Author Interviews

03 Sep

Posted at 16:58h in Author Interviews, Dermatology, Genetic Research, Hair Care, NYU/NYMC

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Lynn Petukhova, PhD

Assistant Professor, Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology

Assistant Professor, Department of Population Health

NYU Grossman School of Medicine

NYU Langone Health

[caption id="attachment_75860" align="alignleft" width="150"] Dr. Petukhova[/caption]

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Dr. Petukhova: As GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic and Wegovy are increasingly used for type 2 diabetes and weight loss, questions have emerged about whether these medications may be linked to hair loss. Some cases may reflect telogen effluvium, a temporary shedding that can occur after rapid weight loss or major metabolic stress. However, recent observational studies have suggested there may also be a link with androgenetic alopecia, or patterned hair loss, in some individuals. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, GLP-1 receptor agonists are among the most prescribed medication classes for type 2 diabetes and obesity management, making the safety and side effect profile of these drugs a growing area of clinical research. Watch the interview in Video format

13 Aug

Posted at 15:40h in Author Interviews

Mental Health Notice: If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24/7), text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line), or call 911 in an emergency.

One of the most common assumptions about ADHD treatment is that it inevitably leads to medication, as though therapy is just a stopgap on the way to a prescription. That assumption keeps some people from pursuing treatment at all, particularly those who'd prefer to explore other options first. The reality is more flexible than the assumption suggests.

does_adhd_therapy_require_medication

10 Aug

Posted at 20:37h in addiction-treatment, Author Interviews, Cannabis, Sleep Disorders

Cannabis and CBD Product Notice: Cannabis and CBD products are not FDA-monitored or approved for the treatment of anxiety, depression, or any other mental health condition and are not legal in all locations. Effects vary significantly between individuals. Do not use if you are pregnant, nursing, or may become pregnant. Keep out of reach of children. Children and pets should not be exposed to these products. Cannabis and CBD products may interact with alcohol and other drugs including prescription medications. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider before using any cannabinoid product, especially if you have an existing health condition or take other medications.

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Anita Cservenka, PhD

Associate Professor; Director, Substance Use & Neurocognition Lab

School of Psychological Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

[caption id="attachment_75520" align="alignleft" width="200"]anita_cservenka-interview Dr. Cservenka, PhD[/caption]

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Dr. Cservenka: There had been limited research on whether frequent cannabis use is associated with changes in individuals' diurnal stress activity, which can be measured by examining the cortisol awakening response. However, some previous studies had shown that the typical rise of cortisol in the morning, which is thought to be a marker of our body's preparation for managing the stressors of the day, may be blunted among individuals with alcohol use disorder. A recent study by Glodosky et al., 2026, also suggested this may be the case among those with chronic cannabis use, so we attempted to replicate those findings. Although we did not find group differences in the cortisol awakening response (the difference in cortisol 30 minutes post-awakening and at the time of awakening) between individuals who engaged in frequent cannabis use relative to controls, we did find that cannabis use may be related to higher levels of cortisol at the time of awakening and this was significantly related to cannabis use consequences.

Watch the Video of this interview

04 Aug

Posted at 16:45h in Author Interviews, Columbia, Environmental Risks

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Ellen B. Bannon, MPH

PhD Student, Department of Environmental Health Sciences

Columbia Mailman School of Public Health

[caption id="attachment_75435" align="alignleft" width="200"]Ellen Bannon Ellen Bannon[/caption]

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Ms. Bannon: Lithium is an increasingly important element thanks to its use in rechargeable batteries and the green energy transition. However, we know relatively little about how people are exposed to lithium in their everyday lives. In many areas of the United States, lithium is present in groundwater and drinking water due to natural weathering processes, but few studies have quantified human exposure to lithium. Our study addresses this gap by measuring lithium in household tap water and urine samples from participants in the Strong Heart Family Study across Tribal communities in Arizona, Oklahoma, North Dakota, and South Dakota. This approach parallels earlier work examining other naturally occurring groundwater contaminants — a framework explored in this MedicalResearch.com overview of how naturally occurring contaminants in drinking water affect human health even at low exposure levels.

