All articles tagged with #nature medicine
A Nature Medicine study of 52 donated brains found higher microplastic levels in brains from people with dementia than in those without; 2024 samples contained more microplastics than 2016, suggesting an association (not causation) between microplastics and neurodegenerative conditions and underscoring the need for further research and stronger plastic-reduction efforts.
A Nature Medicine study claiming that administering lung cancer immunotherapy in the morning dramatically reduces progression risk versus afternoon dosing is under fire after scientists flag data inconsistencies, with the journal now launching an investigation.
A small UK Phase IIa randomized, placebo-controlled trial found that a single dose of DMT with psychotherapy significantly reduced depressive symptoms for up to three months (some participants up to six); 47% reached remission at three months. DMT appeared safe and well tolerated, but the study's small size means larger, longer trials are needed before it could become a standard depression treatment.
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 34 adults suffering from treatment-resistant major depressive disorder, a single intravenous dose of DMT with psychotherapeutic support produced a rapid and meaningful reduction in depressive symptoms within a week, with effects lasting up to three months (some in remission for six months); the dose appeared safe with mostly mild side effects, though blinding was challenged by noticeable psychedelic effects and the small sample size calls for larger trials.
UK researchers tested GPT-4o, Llama 3, and Command R+ against a control group and found AI health chatbots identified health problems only about one-third of the time and suggested a correct course of action roughly 45% of the time—no better than internet searches. They attribute the gap to miscommunication between humans and AI and warn that chatbots can give wrong diagnoses or miss urgent care cues. With about 1 in 6 US adults asking chatbots about health monthly, the study argues AI isn’t ready to replace clinicians.
A phase 1b/2 trial of a preventive cancer vaccine for Lynch syndrome carriers, including Kevin Heyink, showed the vaccine is safe and elicits a lasting immune response. In a 45-participant trial, vaccinated individuals had fewer precancerous lesions and no advanced tumors; Heyink has since had three cancer-free colonoscopies in a row. The vaccine uses a modified adenovirus to train the immune system to recognize Lynch-related proteins, offering hopeful potential to reduce cancer risk, though larger trials are needed before wider use.
Researchers are questioning how microplastics are detected in human tissues, pointing to contamination and lack of validation in key studies. An International Science Council review catalogs about 7,000 studies on the topic; meanwhile new detection methods from the Medical University of Vienna aim to improve accuracy, though broad consensus may take years. While some scientists defend findings, experts urge cautious interpretation and measured policymaking to avoid alarm.
A study published in Nature Medicine reveals that COVID-19 survivors, especially those hospitalized, face persistent health risks and symptoms even three years post-infection. Researchers from the VA St. Louis Health Care System and Scripps Research found that hospitalized patients had a 29% higher risk of death and significant long COVID symptoms across various organ systems. Non-hospitalized patients also reported new health issues, though their risk of death normalized after the first year. The study underscores the long-term impact of COVID-19, challenging the perception of it as a short-term illness.