Dutch scientists report they have grown miniature tear glands that actually cry. They say these organoids — tiny 3D-structures that mimic the function of actual human organs — could lead to new treatments for dry eye disease and other tear gland disorders. “And hopefully in the future, this type of organoids may even be transplantable… read on > read on >
Katie Rodgers was just 15 years old when she started smoking, and in her early 20s when it became a more significant habit. Rodgers found quitting tough, but she managed to kick the habit at age 33 during a global pandemic because she knew that smoking would increase her anxiety and put her at higher… read on > read on >
Millions of people take a beta blocker regularly, and a new study brings good news: The medications will not raise the risk of depression. Beta blockers are used to treat conditions such as heart failure, chest pains, high blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythm. But it’s long been suspected that the drugs may be linked… read on > read on >
Wednesday is St. Patrick’s Day, a holiday often marked by one (or more) too many drinks. But experts warn that simple holiday fun can quickly turn deadly when alcohol is involved. The U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) offered these reminders about the dangers of alcohol overdose and urged everyone to drink… read on > read on >
This year, COVID-19 has made decisions around surgery tougher than ever for folks who may need one. But one major medical group can help provide some answers. Top on their list: Is it safe to have surgery right now? “It is very safe to have surgery, especially with all of the precautions in place,” said… read on > read on >
Health care workers are more likely to catch COVID-19 at home or in their community than on the job, a new study finds. “The news is reassuring in that it shows the measures taken are working to prevent infections from spreading in health care facilities,” said study co-author Dr. Anthony Harris. He’s professor of epidemiology… read on > read on >
Black Americans who live in rural areas are two to three times more likely to die from diabetes and high blood pressure compared with white rural folks, and this gap hasn’t changed much over the last 20 years, new research shows. The study spanned from 1999 through 2018, and will be published as a research… read on > read on >
In more good news on the coronavirus vaccine front, a new government report finds that 88% of Americans who get their first COVID-19 shot return for their second. That bodes well for the United States, since full vaccination is vital to stopping the pandemic. In December 2020, the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines were approved… read on > read on >
MONDAY, March 15, 2021 (American Heart Association News) — Stroke survivors often have difficulty with sex, and it can affect their lives beyond the bedroom. A new study offers fresh insight on the barriers – and how health care providers might help. Researchers interviewed 150 stroke patients at a medical center in Lima, Peru. Nearly… read on > read on >
Discriminatory housing practices from nearly a century ago continue to influence a person’s risk of suffering a stroke, claims a new study that reveals the legacy of structural racism in the United States. Researchers found a 1.5% higher rate of stroke within census tracts in Columbus, Ohio, most heavily marked for “redlining,” compared to neighborhoods… read on > read on >
