Latino and Black family doctors are more likely to hang their shingle in their old neighborhood and care for the less fortunate, researchers report. The new findings, which also showed these doctors were more likely to take on Medicaid patients than white or Asian doctors, support previous studies that show minority doctors are more likely… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
Federal Assault Weapons Ban Could Have Stopped 38 Mass Shootings Since 2005
The Federal Assault Weapons Ban (FAWB) would have prevented as many as 38 mass shootings that have taken place since the law lapsed in 2005, a new study estimates. Enacted by Congress in 1994, the ban prohibited the sale and manufacture of certain military-style semiautomatic weapons in the United States – including notoriously deadly weapons… read on > read on >
Psilocybin May Curb Mental Illness That Leads to Eating Disorders
Psilocybin could help people suffering from a mental health problem that can lead to eating disorders, a new study suggests. Psilocybin, the active chemical in “magic” mushrooms, significantly reduced symptoms in people with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), researchers reported Sept. 24 in the journal Psychedelics. BDD causes an obsessive preoccupation with perceived flaws in one’s… read on > read on >
Many Former NFL Players Believe They Have CTE, Raising Suicide Risk
One in three former NFL players believe they have football-related brain damage that’s doing untold harm to their lives, a new study finds. Unfortunately, their fears might be harming their mental health on top of whatever risks they face from head injuries sustained during their careers, researchers report. About one-third of nearly 2,000 retired NFL… read on > read on >
Climate Change Could Triple U.S. Heat Deaths by Mid-Century
If global warming is left largely unchecked, the number of Americans who succumb to extreme heat will triple by mid-century, new projections estimate. These deaths could affect poor and minority Americans much more than the white and better-off, according to a team led by Dr. Sameed Khatana of the University of Pennsylvania. Rising temperatures will… read on > read on >
Psilocybin Equals or Exceeds SSRI Antidepressants at Easing Depression
Psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, appears to ease depression symptoms at least as well as one of the most commonly used antidepressants, a new clinical trial shows. Patients showed significant improvement in their depressive symptoms after taking either a single dose of psilocybin or a six-week course of the SSRI antidepressant escitalopram (Lexapro),… read on > read on >
Partner’s Adult ADHD Can Harm a Woman’s Mental Health
Having a husband or boyfriend with adult ADHD can harm a woman’s mental stability, a new study suggests. About 3 in 5 women (59%) with male partners with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) had symptoms of depression, a rate on par with caregivers who help loved ones deal with health problems like autism, heart rhythm disorders, Alzheimer’s… read on > read on >
Cataracts Gone Without Surgery? New Science Suggests It’s Possible
Research in rats and hibernating squirrels has pinpointed a naturally occurring protein that appears to reverse cataracts, scientists report. Animal studies don’t always pan out in people, of course. But the discovery of the RNF114 protein raises the possibility of surgery-free cataract removal, according to a team from the U.S. National Eye Institute (NEI). “Understanding… read on > read on >
Could Antidepressants Give Memory a Boost?
Antidepressants have the potential to improve memory and thinking skills, a new study suggests. Some patients experienced a boost on brain tests after taking the SSRI antidepressant escitalopram (Lexapro), researchers report. The drug appeared to affect a serotonin receptor in the brain called the 5HT4 receptor, according to results published recently in the journal Biological… read on > read on >
Diabetes Treatment Might Ease Gum Disease, Too
Diabetes can worsen the state of your gums, but a new study suggests that diabetes medications may undo some of that damage. Researchers in Japan found a positive turnaround in markers of gum well-being after people with diabetes received medication. “Promoting collaboration between medical and dental care from the early stages of diabetes can significantly… read on > read on >