Author Archives
In short, I review clinical research on an almost daily basis. What I post tends to be articles that are relevant to the readers in addition to some curiosities that have intriguing potential.
As a hobby, I truly enjoy the puzzle-solving play that statistics and programming as in the python language bring to the table. I just do not enjoy problem-solving, I love problem-solving and the childlike inspiration and exploration of that innocent exhilaration of discovering something new.
Enjoy ;-)
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Serine Shows Promise for Alzheimer’s and ALS
Serine Shows Promise for Alzheimer’s and ALS Scientists have also demonstrated that memorization functions in mice were restored by supplying nutritional L-serine. #serine #alzheimers #als Juliette Le Douce, Marianne Maugard, Julien Veran, Marco Matos, Pierrick Jégo, Pierre-Antoine Vigneron, Emilie Faivre,… Read More ›
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COVID-19: The immune system can fight back
Researchers at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute) were able to test blood samples at four different time points in an otherwise healthy woman in her 40s, who presented with COVID-19 and had mild-to-moderate symptoms requiring… Read More ›
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Life expectancy crisis in the USA: The opioid crisis is not the decisive factor
Cardiovascular diseases — rather than drug deaths due to the opioid crisis — have the greatest impact on stagnating life expectancy in the USA. Source: Life expectancy crisis in the USA: The opioid crisis is not the decisive factor
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A nuclear conflict anywhere on Earth would cause global crop crisis, study finds
Inflamed tensions between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir region have raised concerns about the potential for a limited nuclear war between the two countries. But a new study combining climate, agriculture and economic models finds that the repercussions would… Read More ›
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Even a limited India-Pakistan nuclear war would bring global famine, says study
A new multinational study incorporating the latest models of global climate, crop production and trade examines the possible effects of a nuclear exchange between two longtime enemies: India and Pakistan. It suggests that even a limited war between the two… Read More ›
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Why are workers getting smaller pieces of the pie?
Market concentration in the form of ‘superstar’ firms has been lowering labor’s share of GDP in recent decades, a new study finds. Source: Why are workers getting smaller pieces of the pie?
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The Lancet: Study details first known person-to-person transmission of new coronavirus in the USA
New research published in The Lancet, describes in detail the first locally-transmitted case of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes COVID-19, in the USA, from a woman who had recently travelled to China and transmitted the infection… Read More ›
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Long-term analysis shows GM cotton no match for insects in India
In India, Bt cotton is the most widely planted cotton crop by acreage, and it is hugely controversial. Supporters long touted increased yields and reduced pesticides to justify its pickup. But that argument does not hold up under the first… Read More ›
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Can traumatic memories be erased?
Tokyo, Japan – Scientists from Tokyo Metropolitan University have discovered that iDrosophila/i flies lose long-term memory (LTM) of a traumatic event when kept in the dark, the first confirmation of environmental light playing a role in LTM maintenance. The team… Read More ›
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HSV-2 Herpes Topical Curcumin holds Promise
HSV-2 Herpes Topical Curcumin holds Promise HSV-2 Herpes Topical Curcumin holds Promise “Curcumin can stop the genital herpes virus, it helps in reducing the inflammation and makes it less susceptible to HIV and other STIs,” Prof Garg says. #hsv2 #curcumin… Read More ›
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Is it time to nationalize the drug industry?
Critics of the pharmaceutical industry say it is misaligned with public interest. So is it time to nationalize the sector? Experts debate the issue in The BMJ today. Source: Is it time to nationalize the drug industry?
