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 " In contrast, dietary nitrate is more targeted. Nitrate eliminates disease-associated bacteria, reduces oral acidity and creates a balanced  oral microbiome . The oral microbiome refers to all the microorganisms in the mouth. Nitrate offers exciting potential as an  oral health prebiotic , which can be used to prevent disease onset or limit disease progression." For more details: Eating leafy greens could be better for oral health than using mouthwash And a related book: https://amzn.to/47XTtM7

  "Although there is currently no cure for IBD,  which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis ,  medications and lifestyle changes can help alleviate symptoms. Research is currently examining how certain supplements and spices may help with IBD. Researchers from Howard University recently presented a study reporting that saffron may help reduce inflammation and improve clinical manifestations in people with ulcerative colitis." For more details: Taking saffron supplements may help lower inflammation in ulcerative colitis And a related MOOC: https://imp.i384100.net/Gm3xq2

"  Scientists have uncovered a never-before-seen class of virus-like entities hiding in the human gut and mouth, and these "viroids" may influence the gene activity within the human microbiome,   Science reported . The researchers confirmed one host for these viroids, namely, a common bacterium found in the mouth called  Streptococcus sanguinis . They've yet to confirm additional hosts, but they suspect at least a fraction are bacteria." For more details: Mysterious virus-like 'Obelisks' found in the human gut and mouth and here: https://www.science.org/content/article/it-s-insane-new-viruslike-entities-found-human-gut-microbes

Banned Medical Procedure May Have Transmitted Alzheimer's Disease | Technology Networks : Five cases of Alzheimer’s disease are believed to have arisen as a result of medical treatments decades earlier, reports a team of UCL and UCLH researchers.

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  "Abstract Background and aim Complementary and alternative medicine plays an increasing role in preventing, and regulatory, complications associated with diabetes. There are plenty of polyphenolic compounds found in  Elettaria cardamomum  (Cardamom) such as luteolin, limonene, pelargonidin, caffeic acid, kaempferol, gallic acid, and quercetin which can be used in many metabolic diseases. Method The objective of this systematic review was to appraise evidence from clinical and  in vivo  studies on the effects of cardamom on inflammation, blood glucose, oxidative stress and dyslipidemia of diabetes mellitus. According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statements, the present study was carried out. Studies were conducted by searching databases such as EMBASE, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, web of sciences, and Cochrane Library from the commencement until April 2022. Results All available human and animal studies e...

"Abstract Objectives Medicinal herbs are plants with potential medicinal and health benefits. In recent years, they are being increasingly used as a treatment alternative owing to their effectiveness against various diseases. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of 15 medicinal herbs on causative bacteria for dental caries and periodontal disease. Methods This study evaluated the effects of the extracts of 15 medicinal herbs on growth and biofilm formation in five oral pathogenic bacterial strains. The herbs were processed into extracts, and bacterial strains were cultured. Then, bacterial growth and biofilm formation were assessed using various methods. Finally, the extract of the herb  Hibiscus sabdariffa  (hibiscus) was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Results Incubation of bacteria with the herbal extracts showed that hibiscus exerted a significant inhibitory effect on all the oral pathogenic bacterial strains evaluated in this study....

"  This was no juvenile. Instead, it was an adult of an entirely new species, which we dubbed   Eoneophron infernalis . The name means “Pharaoh’s dawn chicken from Hell,” referencing the nickname of its larger cousin   Anzu . Traits unique to this species include ankle bones fused to the tibia, and a well-developed ridge on one of its foot bones. These weren’t features a young   Anzu   would outgrow, but rather unique aspects of the smaller   Eoneophron . Expanding the caenagnathid family tree With this new evidence, we started making thorough comparisons with other members of the family to determine where  Eoneophron infernalis  fit within the group. It also inspired us to reexamine other bones previously believed to be  Anzu , as we now knew that more caenagnathid dinosaurs lived in western North America during that time. One specimen, a partial foot bone smaller than our new specimen, appeared distinct from both  Anzu  and  ...

Abstract "Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are one of the most challenging diseases and many factors have been demonstrated to affect their pathogenesis. One of the major factors that affect CVDs, especially atherosclerosis, is the gut microbiota (GM). Genetics play a key role in linking CVDs with GM, in addition to some environmental factors which can be either beneficial or harmful. The interplay between GM and CVDs is complex due to the numerous mechanisms through which microbial components and their metabolites can influence CVDs. Within this interplay, the immune system plays a major role, mainly based on the immunomodulatory effects of microbial dysbiosis and its resulting metabolites. The resulting modulation of chronic inflammatory processes was found to reduce the severity of CVDs and to maintain cardiovascular health. To better understand the specific roles of GM-related metabolites in this interplay, this review presents an updated perspective on gut metabolites related ef...

