more. Zachary Nimchuk, assistant professor...
Marijuana Use Linked to Brain Abnormalities
Young adults who used marijuana only recreationally showed significant abnormalities in two key brain regions that are important in emotion and motivation, scientists report. The study was a collaboration between Northwestern Medicine and Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. This is the...
Potential Link between Brain Development and Breast Cancer Gene
Scientists at the Salk Institute have uncovered details into a surprising—and crucial—link between BRCA1 brain development and a gene whose mutation is tied to breast and ovarian cancer. Aside from better understanding neurological damage associated in a small percentage of people...
Green Tea Boosts Your Brain
Green tea is said to have many putative positive effects on health. Now, researchers at the University of Basel are reporting first evidence that green tea extract enhances cognitive functions, in particular the working memory. The Swiss findings suggest promising clinical...
Jamming a Protein Signal Forces Cancer Cells to Devour Themselves
Under stress from chemotherapy or radiation, some cancer cells dodge death by consuming a bit of themselves, allowing them to essentially sleep through treatment and later awaken as tougher, resistant disease. Interfering with a single cancer-promoting protein and its receptor can...