Brain plaques believed to contribute to Alzheimer’s disease melt away in mice when robbed of a key enzyme, researchers report. And the rodents’ intellectual function actually improved as their amyloid plaques dissolved from lack of beta-secretase (BACE1), an enzyme critical in the formation of the plaques, said senior researcher Riqiang Yan. He is vice chair… read on >
Lack of sleep is an often overlooked risk factor for type 2 diabetes, the National Sleep Foundation says. Chronic sleep deprivation leads to less insulin production and increased production of stress hormones, the foundation says. Over time, too much glucose stays in the bloodstream and increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Getting insufficient… read on >
The scale can be your best friend — or your worst enemy — when you’re on a diet. But whether or not you like what you see, a scale isn’t the only — or the best — way to track your progress. Rather than looking for a particular number on a scale, measure success in… read on >
Kidney stones are becoming more common, especially in women, new research has found. Better diagnostic tools could be part of the reason for the steady rise in diagnoses, according to Mayo Clinic researchers. By using CT scans, “we are now diagnosing symptomatic kidney stones that previously would have gone undiagnosed because they would not have… read on >
Instead of gulping your food, try eating more slowly. It may help you drop those unwanted pounds, a new study by Japanese researchers suggests. Also helpful: Avoiding after-dinner snacks and eating anything in the two hours before you go to bed, the researchers said. The study linked those simple changes to a smaller waist, and… read on >
About one in four women dies of heart disease in the United States, making it the most common cause of death among women. Some risk factors cannot be controlled, such as gender, race or age. Other factors involve your lifestyle. The U.S. Office on Women’s Health provides examples: Smoking — If you smoke, quit immediately.… read on >
To prepare for a visit with your surgeon before an operation, it helps to have a list of questions and concerns ready. The U.S. National Institute on Aging suggests what to ask: What is the success rate of the operation? How many of these operations have you done successfully? What problems may occur with this… read on >
Devices that send electrical pulses to the brain — in the comfort of your own home — are a treatment option for depression and certain other conditions. But a new research review finds little evidence they work. The therapy — known as cranial electrical stimulation (CES) — involves a handheld device that delivers low-intensity electrical… read on >
A variety of emotions can arise when kids go off to college and start on their adult life. Research done at the University of Kansas shows that being able to communicate through texting and other channels can help you feel more connected and have a more satisfying relationship with your grown kids. Gone are the… read on >
If you were born with a heart defect, you might have to worry more about developing dementia as you age, a new study suggests. Researchers analyzed the medical records of more than 10,600 people in Denmark born with a heart defect between 1890 and 1982. Compared with the general population, adults born with heart defects… read on >