"Dementia care is moving away from treating all patients with the same approach. Instead, the individual characteristics of patients, for example, their sex, age, lifestyle, or previous personal history, influence how dementia is detected and treated. This individualized approach is particularly important in diseases that are very differently expressed across patients, like dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB)." For more details: A type of dementia that hits the brains of men and women differently And a related MOOC: Living with Dementia: Impact on Individuals, Caregivers, Communities and Societies

"Microbiomes: You've probably heard of these communities of largely helpful bacteria that colonize the gut or the skin. But a man's semen has a microbiome of its own, and  new research  suggests it could play a role in fertility. Researchers at the University of California Los Angeles examined the microbiomes and sperm health of 73 adult men. Some had been having issues with fertility while others had no fertility issues and had already become fathers."   For more details: Semen Has a Microbiome Too, and It Might Affect Fertility And a related MOOC: Gut Check: Exploring Your Microbiome

 " Against this backdrop, the possibility of dengue becoming endemic in Europe is a real possibility. Environmental conditions such as climate change and globalisation are making it easier for mosquitoes – and the diseases they carry – to spread. These are factors that cannot easily be brought under control, at least for the time being." For more details: Dengue fever: the tropical disease spreading across Europe And a related free online course: How Infection Spreads

 ABSTRACT  "Traditional medicine is a comprehensive term for ancient, culture-bound health care practices that existed before the use of science in health matters and has been used for centuries. Medicinal plants are used to treat patients with hypertension diseases, hypertension, and heart failure. Hypertension causes difficulty in the functioning of the heart and is involved in atherosclerosis, raising the risk of heart attack and stroke. Many drugs are available for managing these diseases, though common antihypertensive drugs are generally accompanied by many side effects. Medicinal herbs have several active substances with pharmacological and prophylactic properties that can be used in the treatment of hypertension. This review presents an overview of some medicinal plants that have been shown to have hypotensive or antihypertensive properties."  Keywords: Traditional medicine, Hypertension, medicinal plants For the whole article: ANTIHYPERTENSIVE PROPERTIES OF SOME ...

 ABSTRACT  "Dark chocolate, rich in polyphenols, increases cerebral blood flow and improves cognitive function. This study aimed to determine whether the consumption of chocolate with a high concentration of polyphenols helps to maintain cognitive performance during cognitively demanding tasks. In this randomized, single-blinded, crossover, dose-comparison study, 18 middle-aged adults consumed two types of chocolate (25 g each), one with a high concentration (635.0 mg) and the other with a low concentration (211.7 mg) of cacao polyphenols, and performed a cognitive task requiring response inhibition and selective attention over two time periods (15–30 min and 40–55 min after consumption, respectively). Autonomic nerve function and subjective feelings, such as fatigue and concentration, were measured before food intake and after the second task to assess the participant’s state. The results showed that the average reaction time between the first and second sessions was not sign...

 " “The movements of snow shoveling are very taxing and demanding on your body and can cause significant increases in your heart rate and blood pressure,” Franklin said in an AHA news release. “Combined with the fact that the exposure to cold air can constrict blood vessels throughout the body, you’re asking your heart to do a lot more work in conditions that are diminishing the heart’s ability to function at its best.” Snow removal is especially concerning for people who already have heart risks, such as couch potatoes, the obese, smokers, diabetics and survivors of previous heart attacks or strokes, Franklin said. “People with these characteristics and those who have had bypass surgery or coronary angioplasty simply should not be shoveling snow in any conditions,” Franklin said. “We often see events in people who are usually sedentary, they work at a computer all day or get little or no exercise,” he added. “Then once or twice a year they go out and try to shovel the driveway af...

