A potential human-specific antidote to black widow spider venom has been discovered, researchers report. They have identified an antibody that effectively neutralizes black widow venom in lab tests of cell cultures, according to a study published June 12 in the journal Frontiers in Immunology. This antibody, or ones like it, could eventually replace the horse-derived… read on > read on >
Depression and memory declines may be closely linked in older people, new research suggests. “Our study shows that the relationship between depression and poor memory cuts both ways, with depressive symptoms preceding memory decline and memory decline linked to subsequent depressive symptoms,” said senior study author Dr. Dorina Cadar, of University College London. The study… read on > read on >
Older women with chronic kidney disease might wind up losing so many teeth they aren’t able to chew and talk effectively, a new study warns. Postmenopausal women with kidney disease are about 40% more likely to have fewer than 20 teeth, the minimum number needed to adequately chew and speak, researchers reported June 12 in… read on > read on >
Folks trying to control their blood sugar levels might do best to work out in the evening, a new study suggests. Exercise performed between 6 p.m. and midnight appeared to be better at controlling blood sugar levels all day long, according to results published June 10 in the journal Obesity. This was particularly true of… read on > read on >
Mankind is eyeing Mars as its next grand expedition, but the human body might not be capable of dealing with such a journey, a new study warns. It’s very likely that an astronaut’s kidneys could be permanently damaged by cosmic radiation during a years-long mission to Mars, researchers reported June 11 in the journal Nature… read on > read on >
It’s tempting to binge-watch TV, but yet another study finds that when it comes to healthy aging, the less time on your sofa, the better. The study looked at 20 years of data on more than 45,000 people taking part in the Nurses’ Health Study. All were at least age 50 in 1992 and free… read on > read on >
A test used to gauge whether a college athlete has suffered a concussion is right only half the time and may be useless, new research finds. The test used by the NCAA, which oversees college sports, measures an athlete’s cognitive skills, and is one of three tests (symptoms and balance tests being the other two)… read on > read on >
Many Louisiana residents are being exposed to a cancer-causing toxic gas that’s used in industrial settings, researchers report. A cutting-edge mobile air-testing lab found dangerous levels of ethylene oxide along large stretches of Louisiana, sometimes at levels a thousand times higher than what is considered safe, according to findings published June 11 in the journal… read on > read on >
Seafood lovers should steer clear of shellfish from Oregon and Washington state because of possible contamination with a paralyzing toxin, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned. In an advisory, the FDA told consumers to avoid oysters and bay clams harvested from Netarts and Tillamook bays in northern Oregon since May 28, as well… read on > read on >
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Monday that it has joined up with the Department of Justice and several other federal agencies to do more to stop the sale of illegal e-cigarettes in this country. In launching the newly created task force, the FDA aims “to coordinate and streamline efforts to bring all available… read on > read on >
