Alternatives to weekly injections of weight-loss drugs may on the way. A monthly dose of a new drug called MariTide helped participants in a phase 2 clinical trial shed about 20% of their body weight over a year, researchers reported Monday in The New England Journal of Medicine. Made by Amgen, MariTide was among several…  read on >  read on >

People living with an autoimmune disease are nearly twice as likely to suffer from mood problems like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder, a new large-scale study says. The risk of mood disorders is 87% to 97% higher in people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, lupus, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis and Graves’ syndrome, researchers reported…  read on >  read on >

If spending time around dogs or cats makes your eyes water, your nose run, your skin itch or your breathing difficult, you’re not alone. Pet allergies — allergic reactions to proteins found in an animal’s skin cells, saliva or urine — affect 10% to 20% of people worldwide, and exposure isn’t limited to pet owners.…  read on >  read on >

Ancient Chinese medicine techniques could prove extremely helpful in modern fertility treatment, a new study says. Acupuncture significantly relieved stress and pain in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), researchers report. “Our study demonstrates that acupuncture and whole-systems TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) can serve as a valuable tool to decrease pain, stress and anxiety –…  read on >  read on >

Heading the ball can be a dramatic, game-changing play during a soccer match. Unfortunately, soccer players pay a price every time they make this move, a new study argues. Bouncing a soccer ball off your head disrupts a person’s brain even if it doesn’t result in a concussion, researchers reported June 18 in Sports Medicine-Open.…  read on >  read on >

Dozens of people in northeastern England have developed a rare and dangerous illness after receiving Botox injections, according to health officials in the U.K. At least 28 people have reported symptoms of botulism, a potentially deadly illness that attacks the nervous system, after undergoing cosmetic procedures, the U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on June…  read on >  read on >

Virtual reality (VR) training might help stroke survivors regain their arm movement, a new evidence review says. The results indicate that VR could be a promising tool to boost rehab efforts, mainly by increasing the amount of therapy patients receive, researchers said. “Spending more time in therapy is known to improve outcomes after stroke,” lead…  read on >  read on >

Weed is associated with a doubled risk of death from heart disease, a new evidence review shows.  The study also found that marijuana use is linked to an increased risk of stroke and heart attack, according to results published June 17 in the journal Heart. “Our findings are consistent with those from previous reviews, which…  read on >  read on >