Aisha Abdullah
Verified
As seen in:
The Public Good Projects,
MDPI,
LabRoots,
Multiple Sclerosis News Today,
Public Good News
Covers:
Health; Science; Medicine; Biomedical research; Clinical research; Drug R&D; Public Health; Infectious diseases
Articles by Aisha Abdullah
Peptides from scorpion venom could help fight liver disease
Scorpion venom may hold the key to combating inflammation and liver disease, according to a new review in the journal iLIVER. The review explores growing evidence that peptides derived from scorpion venom have anti-inflammatory and antiviral qualities and show therapeutic potential in animal models of liver diseases such as fatty liver disease and viral hepatitis. Scorpion venom has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat pain and inflammation, but clinical research is limited.
A strict diet reduces genetic mutations in mice
A new study shows that restricting calorie intake in mice resulted in fewer DNA mutations as they age. Researchers found fewer mutations in tissue and cells from the kidney, liver, and brain, demonstrating for the first time that diet can influence mutations genome-wide. “While links between diet and lifespan have been established in animals, our results show that diet and mutations across the genome are also linked,” said Gilad D. Evrony, one of the study’s senior authors.
AI platform identifies potential Alzheimer's drug targets
Using an AI therapeutic target platform, researchers have identified five genes as novel targets for Alzheimer’s disease. The study, a collaboration between researchers at Insilico Medicine, the University of Oslo, and Akershus University Hospital, showed that a process involved in clearing damaged mitochondria is dysregulated in aging and neurodegeneration. The findings were published last month in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
Study reveals a protein that could predict preeclampsia
A new study found that low levels of the placental protein isthmin-2 (ISM2) are a predictor of preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction, two serious conditions that impact maternal and newborn health. The protein, which can be measured with a simple blood test during the first trimester, may serve as a biomarker or therapeutic target for preeclampsia. The research, led by researchers from the University of Cambridge, was published in Nature Medicine on September 1.
Study tests if longevity methods slow signs of aging
Pharmaceutical and lifestyle interventions were the most effective at reducing epigenetic signs of aging, according to a new study in Nature Medicine. Over-the-counter supplements and certain medical procedures, such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, did not consistently reduce aging biomarkers. While some signs of aging are physical, others can only be observed at the molecular level.
Experimental drug targets "undruggable" cancer protein
An experimental drug has successfully disrupted the activity of MYC, a notoriously difficult-to-target cancer protein. The study, led by researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, was published earlier this month in Blood. MYC plays a vital role in normal cell processes, regulating growth and division. When the protein doesn’t function properly, it can cause uncontrolled cell growth, leading to cancer.
GenAI creates first fully functional synthetic virus genomes
Researchers at Stanford University and the Arc Institute used generative artificial intelligence (AI) to design fully functional viral genomes, a first for the technology. The team generated 16 viable bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) capable of killing E. coli, underscoring the synthetic viruses’ potential clinical applications. The research, published in Science earlier this month, used the genome language models Evo 1 and Evo 2 to design viral genomes from scratch.
Exercise releases protective, muscle-strengthening molecule
A molecule released by muscles during exercise enhances muscle function and boosts exercise performance, according to a recent study published in Nature Communications. The molecule, β-aminoisobutyric acid (BAIBA), was also shown to protect against muscle dysfunction in a mouse model of diabetes, making it a potential therapeutic target. Skeletal muscles are continually remodeling, or restructuring, to adapt to demands such as exercise, injury, and aging.
Mini-brains show how maternal inflammation alters development
Researchers at the University of Aberdeen used lab-grown mini-brains (cerebral organoids) to investigate how maternal immune activation (MIA), an inflammatory response during pregnancy, affects brain development and the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. The study, published this week in Nature Neuroscience, found that increasing a protein associated with MIA disrupted cortical development. The researchers used fetal cerebral organoids to model MIA’s effects on neurodevelopment.
Study sheds light on why some heart transplants are rejected
Heart transplants save thousands of lives annually, but they carry a serious risk of organ rejection when the immune system attacks the new organ. A new study in Nature Cardiovascular Research investigates the genes and cells that drive transplant rejection and how they might be used to prevent it.
