A rare genetic mutation found in 1% of people of European descent appears to cut their odds for Parkinson’s disease in half, a new study finds. A better understanding of how this bit of DNA works might lead to better prevention and treatment of Parkinson’s generally, researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) said.… read on > read on >
Three twenty-somethings in Chicago took a street drug they thought was a harmless form of Xanax. All three were found collapsed and unresponsive eight hours later by one of their mothers, who had them rushed to the hospital. After multiple seizures, fever and heart damage, all three are thought to have recovered, but not before… read on > read on >
People who are early risers appear to be at greater risk of developing anorexia, a new study claims. This differs from other disorders like depression, binge eating and schizophrenia, all of which appear to be associated with folks being “night owls,” the researchers noted. “Our findings implicate anorexia nervosa as a morning disorder in contrast… read on > read on >
Researchers report that a new type of antibiotic has proved its mettle against a deadly superbug. Acinetobacter baumannii, a bacteria that goes by the nickname CRAB when it becomes antibiotic-resistant, can trigger serious infections in the lungs, urinary tract and blood, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unfortunately, it’s resistant to… read on > read on >
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating reports of additional dangers linked to several wildly popular weight-loss drugs. In a quarterly report issued this week, the agency said it is investigating cases of hair loss; aspiration (when food or other objects get into the airways); and suicidal ideation in people who used the medications. Some of… read on > read on >
An electrical zap to the brain can temporarily render a person more susceptible to hypnosis, a new study shows. Participants became more easily hypnotized after paddles placed against their scalp delivered two 46-second rounds of electrical pulses to a precise location in their brain, researchers reported Jan. 4 in the journal Nature Mental Health. This… read on > read on >
The fluid-filled spaces around the brain’s blood vessels need proper waste “clearance” every few hours. When that fails to happen, a baby’s risk for autism appears to rise, new research shows. It’s too early to say that trouble within these “perivascular” spaces causes autism, but it seems to be an early marker for the condition,… read on > read on >
Some people might be prone to low back pain because of specific cells contained in their spinal disks, a new study suggests. The research could explain why only certain people develop back pain due to the degeneration of their spinal discs, which are jelly-filled spacers that act as shock absorbers between the small bones of… read on > read on >
Golden news for a new year: Scientists now know why urine is yellow. It’s only taken 100 years, but researchers say they’ve pinpointed the enzyme in urine behind its buttery hue. “This enzyme discovery finally unravels the mystery behind urine’s yellow color,” said study lead author Brantley Hall. He’s an assistant professor in the University… read on > read on >
There are so many New Year’s resolutions from which to choose, but an important one could be to schedule a memory screening, experts say. Memory screenings consist of a series of questions that gauge memory and brain function, according to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA). These regular screenings are an important way to detect… read on > read on >
