All posts by : Felistas

One of the unfortunate legacies that my generation, gen X, has passed on to the millennials and gen Z, is the idea that therapy has no side effects. However, just like many other medical treatments, there can be negative effects. For example, in some cases psychotherapy can be linked with a worsening of psychiatric symptoms, increased anxiety and false memories.

Researchers at Tampere University have achieved a major milestone in diagnosing heart diseases. According to their new study published in Heart Rhythm O2, congestive heart failure can be reliably detected by analyzing the intervals between successive heartbeats—inter-beat or RR intervals—which can be measured not only with professional equipment but also with smartwatches and heart rate monitors.

Despite new medication, cystic fibrosis often leads to permanent lung damage. Working with an international team, researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have discovered that the disease causes changes in the immune system early in life, presumably even in newborns. These changes lead to frequent inflammation and are not affected by drugs targeting the altered mucus production.

An international study published in the New England Journal of Medicine provides hope for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients with a new all-tablet treatment showing impressive results.

Breast cancer is the world’s most prevalent cancer. Although earlier detection and targeted treatment have resulted in high survival rates, many breast cancer survivors experience fear of cancer recurrence. For some survivors this fear is occasional, for others it is persistent and often debilitating.

New insights into what causes the painful and disruptive symptoms of urinary tract infections (UTIs) could offer hope for improved treatment.

In a recent study, Mass General Brigham researchers demonstrated that through low-cost genetic samples that can be obtained from a cheek swab or blood test, they can improve identification of people with COPD in the community.

One of the most agonizing experiences a cancer patient suffers is waiting without knowing: waiting for a diagnosis, waiting to get test results back, waiting to learn the outcome of treatment protocols. A new paper published in Scientific Reports evaluates the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and neural networks to significantly cut the time required for medical professionals to classify lesions in breast cancer ultrasound images.

A research team from the Institut de Neurociències of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (INc-UAB) has discovered that the two key pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s—tau protein and beta-amyloid—affect brain circuits in distinct yet synergistic ways, particularly those linked to memory and emotions. The study, using a new animal model of Alzheimer’s disease, suggests a potential breakthrough in treatment strategies.

Vaginas host a complex microcosm of bacteria and yeasts that can fluctuate over time. However, little is known about these microbial communities and their roles in a person’s health, and nine out of 10 studies only include participants from one continent, resulting in major geographical gaps in data.