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Daily step count and depression in adults

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 96,000 adults found that higher daily step counts were linked to lower depressive symptoms. Further studies are needed to confirm the potential protective role of daily steps in depression.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateDec 16, 2024

People who use vapes as well as cigarettes are less likely to quit and often switch to just smoking

Research reveals that people who use both vapes and cigarettes are less likely to quit smoking compared to those who only smoke or vape. Dual users tend to revert to only smoking cigarettes over time. The study suggests that taking up vaping while continuing to smoke will not help people stop smoking.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·JournalERJ Open Research·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 3, 2024

Experts publish the latest guide for systematic reviews of preclinical research

A new publication provides essential guidance for conducting rigorous systematic reviews on studies with animals and cells. Regular narrative reviews are prone to biases, but systematic reviews follow a rigorous and transparent methodology, helping researchers make sense of conflicting reports and identify gaps in the field.

SourceRadboud University Medical Center·JournalNature Reviews Methods Primers·DateOct 3, 2024

Can wearable activity trackers detect disease?

A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of 28 studies with 1.2 million participants found that wearable technology can accurately detect conditions such as heart rate variability, blood pressure, oxygen levels, sleep quality, skin temperature, hydration, and stress levels. The study suggests that wearable activity trackers could r...

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalJMIR mhealth and uhealth·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 2, 2024

Does cognitive behavioral therapy benefit cancer survivors?

A systematic review and meta-analysis found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) moderately improves mental health and quality of life in people with past or current cancer. CBT was more effective for younger individuals and in-person delivery compared to technology-based platforms.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer Medicine·DateAug 21, 2024

Combining popular diabetes drugs offers complementary heart and kidney benefits

Researchers found that combining sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists reduces the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and chronic kidney disease progression by 11% and 33%, respectively. The study suggests using this combination to further improve outcomes in patients with typ...

SourceGeorge Institute for Global Health·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 8, 2024

Technology-assisted therapy for children and young people is an effective alternative to traditional face-to-face therapy

A systematic review and meta-analysis found that technology-assisted Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is as effective as face-to-face CBT in treating anxiety and depression in children and young people. The study highlights the potential of technology-assisted CBT to expand access to mental health treatment.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalClinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 3, 2024

The Lancet Psychiatry: One in six people who stop antidepressants will experience discontinuation symptoms as a direct result, finds most comprehensive study to date

A systematic review and meta-analysis of over 20,000 patients found that one in six to seven patients will experience discontinuation symptoms directly caused by stopping the medication. Severe symptoms occurred in about 3% of patients, with certain antidepressants increasing the risk.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 5, 2024

Women are 40% more likely to experience depression during the perimenopause

A new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that women in the perimenopausal stage are significantly more likely to experience depression. The meta-analysis of seven studies involving over 9,000 women from around the world reveals a 40% increased risk of depressive symptoms during this life-stage.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 30, 2024

Association of new-onset seizures with SARS-CoV-2 vaccines

A systematic review and meta-analysis found no association between new-onset seizures and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. The study included over 118,000 participants from randomized clinical trials and found the incidence proportion of new-onset seizures to be similar across vaccine recipients and unvaccinated participants.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateApr 29, 2024

Hope for treating autoimmune diseases

A routine blood test that measures inflammation levels could improve diagnosis and management of debilitating autoimmune diseases. The Systemic Inflammation Index (SII) has shown high accuracy in diagnosing immunological diseases.

SourceFlinders University·JournalClinical and Experimental Medicine·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 2, 2024

Review seeks to understand and manage risk factors for common heart condition

A large-scale review published in The Lancet Regional Health Europe provides an update on the recent advances in understanding and managing risk factors for atrial fibrillation (AF). AF affects around 1.4 million people in the UK, causing irregular heart rates and impairing quality of life. Researchers found that a more individualized ...

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 22, 2024

Time to treatment with intravenous thrombolysis before thrombectomy and functional outcomes in acute ischemic stroke

Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) plus thrombectomy demonstrates significant benefits over thrombectomy alone when administered within a short timeframe after symptom onset. This study, based on individual participant data from six randomized clinical trials, found IVT before thrombectomy to be time-dependent and statistically significant.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateFeb 7, 2024

Physical activity and cognitive decline among older adults

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 104 studies with 341,000 participants found that physical activity was associated with better late-life cognition, although the association was weak. The findings suggest that even a weak link between physical activity and cognitive decline is still important from a population health perspective.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 1, 2024

Likelihood of more ambulance callouts as heatwave conditions continue

A new study found a statistically significant increase in ambulance callouts for all causes by 10%, with cardiovascular causes rising by 5%. As heatwaves intensify, the risk of ambulance callouts is expected to rise further, highlighting the need for proactive measures to address heat-related health issues.

SourceGriffith University·JournalAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 28, 2024

Third major study finds evidence that daily multivitamin supplements improve memory and slow cognitive aging in older adults

A meta-analysis of 5,000 participants found that daily multivitamins showed benefits for memory and global cognition. The study suggests that taking a daily multivitamin can help prevent memory loss and slow down cognitive aging by the equivalent of two years compared to placebo.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 18, 2024

Cannabis has no clear effect on treatment of opioid addiction, US study finds

A new peer-reviewed study suggests that cannabis is having no significant effect on people's use of opioids, taken outside of medical guidance. The findings have substantial implications for U.S. treatment programs, which still require patients to abstain from cannabis before qualifying for potentially life-saving treatment.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalThe American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse·TypeSystematic review·DateJan 16, 2024

Distinct sex differences persist in countries with higher standards of living

Despite improved living conditions, sex differences in personality, verbal skills, and negative emotions are larger in countries with higher standards of living. Women tend to benefit more from these improvements, exhibiting greater altruism and cooperative ability, while men show better cognitive skills but at a smaller advantage.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalPerspectives on Psychological Science·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 3, 2024