Tag

Observational Study

All articles tagged with #observational study

nutrition-diet2 days ago•32 min saved

DASH Diet Edges Out Other Diets for Slower Cognitive Decline

A large study of over 159,000 participants found the DASH diet had the strongest and most consistent association with lower cognitive decline risk and better cognitive function with age compared with five other dietary patterns. Vegetables and fish were linked to better outcomes, while red/processed meats, fried potatoes, and sugary beverages were linked to worse outcomes, with the wine result needing cautious interpretation. The findings are observational and do not prove causation, but support the idea that diet quality—especially vascular/metabolic health—may influence brain aging.

via Medical News Today|

#brain-health #cognitive-decline #dash-diet

health1 month ago•10 min saved

Old-age longevity hinges on weight and nutrients, not just meat-free eating

A Chinese study of over 5,000 adults aged 80+ found non-meat eaters were less likely to reach 100, but this was mainly among those who were underweight; including fish, dairy, or eggs erased the difference. The findings suggest that nutritional needs in very old age—especially protein, calcium, vitamin B12, and vitamin D—along with body weight, influence centenarian odds more than simply avoiding meat. Since it’s an observational study, it shows associations, not causation, and plant-based diets can still be healthy for younger and healthier adults while requiring careful planning later in life.

via The Conversation|

#aging #centenarian #health

health-and-wellness1 year ago•1 min saved

"Japanese Diet Linked to Reduced Brain Shrinkage in Women, Study Finds"

A study found that older women who closely followed a traditional Japanese diet had less brain shrinkage compared to those on a Western diet, potentially due to the diet's focus on rice, soybean products, vegetables, fish, and low fat intake. The study, which analyzed data from over 1,600 Japanese adults, highlighted the potential protective effects of the Japanese diet's nutritional components on the aging brain, with no similar association found for men. While the findings suggest a link between diet and brain health, larger, long-term trials are needed to establish a direct causal relationship.

via NewsNation Now|

#brain-health #health-and-wellness #japanese-diet

health-and-nutrition2 years ago•5 min saved

"Comparing Plant-Based Diets for Cardiovascular Health"

A new observational study suggests that a flexitarian diet, which involves limiting meat intake rather than complete exclusion, is associated with lower cardiovascular risk than an omnivorous diet. The study found that flexitarians and vegans had better cardiovascular health than omnivores, showing lower levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. The study underscores the benefits of increasing the consumption of plant-based foods in lieu of meat for improving cardiovascular health, but larger studies are needed to confirm these results. Experts suggest that a flexitarian diet may be a more sustainable approach for improving heart health compared to a strictly vegan diet, as it ensures nutrient deficiencies are unlikely and may be simpler to sustain over the long term.

via Medical News Today|

#cardiovascular-health #flexitarian-diet #health-and-nutrition

child-development2 years ago•3 min saved

"The Simple Reason Some Kids Learn to Talk Earlier"

A recent observational study involving over 1,000 children under the age of four found that the amount of adult talk a child hears is strongly linked to their own speech development, regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, or exposure to multiple languages. The study, conducted across 12 countries and 43 languages, used wearable recorders to collect over 40,000 hours of recordings and found that for every 100 adult vocalizations heard by a child within an hour, the child produced 27 more vocalizations. This suggests that promoting more adult talk around children may prove beneficial for their language development. However, the study's coarse-grained approach may have overlooked some finer details, and further research is needed to understand the intricacies of language development in children.

via ScienceAlert|

#adult-talk #child-development #child-speech

health2 years ago•2 min saved

The Surprising Cancer-Fighting Potential of the 'Useless' Organ

A retrospective study suggests that the thymus gland, often considered "useless" in adulthood, may actually play a crucial role in maintaining adult health. Researchers found that individuals who had their thymus removed faced an increased risk of death from any cause and an increased risk of developing cancer. While the study cannot prove causation, researchers argue that preserving the thymus should be a clinical priority. The thymus is known to play a critical role in developing the immune system in childhood, and its removal can lead to long-term reductions in T-cells and impaired immune response. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind these associations.

via ScienceAlert|

#cancer-risk #health #immune-system

health2 years ago•3 min saved

Early Menstruation Tied to Increased Diabetes Risk in Later Life

Starting menstrual cycles at a young age, particularly before the age of 13, is associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes in mid-life, according to a study. The research also found that early menstruation is linked to an increased risk of stroke before the age of 65 in individuals with diabetes, especially those who started having periods before the age of 10. The study, based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, suggests that early age at first menstrual cycle may be an indicator of cardiometabolic disease risk in women. However, the study only establishes an association and cannot determine causality.