Our main findings were threefold. First, household drinking water samples frequently exceeded the United States Geological Survey health-based screening level of 10 µg/L, with 100% and 93% of samples exceeding the screening level in Arizona and North Dakota/South Dakota, respectively. Both water and urine lithium levels were highest in Arizona and lowest in Oklahoma. Second, household drinking water is an important contributor to internal lithium exposure — water lithium concentrations were significantly associated with urinary lithium levels and explained approximately 29% of variation in urinary lithium. Finally, urinary lithium levels remained stable between our urine sampling periods (2006–2009 and 2022–2024), suggesting that environmental lithium exposure has remained persistent over time.

03 Aug

Posted at 21:33h in Author Interviews, Cancer Research, Wistar

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Aidan Cole, PhD

Postdoctoral Researcher, Aird Lab

The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia

[caption id="attachment_75414" align="alignleft" width="150"]Aidan Cole, PhD Aidan Cole, PhD[/caption]

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Dr. Cole: Our lab was interested in what happens in a tumor after chemotherapy treatment when some cells stop proliferating and growing the tumor but are not killed. These are called senescent cells, and they are of particular interest in ovarian cancer because of the prevalence of cancer recurrence and spread after initially responding to treatment.

The biggest finding is we learned how these senescent cells communicate with cancerous cells to get them to loosen their grip on the tumor and spread to other parts of the body. This communication occurs when senescent cells produce a sugar called fructose. For the first time, we've shown that a nutrient can be produced in these senescent cells and used by cancer cells in a way that worsens cancer spread. This builds on research previously covered on MedicalResearch.com exploring how senescence in ovarian cancer cells may contribute to chemotherapy resistance.

24 Jul

Posted at 20:39h in Accidents & Violence, Author Interviews, JAMA, Ophthalmology, UCSD

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

[caption id="attachment_75222" align="alignleft" width="200"]Dr. Don Kikkawa Dr. Don Kikkawa[/caption]

Don Kikkawa, MD Distinguished Professor, UC San Diego Viterby Family Department of Ophthalmology Chief, Division of Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Vice-Chairman, Department of Ophthalmology UCSD

 

[caption id="attachment_75223" align="alignleft" width="125"]dr_leo-miller-md Dr. Leo Miller[/caption]

Leo Meller, MD

UC San Diego School of Medicine, Class of 2026

   

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Dr. Kikkawa and Dr. Meller: Hockey can put players at risk for eye injuries because of high-speed pucks, sticks, and close-contact play. While many sports-related eye injuries are preventable, there has been limited national data on the frequency and severity of hockey-related eye injuries across different types of hockey. Our research used 20 years of U.S. emergency department data to better understand these injuries. Similar work examining recreational sport eye injury trends — including our related research covered previously on MedicalResearch.com on serious and preventable eye injuries treated in emergency settings — underscores why population-level surveillance data matters for guiding prevention efforts.

[caption id="attachment_75224" align="aligncenter" width="500"]ice-hockey-ocular-injuries-pexels.jpg Photo by Luke Miller[/caption]

22 Jul

Posted at 22:36h in Author Interviews, Breast Cancer, Cancer Research, Genetic Research

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Steven Quay, MD, PhD

Founder, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

Atossa Therapeutics

Publications discussed: The rise of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) in breast cancer therapy: a promising horizon and (Z)-Endoxifen as a Potential Modulator of Utrophin Pathways in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Mechanistic and Transcriptomic Perspective

[caption id="attachment_75169" align="alignleft" width="240"]Dr. Steven C. Quay Dr. Steven C. Quay[/caption]

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for these studies? What are the main findings of the reviews?

Dr. Quay: Breast cancer remains the most common cancer diagnosis and the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. Around 70% of these cases are estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), meaning the tumor cells use the body's natural estrogen as fuel to multiply and grow. While traditional endocrine therapies like tamoxifen have saved countless lives, patients frequently face severe side effects or eventually develop resistance to the treatment.