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Unexpected discovery: Blue-green algae produce oil
Cyanobacteria — colloquially also called blue-green algae – can produce oil from water and carbon dioxide with the help of light. This is shown by a recent study by the University of Bonn. The result is unexpected: Until now, it… Read More ›
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Low blood pressure linked to high mortality in older adults
A large-scale study led by the University of Exeter analyzed 415,980 electronic medical records of older adults in England. People aged 75 or over with low blood pressure (below 130/80) had increased mortality rates in the follow-up, compared to those… Read More ›
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Ghanaian Quinine Completely Eliminated Lyme Disease bacteria in vitro
Ghanaian Quinine Completely Eliminated Lyme Disease bacteria in vitro Ghanaian Quinine Completely Eliminated Lyme Disease bacteria in vitro Remarkably, a single 7-day treatment with 1% Ghanaian quinine could completely eradicate the bacterium – it did not regrow, even under optimal… Read More ›
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Exposure to ‘fake news’ during the 2016 US election has been overstated
Since the 2016 US presidential election, debates have raged about the reach of so-called ‘fake news’ websites and the role they played during the campaign. A study published in Nature Human Behaviour finds that the reach of these untrustworthy websites… Read More ›
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Obesity promotes virulence of influenza
Obesity promotes the virulence of the influenza virus, according to a study conducted in mice published in mBio, an open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology. This is concerning given that the obesity epidemic is an ever-expanding threat to… Read More ›
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Using social media to understand the vaccine debate in China
Vaccine acceptance is a crucial public health issue, which has been exacerbated by the use of social media to spread content expressing vaccine hesitancy. Studies have shown that social media can provide new information regarding the dynamics of vaccine communication… Read More ›
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Anti-psychotic medication linked to adverse change in brain structure
In a first-of-its-kind study using advanced brain imaging techniques, a commonly used anti-psychotic medication was associated with potentially adverse changes in brain structure. This study was the first in humans to evaluate the effects of this type of medication on… Read More ›
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Large exoplanet could have the right conditions for life
Astronomers have found an exoplanet more than twice the size of Earth to be potentially habitable, opening the search for life to planets significantly larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune. Source: Large exoplanet could have the right conditions for… Read More ›
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WHO’s malaria vaccine study represents a ‘serious breach of international ethical standards’
A large scale malaria vaccine study led by the World Health Organization (WHO) has been criticized by a leading bioethicist for committing a ‘serious breach’ of international ethical standards, finds a special report published by The BMJ today. Source: WHO’s… Read More ›
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One year into ‘soda tax,’ researchers find law did not affect sugary-beverage consumption
One year into Philadelphia’s 1.5-cents-per-ounce ‘soda tax,’ new findings show that the law had minimal to no influence on what Philadelphians are drinking. The results were published this month in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health from… Read More ›
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Drivers of expensive cars less likely to yield for pedestrians: UNLV study
What does the car you drive say about your manners? New UNLV study finds that drivers of flashy cars are less likely to yield for pedestrians. Source: Drivers of expensive cars less likely to yield for pedestrians: UNLV study
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Study: The opioid crisis may be far worse than we thought
New research appearing in the journal Addiction shows that the number of deaths attributed to opioid-related overdoses could be 28% higher than reported due to incomplete death records. This discrepancy is more pronounced in several states, including Alabama, Mississippi, Pennsylvania,… Read More ›
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‘Surfing attack’ hacks Siri, Google with ultrasonic waves
Using ultrasound waves propagating through a solid surface, researchers at Washington University in St. Louis were able to read text messages and make fraudulent calls on a cellphone sitting on a desk up to 30 feet away. Source: ‘Surfing attack’… Read More ›
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The era of quantum supremacy is here
Google made headlines in late 2019 with an experiment that demonstrated quantum supremacy for the first time. Their quantum computer, the Sycamore Processor, took a mere 200 seconds to perform a computation that would have taken a traditional computer 10,000… Read More ›
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Quarantine on cruise ship resulted in more Corona patients
The cruise ship Diamond Princess was quarantined for over two weeks resulting in more coronavirus infected passengers than if they would have disembarked immediately. Rather the opposite to what was intended. This according to a study conducted at Umeå University… Read More ›
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Recent Nutraceutical Research into RNA virus infections including influenza and coronavirus
Recent Nutraceutical Research into RNA virus infections including influenza and coronavirus Recent Nutraceutical Research into RNA virus infections including influenza and coronavirus “Therefore, it is clear that certain nutraceuticals have antiviral effects in both human and animal studies,” commented Dr…. Read More ›
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The ‘purrfect’ music for calming cats
Taking a cat to the vets can be a stressful experience, both for cat and owner. However, a study published in this month’s issue of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery has shown that playing cat-specific music during the… Read More ›
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Researchers say extended antidepressant use creates physical dependence
Researchers explain symptoms associated with Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome and provide a schedule for tapering various classes of antidepressants. Patients who stop medication without tapering often experience flulike symptoms, insomnia, nausea, imbalance, sensory disturbances often described as electric shocks or ‘brain… Read More ›
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The fat around your arteries may actually keep them healthy
A Michigan State University researcher is adding new evidence to the argument that the fat around our arteries may play an important role in keeping those blood vessels healthy. The finding could affect how researchers test for treatments related to… Read More ›
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Cocoa may improve Peripheral Artery Disease ( PAD )
