Healthcare

Patients Successfully Cured of a Rare, Deadly Skin Disease for the First Time

Illustrative example of damaged skin, in this case from sunburn. Credit: DepositphotosA rare and potentially life-threatening skin condition with devastating effects might finally have a cure.What begins as a mild rash can quickly escalate, with over 30 percent of the skin blistering and peeling away in sheets. The condition typically starts on the face...

A Common Blood Pressure Medication Prolongs Lifespan and Delays Aging in Animals

Credit: PixabayThe blood pressure medication rilmenidine has shown potential to slow aging and extend lifespan in animal studies, raising the possibility of similar benefits for humans. If effective, it could promote longer, healthier lives without the challenges of extreme calorie restriction.Previous research revealed that rilmenidine mimics the effects of caloric restriction at a cellular...

Mosquito Bites Successfully Used to Deliver Vaccines

Credit: PixabayMosquitoes, notorious for spreading diseases like malaria, have been repurposed by researchers as vaccine carriers. In groundbreaking human trials, these mosquito-borne vaccines showed up to 90% effectiveness, offering a surprising twist on these pests’ role in human health.Instead of viewing mosquitoes solely as disease vectors, scientists at the London School of Hygiene and...

Spinal Cord Stimulation May Help Treat Chronic Pain

Credit: PixabayA review published on Nov. 14 in JAMA Network Open suggests that spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for treating chronic back and/or lower extremity pain leads to greater pain relief compared to conventional medical management (CMM).Frank J. P. M. Huygen, Ph.D., M.D., from Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and his team conducted a...

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness May Indicate Early Signs of Dementia

Credit: PixabayOlder adults experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness or reduced motivation for daily tasks may be at higher risk of developing motoric cognitive risk (MCR), a pre-dementia condition that can lead to dementia.Daytime Sleepiness Linked to Early Signs of MCRThese findings, from a new study by researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in...

Evidence Reveals Your Body Can Inhale Vitamins from the Air

Credit: PixabayThat refreshing sensation you experience when breathing in fresh air in nature might involve more than just the absence of pollution.While we typically associate nutrients with our diet, a closer examination of scientific studies reveals compelling evidence that humans can also absorb certain nutrients directly from the air.In a recent perspective article in...

Kombucha Microbes Mimic Fasting by Breaking Down Fat Stores Effortlessly

Credit: PixabayWhile kombucha might not suit everyone’s taste, it could offer some benefits similar to fasting, minus the challenge of actually fasting. Researchers have found that when the yeasts and bacteria from this fermented, slightly sweetened tea colonize the gut, they can influence fat metabolism without requiring any other dietary adjustments, leading to reduced...

Bio-Inspired Coating for Medical Devices Prevents Clotting

An untreated loop of catheter tubing (left) alongside a clot-free coated loop Jayachandran Kizhakkedathu Research GroupWhen blood passes through medical devices like catheters or stents, there's a risk of clots forming, which can be harmful. A newly developed coating, inspired by biological processes, could prevent this without the need for blood-thinning drugs.How Blood Forms Clots...

Breakthrough: Stem Cell Transplant Restores Vision for Multiple Patients

Credit: PixabayA groundbreaking stem cell transplant has greatly improved the blurred vision of three individuals with severe corneal damage.This clinical trial, conducted in Japan, marks a world-first and a major milestone in stem cell research.Two years post-operation, no major safety issues have emerged, and all three treated corneas appear notably clearer.The study included four...

Sleepy Weed Shows Significant Improvement in Sleep Quality

Medical marijuana and cannabis products CBD oil, hemp leaves on a dark background. Flat lay, copy space MockupFor the first time, scientific evidence shows that a lesser-known component of the cannabis plant—cannabinol (CBN)—can provide longer and better-quality sleep. This breakthrough opens the door for the development of a cannabis-based sleep aid comparable to existing...