Tag: depressive symptoms

Geroscience, The Study of Age-Related Health Issues

A new collection of articles appearing in May 2014 in The Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences focuses on how the basic biology of aging drives chronic disease. Together, they highlight the value of the emerging field of geroscience, which uses an integrated approach to the study of diseases and disability associated with growing older.

Antidepressant May Slow Alzheimer’s

Citalopram (brandname Celexa), a commonly prescribed antidepressant, can reduce production of the main ingredient in Alzheimer's brain plaques. That is the finding research done at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the University of Pennsylvania. The study was published May 14th 2014 in Science Translational Medicine.  

Sugar Is Bad for Your Heart Even If You’re at a Healthy Weight

Researchers from New Zealand's University of Otago have uncovered evidence that sugar has a direct effect on risk factors for heart disease, and is likely to impact blood pressure, independent of weight gain.

Dr Lisa Te Morenga, Research Fellow with Otago's Department of Human Nutrition, and colleagues conducted a review and meta-analysis of all international studies that compared the effects of higher versus lower added sugar consumption on blood pressure and lipids (blood fats or cholesterol) – both of which are important cardiovascular risk-factors.

Glaucoma Patients Not Always Using Eye Drops

Electronic monitoring to measure medication adherence by patients with glaucoma documented that a sizable number of patients did not regularly use the eye drops prescribed to them, according to two studies published in May 2014 in JAMA Ophthalmology. The research was led by Michael V. Boland, M.D., Ph.D., of the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University.

When It’s More Than Being Tired

Whether from insomnia, stress, or just doing too much, we all feel tired occasionally. But if a good night’s sleep doesn’t revive you, and your tiredness lasts for weeks, that’s probably another issue entirely. Here, the experts at SeniorHealth, a division of the National Institutes of Health, share what you should know about fatigue:

Protein Fragments and Alzheimer’s

Two newly discovered protein fragments may lead to drugs that will better treat Alzheimer’s disease.

In a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, Prof. Illana Gozes, of Tel Aviv University’s Sagol School of Neuroscience, said that investigators had already focused on a protein called NAP, which is essential for brain formation.

Now, they have found similar protein fragments.

In their study, investigators looked at the effect of the fragments on mice with symptoms similar to thse of Alzheimer’s.

A New Approach to Treating Peanut Allergies

If your grandchildren have to avoid PB&J sandwiches, once a staple of school lunch boxes, you’re far from alone. More and more people have food allergies that can sometimes have life-threatening consequences. Now scientists at the American Chemical Society report in May 2014 in the' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry that they have developed of a new type of flour that someday could be used in food-based therapies to help people better tolerate their allergy triggers, including peanuts.

Skip the Surgery for Knee Osteoarthritis

Arthroscopy of the knee joint for osteoarthritis, also called arthrosis or gonarthrosis,has no detectable benefit. That is the conclusion of a final report published by the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) on May 12th 2014. The study included new data in which strengthening exercises under the supervision of a physical therapist were used as comparison therapy. This data did not changethe result of IQWiG’s preliminary report that was published in September 2013.

How Can We Avoid Another Global Pandemic?

An investigation into the 1918 flu pandemic has yielded some findings that could help experts improve current health policies, researchers say.

Researchers from the University of Missouri looked at remote regions in North American to see how environmental, nutritional land economic factors determined the effect the pandemic had on them.

The flu pandemic infected more than 500 million people and killed at least 50 million.

The Try Tennis for Free Campaign

Are you looking for a way to be more active? One option is the “Try Tennis for Free” campaign offered during the month of May 2014. Visit PlayTennis.com where you can find tennis facilities and teaching professionals in your area offering free events for beginners and returning tennis players.

National Hospice Awareness Campaign

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization launched a national awareness campaign on May 15th 2014 called "Moments of Life: Brought to You by Hospice."

May Is Mental Health Month: Where’s Your Sanity?

By Dr. Claudia Luiz



Everybody is overwhelmed and nobody is afraid to talk about it. Historically speaking, we are more sophisticated than ever emotionally; we are highly aware of what we feel, and we can talk about it. If we don’t feel better, it’s only because our methods for dealing with what we feel are still so antiquated. It’s just the same-old, same-old: try to be better, get inspired to change. But it doesn’t’ work.   
 


Food Expiration Dates: What’s Safe, What’s Not

You stand in front of the refrigerator staring at a “sell by” date on food and have the internal debate: Do I throw it in the trash or take my chances?

You’re not the only one. Upwards of 91 percent of consumers have thrown food out based on the dates on packaging. But the dating system isn’t as clear as it seems. Nobody wants food poisoning — no fun — but few people want to waste food, either.

Let’s get some clarity.

Keeping Your Nails Their Healthiest

From the Mayo Clinic

Take a close look at your fingernails. Are they strong and healthy looking? Or do you see ridges, dents, or areas of unusual color or shape? Many less than desirable nail conditions can be avoided through proper fingernail care. Others indicate an underlying condition that requires attention.

The Molecule That Works Against You

Researchers have determined exactly how a “molecular motor” drives a process that invades cells. That finding could be crucial in combating viral infections.

In the study, researchers from the University of California Berkeley reached new conclusions on how a type of molecular motor is used to “package” the DNA of a number of viruses, including herpes and adenoviruses. Once the DNA is packaged in the virus, it can invade the body and cause infection.

The Infectious Bond Between People and Their Pets

Humans and their animal companions exchange the bacteria for the antibiotic-resistant MRSA, according to a new study.

The findings were published in mBio, the journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

MRSA naturally lives on the skin and causes difficult-to-treat infections in humans and animals. It is hard to treat because over time it has become resistant to antibiotics.

Watch: Dietary Fiber Can Help Heart Attack Survivors Live Longer

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