Suicide Rates Among Older Adults Are Rising

Medicine & Technology Mar 03, 2015

A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine has revealed that the suicide rate of older adults ranging in age between 40 and 64 in the United States has risen by approximately 40% since 1999.

New Treatment for Migraines Could Bring Much Needed Relief

Mar 03, 2015

A new, relatively simple treatment has been developed to ease the pain experienced by those who suffer from migraines. The procedure delivers anesthetic lidocaine directly to the nerves in the back of the nasal cavity, and preliminary research indicates it could offer significant pain relief to migraine sufferers.

Leprosy Rears its Ancient Head with New Cases in Florida

Mar 02, 2015

Health authorities in Florida have reported that three new cases of leprosy have been discovered in Volusia County over the past five months. Physicians believe that two of the patients may have been infected by the disease from the local nine-banded armadillo, which were reported to be the main carriers of the bacteria in the United States.

VIDEO—The LEAP Trial and How Researchers Revealed No Threat in Allergens

Feb 25, 2015

Ever wonder what’s best: to feed your baby peanut butter or not, for fear of a deadly allergic reaction? Well while past guidelines suggested that parents steer clear of most allergens until an older age, a new study published this week in The New England Journal of Medicine suggests that avoidance may no longer be the best method. In fact, the study researchers suggest that early exposure may even prevent your children from developing the allergy altogether.

When It Comes to Allergens—Is It Best to Stay Away?

Feb 25, 2015

When it comes to severe food-based allergies, be it citrus fruit or even nuts, doctors have long advised to steer clear for fear that consumption may cause the onset of allergies in children early on. But with a continued spike in the prevalence, and severity, of these allergies in recent years, researchers are now looking to change previously recommended guidelines.

Researchers Reveal That Killer ‘Bourbon Virus’ is Of the Rare Thogotovirus Genus

Feb 22, 2015

Forget Ebola, Americans may have an even more viral threat, mutating close to home. Months ago we reported on the death of a Kansas man who had been bitten by ticks and died from complications with what appeared to be a virus—what researchers called the “Bourbon Virus”. Now, health officials say that the virus is not anything like which they have ever seen, and as a member of an entirely novel genus of viruses, it may pose significant health risks throughout the United States.

How Arachnids May Reveal Looming New Threats to American Public Health—Bourbon Virus

Feb 21, 2015

While these little arachnids are not much to look at, ticks are the carriers of a myriad of diseases, which makes them of great importance to researchers. History has shown that they can cause sepsis, this past summer researchers discovered that the Lone Star tick can create a severe allergy to red meats, and now health officials from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that a new tick-borne virus can even cause multiple organ failure.

Health Experts Reveal Importance of a Low-Fat Diet, and Urge Americans to Splurge on Veggies Instead

Feb 20, 2015

As Catholics around the world steer clear from the butcher aisles today, and every other Friday for the remainder of Lent, they’ll be pleased to know that a panel of experts are in support of their new dietary habits. In fact, they’re proposing that all Americans opt for more fruits and vegetables, rather than slowly killing themselves with poor food choices rich in cholesterol and fat.

Apple May Be Tabling Health-Monitoring from its Watch, But It’ll Still Pack a Punch

Feb 20, 2015

While other wearable tech may be ahead of the curve, Apple continues to miss the mark when it comes to the development of its upcoming watch. While other models offered by competitors boast the ability to monitor heart-rate, amongst a myriad of other important vitals, Apple has announced that they are scrapping the health-monitoring tech from its upcoming product on account of problems with sensors and their regulators.

Superbug Breaks Out at UCLA Medical Center, Causing Concern for Safety of Endoscopic Procedures

Feb 19, 2015

While all may seem fine in endoscopic outpatient procedures, with an easy check-in and virtually no down-time at all, it turns out that an antibiotic-resistant superbug may be waiting in the OR. Health officials with the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the California health department are on high alert this week as news of two deaths in a local Los Angeles hospital have researchers wondering whether the superbug will claim more lives in its wake.

When It Comes to Pandemics and Outbreaks, Could Climate Change Be to Blame?

Feb 19, 2015

While many factors play into the development of a viral or bacterial outbreak, including herd immunity and preexisting healthcare practices, current outbreaks of the Ebola virus and the measles have many wondering exactly what’s causing the reemergence of such lethal diseases. Well, the obvious answers of vaccinations and poor sanitation conditions are readily available, but many may not consider an even more significant culprit—climate change.

When It Comes to Pandemics and Outbreaks, Could Climate Change Be to Blame?

Feb 18, 2015

While many factors play into the development of a viral or bacterial outbreak, including herd immunity and preexisting healthcare practices, current outbreaks of the Ebola virus and the measles have many wondering exactly what’s causing the reemergence of such lethal diseases. Well, the obvious answers of vaccinations and poor sanitation conditions are readily available, but many may not consider an even more significant culprit—climate change.

Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton Marks the Start of Children’s Mental Health Week with a Call to Action

Feb 16, 2015

During a visit to Bethlem and Maudsley School last week, the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton recorded a call to action video released today to mark the start of Children’s Mental Health Week. The campaign, which seeks to combat stigma against mental health services, is led by the Place2Be children’s charity in the UK. And this year the message comes in light of new studies which reveal that a third of parents would feel embarrassed if their 15 to 18-year-olds sought mental health from counselors at their schools.

Could New HIV Strain Cross the Atlantic? Fears of the Spread of Aggressive HIV from Cuba

Feb 15, 2015

Though advances in HIV research and treatment have come to find ways of mitigating the virus, the disease continues to affects millions worldwide. And when the virus moves quickly, so does fear. In light of the discovery of a new strain of HIV, many are left wondering—could you too be at risk for contracting the disease?

New HIV Strain in Cuba Has Researchers Rushing to Stop Fast Progression of AIDS

Feb 15, 2015

In a new study published in the journal EBioMedicine, researchers with Belgium’s University of Leuvan report the discovery of a new strain of HIV which may prove to be far more lethal to patients in the West. Originally found in patients in Cuba, the new strain poses particular threats to those infected with HIV as it can develop into AIDS within three years of infection. Though efforts have significantly lowered the infection rates of HIV, as well as prolonged lives with the help of antiretroviral drugs, researchers fear that the fast-moving virus may advance too quickly to treat.