The Conversation (US) – Health & Medicine - Latest News and Information
Researchers are investigating vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) as a way to preserve the health of the locus coeruleus, a tiny brainstem region where tau protein first accumulates and predicts Alzheimer’s disease. The locus coeruleus produces norepinephrine, essential for sleep, attention, and memory, and VNS may regulate its activity by boosting norepinephrine levels. Early clinical data, including a six‑month trial with 52 participants with mild cognitive impairment, suggest VNS can improve memory and overall cognition. VNS is already FDA‑approved for epilepsy, migraine, depression, and stroke rehabilitation, positioning it for rapid repurposing in neuro‑degenerative research.
A new study of 2,600 medically dependent households reveals four distinct risk profiles during power outages, highlighting a vulnerable 7% of low‑income urban renters who lack backup power. Outages are becoming more frequent and longer, with most home medical devices...
Scientists are accelerating development of mRNA cancer vaccines, with more than 120 clinical trials targeting melanoma, brain, breast, lung and prostate tumors. Early studies, such as personalized vaccines for glioblastoma, demonstrate rapid immune activation and improved survival. Simultaneously, a false...
Colorado health officials have seized and destroyed PolkaDot‑branded chocolate bars, gummies and shots sold in gas stations that were marketed as mushroom blends but contained psilocybin, psilocin and synthetic tryptamines. The products bypassed FDA oversight by exploiting the dietary supplement...
A new study of elite wheelchair basketball players finds that performance gaps between women and men are minimal, with classification severity—not sex—explaining most differences. Sensors tracked acceleration, speed and distance across international games, revealing that athletes with less severe impairments...
