A recent clinical trial reports on the safety of the prolonged use of pantoprazole – a proton pump inhibitor. What are proton pump inhibitors? Proton pump inhibitors are a group of drugs that are designed to reduce the amount of acid produced in the stomach. They are one of the most commonly prescribed medications for

To see how stress affects children, researchers studied the effect of negative early-life experiences on stress hormone levels and the ability to focus. Negative early-life experiences in children such as poverty, parental divorce, or substance abuse can lead to the poor adjustment of children in social, emotional, and academic situations. The fact that this is

Blood donation can do a lot more to help than you probably think. Happy World Blood Donor Day, enjoy the cookies and juice! Is blood more than the sum of its parts? It’s not likely and that’s a great thing! In the past blood was collected, stored, and used for transfusions when needed. Now blood

A recent study carried out at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, examined the effects of eating comfort food when stressed. We are all aware that eating a lot of high-calorie foods is bad for our health. However, a recent study carried out in Australia, and published in the journal Cell Metabolism, investigated the effects

In a recent study, researchers assessed the advantages an extrovert at work experiences, compared to introverts. What is the difference between extroverts and introverts? Extroverts tend to be viewed as sociable, outgoing, and leaders. Introverts tend to be viewed as reserved, calm, and observant. Extraversion and introversion in the workplace is a frequently studied topic.

A new study assessed the consequences of teasing on weight gain in children. Childhood obesity is a growing problem worldwide. The World Health Organization estimates that by 2025, 70 million children across the globe will be obese. With the condition comes not only health implications, such as the increased risk of chronic diseases as they

A recent study investigated the relationship between poor sleep quality, depressed mood, and age, and the decline in working memory capacity and precision. Psychological research is often thought to explain and simplify the workings of the human mind. With more in-depth, sophisticated investigations, it appears that our knowledge of the human mind increases. In a

A recent study investigated the health benefits of fast walking, finding that risk of heart disease decreases with increased walking speed. It is widely known that maintaining an active lifestyle is beneficial for overall health, and may help increase life span. However, does the pace of activity have any implications on health? According to a

A recent study examined the effects of soy protein on low density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol. Recently, the FDA has decided to re-visit data surrounding soy protein and its ability to decrease cholesterol. In 2006, a scientific advisory Committee of the AHA determined that the claim that soy protein decreases cholesterol was not sufficiently

A recent study conducted in Sweden investigated the effect of high job demands on weight gain in both men and women. During the last few decades, an increase in body mass index (BMI) has been observed in the general population, with experts predicting a rise in future obesity rates. We all know that eating too

A new study assessed whether intensive treatment in patients with high blood pressure and diabetes can reduce risk of adverse events or death. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a well-established risk factor for the development and progression of cardiovascular disease. High blood pressure is associated with increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events, including heart

Researchers have developed a tool that can accurately predict the risk of epileptic seizures in pregnancy. In the United States, over 1 million women of childbearing age have epilepsy. Antiepileptic drugs are known to be associated with congenital malformations, growth retardation, and neurocognitive development deficit. The dilemma to use or not to use antiepileptic drugs

A recent report in a Canadian medical journal describes toxicity and chronic kidney failure in a man who had taken too much vitamin D.   How much is too much vitamin D? the safe range of Vitamin D blood levels have been clearly defined, and toxicity from vitamin D is actually quite rare. Low vitamin

Researchers in France investigated the effects of acetaminophen on stroke risk and other factors in older adults. Acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol) is a widely-used, over-the-counter, pain-relief medicine. It is generally considered to be very safe. However, it is also one of the most commonly over-dosed drugs and the most common cause of drug-induced liver

A recent study assessed whether controlling blood pressure with anti-hypertensive treatment would be associated with a reduced rate of morality. High blood pressure is one of the most prevalent health concerns in adults across the globe. A recent study aimed to understand whether maintaining normal blood pressure values would have an impact on life expectancy

Researchers conducted a meta-analysis to determine if switching individuals with type 2 diabetes to liquid-only diets would impact their cardiometabolic risk.   Cardiometabolic risk is a condition in which individuals have low blood levels of high-density cholesterol (good cholesterol), as well as high levels of triglycerides. Individuals with cardiometabolic risk typically express insulin resistance and

A study of American adults evaluated the link between nutrient intake from dietary supplements and mortality.   In 2015, the market revenue of vitamin supplements was estimated to be worth more than US$50 billion. By 2024, the global dietary supplements market is expected to reach US$278 billion. Dietary supplements are commonly taken to compensate for a

Many individuals are apprehensive in using cochlear implants in kids. Researchers from the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago cleared the air on this issue.   Cochlear implants are implantable hearing devices. Patients have to undergo complex surgical procedure requiring anesthesia as well as a long follow-up to help restore hearing loss.

Researchers have developed a toilet seat that can detect congestive heart failure. It could be available in homes very soon.   Over a million new cases of congestive heart failure are diagnosed each year. Congestive heart failure is when the heart muscle is not pumping blood as well as it should. Your heart can become

A review investigated whether carbohydrate intake leads to a sugar crash instead of a sugar rush and its associated effect on mood.   There has been a concerning increase in the intake of carbohydrates and sugar-rich foods and beverages worldwide over the past few decades. Sugar-sweetened and energy drinks are marketed as products that help

A recent study examined the link between diet and mental health, as well as its relationship to education and income. In recent decades, it has become clearer that mental health is not only distressingly prevalent, but its causes are also incredibly intricate. It is no longer enough to look at the individual as a separate

A recent study investigated the safety and efficacy of transplanting organs from hepatitis C positive patients into hepatitis C negative transplant patients with antiviral therapy. Each year, hundreds of patients waiting for a heart transplant end up dying or become too sick to undergo transplantation. Those that do eventually receive a heart often have to

Researchers in Kentucky investigated if smoking truly does increase the risk of dementia, following other studies that have come to this conclusion. A recent study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease examined if tobacco smoking was a risk for dementia. Numerous studies have demonstrated that smoking is associated with risk of dementia. However, these

Age-related macular degeneration has been associated with an increase and decrease of dietary and supplementary calcium intake. This study aimed to clarify these mixed results. Age-related macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness in developed countries. It is usually associated with an increase in age. The retina is located at the

A recent study by researchers at the University of Liverpool compared the application efficacy between traditional sunscreens and moisturizers with SPF.   It is well known that ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure has several harmful effects, such as premature aging and skin cancer. However, despite the wide promotion of the use of products containing sun protection

A recent study examined the relationship between exercise, brain volume, and symptoms of depression in children.   Exercise has been strongly linked to positive benefits in patients with depression, as well as its prevention. This has been particularly true for young adults. It has also been suggested that exercise can modify the hippocampal volume, a

May is Vision Health Month. Here, we provide 15 tips to help you prevent and treat dry eyes.   Dry eye(s) is a common condition due to insufficient lubrication in the eye(s). For some, it is more than just a temporary annoyance and requires constant management. This is the case when an individual has ocular

Preeclampsia can be life-threatening for both mothers and babies. Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered that a simple urine test could be used for fast preeclampsia diagnosis.   Preeclampsia is one of the deadliest pregnancy-related conditions. Symptoms of preeclampsia can include high blood pressure, excess protein in urine (proteinuria) or signs of liver or