Hepatitis A is a viral disease that used to be fairly uncommon in the United States. This year, however, cases of hepatitis A infection have escalated to a worrying degree. This month, Florida has declared hepatitis A a health emergency. The state of Florida has now declared the hepatitis A outbreak a ‘public health emergency.’ […]
A large study has concluded that vaccinations are not a risk factor for multiple sclerosis. Instead, the findings reveal a consistent link between higher vaccination rates and a lower likelihood of developing the disabling condition. There is no evidence that vaccinations increase the likelihood of MS. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) in […]
Over recent years, researchers have become increasingly interested in the link between the immune system and Parkinson’s disease. Using a mouse model, scientists recently explored the potential role of a bacterial gut infection. A recent study examines how a gut infection might trigger Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease develops due to the slow depletion of dopamine-producing […]
Scientists have discovered that a certain type of immune cell could be a prime cause of pelvic pain in women with endometriosis. The finding could lead to new treatments for a common condition that affects many millions of women. New research explores non-hormonal alternatives for relieving the pain of endometriosis. Endometriosis is a lifelong condition […]
The ability to program living cells to behave in specific ways under certain conditions is creating new opportunities in medicine. A recent mouse study in which researchers programmed bacteria to help fight cancer is an example. Scientists were able to reprogram bacteria and use them in the fight against cancer. Some tumors thrive and spread […]
Gold nanoparticles could be a safe tool for improving the effectiveness of vaccines and other medicines that need to target the B cells of the immune system, according to new research. Cutting-edge research in gold nanoparticles may improve the effectiveness of existing vaccines. The number of medical uses for nanoparticles has grown steadily over the […]
In this Spotlight, we introduce the glymphatic system: the brain’s dedicated waste clearance system. Now implicated in various conditions, it is high time that we became acquainted. Astroglia (illustrated above) play a pivotal role in the brain’s trash collection service. Many of us are relatively familiar with the lymphatic system; it performs a number of […]
Health organizations, doctors, and scientists agree that vaccines are safe and effective. Despite this, there is a growing movement of parents and caregivers choosing not to vaccinate their children. Anti-vaccination myths are almost certainly contributing to this trend. Many health organizations advise that children receive vaccinations for their individual health and for the health of […]
A recent discovery could help to explain further why living with dirt can benefit human health. Scientists have found that a bacterium that lives in soil makes an anti-inflammatory fatty acid that can promote resilience to stress. A bacterium called Mycobacterium vaccae could protect against stress and anxiety. Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder […]
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes systemic, or widespread, inflammation. The disease can affect the skin, joints, and blood vessels, as well as multiple organ systems. The exact causes of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remain unclear. However, genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors may contribute to the development of the disease. SLE […]