Photo: Shutterstock (Shutterstock) New research this week is the latest to suggest that some drugs meant to treat type 2 diabetes might also help prevent dementia in high-risk groups. The study found that older people who used a relatively older class of antidiabetic medication were less likely to develop dementia than those who used other … Read more
An illustration of norovirus particles. Illustration: Shutterstock (Shutterstock) A nasty but short-lasting stomach bug may have lingering consequences for an unlucky few. Researchers have found evidence in mice and human cells that norovirus infection can trigger Crohn’s disease in people already genetically predisposed to it. The findings may also help scientists one day find better … Read more
Image: New Line Cinema There is, somehow, a sequel to The Animal happening. The Simpsons takes on It in new Treehouse of Horror images. Plus, director Lee Cronin teases Evil Dead Rise, and new footage from She-Hulk and Rick and Morty. Spoilers now! The Animal 2 Deadline reports Rob Schneider will reprise his role as … Read more
Image: Shutterstock (Shutterstock) A new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers some good and bad news about the country’s ongoing monkeypox outbreak. New cases are slowing down, likely thanks to a combination of vaccination and education efforts. But it’s also likely that the virus won’t be eradicated here and will … Read more
This is not a still from the episode, but two stills, and it amuses me very much.Photo: Jace Downs/AMC The third act of The Walking Dead’s 11th and final season has begun, but it doesn’t seem like anyone notified the show. Other than a quick montage of familiar faces at the start, with a bit … Read more
Image: Shutterstock (Shutterstock) People’s cancers are apparently playing host to their very own fungi. A pair of studies this week have documented the unique neighborhoods of fungal species that can live inside our tumors. It’s possible that these microbes may even influence how cancers grow or manage to fend off certain treatments. 01:38 Andor Episode … Read more
Image: Orbit The Stars Undying, the upcoming sci-fi debut from Emery Robin, introduces an interstellar princess forced into circumstances that’ll require every bit of royal strength she can muster to overcome. It’ll be released in November, but io9 is thrilled to share a generous excerpt from the book today. Here’s a description of the book, … Read more
Photo: Shutterstock (Shutterstock) Coffee: still tasty, and still apparently good for us. A study out this week suggests that light to moderate consumption of decaffeinated, ground, and instant coffee can be linked to a lower risk of dying early and developing cardiovascular disease. As is often the case, though, these findings alone can’t confirm a … Read more
A illustration of a herpes simplex virus. Illustration: Shutterstock (Shutterstock) Scientists may be able to turn a long-time germ foe into a cancer-fighting ally, new research this week suggests. In preliminary data from a Phase I trial, a genetically modified version of the herpes virus has shown promise in treating difficult-to-eradicate tumors, with one patient … Read more
Image: Shutterstock (Shutterstock) A common heart and blood pressure drug could see a second act as a treatment for alcohol use disorder, new government-led research this week suggests. The study has found evidence in both rodents and humans that the medication spironolactone can reduce people’s craving for and consumption of alcohol. Spironolactone has been in … Read more
Photo: Shutterstock (Shutterstock) Sexually transmitted diseases in the U.S. are at a crisis point. On Monday, prominent public health experts and government officials raised an alarm over the ongoing annual rise in STDs. Preliminary data recently released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia all went … Read more
Diego Luna scrolling Twitter waiting for Andor reactions.Image: Lucasfilm How did Cassian Andor become the brash, rogueish leader who helped steal the Death Star plans and ultimately destroy the Empire? Next week, we begin to find out and it sounds like it’ll be worth the wait. Andor is the latest Star Wars show coming to … Read more
Joint pain is a common lupus symptom, but the chronic condition can affect nearly every organ in the body. Image: Shutterstock (Shutterstock) Scientists in Germany may have demonstrated a new way to treat and possibly even cure the chronic condition lupus. In a study out Thursday, the team describes how patients given a form of … Read more
Image: Shutterstock (Shutterstock) A virus that can rarely cause a polio-like paralysis in children has resurfaced in the U.S. after mostly disappearing during the covid-19 pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that it has spotted a surge of cases linked to enterovirus D-68. Based on recent past outbreaks, officials expect that a … Read more
Image: Shutterstock (Shutterstock) A healthy mouth may just help keep the brain healthy as well, new research out this week suggests. The study, a broad review of the existing evidence, found that poor dental health was linked to a later higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia. This increased risk was especially apparent for those … Read more
Demetre Daskalakis at a White House monkeypox press briefing on September 7.Image: Kevin Dietsch (Getty Images) Monkeypox is currently spreading across the country (and the world at large), with over 21,000 cases reported in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as of August 22. After a faltering initial response, … Read more
An insulin pen.Photo: Sajjad Hussain/AFP (Getty Images) A team of scientists in Canada say they’re a major step closer to creating an easy-to-take oral insulin tablet. In new research, they found that rats dosed with their dissolvable tablet seem to absorb the insulin the same way they do when given a typical insulin shot. Should … Read more
Image: Shutterstock (Shutterstock) A three-in-one drug combo can help people with a history of heart attacks stay healthy, new research shows. The randomized clinical trial found that people who took the bundled medication, also known as a polypill, went on to experience fewer heart attacks, strokes, or cardiovascular-related deaths than those given standard care. The … Read more
An example of monkeypox rash. image, Shutterstock ,Shutterstock, A 36-year-old man in Italy appears uniquely unlucky, after being hospitalized and diagnosed with Covid-19, monkeypox and HIV over a period of a week in July. Thankfully, his covid and monkeypox co-infection ended successfully without any problems, and he has since been put on HIV treatment. His … Read more