Scientists have shown for the first time that the brain is involved in the development of a heart condition called Takotsubo syndrome (TTS). They found that regions of the brain responsible for processing emotions and controlling the unconscious workings of the body, such as heart beat, breathing and digestion, do not communicate with each other […]
Sperm quality unaffected by one course of chemotherapy for early testicular cancer
Men with early stage testicular cancer can safely receive one course of chemotherapy or radiotherapy after surgery without it having a long-term effect on their sperm count, according to a study published in the leading cancer journal Annals of Oncology [1]. Although it is known already that several rounds of chemotherapy or high doses of […]
New heated tobacco device causes the same damage to lung cells as e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes
A new study that directly compares new heated tobacco devices with vaping and traditional cigarettes shows that all three are toxic to human lung cells. The study published in ERJ Open Research [1] suggests that the new device, which heats solid tobacco instead of an e-liquid, is no less toxic to the cells than ordinary […]
Unexpected results suggest a few joints may not harm men’s sperm. Researchers urge caution and call for more research on effects of cannabis on reproductive health
Researchers investigating the effect of cannabis smoking on men’s testicular function have made the unexpected discovery that it is linked to higher sperm counts and higher testosterone levels among moderate users compared to men who never smoked it. The study is published in Human Reproduction [1], one of the world’s leading reproductive medicine journals. Previous […]
No overall increased risk of cancer in children born after fertility treatment
Children born after assisted reproductive technology (ART) do not appear to be at greater risk of developing cancer than other children, according to the first study to look at the long-term cancer risk in ART children compared to those in the general population or who were naturally conceived by subfertile women. The study of 47,690 […]
Death rates from cancer will fall in Australasian countries and Russia in 2018: researchers call for urgent measures on tobacco control, especially in Russia
Researchers predict that death rates from cancer will fall in 2018 in Australasian countries and in Russia. However, a greater proportion of the population will die in Russia from the disease than in any of the other countries, mainly because of the large numbers of men who still smoke. In a study published in the […]
Too much or too little sleep linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death
The amount of time you sleep, including daytime naps, is linked to your risk of developing cardiovascular disease and death, according to a study of over 116,000 people in seven regions of the world, published in the European Heart Journal [1]. The researchers found that people who slept for longer than the recommended duration of […]
Chemicals in personal care and household products linked to earlier puberty in girls
Chemicals that are widely used in personal care and household products are linked to girls entering puberty at earlier ages, according to findings from a long-running study of mothers and children. The study in Human Reproduction [1], one of the world’s leading reproductive medicine journals, found that chemicals such as phthalates, parabens and phenols were […]
Baby’s first cold can last longer depending on nose-dwelling bacteria
New research on the types of bacteria living in babies’ noses could offer clues as to why some recover quickly from their first cough or cold, while others suffer for longer. The study, published in ERJ Open Research, suggests that babies who have a wide variety of different bacteria living in their noses tend to […]
Healthy? Stay fit to avoid a heart attack
Even if you are a fit and healthy person with no signs of any heart or blood vessel disease, low cardiorespiratory fitness could be a warning sign of future problems, according to a study published in the European Heart Journal [1]. Cardiorespiratory fitness refers to the ability of the blood circulation and respiratory systems to […]