CHICAGO — Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a very prevalent gastrointestinal condition that usually results in chronic abdominal pain or discomfort. For children, a new study reveals that they are more vulnerable to this condition if they take antibiotics or consume a typical Western diet starting at a young age. While wealth often equates to …
SÃO PAULO, Brazil — Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the human body in response to darkness that helps regulate our sleep-wake cycles. In other words, melatonin tips off our brains that it’s bedtime. Of course, sleep is often incredibly elusive, and many people boost their natural melatonin levels with over-the-counter supplements. However, new …
BALTIMORE — A recent study suggests that barbecuing could potentially increase the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis due to the release of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These particles, which are environmental pollutants, form during the combustion of substances like coal, oil, gas, and wood, as well as during the flame grilling of meat and other …
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Older adults often experience a host of complications associated with aging, such as bone and muscle loss. Scientists say our bodies produce microRNA that contribute to these problems. Now, a team from Augusta University reports that inhibiting one specific molecule might help aging bodies maintain their health and vitality. This particular RNA, …
NEW YORK — It’s a strange phenomenon. Patients with gum disease often don’t respond to treatment for their rheumatoid arthritis, but doctors haven’t understood why — until now. A new study finds that treating gum disease first can help prevent arthritis flare-ups by eliminating mouth bacteria that leaks into the bloodstream. Researchers from The Rockefeller University …
BOSTON — The human gut is integral to just about every part of the body, but especially our immune system when you consider that roughly 70 percent of it lies within the gut. In a surprising discovery, Harvard Medical researchers are demonstrating how gut microbes fuel our immune systems to heal muscle injuries. T cells …
NEW YORK — Young blood studies have been focusing on infusing older patients with the blood of their younger and healthier peers. While these transfusions show promise at turning back the clock, a new study finds scientists may be able to do this without using someone else’s blood. Researchers from Columbia University in New York say …
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Coffee lovers rejoice, because a simple cup of joe with milk may protect your body from harmful inflammation, according to researchers from the University of Copenhagen. Their study finds that adding milk to coffee doubles the protective power of the immune cells. When things that don’t belong in the body find their …
SWANSEA, United Kingdom — A new patch that uses microneedles to examine the chemicals in a person’s skin can detect the signs of Alzheimer’s before symptoms emerge. Scientists at Swansea University say this groundbreaking device can spot inflammatory biomarkers of the disease with great accuracy in just six minutes. The “smart patch” can even detect …
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The pathology of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases continue to puzzle scientists. However, UT Health San Antonio scientists have made a novel discovery, finding a possible inflammatory trigger for Alzheimer’s as well as a rare brain disorder called supranuclear palsy. “We have identified a new trigger of brain inflammation in …