risk

Heart disease: Rare mutation in Old Order Amish people may lower heart disease risk

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A genetic mutation may cause lower levels of cholesterol and a blood clotting protein associated with heart disease, and the hope is to design drugs that have the same effect Health 2 December 2021 By Michael Le Page CT scan of a human heart K H FUNG/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY A rare genetic mutation first identified in … Read more

Diabetes: Night-shift workers who eat only during the day may lower risk of type 2 diabetes

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People who work overnight are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, but the risk may be reduced by eating only between 7am and 7pm Health 3 December 2021 By Clare Wilson A night-shift worker using a metal cutter on a subway line in Ankara, Turkey Mustafa Kamaci/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images People who work night shifts … Read more

Cataracts and dementia: People who undergo eye surgery have lower risk of brain condition

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People who have cataracts can reduce their risk of developing dementia by about 30 per cent by undergoing surgery to restore their sight, although it’s not clear why Health 6 December 2021 By Clare Wilson Laser surgery for the treatment of cataracts IMANE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY Older people who have cataract surgery to improve their eyesight … Read more

Does the omicron variant mean you shouldn’t go to Christmas parties?

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By Michael Le Page Omicron may spread much more easily at social functions than other variants Shutterstock Should you go to that festive party this year if you want to avoid being infected by the coronavirus? Probably not. In addition to the risk posed by the high levels of the delta variant in many countries, … Read more

Deep sea mining: Race to exploit the sea floor puts ecosystems at risk

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Governments are meeting in Jamaica this week to decide how rules for commercial mining of metals on the ocean floor will be thrashed out, but there are big sticking points Environment | Analysis 8 December 2021 By Adam Vaughan A field of manganese nodules in deep-sea waters near Hawaii NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and … Read more

Omicron: How do prior infections affect covid-19 risk from new variants?

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Many people all over the world have now had one infection with covid-19 – how does that affect their future chance of a second round with the coronavirus? Health 8 December 2021 By Clare Wilson A healthcare worker does tests that detect antibodies to the coronavirus Peter Kovalev/TASS via Getty Images For the past year, … Read more

How Much of a Risk Do Synthetic Food Dyes Pose to Your Health? A Research Weighs In

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Early-onset colorectal cancer incidence among the young, defined as those under age 50, has been rising globally since the early 1990s. Rates for colon and rectal cancers are expected to increase by 90 percent and 124 percent, respectively, by 2030.   One suspected reason behind this trend is increased global consumption of a Westernized diet … Read more

Hormone replacement therapy: Large study finds HRT does not increase risk of dying early

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A study of 300,000 people shows that HRT for menopause symptoms doesn’t increase the risk of early death, helping to overturn outdated fears about its safety Health 10 December 2021 By Alice Klein A woman applying a hormone replacement therapy patch Phanie/Alamy A large UK study has provided reassurance that taking hormone replacement therapy to … Read more

Cataract Surgery Linked to Lower Risk of Developing Dementia, Even 10 Years Later

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Cataract surgery is often undertaken to reverse the natural decline in vision as we get older. Now, a new association study underscores the wider benefits such a procedure can have on one’s health – especially when it comes to reducing dementia risk.   Cataracts are cloudy areas that develop in the lens of the eye … Read more