A major area of medical exploration is neurologic disease. This is particularly the case with stroke, as scientists look to identify and understand the genetic basis of diseases that increase risk. Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is a little-known disease that affects most elderly persons to a varying degree. It is a term that describes […]
American genetic study identifies important stroke risk factor Read More »
Last year, it was easy to become overwhelmed by all the negative news in the world – that is if you were fortunate enough to not be dealing with your own crisis. Despite that, there have been many highlights – some went unnoticed – that give us great hope for the future. Despite significant efforts
Good news you need to hear Read More »
In the fight against cancer, immunology is emerging as a leading cause of optimism, thanks to several innovative treatments developed to date. Immunology looks at the body’s immune response. Whenever presented with an unwanted foreign invader, the body deploys an army of ‘T cells’ to combat the problem. The aim of work underway by immunologists
Immunotherapy treatment proves powerful weapon in cancer battle Read More »
For the best part of twenty years, our eyes have become accustomed to increasing amounts of screen time. The advent of the smartphone, and more recently the predominance of streaming services, have accelerated this lifestyle change. Since the beginning of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, our dependence on digital devices has increased markedly.
Screen time during the pandemic: the health effects Read More »
Each year, the Cleveland Clinic produces a list of the Top 10 Medical Innovations for the following year. The list tracks the most exciting developments set to be introduced in the healthcare industry, in the coming twelve months. Selected by a committee of subject-matter experts, the list covers innovations which, having been in development in
Top medical innovations for 2021 revealed Read More »
For many decades, researchers have studied the effect of dementia on the human brain as connections between the cells in the brain are lost. A new discovery by a researcher at the UK Dementia Research Institute may hold the key to understanding how animals experience the loss of connection between brain cells. Hibernating animals like
Hibernating bears provide link to potential dementia therapy Read More »
Virologists Harvey J. Alter and Charles M. Rice and biochemist Michael Houghton have been awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery of the hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis C is transmitted by contaminated blood, often through shared needles or blood transfusions. Many sufferers are unaware they have contracted the virus until the
2020 Nobel Prize for Hepatitis C Discovery Read More »
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a broad concept that explains the integration of internet connectivity into the devices that we use in our everyday lives. The medical field is by no means a stranger to web-based technology solutions. On the contrary: it is a leader in this area, and is experiencing substantial growth in
Web-enabled technologies could help deliver new medical treatments Read More »
Immunity in humans is comprised of two major reactions: “innate” immunity, which is our first line of defence to defeat pathogens introduced into the body; and “adaptive” immunity, which is our body’s learnt response to contain and combat certain infections. As we grow older, our bodies are less able to effectively carry out these immune
The lifestyle factors that help boost immune response as we age Read More »
Researchers from Lund University in Sweden have developed a blood test with the potential to provide information leading to the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. A wide-ranging global study has shown the test’s ability to discriminate between persons with and without Alzheimer’s disease by measuring the tau proteins found in the brain. Whereas currently diagnosis often takes
New Alzheimer’s blood test provides hope for early detection and prevention Read More »
