Is Shingles Contagious? How Long Do Shingles Last?
Shingles rash is not contagious in that a rash from one individual is unable to spread to another individual. Individuals who never have had chickenpox and have not received the vaccine for chickenpox are susceptible to shingles virus infection. Consequently, shingles disease is contagious to chickenpox by the transmission of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) to […]
For neurons, where they begin isn’t necessarily where they end
The making of a human brain remains a mostly mysterious process that races from an embryonic neural tube to more than 100 billion interconnected neurons in the brain of a newborn. To achieve this marvel of biological engineering, the developing fetal brain must grow, on average, at a rate of roughly 250,000 nerve cells per […]
Ubiquitous nutrients suppress appetite and promote movement
In experiments on mice, researchers at ETH Zurich show that non-essential amino acids act as appetite suppressants and promote the urge to move. Their research provides insight into the neural mechanism that controls this behaviour. Proteins can suppress appetite, so a protein-rich diet can help people lose weight. That’s just one of the reasons why […]
Is Pus a Sign of Infection? What Causes It?
What is pus? Pus is a thick fluid that builds up when an injury becomes infected. But pus isn’t the only sign of an infection. The word “pus” conjures all kinds of unpleasant images. It’s linked with injuries and infection and no one likes to think about that. Pus is a thick fluid that builds […]
Is Shingles Contagious? How Long Do Shingles Last?
Shingles rash is not contagious in that a rash from one individual is unable to spread to another individual. Individuals who never have had chickenpox and have not received the vaccine for chickenpox are susceptible to shingles virus infection. Consequently, shingles disease is contagious to chickenpox by the transmission of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) to […]
Study finds infertility history linked with increased risk of heart failure: The future risk of heart failure is not related to other known factors
A new study finds that a history of infertility is associated with increased risk of heart failure. Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) revealed that women who had experienced infertility had a 16% increased risk of heart failure compared with women who did not have […]
India Stalls Updated COVID-19 Toll Showing Millions More Deaths: Report
The World Health Organization currently says on its website that 6.2 million people worldwide have died of COVID-19. But more than a year of research aimed at calculating the true death toll has led the public health authority to more than double that estimate, according to The New York Times. The WHO reportedly puts the […]
Exercise during pregnancy reduces the risk of Type-2 Diabetes in offspring
A new study has demonstrated that maternal exercise during pregnancy improves the metabolic health of offspring, even when the mother is obese or on a high-fat diet. Physical exercise by the mother induces the placenta to secrete the key protein SOD3, resulting in a lowered risk of diabetes for the offspring. The findings in the […]
Energy-burning brown fat less active in boys with obesity
A study at McMaster University has found that brown adipose tissue (BAT) is less active in boys with obesity compared to boys with a normal body mass index (BMI). Senior author Katherine Morrison said that BAT, also known as brown fat, helps the body burn regular fat and is activated by cold, but her research […]
Most older adults want to ‘age in place’ but many haven’t taken steps to help them do so: From home safety and accessibility, to social support, community services and paid in-home help, National Poll on Healthy Aging shows varied preparation
The vast majority of people over 50 say it’s important that they keep living in their current homes for as long as possible. But a new poll shows many of them haven’t planned or prepared for “aging in place,” and a sizable percentage might have a hard time paying for in-home help. The pandemic’s toll […]