Monthly Archives: July 2023

Innovative Stem Cell Research Takes Aim at Origins of Human Cancers

How do cells become cancerous, multiply uncontrollably, and form into tumors? And what role do aberrant embryonic stem cells play? These are big questions explored by medical researchers since the embryonic theory of cancer was first proposed in the 19th century. Now, in an exciting new study adding to the global pool of knowledge about […]

Opioids No More Effective Than Placebo for Acute Back and Neck Pain

Opioid pain-relieving medicines are not more effective than a placebo in relieving acute back and neck pain and may even cause harm, according to a world-first trial led by the University of Sydney. The researchers say this is proof that treatment guidelines should be updated to advise against the use of opioids for this purpose. […]

Poor Sense of Smell Linked to Increased Risk of Depression in Older Adults

In a study that followed more than 2,000 community-dwelling older adults over eight years, researchers say they have significant new evidence of a link between decreased sense of smell and risk of developing late-life depression. “We’ve seen repeatedly that a poor sense of smell can be an early warning sign of neurodegenerative diseases such as […]

Learning About New Chronic Stress Pathways

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have identified a group of nerve cells in the mouse brain that are involved in creating negative emotional states and chronic stress. The neurons, which have been mapped with a combination of advanced techniques, also have receptors for oestrogen, which could explain why women as a group are more […]