Self-administered tests
If you can't stop saying or doing things that you later regret, here's a diagnostic test for you: Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have pioneered a way to better determine when acting on one's worst impulses verges on pathological. Turns out, acting more recklessly when your emotions run high can be correlated with how fast you react to stimulating visuals, especially disturbing ones, according to the findings recently published in the online edition of the journal *Brain and Neuroscience Advances.* Researchers at UC Berkeley and Harvard University, among a f... read more
Many people experience forgetfulness as they age, but it’s often difficult to tell if these memory issues are a normal part of aging or a sign of something more serious. A new study finds that a simple, self-administered test developed by researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, College of Medicine and College of Public Health can identify the early, subtle signs of dementia sooner than the most commonly used office-based standard cognitive test. This earlier detection by the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination (SAGE test) is critical to effective t... read more
The seven are: “I often don't know what to tell people when they come to me for advice”, “I avoid situations where I know my help will be needed”, “I tend to postpone making major decisions as long as I can”, “I remain calm under pressure”, “I avoid self-reflection”, “I enjoy being exposed to diverse viewpoints”, “My spiritual belief gives me inner strength”. Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine report that an abbreviated, seven-item scale can help determine with high validity a person's level of wisdom, a potentially modifiable personality trai... read more
Diet - Coffee and Tea
*That morning coffee might be even more helpful than you think*. In the first study of its kind to explore caffeine’s effects on dynamic visual skills, researchers concluded that caffeine increases alertness and detection accuracy for moving targets. Caffeine also improved participants’ reaction times. “A lot of what happens in our environment is moving—like trying to cross a busy intersection as a pedestrian or finding something on a shelf as you’re walking through the aisles of a grocery store,” said Dr. Kristine Dalton of Waterloo’s School of Optometry & Vision Science. “Testi... read more
Drinking coffee or tea may be associated with a lower risk of stroke and dementia, according to a study of healthy individuals aged 50-74 publishing November 16th in the open-access journal *PLOS Medicine*. Drinking coffee was also associated with a lower risk of post-stroke dementia. Strokes are life-threatening events which cause 10 percent of deaths globally. Dementia is a general term for symptoms related to decline in brain function and is a global health concern with a high economic and social burden. Post-stroke dementia is a condition where symptoms of dementia occur afte... read more
A long-term study has revealed drinking higher amounts of coffee may make you less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. As part of the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle Study of ageing, researchers from Edith Cowan University (ECU) investigated whether coffee intake affected the rate of cognitive decline of more than 200 Australians over a decade. Lead investigator Dr Samantha Gardener said results showed an association between coffee and several important markers related to Alzheimer's disease. "We found participants with no memory impairments and with higher coffee ... read more
Medicine and Suplements
A new *Cleveland Clinic*-led study has identified sildenafil – an FDA-approved therapy for erectile dysfunction (Viagra) and pulmonary hypertension (Ravatio) – as a promising drug candidate to help prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease. According to findings published in *Nature Aging,* the research team, led by *Feixiong Cheng, Ph.D.*, of Cleveland Clinic’s *Genomic Medicine Institute*, used computational methodology to screen and validate FDA-approved drugs as potential therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. Through a large-scale analysis of a database of more than 7 million patien... read more
Aspirin use is associated with a 26% raised risk of heart failure in people with at least one predisposing factor for the condition. That's the finding of a study published today in *ESC Heart Failure,* a journal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).1 Predisposing factors included smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. "This is the first study to report that among individuals with a least one risk factor for heart failure, those taking aspirin were more likely to subsequently develop t... read more
*First study to contradict that cortisone injections are dangerous to knees* Knee osteoarthritis (OA) also known as degenerative joint disease or “wear and tear” arthritis, affects one in eight Americans over the age of 50 and is associated with reduced quality of life and increased mortality. Cortisone shots, also known as intra-articular corticosteroid injections (CSI) and hyaluronic acid injections (HAI) are popular treatments for this disease yet recent studies have raised the concern that knees treated with CSI are at high risk of OA progression. A new Boston University ... read more
Diet
Keto diet may not work for womenScientists from UC Riverside are studying how the popular keto and intermittent fasting diets work on a molecular level, and whether both sexes benefit from them equally. The idea behind the keto diet is that low levels of carbohydrates and very high levels of fat and protein will force the body to use fat as fuel, resulting in weight loss. Legions of people swear by it, and innumerable companies produce foods designed for those people. Intermittent fasting operates on a similar principle, restricting eating to a small window of time during the day. During the hours without food... read more
A daily dose of yogurt could be the go-to food to manage high blood pressure
Whether it’s a dollop on your morning cereal or a simple snack on the go, a daily dose of yoghurt could be the next go-to food for people with high blood pressure, according to new research from the University of South Australia. Conducted in partnership with the University of Maine, the study examined the associations between yoghurt intake, blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors, finding that yoghurt is associated with lower blood pressure for those with hypertension. Globally, more than a billion people suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure), putting them at... read more
Results of a study published in the *American Journal of Clinical Nutrition* indicate that regularly consuming a diet of pro-inflammatory foods (e.g., those rich in simple carbohydrates or in saturated fats) is associated with increased likelihood of developing frailty in middle-aged and older adults. Frailty affects between 10-15 percent of community-living older adults – making it a significant public health issue. Courtney L Millar, Ph.D., a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, and a Research Fellow, Department of Medicine, Beth ... read more
*A high consumption of industrially processed foods significantly increases the risk of a second heart attack or a fatal stroke in people who already suffer from cardiovascular diseases, even if they follow the Mediterranean diet* Ultra-processed foods are a major public health concern for their potential adverse effects on health. Now a study by the Department of Epidemiology and Prevention of the I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed in Pozzilli (Italy) explores the health effects of a large dietary share of ultra-processed food on people already suffering from cardiovascular diseases. The fin... read more
New research from San Diego State University’s School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences reports that eating prunes daily has a protective effect on bone health in men over 50. This study is the first of its kind to examine the beneficial prune effect on bones in men. It is estimated that 2 million men are battling osteoporosis and another 16.1 million men have low bone mass, or osteopenia (Wright et al., 2014). Despite these statistics, bone disease in men is often overlooked. “We’ve already seen significant evidence that prunes have a positive effect on bone health in women, ... read more
With the holiday season in full swing, consumers are met with countless opportunities to indulge in decadent, calorie-dense foods, which can make their health goals and choices more challenging to manage. New research from the University of Liverpool, England reports that consuming prunes can help control appetite and reduce overall caloric consumption, serving as a perfect snack to keep holiday cravings at bay. “These studies demonstrate that dried fruit can both produce satiety and be incorporated into the diet during weight management,” said Professor Jason C G Halford, Univ... read more
Key Points *Question* Are seafood consumption and mercury exposure with the current seafood consumption level associated with all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD)–related mortality among US adults? *Findings* In this cohort study of 17 294 US adults, no association was found between an increase in seafood consumption of 1 oz equivalent per day and all-cause and CVD-related mortality. In addition, blood mercury level was not associated with all-cause or CVD-related mortality. *Meaning* In this cohort study, environmental mercury exposure at the currently low to moderat... read more
*Lifestyle factors may play role in managing the malady, latest study shows* New research from UC San Francisco that tested possible triggers of a common heart condition, including caffeine, sleep deprivation and sleeping on the left side, found that only alcohol use was consistently associated with more episodes of the heart arrhythmia. The authors conclude that people might be able to reduce their risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) by avoiding certain triggers. The study is published in *JAMA Cardiology* https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamacardiology/fullarticle/2786196 and ... read more
*Prescribed meds, elimination diet, yoga and meditation provided no or little symptom reliefBoosting dark green leafy veg intake may be key* It may be worth adopting a plant based diet, rich in dark green leafy vegetables, to ease the symptoms of chronic migraine, suggest doctors in the online journal *BMJ Case Reports.* The recommendation comes after they treated a man who had endured severe migraine headaches without aura for more than 12 years. He had tried prescribed meds (Zolmitriptan and Topiramate); cutting out potential ‘trigger’ foods, including chocolate, cheese, nuts... read more
A new study published in *Diabetologia* (the journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes [EASD]) finds that low energy diets with formula meal replacements are the most effective methods of weight management and remission in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D), while the macronutrient content is not important to outcomes. The research was conducted by Professor Mike Lean, Dr Chaitong Churuangsuk and colleagues at the Universities of Glasgow, (with Dr Churuangsuk also affiliated to Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand) and others from Cambridge (UK) and O... read more
Peer-Reviewed Publication AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE (AAAS) In a Review, Mitchell Lee and colleagues attempt to separate fact from fiction for so-called “anti-aging” dietary interventions. They also explore these diets’ potential shared mechanisms of action. For almost a century, caloric restriction and other dietary interventions have been known to extend life span and delay age-associated disease – at least in laboratory animals – but just how these interventions work remains unclear. What’s more, despite the recent popularization of some of these diets... read more
Exercise
People who exercise regularly can reduce their risk of developing and dying from pneumonia, new research has found. The study, led by the University of Bristol and published in *GeroScience*, analysed, for the first time, ten population cohort studies with over one million participants. The benefits of regular exercise are well-known and can reduce the risk, length or severity of infectious diseases. Previous research has suggested that regular exercise might be associated with a reduced risk of pneumonia, but the studies have had mixed findings with some reporting evidence of a ... read more
*Researchers at the University of Tsukuba show that increased activation of the bilateral prefrontal cortex accompanies improvements to mood and cognitive function after only a brief bout of moderate-intensity running* Running may be a useful activity to undertake for better mental health. University of Tsukuba researchers have found that only ten minutes of moderate-intensity running increases local blood flow to the various loci in the bilateral prefrontal cortex —the part of the brain that plays an important role in controlling mood and executive functions. These findings may ... read more
A study conducted at the University of Jyväskylä in the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences shows that menopausal transition is associated with unfavourable changes in metabolic health that may be mitigated with a physically active lifestyle. Especially, physical activity alleviated the increase in systolic blood pressure. Menopausal transition has been associated with an increase in abdominal fat mass, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels as well as the deterioration in cholesterol levels. These changes increase the risk of, for example, cardiovascular disease and type II ... read more
Exercise increases the body’s own cannabis-like substances, which in turn helps reduce inflammation and could potentially help treat certain conditions such as arthritis, cancer and heart disease. In a new study, published in *Gut Microbes, *experts from the University of Nottingham found that exercise intervention in people with arthritis, did not just reduce their pain, but it also lowered the levels of inflammatory substances (called cytokines). It also increased levels of cannabis-like substances produced by their own bodies, called endocannabinoids. Interestingly, the way e... read more
With Thanksgiving just a day away — and the most anticipated meal of the year already in the works — the last thing on most people's minds right now is fasting. (Of course, maybe by Thursday evening, a few of us will be feeling like fasting for a day.) But even with a short Thanksgiving pause, many people are turning to fasting for weight loss and improved metabolic health, whether that be a regimen of time-restricted eating, periodic fasting or the “monk” fast. Now a new Brigham Young University study published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise finds that ex... read more
A team of University of Alberta researchers focused on aging Albertans has found that urinary incontinence could be a contributing factor in falls among older adults. In a *study published in the journal **PLOS ONE*, the researchers showed for the first time that the feeling of having to pee acts as a distracting factor that increases the risk of falling. “Falls are the leading cause of accidental death in seniors, and many people don’t know that having bladder control problems makes you about twice as likely to fall over,” said *William Gibson*, lead author of the study and as... read more
Dementia affects nearly 50 million people worldwide, and no effective treatments exist.1 Efforts to reduce risk or delay dementia onset are increasingly important, as noted in the recent 2020 *Lancet* Commission report.1 Twenty percent of adults older than 65 years in the United States experience significant sensory impairment, such as vision or hearing loss, even with correction.2 Addressing sensory loss that affects a substantial portion of older adults may be a potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia in late life.1,3 Because sensory impairments and dementia are both ... read more
Having an elevated resting heart rate in old age may be an independent risk factor of dementia, according to a study at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden published in the journal *Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association. *Since resting heart rate is easy to measure and can be lowered through exercise or medical treatment, the researchers believe that it may help to identify people with higher dementia risk for early intervention. The number of people living with dementia is expected to increase to 139 million globally by 2050, from 55 million in 2020, acc... read more
*A multidisciplinary team of researchers discovered that an oral appliance not only improves breathing rate during sleep, but also appears to reverse cognitive impairment.* A good night’s sleep plays an essential role in regulating brain health by removing the waste material and toxins that accumulate. Although many things can disturb sleep, one of the most common causes is snoring or other breathing issues that cause obstructive sleep apnea. A team of researchers from Center for BrainHealth® at The University of Texas at Dallas and Texas A&M University sought to understand th... read more
*Cognitive behavioral therapy to treat insomnia was more effective in preventing major depression as compared to sleep education therapy in adults over the age of 60 with insomnia* A new study led by researchers at UCLA Health has found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-I) prevented major depression, decreasing the likelihood of depression by over 50% as compared to sleep education therapy in adults over the age of 60 with insomnia. Their findings, reported today in *JAMA Psychiatry*, could advance public health efforts to effectively treat insomnia and prevent major depr... read more
Poor sleep in the over 50s is linked to more negative perceptions of ageing, which in turn can impact physical, mental and cognitive health, new research has revealed. A study led by the University of Exeter and found that people who rated their sleep the worst also felt older, and perceived their own physical and mental ageing more negatively. Lead author Serena Sabatini, of the University of Exeter, said: “As we age, we all experience both positive and negative changes in many areas of our lives. However, some people perceive more negative changes than others. As we know that ... read more
Young people recover quickly from rare myocarditis side effect of COVID-19 vaccine
*American Heart Association* Most young people under the age of 21 who developed suspected COVID-19 vaccine-related heart muscle inflammation known as myocarditis had mild symptoms that improved quickly, according to new research published today in the American Heart Association’s flagship journal *Circulation*. Myocarditis is a rare but serious condition that causes inflammation of the heart muscle. It can weaken the heart and affect the heart’s electrical system, which keeps the heart pumping regularly. It is most often the result of an infection and/or inflammation caused by a ... read
Researchers carry out the first head-to-head comparison of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines
Which COVID-19 vaccine works better? In the first head-to-head comparison of the effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, researchers examined the electronic health records of veterans who had received each vaccine. Both vaccines were highly effective in preventing COVID-19 outcomes such as documented infection, hospitalization, and death. However, the Moderna vaccine was found to offer an increased level of protection, including a 21% lower risk of documented infection and 41% lower risk of hospitalization, according to the research team, whose fin... read more
*Kaiser Permanente study shows Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is 87% effective in preventing COVID-19 infection, and more than 95% effective in preventing severe COVID-19.* — Kaiser Permanente research in Southern California published Nov. 25, 2021, in* The Lancet Regional Health – Americas *confirmed high Moderna COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness up to 5 months after the second dose. Effectiveness was 87% against COVID-19 infection, 96% against COVID-19 hospitalization, and 98% against COVID-19 death. “This research provides reassuring evidence of the high effectiveness of the Moderna... read more
Several personal protective and social measures, including handwashing, mask wearing, and physical distancing are associated with reductions in the incidence covid-19 and should be continued alongside vaccination, suggest experts after reviewing the latest evidence in The BMJ today. However, they say more stringent measures, such as lockdowns and closures of borders, schools, and workplaces need further assessment to weigh their potential negative effects on general populations. Public health (or non-pharmaceutical) interventions are known to be beneficial in fighting respirator... read more
General Health
A global study co-led by NUI Galway into causes of stroke has found that one in 11 survivors experienced a period of anger or upset in the one hour leading up to it. One in 20 patients had engaged in heavy physical exertion. The suspected triggers have been identified as part of the global INTERSTROKE study - the largest research project of its kind, which analysed 13,462 cases of acute stroke, involving patients with a range of ethnic backgrounds in 32 countries, including Ireland. The research has been published in the *European Heart Journal.* Stroke is a leading global cause ... read more
*Participants report no longer needing medication or surgery with one man shedding 39kgs* New research investigating the benefits of telehealth-delivered exercise and diet programs has found 80 per cent of participants experienced improvement in pain and an average of 10 per cent in loss of body weight, with one man shedding 39 kilograms. More than 400 individuals with knee osteoarthritis participated in the Better Knee, Better Me trial, developed by the University of Melbourne in partnership with Medibank and Austin Health. Published in the *Annals of Internal Medicine*today, ... read more
No comments:
Post a Comment