"  The presence of SARS-CoV-2 marks the principal difference from the pre-pandemic era, since it is augmenting the burden on an already weakened health-care system. The challenge is amplified by the extremely high transmission capacity of SARS-CoV-2 compared with influenza and RSV, which makes seasonal management much more complex. Until the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the respiratory virus season had a fairly predictable beginning and end that was determined by virus surveillance over the years. Our systems were already struggling to absorb this seasonal increase in patients. But today, the picture has become even more complex with the continuing presence of SARS-CoV-2. And our hospitals, with no time to catch their breath, are struggling to keep up." For more details: RSV, flu and COVID: demystifying the triple epidemic of respiratory viruses And a related free online course: How Infection Spreads

 " There's information emerging on how the common Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) might be crucial to triggering   multiple sclerosis   (MS). The virus, which also causes "mono" (mononucleosis) and other illnesses, has gained prominence in recent years as a potential cause of MS. Over 95% of people are thought to carry EBV, although for most people it remains dormant. Now, a team of Texan researchers report that certain immune cells targeted to EBV infection are found in high numbers in people newly diagnosed with MS. The immune system cells are called T-cells, and they appear to be targeting lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) infected with Epstein-Barr virus." For more details: More Insight Into How a Virus Might Cause MS And a related book: Multiple Sclerosis: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed

 " Microbiome research is continuously shedding new light on the intricate connections between the microbes that live in our gut and our wellbeing. So watch this space. In the meantime, follow the above advice – it will help you maintain a healthy gut microbiome in 2024 and beyond." For more details: How to maintain a healthy gut microbiome in 2024 And a related MOOC: Gut Check: Exploring Your Microbiome

"A  fall can be dangerous at any age, but the peril of a tumble increases with age. Hoping to reduce the harm they can do,  Suzhou Yidaibao Intelligent Technology Co. , a Chinese startup, has developed a uniquely helpful gadget. Drawing from the same principles of car airbags, their inflatable vests and belts are designed to protect seniors when they fall." For more details: Wearable Airbags Deploy in Milliseconds To Protect the Elderly From Falls And a similar device: Anti-fall Airbag Vest For The Elderly Protective Vest

 " Monje hopes that these findings will lead to new therapeutic possibilities. Ahmed agreed, but noted that it would be complicated because this plasticity is also important for normal neuron function. He suggested studying whether or not this signaling mechanism influences tumor invasion, which impedes surgical removal of these types of tumors as a next step for this line of research." For more details: Brain tumors use the brain’s plasticity to promote their own growth And a related book: Neuroplasticity (The MIT Press Essential Knowledge Series)

 " The team found that “higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids were predictive of better clinical outcomes in pulmonary fibrosis,” Kim said in a university news release. Specifically, people with higher levels of the nutrient had lungs that were better able to exchange carbon dioxide and oxygen -- a process necessary to life. They also were better able to survive without needing a lung transplant, the study found. “These findings were consistent whether [or not] you had a history of cardiovascular disease, which suggests this may be specific to pulmonary fibrosis," Kim added." For more  details: Healthy Omega-3 Fatty Acids Could Slow a Deadly Lung Disease And a related book: The Ultimate Omega-3 Diet

"The Lotus Sutra conveys its  message of universal Buddhahood  in several stories that depict transformations between male and female bodies. For example, a dragon girl instantly transforms into the masculine body of a Buddha, proving that female bodies are not barriers to awakening." For more details: The Lotus Sutra − an ancient Buddhist scripture from the 3rd century − continues to have relevance today   And for a translation of the Lotus Sutra: Lotus Sutra: A Contemporary Translation of a Buddhist Classic

  Amitsur explained, “This discovery is exceptional, considering the presence of basalt, a material typically found in northern regions or distant areas. The mortar was likely transported here and was once used within a local resident’s home for grinding grains or other produce, operated with a heavy pole called an ‘ali.’” For more details: IDF Soldiers Uncover 1,900-Year-Old Byzantine Grinding Mortar And a related book: Roman-Period and Byzantine Nazareth and its Hinterland

 " The African Matabele ants are often injured in fights with termites. Their conspecifics recognise when the wounds become infected and initiate antibiotic treatment." For more details: Ants Recognise Infected Wounds and Treat Them

"  It’s going to be a bumper time for space missions in 2024 – especially to the Moon, our nearest neighbour. And that’s following on from an already epic 2023." For more details: Six space missions to look forward to in 2024 And a related MOOC: New Space: Access to space - Basics

"  Pushing up, back, forward, down—no matter the direction—while having a weighted resistance against your body promotes endurance, strength and muscle mass. "Resistance training, also known as strength training, can also be good for your health in general. It can reduce your blood pressure. It can be good for anxiety, for depression, for functioning in general and for treating and actually preventing Type 2 diabetes," Magalhaes said. While resistance training also helps flexibility, posture and joints, Magalhaes focuses on  insulin sensitivity  and resistance. It's all connected, too." For more details: Researcher spotlights the benefits of resistance training And a related free online course to begin your strength training: Muscle Building Without A Gym