Health

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) funded a number of studies that ultimately resulted in the formation of a heart-healthy diet called Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH). A number of studies have found that eating the DASH diet reduces both high blood pressure and cholesterol risk, and now a new study has joined them revealing that DASH eaters may also have lower heart failure risk, as well.

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Pharma giant Gilead will donate HIV treatment and prevention drugs for up to 200,000 people per year, with the free PrEP amounting to as many as 2.4 million bottles of Truvada each year. The agreement has been hailed as a significant step in efforts to reduce - and eventually prevent - HIV in the US, but comes as Gilead faces renewed criticism over its drug pricing and efforts to control the PrEP market.

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The American Psychological Association has published new research warning that anger may fuel the development of chronic illnesses in older adults. According to the study, the anger experienced by older adults was linked to increased inflammation in the body, which can pave the way for a number of serious conditions, including the development of heart disease and arthritis.

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Meditation has become a popular activity in many countries, where it is generally presented as a positive lifestyle habit that potentially improves mental and physical health. Research over past years has linked meditation practices to a number of possible benefits, including decreased stress and lowered blood pressure. However, a new study warns that many people report 'particularly unpleasant' meditation experiences.

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Today we're going to have a chat about drugs, and how the medication you're likely taking could lead to a false-positive on a urine drug screen (UDS). This isn't a new topic, but it becomes more important the longer the common immunoassay drug tests are in use. A wide variety of "routinely prescribed medications" have appeared as false-positives in UDS tests over the past couple of decades.

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Research out of the Illinois Institute of Technology reveals that swapping the refined carbohydrates in your meals with fresh avocados may reduce hunger later in the day. The findings were recently published in the journal Nutrients, where the study details fresh Hass avocados, feelings of fullness, and the effect this dietary change has on insulin.

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Researchers with Drexel University created a game designed to train adults on making better food choices when it comes to added sugar. American adults consume too much sugar and that's a major health risk, but not everyone has the awareness or willpower necessary to make better choices. The new game works by presenting players with a variety of food and household products, requiring them to make quick decisions about what they keep and discard.

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Arsenic in drinking water may lead to thickening of the heart in young adults, according to a new study. The research, which was recently published in an American Heart Association journal, found that the thickening impacted the heart's main pumping chamber, leaving young adults at risk for future cardiac health issues.

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Researchers have discovered something that could mean greatly increased ability to fight cancer in humans. The scientists have discovered a biological barrier that prevents cancer cells from forming new tumors. More importantly, the new discovery also prevents cancer from metastasizing.

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Over the years, scientists have strengthened the link between gut bacteria and mental health, among other aspects of one's overall health, indicating that our unique gut bacteria profiles may have a profound effect on psychiatric conditions, such as depression. A new study from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia adds to this body of evidence, detailing the outcome of gut bacteria transplants in lab rats.

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Researchers with the University of Georgia have published a study detailing potential new factors that may contribute to the hardening of arteries. The work involved linking metabolites to arterial hardening, which is a risk factor for heart disease, the leading cause of death around the world. In addition to known risky lifestyle factors, such as a lack of exercise, the study found that some common environmental factors may also contribute to hardened arteries.

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Hepatitis B infects millions of people every year, and the disease goes on to kill hundreds of thousands each year. Small children are particularly at risk for the disease. The vaccine used to prevent infection is an injection today, and it is costly to transport due to the requirements to keep the vaccine stable and due to that cost many people in developing nations aren't vaccinated.

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