Writing letters, taking classes and playing mentally stimulating games like chess in your older years could lower your risk of dementia over the next decade, a new study suggests. Researchers in Australia found that journaling, using a computer, taking education classes and other “literacy enrichment” activities might lessen the risk of developing dementia by 11%.… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
Gene-Editing Tools Pave Way for New Alzheimer’s Treatments
Two new studies using CRISPR gene editing offer potential new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. “A pipeline of potential new treatments offers hope for the Alzheimer’s and dementia community,” said Maria Carrillo, chief science officer for the Alzheimer’s Association. “The progress and approvals we’ve seen, as well as the diversification of potential new therapies over the… read on > read on >
Skin Lightening Products Carry Dangers, But Many Users Are Unaware of Risks: Study
Using skin lightening products can be dangerous without a doctor’s supervision because they may contain harmful ingredients. Still, nearly a quarter of people in a recent survey said they used the products not for a medical issue, but for overall skin lightening. It’s an issue that relates back to colorism, the system of inequality that… read on > read on >
Pets Don’t Help Those With Severe Mental Illness Fare Better
It’s commonly thought that having a companion animal — be it a dog, cat or bird — is good for the owner’s mental health. A new study suggests that’s not so, at least for people with severe mental illness and for pets that aren’t trained therapy animals. Pets may, however, be an important part of… read on > read on >
COVID Infection in Women Having Ovary Stimulation Lowered Chances for Pregnancy
Testing positive for a COVID-19 infection during a particular phase of fertility treatment could reduce the odds for a successful pregnancy, a new study says. That phase of treatment is called controlled ovarian stimulation — a technique used to induce ovulation during in vitro fertilization (IVF). Researchers led by Fen Tian, of Central South University… read on > read on >
AHA News: Loss of Executive Function With Aging Can Make Learning New Skills Hard
FRIDAY, July 14, 2023 (American Heart Association News) — Technology is designed to make life easier and more efficient. People can autopay their bills, order food and download movies right on their phones or tablets. They can even ask a virtual assistant to do it all for them. But performing these daily tasks requires continuous… read on > read on >
WHO Agency Declares Aspartame a Possible Carcinogen
In findings that are likely to fuel the debate over the safety of aspartame, one World Health Organization (WHO) agency announced Thursday that the artificial sweetener is a possible carcinogen while another stood firm in saying that aspartame is safe in recommended doses. “Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally. Every year,… read on > read on >
Could the Bacteria in Your Gut Play a Part in How Clogged Your Arteries Are?
Your gut bacteria could affect your risk for the fatty deposits in heart arteries — and future heart attacks, researchers say. A new study finds a link between the levels of certain microbes in the gut and these coronary atherosclerotic plaques. Led by researchers from Uppsala and Lund Universities in Sweden, the study analyzed gut… read on > read on >
Ticks May Be Spreading ‘Wasting Disease’ Among Wisconsin Deer
Ticks may be responsible for the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Wisconsin’s deer population, according to a new study. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have found that ticks can harbor transmissible amounts of the protein particle that causes CWD, a fatal neurological disease seen in deer, elk and moose. The pathogen, prion,… read on > read on >
Glaucoma: Spotting It Early Is Crucial
Treatment can control the symptoms of the most common type of glaucoma and save someone’s vision. The catch is that a person can’t feel the changes in eye pressure that can damage vision, so they often won’t know they even have it before it’s too late. That is, unless they’ve been seeing an eye doctor… read on > read on >