Introduction Nanomedicine is often associated with cancer therapy or the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Yet researchers are now using nanoparticles to deliver antibiotics, cross the blood–brain barrier, repair damaged tissues, and even improve vaccine design. As nanotechnology matures, its role in medicine is expanding far beyond oncology. What is nanomedicine? A nanometre (nm) is one-billionth of a metre (10⁻⁹ m), or roughly the length of three atoms lined up. To put this into pers

Imagine a situation where you are a teen driving home from school by yourself, and you see a yellow light a considerable distance away from you. Some would stop and play it safe, but now imagine a situation where 4 of your friends are yelling at you to stop being a wuss and rush through that light. This type of pressure can happen, and motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death in the United States for teenagers and the fatal crash rate at night for teen drivers ages

GLP-1 receptor agonists (often called “GLP-1s”) are medicines commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes and help with weight loss. Researchers are now looking at whether these medicines might also help with addiction. Early studies and patient reports suggest that some people taking medicines like semaglutide or tirzepatide notice fewer cravings—for example, they may feel less urge to drink alcohol or smoke. Because of these reports, more studies are underway to see if GLP-1s co

UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEMORRHOIDS AND ANAL FISSSURES: Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are the lumps formed from swollen veins in the rectum and around the anus. Internal hemorrhoids are developed inside the rectum whereas external hemorrhoids are developed under the skin around the anus. On the other hand, anal fissures are the skin tears resulting in bleeds [1, 2]. Both of them share some common symptoms, that is why most of the times these are confused

Liver cancer often develops after long-term liver inflammation. This inflammation can lead to cirrhosis (liver scarring). Common causes include heavy alcohol use, chronic hepatitis B or C, and fatty liver disease. People with these risk factors need regular monitoring. Monitoring occurs every 6 months as needed. An ultrasound is performed to provide a visual look at the liver. Lab work monitoring includes an alpha-fetal protein test, which is a tumor marker for the liver. The

Ataxia is not a single disease, but a term used to describe a group of heterogeneous neurological disorders that affect coordination, balance, speech, and movement control. People with ataxia often have trouble performing voluntary movements smoothly and accurately. Their hand movements become clumsy, their walking unstable, and their speech may become unclear or slow. Ataxia occurs when there is damage to the cerebellum or to its neuronal connections. The cerebellum is the p

A patient visited hospital for a routine health checkup. He had complained of mild chest discomfort and tiredness for the past two weeks. He attributes work stress and irregular sleep. So, the doctor advised lipid profile test. The laboratory test results show elevated total cholesterol and LDL levels along with decreased HDL levels, indicating an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Introduction The cardiovascular system comprises mainly the heart and blood vessels. Car

To some, a diagnosis of a disorder may be given shortly after speaking with a patient and completing a physical examination. Demonstrating a macro diagnosis of a disorder. However, what about cases that are unable to be diagnosed by physical examination? How are medical professions able to gain confirmed and specified diagnosis for cancers such as Hodgkin’s lymphoma? How does this determine patient treatment or create novel therapies? The answer to these questions is the cell

Fig 1: Classification of high altitude illnesses1 Imagine gearing up for the climb of a lifetime on Mount Everest (8,848 m) or even Kilimanjaro (5,895 m),2 and just as you make it to base camp, you begin to experience severe headaches, dizziness, and nausea within hours of your arrival. This is the experience of millions of people traveling to high altitudes annually for tourism, sport, and work.3 What happens at high altitude To understand what happens at high altitude, w

Matrescence refers to the extensive biological, psychological, and social transformations that accompany a woman’s transition into motherhood. The concept was introduced in the 1970s by the anthropologist Dana Raphael, who compared the process to adolescence because both involve ongoing developmental adjustments rather than a single defining moment [1]. Although the experience of matrescence plays a significant role in maternal wellbeing, it continues to receive limited recog

By: Megan Meier Summer is just around the corner, as are the increase in sunburns and the risk of skin cancer. Although those with fair complexions are at higher risk of skin cancer, too much sun exposure can affect any skin color (2). Precautions while outside are necessary to prevent skin cancer. When possible, avoid exposure to midday sunlight (3), the sun’s rays are strongest between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (4). If the UV (ultraviolet) index of the day is three or higher

Did you know that liver health is changing drastically worldwide, according to a landmark study in The Lancet? The Global Burden of Disease Study 2023 recently shared a wake-up call about a serious liver condition called MASLD that we can no longer afford to overlook (1). The report stated that in 2023, around 1.3 billion people were reported to have Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). This accounts for around 16.1 % of the world’s total populati

The importance of understanding how serious suicide is, and the impacts it has on families and communities "Suicide," a word that can bring in many mixed emotions and feelings. For some, it's traumatic to hear either because they have a lost a friend or family member to it, or they themselves have been thinking about committing it. And for others, it's foreign to them as they don't really know what it means. This article is to address how it is a public and medical issue in t

Open heart surgery is one of the most important advances in modern medicine and has helped save millions of lives worldwide. It is commonly performed to treat serious heart conditions such as blocked coronary arteries, damaged heart valves, congenital heart defects, and certain diseases affecting the aorta. Although hearing the term “open heart surgery” may sound frightening, advances in surgical techniques, anesthesia, and postoperative care have made these procedures safer

How ctDNA Monitoring Works A New Way to Track Cancer Without Invasive Procedures For patients with advanced breast cancer, understanding whether a treatment is working can take time, often requiring scans and waiting weeks or months for visible changes. But what if doctors could know much sooner, using just a blood test? Researchers are now exploring a promising tool called circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), which consists of tiny fragments of DNA released into the bloodstream b

Introduction For decades, dental hygiene was viewed through a narrow lens: we brushed our teeth to avoid cavities, freshen our breath, and maintain a bright smile. However, modern medical research is fundamentally shifting this perspective. Today, scientists view the mouth not as an isolated cavity, but as a critical gateway to the rest of the body. An emerging body of evidence highlights the oral-systemic link—the profound physical connection between oral health and systemic

Image Link: https://guysandstthomasspecialistcare.co.uk/conditions/sarcoidosis/ If you've been diagnosed with sarcoidosis or your healthcare provider suspects you may have it, you may wonder what it is and how it affects your lungs. Although sarcoidosis can involve different parts of the body, it most commonly affects the lungs and nearby lymph nodes. What Is Sarcoidosis? Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease in which tiny clusters of immune cells, called granulomas, form in

By: Mahak Gupta Figure 1. Illustration showing the role of xylooligosaccharides (XOS) derived from plant biomass in modulating the gut microbiome. Introduction As research on gut health continues to evolve, prebiotics have emerged as key dietary components that support a balanced microbiome. While traditional prebiotics such as inulin and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are widely studied, a new class of compounds- xylooligosaccharides (XOS) is gaining attention for its potent a

By: Alexis Kozma Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that can develop at any age. Often, diagnosis is without clear warning, genetic predisposition, or identifiable risk factors. As rates of autoimmune conditions continue to rise, it’s important to stay aware of subtle but serious symptoms. One of the most dangerous complications is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which can develop rapidly. This condition starts when insulin is lacking. Recognizing early warning signs is ke

Type 2 diabetes often develops gradually, with changes in the body occurring years before blood sugar levels reach the threshold for diagnosis. One of the earliest and most significant of these changes is insulin resistance, a condition in which the body's cells become less responsive to insulin, the hormone responsible for helping glucose move from the bloodstream into cells for energy. As a result, the pancreas must produce increasing amounts of insulin to keep blood sugar