Author: Press Room

Previous research has shown that women are at a higher risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease than men. A new study recently discovered that women who died from Alzheimer’s had a higher amount of a chemically-modified version of the protein complement C3 in their brains compared to men who died from the disease. The researchers believe the drop in estrogen caused by menopause may leave women more vulnerable to this version of complement C3. Although anyone can develop Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a type of dementia associated with cognitive decline and memory loss, previous research has shown that females are more likely…

A recent study explored whether a molecule unrelated to insulin could perform the same role as insulin.Using cryo-electron microscopy, the researchers identified a small non-insulin-related protein that can activate the human insulin receptor.This finding paves the way for the future development of an insulin-mimicking oral pill to replace daily insulin injections for people with diabetes.When food is broken down in the gut, glucose is released into the bloodstream. In response, the pancreas secretes the hormone insulin, which “instructs” the fat, muscle, and liver cells to take up glucose.Globally, an estimated 8.4 million people are living with type 1 diabetes (T1D),…

Researchers investigated the effect of lipoprotein (a) cholesterol levels and hypertension on cardiovascular risk. They found that higher lipoprotein (a) levels increase cardiovascular risk in patients with hypertension. This relationship persisted even after adjusting for known risk factors for cardiovascular risk.Lipoprotein (a) levels are principally determined by genetics, and they are highest among Black people.As the study was observational, the findings do not explain causation. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally. Key CVD risk markers include raised blood pressure — also known as hypertension — blood glucose, and cholesterol levels. Studies show that high blood pressure…

In a recent study, researchers observed the effects of intermittent fasting on type 2 diabetes. After 3 months, they found that intermittent fasting reversed type 2 diabetes in nearly half of the study’s participants. Further research is needed in broader populations to understand the extent to which intermittent fasting could help reverse type 2 diabetes.Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a lifelong progressive disease characterized by insulin resistance and high blood sugar.The number of people with diabetes worldwide increased by almost five times from 108 million in 1980 to 537 million in 2021. Estimates show that 95% of people with diabetes…

More than 462 million adults around the world have type 2 diabetes.Although type 2 diabetes is not curable, the condition is sometimes reversible through medications and lifestyle changes, such as diet.Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark say low carb, high fat diet can help people with type 2 diabetes lose weight and control glucose levels. More than 462 million adults globally are currently living with type 2 diabetes. And over one million people die each year from diabetes. While there is no cure for type 2 diabetes, the condition is sometimes reversible through a combination of medications and lifestyle…

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). As a result, millions of patients around the world are treated with anticoagulants in the hope of preventing life threatening cardiovascular events such as strokes, pulmonary embolisms, and heart attacks.Anticoagulants used in clinical practice include warfarin, heparin, and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), such as thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors. However, there may be a higher risk of bleeding in some patients receiving DOACs.Verseon, a company based in California, has developed a next-generation oral anticoagulant that has the potential to prevent unwanted clots while preserving…

Gestational diabetes is diabetes that develops during pregnancy. The condition can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Data from a recent study shows that regular coffee consumption is associated with a reduced risk for type 2 diabetes among people with a prior history of gestational diabetes. Those who’ve had gestational diabetes can make healthy lifestyle choices to help reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Diabetes is a chronic disease that may lead to many adverse health outcomes if the condition is not managed.Gestational diabetes is a specific type of diabetes…

Fall and winter are associated with a higher incidence of upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold and flu, due to the increased transmission of respiratory viruses.Although cooler temperatures and low humidity are associated with increased susceptibility to respiratory viruses, the biological mechanisms underlying this relationship are not understood.A recent study showed that cold temperatures lead to a decline in the immune response elicited by cells in the nasal cavity to viruses, which explains why people are more susceptible to upper respiratory infections in colder temperatures.Scientists have been trying to explain the biological mechanisms underlying the increased incidence of…

India may be crazy about cricket, but Indians from the southern state of Kerala follow football religiously, and in Qatar, their allegiance is to Argentina or Brazil. India has never qualified for the World Cup, so for years, people in Kerala have supported foreign teams to slake their thirst for international football action. “Every kid in Kerala grows up following a Latin American team. Our parents used to watch Argentinian and Brazilian matches. As a five- or six-year-old, we watched those matches with them, so it’s in our blood now,” says Sujeendran, one of the lead drummers in the Argentina…

Following the municipal election and heading into the new year, the City of London has officially started work on the development of council’s 2023-27 Strategic Plan. According to officials, “the plan reflects the needs and expectations of the community, and drives decision-making through the Multi-Year Budget and the City’s Technology Investment Strategy.”Mayor Josh Morgan wrote in a statement that the “Strategic Plan defines the mission, vision, values, and priorities” for the city. “As a municipality, council’s Strategic Plan is a foundational document that sets the course for the next four years and supports strategic decision making, where strategy drives financial…