Summary: Study supports link between pollution and neuropsychiatric disorders University of Chicago, August 20, 2019 A new study led by University of Chicago researchers suggests a significant link between exposure to environmental pollution and an increase in the prevalence of neuropsychiatric disorders. Based on analysis of large population data sets from both the United States and Denmark, the study, published in PLoS Biology, found poor air quality associated with increased rates of bipolar disorder and major depression in both countries. "Our studies in the United States and Denmark show that living in polluted areas, especially early in life, is predictive of mental disorders," said computational biologist Atif Khan, PhD, the first author of the new study. "These neurological and psychiatric diseases--so costly in both financial and social terms--appear linked to the physical environment, particularly air quality." Green space is good for your mental health -- the nearer the better!University of Warwick (UK), August 20, 2019 First study to demonstrate relationship between green space and mental wellbeing at an individual level published Using data from 25,518 people, the researchers show that Londoners who live within 300m of green space have significantly better mental wellbeingProximity to green space was more important than lifestyle factors such as employment, income, and general health. It is hoped that planners will use the results to help create a healthier, happier and more productive urban landscape. The study, published in the August issue of Applied Geography, found:- Overall there is a very strong relationship between the amount of green space around a person's home and their feelings of life satisfaction, happiness and self-worth Green space within 300m of home had the greatest influence on mental wellbeing An increase of 1 hectare - about the size of an international Rugby Union pitch - within 300m of residents was associated with an increase of 8 percentage points in a life satisfaction, 7 in worth and 5 in happiness. Green space was less important for mental wellbeing in Central London and East London (NEXT) Study confirms cannabis flower is an effective mid-level analgesic medication for pain treatment University of New Mexico, August 21, 2019 Using the largest database of real-time recordings of the effects of common and commercially available cannabis products in the United States (U.S.), researchers at The University of New Mexico (UNM) found strong evidence that cannabis can significantly alleviate pain, with the average user experiencing a three-point drop in pain suffering on a 0-10 point scale immediately following cannabis consumption. With a mounting opioid epidemic at full force and relatively few alternative painmedications available to the general public, scientists found conclusive support that cannabis is very effective at reducing pain caused by different types of health conditions, with relatively minimal negative side effects. Chronic pain afflicts more than 20 percent of adults and is the most financially burdensome health condition that the U.S faces; exceeding, for example, the combined costs of treating heart disease and cancer. (NEXT) Ginkgo Extract Lowers Oxidative Stress Leading to Reduced Amyloid Aggregation in Alzheimer Disease Dalian Medical University (China), August 21, 2019 According to news reporting originating from Dalian, People’s Republic of China, research stated, “Abundant evidence demonstrates that oxidative stress may be not only an early event in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but also a key factor in the pathogenesis of AD. Ginkgo Extract has a strong ability to scavenge oxygen free radicals and supply hydrogen.” Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring free radicals and the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Our studies showed that Ginkgo extract treatment reduced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) significantly while total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were enhanced “These findings suggest that Ginkgo extract can reduce oxidative stress by decreasing free radical and enhancing antioxidant status, further leading to reduced A aggregation; Ginkgo extract might be a potential therapeutic agent for Alzheimer’s disease (AD).” (NEXT) Low Intake of Vitamin E Accelerates Cellular Aging In Patients With Established Cardiovascular Disease University of Cordoba (Spain), August 21, 2019 According to news originating from Cordoba, Spain, esearch stated, “Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) shortening is a biomarker of cellular aging that can be decelerated by diet. We aimed to investigate the effect of dietary intake of vitamin E on biomarkers of cellular senescence in patients with established cardiovascular disease.” DNA from 1,002 participants was isolated and Leukocyte telomere length was measured by real-time PCR. We found that patients with an inadequate intake of vitamin E had shorter LTL than those with an adequate intake. Moreover, we observed a positive correlation between olive oil, fish consumption and LTL. Subjects who consumed more than 30 mL olive oil/day had longer LTL than subjects with lower consumption (p=.013). Furthermore, we observed higher glutathione peroxidase activity in subjects consuming less vitamin E (p=.031).” According to the news editors, the research concluded: “Our findings support the importance of an adequate consumption of the antioxidant vitamin E, and the value of the diet as a modulating tool of the senescence process.” (NEXT) N-acetylcysteine Prevents Osteoporosis By Inhibiting Oxidative Stress Caused by Testosterone Deficiency Nanjing Medical University (China), August 21, 2019 According to news reporting from Nanjing, People’s Republic of China, research stated, “Oxidative stress is associated with many diseases and has been found to induce DNA damage and cellular senescence. Numerous evidences support the detrimental effects of oxidative stress or cellular senescence on skeletal homeostasis.” According to the news reporters, the research concluded: “The results from this study suggest that NAC could be considered as a potential therapeutic agent for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis caused by testosterone deficiency.” (NEXT) Lifelong study links early blood pressure change to poorer brain health University College London, August 20, 2019 Changes in blood pressure in those as young as 36 are linked to markers of poorer brain health in later life, finds UCL-led research involving participants of Britain's oldest running birth cohort study. The findings from the Insight 46 study are published in The Lancet Neurology. (NEXT) Antibiotic use linked to heightened bowel cancer risk Johns Hopkins University, August 20, 2019 Antibiotic use (pills/capsules) is linked to a heightened risk of bowel (colon) cancer, but a lower risk of rectal cancer, and depends, to some extent, on the type and class of drug prescribed, suggests research published online in the journal Gut. The findings suggest a pattern of risk that may be linked to differences in gut microbiome (bacteria) activity along the length of the bowel and reiterate the importance of judicious prescribing, say the researchers. (NEXT) Nicotine-free e-cigarettes can damage blood vessels University of Pennsylvania, August 20, 2019 Smoking e-cigarettes, also called vaping, has been marketed as a safe alternative to tobacco cigarettes and is rising in popularity among non-smoking adolescents. However, a single e-cigarette can be harmful to the body's blood vessels -- even when the vapor is entirely nicotine-free -- according to a new study by researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The results were published today in Radiology.
