Health & Wellbeing
On these pages you'll find everything from devices designed to give you a better night's sleep to the latest work being done to tackle the obesity epidemic. Live long and prosper!
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Metastudy affirms low-carb diets can reverse type 2 diabetes
A new systematic review and meta-analysis published in the British Medical Journal has concluded adhering to a low-carbohydrate diet for six months is the most effective dietary strategy to put type type 2 diabetes into remission. -
Biomarkers in fathers’ sperm linked to autism risk in children
A proof-of-concept study is suggesting epigenetic biomarkers in a father's sperm can predict how susceptible their offspring will be to developing ASD. The research is still in preliminary stages requiring further investigation in larger cohorts. -
New insights into how COVID-19 can impact the brain and CNS
A robust new study has comprehensively demonstrated how SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, can infect the brain and central nervous system. The study validates a growing body of research attributing neurological issues to COVID-19. -
COVID-19 blood plasma therapy ineffective in severely ill patients
Early findings from a clinical trial suggest severely ill COVID-19 patients do not benefit from a therapy involving infusions of plasma from those recovered from the disease. The trial continues to investigate the therapy in moderately ill patients. -
Meta-analysis links higher coffee intake with lower prostate cancer risk
A new meta-analysis has found a positive correlation between higher levels of coffee consumption and lower risk of prostate cancer. The research hopes to help bring clarity to an area of study with deeply inconsistent results. -
COVID-19 severity linked to gut bacteria in first-of-its-kind study
A first-of-its-kind study has found a link between COVID-19 severity and the gut microbiome. The research suggests specific microbial patterns correlate with disease severity and those bacterial imbalances may account for some cases of “long COVID”. -
Six-month "long COVID" study reveals 76% suffer lasting symptoms
In the largest and longest follow-up study to date investigating the lingering effects of COVID-19, researchers have found more than two-thirds of hospitalized patients report at least one ongoing symptom six months after contracting the disease. -
Chronic gut inflammation triggered by e-cigarette use
New research suggests e-cigarette vapor alone, free of nicotine or flavoring, can trigger gut inflammation. Across a series of experiments the study demonstrated how e-cigarette vapor can weaken the gut’s lining and lead to chronic inflammation. -
US and UK diverge over critical COVID-19 vaccine dose strategy
Health authorities in the UK have recommended extending dosing schedules for COVID-19 vaccines, claiming one dose offers short-term protection despite trials only testing two-dose regimes. US authorities call the change risky and unproven. -
Studies find link between vaping and cognitive impairments
Two observational studies have found a link between e-cigarette use and cognitive complaints such as memory impairments and brain fog. The research doesn't present evidence of a causal link but calls for further long-term study into the relationship. -
Microbiome-altering mosquito repellent could last for two weeks
DEET may be an effective mosquito repellent, but it can cause irritation, and has to be reapplied every few hours. Scientists are now working on a more innocuous, longer-laster alternative, that involves introducing genetically engineered bacteria onto the skin. -
Study hints at fat-burning potential of exercising in the cold
A new study has found that braving the cold may be a good way to help burn off some of that Christmas pudding. The research suggests that the ambient temperature while exercising could have an effect of fat metabolism.