Researchers have conclusively identified the genetic cause of a rare, progressive movement disorder. A rare extra-long version of a gene appears to cause nerve cells to become poisoned by toxic proteins in people with spinocerebellar ataxia 4 (SCA4), researchers report. SCA4 causes muscle weakness and difficulty coordinating body movement, most notably resulting in a jerky… read on > read on >
Current and former smokers might lower their risk for emphysema if they adopt a highly nutritional plant-based diet, a new study shows. People with a history of smoking who adopted a plant-based diet had a 56% lower risk of developing emphysema, compared to those who ate more meat, researchers report. Further, the more veggies and… read on > read on >
Each year, thousands of Americans head home after a surgery clutching prescription opioids to help ease post-surgical pain. Trouble is, most won’t use all those pills, and that could lead to a lot of misuse and addiction, one study found. And with National Prescription Drug Take Back Day slated for Saturday, it’s time yet again… read on > read on >
Cancer survivors in the throes of loneliness are more likely to die compared to those with companionship, a new study finds. Further, people who are the most lonely are the most likely to die, results show. “Loneliness, the feeling of being isolated, is a prevalent concern among cancer survivors,” said lead researcher Jingxuan Zhao, a… read on > read on >
The emotional turmoil caused by a stolen dog is akin to that of a parent losing a child, a new study finds. The findings support the idea that pets truly become family members to their owners, researchers said. When faced with the theft of a pet, owners tend to feel a similar sense of powerlessness,… read on > read on >
Better heart health can lead to a sharper mind for middle-aged Black women, a new study says. Black women with worse heart health experienced a 10% decrease in their ability to think on their feet over two decades, researchers found. On the other hand, Black women with good heart health showed little decline in their… read on > read on >
Advanced scanning techniques can find hidden inflammation in the brains of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, a new study shows. This “smoldering” inflammation detected by positron emission tomography (PET) brain scans could help explain why patients continue to decline even though imaging shows no brain changes, researchers reported recently in the journal Clinical Nuclear Medicine. “One… read on > read on >
Most seniors probably view any emergency surgery with a certain level of anxiety. Now, a new study seeks to sort out who might be at highest risk for a complication from such surgeries — and which surgeries are more prone to trouble. Two key factors emerged: How frail any patient over 65 was prior to… read on > read on >
Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) is a leading cause of illness and death, especially for frail and hospitalized Americans. Now, a new study suggests that the leading antibiotic used to fight it, vancomycin, may be losing potency against this killer. “It’s an alarming development in the field of C. diff, as there are only two recommended… read on > read on >
As many patients already know, urinary tract infections (UTIs) can recur despite the use of antibiotics. So, it’s welcome news that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved Pivya (pivmecillinam) to fight bacterial UTIs. “UTIs are a very common condition impacting women and one of the most frequent reasons for antibiotic use,” Dr.… read on > read on >
