Living in a walkable neighborhood fosters socialization and helps create a strong sense of community, new research shows. Among the active behaviors these walkable neighborhoods promote are walking for leisure or as transportation to school, work shopping or home. “Our built environments create or deny long-lasting opportunities for socialization, physical activity, contact with nature and… read on > read on >
Space travel appears to weaken astronauts’ immune systems, and researchers believe changes in gene expression are the culprit. These immune deficits aren’t permanent. They disappear when back on Earth, often within weeks, according to new research published June 22 in Frontiers in Immunology. “Here we show that the expression of many genes related to immune… read on > read on >
Screening newborns for severe combined immunodeficiency — SCID, sometimes referred to as “bubble boy disease” — significantly increases survival rates, researchers say. Infants with SCID appear healthy at birth, but have no immune defenses, making them highly susceptible to severe and often fatal infections. The 1976 TV movie “The Boy in the Plastic Bubble” promoted… read on > read on >
“Oh, my aching back!” Everyone has uttered these words at some point, in response to the sharp, sudden pain that comes with back spasms. This article will explore the causes of back spasms, their symptoms and, most importantly, effective treatments. Whether you’re experiencing your first spasm or seeking ways to prevent future episodes, understanding the… read on > read on >
Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating diagnosis, and if a close relative has had it you may worry whether you will be next. According to the National Institutes of Health, it is estimated that over 6 million Americans over 65 suffer from Alzheimer’s. Since this is primarily a disease that comes with age, those numbers are… read on > read on >
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday approved two drugs that have been used in adults with type 2 diabetes for years for use in children aged 10 and up. The approvals of Jardiance (empagliflozin) and Synjardy (empagliflozin and metformin hydrochloride) provide a new class of medications for pediatric type 2 diabetes. They join… read on > read on >
An Arkansas law banning gender transition care for minors, which has been on pause since 2021, was struck down on Tuesday after a U.S. federal judge ruled that it discriminated against transgender people. The ruling applies only in Arkansas, but it is the first of what legal scholars expect will be addressed in courts nationwide… read on > read on >
Could an electrical zap to the brain limit the damage a stroke inflicts? Yes, claims a small new study that found this noninvasive procedure increased blood flow to the areas around the clot that caused the stroke, thus protecting them from further damage. “This treatment can be efficiently applied in the emergency setting. It was… read on > read on >
While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are medications that can help ease symptoms and slow the progression of this devastating disease. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, affecting over 5.8 million Americans, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Typically affecting older individuals, it begins with mild… read on > read on >
When people think about Alzheimer’s disease, they usually associate it with seniors who have had a long and fulfilling life. Sadly, two rare conditions that imitate the symptoms of Alzheimer’s strike infants and children. Two of these disorders, Niemann-Pick Disease Type C (NPC) and Sanfilippo syndrome, will be discussed here. Here is everything you need… read on > read on >
