All posts by : Felistas

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that manifests itself mainly with skin symptoms (dryness, itching, scaly skin, abnormal patches and plaques). It affects about 2% of the population and is mediated by an altered immune system response that triggers the proliferation of skin cells. Depending on the severity, there are different therapeutic options (topical medications, phototherapy, systemic drugs, etc.), but some conventional treatments can have harmful effects on patients.

A rapidly-spreading H5N1 avian influenza, otherwise known as bird flu, has been devastating bird flocks and showing signs of spreading to other mammals.

Imagine a bustling metropolis within your mouth—a dynamic community of microorganisms forming biofilms on your teeth and gums. This oral microbiome is not only essential for maintaining oral health, but also plays a pivotal role in shaping your immune system. But there is more: a new, fascinating aspect of this ecosystem is that it differs between females and males, possibly influencing immunity in sex-specific ways.

It’s no secret that a good night’s sleep plays a vital role in mental and physical health and well-being. The way you feel during your waking hours depends greatly on how you are sleeping, say sleep experts.

Excessive alcohol use can harm the body in many ways, including an increase in the risk of various cancers. It damages liver cells, leading to inflammation, scarring and serious conditions such as cirrhosis.

Mayo Clinic researchers have identified a targeted therapy that could bring relief to people living with lichen planus, a chronic inflammatory skin condition of the skin, hair, nails, mouth and genitals. They described their findings in a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation that described their first-in-human, phase 2 clinical trial.

A recently enacted Florida law that allows doctors to deliver babies via cesarean section in clinics outside of hospitals could be a blueprint for other states, even as critics point to the role that a private equity-backed physicians group played in its passage.

There are notable differences between men and women in their susceptibility to many human diseases, including cardiovascular disease. For example, women typically have smaller hearts that pump faster, while men have larger hearts that pump more blood with each heartbeat.

Scientists led by the Institute of Nanotechnology in Italy, in collaboration with the ESRF, the European Synchrotron in Grenoble, France, have discovered how X-ray micro- and nano- tomography can provide clues on the processes that link the gut neurons with those in the brain and may trigger Alzheimer’s. The results are published in Science Advances.

Scientists have created a new low-cost, fast response sensor to detect lung cancer biomarkers, paving the way for the development of screening devices to spot the disease even before symptoms occur. Similar in design to glucose monitoring devices, the sensor provides results from a blood sample in just 40 minutes. The technology has the potential to be used by clinicians to both identify patients at higher risk of lung cancer, and tailor treatments for those already diagnosed in a “precision medicine” approach.