Menstrual cups are becoming more and more popular, especially in Western countries, primarily thanks to their reusability. But are they as safe as other disposable menstrual products? And how many people globally actually know about them? A new review attempts to offer some answers. A review finds that menstrual cups are safe to use, but […]
Many of us are scared or repulsed by “minibeasts,” such as insects and spiders. We often view such critters as pests, but these tiny creatures could hold the secret to better health and therapies. In this Spotlight feature, we explain how three “creepy crawlies” may revolutionize health research. This Spotlight feature explains how three critters […]
Scientists have now confirmed what they previously tested in mice: the benefits of a bacterium for cardiometabolic health. In a new study, a food supplement containing Akkermansia muciniphila improved metabolic markers in people with prediabetes and at risk of cardiovascular conditions. New research suggests that taking dietary supplements that contain a certain type of bacteria […]
One global study that investigated the role of iron in a variety of health conditions has found that excess iron may lead to a higher risk of bacterial skin infections. Excessive iron levels may be linked to skin infections such as abscesses. Iron is an essential mineral. All human cells contain some iron, but around […]
Recent research has revealed that gut microbes can alter how a medication works in our bodies, sometimes with undesirable — or even toxic — results. Our gut bacteria can influence the effectiveness of the drugs we take. A healthy human gut microbiome is made up of over 1,000 species of bacteria that work to help […]
Researchers have found clues that might lead to a treatment for Lyme arthritis. The secret may lie in the walls of the bacterium that causes the condition. Ticks are responsible for spreading Lyme disease. Lyme disease occurs when a person becomes infected with a tick-borne bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. Initial symptoms typically include general fatigue, […]
Have you ever wondered how snails can spend their time crawling over dirt rife with potentially dangerous bacteria but manage to stay healthy? Two British scientists did, and this led them to discover new proteins that can fight harmful bacteria. The mucus of the garden snail, Cornu aspersum, contains proteins with antibacterial potential, a new […]
When bacteria become resistant to antibiotic treatments, this poses an important threat to health, as infections become very difficult — and sometimes impossible — to treat. But could a new strategy successfully identify the weak point of superbugs? One type of antibiotic resistance could show researchers how best to tackle some superbugs. Antibiotic resistance, defined […]
Foods with similar nutrition labels can have very different effects on gut microbiomes, research finds. Foods that have similar nutritional information on their labels can affect the gut microbiome of different people in different ways. A recent study, the results of which feature in the journal Cell Host & Microbe, looked at participants’ diets and […]
Researchers have managed to synthesize two scorpion venom compounds that are effective against some strains of highly infectious bacteria. The compounds are also unlikely to harm humans, the scientists reassure us. Detail of photograph showing Prof. Richard Zare holding a Diplocentrus melici, a type of scorpion with venom that has healing potential.Image credit: Edson N. […]