To bridge this gap, these studies show the promise of next-generation selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), specifically (Z)-endoxifen. The main findings indicate that this active-form drug delivers more consistent, well-tolerated exposure to keep pace with a patient's unique biology. We are looking at the whole picture — from cancer prevention in high-risk patients to shrinking tumors before cases worsen. Ultimately, this approach builds on tamoxifen's legacy and blocks estrogen signaling to provide patients with more effective therapy options. For context on risk factors in breast cancer prevention, see this overview of breast cancer risk and dense breast tissue.

20 Jul

Posted at 22:19h in Author Interviews, Infections

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Amesh A. Adalja, MD, FACP, FACEP, FIDSA

Spokesperson, Infectious Diseases Society of America

Senior Scholar, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security

[caption id="attachment_75118" align="alignleft" width="200"]Amesh A. Adalja Dr. Adalja[/caption]

MedicalResearch.com: What type of organism is Cyclospora cayetanensis?

Dr. Adalja: It is a protozoan parasite.

MedicalResearch.com: Where is it found? What are the symptoms of infection?

Dr. Adalja: Cases occur worldwide, but it is endemic in the tropics and subtropics.

MedicalResearch.com: How is it spread? Why does it occur periodically? Is there more spread during warm weather?

Dr. Adalja: It is spread when a human ingests an infective oocyst of Cyclospora. Its seasonal nature varies from place to place, and in countries like the United States and Canada, the risk is primarily related to importation of contaminated food products. Certain soil conditions are more conducive to the oocysts than others.

01 Jul

Posted at 13:18h in Author Interviews, Technology
Healthcare has a data problem — not a shortage of it, but an inability to act on it. The average large health system generates hundreds of millions of clinical events annually. Claims databases hold years of longitudinal patient history. EHRs log every medication, every vital sign, every lab result. And most of that data sits in silos, incompatible formats, and legacy systems that were never designed to talk to each other. Organizations that turn clinical, pharmaceutical and financial data into better decisions use purpose-built healthcare analytics platforms. In 2026, these platforms must support FHIR interoperability, near real-time population health analytics, value-based care, and AI-driven insights. But not all healthcare analytics solutions are the same. The market ranges from FHIR-native clinical intelligence platforms to general-purpose BI tools with healthcare connectors. Choosing the wrong solution can lead to costly implementations, limited clinical capabilities, and analytics that can't scale with your healthcare data. This guide profiles seven leading healthcare analytics solutions for 2026, evaluated on clinical depth, interoperability support, analytical sophistication, and fit for healthcare-specific workflows. They are not all the same — and that distinction matters.

25 Jun

Posted at 22:04h in Author Interviews

The Error Stakes in Healthcare Translation

A mistranslated dosage, a misread allergy notation, a discharge instruction that says the opposite of what the physician intended. Research published in StatPearls via the National Library of Medicine estimates that approximately 400,000 hospitalized patients experience preventable harm each year, and communication failures rank as the leading root cause of sentinel events across healthcare systems. In 2024, industry data indicated that language barriers and communication breakdowns contribute to nearly 50% of adverse events in hospital settings. Global healthcare organizations face a specific and underappreciated dimension of this risk: multilingual communication. As patient populations grow more linguistically diverse and clinical research expands across borders, the quality of translated content, from patient consent forms to pharmaceutical labeling to discharge instructions, directly affects safety outcomes. [caption id="attachment_74539" align="aligncenter" width="500"]ai-healthcare-translation Photo by RDNE Stock project[/caption] The challenge has deepened with the rapid adoption of AI-based translation. As healthcare organizations have integrated large language models into their document workflows, a critical flaw has emerged. Individual leading AI models hallucinate or produce translation errors at rates ranging from 10% to 18% of translation tasks, according to data synthesized from the Intento State of Translation Automation 2025 and WMT24 benchmarks. For a sector where error tolerance is effectively zero, that rate is a structural liability. This review profiles 10 translation and localization platforms evaluated for healthcare applicability, covering clinical document fidelity, regulatory compliance, human review availability, and error mitigation architecture. For additional context on how AI adoption is reshaping clinical workflows, this publication's recent review of healthcare AI companies provides a useful reference frame.

