Author: healthadmin
The largest study ever conducted on opioid analgesics found that these commonly prescribed drugs often provide only limited short-term relief for acute pain, and in some cases, no meaningful effect at all. Researchers at the University of Sydney led the study, which looked at the effectiveness and safety of opioid drugs such as codeine, morphine, oxycodone and tramadol. This analysis combined evidence from 59 systematic reviews covering over 50 acute pain conditions affecting both children and adults. Published in a magazine drugthis review provides the most comprehensive assessment to date of where opioids are helpful, where they are not helpful,…
The world’s biggest banks pledged $906 billion in loans to the fossil fuel industry last year, a new report reveals, an “incalculable” increase in investment to secure coal, oil and gas production for many more years as the world continues to heat up.The surge in new fossil fuel financing is an increase of $64 billion (about 8%) compared to 2024 and shows that the world’s 65 largest banks are making decisions that are at odds with international agreements to limit global temperature rise, according to a coalition of environmental groups behind the new analysis.JPMorgan Chase invested $58 billion in the…
Scientists have identified a previously unknown mechanism that may help cancer evade the immune system. The discovery focuses on SLAMF6, a molecule on the surface of immune cells that can prevent T cells from launching a powerful attack against tumors. In experiments using mice, the researchers also developed a way to block its activity. The findings come from a team led by Dr. Andre Veillette, a professor of medicine at the University of Montreal and director of the Molecular Tumor Research Unit at the Institut Clinical Research de Montréal (IRCM), which is affiliated with UdeM. Their research was published in…
Researchers in the Del Monte Laboratory at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) have for the first time observed defects in protein repair systems associated with unique misfolded protein plaques previously observed in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM). IDCM is a heart muscle condition that may go unnoticed until the patient has advanced heart failure. The laboratory’s latest discoveries are Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology The paper, an Editor’s Choice and Journal Cover selection, shows that there is a defect in the repair system for misfolded and damaged proteins. Through a comprehensive study of three major divisions…
New Australian research has revealed why we walk slower and get more tired as we age. As a result, the body is increasingly sacrificing efficiency to maintain an upright position. The study, led by Flinders University and the University of Canberra, reveals that as we age, our bodies adopt a “safety first” gait that prioritizes stability at the expense of speed and energy efficiency, helping to explain why older people tire more easily and are at increased risk of falls. Analyzing movement data from 107 healthy adults aged 26 to 86, researchers identified subtle but important changes in the way…
WASHINGTON — A report on the health effects of alcohol, commissioned by the federal government but unpublished under President Trump, was published Tuesday in the journal Science. The study found that even low levels of alcohol consumption can increase the risk of various illnesses and death. The Alcohol Consumption and Health Study began in 2023 and was conducted by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration as part of an update to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines. However, the panel’s research quickly became embroiled in controversy, with some members of Congress and alcohol industry trade groups claiming that the…
One of the challenges facing public health officials in reducing diet-related illnesses is the relatively easy and inexpensive availability of sugar-sweetened beverages around the world. To address this burden, public health organizations such as the World Health Organization and the American Heart Association recommend that governments tax sugar-sweetened beverages. New research from the Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University’s Gerald J. Friedman and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy shows that the policy is being adopted at an accelerating rate around the world, with 64 countries passing health-focused sugary beverage taxes between 1990 and 2024, affecting…
New research from the Snow Center for Immune Health challenges long-held assumptions about autoimmune diseases and reveals that celiac disease may be caused not just by an overactive immune system, but by subtle defects in the function of immune cells. Published in Immunology and cell biologythis study found consistent changes in the behavior of immune cells in patients with celiac disease, and the differences can appear long before symptoms develop. Researchers have identified distinct patterns in early immune responses that may help predict autoimmune risk and support more personalized monitoring and care in the future. At a glance new…
A real-life supermarket experiment shows that moving fresh produce to discount store shelves can lead to healthier shopping carts, but the effect is small and increases in food waste show that policy design still matters. Evaluating supermarket location strategies to encourage healthier eating habits: Overview of the WRAPPED study. Image credit: Itxu / Shutterstock In a recent study published in the journal public health researchresearchers investigated whether supermarket location strategies could improve eating habits, store sales, and household purchases at UK discount supermarkets. Inadequate diet is a major modifiable risk factor for non-communicable diseases. Supermarkets are a major food source…
Dementia makes most things in life difficult, including hospital treatment. Although often essential for patients suffering from severe acute illnesses, hospital treatment can be confusing for patients. person with dementiaor disabled person. Compared to older adults without dementia, people with disabilities in the United States have higher rates of emergency room visits and hospitalizations. In such cases, the decision to admit requires a delicate balance between the potential benefits and risks of inpatient treatment. Previous research suggests that people with disabilities who are admitted to hospital have higher mortality rates and spend more days away from home in the subsequent…