A technique that uses imaging technology as a guide can make radiation therapy safer for patients undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, a new research review finds. The technology enables clinicians to accurately aim the radiation beams at the prostate, while avoiding bladder, urethra and rectal tissue. This, in turn, reduces short-term side effects for patients,…  read on >  read on >

Many people turn to probiotics for their digestive woes, but a preliminary study suggests that what’s good for gut may also be good for the aging brain. The study involved older adults with mild cognitive impairment, where memory and other thinking skills are starting to slide but people can still carry out their daily tasks.…  read on >  read on >

Breakthrough new drugs that clear amyloid beta plaques from the brain are shaking up the field of Alzheimer’s disease research. The fact that patients’ mental deterioration slows when they’re on anti-amyloid drugs is solid proof that abnormal amyloid proteins are one of the culprits behind Alzheimer’s, essentially ending decades of debate over the so-called “amyloid…  read on >  read on >

People looking to stay mentally sharp as they age might want to swap out margarine for olive oil, a preliminary study suggests. The study, of more than 90,000 U.S. health professionals, found that olive oil lovers were less likely to die of dementia over the next three decades. Compared with their counterparts who rarely used…  read on >  read on >

People taking antiretroviral therapy to treat HIV who have low but detectable virus levels have almost zero risk of transmitting the virus to others, according to a new research review. Researchers looked at eight studies of more than 7,700 couples in which one person was HIV positive and the other was not. The studies were…  read on >  read on >

It’s hot out there. If you’re working out outdoors this summer, take precautions. “If you plan to exercise in the heat, know your fitness level, take frequent breaks, wear proper clothing, wear sunscreen, avoid hottest times of the day and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate,” said Melanie McNeal, physical and occupational therapy manager in the Joseph Barnhart…  read on >  read on >

Aspirin, naproxen and other common pain medications known as NSAIDs worsen gastrointestinal infections caused by a bacterium known as Clostridioides difficile (C. diff), new research shows. NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are widely used to ease pain and inflammation. In a new study using mice, researchers set out to find why they exacerbate C. diff, the…  read on >  read on >

Competitive sports can be a lot of fun for kids and teens, but starting a new season requires some planning. Nemours TeensHealth offers some suggestions for kids and teens who are taking up a new sport or beginning a new season. Start by getting into shape. That will make it easier when you begin your…  read on >  read on >