Medicine News

Scientists Discover New Antidote for Cobra Bites: Heparin

The zebra snake (Naja nigricincta) in Namibia. Image credit: Wolfgang Wüster.
Jul 19, 2024 by News Staff

Snakebites affect about 1.8 million people annually. The current standard of care involves antibody-based antivenoms, which can be difficult to access and are generally not effective against local tissue injury. According to new research, heparin, a commonly used blood thinner, can be repurposed as an inexpensive antidote for cobra venom. The zebra snake (Naja nigricincta) in Namibia. Image credit: Wolfgang Wüster. “Our discovery could drastically...

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Coffee drinking is a heritable habit, and one that carries a certain amount of genetic baggage. Image credit: Sci.News.

New Study Sheds More Light on Genetics of Coffee Consumption

Jun 19, 2024 by News Staff

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages. In new research, scientists from the University of California, San Diego and elsewhere performed a...

Shroff et al. revealed excellent antiviral activity manifesting already within 10 to 15 min in Scots pine and Norway spruce, particularly against enveloped viruses; in contrast, other hardwoods displayed varied efficacy, with oak showing effectiveness against the enterovirus. Image credit: Shroff et al., doi: 10.1021/acsami.4c02156.

Solid Wood Surfaces Have Natural Antiviral Properties, Study Shows

Jun 19, 2024 by News Staff

In a new study, scientists from the University of Jyväskylä and the University of Eastern Finland evaluated the antiviral efficacy of various wood types,...

Higher intakes of fruit are associated with a reduced risk of incident depression.

Higher Fruit Consumption Reduces Risk of Depression, Study Suggests

Jun 5, 2024 by News Staff

New research led by University of New South Wales scientists supports a role for fruit — but not vegetable — intake in protecting against depression. Higher...

Lee et al. compared the inhibitory effects of orange peel polar fraction (OPP) and orange peel nonpolar fraction (OPNP) on trimethylamine (TMA) and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) production in response to l-carnitine treatment in vivo and in vitro.

Orange Peels May Hold Key to Better Cardiovascular Health, Scientists Say

May 29, 2024 by News Staff

The orange peel polar fraction extract containing a compound called feruloylputrescine has the potential to alleviate cardiovascular disease, according...

Chronic caffeine intake prompts compensatory and cumulative dopamine transporter downregulation, consistent with caffeine’s reported risk reduction in Parkinson’s disease. Image credit: Clinical Neurosciences, University of Turku.

Regular Caffeine Consumption Affects Brain Dopamine Function in Parkinson’s Patients, Study Says

May 28, 2024 by News Staff

In a new cross-sectional and longitudinal study, researchers from the University of Turku and Turku University Hospital investigated the effects of dietary...

Senavirathna et al. are investigating the effects ellagic acid -- an antioxidant found in some pomegranates, raspberries, strawberries, and grapes, and nuts -- could have on halting and potentially reversing the damage caused by fatty liver disease. Image credit: Engin Akyurt.

Ellagic Acid May Represent Potential Food Intervention for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Study

May 27, 2024 by News Staff

Ellagic acid is a polyphenolic, non-flavonoid compound naturally found in a variety of fruits, such as pomegranates, raspberries, strawberries, and grapes,...

Mediterranean diet is inversely associated with the severity of symptoms related to anxiety and stress.

Mediterranean Diet Reduces Anxiety and Lessens Stress, Study Suggests

May 21, 2024 by Natali Anderson

In new research, scientists from the University of the Sunshine Coast and the University of South Australia found that adherence to a Mediterranean diet...

The black-necked spitting cobra (Naja nigricollis). Image credit: John Lyakurwa / CC BY 4.0 Deed.

Researchers Discover First Effective Treatment for Spitting Cobra Snakebite

May 7, 2024 by News Staff

Spitting cobra venom is incredibly potent and causes dermonecrosis, which presents as rapid destruction of skin, muscle and bone around the site of the...

Jama et al. call for the inclusion of dietary fiber in clinical guidelines for hypertension.

Dietary Fiber Consumption Reduces Blood Pressure, Prevents Cardiovascular Disease, Review Says

Apr 9, 2024 by News Staff

According to several international, regional, and national guidelines on high blood pressure, or hypertension, lifestyle interventions are the first-line...

