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Cardiac arrest survival rate rising

The study found that the probability of surviving cardiac arrest outside hospital has more than doubled in 30 years, from approximately 5% to 11%. The improvement is attributed to increased CPR training and better healthcare resources. However, ambulance delays and an increase in difficult-to-treat cases are hindering further progress.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 26, 2022

Dogs with more active owners may get more exercise

A new international study suggests that dog owners who spend more time exercising themselves tend to exercise their dogs more, leading to a perceived ideal body weight. The study found that feeding practices play a main role in owner perception of their dog being overweight, while exercise practices are crucial for an ideal weight.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateAug 24, 2022

Helping patients manage long covid

A new home-based test, aAP, allows patients to monitor their autonomic responses and make lifestyle changes to alleviate symptoms. This test reduces NHS resource demand and provides clinicians with valuable insights into patient triggers.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalAdvances in Clinical Neuroscience & Rehabilitation·DateAug 23, 2022

New research to reduce harm of gestational diabetes

A study of over 4,000 pregnant women in New Zealand found that lowering the blood-sugar threshold for diagnosis can improve health outcomes for mothers and babies. Women diagnosed with gestational diabetes using a lower threshold were more likely to receive treatment and use healthcare services.

SourceUniversity of Auckland·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 23, 2022

COVID OUT clinical trial suggests metformin effective at reducing odds of serious outcomes for COVID-19 patients seeking early treatment

The study found that metformin lowers the odds of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, or death due to COVID-19 by over 40 percent. Metformin also showed a significant reduction in serious outcomes when prescribed early in the onset of symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 18, 2022

Health inequalities among ethnic groups have increased since pandemic, evidence shows

A new study published in Diabetes Care has reported an increase in health inequalities among ethnic minorities with diabetes since the COVID-19 pandemic. The review highlighted structural barriers such as housing, education, and employment opportunities that put these individuals at greater risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalDiabetes Care·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 11, 2022

Aldosterone linked to increased risk of chronic kidney disease progression and end-stage kidney disease

Higher aldosterone concentrations are associated with lower eGFR, lower potassium levels in blood, and higher potassium and protein concentrations in urine. The risk of CKD worsening was independent of diabetes status. Finerenone may help prevent CKD progression by targeting aldosterone's action.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeObservational study·DateAug 8, 2022

Junk food advertising restrictions prevent almost 100,000 obesity cases and is expected to save the NHS £200m

New research finds junk food advertising restrictions have prevented 94,867 fewer obesity cases, 2,857 fewer diabetes cases, and 1,915 fewer cardiovascular disease cases. The policy is estimated to save the NHS £218 million over its lifetime.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·TypeObservational study·DateAug 1, 2022

Fast food diet before pregnancy can impact breast milk and baby’s health, say scientists

A new study found that a fast food diet before pregnancy can negatively impact breast milk quality and baby's health, increasing the risk of conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Even short-term consumption of high sugar and fat diets affects women's health and fertility.

SourceSt. John's College, University of Cambridge·JournalActa Physiologica·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 27, 2022

Hormone infusion improves pancreatic insulin production in cystic fibrosis patients with or at risk for diabetes

Researchers have found that infusing glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone can improve impaired islet cell function in the pancreas of cystic fibrosis patients, potentially improving blood sugar control and treatment burden. The study suggests a new therapeutic approach for treating cystic fibrosis-related diabetes.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalDiabetes·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 21, 2022

Shift work increases the severity of strokes later in life

A new study published in Neurobiology of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms found that shift work can lead to long-lasting health effects, including increased severity of strokes. The research, led by Texas A&M University, suggests that disrupted internal body clocks can alter gut and brain interactions, leading to worse stroke outcomes.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalNeurobiology of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms·TypeNews article·DateJul 12, 2022

Blacks found twice as likely to have atherosclerosis as Hispanics in young adult populations in underserved communities

A new Mount Sinai study reveals that young Black adults are twice as likely to have atherosclerosis as their Hispanic counterparts. Researchers used comprehensive questionnaires and 3D vascular ultrasounds to determine cardiovascular risk scores, finding significant discrepancies between the groups.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

Cold temps may help to combat obesity and related metabolic diseases by reducing inflammation, researchers find

Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center and Brigham and Women's Hospital found that cold exposure can resolve obesity-induced inflammation while improving insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in diet-induced obese mice. Brown adipose tissue is activated to produce anti-inflammatory molecules, including Maresin 2.

SourceJoslin Diabetes Center·JournalNature Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2022

Knocking out nausea

Researchers describe a mechanism by which inhibitory neurons in a specific brain region suppress nausea-causing excitatory neurons. Activating these inhibitory neurons with the chemical messenger GIP eliminates nausea behaviors in mice, offering an alternative approach to reducing nausea.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 22, 2022

NUS Medicine researchers discover glaucoma and chronic kidney disease have more in common than what meets the eye

Chronic kidney disease and glaucoma have been found to share common risk factors such as diabetes and hypertension, leading to a higher risk of developing both conditions. The study also reveals that patients with glaucoma are more likely to develop chronic kidney disease over time.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 21, 2022

Physical activity should be encouraged during pregnancy, even for socially vulnerable women

Research in western Amazonia found that at least 150 minutes of exercise per week correlated with lower birth weight and reduced risk of childhood obesity and diabetes. The study also showed that physical activity during pregnancy may help prevent excessive weight gain, contributing to a reduced birth weight.

Custom program helps people living with diabetes control blood sugar, weight

A customized WeightWatchers program has been shown to effectively manage Type 2 diabetes by lowering blood glucose levels and promoting significant weight loss. Participants in the six-month clinical trial experienced improved glycemic control and overall well-being, with clinically meaningful and statistically significant results.

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·JournalDiabetes·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 4, 2022

Malnutrition links kidney disease, weaker muscles

A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that malnutrition contributes to sarcopenia in hemodialysis patients, characterized by muscle mass, strength, and function losses. The Nutrition Risk Index (NRI) is a simple and convenient metric developed in Japan, which shows significant relationships between NRI score and sarcopenia,...

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·TypeObservational study·DateJun 1, 2022