New: Thanks to InVideo, we have a video version of the post below. Check it out at bottom of the post. Incredible immunotherapy responses in some cancers, but not in others, have puzzled the research community. What is it about some cancers that allows the immune system to be activated? Why are some cancers able to evade the immune system even when...
Read MoreBladders and New Technology
Our last post discussed the connection between our kidneys and blood pressure. The kidneys release urine in a steady flow. It moves down the ureters–muscular tubules–to the bladder. How does the bladder work? What happens when you hold urine in your bladder instead of going when you need to? Here is a well done description of how the bladder...
Read MoreWhat did my doctor just say? “Medicalese” translations
Going to the doctor can be a challenging experience for any number of reasons–the tests, the physical exam, the news, the diagnosis, the bill–but you should at least be able to understand what your doctor is saying to you. Yet, medical jargon seems to be a necessary evil that patients and caregivers deal with on a regular basis. If you think...
Read MoreMicrobes and health
Our last blog post focused on microbiomes and their potential involvement in obesity. To complement that post, here is a TED Talk about how people who move from other countries to the US lose their normal gut flora. Another TED Talk, from 2014, describes the microbes in communities that are all over our bodies. It also discusses the Human...
Read MoreHaving trouble losing weight? The cause could be your gut bacteria
You’ve followed the diets, you’ve increased your exercise, and you still can’t lose weight. The problem may be related to the composition of your gut bacteria. Gut Bacteria and Weight Loss In a study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, researchers found evidence pointing to gut bacteria, “gut microbiota” hindering weight...
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