Most of the following are texts reporting the latest research findings. There are also podcasts, videos and medicine/health-related stories
Latest news https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/
Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disorder that causes brain cells to waste away (degenerate) and die. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia — a continuous decline in thinking, behavioral and social skills that disrupts a person’s ability to function independently.
The early signs of the disease may be forgetting recent events or conversations. As the disease progresses, a person with Alzheimer’s disease will develop severe memory impairment and lose the ability to carry out everyday tasks.
There is no treatment that cures Alzheimer’s disease or alters the disease process in the brain. In advanced stages of the disease, complications from severe loss of brain function — such as dehydration (a harmful reduction in the amount of water in the body), malnutrition or infection — result in death.
The exact causes of Alzheimer’s disease aren’t fully understood.
From https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350447 (Adapted)
Living and dying with Alzheimer’s (podcast) https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p06zbjxr
Top 5 Advances https://www.alzdiscovery.org/news-room/blog/top-five-alzheimers-advances-in-2016
First blood test http://www.bbc.com/news/health-42878721
Brain pacemaker http://www.bbc.com/news/health-42857576
Antibiotics and Phage Therapy
They include a range of powerful drugs and are used to treat diseases caused by bacteria. Antibiotics cannot treat viral infections, such as cold, flu, and most coughs.
From https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/10278.php
Phage Therapy
Phage therapy (PT) is also called bacteriophage therapy. It uses viruses to treat bacterial infections. Bacterial viruses are called phages or bacteriophages. They only attack bacteria; phages are harmless to people, animals, and plants.
From https://www.healthline.com/health/phage-therapy
Bacteria strip off to survive https://www.bbc.com/news/health-49826085
Bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics: Q and A https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/about/antibiotic-resistance-faqs.html
Antibiotic resistance: among top 10 causes of death in Singapore https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/antibiotic-resistance-uti-among-top-10-causes-of-death-in-11944586
Cancer
Cancer: An abnormal growth of cells which tend to proliferate (grow) in an uncontrolled way and, in some cases, to metastasize (spread).
Cancer is not one disease. It is a group of more than 100 different and distinctive diseases.
From https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=2580 (adapted)
Ultrasound breakthrough ‘can spot cancer earlier’ https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-49870017?intlink_from_url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk&link_location=live-reporting-story
Skin cancer: Half of people surviving advanced melanoma https://www.bbc.com/news/health-49853878
Using gold-coated nanoshells, majority of patients cancer-free after treatment.
Critical care
Critical care: The specialized care of patients whose conditions are life-threatening and who require comprehensive care and constant monitoring, usually in intensive care units. Also known as intensive care.
From https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=24812
Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus: More commonly referred to as “diabetes” — a chronic (persisting for a long time or constantly recurring) disease associated with abnormally high levels of the sugar glucose in the blood. Diabetes is due to one of two mechanisms:
- Inadequate production of insulin (which is made by the pancreas and lowers blood glucose), or
- Inadequate sensitivity of cells to the action of insulin.
The two main types of diabetes correspond to these two mechanisms and are called insulin-dependent (type 1) and non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes. In type 1 diabetes there is no insulin or not enough of it. In type 2 diabetes, there is generally enough insulin but the cells upon which it should act are not normally sensitive to its action.
From https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=2974 (Adapted)
Signs of a slowdown in new Type 2 diabetes cases https://www.bbc.com/news/health-49648646
What no insulin injections? https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/dec/08/new-diabetes-treatment-could-eliminate-need-for-insulin-injections
Diabetes: ‘How my new insulin pump lets me play football (story) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-norfolk-49940291/diabetes-how-my-new-insulin-pump-lets-me-play-football
Digestive health and disease
Digestive system: The system of organs responsible for getting food into and out of the body and for making use of food to keep the body healthy. The digestive system includes the salivary glands, mouth, esophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, small intestine, colon, and rectum.
From https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=2994
What’s an unhealthy gut (stomach, intestines bowels)? How gut health affects You https://www.healthline.com/health/gut-health
Dirty air could be affecting our gut health https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190128-how-dirty-air-could-be-affecting-our-gut-health
Exercise and fitness
Strengthen muscles twice a week https://www.bbc.com/news/health-49609597?intlink_from_url=https://www.bbc.com/news/health&link_location=live-reporting-story
Food Allergies
Food allergy is an abnormal response to a food triggered by your body’s immune system. In adults, the foods that most often trigger allergic reactions include fish, shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts, such as walnuts. Problem foods for children can include eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, and wheat.
