Drugs

Fighting monkeypox with vaccinia vaccines Monkeypox is a painful and debilitating viral infection. Cases have been rising rapidly since April, causing the World Health Organization to declare the monkeypox outbreak a global health emergency as of July 20221. Thankfully, science is on our side and vaccinia-based vaccines may be the key to stopping another pandemic.

A new study shows that engaging in solitary drinking during young adulthood can greatly increase the risk of developing Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Drinking alcohol has become an integral part of most social events and gatherings and is particularly prevalent amongst adolescents. However, while most adults drink while in the company of others, studies show

Recent evidence has shown that a person’s lifestyle contributes more to dementia risk than aging. Risk factors, including smoking and diabetes, have been found to have a more significant effect on acquiring this disease than the aging process.1 Studies looked at participants from 18-89 years old and found that identifying and modifying these risk factors

Air pollution is estimated to have caused 6.7 million deaths around the world in 2019.  As the leading environmental cause of premature death, air pollution has been linked to several health conditions, including stillbirths, asthma, neurological and mental health disorders, strokes, and lung cancer.  These consequences are more prevalent in marginalized populations.1 Some advancements have

Iodine is instrumental in the creation of thyroid hormones, which normalize metabolism, development, and growth, from birth right up to the end of life.  Accordingly, iodine deficiency can have negative effects on brain function, fertility, and child development.  This nutrient can be found in foods such as seaweed, fish, iodized salt, dairy products, and some

While aging is associated with a progressive decline in physical activity, it is thought that balancing only starts to decline sometime after an individual enters their sixties. 1 Falls have been shown to be the second leading cause of unintentional injury-based deaths worldwide.  1 It is estimated that 684,000 individuals die each year from fall-related

A new study investigates the potential antimicrobial benefits of a phytochemical. The development of antibiotics was pivotal to the practice of modern medicine. Before the discovery of the first antibiotic, penicillin, in 1928, treatable and common bacterial infections often resulted in serious complications or were fatal.1  Since then, many different types of antibiotics were developed,

It has been shown that regular check-ups between a patient and the same doctor have numerous positive benefits for the patient, the doctor, and the overall health system. These benefits include:1 Reduction in all-cause mortality, Greater patient satisfaction with services, Improved adherence to medical advice and uptake of preventive medicines, Lower use of hospital care,

A new study investigates whether SARS-CoV-2 targets heart cells in COVID-19 patients. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, exerts well-documented adverse effects on the respiratory system.  These effects can vary significantly between individuals, as some COVID-19 patients require hospitalization while some patients only develop mild symptoms.1  Notably, a growing body of evidence suggests that individuals

The human nervous system is divided into two major parts known as the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.1 While the central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord, the peripheral nervous system represents the nerves that connect these structures to different parts of the body.1 When damage occurs to these branches,

Currently, a topic of intense research is long COVID. One recurring symptom that has been identified in some long COVID patients is peripheral neuropathy – damage to nerves that causes numbness and weakness in affected areas of the body (not including the brain or spinal cord).1  A study from researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and

The use of smartwatches has become increasingly common throughout the world with over $25 billion USD spent by consumers in 2021 alone.1 One type of wearable devices is the Fitbit. Although Fitbits are available in different models, all are equipped with an accelerometer to count steps taken, a heart rate monitor, and activity trackers.2 These

New research continues to emerge surrounding COVID-19, specifically around how, mechanistically, the SARS-CoV-2 virus affects the body. A new study from Osaka University in Japan, revealed that the virus interferes with the insulin/IGF pathway.1    This new finding may explain COVID-19 symptoms including diabetes and insulin resistance; symptoms related to energy metabolism.  The insulin/IGF pathway key

A new analysis estimates the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on global rates of COVID-19-related mortality. The development of vaccines for the SARS-CoV-2 virus was an integral part of the global pandemic response plan.  Studies show that these are effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19; for example, the Janssen Ad26.COV2.S vector vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 exhibited an efficacy

As we head into summer, the rise in humidity and temperature creates an ideal environment for ticks to thrive in.1 In fact, warmer weather is associated with an increased risk of infections caused by ticks, specifically Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and tick-borne encephalitis.1 As a result, it is important to learn about how

A new study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia shows a possible association between diabetes, stroke, and heart disease with dementia.1 The study, conducted by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, followed 2,577 seniors over a 12-year period. According to their results, those who had at least 2 cardiometabolic diseases were more likely to develop dementia.1

Research conducted as part of the NIH-funded Infant Brain Imaging Study Network used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to document crucial differences in the visual processing system in the brains of infants who went on to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autism spectrum disorder is a highly heritable neurodevelopmental disorder that is diagnosed in

Hepatitis is a type of infection that causes liver inflammation and damage, with outbreaks documented as early as 5,000 years ago in China.1 Viral hepatitis can be caused by five different types of viruses belonging to the hepatotropic family: hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, hepatitis D virus, and hepatitis E virus.1,2

Diverse communities of microorganisms live all over the human body – both inside and outside.1 These microbial cells exist in almost equal proportions to human cells, with an estimated total number of 38 trillion.1 In the human gastrointestinal tract, the resident bacteria of the gut microbiome help with digestion and are influenced by the types

A new study investigated neurodevelopment in children born to mothers who tested positive for COVID-19 during pregnancy. Despite being a respiratory virus, a growing body of research suggests that the effects of COVID-19 may go beyond the respiratory system. The symptoms of COVID-19 can vary significantly, and some people, particularly those who develop post-COVID conditions,

It’s no secret that obesity poses a risk to health and well-being. Although diet and activity can help facilitate weight loss, some individuals turn to surgery, also known as bariatric surgery. A new study published in JAMA highlights the potential benefits of opting for bariatric surgery versus natural weight loss.1 Obesity is associated with higher cancer

It’s important to keep in mind that several factors contribute to acne and the right acne treatment varies based on: 1 – the type of acne – the location – the timing of the breakouts – the age of the person What are good habits to adopt against acne? To start off there are some

Scientists are continuing to work towards understanding the long-lasting consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Using artificial intelligence, a team of researchers found that multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), a post-COVID condition, induces the same immune response as Kawasaki Disease (KD) and SARS-CoV-2 infection.1  However, MIS-C is characterized by a more severe immune response than KD. Researchers hope

A new study investigates whether long-term air pollution exposure is associated with increased COVID-19 severity. It’s no secret that air pollution is an issue.  Although rates of greenhouse gas emissions are declining with the implementation of new technologies and environmental regulations, air pollution levels are still significant, particularly in urban cities.1  Notably, a growing body

The legalization of recreational cannabis has increased use by youth and adults, according to a new study.1 The findings, published in Addiction, contradict claims that recreational cannabis legalization (RCL) has no impact on cannabis use. Recreational cannabis legalization has gained momentum In 2016, California, Massachusetts, Maine, and Nevada made recreational cannabis use legal.1,2 Some studies

Approximately 25% of pregnant women will suffer significantly from stress.1 While stress can lead to poor health outcomes in the mother, it can also affect the health of the baby inside her womb. High levels of stress during pregnancy are concerning to clinicians as they may be associated with abnormal fetal brain development.2-4 In a

During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous measures were put in place in order to try to limit the spread of the virus and included: curfews, lockdowns, stay-at-home advisories, social distancing, and self-quarantining. These changes had led to reshaping of the college experience, where schools pivoted to online modes of teaching and learning—where

With the SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19) pandemic heading into its third year, millions of lives have been lost, including over a million in the US. There are several vaccines now available to help slow the spread of the virus and help ease from a pandemic mindset to an endemic mindset. In terms of the efficacy of the