Medical
Having already cured many diseases and conditions that were once a death sentence, medical researchers continue to strive to help us live longer and healthier lives. Read about the latest advances here.
Latest News
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Your doctor is prescribing antibiotics that won't help – and may harm
April 23, 2024US doctors haven’t been following the rules when it comes to prescribing antibiotics, according to new research. Despite the rise in antibiotic resistance, between 2017 and 2021 more than a quarter of antibiotics prescribed were for conditions they’re ineffective against. -
How aspirin stops the growth and spread of colorectal cancer
April 23, 2024Aspirin, taken by around 29 million Americans daily, has increasingly been linked to inhibiting the growth of certain cancers – but we didn't quite know how. Now, scientists have uncovered how it helps the immune system see and kill cancer cells. -
Smartwatch AI predicts atrial fibrillation 30 minutes before it arrives
April 22, 2024Trained on simple heart rate data, an AI model can predict an episode of atrial fibrillation 30 minutes in advance. With plans to incorporate it into a smartphone so it can analyze data from a smartwatch, the model would act as an early warning system. -
Thistle extract accelerates nerve regeneration by up to 29%
April 22, 2024Nature has again proven effective in treating health conditions, this time nerve injury. According to a new study, a compound found in the blessed thistle plant accelerates the regeneration of damaged nerves, restoring motor function and touch sensation. -
Light-activated propulsion spins bacteria-shredding micromotors
April 18, 2024The four spikes on a new nanocrystal developed in Spain spin up under light and move through liquid, blasting any bacteria unfortunate to be in their path. The development could spell trouble for bacteria that resists traditional drug treatments. -
New flu drug aims to keep you in a 'Goldilocks zone' of lung inflammation
April 12, 2024A new drug for severe influenza successfully keeps patients at the perfect level of lung inflammation to protect against lung damage while still allowing the immune system to fight off the infection. It's effective in mice even days after infection. -
Sleep apnea: Mouthguards less invasive, just as effective as CPAP
April 12, 2024Obstructive sleep apnea can cause or contribute to high blood pressure, so a new study examined which sleep apnea treatments – a CPAP machine or a mouthguard that keeps the airways open – was more effective at lowering blood pressure. -
App detects heart failure vibes via a smartphone's existing sensors
April 09, 2024Detecting the first stages of heart failure could soon be as simple as placing a smartphone on a patient's chest. That's the conclusion of an ongoing study, which is aimed at developing an app for diagnosing the potentially lethal condition as early as possible. -
New asthma cause identified – and a new angle for treatment
April 07, 2024As common as asthma is, exactly how it starts remains murky. Scientists have now identified a new root cause, and importantly a new angle for treating the disease that can prevent the main symptoms. -
Simple oral spray prevents UTIs for up to nine years
April 07, 2024An oral vaccine that prevents urinary tract infections (UTIs) recurring has shown to provide protection for nearly a decade in a majority of patients, according to a new study. This easy treatment offers a safe, effective method of UTI prevention. -
New one-and-done vaccine protects against multiple coronaviruses
April 04, 2024A single-shot vaccine that protects against multiple coronaviruses, including the one that causes COVID-19, has been developed. It erased all viral traces from the lungs of animal subjects, opening a pathway for a similar human vaccine. -
Smartphone compass accurately measures glucose without the prick
April 03, 2024The magnetometer found inside your cellphone acts like a traditional compass to help you navigate your surroundings. Now, researchers are using it to map human biology, and it could ultimately make managing diabetes a lot cheaper and easier. -
World's most powerful MRI machine captures first stunning brain scans
April 02, 2024The world’s most powerful MRI machine has scanned its first living human brains. The resulting images give an ultra high resolution glimpse into the brain, to help us better understand the nature of consciousness and treat neurodegenerative diseases. -
Younger generations have bigger brains – and it's impacting dementia
April 01, 2024In the human species, bigger brains suggest better brain health and cognitive function. And since the 1930s, our brains have been growing. Now, a new study shows how this is affecting our risk of developing dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease. -
Brain tumors 5x more likely when taking common contraceptives
March 27, 2024Taking frequently prescribed contraceptive hormones for a year or more has been linked to a heightened risk of developing a serious brain tumor. One of those hormones, medroxyprogesterone acetate, is currently taken by some 74 million women worldwide.
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