From https://medlineplus.gov/foodallergy.html
Meat allergy triggered by tick-bites https://www.news-medical.net/news/20190821/Meat-allergy-triggered-by-tick-bites-explained.aspx
Genetics
Genetics: The scientific study of heredity (the passing on of physical or mental characteristics genetically from one generation to another). Genetics pertains (applies) to humans and all other organisms. So, for example, there is human genetics, mouse genetics, fruit fly genetics, etc.
Human genetics today comprises a number of overlapping fields, including:
- Classical or formal genetics — the study of the transmission of single genes within families and the analysis of more complex types of inheritance.
- Clinical genetics — the diagnosis, prognosis ( an opinion, based on medical experience, of the likely course of a medical condition) and, in some cases, the treatment of genetic diseases.
- Forensic genetics — the application of genetic knowledge, including DNA, to legal matters.
https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=15390 (Adapted)
Heart disease
Heart disease describes a range of conditions that affect your heart. Diseases under the heart disease umbrella include blood vessel (e.g. artery) diseases, such as coronary (relating to or denoting the arteries which surround and supply the heart) artery disease; heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias); and heart defects you’re born with (congenital heart defects), among others.
The term “heart disease” is often used interchangeably with the term “cardiovascular disease.” Cardiovascular disease generally refers to conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke. Other heart conditions, such as those that affect your heart’s muscle, valves or rhythm, also are considered forms of heart disease.
Many forms of heart disease can be prevented or treated with healthy lifestyle choices.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353118 (Adapted)
The Immune System
Immune system: A complex system that is responsible for distinguishing a person from everything foreign to him or her and for protecting his or her body against infections and foreign substances.
https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=3907
Measles makes body ‘forget’ how to fight infection https://www.bbc.com/news/health-50251259
Lifestyle
US President Donald Trump has announced that his administration will ban flavoured e-cigarettes, after a spate of vaping-related deaths. (story) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-49667688
Can simply naming vegetables differently increase healthful eating? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326644.php
Alcohol health risks https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-support/the-risks-of-drinking-too-much/(follow the link for more articles):
- cancers of the mouth, throat and breast
- stroke
- heart disease
- liver disease
- brain damage
- damage to the nervous system
UK NHS says no safe limit.
Is meat really that bad for you? http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20191002-is-meat-really-bad-for-you
Walking to reduce stress (story) https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20190926-the-former-tech-ceo-obsessed-with-walking
Longevity
Longevity: Lifespan (the length of time for which a person or animal lives or a thing functions). Increased longevity means a longer life.
https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=3907 (Adapted)
Breakthrough: old human cells rejuvenated (made young again ) http://longevityfacts.com/old-human-cells-rejuvenated-anti-aging-resveratrol-analogs-lengthen-telomeres-rejuvenate-senescent-cells-mrna-splicing-factors/
Researchers hope to launch human trials as breakthrough shows hypothalamus controls aging, with treated mice remaining fitter and living 10-15% longer. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/jul/26/stem-cell-brain-implants-could-slow-ageing-and-extend-life-study-shows
Metformin “This would be the most important medical intervention in the modern era, an ability to slow aging.” http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/03/12/worlds-first-anti-ageing-drug-could-see-humans-live-to-120/
Rich live longer, but people aren’t getting any older. http://www.bbc.com/news/health-40608256
Mental health
Mental health: the condition of being sound mentally and emotionally that is characterized by the absence of mental illness and by adequate adjustment especially as reflected in feeling comfortable about oneself, positive feelings about others, and the ability to meet the demands of daily life also: the general condition of one’s mental and emotional state
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mental%20health
Mental illness, also called mental health disorders, refers to a wide range of mental health conditions — disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behavior. Examples of mental illness include depression, anxiety (worry) disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders and addictive behaviors.
Many people have mental health concerns from time to time. But a mental health concern becomes a mental illness when ongoing signs and symptoms cause frequent stress and affect your ability to function.