24 Jun

Posted at 20:25h in Author Interviews, Genetic Research
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_74522" align="alignleft" width="222"]Dr Daniel Liang-Dar HwangBSc, MBiotech, MSc, PhD ARC DECRA Fellow Institute for Molecular Bioscience The University of Queensland Brisbane, Australia and Monell Chemical Senses Center Philadelphia, PA, USA Dr. Daniel Hwang[/caption] Dr. Daniel Liang-Dar Hwang BSc, MBiotech, MSc, PhD ARC DECRA Fellow Institute for Molecular Bioscience The University of Queensland Brisbane, Australia and Monell Chemical Senses Center Philadelphia, PA, USA

Watch the Video of this interview

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: One of the biggest challenges in nutrition research is distinguishing causation from correlation. People who consume particular foods often differ in many other ways, such as income, education, physical activity, or overall health, making it difficult to determine whether a food itself influences disease risk. Mendelian randomization has emerged as a powerful tool for investigating causal relationships by using genetic variants as proxies for exposures. However, finding genetic variants that reliably reflect what people eat remains a major challenge. In this study, we developed a biologically informed framework for instrument selection using genetic variation in taste and smell receptor genes. Because taste and smell are major biological drivers of food choice, variants in these genes may provide biologically meaningful proxies for studying dietary exposures. We examined more than 1,200 genetic variants in taste and smell receptor genes and tested their associations with preferences for 140 foods and beverages in more than 160,000 participants. We identified 700 significant gene–food associations, many of which were also linked to actual food intake and replicated in an independent cohort. We then used these biologically informed variants in Mendelian randomization analyses to investigate potential causal relationships between diet and health, demonstrating how sensory genetics can be used to strengthen causal inference in nutrition research and identify foods that may influence disease risk.

22 Jun

Posted at 20:36h in Author Interviews, Endocrinology, Orthopedics, Weight Research

Semaglutide Linked to Fewer Bone Fractures Despite Greater Weight Loss in Type 2 Diabetes

[caption id="attachment_74422" align="alignleft" width="200"]Jairo Norena Velasquez, Dr. Norena Velasquez[/caption] MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Jairo Norena Velasquez, MD Associate Division Chief, Endocrinology Division Alameda Health System Oakland, California
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Response: Type 2 diabetes is associated with a paradoxically elevated fracture risk — up to three times higher than the general population — despite normal or even elevated bone mineral density. The underlying problem is poor bone quality driven by chronic hyperglycemia, advanced glycation end-product accumulation, and increased cortical porosity. Compounding this, intentional weight loss — a cornerstone of diabetes treatment — can accelerate bone loss by reducing mechanical loading on the skeleton.

Semaglutide is one of the most effective weight-loss agents available, yet direct real-world comparisons of its skeletal effects against other active weight-loss therapies were lacking.

Using the Atropos Health Eos EHR database — 161 million US patients from 2016 to 2023 — we compared fracture incidence and BMI change in adults with type 2 diabetes initiating semaglutide versus dulaglutide, phentermine/topiramate, or bupropion/naltrexone, using high-dimensional propensity score matching (17,506 pairs per group).

Semaglutide was associated with greater weight loss (mean delta BMI −1.9 vs. −1.2 kg/m²; difference −0.72 kg/m², p < 0.001) and a 15% reduction in fracture incidence (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.77–0.93; p < 0.001) over a mean follow-up of 3.6 years.

18 Jun

Posted at 11:16h in Author Interviews
[caption id="attachment_74358" align="aligncenter" width="500"]healthy-dental-gums-pexels.jpg Photo by Kasim H[/caption]

The Link Between Gum Disease and Heart Health: What You Need to Know

Many people may not realise that your gums and your heart are physically connected. Evidence points over and over again to the fact that people with gum disease have a higher risk of heart problems. The biggest reason seems to be that when you have an infection in your mouth, it causes the blood vessels in your whole body to get inflamed. So it is not just teeth and gum problems that come from bad gum health. The conditions that can affect your whole body might be signaled to you at this point.

The reason why it helps to know about this connection between gum disease and heart problems is that bacteria can travel quite easily when there is inflammation. It is very likely that when gums become infected, the same bacteria responsible for the swelling and bleeding can get into the blood through the soft tissues. In fact, it is the continuous inflammatory response of the body that is suspected as the cause of the arteries getting hard and narrowed. Per research, gum disease does not directly cause heart attacks, but the correlation is strong enough that dentists and doctors treating heart diseases are now including oral hygiene as a part that needs to be taken into consideration.

