Latest news with #MedicalXpress
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Researchers' astonishing discovery after studying hundreds of thousands of commuters shows the transit habit linked to good mental health
For many, the saying "movement is medicine" is more than a truism. A study by researchers based in Scotland explored the relationship between mental health and cycling. Among those who cycled to work, Medical Xpress summarized, there was a lower incidence of being prescribed medication to treat anxiety and depression. The study, published in January 2024 in the International Journal of Epidemiology, used data from the 2011 Scottish census for almost 380,000 residents between the ages of 16 and 74. All of those included stayed within about one mile of a city bike path and did not take prescriptions for mental health at the start of the study period. Researchers compared the data against prescription records for the five years that followed, up until 2016. They found that those who cycled to work between 2011 and 2016, in comparison to non-cyclists, saw a 15% reduction in prescriptions to address mental health conditions, per Medical Xpress. Taking medication to treat anxiety or depression isn't a poor outcome, just as not being prescribed such medication is not itself an indication of perfect mental health. But exercise has long been recognized as a key contributor to mental wellness. Purposeful movement can release "feel-good" chemicals — endorphins and serotonin — that reduce pain, improve moods, and aid in regulation. Physical activity can also help lower stress hormones, enhancing one's well-being overall. But the benefits don't end there. As study co-author Chris Dibben noted in a statement, "Not only could [commuter cycling] improve people's mental health, but it could also help reduce carbon emissions, road congestion, and air pollution." There's some reason to believe that for those understandably stressed about human-caused climate change, active commuting in the form of cycling could even help address some environmental anxieties. Using a traditional bike or e-bike instead of a gas-powered vehicle can help lower emissions of heat-trapping gases, not only mitigating rising temperatures but also reducing the amount of pollutants in the air. Cycling to work can also cut commuter costs and streamline the workday. That might be especially true for those opting for fold-up e-bikes that can be easily transported around town and into buildings. By owning an e-bike, users can also capitalize on home solar to save on charging costs. EnergySage offers easy-to-use tools to help consumers find local, vetted sources for solar quotes. Switching from car travel to biking can make a huge difference for an individual's physical and mental health as well as for the environment — but it can sometimes be difficult to know where to start in finding a bike that's right for you. Tapping into a local bike-sharing program might be a great, cost-effective way to test out traditional bikes and get to know other area cyclists. For those who want to try an e-bike, Upway offers a wide variety of new and pre-owned options, with many costing up to 60% less than retail. It's also a destination for those looking to sell an e-bike before making an upgrade. How much time do you spend commuting in the car each week? Over an hour a day 30-60 minutes a day Under 30 minutes a day I never drive to work Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Residential destinations — or where people most dream of living — may increasingly include bike paths and green spaces. As Dibben said, "Our finding that this economical and sustainable method of traveling to work also enhances mental health suggests that a policy of investing in cycle paths and encouraging active commuting is likely to have wide-ranging benefits." It's another indicator that making it easier for the public to care for and connect with the environment can come with multiple and compounding wins, from physical health and mental wellness to less air pollution and lower costs all around. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
New York Post
15-06-2025
- Health
- New York Post
I'm a spine doctor — beware this surprising cause of back pain, and what you can do to improve it
It's a real pain in the back. An estimated 80% of Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lives — and for around 16 million of those adults, the issue is chronic and with no easy end in sight. While incredibly common, back pain is notoriously difficult to treat because 'it may be caused by multiple overlapping factors that cannot always be visualized on a scan,' Dr. Patricia Zheng, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, told Medical Xpress. 3 Back pain is difficult to treat because it has so many different causes — and this one is frequently overlooked. New Africa – Some common causes of back pain include muscle strain, herniated discs, sprains, arthritis, poor posture, obesity, lack of exercise and even stress. But, according to Zheng, one of the most overlooked causes of chronic back pain isn't physical at all — it's psychological. 'In a 2024 study, we identified smoking, alcohol, obesity, sleep disturbance and depression as risk factors for chronic back pain,' she told the outlet. 