A new study concludes that high doses of vitamin D may help hinder the growth of advanced colorectal cancer in combination with chemotherapy. A new study concludes that vitamin D might help slow bowel cancer progression. A clinical trial called SUNSHINE has found that large doses of vitamin D could significantly slow down the progression…
Patients prescribed opioid pain medications whose doses varied over time were 3 times more likely to experience an overdose than patients prescribed stable opioid doses, according to an observational study from Kaiser Permanente published today in JAMA Network Open. The study also showed that patients who discontinued long-term opioid therapy for 3 or more months…
Bottom Line: This study of more than 25 million pregnant women reports on rates of smoking cessation at the start of and during pregnancy and also examines the association of quitting cigarette smoking and the risk of preterm birth. Authors: Samir Soneji, Ph.D., Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire, and Hiram Beltrán-Sánchez, Ph.D.,…
Bottom Line: This study looked at the privacy practices of popular apps for depression and smoking cessation. Researchers assessed the content of privacy policies and compared disclosures regarding data sharing with commercial third parties to actual behavior for 36 apps. Authors: Kit Huckvale, M.B.Ch.B., M.Sc., Ph.D., UNSW (University of New South Wales) Sydney, Australia, and coauthors…
Bottom Line: How pharmacy closures are associated with declines in cardiovascular medication adherence for statins, β-blockers and oral anticoagulants among adults 50 or older was the focus of this analysis of prescription claims. Authors: Dima M. Qato, Pharm.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago, and coauthors (doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.2606) Editor’s Note: The article contains conflict…
(Boston)–Incremental physical activity, even at light intensity, is associated with larger brain volume and healthy brain aging. Considerable evidence suggests that engaging in regular physical activity may prevent cognitive decline and dementia. Active individuals have lower metabolic and vascular risk factors and these risk factors may explain their propensity for healthy brain aging. However, the…
New research from the University of Illinois at Chicago shows that when pharmacies close, people stop taking widely used heart medications — like statins, beta-blockers and oral anticoagulants — that have known cardiovascular and survival benefits. The researchers, led by UIC’s Dima Qato, report that declines in adherence — including the complete discontinuation of medication…
ATLANTA –In a commentary published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases, public health researchers suggest adjustments to recently proposed rule changes on how Medicare pays for dialysis services. Medicare spends approximately $35 billion annually on care for beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease (kidney failure), more than 7 percent of Medicare’s total paid claims. Over…
EAST LANSING, Mich. – New evidence from Michigan State University suggests that those who smoke cannabis, or marijuana, weigh less compared to adults who don’t. The findings, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, are contrary to the belief that marijuana users who have a serious case of the munchies will ultimately gain more weight.…
IMAGE: The main conclusions of the two studies are illustrated in this cartoon, where the rat must identify the texture as grooved or smooth. The first Current Biology study identified the… view more Credit: Mathew Diamond, SISSA New research conducted in the Cognitive Neuroscience group of SISSA shows that a perceptual decision – recognizing an object…