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Currently, a topic of intense research is long COVID. One recurring symptom that has been identified in some long COVID patients is peripheral neuropathy – damage to nerves that causes numbness and weakness in affected areas of the body (not including the brain or spinal cord).1 A study from researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and […]
Probiotics may be a useful tool to help with symptoms of depression, according to a new study.1 A research group from the University of Basel, Switzerland presented an association between certain gut bacteria and decreased depressive symptoms. The article can be found in Nature Translational Psychiatry. Major depressive disorder treatments need improvement Depression can be […]
Scientists are continuing to work towards understanding the long-lasting consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Using artificial intelligence, a team of researchers found that multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), a post-COVID condition, induces the same immune response as Kawasaki Disease (KD) and SARS-CoV-2 infection.1 However, MIS-C is characterized by a more severe immune response than KD. Researchers hope […]
A new study investigates whether long-term air pollution exposure is associated with increased COVID-19 severity. It’s no secret that air pollution is an issue. Although rates of greenhouse gas emissions are declining with the implementation of new technologies and environmental regulations, air pollution levels are still significant, particularly in urban cities.1 Notably, a growing body […]
Many adults regularly experience problems sleeping. The American Sleep Association estimates that 50 to 70 million U.S. adults currently suffer from sleep disorders.1 When deep sleep is affected, this may decrease the body’s ability to function normally. What is deep sleep? During deep sleep, slow waves are detectable within the brain.2 The time spent in […]
As of May 2022, COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease, with reduced mask mandates in public spaces and increased vaccination rates. So far, approximately 81% of the Canadian population and 66% of the U.S. population are fully vaccinated.1 According to recent studies, these vaccines have significantly reduced risk of hospitalization and death from SARS-CoV-2 infection.2,3 However, […]
A new study investigates the rates of sleep impairments and adverse mental health in COVID-19 patients. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted individuals and populations around the globe in a variety of ways. The implications on public mental health have been particularly significant, as recent studies have highlighted increased rates of anxiety disorders and depression since the […]
Being optimistic means that you are hopeful about good things to come in the future. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the ability of many to think positively about the future, there is growing evidence that optimism may be linked to better health. A new study, published in the Journals of Gerontology, investigated the association […]
COVID-19 has taken the world by surprise since 2020, affecting millions globally. Due to the uniqueness of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the virus that causes COVID-19, scientists are following individuals who have been infected to better understand both the short- and long-term effects – particularly the cognitive effects of ‘Long COVID‘. An ongoing study from the […]
Nostalgia is that warm, sentimental feeling you get from reflecting on the past… but it may offer more than a happy feeling. Through brain imaging technology, a new study suggests that nostalgia may also act as an analgesic – an agent that can reduce the perception of pain.1 Nostalgia decreased perception of low intensity pain […]
Amidst the growing obesity epidemic, learning how to manage body weight has become increasingly important. In a recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, colleagues from the University of Chicago and University of Wisconsin-Madison showed that getting more sleep may help decrease caloric intake; researchers are hopeful this finding will help in creating weight loss programs.1 […]
A new study investigated whether wearable activity trackers could detect biomarkers associated with depression, and whether this could be an effective screening method for depression. Depression is a very common mental health condition, affecting roughly five percent of adults globally.1 Depressive disorders are complicated, and they ultimately impact people in different ways. However, they can bring significant […]
Taking supplements of vitamin D and omega-3 have been the subject of research studies looking at potential treatments for autoimmune diseases – such as arthritis. However, a recent study investigated the effects of vitamin D and omega-3 supplements on the risk of developing autoimmune diseases – to see if these supplements may be able to […]
Study shows link between weight loss from bariatric surgery and COVID-19 severity. Entering 2022, worldwide COVID cases have topped the 290 million mark, with more than five million deaths (1). While new variants develop with lower mortality rates, the risk of severe COVID infection is still greater for some groups. Common risk factors include people […]
Ketogenic diets are diets that are high in fat and protein and very low in carbohydrates. This diet is meant to predominantly burn fats as an energy source. Research has shown that when the human body is experiencing energy restriction—a common occurrence with diets—human bodies tend to lower the amount of energy being used up […]