Social media proves effective as a tool for antimicrobial stewardship
A new study from the University of Chicago Medicine examines the use of social media platforms to inform young physicians about proper use of antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics. Currently, as much as 50 percent (www.cdc.gov/getsmart/healthcare) of all antibiotic use is inappropriate, leading to such…
Bedtime use of media devices more than doubles risk of poor sleep in children
A Cardiff University study has found that children using screen-based media devices at bedtime have over double the risk of inadequate sleep duration compared to children without access to such a device.
New ESC Stroke Council Urges Better Blood Pressure Monitoring
The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and its newly created Council on Stroke says World Stroke Day should be a wake-up call for people everywhere. Each year 6.5 million people die from stroke and another 10 million are permanently disabled.
Vitamin D supplements for pregnant women should be customised to the individual to ensure benefits are felt
Vitamin D supplements are less effective at raising vitamin D levels in pregnant women if they deliver their babies in the winter, have low levels of vitamin D early in pregnancy or gain more weight during pregnancy, a new Southampton study has shown.
Do microbes control our mood?
Research on gut bacteria may change the way we look at anxiety, depression, and behavioural disorders
Study adds to evidence that high strength cannabis is associated with an increased risk of becoming dependent
New data presented at this year’s International Early Psychosis Association (IEPA) meeting in Milan, Italy (20-22 October) adds to accumulating evidence that high-potency cannabis in associated with an increased risk of users becoming dependent on cannabis. The analysis is by Dr Tom Freeman at University…
Small dietary changes reduces cardiovascular disease risk by more than a quarter
Exchanging few commercially regular-consumed food items with improved fat quality reduces total and LDL cholesterol. A new double-blind randomized controlled trial published in British Journal of Nutrition suggests almost 30% reduction in cardiovascular disease risk.
Parent-led early intervention for autism is the first to show reduction in symptom severity through to ages 7-11
An early intervention for autism aimed at helping parents communicate with their child has been shown to have an effect on reducing the severity of autism symptoms, and this reduction continued for six years after the end of treatment, according to a study published in…
High Profile Facebook Post Provides Insights into Pro- and Anti-Vaccination Beliefs
Language analysis of responses to Mark Zuckerberg post reveals crucial data, reports the journal Vaccine
TheSynapse Interviews – Dermfest 2016 – an interview with Dr Michael Boffa
The annual academic meeting of the Malta association of Dermatology and Venereology, Dermfest, will be held on the 12 November 2016.
Heading a football causes instant changes to the brain
Researchers from the University of Stirling have explored the true impact of heading a football, identifying small but significant changes in brain function immediately after routine heading practice.