Antelope’s fate shrouded by social, political forces: The story of South Africa’s oribi mirrors conservation issues for other iconic species
If only it were as simple as finding more grassland for an antelope. The story of efforts to conserve the endangered oribi in South Africa represent a diaspora of issues as varied as the people who live there. On its surface, like many threatened species, you have conflict between a need for habitat and private […]
Hospitals Have Many Opportunities to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Experts Say
Hospitals aiming to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions can begin by taking a few simple steps, experts said at an online event sponsored by the Bipartisan Policy Center. “The U.S. health system accounts for 8.5% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, a larger percentage than any other country in the world,” Joseph Betancourt, MD, MPH, […]
Cutting breakfast carbs can benefit people with Type 2 diabetes: Researchers say a low-carb start to the day may help control blood sugars
An international team, led by UBC Okanagan researchers, suggests a simple tweak to the first meal of the day might help people living with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) better control their blood sugar levels. Dr. Barbara Oliveira conducts research with Dr. Jonathan Little’s Exercise, Metabolism and Inflammation Lab in UBCO’s Faculty of Health and Social […]
Coffee with milk may have an anti-inflammatory effect
Can something as simple as a cup of coffee with milk have an anti-inflammatory effect in humans? Apparently so, according to a new study from the University of Copenhagen. A combination of proteins and antioxidants doubles the anti-inflammatory properties in immune cells. The researchers hope to be able to study the health effects on humans. […]
New smartphone clip-on can detect Zika virus in blood samples
As seen with the COVID-19 pandemic, detection methods that are rapid, simple, accurate, and sensitive are vital for detecting viral pathogens and for controlling the spread of infectious diseases. Unfortunately, laboratory-based methods often require trained personnel and involve complex procedures. In a new study, researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have combined their efforts […]
Most people think their diet is healthier than it is: U.S. adults commonly overestimate the quality of their diet, study shows
How healthy is your diet? It seems like a simple question, but according to a new study, it’s one that most Americans struggle to get right. “We found that only a small percentage of U.S. adults can accurately assess the healthfulness of their diet, and interestingly, it’s mostly those who perceive their diet as poor […]
Malnutrition links kidney disease, weaker muscles
Scientists at Osaka Metropolitan University utilized a Japan-developed, objective, and simple nutritional indicator called the Nutrition Risk Index (NRI) to unveil a long-suspected yet unverified relationship between sarcopenia and malnutrition in end-stage kidney disease patients. Their findings confirmed that malnutrition contributes to sarcopenia, which can be detected through NRI. End-stage kidney disease patients undergoing maintenance […]
Cutting calories and eating at the right time of day leads to longer life in mice
One recipe for longevity is simple, if not easy to follow: eat less. Studies in a variety of animals have shown that restricting calories can lead to a longer, healthier life. Now, new research suggests that the body’s daily rhythms play a big part in this longevity effect. Eating only during their most active time […]
20 Critical Items To Pack Before You Travel Abroad
A simple thin money belt to keep your credit card close There are a million and one kinds of money belts with all sorts of zippers, but when traveling in a new place, I want something as simple as possible. This money belt is made for runners, so it’s super light and thin, and it […]
How a virus packages its genetic material: Simulations could help design nanocontainers used in drug delivery
Each simple RNA virus has a genome, its “native RNA.” This genome dictates how the virus replicates in cells to eventually cause disease. The genome also has the code for making a capsid, the protein shell of a virus that encapsulates the genome and protects it like a nanocontainer. A team led by Roya Zandi, […]