Health & Medicine
New independent research clarifies risks associated with different MHT (HRT) treatments
Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is used to ease severe symptoms associated with the menopause and can be administered in tablet, patch, gel, or implant form. However, previous research has suggested treatments may have serious side effects, including increased risks of developing blood clots, breast cancer, and dementia. Dr Yana Vinogradova of Nottingham University Medical School, UK, supported by UK researchers […]
Disruption of amyloid β-protein processing drives Alzheimer’s
In the study of familial Alzheimer’s disease, a specific form of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) found in amyloid plaques has been the focus of many investigations as a key driver of disease. However, increased concentrations of this form of Aβ does not always occur with disease-causing mutations, suggesting a different step in Aβ processing could be triggering Alzheimer’s. Professor Michael S. […]
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Stem cell-based cartilage regeneration technology
Harnessing the regeneration ability of stem cells, researchers are making strides in the treatment of large cartilage defects of the knee. A collaborative team including Dr Khay-Yong Saw, Dr Reza Ng, Dr Caroline Jee (Kuala Lumpur Sports Medicine Centre, Malaysia), and Dr Adam Anz (Andrews Research and Education Foundation, Florida, USA) demonstrate the safety and efficacy of peripheral blood stem […]
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Blood–brain communication: Essential for regulation of autonomic nervous system and optimal health?
Professor Alastair V Ferguson leads an interdisciplinary neuroscience research group at Queens University in Canada, studying the central nervous system with a specific focus on understanding changes in brain function associated with hypertension and obesity. More specifically, the group’s recent studies have focused on understanding how our brain controls many critical variables – including glucose, oxygen, blood pressure and electrolytes […]
Rib fracture pain and disability: Do we need a more aggressive approach after all?
Rib fractures are the most common injury after thoracic (chest) trauma, accounting for approximately two-thirds of cases. The main challenge in treating them is controlling the associated pain that can lead to complications, such as chest infections and respiratory failure. Despite advances in pain control and anaesthesia, the conservative treatment of these injuries often results in chronic pain, in some […]
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Drug-adapted RET mutations
RET is a protein tyrosine kinase that is upregulated and activated in many diverse forms of cancer. Treatments using RET-specific inhibitors have been highly effective, but the threat of resistance to these drugs looms. For this reason, Dr Jie Wu and Dr Blaine Mooers from the University of Oklahoma, together with Dr Vivek Subbiah from the University of Texas, decided […]
Transforming medical imaging: Artificial intelligence for smarter healthcare
Research conducted by Dr Seong K Mun, Professor at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, aims at maximising the utility of imaging technology in healthcare. Dr Mun has more than 40 years of academic research in imaging; beginning with the development of one of the first superconducting MRI systems in the 1980s. Along with his research partners, Dr Shih-Chung B […]
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Using genetics to guide treatment of arterial hypertension with Rostafuroxin
Primary hypertension is a major health concern and can cause serious cardiac, renal and brain complications responsible for about 10% of worldwide health burden and costs. The development of hypertension is triggered by genetic factors that, in turn, are modulated by biological and environmental factors. Many drugs are available for the treatment of hypertension, but none target the underlying genetic […]
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Novel insights into parasite dynamics for leishmaniasis treatment
Neglected tropical diseases such as leishmaniasis have a huge impact on global health but are under-researched and under-funded. Treatment and diagnostic techniques remain expensive and difficult to implement in remote areas. Dr Maria Fernanda Laranjeira-Silva of the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, has been conducting research into potential new therapeutic targets, focusing on exploiting the parasite’s need to appropriate the […]
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Gender equality in oncology: The importance of representation
The field of oncology has a gender imbalance, with women only occupying a small number of leadership positions. So how can we improve gender equality in oncology? Dr Pilar Garrido, Dr Anna Sophie Berghoff, Dr Cristiana Sessa and colleagues, from the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)’s Women for Oncology (W4O) Committee, are monitoring the representation of female oncologists. Through […]
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