Tag: of

Grip strength of children gives clues about their future health

While other studies have shown that muscle weakness as measured by grip strength is a predictor of unhealthy outcomes—including cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, disability and even early mortality—this is the first to do so for adolescent health over time, a Baylor University researcher said. “What we know about today’s kids is that because of the

Mothers of twins, this is your life

Being a parent of twins is like running a marathon you didn’t train for. Suddenly, two very cute, very small beings depend on you — at the same time. You may feel like nobody knows your struggle. But when you meet other twin parents, you form an instant connection because you recognize each other’s invisible

Boxers vs. Briefs and Your Chances of Becoming a Dad

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 8, 2018 — Attention guys: Your tighty whities may not be doing your sperm any favors. Men who wear tight-fitting briefs have sperm counts that suffer in comparison to men who wear boxers, according to results from the largest study to date on the controversial topic. “Men who wore tighter underwear had lower

Likelihood of dementia higher among black ethnic groups

Rates of dementia diagnosis are higher among black ethnic groups compared to white and Asian groups in the UK, a new UCL-led study has found. The study, published in Clinical Epidemiology, is the first to compare incidence of dementia diagnosis by ethnicity in any nationally representative sample. Researchers from UCL Psychiatry and the UCL Institute

Phantosmia: Causes and symptoms of phantom smells

Phantosmia is also called a phantom smell or an olfactory hallucination. The smells vary from person to person but are usually unpleasant, such as burnt toast, metallic, or chemical smells. Problems with the nose, such as sinusitis, or conditions of the nervous system or brain, including migraine, stroke, or schizophrenia can cause phantosmia. In this

Skin Appears to Be Key Pathway for Absorption of BBQ Fumes

FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 — Dermal absorption is a more important pathway than inhalation for the intake of low-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during barbecuing, according to a study published recently in Environmental Science & Technology. Jia-Yong Lao, from Jinan University in Guangzhou, China, and colleagues collected and analyzed urine samples for nine hydroxyl (OH)-PAHs

Mushrooms of the Far East hold promise for anti-cancer therapy

Mushrooms from the Far East contain natural chemical compounds that could be used for the design of the novel drugs with highly specific anti-tumor activities and low toxicity. These compounds may offer new avenues for oncology, providing physicians with either standalone alternatives to chemotherapy, chemopreventive medicines, or drugs to be used in combination with other

Acidic pH—the weakness of cancer cells

A new computational model has allowed researchers to identify new therapeutic targets that can attack cancer cells by lowering their intracellular pH. The study, which is the result of collaboration between IRB Barcelona, the Moffitt Cancer Center, and the University of Maryland, has been published in Nature Communications. Cancer cells are known to acidify their

Only 2 weeks of inactivity can hasten diabetes onset in seniors

As we get older, physical exercise becomes more and more important. The internet abounds with the latest research extolling the multiple benefits of physical exercise for seniors. For instance, aerobic activity and muscle training have been shown to improve the psychological well-being of elderly people, and even a few minutes of light exercise can increase

Researchers uncover molecular mechanisms of rare skin disease

Keratinocyte skin cells are common targets of the beta subtype of human papilloma virus. This usually harmless infection causes skin disease in people with rare gene mutations.[/caption] You’re probably infected with one or more subtypes of the human papilloma virus—and, as alarming as that may sound, odds are you will never show any symptoms. The

Three-dimensional model of human placenta developed

The placenta is the organ connecting mother and embryo. Its main functions are the exchange of nutrients, gases and metabolic products and the production of hormones and other substances essential for embryonic development. Placental malfunctions are the main cause of pregnancy complications and can lead to miscarriage and other serious disorders that endanger both mother

Odds of Death Up With Medium-, Large-Caliber Firearms

TUESDAY, July 31, 2018 — There is a correlation for firearm caliber with likelihood of death from gunshot wounds, according to a study published online July 27 in JAMA Network Open. Anthony A. Braga, Ph.D., from Northeastern University in Boston, and Philip J. Cook, Ph.D., from Duke University in Durham, N.C., conducted a cross-sectional study

Muscle ‘switch’ may control the benefits of exercise

Some people respond well to both aerobic exercise and strength training, while others don’t. And some of us respond well to only one of those things, but not both. Scientists at Joslin Diabetes Center now have uncovered a surprising molecular “switch” that may help to explain why this happens. “We’ve identified an exercise-activated biological pathway