From https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/symptoms-causes/syc-20374968 (Adpated)
Mental health: public awareness https://helpyourselfenglish.wordpress.com/2019/10/19/celebrating-mental-health-awareness/
Pets https://inews.co.uk/news/health/pets-mental-health-review-cats-dogs-horses/
Football and depression (story) https://www.bbc.com/news/av/health-49654681/football-saved-my-life-after-breakdown
Antidepressant works ‘by reducing anxiety symptoms first’ https://www.bbc.com/news/health-49743315
Cycling and PTSD https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-nottinghamshire-49640863/paramedic-owes-her-life-to-cycling-after-ptsd
Virtual reality PTSD treatment has ‘big impact’ for veterans https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-49880915
60000 year old cure for depression http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20190929-a-60000-year-old-cure-for-depression (long article)
Obesity
Obese: Well above one’s normal weight. A person has traditionally been considered to be obese if they are more than 20% over their ideal weight. That ideal weight must take into account the person’s height, age, sex, and build.
Obesity has been more precisely defined by the National Institutes of Health (the NIH) as a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 30 and above. (A BMI of 30 is about 30 pounds overweight.) The BMI, a key index for relating body weight to height, is a person’s weight in kilograms (kg) divided by their height in meters (m) squared. Since the BMI describes the body weight relative to height, it correlates (relates to, connects with) strongly (in adults) with the total body fat content. Some very muscular people may have a high BMI without undue health risks.
https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=11760 (Adapted)
Obesity Treatment & Management (Nov 2017) https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/123702-treatment
Organ Transplant
An organ transplant is a surgical operation in which a failing or damaged organ in the
human body is removed and replaced with a functioning one. The donated (given) organ may be from a deceased (dead) donor, a living donor, or an animal. In some cases an artificial organ is used.
From https://www.ahc.umn.edu/img/assets/25857/organ_transplants.pdf (Adapted)
‘Supercool’ method triples organ survival https://www.bbc.com/news/health-49632609
Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s disease: A slowly progressive neurologic (relating to the anatomy, functions, and organic disorders of nerves and the nervous system) disease that is characterized by a fixed inexpressive face, tremor ( involuntary shaking of the body or limbs) at rest, slowing of voluntary movements, gait with short accelerating steps, peculiar (strange) posture (the position in which someone holds their body when standing or sitting) and muscle weakness. This weakness is caused by degeneration (declining function) of a particular area of the brain.
https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=25046 (Adapted)
Parkinson’s Therapies in Development https://www.michaeljfox.org/understanding-parkinsons/living-with-pd/topic.php?therapies-in-development
What’s that smell? http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-42252411
Flush out the zombies https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jan/23/flushing-out-zombie-cells-could-help-stave-off-parkinsons-study-suggests
Pain control
The family that doesn’t feel pain http://www.bbc.com/news/health-42322225
Seeing pain http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3cswdkg
Pregnancy, Embryonic Development and birth
World’s first artificial womb for humans https://www.bbc.com/news/av/health-50056405/the-world-s-first-artificial-womb-for-humans
Babies in the womb have lizard-like hand muscles https://www.bbc.com/news/health-49876827
Air pollution crosses the placenta https://www.bbc.com/news/health-49719085
A possible link between pregnancy stress and personality disorder https://www.bbc.com/news/health-49593620
Vaginal birth and Caesarean: Differences in babies’ bacteria https://www.bbc.com/news/health-49740735
Prescription drugs
Prescription drugs can be obtained only by means of a physician’s prescription
Don’t get hooked! https://www.bbc.com/news/health-49639914
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations (experiences involving the apparent perception of something not present), delusions, (beliefs or impressions maintained despite being contradicted by reality or rational argument) and extremely disordered thinking and behavior that impairs daily functioning, and can be disabling.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizophrenia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354443 (Adapted)
The concept of schizophrenia is coming to an end https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-08-concept-schizophrenia.html
Breakthrough in understanding the genetics of schizophrenia http://www.bbc.com/news/health-14411746
Stroke
Stroke: The sudden death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen, caused by blockage of blood flow or rupture (break ) of an artery to the brain (so restricting or stopping blood supply). Sudden loss of speech, weakness, or paralysis of one side of the body can be symptoms. A suspected stroke may be confirmed by scanning the brain with special X-ray tests, such as CAT scans. The death rate and level of disability resulting from strokes can be dramatically reduced by immediate and appropriate medical care. Prevention involves minimizing risk factors, such as controlling high blood pressure and diabetes.
from https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=9791 (Adapted)
Are you a vegan or vegetarian? Maybe you should read this! https://www.bbc.com/news/health-49579820
Combined blood and brain tests predict repeat stroke risk http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-42636192
Help Yourself English 