Type 2 diabetes is caused in part by the failure of pancreatic beta cells to respond as they should to blood sugar. Now, new research suggests that switching to a low-carbohydrate diet might correct that beta cell dysfunction, boosting patients’ health. “People with type 2 diabetes on a low-carbohydrate diet can recover their beta cells,…  read on >  read on >

Women fighting breast cancer can relieve some of their chemotherapy “brain fog” through aerobic exercise, a new clinical trial in Canada suggests. Breast cancer patients on chemo who participated in a regular aerobics class reported that they felt sharper and had better quality of life, researchers found. “Our findings strengthen the case for making exercise…  read on >  read on >

Some rectal cancer patients might be spared surgery and the lifelong need for a colostomy bag if they undergo MRI screening, a new study finds. The scans might accurately predict which patients have a higher odds for cancer recurrence and require surgery plus chemotherapy, and which can forgo surgery and opt for a “watch-and-wait” strategy…  read on >  read on >

Heart bypass operations have gotten safer, but not everyone is benefiting equally: New data shows that Black patients face a 22% higher odds of dying in the hospital after their surgeries. “We found Black patients who have coronary artery bypass surgery experience higher rates of severe postoperative complications, including death and cardiac arrest,” said study…  read on >  read on >

Cataract surgery could restore good vision to older people and by doing so cut their odds for potentially life-threatening falls, a new study finds. Folks who got the surgery had significantly lower odds for bone fractures and brain hemorrhages linked to falling compared to people with cataracts who didn’t get the operation, researchers report. The…  read on >  read on >

Experiments in sheep are hinting that doses of caffeine given to women in pregnancy, as well as their newborns after birth, could prevent cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a disabling condition often caused by asphyxia — reductions in oxygen supply — around the time of birth. Asphyxia can cause other neurodevelopmental disorders, as well. Researcher…  read on >  read on >