THURSDAY, June 22, 2023 (American Heart Association News) — Seeing Shelby Lombardo’s white blood cell counts periodically spike, her pediatrician thought the then-4-year-old had leukemia. But a test for the disease came back negative. Other doctors didn’t know what was wrong with Lombardo. So, they sent her home with antibiotics without a definitive diagnosis. Lombardo’s…  read on >  read on >

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have long-term effects, much like a chronic condition, a new study says. Looking at hundreds of patients, researchers found that problems related to traumatic brain injuries can last for years, with people improving and declining at different time points. These problems encompassed memory, thinking and everyday functioning. “TBI is…  read on >  read on >

Consuming omega-3 fatty acids like flaxseed oil and walnuts may help slow the decline in physical function related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), new research suggests. ALS (formerly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. People with ALS lose the ability to…  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 >

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 >

“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 >

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 >