Carl Spitzerg – Hilarious! Hilarious?
By Prof. Francesco Carelli Some 130 years after the death of the “most popular German painter”, the Leopold Museum is presenting the first exhibition on the artist Carl Spitzweg (1808–1885), whose oeuvre is commonly seen as closely allied to the Biedermeier period and the definitions…
Low-cost drug reduces death due to bleeding in women with post-partum haemorrhage
Post-partum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide, responsible for 100,000 deaths per year, the majority in low and middle income countries. Tranexamic acid – an inexpensive and widely available drug – could reduce maternal deaths among women with severe bleeding after child…
Decrease in cardiovascular diseases benefits persons with diabetes
The incidence of cardiovascular diseases in Sweden has decreased sharply since the late 1990s. These are the findings of a study from Sahlgrenska Academy which included almost three million adult Swedes. In relative terms, the biggest winners are persons with type 1 and type 2…
Statins May Benefit Cirrhotic Patients with Hepatitis B or C Infections
Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) can lead to cirrhosis as well as liver cancer. A Hepatology study from Taiwan has found that statins may provide benefits to patients with HBV- or HCV-related cirrhosis.
Moderate-Severe Hot Flashes Significantly Increase Depression Risk
A new study of more than 2,000 perimenopausal and menopausal women showed that moderate-severe vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes or night sweats) were an independent and significant risk factor for moderate-severe depression. Researchers explored the controversial link between hot flashes and depressive symptoms by focusing on…
Gut bacteria may turn common nutrient into clot-enhancing compound
Gut bacteria can produce a clot-enhancing compound when people eat a nutrient found in a variety of foods including meat, eggs and milk, according to new research in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation.Excessive blood clotting limits or blocks blood flow which can cause…
Inhaled Steroids May Increase Pneumonia Risk in People with Asthma
Use of inhaled corticosteroids was linked with an increased risk of pneumonia in a study of individuals with asthma. In the study of 152,412 asthma patients (of whom 1928 had a pneumonia event during follow-up), current use of inhaled corticosteroids was associated with an 83%…
Review Finds No Benefit to Aspirin for Preserving Cognitive Function
An analysis of published studies found no evidence that low- dose aspirin buffers against cognitive decline or dementia or improves cognitive test scores.
Stimulants May Have Detrimental Effects on Muscle Control
Researchers have found that current or past use of methamphetamine or other stimulants may lead to psychomotor control deficits, or a reduced ability to control physical movement.
Fainting episodes may increase risk of workplace accidents, job loss
Working-age people who have fainting spells have a higher risk of occupational accidents and job loss, compared to adults without the condition, according to new research in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, an American Heart Association journal.Syncope is characterized by a sudden loss of consciousness…
TheSynapse Interview – The MMR Vaccine – the real scientific facts
TheSynapse interviews Victoria Farrugia Sant’Angelo, Principal GP at Primary Health Directorate Malta and Chairperson of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Policy (ACIP) Malta who speaks about the scientific facts with regards to the safety of immunisation in general and Mumps, Measles, Rubella (MMR) in particular.