Researchers at TU Wien have shown that water molecules' structures impact charged particles in electrochemistry. The team found that ions with stronger effects on surrounding water create more order, leading to lower entropy and reduced attachment to surfaces.
The global integration of traditional and modern medicine has been shown to improve patient outcomes by enhancing symptom management, quality of life, and treatment adherence. Effective integration relies on robust regulatory frameworks governing practitioner licensing, quality control, pharmacovigilance, and research.
Experts in Ayurveda and yoga propose using these traditional practices to boost immune function and prevent COVID-19 infection. The authors discuss various methods, including local prophylaxis with herbal drinks and steam inhalation, as well as systemic approaches focusing on diet, sleep, and mental relaxation.
A study found that cancer patients are open to using complementary alternative medicines, but poorly informed about safety issues and risk of interactions with anti-cancer drugs. Vitamin D supplements were the most popular choice, followed by selenium plus zinc.
Using complementary medicine alongside conventional cancer therapy is associated with a higher risk of death from cancer. The study analyzed data from over 1.9 million patients and found that those who used complementary medicine were more likely to refuse conventional treatments.
A study by researchers at the University of Oxford and Exeter University found that general practices in England with the worst prescribing quality scores are 2.1 times more likely to prescribe homeopathy than those with the best scores. Poor prescribing performance is strongly associated with homeopathy use, but not with patient outco...
A new study found that complementary and alternative medicine is being used by one in four Europeans to remedy various health problems. Women and those with higher education are more likely to use these treatments. The most commonly used forms of treatment were massage, homeopathy, osteopathy, and herbal remedies.
A comprehensive review of homeopathy in livestock found that many clinical trials have methodological limitations, making it difficult to draw conclusions about its effectiveness. The review suggests that more research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits and risks of using homeopathy in food-producing animals.
A survey of Americans' use of homeopathic medicines found that they are primarily used for common self-limited conditions such as the common cold or back pain. Homeopathy users tend to be more likely to use complementary and integrative medicine modalities, and report finding these products helpful in addressing their health problems.
Peter Fisher argues that homeopathy is misunderstood and that some reviews have omitted key evidence, while Edzard Ernst claims that most independent systematic reviews have failed to show homeopathy's effectiveness due to methodological flaws.
Two experts denounce clinical trials of highly implausible treatments, citing dubious science and lack of evidence. They advocate for science-based medicine, urging patients to exercise critical thinking when evaluating treatment options.
Michigan State University's Foundations of Science course aims to improve critical thinking skills and empower students to make informed decisions. The course, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, offers a unique blend of media and exercises to help students decode scientific concepts and analyze pseudoscience.
Researchers found that herbal agents can prevent sunburn and limit UV damage, with golden serpent fern and Asian ginseng showing promising photoprotective properties when taken orally. Green tea applied topically also offers photoprotection in sufficient doses.
A study published in Neurology found that nearly 40% of brain tumor patients use alternative therapies, including homeopathic remedies and vitamin supplements. Younger people, women, and those with more education were more likely to use these treatments, which they often sought to add benefits to conventional care.
Researchers found that homeopathic consultations can significantly reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis when combined with conventional treatment. The benefits were attributed to the consultation process, not the remedies used.
A two-part special issue published in the journal Homeopathy explores experiments on homeopathic treatments using biological models, including whole animals and plants, cell cultures, and enzymes. The study found that seven different biological models of high dilution response yielded consistently positive results.
A recent American Cancer Society study found that nearly half of cancer survivors used complementary methods such as prayer and meditation to cope with their condition. The study also revealed that women, younger survivors, and those with higher incomes were more likely to use these methods.
Scientists from around the world present convergent views on the 'memory of water' concept, which suggests that water can display memory effects. Researchers found large-scale structural changes in liquid water, potentially accounting for claims of memory of water effects.
A special issue of Integrative Cancer Therapies explores whether EBM principles are sufficient for making clinical decisions about CAM. The issue discusses strategies that use 'whole systems' and 'integrated evaluation models' as potential new standards for research on CAM for cancer.
A study found that older adults in North Carolina predominantly use food home remedies and other home remedies for health management, often as a form of self-care. The study also revealed significant differences in CAM therapy use among ethnic groups, with African-Americans and Native Americans showing higher rates of use.
Researchers found that middle-age adults are more likely to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for prevention rather than treatment, with biologically-based therapies used equally for both purposes. The study analyzed data from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey, covering 31,044 participants.
A study of 110 homoeopathy trials and 110 conventional medicine trials found that smaller, lower-quality trials showed more beneficial treatment effects for homoeopathy. However, larger, higher-quality trials revealed no significant evidence that homoeopathy was superior to placebo.
A study of over 700 patients undergoing coronary procedures found that distant prayer did not improve clinical outcomes, but patients receiving music therapy had less emotional distress and slightly lower mortality rates.
A third of European cancer patients use CAM, with women, younger patients, and those with poor prognosis using it more often. The most commonly used CAM therapies were herbs, homeopathy, and spiritual therapies.
A study of 2,466 HIV-positive adults reveals that 53% use alternative medicine, often without informing their doctors. This can lead to adverse interactions with conventional treatment and increased risk of treatment failure.
A daily multivitamin and mineral supplement reduced the incidence of minor infections among healthy people over 45. Intentional weight loss was associated with a 24% lower death rate compared to unintentional weight loss.
A study by Dr Zeba Aziz found that socio-economic status significantly impacts breast cancer treatment and survival rates in developing countries. Women from lower socio-economic backgrounds often delay seeking medical help, resulting in delayed diagnosis and inadequate treatment, leading to poor survival rates.
Researchers found that women taking hormone replacement therapy were 40% more likely to require gallbladder surgery than those on placebo. Additionally, high-dose cyclophosphamide was successful in treating some aplastic anemia patients, offering potential implications for the treatment of severe autoimmune diseases.
The Annals series examines complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), classifying hundreds of therapies into a new taxonomy. CAM modalities like herbs, acupuncture, and homeopathy are studied, as well as the social context and effectiveness of these practices.