17 Jun

Posted at 18:06h in Author Interviews, JAMA, Supplements
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_74329" align="alignleft" width="150"]Chun Sing (Jason) Lam, PhDPostdoctoral Research Fellow Integrative Medicine and Wellness Service Department of Medicine Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Chun Sing Lam, PhD[/caption] Chun Sing (Jason) Lam, PhD Postdoctoral Research Fellow Integrative Medicine and Wellness Service Department of Medicine Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main supplements utilized by Americans? Response: Dietary supplement use is very common among U.S. adults, but patterns of use have changed substantially over time. The supplement market has expanded, with many products now marketed for different uses. But long-term national data are limited. In this study, we analyzed 25 years of nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, from 1999 through August 2023, including 63,442 U.S. adults. Overall supplement use increased from about 51% of U.S. adults in 1999–2000 to about 60% in 2021–2023. Use of four or more supplements also increased, from 8.8% to 15%. One notable finding was that multivitamin/multimineral use declined modestly while use of individual vitamins, minerals, and specialty supplements increased. One important finding was the increase among older adults. Supplement use among adults aged 65 years and older increased from about 62% to 78%, which was the largest increase among demographic subgroups. Notable increases were seen for vitamin D, zinc, vitamin K, biotin, vitamin B12, and omega-3. Emerging trends were also seen for non-vitamin non-mineral supplements such as turmeric/curcumin, probiotics/prebiotics, collagen, elderberry, ashwagandha, and hyaluronic acid. These trends likely reflect growing consumer interest in immune support, gut health, and skin and joint health.

12 Jun

Posted at 21:16h in Author Interviews, Cancer Research, Cannabis

Editor's Note: Cannabis laws and regulations vary by country, state, and territory. This interview is for educational purposes only. Cannabis products discussed here are not endorsed by MedicalResearch.com. Patients should consult their oncologist or healthcare provider before using any cannabis or cannabinoid product, particularly during cancer treatment. Cannabis products should not be used while driving, by children, if pregnant, nursing or planning to become pregnant or mixed with other substances that can affect cognition. Cannabis products may also be contraindicated in other medical conditions or situations.

cannabis-and-cancer-posterMedicalResearch.com Interview with: Raphael E. Cuomo, PhD Associate Professor University of California, San Diego Developer and Host, Cannabis and Cancer (Apple TV Documentary)  
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this documentary? What are the primary components of cannabis plants? Response: I created Cannabis and Cancer because cannabis is now widely discussed by patients, clinicians, policymakers, and the general public, but there is still a lot of confusion about what the science actually says. Much of the public conversation treats cannabis as either broadly harmful or broadly beneficial. The reality is more complex. The documentary is meant to separate questions that are often conflated: whether cannabis exposure may influence the risk of developing cancer, whether cannabis use may affect cancer treatment or symptoms, and whether it may influence survival after a cancer diagnosis. These are very different scientific questions, and each one requires a different type of evidence. Cannabis plants contain many biologically active compounds. The most widely discussed are cannabinoids, especially THC and CBD. THC is the main intoxicating compound and is responsible for many of the psychoactive effects. CBD is not intoxicating in the same way, but it still has biological effects. Cannabis also contains other cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and plant compounds that may influence how different products affect the body.

