Author Archives: Karely Vega, MD

RSV Shown to Infect Nerve Cells, Cause Inflammation, and Damage

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common infection in children and senior adults, can also infect nerve cells and trigger inflammation leading to nerve damage, according to a new Tulane University study. RSV can cause mild symptoms such as coughing, sneezing and fever or lead to more severe conditions such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis. But since […]

Natural Compounds Derived from Soy and Other Plants Reduce Breast Cancer Recurrence and Improve Survival

Soy compounds called isoflavones are among the plant-derived compounds that may significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence or death, according to a new meta-analysis co-directed by investigators from the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. The results were published in the journal JNCI Cancer Spectrum. Investigators in Australia, Denmark, England, Norway and the U.S. […]

Arsenic May Raise Diabetes Risk for Males

Chronic exposure to arsenic, often through contaminated groundwater, has been associated with Type 2 diabetes in humans, and there are new clues that males may be more susceptible to the disease when exposed. A new Cornell University study — using lab mice genetically modified with a human gene to shed light on the potential link […]

Bottled Water Can Contain Hundreds of Thousands of Previously Uncounted Tiny Plastic Bits

In recent years, there has been rising concern that tiny particles known as microplastics are showing up basically everywhere on Earth, from polar ice to soil, drinking water and food. Formed when plastics break down into progressively smaller bits, these particles are being consumed by humans and other creatures, with unknown potential health and ecosystem […]

Drugs Used to Treat Type 2 Diabetes Reduce Alcohol Cravings, Use in Individuals with Obesity

In social media posts on the community network Reddit, users reported reduced cravings for alcohol when taking drugs intended to treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity. An analysis of those posts, together with a remote study of individuals with obesity who reported using semaglutide and tirzepatide, found that the drugs decreased cravings and reduced alcohol […]

Offsetting Effects of Aging: Brain Cell Pathway

In recent years, research has begun to reveal that the lines of communication between the body’s organs are key regulators of aging. When these lines are open, the body’s organs and systems work well together. But with age, communication lines deteriorate, and organs don’t get the molecular and electrical messages they need to function properly. […]

Revolutionary Nanodrones Fight Cancer

A groundbreaking study led by Professor Sebyung Kang and Professor Sung Ho Park in the Department of Biological Sciences at UNIST has unveiled a remarkable breakthrough in cancer treatment.  The research team has successfully developed unprecedented “NK cell-engaging nanodrones” capable of selectively targeting and eliminating cancer cells, offering a potential solution for intractable types of […]

Reversing Myotonic Dystrophy Muscle Weakness

New research has identified the specific biological mechanism behind the muscle dysfunction found in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and further shows that calcium channel blockers can reverse these symptoms in animal models of the disease. The researchers believe this class of drugs, widely used to treat a number of cardiovascular diseases, hold promise as […]

New Type of Antibody Shows Promise Against Multiple Forms of Flu Virus

Researchers have identified a previously unrecognized class of antibodies — immune system proteins that protect against disease — that appear capable of neutralizing multiple forms of flu virus. These findings, which could contribute to development of more broadly protective flu vaccines, will publish December 21 by Holly Simmons of the University of Pittsburgh School of […]

Immune System Plays Crucial Step in Creating Blood Stem Cells

A microbial sensor that helps identify and fight bacterial infections also plays a key role in the development of blood stem cells, valuable new insight in the effort to create patient-derived blood stem cells that could eliminate the need for bone marrow transplants. The discovery by a research team led by Raquel Espin Palazon, an […]