Health and Science

Jon Nelson knows the journey well the steady rhythm of the train from Pennsylvania to New York City has become a familiar part of his routine. But this isn't just any trip. Jon is volunteering for a groundbreaking study on deep brain stimulation, an experimental treatment offering hope to those battling severe depression. Each visit to the research lab brings him one step closer to understanding whether this innovative approach can help him reclaim the life he’s been fighting for. Meet Jon Nelson a dad, husband, coach, and marketing professional. On the outside, his life seemed full, but beneath the surface, Jon battled severe depression for years. The weight of his suffering led him to volunteer for an experimental treatment called deep brain stimulation, where tiny electrodes are implanted in the brain to help regulate mood. In this episode, Jon opens up about his life before the surgery and the neuroscience behind the procedure that offered him a chance at hope. Transcript  This...

Reduced funding and withdrawal from participation may restrict the U.S. from accessing essential disease information. In 2023, WHO joined forces with Kenya’s Ministry of Health and other partners to help vaccinate about 2 million people against cholera. The organization teams up with countries across the globe to fight the spread of infectious diseases. For the second time, former President Donald Trum p has announced his intention to cut U.S. support for the World Health Organization (WHO). This global body plays a crucial role in tackling diseases and monitoring outbreaks, which often spread beyond national borders. On January 20, Trump signed an executive order outlining the U.S.'s plan to withdraw from the WHO, a process that will take a full year to complete. His first attempt to leave the organization was in July 2020, but that decision was reversed when President Joe Biden took office in 2021 . The United States was a key player in founding the World Health Organization in 1...

" New Proposal Aims to Reduce Nicotine   Levels in Some Tobacco Products" "In January, the FDA announced a plan to   drastically cut nicotine levels in   cigarettes and other tobacco products to   make it easier for people to quit smoking." If cigarettes contained only a fraction of the nicotine they currently do, it could help people break their addiction and move away from smoking.   That’s the focus of a new rule proposed by the FDA on January 15. The rule aims to cut nicotine levels in cigarettes to less than 5% of what’s found in regular cigarettes, making them far less addictive. It would also limit nicotine in other tobacco products that involve burning, offering smokers more support in their journey to quit." " The FDA’s proposed rule is just one step toward making reduced-nicotine cigarettes and other tobacco products the norm. However, this process could take years, depending on the priorities of future administrations and pote...

"How a Common PCSK9 Gene Variant Could Fuel Breast Cancer Spread and a Potential Antibody Solution"   A widely inherited version of the PCSK9 gene, known for its role in cholesterol regulation, may also drive breast cancer cells to spread to other parts of the body (a process called metastasis). Excitingly, a lab-developed antibody already approved for managing cholesterol could hold promise in halting this cancer progression. A gene involved in setting cholesterol levels may also determine whether breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body. A variant of the PCSK9 gene drives the spread of breast cancer, but a lab-made antibody already approved to treat high cholesterol may help stop the exodus, researchers report December 9 in Cell . "For years, scientists have been on a detective hunt, meticulously examining normal tissues and breast cancers that had spread to other parts of the body. Their goal? To uncover the genetic 'smoking guns' the mutations within ...

Good news for busy women! Even short bursts of intense activity, like a playful romp with your dog, can significantly lower your risk of heart problems. No need for hours at the gym – just a few minutes of effort each day can make a big difference." Great news for your heart! Even short bursts of intense activity throughout the day can significantly lower your risk of heart problems. A recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that women who added short bursts of intense activity to their daily routines, like a quick sprint up the stairs or a lively dance session, reduced their risk of major heart problems by a whopping 45% compared to those who didn't." By  Emmanuel   Stamatakis , even quick bursts of intense activity, like sprinting up the stairs, dancing around the kitchen, or playing with your kids, can significantly improve your heart health. These short bursts, lasting just 20-30 seconds , can add up to make a big difference for your hea...

These findings could offer a glimpse of what the future might hold if more people get vaccinated against HPV. Researchers report that deaths from cervical cancer in the United States have significantly dropped since 2016. Cervical cancer rates have gone down since the introduction of the HPV vaccine in 2006. Now, for the first time, a new study shows a sharp drop in deaths from cervical cancer among the first group of women in the United States who were eligible to receive the vaccine.   “We suspected that after nearly 16 years, we might start to see the early effects of the HPV vaccine on cervical cancer deaths,” explains Ashish Deshmukh, an epidemiologist at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. “And that’s exactly what we found.” Deshmukh points out that while the findings are promising, he and his team cannot confirm that the HPV vaccine is directly responsible for the decrease in cervical cancer deaths. This is because it’s not clear whether the women i...

Proteins are essential molecules in the body that play a crucial role in nearly every biological process, from digestion to immune function. However, as we age, the way proteins function in our cells can change. One emerging theory in aging research is that "sluggish" proteins those that become less efficient or slower in performing their tasks may be a key contributor to both aging and the development of chronic diseases. What Are Sluggish Proteins? Proteins in our body are like machines—they are constantly being produced, folded into specific shapes, and then perform their functions. Some of these tasks include breaking down nutrients, repairing damaged cells, and signaling other parts of the body to take action. However, as we age, the machinery of our cells starts to slow down.  This slowing down can cause proteins to become less effective at their jobs, which can have ripple effects throughout the body. For example, some proteins might no longer properly break down damag...

" Scientists have discovered the molecular processes behind memory functioning in cells beyond the nervous system." "Human embryonic kidney cells share similar molecular processes to those found in neurons that form memories." Kidney cells, typically associated with filtering waste and maintaining fluid balance, are now showing that they have an unexpected ability to "remember" patterns, a discovery that could reshape our understanding of cellular function and memory. While the brain and its neurons have long been the focus when it comes to memory and information storage, recent research reveals that kidney cells, located far from the brain, can also store and recognize patterns in ways strikingly similar to neurons. This groundbreaking finding, published in Nature Communications on November 7, challenges our traditional views of memory, but not in the way one might think. As neuroscientist Nikolay Kukushkin of New York University explains, the research do...

The potential toxicity of this by-product, which is formed during certain chlorine-based water treatments, has not been fully explored yet. A new study reveals that about one-third of people in the U.S. could be exposed to a newly discovered by-product from some chlorine-based water treatments. A new study reveals that around one-third of Americans may be exposed to a newly discovered by-product that forms when chlorine is used in water treatments. This by-product, an electrically charged molecule, has long been sought by scientists, but its potential health impacts are still unknown. While researchers have yet to fully understand the toxicity of the compound, early analyses suggest it could pose a range of health risks. What makes this especially concerning is that in certain water systems, this substance is found in concentrations higher than the safety limits set for other harmful breakdown products. This new finding has already sparked significant attention within the scientific co...