Cart is empty Two new studies published by The BMJ today examine the potential health risks for infants of giving steroid drugs to women who are at risk of giving birth early.
People with a hepatitis C cure still face substantial risk of death
Individuals who have been cured of hepatitis C infection still face a substantially greater risk of death compared with the general population—between 3 and 14 times higher depending on liver disease stage, finds the largest study of its kind published by The BMJ today.
Scientists discover mechanisms that could explain high risk of complications from lung infections in Down syndrome
Individuals with Down syndrome, the genetic condition caused by triplication of human chromosome 21, also known as trisomy 21, display a very high risk of hospitalization and mortality after developing lung infections. Respiratory disease is second only to congenital heart defects as a cause of death among children with Down syndrome, and lower respiratory tract pathology is the most common cause of acute hospital admissions in this population. Furthermore, adults with Down syndrome have a much higher risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Despite many research efforts, the mechanisms by which trisomy 21 causes these effects have been unclear.
A new study reveals the cerebellum as a source of generalized convulsive seizures
Recurrent seizures are debilitating and can sometimes be fatal. The onset and presentation of seizures vary significantly among epilepsy patients. Of more than 25 categories of seizure presentations within epilepsy, those with motor convulsions are perhaps the most disruptive and generally most feared among patients and caregivers. Unfortunately, convulsive seizures are also the most commonly occurring type of generalized seizures. However, little is known about the source or the precise mechanism by which these seizures originate, making it difficult to optimize therapies and develop targeted treatments for these patients.
A novel strategy to suppress triple negative breast cancer growth
In 2022, a team of researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that a little-known enzyme called MAPK4 is involved in the growth of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and its resistance to certain therapies. Looking into the details of this novel role of MAPK4, the researchers have now identified a strategy that can potentially control MAPK4-promoted growth in TNBC and other cancers. The study, published in PLOS Biology, opens new options for treating this devastating disease.
Epigenetically guided cancer therapy: Targeting H3K27me3 loss in pediatric brain tumors
A new editorial paper titled “Targeting H3K27me3 loss in pediatric brain tumors—a perspective on epigenetically guided cancer therapy” has been published in Oncotarget.
In states with legalized cannabis, frequent cannabis use is more common in young adults who are not in college
An Oregon State University study has found that in states where recreational cannabis has been legalized, young adults not in college more often became frequent users of the drug than their college-enrolled peers.
New analysis shows surgery is safe and effective for people with unruptured brain arteriovenous malformation
Contrary to the results of a seminal study in the field, a recent analysis presented today at the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery’s (SNIS) 20th Annual Meeting indicates that surgical approaches (embolization, microsurgery, radiosurgery) for treating selected patients with unruptured arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is safe and effective.
Researchers develop smartphone app that reliably recognizes physical signs of stroke
Today at the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery’s (SNIS) 20th Annual Meeting, researchers discussed a smartphone app created that reliably recognizes patients’ physical signs of stroke with the power of machine learning.
DON’T ABANDON FISP, NORTH PF URGES GOV’T
By SHERRY CHABALA
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) Northern Province youth secretary, Chanda Nsofu has advised the government against ending the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) and replacing it with the Comprehensive Agriculture Transformation Programme.
In a statement to Millennium TV, Mr Nsofu warned that loans will lead farmers into a debt trap, which could make them lose their produce, livestock and poultry to creditors.
Mr Nsofu said farmers faced a high risk of falling into unsustainable debt as compared to civil servants who earn a monthly salary.
He added that traders who accessed marketeer booster loans from the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) were failing to pay back the money due to the high cost of living and cost of doing business.
Mr Nsofu explained that farmers were incurring huge losses due to climate change induced drought and floods and that loans would further expose them to more losses.
He added that FISP had proved to be an effective social protection measure as it saved families from starvation, enabled the vulnerable to buy medicines and educate their children.