'I think some patients are surprised that depression, which may be associated with sleep disturbances, is linked to back pain.' Depression can often make pain feel more severe, which is why she recommends seeing a therapist or taking antidepressants to patients who consistently feel down. 'Studies show that the neurotransmitters that play a role in depression and anxiety are also involved in the way we process pain, so taking an antidepressant may dampen the nervous system's overreaction to pain,' she said. 3 'I think some patients are surprised that depression, which may be associated with sleep disturbances, is linked to back pain,' Zheng said. fizkes – A recent study found only one out of every 10 treatments to be effective in relieving lower back pain, so the condition often needs to be tackled in a myriad of ways. Firstly, Zheng recommends exercising — but not too strenuously, as research has shown that can actually make things worse. 'I can't emphasize enough how important it is to stay active,' she said, adding that she personally rotates between Pilates, aerobics and light weightlifting five days a week. 'But I'm not perfect; when life gets busy, I slack off.' When you're in the office, she suggests maintaining good posture and getting up from your desk once every hour to move around 'because prolonged sitting puts pressure on the spinal disks.' As for those trendy standing desks? Some studies show they can help relieve back pain, but there's more science behind simply going for a walk. In fact, a recent Norwegian study showed that walking 100 minutes per day was associated with a 23% lower risk of chronic lower back pain. 3 Dr. Patricia Zheng is a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist. UCSF If your back pain is due to an injury, Zheng emphasizes the importance of easing back into activity. 'The problem is, if you don't move, you get deconditioned,' she told the outlet. 'That can make you more susceptible to future injuries.' In some extreme cases, minimally invasive surgeries or steroid injections might be recommended. Meanwhile, some people have successfully relieved back pain by following an anti-inflammatory diet, which means eliminating things like sugar, red meat and alcohol. Although Zheng herself is no stranger to temptation. 'I try to eat a balanced diet, but for me personally, I love sweets,' she said. 'I'm not going to pass on the dessert!'
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Researchers make concerning discovery while studying immune response to COVID-19: 'May reduce its effectiveness'
Exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as "forever chemicals," can alter one of the ways our immune system reacts to the coronavirus, possibly affecting vaccine efficacy, according to a recent study led by researchers from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research and published in the journal Environment International. The researchers set out to see "how PFAS affect the second arm of the immune system," also known as the cellular immune response, according to a UFZ summary of the research published by Medical Xpress. This response is particularly important when it comes to SARS-CoV-2 (the coronavirus that causes COVID-19), as it helps protect against severe illness outcomes, according to the summary. To test the effects, the scientists used blood samples from men and women who had been vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 several times and had been infected with the virus. They cultured the immune cells in these samples and exposed them to PFAS for 24 hours. Then, they exposed the immune cells to proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. According to the research summary, the team found that two immune cell types that had been exposed to elevated levels of PFAS produced more inflammatory mediators in response to the SARS-CoV-2 proteins than unexposed samples. This suggested an "excessive immune response," according to the researchers. They added that this effect was especially pronounced in the study's male participants. Meanwhile, the study's female participants had proportionally fewer B cells (immune cells that are important in the development of antibodies and long-term immunity) after exposure to PFAS. "Our results show that exposure to high PFAS concentrations clearly alters the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and may reduce its effectiveness," said Ana Zenclussen, the research team's leader, per the research summary in Medical Xpress. Zenclussen also said that the difference between male and female participants is "an important result that should be investigated more thoroughly in further studies." PFAS are a group of thousands of human-made compounds that are used in everyday household products such as nonstick cookware and water-repellent clothing. They have also been widely found in drinking water and soil across the globe. One study found that more than 20% of Americans may be exposed to PFAS-laced tap water. Nicknamed "forever chemicals," they are known for being persistent in the environment. The new research adds to a growing body of knowledge about the health impacts of PFAS. For example, one study found that exposure to these chemicals can alter the expressions of certain genes within the brain, while another tied them to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases in women after menopause. While PFAS are known for being difficult to remove from the environment, some scientists are making headway. For example, one University of Illinois team reportedly discovered a way to remove the full spectrum of PFAS from water with a single process. You can reduce your exposure by shopping from PFAS-free brands, upgrading your cookware, and limiting your purchases of stain- and water-resistant clothing. Do you worry about having toxic forever chemicals in your home? Majorly Sometimes Not really I don't know enough about them Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Jordan News
