Harvard researchers have developed a new way to detect signs of cancer early. They’ve invented a hand-held device that quickly determines the number of microvesicles-shed by tumors-in a drop of blood.
Depression and obesity are linked. Obesity affects parts of the brain that regulate mood. Low energy and low motivation from depression can translate into less activity and exercise. The result may be weight gain.
People who engage in leisure-time physical activity can extend their lives by as much as four years, compared with similar-weight people who do no such activity. Being active and also maintaining a healthy weight boosts longevity by more than seven years.
Ophthalmologists can now perform cataract surgery using lasers instead of scalpels to make incisions. Three-dimensional imaging provides the precise measurements needed for laser use.
New guidelines make hormone therapy acceptable for short-term use in healthy women up to age 59 or within 10 years of menopause with marked menopausal symptoms. It’s not acceptable for long-term use.
Tomatoes may help lower your risk of ischemic stroke. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that may reduce inflammation and cholesterol, improve immune function, and prevent blood from clotting.
Dermatologists now have official guidelines for Mohs surgery, a procedure that removes skin cancer while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Smaller, more superficial skin growths may not be right for Mohs surgery.