Poor sleep among older adults is linked to disruptions in the brain’s “waste removal system,” according to researchers at The University of Hong Kong (HKU). A recent study led by Professor Tatia M.C. Lee, Chair Professor of Psychological Science and Clinical Psychology and May Professor in Neuropsychology at HKU, offers valuable insight into how sleep quality impacts brain functioning.
Scientists create universal vascular graft with stem cells to improve surgery for cardiovascular disease
Scientists at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center (WNPRC) and the Morgridge Institute for Research at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have been at the forefront of stem cell research and regenerative biology since James Thomson isolated the first human embryonic stem cell in 1998.
Worldwide study finds high rates of depression and anxiety in people with chronic pain
A novel analysis of more than 375 published studies concluded that the association between chronic pain and rates of depression and anxiety is staggering. The study, led by investigators at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that 40% of adults with chronic pain experienced “clinically significant depression and anxiety.” Among those most at risk, the analysis showed, were women, younger adults and people with fibromyalgia.
Scientists identify new strategy to fight cancer caused by Epstein-Barr virus
The Wistar Institute’s Paul M. Lieberman, Ph.D. and lab identified and tested a new method for targeting certain cancers caused by Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), in the paper, “USP7 inhibitors destabilize EBNA1 and suppress EBV tumorigenesis,” from the Journal of Medical Virology.
New Medicare rules aim to cut radiation exposure from CT scans
Hospitals and imaging centers are now required to track and report radiation exposure from CT scans under new Medicare regulations.
CDC to study vaccines and autism, despite much research showing no link
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is preparing to study whether vaccines are linked to autism—despite overwhelming scientific evidence showing no connection.
Neighborhood factors affect rehab services for older adults after traumatic brain injury
Contextual social determinants of health (SDoH)—for example, rural residence and neighborhood economic factors—may affect access to community-based rehabilitation services for older adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI), suggests a study in the March/April issue of Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation.
Long visit in the ER? It’s a good time to learn about cervical cancer screening
A University of Rochester Medical Center study showed that downtime in the emergency room can have a potential upside for women who are behind on cervical cancer screenings, which is a nationwide problem.
Risk for specific hematologic cancers down with GLP-1 receptor agonist use in type 2 diabetes
For patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) use is associated with a reduced risk for developing hematologic cancers compared with insulin and metformin use, according to a research letter published online March 6 in JAMA Network Open.
Opportunistic CT bone density screening improves osteoporosis screening rate
Implementing opportunistic computed tomography (CT) bone density screening could increase the osteoporosis screening rate, yielding a reduction in medical costs, according to a study published in the March issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology.