Author: healthadmin

In the 1970s, contraceptive pills were the most frequently used contraceptive method in Western countries. In Germany, for example, one in three women used the pill. It’s safe, reliable, covered by (most) health insurance, and was also seen as a means of self-determination for women, especially in the 1960s and 1970s. However, over time, many side effects associated with hormonal contraceptive methods have become apparent, ranging from nausea, weight gain, and breast tenderness to more serious risks such as high blood pressure, liver dysfunction, and thrombosis. Some medications, such as certain antibiotics and St. John’s wort products, can make the…

Ethics guardrails surrounding chemical appointees at the agency are expiring as President Donald Trump pushes for deregulation at the agency. The “cooling-off” or recusal period for top executives at the EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (typically the year after political officials are barred from serving in government and speaking to former clients) began to end in January. More revocations are expected this summer and fall, according to a review of ethics documents obtained by POLITICO’s E&E News. It’s one of the few restrictions on leadership within the EPA’s chemical division, which members of the Make America Healthy…

If part of the small intestine becomes diseased or dies, treatment may include surgically removing the affected tissue. Although this surgery, called radical small bowel resection, is lifesaving, it can lead to long-term liver damage and liver failure, requiring a liver transplant. There are no medications to prevent or manage this serious complication, which is reported to affect up to 15% of patients after small bowel resection. Now, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have synthesized and tested in mice a new compound that may protect the liver from damage and improve nutrient absorption after small…

The “hygiene hypothesis” suggests that exposure to different types of microbes may protect against the development of diseases caused by allergens, but a new study in mice from Cornell University reveals that exposure to a variety of microbes and allergens in adults may actually worsen certain allergic symptoms. Professor of Immunology Avery August said: “Our data suggest that it is important to think about how we move around in the world and protect ourselves from exposure to microorganisms, because depending on our condition, if we move from a clean environment to a dirty environment, or from a dirty environment to…

A new report from the Geriatric Society of America (GSA) summarizes findings on the readiness of primary care providers to implement digital cognitive assessment (DCA) for use in the diagnostic process for cognitive impairment and dementia. Although the clinical literature consistently emphasizes early detection as a key tool in the management of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, subtle changes in cognition remain difficult to detect. Current reliance on analog, paper-based screening introduces a level of subjectivity and coarseness in the data, which can potentially miss subtle markers of early stage decline. ” Dr. Lisa C. McGuire, FAPA, FGSA,…

The herpes simplex virus partially liquefies the tightly packed gel-like interior of human cell nuclei to copy itself faster, a new study shows. The research focuses on how the nucleus of each human cell houses the genetic machinery used to copy instructions encoded in DNA as the cell divides and multiplies as part of growth. Viruses invade human cells and use their machinery to copy themselves, but their entry can be blocked by the dense structure of the nucleus. The new study, led by researchers at NYU Langone Health, found that the herpes simplex virus uses a protein called infectious…

Less than two weeks after Pfizer signed a deal with a Chinese pharmaceutical company to gain commercial rights to the GLP-1 drug, the country’s National Pharmaceutical Administration (NMPA) approved the treatment for patients with obesity. With the backing of Xianweiying’s shot, Pfizer has entered the weight-loss market and done so in the world’s largest country with a growing obesity problem. Last month, Pfizer signed a deal with Hangzhou-based Cywind Biosciences worth up to $495 million between upfront payments and potential milestone payments. The agreement gives Pfizer the rights to market the GLP-1 compound ecnoglutide in China. Ecnoglutide was also approved…

A systematic review of 19 studies examining abortion stigma in high-income countries found that abortion stigma exists at moderate levels. Prejudice against abortion was stronger among men, people with low incomes, political conservatives, and religious people. The paper is Sexual and reproductive health issues. Abortion stigma refers to the loss of public trust and negative labeling of individuals who seek, provide, or support abortion services. It operates through moral judgments that frame abortion as deviant, irresponsible, or sinful. Stigma may be expressed interpersonally through gossip, shame, exclusion, or hostility. It also operates through restrictive laws, institutional barriers, and policy debates.…

A new study has found that most countries are on the wrong track when it comes to meeting the United Nations’ 2030 global pesticide risk reduction targets, and are unlikely to be met without significant changes to agricultural systems around the world.To determine global pesticide risk, researchers used data on pesticide use in 65 countries from 2013 to 2019, as well as data on the toxicity of 625 pesticides associated with eight different species groups.Researchers found that only one country, Chile, is on track to meet the UN goal of reducing pesticide risks by 50% by 2030. The research…

Detailed three-dimensional reconstruction of the major sensory structures of ctenophores reveals much greater structural and functional complexity than scientists previously realized. The results suggest that some of the earliest animals may have had simple brain-like systems, providing new insights into how nervous systems evolved. Ctenophores (commonly known as comb jellies) are delicate gelatinous marine animals that appeared in Earth’s oceans about 550 million years ago. These organisms have specialized sensory structures called abdominal organs (AOs) that allow them to detect gravity, pressure, and light. New morphological research presented in scientific progress This indicates that this organ is significantly more complex…