Dialysis, Diet, Heart and Circulatory System, Nutrition

New Study Links Millions of Diabetes and Heart Disease Cases Globally to Sugary Drinks

A new study estimates that sugar-sweetened beverages contribute to 2.2 million new diabetes cases and 1.2 million new cardiovascular disease cases annually. The impact is particularly severe in developing countries, where sugary drinks are heavily marketed and contribute to a significant portion of new diabetes and heart disease cases. The study’s authors call for urgent interventions, including public health campaigns, advertising regulation, and taxes on sugary beverages.

Food-borne Illness, Prevention

New year, new norovirus outbreaks: Let’s add ‘hand washing’ to the resolution list!

Norovirus, a highly contagious virus causing vomiting and diarrhea, is prevalent during the winter months. Symptoms typically last 1-3 days and include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. Prevention involves frequent handwashing, especially after contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces, and proper cleaning and disinfection of affected areas.

Coronavirus, COVID, Ethics, Research

Mixed Lessons from Intentionally Infecting People with Covid-19

The idea sounded counterintuitive, but by carefully dosing individuals with SARS-CoV-2 in a controlled setting, scientists could study how the virus affects the body and learn what factors may offer protective benefits.

These types of studies, called human challenge trials, could help fast-track understanding the deadly virus devastating the world, experts claimed. Others, though, questioned whether the potential benefits were worth the risk, particularly given the host of unknowns surrounding Covid-19, and the lack of available treatments at the time.

The claymation-style illustration of a middle-aged man and woman taking a brisk walk in the evening along a tree-lined path has been created. The couple appears active and relaxed in the serene evening setting. The soft glow of streetlamps enhances the autumnal ambiance.
Health News

Just two hours of exercise a week can bring you huge cardiovascular health benefits

A sedentary person who goes from doing nothing to exercising a couple of hours a week will see the greatest reductions in cardiovascular risk during this period. If they increase the amount they exercise to four hours a week, there would be additional – albeit smaller – reductions in risk (around 10%). But the benefits to cardiovascular health appear to max out after 4-6 hours a week – with no additional gains beyond this point for everyone.

A shot into a cup filled containing blue fentanyl-laced pills.
Addiction, Drugs, Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, Opioids

Stimulant Users Are Caught in Fatal ‘Fourth Wave’ of Opioid Epidemic

The first wave of the long-running and devastating opioid epidemic began in the United States with the abuse of prescription painkillers in the early 2000s. The second wave involved an increase in heroin use, starting around 2010. The third wave began when powerful synthetic opioids such as fentanyl started appearing in the supply around 2015. Now experts are observing a fourth phase of the deadly epidemic.

Drugs, Mental Health, Research

Hallucinogens approved for treating psychiatric disorders: what does the science say?

Hallucinogens are now being presented as a breakthrough in the treatment of severe psychiatric disorders, such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder, sometimes in combination with psychotherapy).

Despite being presented as innovations, the therapeutic potential of psychedelics is not a new discovery. In the 1960s and 70s, these substances were explored for medical use but quickly fell out of favour due to regulatory restrictions.

Now, in 2024, the question remains: Are psychedelics genuinely effective for treating psychiatric disorders?

Health News

Most adults will gain a pound this year – and every year. Here’s how to stop ‘weight creep’ Nick Fuller, University of Sydney As we enter a new year armed with resolutions to improve our lives, there’s a good chance we’ll…

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Aging, Brain and Nervous System, Dementia

A mouse study by researchers from the Allen Institute in Seattle provides roadmap for how aging may alter brain cell genetic activity.

Pregnancy, Rural Health, Rural Hospitals, Women's Health

For Many Rural Women, Finding Maternity Care Outweighs Concerns About Abortion Access

A study that examined nearly 5,000 acute care hospitals found that by 2022, 52% of rural hospitals lacked obstetrics care after more than a decade of unit closures. The health implications of those closures for young women, the population most likely to need pregnancy care, and their babies can be significant. Research has shown that added distance between a patient and obstetric care increases the likelihood the baby will be admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU.