Category Archives: Health

06Nov/22

What long-term opioid use does to your body and brain

Rob Poole, Bangor University

In his new autobiography, Matthew Perry reveals that his colon burst as a result of his addiction to opioid painkillers. The 53-year-old actor, who played Chandler Bing in Friends, was in a coma for two weeks following the incident and had to wear a colostomy bag for nine months.

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04Nov/22

‘Secrets of Shape-Shifting Proteins Revealed’: Real-time observation of life at the smallest scale, shows how vibrations are used by proteins to change shapes and functions

RAM Medical Corporation L.L.C. (RMC), based in UAE and Germany, has recently set up its headquarters in Dubai. For the past several years, RMC has been developing the next generation of biosensors for biomedical applications. As of October 2022, RMC innovation has created an IP portfolio of more than 60 sensor patents and operates its R&D facilities, cleanrooms, and research labs in Germany. The Company has developed a revolutionary 3D biomolecular mapping platform called ThEA™ (Terahertz Express Analyzer) for real-time 3D imaging of proteins in hopes of radically changing the drug development and personalized diagnostics industries. Continue reading

01Nov/22

Omicron BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 – an expert answers three key questions about these new COVID variants

Manal Mohammed, University of Westminster

Two new omicron subvariants, BQ.1 and BQ.1.1, are quickly gaining traction in the US, collectively accounting for 27% of infections as of October 29. Both are descendants of BA.5, the omicron variant that has dominated around the world for some months.

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01Nov/22

New Initiative Launches to Address Neglected Global Health Crisis of Alcohol

Alcohol consumption is a top-ten driver of death, illness and injury, with wide-ranging social and economic harms. Many of the harms related to alcohol disproportionately affect young adults, and surveys from multiple countries suggest that the Covid-19 pandemic has further increased drinking. Today, Vital Strategies announced RESET Alcohol – a groundbreaking new $15 million initiative to reduce alcohol-related harms in hard-hit countries through policy change. Continue reading

26Oct/22

ZEISS Microscopy Launches New Interactive Microsite

ZEISS Research Microscopy Solutions announced its new microsite featuring nine researchers and 24 areas of study, to celebrate the amazing breakthroughs these scientists are achieving with ZEISS instruments. This virtual component is the at-home extension of their new interactive touchscreen experience recently debuted at ZEISS tradeshows. The microsite’s web interface allows for an intuitive interaction to explore microscopic discoveries and will grow with more research breakthroughs to come. The microsite will allow the user to see some of what is featured during microscopy events. Continue reading

17Oct/22

Alzheimer’s disease: surprising new theory about what might cause it

Andrea Sturchio, Karolinska Institutet; Kariem Ezzat, Karolinska Institutet, and Samir EL Andaloussi, Karolinska Institutet

In 1906, Alois Alzheimer, a psychiatrist and neuroanatomist, reported “a peculiar severe disease process of the cerebral cortex” to a gathering of psychiatrists in Tübingen, Germany. The case was a 50-year-old woman who suffered from memory loss, delusions, hallucinations, aggression and confusion – all of which worsened until her untimely death five years later.

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16Oct/22

Flu is set for a big comeback now COVID restrictions are lifted – here’s what you need to know

Michael Head, University of Southampton

The flu seasons of 2020 and 2021 were mild, mostly thanks to measures people took against COVID, such as wearing masks, social distancing and using copious amounts of hand gel. 2022, however, looks like a whole different kettle of fish.

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13Oct/22

Quest Encourages Consumers to “Put Your ____ To The Test” in Bold and Disruptive New Ad Campaign

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), the leader in diagnostic testing, unveiled a nationwide campaign, titled “Put Your ___ To The Test.” The unexpected, provocative, and fresh campaign empowers consumers to take control of their health with more than 50 lab tests available for purchase directly from questhealth.com, quickly, conveniently, and confidentially, without a doctor’s visit. Continue reading

06Oct/22

Vegetarians more likely to be depressed than meat-eaters – possible reasons

Chris Bryant, University of Bath

Vegetarians have around twice as many depressive episodes as meat-eaters, according to a new study.

The study, based on survey data from Brazil, chimes with earlier research that found higher rates of depression among those who forgo meat. However, the new study suggests that this link exists independent of nutritional intake.

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05Oct/22

Breathe Flow – the new Apple Watch health test is first to give users smartwatch health data ownership with NFTs*

Health AI company Vagus.co has launched ‘Breathe Flow’, which has a unique 30-seconds health test and data NFT creation. The primary goal is to help users improve their breathing- and lifestyle habits to reduce stress and give early warning for health issues. It is the first app to provide a web3 platform where users own their smartwatch data with an NFT. Users can earn income either by selling the V-NFT outright or by receiving rewards. Continue reading