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30May
2023

Microplastics Are Harming the Guts of Seabirds -- and Maybe Humans, Too

Microplastics Are Harming the Guts of Seabirds -- and Maybe Humans, TooTUESDAY, May 30, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Microplastic pollution is altering the gut microbiomes of wild seabirds and that could be a warning sign for humans, researchers report.Scientists from McGill University in Montreal, along with colleagues from around the world, found that tiny bits of plastic present in the gastrointestinal system of seabirds have modified the gut's microbiome. The plastics are also reducing levels of advantageous bacteria typically found within the intestines. "Our discoveries mirror the conditions experienced by wildlife. Given that humans also ingest microplastics through environmental exposure and food consumption, this study should serve as a cautionary signal," the researchers warned.Their findings were recently published in the journal Nature Ecology...

Immune System Could Play Role in Spinal Cord Injury and...

30 May 2023
Immune System Could Play Role in Spinal Cord Injury and HealingTUESDAY, May 30, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Age blunts the immune system’s ability to respond to spinal cord injuries, new animal research indicates.But researchers working with mice also found that the membranes surrounding the spinal cord play a key role in the immune response to spinal cord injury, a discovery that might help people with these devastating injuries. They often leave patients with lifelong effects, including paralysis and the inability to control their bowels.“Recently, it has been reported more aging individuals experience spinal cord injuries. Our findings suggest in aging, there is an impairment in how the immune response is initiated and resolved compared to young,” said researcher Andrea Salvador, who just received her PhD from the University of Virginia...

Local Sales Bans on Flavored Tobacco Products in...

29 May 2023
Local Sales Bans on Flavored Tobacco Products in California Cut UseMONDAY, May 29, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Banning flavored tobacco products leads to fewer people using them, according to a new California study that found lower usage in areas that had a full ban.Residents in areas with a comprehensive sales ban had 30% reduced odds of using flavored tobacco compared to those without a ban, according to researchers from the University of California, Irvine (UCI).But the study did not find lower use when only a partial sales ban was enacted.Meanwhile, Prop 31, which upheld a 2020 state law to prohibit retail sales of certain flavored tobacco products, was recently passed in the state, and experts think this will lead to an even greater decline in use of flavored tobacco across California.Flavored tobacco products are particularly appealing to young...

Stress Across the Life Span Could Worsen MS

29 May 2023
Stress Across the Life Span Could Worsen MSMONDAY, May 29, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that attacks the central nervous system and leaves patients suffering from a host of symptoms, and now new research finds life stressors can make those symptoms even worse.Poverty, abuse and divorce in childhood and adulthood can significantly impact the level of disability someone with MS experiences, according to researchers from Michigan Medicine.“MS is the leading cause of non-traumatic disability among young adults, and additional research is needed to identify these external drivers of disability that can be addressed or prevented, including stress, to improve functional outcomes,” said study co-author Dr. Tiffany Braley. She is director of the multiple sclerosis/neuroimmunology division and...

With Training, Soccer Headers Might Be Safe for Teen Players

29 May 2023
With Training, Soccer Headers Might Be Safe for Teen PlayersMONDAY, May 29, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Limited "heading" of a soccer ball in youth sports may not cause irreversible harm, as long as players are properly trained, a new study finds.This study from concussion researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) looked at the consequences of repeated head impacts shortly after the impact. They did this using six different tests.They found that having a small number of repeated soccer headers equivalent to a throw-in did not cause immediate neurophysiological problems for teens. “Soccer is a sport where intentionally using your head to hit the ball is an integral part of the game, and concern over its long-term effects has parents, caregivers and coaches understandably concerned,” said study co-author Colin Huber, a...

Traveling? Here's Your Family Medical Checklist

27 May 2023
Traveling? Here`s Your Family Medical ChecklistSATURDAY, May 27, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- When going on vacation, there’s a lot to remember, but it’s a good idea if you add one more item to the to-do list.Baylor College of Medicine in Houston suggests creating a family travel medical checklist, to be sure that you and your loved ones stay healthy and safe while you’re away.“Traveling can expose families to different environments, climates and potential health risks. A medical travel checklist makes families take a step back to ensure the necessary precautions to protect their health and safety,” said Dr. Mike Ren, an assistant professor of family and community medicine at Baylor. “A list should include essential items such as medications, first aid supplies and personal protective equipment,” he said in a college news...

The Most Common Depression Medications, Explained

26 May 2023
The Most Common Depression Medications, ExplainedFRIDAY, May 26, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- You've been diagnosed with depression. What's next?The cornerstone of treatment remains antidepressants, so it's likely your doctor will prescribe one for you, but which one might be best?You will join millions around the world who struggle with how to treat the mental health disorder. An estimated 3.8% of the global population experiences depression, according to the World Health Organization. The numbers are staggering, but when depression is left untreated, it can impair daily functioning, raise the risk of suicide and lower quality of life.Fortunately, there are many different types of antidepressants available, each with unique mechanisms of action, benefits and potential side effects. Here, experts will explore the most commonly prescribed...

Elon Musk's Neuralink Says Brain-to-Computer Interface Has FDA Approval for Clinical Trial

26 May 2023
Elon Musk`s Neuralink Says Brain-to-Computer Interface Has FDA Approval for Clinical TrialFRIDAY, May 26, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- It may sound like the stuff of science fiction, but Elon Musk’s company Neuralink announced Thursday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a human clinical trial of a device that may restore or enhance function when implanted in a human brain.“We are excited to share that we have received the FDA’s approval to launch our first-in-human clinical study!” the company said in a statement on Twitter Thursday. It’s “an important first step that one day will allow our technology to help many people.”The device would be surgically implanted into patients’ brains using a robot. The idea is that it would connect with computers to decode brain activity, the Washington Post reported, but the FDA did not announce the trial...

Huge Mass of Sargassum Seaweed Is Targeting Florida's...

FRIDAY, May 26, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Be cautious when heading to Florida's beaches this summer, an expert warned, as a 5,000-mile floating mass of sargassum seaweed has begun washing up on the...

AHA News: More Than a Kernel of Truth: Corn Can Add a...

FRIDAY, May 26, 2023 (American Heart Association News) -- Stroll past the seasonal aisle at any grocery store this time of year and you'll find a shelf piled with plastic flip-flops, a box...
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