Neanderthal gene linked to more muscle mass in modern humans
A Neanderthal gene associated with bone and muscle growth still exists in some people, who tend to have more muscle mass and other Neanderthal-like features, according to a new study in Current Biology. The presence of Neanderthal growth hormone receptor variants in some modern humans results from human-Neanderthal interbreeding approximately 47,000 years ago. Adults with the Neanderthal receptor are, on average, slightly taller and 285 grams heavier.
Lo que debes saber sobre la vacuna contra el VPH
Read in English La vacuna contra el virus del papiloma humano (VPH) ha generado controversia desde su aprobación en el 2006. En Estados Unidos, varias campañas han difundido mitos sobre su seguridad y necesidad. En consecuencia, el 26 por ciento de los padres estadounidenses que rechazaron la vacuna en 2019 lo hicieron por preocupaciones sobre su seguridad, frente a solo el 5 por ciento en 2008.
Por qué es importante la vacuna contra el tétanos
Read in English El tétanos es una infección bacteriana grave que ataca los nervios que controlan los músculos, provocando espasmos dolorosos que pueden ser mortales si no se tratan. La bacteria suele entrar en el torrente sanguíneo a través de heridas en la piel, como cortes, picaduras, quemaduras e inyecciones no higiénicas. Cualquier persona no vacunada puede contraer tétanos, pero los adultos mayores, las personas inmunodeprimidas y los niños son quienes corren mayor riesgo.
What are nicotine pouches?
Nicotine pouches are small, tobacco-free packets that deliver nicotine through the gums. They have rapidly grown in popularity, especially among young people and people trying to quit tobacco. The FDA has not approved nicotine pouches as a tool to quit smoking, but it has recently authorized the marketing of certain products. Some experts say these products may help reduce cigarette use. Others warn they are highly addictive and increasingly used by young people.
4 facts about how HPV vaccines prevent cancer
HPV is very common: About eight in 10 sexually active people will get it at some point in their lifetime. It’s the leading cause of cervical cancer and is linked to six types of cancer that kill thousands in the U.S. each year. HPV vaccination can prevent most cervical cancers and reduce the risk of other HPV-related cancers. Getting vaccinated at a younger age offers the strongest protection.
4 facts about how HPV vaccines prevent cancer
HPV is very common; about 8 in 10 sexually active people will get it at some point in their lifetime. It’s the leading cause of cervical cancer and is linked to six types of cancer. HPV vaccination can prevent most cervical cancers and reduce the risk of other HPV-related cancers. Getting vaccinated at a younger age offers the strongest protection.
The facts about ultra-processed foods
Ultra-processed foods contain at least one industrially produced ingredient, such as artificial sweeteners, preservatives, or other additives. Research suggests diets high in certain ultra-processed foods may be linked to health risks, but most studies are observational and cannot prove cause and effect. Researchers have not established that these foods directly cause health problems. Recent state restrictions on ultra-processed foods aim to improve health.
Kratom: What to know about the loosely regulated herbal drug
Kratom is a tropical plant that some people use to ease pain, anxiety, or symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Many people describe it as a natural and safe remedy. But kratom is not FDA-approved, and its claimed health benefits haven’t been proven in clinical trials. One of kratom’s active ingredients, 7-OH, has been linked to serious health risks—especially when it’s highly concentrated or produced synthetically—prompting federal and state officials to consider regulations or bans.
No dejes que estos mitos te impidan vacunarte contra la gripe
Read in English Cada año, millones de personas no se vacunan contra la gripe porque creen que no la necesitan. A pesar de las recomendaciones de los CDC de que todas las personas mayores de 6 meses reciban una vacuna anual contra la gripe, más de la mitad de todos los adultos jóvenes no se vacunan cada año.
Climate change is putting our water at risk
Dangerous waterborne organisms are becoming more widespread because of climate change. Rising temperatures allow flesh-eating bacteria that once lived primarily in the Gulf Coast to move farther north each year while also fueling the growth of toxic algae that threaten humans and animals. You can stay safe by avoiding water if you have cuts or scraps—or if the water is dirty or foul-smelling—and washing your skin as soon as you get out of the water.
The impact of polio vaccines in 4 charts
Before polio vaccines, outbreaks of the disease killed or paralyzed half a million people a year. Just one decade after the U.S. approved the first polio vaccine, polio cases were reduced by more than 99 percent. A global effort to make polio vaccination universal has eliminated wild polio in all but two countries. In the late 1800s, the first polio outbreak struck the United States.
Anticonceptivos para hombres: Nuevas opciones están en el horizonte
Read in English Los hombres tienen pocas opciones de anticonceptivos fiables o reversibles. Sin embargo, investigaciones prometedoras sugieren que esto podría cambiar pronto. En julio, una pastilla anticonceptiva no hormonal que detiene la producción de esperma pasó su primera prueba de seguridad en humanos, lo que aumenta la esperanza de que el método pueda estar disponible pronto.
Why the tetanus vaccine matters
Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection that attacks the nerves that control muscles, causing painful spasms that can be fatal if untreated. The bacteria typically enter the bloodstream through breaks in the skin, such as cuts, bites, burns, and unsanitary injections. Anyone who’s unvaccinated can contract tetanus, but older and immunocompromised people are at highest risk. Vaccination is the only way to prevent tetanus.
New male birth control options are on the horizon
Leer en español Men have few options for reliable or reversible contraception. Promising research suggests that this may soon change. In July, a nonhormonal birth control pill that pauses sperm production passed its first safety trial in humans, raising hopes that the method may soon be available. Several nonhormonal and hormonal male contraceptives are in clinical trials and may transform birth control options over the next decade.
5 unexpected ways your oral health affects your overall health
The health of your teeth and gums affects the health of your whole body. Research shows that poor oral health can increase your risk of heart disease, dementia, breathing issues, and even cancer. You can protect your oral and overall health by cleaning your teeth daily, getting regular dentist checkups, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding tobacco. When you brush and floss daily, you don’t just prevent cavities and gum disease: You also support your overall health.
5 ways climate change is making us all sick
Climate change impacts health in many ways, including by making weather more extreme and creating better conditions for disease-carrying organisms. The health effects of climate change can harm everything from our heart and immune system to our mental health and ability to sleep. Vulnerable and marginalized communities, like older adults and low-income populations, are at the highest risk of climate-related health effects. Our environment influences our health—especially the climate.
4 surprising ways climate change is hurting your lungs
Climate change is causing weather conditions that are increasingly harmful to our lungs. A recent study found that dangerous events caused by high heat and humidity have become more common. Extreme heat, poor air quality, and intensified allergy seasons brought on by climate change can create respiratory issues and worsen existing lung conditions. The weather can have unexpected impacts on your lungs’ short and long-term health.
What would it mean for the U.S. to lose its measles elimination status?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on July 9 that U.S. measles cases reached their highest level since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000. The milestone raises concern that the country could lose its measles elimination status. “The U.S. is at risk of losing its measles elimination status should cases continue at this rate,” said Dr. William Moss, executive director of Johns Hopkins’s International Vaccine Access Center.
Understanding the risk factors that impact your health
News headlines continually proclaim that something is a “risk factor” for a disease. Maybe you’ve read that eating dark chocolate decreases cancer risk or that having a sedentary lifestyle is a risk factor for heart disease. But what do those research results actually mean for you and your health? This article will help you interpret health risk studies and understand how they can affect your health decisions. A risk factor is anything that increases the chance of developing a health condition.
Vacuna contra la hepatitis B: Respuestas a todas tus preguntas
Read in English La hepatitis B puede causar enfermedad hepática grave, cáncer y la muerte. El 90 por ciento de los bebés infectados desarrollan una infección crónica. La vacuna contra la hepatitis B ofrece protección de por vida contra la infección y es más eficaz cuando se administra al nacer. La vacuna contra la hepatitis B es segura y tiene un riesgo muy bajo de efectos secundarios graves. No existe ningún vínculo entre la vacuna contra la hepatitis B y el autismo.
All your questions about the hepatitis B vaccine answered
Leer en español Hepatitis B can cause severe liver disease, cancer, and death. Ninety percent of infected infants develop a chronic infection. The hepatitis B vaccine provides lifelong protection against the infection and is most effective when administered at birth. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe, with a very low risk of serious side effects. There is no link between the hepatitis B vaccine and autism. Hepatitis B is a viral infection that can cause liver disease in people of any age or lifestyle.
Social media is full of mental health myths
A recent Guardian investigation found that over half of the top mental health TikTok posts contain false information. These are the latest findings to show that the internet can pose a real risk to those seeking information and resources for mental health. Around one in five adults in the U.S. lives with a mental health condition, including more than a third of young adults.
¿Te interesa la IA para la información de salud?
Read in English A medida que la confianza en las fuentes tradicionales de información sobre salud disminuye en Estados Unidos, algunas personas recurren a la inteligencia artificial (IA) para responder a sus preguntas relacionadas con la salud. Una encuesta de KFF de 2024 encontró que alrededor de uno de cada seis adultos regularmente pide consejos de salud a la IA. Sin embargo, fiarse de la IA para obtener información de salud puede generar resultados contradictorios y potencialmente peligrosos.
How to use AI for health information responsibly
Leer en español As trust in traditional sources of health information declines in the United States, some people are turning to artificial intelligence to answer their health-related questions. A 2024 KFF poll found that around one in six adults regularly seek health advice from AI. Relying on AI for health information can lead to mixed and potentially dangerous results. Your health care provider should always be your primary source for health guidance.
What vaccine opponents get wrong about autism rates and vaccines
A recent CDC study found that one in 31 children were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder by age 8 in 2022. The study set off a wave of false and misleading claims about the and vaccines. But a closer examination of the data reveals how some online abuse public health data to prop up false narratives. CDC researchers looked at ASD diagnoses among 4 and 8 year olds at 16 sites in the agency’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network.
5 ways vaccines changed the world
Leer en español The first modern vaccine was developed in 1796, when English physician Edward Jenner created a vaccine for smallpox. Since then, vaccines have saved millions of lives worldwide. They’re one of the most important medical advances in history. Before vaccines, parents had no way to protect their children against deadly diseases like polio, measles, and smallpox. Vaccines changed that, empowering humans to fight and that once spread unchecked.
5 maneras en que las vacunas cambiaron el mundo
Read in English La primera vacuna moderna se desarrolló en 1796, cuando el médico inglés Edward Jenner creó una vacuna contra la viruela. Desde entonces, las vacunas han salvado millones de vidas en todo el mundo. Las vacunas son uno de los avances médicos más importantes de la historia. Antes de las vacunas, los padres no tenían cómo proteger a sus hijos contra enfermedades mortales como la polio, el sarampión y la viruela.
No te dejes engañar: Guía para detectar estudios falsos
Read in English Los escépticos de la ciencia a lo largo de la historia se han basado en anécdotas y datos mal utilizados para promover alegatos falsos. Ahora, intentan cada vez más hacer pasar estudios de mala calidad como investigaciones legítimas. Los estudios falsos y no creíbles están por todas partes en línea, presentados como ciencia comprobada para reforzar alegatos falsos. A veces, estos se disfrazan como “análisis” publicados en los sitios web de los autores.
Don't get duped: A guide to spotting fake studies
Science skeptics have historically relied on anecdotes and misused data to promote false claims. Now, they’re increasingly attempting to pass off fake studies as legitimate research. Low-quality and non-credible studies are everywhere online, presented as proven science to bolster false claims. Sometimes, they masquerade as “analyses” published on authors’ websites. Others publish papers in unreliable journals that lack editorial integrity and a strict review process.
¿Cómo se prueban las vacunas de rutina para garantizar su seguridad?