17-05-2025
- Health
- Jordan News
Iron Deficiency Increases Stroke Risk Among Young Adults - Jordan News
A recent study has found that iron-deficiency anemia significantly and independently raises the risk of ischemic stroke in young adults. Iron-deficiency anemia—the most common type—occurs when iron stores are insufficient to support red blood cell production. اضافة اعلان Iron Deficiency in Women This condition disproportionately affects women, primarily due to regular iron loss during menstruation and increased iron demands during pregnancy. Maternal anemia has also been linked to developmental issues in children, including intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Stroke in Young Adults According to Medical Xpress, it's estimated that 10% to 15% of all strokes occur in adults aged 18 to 50—an age group that is also experiencing a rise in iron-deficiency anemia cases. However, limited data had previously explored the relationship between iron-deficiency anemia and stroke risk in this age group. In this study, researchers examined health records from over 300 hospitals across the United States, collecting data on patients aged 15 to 50, both with and without ischemic strokes. Patients with anemia due to other causes—such as sickle cell disease, pregnancy, or contraceptive use—were excluded. The Impact of Anemia The results showed that individuals with a history of iron-deficiency anemia had a significantly higher risk of experiencing a stroke, even after adjusting for multiple variables. Iron-deficiency anemia was associated with a 39% increased risk of ischemic stroke, independent of other known risk factors such as smoking.
News18
14-05-2025
- Health
- News18
Why Can Some People Thrive On Just Four Hours Of Sleep?
Last Updated: The sleep-wake cycle is impacted by a mutation, which may result in less sleep and maybe deeper sleep. Humans need sleep to function properly. That is what we have been taught for decades and science backs it. But not everyone requires the same quantity of sleep to endure the craziness of this world. Even though some people need seven to nine hours of sleep every day, others may get by with just four to six hours. For those of us who need our eight hours of sleep every day, these short sleepers are just as well-rested as the rest of us. Scientists have now identified a unique genetic mutation that benefits these individuals, who survive on just four hours of sleep. Study Conducted According to research that was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal, individuals who have a natural short sleep (NSS) feature have a mutation that impacts how long they sleep. One volunteer for the study was a 70-year-old natural short sleeper. An organised interview was conducted with the healthy woman, who reported her regular sleep-wake habits. Medical Xpress reports that wrist actigraphy was used to capture her sleep habits. The actigraph device indicated an average of 6.3 hours of sleep every night, despite the volunteer reporting a three-hour bedtime every day. To find the genetic variations that might be causing her to sleep exceptionally well, the researchers took samples of her DNA and performed whole-exome sequencing. They found a mutation in the salt-induced kinase 3 (SIK3) protein kinase, N783Y. Now, scientists claim that one of these mutations changes SIK3's protein structure. According to the Independent report, the mutation N783Y, which alters the structure of this gene, is crucial in determining wakefulness and sleep patterns. The SIK3-N783Y mutation was examined by the researchers in genetically altered mice, which were observed to sleep an average of thirty minutes less per night than normal mice. They found that the mutation caused structural alterations that hindered the protein's capacity to transmit essential phosphate molecules to other proteins. This leads to a shorter sleep duration. The Significance Of The Study Lack of sleep can lead to some negative health consequences, such as an increased risk of heart disease and the early development of diseases like Alzheimer's. Even with fewer hours of sleep, those with this uncommon mutation can be completely refreshed, in contrast to those who require at least seven hours of sleep. The study found that short sleepers thrive on less sleep and may even feel 'worse" if they get more. Researchers think the new study will help them create better sleep disorders therapies and enhance the quality of sleep. You now understand why you possess that superpower if you are a short sleeper.
