Poor Mid-Back Posture Linked to Neck Pain
Examinations of 148 adults, half with neck pain, revealed an association between higher thoracic kyphosis (rounding of the mid back) and neck pain. Doctors of chiropractic routinely assess posture and employ passive and active strategies for addressing postural faults that may contribute to the patient’s chief complaint. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, April 2023
Could Adult Education Classes Buffer Against Dementia?
Past research has shown that educational attainment early in life is associated with a reduced risk for dementia. According to a new study, taking classes in middle age and later in life can lower the risk for dementia diagnosis by up to 19% in the following five years. The finding falls in line with previous studies demonstrating that mental stimulation has a protective effect on cognitive health. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, August 2023
AI Model Detects Diabetes Through Chest X-Rays
Scientists have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) model that can evaluate routine chest x-ray images to identify visceral fat build-up associated with a diagnosis for diabetes as far as a decade into the future. Nature Communications, July 2023
Gastrointestinal Tumors Are Increasing Among Young Americans
Researchers report that the incidence of gastrointestinal cancers—which includes cancers of the colon, appendix, bile ducts, and pancreas—are the fastest growing group of cancers among adults under age 50. The authors of the study add that screening strategies for gastrointestinal cancers may need reconsideration in addition to new strategies for reducing the prevalence of risk factors such as obesity, heavy alcohol consumption, and smoking. JAMA Network Open, August 2023
Antioxidants May Protect Against Alzheimer’s
According to a recent study, the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease contain lower levels of antioxidants like lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, and vitamin E, which help reduce the oxidative damage that can impair brain function. The findings suggest that eating an antioxidant-rich diet may be essential for maintaining good cognitive health. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, June 2023
Cardiorespiratory Fitness Linked to Lower Cancer Risk
Following an analysis of Swedish health registry data, researchers report that individuals with good cardiorespiratory fitness at age 18 have a lower risk for head and neck, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, bowel, kidney, and lung cancers later in life. British Journal of Sports Medicine, August 2023
