A big step toward a blood test for Alzheimer’s
(Bret Stetka/ Scientific American) — For the most part, clinical trials in Alzheimer’s disease have been woefully disappointing—failed drug after failed drug. Even colossal drugmaker Pfizer announced earlier this month that it will stop pursuing treatments for the disorder out of scientific and financial frustration. …
Instead of filling cavities, dentists may soon regenerate teeth
(Ferris Jabr/ Scientific American) — For dentists, a cavity is a conundrum—in order to save the tooth they must further damage it.
Currently, the primary way to treat a cavity is to excavate …
Endometriosis: ‘My vagina tried to kill me’
(BBC Radio 5 Live) — Comedian Amy Vreeke has based a show around her diagnosis of endometriosis, in a bid to challenge the taboos around the condition.
The 26-year-old from Manchester was only diagnosed after years of being wrongly told she had everything from IBS to an STI, and much more in between.
She only realised what she had after reading …
Why do hospitals bare butts when there are better gowns around?
(Bob Tedeschi/ STAT) — Every decade or so, the headlines reappear:
“Fashion designer Cynthia Rowley updates hospital wear for patients” (United Press International, June 1999)
“Diane von Furstenberg Redesigns the Hospital Gown” (GOOD, September 2010)
“The Hospital Gown Gets a Modest Redesign” (The New York Times, January 2018) …
Soy milk the best plant-based dairy drink: McGill study
(Stéphnie Marin/ Presse Canadienne) — Among plant-based milks, soy milk is the best nutritionally, according to a team of researchers at McGill University.
Faced with the ever-growing popularity of these plant-based dairy drinks, and in the face of increasingly diversified offering on grocery-store …
* Best diets 2018: the Mediterranean diet
(Leslie Beck/ Globe and Mail) — No doubt you’ve heard about the Mediterranean diet. It’s long been reported to be the optimal eating plan for preventing a wide range of diseases including heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.
If you’re wondering, though, if trendy new diets …
Turmeric compound could boost memory and mood
(Honor Whiteman/ Medical News Today) — Not a lover of Indian food? A new study might change your mind. Researchers have found that a compound in turmeric — the spice that gives curry its golden color — could help to improve the mood and memory of older adults.
Turmeric has been linked to a wealth of health benefits. Last year, for example, …
How the flu turns deadly
(Susan Scutti/ CNN) — This flu season is fierce and has already claimed the lives of at least 30 children in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Although it doesn’t count adult deaths, the CDC estimates that 8.2% of those for the week ending January 13 were due to pneumonia and influenza …
Alzheimer’s: Protecting ‘powerhouse’ of cells may fuel new treatment
(Catharine Paddock PhD/ MedicalNewsToday) — Injury to mitochondria — tiny powerhouses inside cells that provide them with energy — triggers events that occur early in Alzheimer’s disease and may offer a promising target for treatment.
So concludes a new study published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia …