New Atlas

Science Audio available

Super potent, high-THC marijuana associated with increased rates of psychosis

Rich Haridy March 20, 2019

A study examining the association between potent marijuana, frequency of use and psychosis has revealed a link between stronger marijuana and higher incidences of psychotic disorders. The research suggests limiting THC concentrations may reduce mental health issues associated with the drug.

Marijuana with THC levels above 10 percent has been associated with greater incidences of psychotic episodes

Medical

FDA approves first drug to specifically treat postpartum depression, but it isn't cheap

Rich Haridy March 19, 2019

Zulresso, also known as brexanolone, has just been approved to treat postpartum depression by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This is the first drug ever approved to specifically assist women suffering from this mood disorder..

A new drug treatment that is administered through a slow IV infusion lasting up to 60 ...

Science

Psychedelic research on microdosing rats with DMT reveals unusual results

Rich Haridy March 4, 2019

In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers from UC Davis have examined the effects of psychedelic microdosing on animal behavior. The results yielded a variety of unexpected effects including some surprising negative changes affirming the need for more research into this growing trend.

DMT (imaged in crystal form above) was the psychedelic used in one of the first animal ...

Science

Marijuana legalization is not associated with higher teenage use, new study claims

Rich Haridy February 19, 2019

With a growing body of evidence confirming the potential harm marijuana can cause on a growing adolescent brain, it is reasonable to ask what governmental policy best reduces teenage consumption. A new study has concluded that tough marijuana laws are not associated with reduced teenage use.

New research revealed a 2015 study claiming marijuana legalization increased teenage use may have been incorrect

Biology

Placenta-on-a-chip test shows how caffeine passes from mother to baby

Michael Irving February 18, 2019

The placenta may be one of the least understood organs, but it’s important to study its effects on the health of a developing fetus. Researchers at Iowa State University have used microfluidic models of the organ, a placenta-on-a-chip, to see if, and how much, caffeine can cross from mother to baby.

Using a placenta-on-a-chip, researchers have found that caffeine can be passed from a mother to a ...

Biology Audio available

Immune system discovery could lead to preventative drugs for allergies

Michael Irving February 17, 2019

Sometimes the immune system gets it wrong, targeting harmless proteins from things like nuts and triggering allergic reactions. Now, researchers have identified a mechanism that helps keep the immune system in check, potentially leading to drugs that prevent allergic reactions before they start.

A newly-discovered mechanism in the immune system could pave the way for preventative drugs for allergic ...

Medical Audio available

New chemo drug keeps platinum nanoparticles on target for liver cancer

Michael Irving February 15, 2019

Chemotherapy drugs are effective at killing cancer cells – but they’re also pretty good at killing healthy cells. Making these drugs more selective for tumors is a key area of research, and now a team at ETH Zurich has found a way to keep a common treatment – platinum nanoparticles – on target.

Researchers have found a way to make platinum nanoparticles more effective against liver cancer, without harming ...

Medical Audio available

New experimental drug rapidly repairs age-related memory loss and improves mood

Rich Haridy February 14, 2019

A team of Canadian scientists has developed a fascinating new experimental drug that is purported to produce rapid improvements to both mood and memory following extensive animal testing. It's hoped the drug will move to human trials within the next two years.

It's hoped a new drug showing promise for reversing age- and depression-related memory loss will move ...

Medical Audio available

MIT's new oral capsule injects insulin through microneedles

Michael Irving February 7, 2019

Plenty of work has gone into developing an insulin pill as an alternative to injections, but that comes with its own challenges. Now, an MIT team has created a new design for a capsule that houses a microneedle made of insulin, which injects the hormone through the stomach lining.

MIT's new insulin-delivering capsule contains a microneedle that injects the hormone into the bloodstream through the ...

Medical Audio available

New drug stops cancer growth by disrupting its cellular circadian clock

Rich Haridy January 23, 2019

A new study has revealed an experimental new drug can stop cancer cells from growing by disrupting their internal circadian clock. The novel cancer-battling concept has only been tested in mice but it suggests an entirely new technique to stifle growth in this devastatingly prolific disease.