Although the interaction between our brain and gut has been studied for years, its complexities run deeper than initially thought. It seems that our minds are, in some part, controlled by the bacteria in our bowels. The gut has defenses against pathogens, but, at the same time, it encourages the…

As probiotics grow in popularity, a recent study investigates the reliability of online information. They find that the majority of “top” websites provide information that lacks scientific evidence. As scientists have become increasingly interested in the role of gut bacteria, so have the public. In parallel with the microbiome’s rise…

Statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs. Some statins work best in the evening while others work just as well in the morning. The best time to take statins depends on the specific drug. Statins are a type of prescription medication that can lower a person’s risk of heart disease. They do this primarily…

Statins are a class of medicines that are used to lower blood cholesterol levels. They do this by blocking the action of an enzyme in the liver that is necessary for making cholesterol. Cholesterol is necessary for normal cell and body function, but very high levels can lead to atherosclerosis, a condition…

Blood pressure fluctuates naturally throughout the day and tends to increase around the time a person wakes up. However, for many people, blood pressure may be abnormally high in the mornings. Doctors refer to this as morning hypertension. Morning hypertension can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. These medical emergencies often occur in the early…

Lowering an older person’s systolic blood pressure to 120 mmHg or lower reduces the risk of heart disease, but increases the chance of kidney changes.  In the United States, over half of the people aged 60 and over have high blood pressure, or hypertension, and maintaining one’s blood pressure at healthy levels can be crucial. The…

Everyone ages differently, but why is that? A team of researchers has pinpointed four “ageotypes” — main biological pathways for aging — that could help us answer that question.  Everyone ages, but not in the same way. Getting older can often mean learning to cope with different health problems —…

Although scientists continually refine cancer treatments, there is still much room for improvement. A new study, carried out in mice, focuses on salt. The researchers have successfully used sodium chloride nanoparticles to destroy cancer cells. Over the decades, researchers have developed an ever-growing arsenal of drugs to combat cancer. However, many…

People may think that valuing happiness leads to a happier life. However, new research has found that wanting to feel happy can also have a negative outcome. Previous studies have concluded that excessively valuing happiness can cause a person to feel less happy. In some cases, it may even be associated with symptoms…

Like all of the individual elements of fetal development, palate growth is a marvel of nature. In part of this process, ledges of tissue on the sides of the face grow downwards on each side of the tongue, then upward, fusing at the midline at the top of the mouth.…

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Scientists do not know what causes it, so there is no way to prevent it. However, some long-term lifestyle measures might help. Alzheimer’s affects around 5.7 million people in the United States, and researchers expect the numbers to grow as people live for…

Dementia is a term that describes a variety of symptoms affecting a person’s cognitive functioning, including their ability to think, remember, and reason. It tends to get worse over time, so there are a few key early warning signs. Dementia occurs when nerve cells in a person’s brain stop working. Although…

The symptoms of frontotemporal, or early onset, dementia can appear as early as age 40. Have researchers found a new way to treat this condition using antibiotics? Frontotemporal dementia, or frontotemporal lobar dementia, is an umbrella term that refers to a range of early onset dementias characterized by the progressive atrophying…

New research in mice shows “for the first time” that scientists can use protons to administer radiation therapy in a matter of milliseconds, killing cancer cells while protecting healthy tissue.  Over half of the people with a cancer diagnosis receive radiation therapy. Radiation damages the DNA of cancer cells, either slowing their progression or killing…

People have long been aware of the benefits of exercise. Now, a new study finds that one particular aspect of fitness — that is, training for a specific goal — may be particularly advantageous.  The value of goal-oriented exercise ties directly into the aging process. As a person gets older,…

A new report carried out by German officials suggests that even though exposure to dangerous aluminum compounds in foods has been decreasing, we are still ingesting more of this substance than experts deem safe. What can we do to minimize our exposure to aluminum compounds?  While some people may find…

Overview SGLT2 inhibitors are a class of medications used to treat type 2 diabetes. They’re also called sodium-glucose transport protein 2 inhibitors or gliflozins.  SGLT2 inhibitors prevent the reabsorption of glucose from blood that’s filtered through your kidneys, therefore facilitating glucose excretion in the urine. This helps reduce your blood…

Bitter melon, or bitter gourd, has served as a traditional Indian remedy for centuries. Recently, bitter melon extract supplements have been gaining popularity as an alternative medication for diabetes. Now, new research in mice seems to suggest that bitter melon extract may help fight cancer. Bitter melon (Momordica charantia), also…

Hormone levels fluctuate throughout the 28-day menstrual cycle. These changes can affect a person’s appetite and may also lead to fluid retention. Both factors can lead to perceived or actual weight gain around the time of a period. This article describes why a person may gain weight during a period,…

Sleep affects every aspect of health. Fortunately, some foods and drinks contain compounds that help control parts of the sleep cycle, meaning that they may help a person both fall and stay asleep. Sleep quality and duration can affect a wide array of conditions, including: obesity diabetes cardiovascular disease hypertension…

Getting enough sleep is vital for both physical and emotional well-being. Sleep deprivation can lead to many short- and long-term health effects. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that adults between the ages of 18 and 60 years get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. However, approximately 35…

Hypnic jerks, which people also refer to as hypnagogic jerks or “sleep starts,” are involuntary muscle contractions that some people experience as they are falling asleep. Some hypnic jerks are mild and hardly noticeable. Others can be intense — anyone who has been close to falling asleep and then felt…

Melatonin is a natural hormone that the brain releases in response to changes in light. It helps regulate the body’s internal clock, signaling that it is time to go to sleep. Melatonin supplements may help with a wide range of sleep issues, including insomnia, shift work sleep disorder, and sleep problems…

Recent experiments in mouse models have shown that injecting an inactivated flu virus into cancer tumors makes them shrink and boosts the effectiveness of immunotherapy. When it comes to cancer tumors, many factors influence whether or not they will respond to treatment. One of these is whether the tumors are “hot” or…

A recent analysis of temperature trends suggests that the average human body temperature has dropped since the 19th century due to physiological changes. The authors of the new study also highlight potential causes of these alterations.  Most of us only take our temperatures when we are worried that we have…

Blue baby syndrome, also known as infant methemoglobinemia, is a condition where a baby’s skin turns blue. This occurs due to a decreased amount of hemoglobin in the baby’s blood. Hemoglobin is a blood protein that is responsible for carrying oxygen around the body and delivering it to the different…

Child abuse refers to any emotional, sexual, or physical mistreatment or neglect by an adult in a role of responsibility toward someone who is under 18 years of age. It refers to any kind of action or failure to act that results in harm or possible harm for a child.…

Post-traumatic stress disorder can happen to a person after experiencing a traumatic event that has caused them to feel fearful, shocked, or helpless. It can have long-term effects, including flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, and anxiety. Examples of events that can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) include wars, crimes, fires, accidents, death of a…

Not everyone responds to emotional stimuli in the same way, but, in some, there may be no response at all. This lack of reaction is called flat affect and can be a symptom of a psychiatric disorder or a side effect of another medical condition. Those with flat affect do…

Schizophrenia affects millions of people around the world and is a chief contributor to disability. Researchers are still working to uncover all the risk factors that could facilitate the development of this condition. A new study suggests that air pollution may be one of them.  According to the World Health…