Advances in Medical Technolgy
A Cure for Diabetes?
Many older adults struggle with diabetes management. But researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York have made great strides in uncovering a cure for diabetes. They have discovered a new drug duo that can regenerate insulin-producing cells known as beta cells. Previously, researchers found that the drug, harmine,…
Read MoreFDA Warns about Unapproved Genetic Testing
The fruit fly, drosophila melanogaster, is primarily known as a kitchen pest. But its short lifecycle and prodigious rate of reproduction have made it a favorite for genetic research, including the massive Human Genome Project (HGP). The fly’s genes were studied and mapped back in the early 1900s, but it was not until the 1990s that international…
Read MoreAfter 30 Years of Effort, Synthesis of Compound Brings Hope for Further Breakthroughs in Medicine Development
In what has been termed within the scientific community as a landmark discovery, a fundamental breakthrough, and an unprecedented achievement, scientists at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA, have synthesized a powerful anticancer compound. Scientists have been trying to synthesize this compound for more than 30 years. The compound in question is a naturally occurring component…
Read MoreRheumatoid Arthritis and “Brain Fog”
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is known for causing painful joints, but this autoimmune disease is also associated with memory and concentration problems, as well as with general problems in thinking. These cognitive symptoms, known colloquially as “brain fog,” are also found with other inflammatory conditions. Although the associations are there, it has been difficult to track…
Read MoreProton Beam Therapy Offers Same Benefits with Fewer Risks
Although cardiovascular disease is still the leading cause of death in the United States, death from cancer does not lag far behind. The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 1,800,000 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2019. They also estimate that more than 600,000 deaths will occur in 2019 as a result of…
Read MoreArtificial Intelligence Tackles Lung Cancer Diagnosis
For those of us who are fascinated by the possibilities that artificial intelligence (AI) is creating, it is impossible to forget the famous 1997 tournament between the reigning world chess champion Garry Kasparov and IBM’s Deep Blue chess supercomputer. It was the first time that a machine defeated a reigning chess world champion in a…
Read MoreStudy Reveals the Genetics of High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is known as “the silent killer” because it has no symptoms and is the leading cardiovascular cause of death worldwide. The American Heart Association (AHA) estimates that nearly one-half of all adults in the US suffers from hypertension, meaning approximately 100 million Americans have it. What’s worse: many…
Read MoreDiagnosing Skin Cancer is about to Become Much Easier
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Skin cancer generally falls into two categories: melanoma and non-melanoma. Non-melanoma often leads to some sort of disfigurement, while melanoma often leads to death. According to the American Cancer Society, rates of melanoma have…
Read MoreEarly Cancer Detection Method Developed
Many types of cancer are asymptomatic at their early stages, with lung cancer, ovarian cancer and colon cancer being well-known examples. Consequently, these cancers are usually detected when they are too far advanced for effective treatment. Recently, scientists at the University of Kansas in Lawrence and the KU Cancer Center in Kansas City developed a…
Read MoreVitamin C, Epinephrine, and Cancer
It is well-known that chronic stress can have a negative impact on health. Numerous studies have linked chronic stress to higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, an imbalance of the gut microbiome, cognitive decline, and many other illnesses, including cancer. Recently, researchers from the Dalian Medical University in China, along with colleagues from around the…
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