Researchers create personalized organoid models for rare spinal cancer: Chordoma currently has few therapeutic options
A new study adds to a growing body of evidence that organoids — lab-grown collections of cells that mimic a patient’s tumor — are a promising avenue for drug discovery to improve outcomes in patients with cancer, particularly rare cancers for which clinical data on drug effectiveness is often lacking. Organoids are grown in a […]
Early humans placed the hearth at the optimal location in their cave — for maximum benefit and minimum smoke exposure
A groundbreaking study in prehistoric archaeology at Tel Aviv University provides evidence for high cognitive abilities in early humans who lived 170,000 years ago. In a first-of-its kind study, the researchers developed a software-based smoke dispersal simulation model and applied it to a known prehistoric site. They discovered that the early humans who occupied the […]
Research reveals new evidence that sugary beverage tax impacts are sustainable, effective: Tax in Seattle shows long-term reduction in demand and added sugars sold
Two new studies published by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago provide evidence that public policies to reduce consumption of added sugars through taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages are effective and sustainable. Sugar-sweetened beverages like soda, juice, and energy and sports drinks, are the largest contributor of added sugars in American diets. Overconsumption of added […]
Beige fat ‘indispensable’ in protecting the brain from dementia
Beige is considered a calming paint color, and scientists have new evidence that beige fat has a similar impact on the brain, bringing down the inflammation associated with the more common white fat and providing protection from dementia. They have found that beige fat cells, which are typically intermingled with white fat cells in the […]
AAN Issues Formal Position Statement on COVID-19 Vaccine
Based on existing evidence, neurologists should recommend COVID-19 vaccination to their patients, a newly released American Academy of Neurology (AAN) paper said. “Barring the rare circumstance of an absolute contraindication to available vaccine formulations, it is the American Academy of Neurology’s formal position that eligible patients should be offered the COVID-19 vaccine,” wrote Elisabeth Marsh, […]
Do ‘Robots’ Offer Any Clear Surgical Advantage?
A new meta-analysis in the Annals of Internal Medicine assessed the quality of evidence and outcomes of robot-assisted surgery compared with laparoscopy and open surgery in adults. In this exclusive video, Vinay Prasad, MD, MPH, breaks down the study and explains why he believes our technological advances need to actually improve patient outcomes in order […]