Sanchez-Martinez et al. provide insights into how tardigrades induce reversible biostasis through the self-assembly of labile CAHS gels.

Study: Introduced Tardigrade Proteins Slow Metabolism in Human Cells

Mar 27, 2024 by News Staff

New research led by the the University of Wyoming, Laramie, provides additional evidence that tardigrade proteins eventually could be used to make life-saving...

The sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides). Image credit: Svdmolen / CC BY-SA 3.0 Deed.

Sea Buckthorn Berries are Rich Source of Natural Antioxidants, New Study Shows

Mar 21, 2024 by News Staff

Berries of the sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) grown in Canada showed promising health benefits induced by their rich and diverse polyphenolic profile...

Cranberry supplementation for 28 days appeared to improve running speed as well as aerobic performance in trained runners. Image credit: Michael Reichelt.

Study: Cranberry Consumption Improves Physiological Markers of Performance in Trained Runners

Mar 19, 2024 by Natali Anderson

Cranberries have the highest polyphenol and antioxidant capacity among fruits and vegetables and may protect against exercise-induced free radical production,...

Niacin is an essential micronutrient fortified in food staples beyond dietary requirements. Image credit: Ferrell et al., doi: 10.1038/s41591-023-02793-8.

Breakdown Products of Excess Vitamin B3 May Contribute to Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Feb 21, 2024 by News Staff

Despite intensive preventive cardiovascular disease (CVD) efforts, substantial residual CVD risk remains even for individuals receiving all guideline-recommended...

Consumption of 1-3 servings/day of total kimchi is associated with a lower risk of obesity in men. Image credit: Dongwon Lee.

Daily Consumption of Kimchi May Reduce Men’s Obesity Risk

Feb 1, 2024 by News Staff

In a cross-sectional study, researchers from Chung Ang University and elsewhere analyzed the data from the HEXA cohort study in Korea to investigate the...

Kwon et al. offer valuable insights into the potential utilization of tomatoes as a natural antimicrobial food source for the promotion of public health; given their widespread popularity and cost effectiveness, tomatoes possess considerable potential as alternative antimicrobial agents within lifestyle interventions. Image credit: Catalin Stefan.

Tomato Juice Shows Antimicrobial Activity against Enteric Pathogens

Jan 30, 2024 by Natali Anderson

Tomatoes are readily available and affordable vegetables that offer a range of health benefits due to their bioactive molecules, such as antioxidants and...

Fletcher et al. suggest that kiwifruit consumption, and to a lesser extent vitamin C supplementation, can lead to mood-related improvements in a relatively short period of time (from 4 to 16 days), even in a relatively healthy population with good mental health. Image credit: Photo Mix.

Kiwifruit Consumption Can Improve Vitality and Mood in As Little As Four Days, Study Suggests

Jan 26, 2024 by News Staff

Foods rich in vitamin C can improve mood; however, the timecourse of these benefits is unknown. In new research, scientists from the University of Auckland...

Devitt et al. demonstrated the inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by 266-nm UVC light, which matches closely with the absorption spectra of RNA and aromatic amino acids. Image credit: Devitt et al., doi: 10.1021/acsphotonics.3c00828.

New Research Reveals How UV Light Inactivates Coronavirus Particles

Jan 11, 2024 by News Staff

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has had a tremendous impact on humanity. Prevention of transmission by disinfection of...

The human genome contains approximately half a million copies of LINE-1. Image credit: Baldwin et al., doi: 10.1038/s41586-023-06947-z.

Scientists Reveal Structure of Ancient Virus-Like Genetic Element

Dec 18, 2023 by News Staff

The Long Interspersed Element-1 (LINE-1) retrotransposon is an ‘ancient genetic parasite’ that has written around one third of the human genome through...

Itch is an unpleasant sensation that evokes a desire to scratch. The skin barrier is constantly exposed to microbes and their products. However, the role of microbes in itch generation is unknown. Deng et al. show that Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterial pathogen associated with itchy skin diseases, directly activates pruriceptor sensory neurons to drive itch. Image credit: Deng et al., doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.10.019.

Common Skin Bacterium Can Cause Itch and Scratch-Induced Skin Damage, Study Says

Nov 23, 2023 by News Staff

New research by Harvard Medical School scientists shows that a common skin bacterium called Staphylococcus aureus causes itch by instigating a molecular...

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