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Editor's Pick
US study finds serious side effects from weight-loss drugs
Diabetes drugs now popular for their serendipitous by-product – weight loss – have also been linked to increased risk of gastrointestinal side effects, including...
Long Covid proven by biological markers – Yale study
A groundbreaking US study found clear differences in immune and hormone function between individuals with long COVID and those without, enabling researchers to diagnose...
Vast majority of ‘penicillin allergies’ are just antibiotic side-effects
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) warns in a review that 90% of people who think they are allergic to penicillin are not – they...
Stable weight for women tied to exceptional longevity – US analysis
Older women who maintain a stable weight may be nearly twice as likely to live to 90 to 100 years old, although unintentional weight...
Psoriasis tied to increased heart disease risk – Italian study
In a large cross-sectional study, nearly one-third of patients with severe psoriasis met criteria for coronary microvascular dysfunction, with the authors suggesting the need...
Patients had lucid death experiences after CPR revival, finds study
For up to an hour after their hearts had stopped, some patients revived by CPR had clear memories afterwards of experiencing death, and had...
Progress for traditional medicine in disease-fighting arsenal
Researchers are edging closer to using traditional medicines in the fight against disease, in line with the Department of Health's goal to register these...
Large study knocks reflux disease link to cancer
Reflux disease, which manifests as acid regurgitation and heartburn, has been known as a risk factor for oesophageal cancer, but a recent study now...
Experts flag dangers of anti-psychotics for dementia patients
A US study has found that when faced with symptoms like aggression and psychosis in patients with Alzheimer’s and similar conditions, doctors sometimes prescribe...
‘Night owls’ at higher risk for diabetes than ‘early birds’ – US analysis
People who go to bed late and wake up late have more chance of developing diabetes than those who are “early to bed and...
Blood clot risk rises with Pill/painkiller combo – Danish study
Researchers have suggested there is a small, increased risk of blood clots when taking common painkillers while on the Pill, and that women should...
Antioxidants may encourage tumour growth – Swedish study
Vitamin or mineral supplements could feed tumours and allow them to grow, suggests recent research, with common antioxidants like vitamins A, C, selenium and...
Turmeric as effective as medicine for indigestion – Thai study
A natural compound found in turmeric may be as effective as omeprazole – used to reduce excess stomach acid and treat indigestion – according...
Genetic bad cholesterol drops 60% in Australian drug trial
Australian researchers have found a potential oral medication developed to lower, by as much as 65%, levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol – lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a)...
Vitamin D cuts relapse in digestive tract cancer – Japanese study
A recently analysis led by scientists in Tokyo, Japan, found that daily vitamin D supplementation appeared to significantly reduce – by 75% – the...
Some beers good for your gut, say experts
With South African beer drinkers being the discerning lot they are, and with world markets having opened up over the years and imported beers...
Gut issues early sign of Parkinson’s – US study
Digestion problems like constipation or difficulty in swallowing can double the chance of Parkinson’s disease, according to a recent study, which suggested that four...
Biased oximeter readings skewed Covid treatment – US cohort study
A review of thousands of cases from the first years of the Covid-19 pandemic – using pulse oximeters – found levels of oxygen in the...
Wake-up call for governments as studies flag high risk of ultra processed foods
Experts say the dangers posed by the increasing and alarming global consumption of ultra-processed food – raised BP levels, heart disease and strokes –...
Little benefit from magnesium for preterm birth CP risk – NZ study
Researchers suggest there is little benefit in using intravenous magnesium sulphate preterm birth – at 30 to 34 weeks’ gestation – after their randomised...
Global meta-analysis finds one in five men possibly has cancerous HPV
One in five men worldwide is infected with a “high risk” potentially cancerous form of HPV, researchers have found, with their analysis, which pooled...
New test could speed up child illness diagnosis – UK study
Looking at gene patterns in the blood could speed up diagnoses in sick children, particularly when trying to figure out what is causing a...
Reflux medication-use linked to dementia – US analysis
A recent study adds to the ongoing discussion about proton pump inhibitors and cognition, after an analysis of 5 700 older adults suggested that...
Under 5 000 daily steps still beneficial, say experts
A recent study has found that it is not necessary to do a daily plod of 10 000 steps to stay fit and healthy,...
Global analysis ties pollution to antibiotic resistance
Curbing air pollution could help mitigate the impact of antibiotic resistance, say scientists from China and the UK after their modelling study found significant...
Higher death risk for hepatitis C survivors – global study
In the largest study of its kind, researchers have found that people cured of hepatitis C were between three and 14 times more likely...
Added sugars may raise kidney stone risk – Chinese study
A recent study has suggested that kidney stones, which affect thousands of people around the world could be triggered by added sugars in the...
‘Social jetlag’, irregular sleep, upset gut bacteria – UK study
British scientists have suggested that going to bed at roughly the same time every night could help reduce the risk of disease, after their...
Call for more research on antibiotic for bacteria-endometriosis link
A translational study published month has suggested that Fusobacterium infection of the endometrium might contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis, the first to suggest a...
Short bursts of activity can cut cancer risks – Australian cohort study
Researchers in Australia, who tracked 22 000 people over seven years, have suggested that everyday activities, like carrying heavy shopping, or energetic housework –...
Soft touch technique gives hope to nail-biters, hair-pluckers – German study
Scientists estimate that about 5% of people worldwide are afflicted with body-focused repetitive behaviours – like compulsively pulling or picking at their hair or...
Injection could replace drugs for high BP – British trial
A breakthrough may be on the horizon for millions of people suffering from high blood pressure – the leading cause of heart attacks and...
Statins slash CVD risk in people with HIV – global study
A recent study suggests that one daily statin reduces the risk of heart disease in younger people with HIV, this group having a 1.5...
Can you create a ‘healthy’ menu from ultra-processed foods?
Scientists recently led a study showing it’s possible to build a healthy diet with 91% of the calories coming from ultra-processed foods (as classified using the NOVA...
HPV link to breast, oesophageal cancers in Pretoria study
The findings of multiple human papillomavirus (HPV) co‑infections in patients with breast and oesophageal cancers in a local retrospective study have highlighted the need...
Simple procedure could help millions with penicillin allergy label – US trial
A number of low-risk patients with a penicillin allergy were able to have their allergy label removed through a simple procedure known as “direct...
Eczema jab could be breakthrough COPD treatment
Medical specialists say a shot used to treat eczema might be a breakthrough for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) – which affects millions of...
Even mild Covid reduces sperm counts – Spanish study
Men recently infected with Covid-19 have decreased sperm counts for more than three months after even mild infections, and the sperm they that do produce is...
Childhood ADHD medicines not linked to higher substance use later – US study
Providing a smidgen of reassurance to parents and clinicians, researchers say children prescribed with stimulants for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) do not have...
Need for rethink on spinal surgery training – SA study
A Cape Town study has found that spinal operations – with the largest open medical scheme in SA – was dominated by surgery for...