Cocoa may improve Peripheral Artery Disease ( PAD ) Researchers found that the patients who consumed cocoa showed significant improvement – walking an average of almost 43 meters further in the 6-minute walking test compared to their baseline results during… Read More ›
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Study reveals how too much fluoride causes defects in tooth enamel
Exposing teeth to excessive fluoride alters calcium signaling, mitochondrial function, and gene expression in the cells forming tooth enamel — a novel explanation for how dental fluorosis, a condition caused by overexposure to fluoride during childhood, arises. The study, led… Read More ›
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Overweight from cosmetics
Parabens are used as preservatives in cosmetics. If pregnant women use cosmetics containing parabens that remain on the skin for protracted periods, this may have consequences for their child’s subsequent weight development. This is demonstrated in a study published in… Read More ›
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Urgent improvements needed in the care of children with suspected appendicitis — study
Thousands of UK children undergo unnecessary appendix surgery each year in the NHS, a new study reveals. Source: Urgent improvements needed in the care of children with suspected appendicitis — study
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Huge bacteria-eating viruses found in DNA from gut of pregnant women and Tibetan hot spring
University of Melbourne and the University of California, Berkeley, scientists have discovered hundreds of unusually large, bacteria-killing viruses with capabilities normally associated with living organisms. The findings provide new insight into the constant warfare between phages and bacteria. They also… Read More ›
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Consider workplace AI’s impact before it’s too late, study says
The paper, ”Beyond Design and Use: How Scholars Should Study Intelligent Design Technologies,” states that scholars and policymakers need to start thinking about it far more broadly if they want to have a say in what the future looks like…. Read More ›
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Researchers were not right about left brains
The left and right side of the brain are involved in different tasks. This functional lateralization and associated brain asymmetry are well documented in humans. Scientists now challenge the long-held notion that the human pattern of brain asymmetry is unique…. Read More ›
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How social media makes breakups that much worse
Even those who use Facebook features like unfriending, unfollowing, blocking and Take a Break still experience troubling encounters with ex-partners online, a new study shows. Source: How social media makes breakups that much worse
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WWI helmets protect against shock waves just as well as modern designs
Biomedical engineers have demonstrated that, despite significant advancements in protection from ballistics and blunt impacts, modern military helmets are no better at protecting from shock waves than their World War I counterparts. One model in particular, the French Adrian helmet,… Read More ›
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Recommended diuretic causes more side effects than similar hypertension drug
Patients taking the recommended diuretic for hypertension had nearly three times the risk of potentially serious side effects, according to a new study from researchers at Columbia University. Source: Recommended diuretic causes more side effects than similar hypertension drug
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Seeding oceans with iron may not impact climate change
A new MIT study suggests that iron fertilization may not have a significant impact on phytoplankton growth, at least on a global scale. Source: Seeding oceans with iron may not impact climate change
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Prebiotics may help activate anti-tumor immunity
Prebiotics may help activate anti-tumor immunity Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute have shown that two prebiotics, mucin and inulin, slowed the growth of melanoma in mice by boosting the immune system’s ability to fight cancer. In contrast… Read More ›
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Understanding recent US mumps outbreaks
A single strain of mumps virus has dominated the US since 2006, and is responsible for many of the large numbers of cases seen across the country in the widespread 2016-17 outbreaks. In a paper publishing February 11 in the… Read More ›
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Treating wastewater with ozone could convert pharmaceuticals into toxic compounds
With water scarcity intensifying, wastewater treatment and reuse are gaining popularity. But some methods for killing microbes in wastewater create disinfection byproducts (DBPs) that could be harmful to human health. Now researchers have found that ozone treatment and subsequent chlorination… Read More ›
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Global cooling after nuclear war would harm ocean life
A nuclear war that cooled Earth could worsen the impact of ocean acidification on corals, clams, oysters and other marine life with shells or skeletons, according to the first study of its kind. Source: Global cooling after nuclear war would… Read More ›
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First-of-its-kind study examines toll of nuclear war on world’s oceans
A new study reveals a previously unknown cost of nuclear war — shifts in ocean chemistry that could have serious consequences for the world’s coral reefs and other marine life. Source: First-of-its-kind study examines toll of nuclear war on world’s… Read More ›
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Medical students become less empathic toward patients throughout medical school
The nationwide, multi-institutional cross-sectional study of students at DO-granting medical schools found that those students — like their peers in MD-granting medical schools — lose empathy as they progress through medical school. However, the DO (or osteopathic) students surveyed lost… Read More ›
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Diversity on city councils increases noninfrastructure spending — for better or worse
When city councils are elected by district rather than at large, spending on noninfrastructure projects increases, and the impact is not necessarily good, according to new research from a Rice University economist. Source: Diversity on city councils increases noninfrastructure spending… Read More ›
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Steroids could do more harm than good in treating coronavirus
Steroids should be avoided in the treatment of the current novel coronavirus, experts have advised. A commentary article published in The Lancet concludes that, based on evidence from previous outbreaks of similar types of infection such as SARS, steroids provide… Read More ›
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Pneumococcal vaccines are effective — But new strategies needed to reduce meningitis
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) have been highly effective in reducing pneumonia and other invasive infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. But rates of meningitis have shown little change, as pneumococcal strains not targeted by PCVs emerge as more important causes… Read More ›
Engineering Evil 