A recent commentary published in The Lancet journal highlights the critical importance of skeletal muscle mass in the context of medically induced weight loss, particularly with the widespread use of GLP-1 receptor agonists. These medications, celebrated for their effectiveness in treating obesity, have raised concerns regarding the potential for substantial muscle loss as part of…

Many women who receive chemotherapy experience a decreased ability to remember, concentrate, and/or think—commonly referred to as “chemo-brain” or “brain fog”—both short- and long-term. In a recent clinical trial of women initiating chemotherapy for breast cancer, those who simultaneously started an aerobic exercise program self-reported greater improvements in cognitive function and quality of life compared…

Scientists have identified previously unreported genes which appear to play a key role in the muscle ageing process. It is hoped that the findings from the Nottingham Trent University study could be used to help delay the impact of the ageing process. Muscle ageing is a natural process which occurs in everyone, causing people to…

An international team of researchers has found that an antibiotic commonly prescribed for patients with liver disease, called rifaximin, has led to the global emergence of an almost untreatable form of the antimicrobial resistant superbug vancomycin-resistant enterococcus faecium (VRE), which frequently causes serious infections in hospitalized patients. The study has demonstrated that rifaximin usage is…

A vigorous workout does more to suppress hunger levels in healthy adults than does moderate exercise, and females may be especially susceptible to this response, according to a small study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society. The study examines the effects of exercise intensity on ghrelin levels and appetite between men and women.…

Aerobic exercise during chemotherapy boosts self-reported cognitive function and quality of life in breast cancer patients, but objective improvements remain elusive, study finds. Study:  Aerobic exercise and CogniTIVe functioning in women with breAsT cancEr (ACTIVATE): A randomized controlled trial. Image Credit: PeopleImages.com / Yuri A / Shutterstock.com A…

Researchers highlight how group dance, from ballroom to folk styles, enhances well-being and fitness in older adults, advocating for more inclusive and well-reported studies to support diverse communities. Study: The use of dance to improve the health and wellbeing of older adults: A global scoping review of research trials. Image Credi: SeventyFour /…

In middle-aged people, having risk factors like blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol that are not well-controlled combined with not following certain healthy habits including exercise, diet and sleep, are linked to a higher risk of stroke, dementia or depression later in life, according to a study published in the October 23, 2024, online issue…

Prescriptions of GLP-1RAs and SGLT2 inhibitors in type 1 diabetes patients rose from 2010 to 2023, especially among those with elevated cardiorenal risk. In a recent study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers from the United States of America (US) examined the prescribing trends for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and sodium-glucose cotransporter…

Polio survivors facing the little-known late effects of the disease are being overlooked, writes Neena Bhandari. Every year, 24 October is observed as World Polio Day, while the whole month is designated to raising awareness of the disease. Polio or poliomyelitis is a highly infectious, crippling and sometimes even fatal disease, which mainly affects children…