Read in English Las vacunas son la clave para mantenernos y a nuestro mundo sanos. La mayoría de las personas han recibido al menos una vacuna en su vida, pero pocas saben exactamente cómo se determina su seguridad. En Estados Unidos, las vacunas pasan por muchas etapas de pruebas de seguridad antes de ser aprobadas, así como por un seguimiento de seguridad adicional mientras estén en el mercado.
How are routine vaccines tested for safety?
Leer en español Vaccines are key to keeping ourselves and our world healthy. Most people have received at least one vaccine in their lifetime, but few know exactly how their safety is determined. In the U.S., vaccines go through many stages of safety testing before they are approved, as well as additional safety monitoring for as long as they are on the market. Additionally, researchers worldwide study any possible link between vaccines and health issues.
How to survive extreme cold
Cold weather can be deadly, especially in places not used to extreme cold. A December 2024 study found that cold-related deaths have more than doubled between 1999 and 2022, with over 3,500 deaths reported in 2022. Climate change doesn’t only mean rising temperatures; it also causes extreme weather, including extreme cold.
What you need to know about vaccine ingredients and their safety
Vaccines have saved over 150 million lives in the last 50 years, making them one of the most important advancements in modern medicine. But concerns about vaccine ingredients have been around for decades. Here’s everything you need to know about vaccine ingredients and how we know they are safe. Vaccines go through multiple rounds of safety testing before being approved for public use.
How the HHS impacts your community’s health
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for programs that impact every community in the country. But most Americans aren’t aware of the department’s scope. “Most of the power in the agency, most of the administrative authority comes from laws that Congress has passed,” former HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told NPR. She added that the HHS secretary “could redefine terms that had a huge impact on people.
Las restricciones al aborto amenazan más que la atención reproductiva
Read in English Un informe de la Universidad de California en San Francisco (UCSF, por sus siglas en inglés), de septiembre de 2024, documenta cómo la decisión de la Corte Suprema Dobbs v. Jackson que revocó Roe ha afectado a la atención médica. Nueva evidencia indica que privar a millones de personas del acceso al aborto afecta muchos aspectos de la atención médica en todo el país, desde la capacitación de los médicos hasta los tratamientos contra el cáncer.
Debunking the myth that vaccines and autism are linked
The myth that autism is linked to childhood vaccines first appeared in a 1998 study by British physician Dr. Andrew Wakefield. The study was later retracted, and Wakefield was discredited. But nearly three decades after the study’s publication, the myth persists, championed by activists, political leaders, and even potential health officials. There is overwhelming evidence that there is no link between vaccines and autism.
All your questions about the hepatitis B vaccine answered
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that can cause liver disease in people of any age or background. Vaccination is 95 percent effective against the virus. But in recent years, false claims, rumors, and myths about the hepatitis B vaccine have become increasingly common. Here’s everything you need to know about the lifesaving hepatitis B vaccine. Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. The virus attacks the liver, causing severe short-term and long-term infections.
Las últimas noticias sobre la gripe aviar
Read in English Aunque la gripe aviar continúa propagándose en aves silvestres, ganado y seres humanos, el riesgo para el público aún es bajo. La mayoría de los casos de gripe aviar en EE.UU. se han reportado en trabajadores agrícolas que tuvieron contacto directo con aves y ganado infectados. Los funcionarios de salud trabajan para monitorear la propagación del virus y mejorar las protecciones para quienes corren mayor riesgo.
Here's the latest you need to know about bird flu
Leer en español Although bird flu continues to spread in wild birds, livestock, and humans, the risk to the public remains low. The majority of U.S. bird flu cases have been reported in farm workers who had direct contact with infected birds and cattle. Health officials are working to monitor the spread of the virus and improve protections for those most at risk.
Abortion restrictions threaten more than reproductive care
Leer en español A University of California, San Francisco September 2024 report documents how the Dobbs v. Jackson Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe has impacted health care. New evidence indicates that stripping abortion access from millions of people is affecting many aspects of health care nationwide, from physician training to cancer treatments.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Aisha
Contact Aisha, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack