UNITED KINGDOM
Is Alzheimer’s Contagious?
Evidence shows Alzheimer’s disease can occur via human-to-human transmission. Caused by the presence of two abnormally folded proteins: amyloid and tau there is increasing evidence these proteins spread in the brain in a similar way to prion diseases like Creuztfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). The scientific interest lies in the fact this is the first indication that prion diseases can increase the proteins that create Alzheimer’s in a similar to way to CJD. Of note: Alzheimer’s cannot be contracted via contact with or providing care to people with Alzheimer’s disease.
USA
Chemo drug and hearing loss
Hearing loss has been shown to be a long-term side effects caused by a common form of chemotherapy in a cohort of testicular cancer survivors who received cisplatin-based chemo. The higher the dose the more severe the hearing damage to the cochlea in the inner ear says the study team from U of Florida and Indiana University School of Medicine.
FINLAND
Misleading info about depression
Inaccurate information and circular reasoning makes it harder for people to understand the causes of their distress. It can also be caused by cognitive bias. Suggesting that a diagnosis is not an explanation, University of Turku researchers suggest that doctors need to look more closely at the problem and find out what is causing the symptoms.
CANADA
Cannabis disorders rise during pregnancy
In an article published in the Journal of Addiction, a University of Sherbrooke study done in the province of Quebec, reported a 20% increase in the number of cannabis related disorders during pregnancy since Canada’s move to legalize cannabis use.
CHINA
Staying at it: healthy lifestyle benefits into the ‘80’s
Even at an advanced age, adhering to a healthy lifestyle appears to be very important suggests Yaqi Li, Ph.D from Fudan University in China. After studying 5,222 people participating the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, Li predicted those still practicing healthy habits in later life would have a much greater chance of becoming centenarians.
GERMANY
Pacemakers only treat symptoms
A hydrogel to prevent cardiac arrhythmia’s has been developed at FAU and U of Bonn. Consisting of collagen as a carrier substance and PEDOT:PSS, the inventors of the gel also hope to reduce mental stress and the frequent shocks of the pacemaker.
UNITED KINGDOM
Arthritis relief in sight
Researchers have found a molecule to help enhance the body’s natural defences against atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Studies in mice that increasing levels of the RvT4 molecule in the body improves the ability of the body’s defence mechanisms (macrophages) to reduce local inflammation and remove blockages in blood vessels. Medicines derived from RvT4 compounds may be useful to limit inflammation in patients with other medical conditions.
HUNGARY/CANADA
Digital pacifiers and emotional regulation
Giving children digital devices such as smart phones and i-pads to stop or avoid tantrums impact a child’s ability to develop anger management skills. Researchers from Hungary and Canada published their results in Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
AUSTRALIA
Harmful impact of Tik Tok
Feeling worse about their appearance has been shown as a direct result of spending a lot of time on TikTok—especially those women 18-28 seeing just 10 minutes of pro-anorexia content. A study from researchers at Australia’s Charles Sturt University demonstrated not only harmful impacts on mental health and decreased body image satisfaction but a higher risk of disordered eating behaviour.
NEPAL
Which country is the fittest?
With climbing season underway, researchers in Nepal have published their list of the fittest countries. They looked at factors that contribute to a person’s overall fitness to take on challenges that push the body to its limits. Ranging from life expectancy and alcohol consumption to death and smoking rates. The fittest 10: Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, France, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Peru, South Korea and Iceland. Canada is in 32nd place.
