Farm-to-Indoor-Table Microbiota May Significantly Decrease Asthma and Allergies
Razi Berry Previous research has shown that growing up on a farm with animals, may reduce as much as half the risk of asthma and allergies. The protective effect is thought to be attributable to the diverse microbial exposures encountered on farms. Presence of farm-like microbiota in an early-life home may protect from asthma also […]
Antibodies in Breastmilk Important to Prevent Disease in Premies
Razi Berry A new study from the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh finds that an antibody in breastmilk is necessary to prevent necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)- an often-deadly bacterial disease of the intestine- in preterm infants. Antibody in breastmilk necessary to prevent necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) Immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies bind to bacteria […]
Contents of Processed Foods could Be Affecting Fetus’ Developing Brain
Razi Berry With the number of children diagnosed with autism on the rise, the need to find what causes the disorder becomes more urgent every day. University of Central Florida (UCF) researchers are now a step closer to showing the link between the food pregnant women consume and the effects on a fetus’ developing brain. […]
Brain Changes From Cannabis Use
Razi Berry A once understudied topic now shows a clear link between cannabis use and brain alterations, whereby chronic use may lead to poor conflict resolution skills. Development of neural circuits in youth The development of neural circuits in youth, at a particularly important time in their lives, can be heavily influenced by external factors—specifically […]
Bioengineered Implant May Provide Long-Lasting Relief from Type 1 Diabetes
Razi Berry People suffering from Type 1 diabetes are set to benefit from an innovative therapy being developed in an EU-funded project that promises to restore the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar via a small bioengineered implant. EU-funded DRIVE project The EU-funded DRIVE project aims to provide a long-lasting solution to the therapeutic challenges […]
Vitamin D May Help Stop Cancer Cells Becoming Drug-Resistant
Razi Berry What’s good for our bones may also help stop cancer cells that develop resistance to multiple chemotherapy drugs. Calcitriol and calcipotriol The vitamin D metabolite calcitriol and its analog calcipotriol can block one of the mechanisms through which cancer cells gain resistance to chemotherapy drugs; and can selectively kill those drug-resistant cells, according […]
Coronary Artery Calcium Levels Linked to Future Heart Problems in the Middle-Aged
Razi Berry Higher coronary artery calcium levels in middle-age were associated with structural heart abnormalities linked to future heart failure, particularly among blacks, according to new research in Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging, an American Heart Association journal. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a risk marker for heart health problems Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is the buildup […]
Vitamin D and estrogen can prevent heart disease, stroke, and diabetes in women
Razi Berry Vitamin D and estrogen have already shown well-documented results in improving bone health in women. A new study from China suggests that this same combination could help prevent metabolic syndrome, a constellation of conditions that increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes in postmenopausal women. Results are published online today in […]
Differences in brain systems for habitual behavior distinguish heavy cannabis users
Razi Berry A shift from brain systems controlling reward-driven use to habit-driven use differentiates heavy cannabis users who are addicted to the drug from users who aren’t, according to a study in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, published by Elsevier. The findings help explain how the brain becomes dependent on cannabis, and why not […]
Male Obesity May Contribute to Fertility Issues
Razi Berry About 15% of couples in fertile age have experienced fertility problems. Men contribute to 50% of the cases when a couple cannot achieve the desired pregnancy. The proportion of overweight men has tripled in parallel with the increase in fertility problems worldwide. The doctoral thesis conducted at the University of Tartu Institute of […]