Nearly a year before the novel coronavirus emerged, Dr. Leonardo Trasande published “Sicker, Fatter, Poorer,” a book about connections between environmental pollutants and many of the most common chronic illnesses. The book describes decades of scientific research showing how endocrine-disrupting chemicals, present in our daily lives and now found in nearly all people, interfere with […]
Early body mass index tied to cardiometabolic risk at age 11 to 12
(HealthDay)—Toddlers who are overweight or obese have higher cardiometabolic risk scores at 11 to 12 years of age, according to a study published in the Aug. 1 issue of Pediatrics. Kate Lycett, Ph.D., from Deakin University in Burwood, Australia, and colleagues assessed the relationship between overall body mass index (BMI) growth patterns (measured at ages […]
Elevated ‘hunger’ hormone leaves trauma-exposed teens at higher risk for PTSD
Chronic stress increases a blood-based hormone called acyl-ghrelin for years after the initial traumatic stressor exposure in some adolescents, and those with elevated levels of the hormone are more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and to experience more severe cases of the condition, according to a study conducted by researchers at the Icahn […]
Scientists propose a new approach to assessing platelet activation risk
Researchers from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology together with their colleagues from National Research Center for Hematology have developed a new method for assessing individual risks of intravascular platelet activation. The latter plays a crucial role in the development of various serious clinical situations such as heart attacks and strokes. The range of circumstances […]
Maternal obesity and the risk of early-onset hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
Pregnant obese women were more at risk of experiencing early and late-onset hypertensive disorders, and that risk progressively increased in women with higher body mass indexes (BMI), according to a study led by researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). The retrospective cohort study was recently published in Obstetrics and […]
Kids with ‘silent malaria infection’ at risk of cancer
A study has found strong similarities between children withendemic Burkitt lymphoma—an aggressive cancer that attacks the body’s defense system and children with silent malaria infection. Endemic Burkitt lymphoma cases occur in areas with frequent malaria transmissions. Researchers hypothesized that the disease may occur in children with heavy exposure to malaria, says Sam Mbulaiteye, a co-author […]
Obesity ups risk for intubation, death with COVID-19 in adults under 65
(HealthDay)—Obesity is associated with an increased risk for intubation or death among hospitalized adults with COVID-19, with the association observed in adults younger than 65 years but not in older adults, according to a study published online July 29 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Michaela R. Anderson, M.D., from the Columbia University Irving Medical […]
Antibiotics use early in life increases risk of inflammatory bowel disease later in life
Even short, single antibiotic courses given to young animals can predispose them to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) when they are older, according to Rutgers researchers. The study, published in Genome Medicine, provides further evidence supporting the idea that the use of antibiotics in children under 1 year old disrupts the intestinal microbiota—the trillions of beneficial […]
New method developed for non-invasive risk assessment following hepatitis C recovery
The chronic viral inflammation of the liver that occurs in hepatitis C results in the formation of inflexible scar tissue in the form of fibrosis/cirrhosis of the liver. This impedes the flow of blood through the organ, with resulting hypertension in the portal vein. In the majority of cases, this is associated with fatal complications. […]
Heart attack: Two warning signs of the dangerous condition found on your skin
Heart attacks are indeed terrifying experiences which can come on suddenly and could be fatal. When this experience occurs, a person has a short window to minimise damage inflicted on the heart muscle. Knowing all the possible symptoms warning of the impending condition could save a life and seeing this on your skin could mean […]