Author: Healthcare Propulsion Staff

A second pregnancy changes the brain in ways that are both familiar and distinct from a first pregnancy, according to new research from Amsterdam UMC published in Nature Communications. Building on earlier work showing that a first pregnancy reshapes the brain, the researchers found that each pregnancy leaves its own unique imprint on the maternal brain. In an earlier study, Elseline Hoekzema and colleagues became the first to demonstrate that pregnancy changes the structure of the human brain. They also showed that pregnancy affects how the brain functions. For this latest research, the team followed 110 women over time. Some…

For a few dozen people in the world, the downside of living with a rare immune condition comes with a surprising superpower — the ability to fight off all viruses. Columbia immunologist Dusan Bogunovic discovered the individuals’ antiviral powers about 15 years ago, soon after he identified the genetic mutation that causes the condition. At first, the condition only seemed to increase vulnerability to some bacterial infections. But as more patients were identified, its unexpected antiviral benefits became apparent. Bogunovic, a professor of pediatric immunology at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, soon learned that everyone with the…

An experimental drug developed at Michigan Medicine has shown the ability to reverse severe fatty liver disease in animal studies by restoring gut health. The findings, published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, suggest that targeting the connection between the gut and liver could offer a promising new approach for treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). MASH is a serious form of fatty liver disease that affects about 7% of people worldwide. It can progress to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure, yet effective treatment options remain limited. The investigational compound, known as DT-109, is a glycine-based tripeptide. Researchers found that…

Results from the FigHTN Phase 2 clinical trial showed baxdrostat, a new medication that inhibits the production of the hormone aldosterone, lowered systolic blood pressure by about 5% when added to the existing medications taken by people with chronic kidney disease and who also have uncontrolled high blood pressure. The analysis also found that baxdrostat lowered the loss of albumin in the urine, which is a marker of kidney and cardiovascular risk, by 55% compared to placebo, suggesting that this medication may help delay the progression of kidney disease . These findings suggest the potential for baxdrostat to improve longer-term…

The US Department of Defence said it would continue to prioritise “the care of affected personnel” as it announced the compensation, paid out under the Havana Act which was signed into law in 2021.There has been widespread speculation for many years over what – and who – is responsible for Havana Syndrome. Some have claimed the illness is caused by microwaves, prompting further speculation that a foreign power may have used some kind of sonar weapon to attack US overseas staff and their dependants. “My brain is broken,” former CIA analyst Erika Stith told CBS News in 2022, external.”We got…

Intestinal worms may help reduce inflammation, but new research suggests they can only do so when they have enough dietary fiber to thrive. Without sufficient fiber, these worms enter a hibernation-like state and lose their ability to provide anti-inflammatory benefits. The findings, published in Nature Communications, come from parasitologists at the Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences. Why Scientists Are Studying Intestinal Worms For most of human history, intestinal parasites were a normal part of the digestive system. In industrialized countries, however, they have become far less common because of improved hygiene and modern medicine. During that same…

A new study led by researchers at National Jewish Health has found that recent infection with the common cold — often caused by rhinoviruses — may offer temporary protection against infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The research provides fresh insight into why children are less likely than adults to develop symptoms and could point toward new ways to reduce the severity of respiratory illnesses. Published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases earlier this month, the study analyzed data from the nationwide Human Epidemiology and Response to SARS-CoV-2 (HEROS) study, which tracked more than 4,100 people in 1,394…

Growing research suggests that medications commonly prescribed for diabetes and weight loss (including the well-known Ozempic and Wegovy) might also help people drink less alcohol. A new study from the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, published this month in Scientific Reports, found that GLP-1 agonists appear to slow how quickly alcohol moves into the bloodstream, which in turn delays its effects on the brain. “People who drink know there’s a difference between nursing a glass of wine and downing a shot of whiskey,” said Alex DiFeliceantonio, assistant professor and interim co-director of the FBRI’s Center for Health Behaviors Research.…

Carefully planned vegetarian and vegan diets can support healthy growth in children when appropriate supplements are included, according to a major new meta-analysis, the most comprehensive review to date of plant-based diets in young people. Researchers from Italy, USA and Australia examined health, growth, and nutritional outcomes in more than 48,000 children and adolescents around the world who followed different eating patterns. Their findings show that vegetarian and vegan diets can provide many important nutrients and support normal development. At the same time, the analysis highlights a higher risk of nutrient shortfalls when key nutrients are not supplied through fortified…

A newly proposed definition of obesity could significantly increase the number of Americans considered to have the condition. According to researchers at Mass General Brigham, applying updated criteria developed earlier this year by the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology Commission raises the estimated obesity rate in the United States from about 40 percent to nearly 70 percent. The study examined data from more than 300,000 people and found that the increase was especially pronounced among older adults. The findings also showed that many individuals newly classified under the updated definition face higher risks of serious health problems. The study was published…