Here are some interesting stories from the world of health and medicine:
* First HIV Vaccine Success Reported in Thailand. The first successful results of an experimental vaccine designed to prevent infection from the HIV/AIDS virus has been reported by World Health Organization (WHO) scientists working in Thailand. Although the vaccine reportedly only lowers infection rates by 31 percent, this marks the first success of any AIDS vaccine since the HIV virus was identified nearly 30 years ago. Scientists are now optimistic that, despite past failures, a true AIDS vaccine may be possible within the decade.
* Snorting Stem Cells? In the not-too-distant future, patients may be “snorting” stem cells to treat disease. Many scientists believe stem cells may hold the cure to such brain-related diseases as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and stroke. But one critical question has been how to introduce cells into brain tissue without expensive and potentially dangerous invasive surgery. Now, researchers at the University of Minnesota, working with laboratory mice, have discovered that stem cells can be inhaled through the nose and then work their way through the olfactory nerves straight to the brain. This could lead to extremely safe and inexpensive therapies for brain-related illness.
* Pregnancy Can Cause Long-Term Health Problems. Bearing children can lead to such long-term health problems as abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, insulin resistance and other heart disease risk factors. This is according to research recently conducted by University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers. Although further study on methods to prevent the long-term effects of these conditions, together known as “metabolic syndrome,” are clearly needed, the researchers suggest that women who give birth should be closely monitored for cardiovascular risk factors so appropriate treatments can be prescribed before these diseases are able to progress.
* Can Time Truly Heal All Wounds? Well, not all of them. But maybe half. This is according to an article recently published in The Wall Street Journal in which leading medical experts state that half of the $2.2 trillion Americans spend annually on medical tests and procedures could be saved by simply letting the body heal itself. Patients are, well, impatient, when it comes to receiving medical help, the article notes, demanding immediate results. They don’t like doctors to take a “wait and see” attitude. Yet, in about half of all cases that are not immediately life-threatening (such as heart attacks), the body is perfectly capable of taking care of what ails it. Of course, the trick then is to determine which 50 percent your next medical problem falls into.
* Real-Time Evaluations Can “Lock-In” Mood-Altered Opinions. If you’re in a lousy mood when you have a well-prepared restaurant meal, you’re likely to remember the experience as “bad”—but only if you discuss that opinion at the time you form it. According to a new study published in the Journal of Consumer Research, the short-term effects of mood can be “locked” into long-term memory if you consciously make that evaluation in real-time. (Example: You discuss your displeasure with a meal with a friend while dining.) If you don’t make such an overt evaluation, your later memories are likely to be far more neutral, according to the researchers. So what’s really happening? Normally, the mind restructures memories to remove the effects of mood. But consciously focusing on a reaction “embeds” it in the memory matrix. Basically, you’re remembering your reaction rather than the experience itself.
Professional Medical Assisting Training Programs at Everest College
Interested in a career in the fast-growing and exciting health care field? Programs that help you qualify for a variety of entry-level positions are available now at Everest College. For more information, please contact Everest today!
