Blood levels of proteins reflect the starting, stopping, and changing of biological processes linked to aging. We make significant changes at three ages. — “The wiser mind mourns less for what age takes away than what it leaves behind.” This is the insightful observation of William Wordsworth (1770–1850), the English romantic who (along with Samuel Taylor Coleridge) helped initiate the Romantic Age in English literature. Together, they published Lyrical Ballads in 1798.

How medical undergarments improve the surgical experience. — MEDICAL UNDERGARMENTS TO COVER GENITALIA AND BUTTOCKS significantly increase patient satisfaction levels for surgery patients. The newer approach of wearing undergarments to surgery appears to lower anxiety about the exposure of one’s body in a medical setting, according to a recently reported randomized clinical trial. For all my four decades…

Mouse studies suggest that antibiotics can ravage athletes’ motivation and endurance. — ONE MORE REASON TO AVOID UNNECESSARY antibiotic use: New research suggests that antibiotics can hurt athletic endurance and motivation by killing essential gut bacteria. The University of California, Riverside (USA) researchers conclude that the mouse study suggests that the gut microbiome is significant in athletic performance.

A new study confirms supplements slow macular degeneration, an eye condition that can cause blindness. — A NEW STUDY CONFIRMS DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS for slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration, the most common cause of blindness in older Americans. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), or macular degeneration, is a common eye disorder. AMD results from the macula's deterioration, a small area in the middle of the retina…

METASTASIS IS A PROCESS IN WHICH CANCER CELLS breast away from a primary tumor and enters the bloodstream. These rogue cells can establish colonies in distant sites such as the bones, liver, lungs, or brain. A new study published in Nature hints that this cancer spread mostly occurs during the…

Lifetime excess weight raises colon cancer risk. — “If you concentrate on small, manageable steps you can cross unimaginable distances.” ― Shaun Hick EXCESS WEIGHT HAS A GREATER IMPACT on colorectal cancer risk than suggested by previous studies that did not consider cumulative lifetime exposure. That is the conclusion of a recent study from Heidelberg University (Germany). We…

“I’d rather take coffee than compliments just now.” ― Louisa May Alcott, Little Women MODERATE CONSUMPTION OF COFFEE IS ASSOCIATED WITH a reduced chance of dying prematurely. That’s the conclusion of a recently reported study from the United Kingdom, where researchers analyzed the habits of over 170,000 individuals. But do…

A NEW STUDY CONFIRMS WHAT YOU PROBABLY already believed: Our childhood health and habits affect our adult health. The new research confirms that these child and teen habits also affect our life length. The International Childhood Cardiovascular Cohorts Consortium Outcomes Study has analyzed nearly 40,000 people from the United States…

COULD PATIENTS WITH UNAGGRESSIVE BREAST CANCER skip radiation therapy, a historically important tool for most patients having a lumpectomy for early breast cancer? A new study suggests we may someday ditch radiotherapy for highly selected patients with early breast cancer. While we need longer follow-up, the research is promising. Today…