A recent medical case report has raised concerns about the transmission of chronic wasting disease, a deadly prion disease commonly known as “zombie deer” disease, from deer to humans. This report highlights the tragic deaths of two hunters who consumed venison from deer infected with chronic wasting disease, leading to severe symptoms and ultimately fatal
Health
Recent research has discovered that genes which offer protection against excessive drinking are also associated with other health conditions such as heart disease and mental health issues. This study, conducted by an international team of researchers, analyzed over 3.2 million DNA records to identify specific genetic changes known as single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). These variants have
The case reported by infectious disease specialists at the Amsterdam University Medical Center describes a 72-year-old immunocompromised man who had COVID-19 for an unprecedented 613 days. Despite receiving multiple vaccinations, his immune system failed to mount a sufficient response against the virus, leading to the development of a new immune-evasive variant within his body. This
A recent study conducted by researchers from the US and Japan has shed light on the impact of physician gender on patient outcomes. The study revealed that patients treated by female physicians are less likely to die or be readmitted to the hospital compared to those treated by male physicians. This finding is particularly significant
A Belgian man faced a unique situation in court when a drink-driving charge against him was dismissed due to his rare metabolic condition known as auto-brewery syndrome (ABS). This condition causes his body to produce alcohol, leading to increased ethanol levels in his blood and symptoms of intoxication. The 40-year-old man, whose identity was not
Time-restricted eating (TRE) has been gaining popularity as a weight loss strategy, with many people swearing by its effectiveness. But a recent study comparing TRE with a usual eating pattern (UEP) has shed light on the real reason behind weight loss in this method. According to the research, it’s not the fasting periods but the
A recent study analyzed data from the UK Biobank, looking at the relationship between sleep duration and type 2 diabetes risk. The study followed 247,867 adults over a decade to evaluate how sleep patterns and diet impacted diabetes outcomes. Participants who slept less than six hours a day were found to have an increased risk
Understanding the intricacies of the human brain and how it is affected by hormonal fluctuations is a complex and fascinating area of study. Recent research conducted by neuroscientists Elizabeth Rizor and Viktoriya Babenko from the University of California Santa Barbara has shed light on the structural changes that occur in the brain throughout the menstrual
Understanding psychosis is a complex task that involves identifying dysfunctions in specific brain systems. Researchers at Stanford University have made significant progress in this area, pinpointing two key brain systems involved in psychosis. These systems help us filter attention to important internal and external information and predict rewards, shedding light on how the symptoms of
A recent study conducted by researchers at Washington State University and the University of Oregon has uncovered a phenomenon they describe as ‘bacterial vampirism’. This peculiar attraction refers to certain types of bacteria that are drawn to human blood, a dangerous inclination that can result in fatal infections. The team’s investigation revealed that these deadly
The study on transgenic mice conducted by researchers from the VIB-Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders in Belgium has shed light on the fascinating world of spinal cord memory. While previously it was believed that motor learning and memory were solely confined to brain circuits, this research has challenged that notion. The findings have opened up new possibilities
The association between the human menstrual cycle and the phases of the Moon has been a topic of interest in many cultures. Despite the similarities in the average cycle time and the month, there has been little evidence to support a direct link between the two. A recent study conducted by a research team from