Health & Medicine
Assessing the effectiveness of pre-travel testing for COVID-19
There is a global need to implement new control measures for travel in order to monitor and prevent the spread of COVID-19 and novel variants. Dr Amy Hou and Dr Lorrin Pang, Maui District Health Office and Hawaii State Department of Health, are exploring a simple, rapid method that can be used to monitor the COVID-19 infection status of travellers […]
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Cointegration of causes of mortality as a possible measure of human ageing
Many of us can expect to live longer than previous generations. We might also surmise that one of the top five causes of mortality will prove our demise. Ultimately, however, most causes of death are linked to ageing, an inevitable process for which we have no direct measurement. Professor Séverine Arnold, of the University of Lausanne, has provided a potential […]
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Covid-19 highlights the importance of defibrillation in in-hospital resuscitation
Many aspects of the healthcare system have changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the response to cardiac arrests both outside and within hospitals. Early recognition of cardiopulmonary arrest, early defibrillation when indicated, and early advanced life support (ALS) are some of the common practices that fall under in-hospital resuscitation. John A. Stewart, an independent researcher and retired […]
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MicroRNAs as promising biomarkers and therapeutic tools in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a genetic disorder that results in potentially fatal blood vessel abnormalities. Currently, there is no cure or universally effective treatment for the condition, which remains underfunded and underdiagnosed. MicroRNAs have emerged as new biomarkers for human diseases and hold great promise for the improved diagnosis and treatment of HHT. A recent review publication by Anthony […]
When the body turns against itself: Amyloid-based diseases
Often, the body is its own worst enemy. Diseases such as cancer are caused by faults in the natural replication processes of our own cells. It is thought that both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease may be caused by amyloids – aggregates of our own proteins that can disrupt nerve signalling and other functions. Dr H. Robert Guy of Amyloid Research […]
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Trypan blue venography: Evaluation and treatment of glaucoma
Glaucoma is linked to a build up of pressure in the eye as a result of impaired aqueous humour fluid outflow. However, there are limited options to evaluate aqueous outflow systems. Patrick Gooi, University of Calgary and Gavin Docherty, of the University of British Columbia, Canada, have developed a technique known as trypan blue venography, allowing simultaneous surgical intervention and […]
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New hope for accurate prognosis of prostate and blood cancers using 3D telomeric imaging and Lamin A/C
Professor Sabine Mai of the University of Manitoba, Canada, has been examining the links between genomic instability and cancer using 3D imaging of the genome. She has also collaborated on cutting-edge research, utilising a potential biomarker called Lamin A/C for determining the aggressiveness of Hodgkin’s lymphoma and the severity of Multiple Myeloma. This research is a first step toward circumventing […]
Lifestyle medicine and adverse childhood experiences
Adverse childhood experiences, which can be identified in up to 20% of the population, can underpin a wide range of diseases in later life. Professor Garry Egger, from Southern Cross University, Australia, suggests that this may occur via underlying systemic inflammatory processes. Understanding more about this association, and the role that lifestyle medicine may play in preventing and managing chronic […]
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The missing link? Sudden infant death syndrome and the diaphragm
The cause of death in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is unknown. Scientists know that risk factors include the prone sleeping position, prematurity, low birth weight, and non-lethal infections. SIDS likely has a respiratory origin, but the diaphragm that powers the vital respiratory pump has not been adequately investigated in the context of SIDS. Diaphragm failure is a well-known cause […]
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Managing lymphoproliferative disorders in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs) are characterised by the abnormal proliferation of lymphocytes – a white blood cell in the immune system. LPDs are a notable complication during the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune condition. In Japan, the incidence of LPDs in RA patients is high and the management and treatment strategies for these patients has been challenging. Dr Masao Tanaka from the Kyoto University […]
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