via Medical Xpress|

#health #menstrual-cycles #mid-life

health2 years ago•7 min saved

The Link Between Marijuana Use and Heart Problems: What You Need to Know

Daily marijuana use is associated with a 34% increased risk of heart failure within four years, according to new observational research. Another study found that cannabis use disorder (CUD) is linked to a 20% increased risk of major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCEs) in older patients with cardiovascular risk factors. These findings, presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, highlight the potential negative effects of marijuana on cardiovascular health. However, the studies only show association and not causation, and further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between marijuana use and heart-related conditions.

via Medscape|

#cardiovascular-health #health #heart-failure

health2 years ago•4 min saved

The Surprising Link Between Salt and Type 2 Diabetes

A new observational study from Tulane University suggests an association between salt use and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, the study cannot prove causation, and the data used to assess salt intake was limited. While reducing salt intake is generally recommended for overall health, it is important to focus on maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, and eating a balanced diet to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

via Hindustan Times|

#health #healthy-diet #observational-study

climate-change2 years ago•4 min saved

Gulf Stream's Warming Shifts Closer to Shore, Reveals Study

A new study published in Nature Climate Change reveals that the Gulf Stream, a powerful ocean current that influences weather patterns and carries heat from the tropics to higher latitudes, has been warming faster than the global ocean and shifting closer to the coast over the past two decades. The study, based on extensive temperature and salinity profiles collected between 2001 and 2023, shows that the near-surface layer of the Gulf Stream has warmed by about 1°C and moved about 5 kilometers closer to the Northeastern United States continental shelf. The findings provide observational confirmation of predictions made by numerical simulations and highlight the potential impact on coastal fisheries and weather patterns.

via Phys.org|

#climate-change #coastal-impact #gulf-stream

science2 years ago•2 min saved

Unprecedented Observation: Nucleus Decays into Four Particles in Groundbreaking Study

Scientists have made the first observation of a nucleus decaying into four particles after beta decay. The decay mode involves a lighter form of oxygen breaking into three helium nuclei, a proton, and a positron. By studying the breakup products of a single nucleus, researchers gained insights into decay processes and nucleus properties. The experiment involved using a particle accelerator to produce a beam of radioactive nuclei and a detector to measure the emitted particles. This discovery expands our understanding of radioactive decay and the stability of isotopes.

via Phys.org|

#beta-decay #nucleus #observational-study

health2 years ago•2 min saved

The Surprising Cancer-Fighting Potential of the 'Useless' Organ

A retrospective study suggests that the thymus gland, often considered "useless" in adulthood, may actually play a crucial role in fighting cancer and maintaining overall health. Researchers found that individuals who had their thymus removed faced an increased risk of death from any cause and were twice as likely to develop cancer within five years of surgery. The study highlights the importance of preserving the thymus and raises concerns about the long-term consequences of thymectomy. While the exact mechanisms are unknown, researchers suspect that the absence of the thymus may disrupt the healthy function of the adult immune system.

via ScienceAlert|

#cancer-risk #health #immune-system

science-and-technology2 years ago•1 min saved

"FAST Unveils Groundbreaking Black Hole Phenomenon, Revolutionizing Emission Research"

China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) has made a groundbreaking discovery by observing sub-millisecond low-frequency radio quasi-periodic oscillations in microquasars, revealing a direct correlation between these oscillations and relativistic jets in black hole systems. The findings, published in Nature, provide new insights into the mysterious nature of black holes and open up new avenues for observing and studying black hole emissions.

via Global Times|

#black-hole #fast #microquasar

astronomy2 years ago•5 min saved

Time Dilation: Quasars Unveil Slow-Motion Universe

A recent study has detected the cosmological time dilation of high-redshift quasars, providing further evidence for the expansion of the universe. By analyzing the optical variability of quasars with long-term photometric light curves, researchers used Gaussian process regression to measure the time dilation effect caused by the stretching of light waves as the universe expands. The findings support the predictions of general relativity and contribute to our understanding of the evolution of the universe.

via Nature.com|

#astronomy #cosmology #observational-study

health2 years ago•4 min saved

Dementia Risk in Women Linked to Short-Term HRT Use

Short-term and cyclical use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopausal symptoms is associated with a 24% increased risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in women in their 50s, according to a large observational study. The increased risk was present even in women who used HRT for brief periods at menopause onset. However, further research is needed to determine if the increased risk is due to HRT use or other underlying factors. The study adds to the ongoing debate surrounding the safety of HRT and highlights the need for more research on the effects of hormones on women's brain health.

via Medscape|

#alzheimers-disease #dementia #health