07 Jun

Posted at 00:31h in Author Interviews, Diabetes, Technology
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_74111" align="alignleft" width="92"]Luis A. Rodriguez, PhD, MPH, RDResearch Scientist, Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research Assistant Professor, Department of Health System Sciences Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine Assistant Adjunct Professor, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics University of California, San Francisco Dr. Rodriguez[/caption] Luis A. Rodriguez, PhD, MPH, RD Research Scientist, Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research Assistant Professor, Department of Health System Sciences Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine Assistant Adjunct Professor, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics University of California, San Francisco ADA 2026 Poster Presentation: Machine-Learning Modeling for T2DM Prediction in over 3 Million Adults American Diabetes Association 85th Scientific Sessions, June 2026
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the risk factors used to develop the prediction model? Response: Type 2 diabetes develops gradually over many years, often without clear warning signs. As a result, it can be difficult for health systems to identify which adults are most likely to benefit from prevention efforts before the disease develops. In this study, we used electronic health record data from more than 3 million adults in Kaiser Permanente Northern California to develop a prediction model that estimates an individual's risk of developing type 2 diabetes over 1, 3, and 10 years. The model is based on information routinely collected during clinical care, including age, sex, race/ethnicity, body mass index, blood glucose levels, smoking, physical activity, medical and family history, and medication use. By combining these clinical, biological and behavioral factors, the model provides a more comprehensive assessment of diabetes risk than traditional screening approaches.

01 Jun

Posted at 21:25h in Author Interviews
How HPLC and LC-MS Testing Support UK Peptides

Please note: The peptides discussed in this article are sold strictly for laboratory and in vitro research purposes only. They are not approved for human use, consumption, or medical treatment. These compounds have not been evaluated by the FDA or equivalent regulatory bodies for safety or efficacy in humans. Selling peptides for human use violates UK law and equivalent regulations in many jurisdictions. MedicalResearch.com does not endorse the use of research peptides outside of properly supervised laboratory settings. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions regarding medical treatment.

Analytical testing has become an essential component in the sourcing and use of synthetic peptides for laboratory research. Accurate peptide identity confirmation is critical to ensure that the material employed in experimental assays corresponds precisely to the intended compound. This verification supports reproducibility and reliability in scientific studies involving peptides. This article explores the complementary roles of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) in peptide analysis. It focuses on their application in verifying peptide purity and molecular identity, emphasizing the importance of lot-specific certificates of analysis (COAs) and cold-chain handling in maintaining material integrity. While UKPeptides.com is referenced as an example of a supplier providing analytical documentation, the principles discussed are broadly applicable across research peptide sourcing.

01 Jun

Posted at 16:50h in Author Interviews
Editor's note: This piece discusses mental health issues. If you have experienced suicidal thoughts or have lost someone to suicide and want to seek help, you can contact the Crisis Text Line by texting "START" to 741-741 or call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. merging-integrative-medicine-and-mental-health Recent epidemiological data underscore severe public health disparities among underserved demographics. African Americans and Hispanics consistently demonstrate lower rates of mental health service utilization compared to Whites, despite experiencing similar or higher prevalence of trauma, stress, and crisis. Furthermore, LGBTQ+ populations, especially gay men and trans people, consistently demonstrate high rates of mental health need and suicide attempts. Further marginalization based on income, gender, disability, and education levels also exacerbate these gaps. In response to these alarming statistics, The Holistic Healing Source for Marginalized Society recently convened The 2026 Free Community Mental Health Breakfast. By merging integrative medicine with community-level mental health advocacy, the symposium aimed to promote comprehensive wellness and immediately accessible resources for vulnerable groups.

21 May

Posted at 09:53h in Author Interviews
  neck-problems-not-to-be-ignored.png

Common Neck Problems People Should Never Ignore

Neck discomfort has become increasingly common in modern life. Many people spend long hours sitting at desks, looking down at phones, or working on computers without realizing how much strain these habits place on the neck and upper spine. While occasional stiffness after a long day may seem harmless, persistent neck pain or unusual symptoms can sometimes signal more serious problems that should not be ignored. The neck supports the weight of the head while also protecting important nerves and spinal structures that affect movement, sensation, and overall body function. When these structures become irritated or compressed, symptoms may spread beyond the neck itself and begin affecting the shoulders, arms, hands, or even daily activities like sleeping and driving. Understanding common neck problems and recognizing warning signs early can help people seek appropriate care before symptoms begin interfering with their quality of life.

19 May

Posted at 11:00h in Author Interviews, Depression, JAMA, LSD-Psychodelics
Editor's note: This piece discusses mental health issues. If you have experienced suicidal thoughts or have lost someone to suicide and want to seek help, you can contact the Crisis Text Line by texting "START" to 741-741 or call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. [caption id="attachment_73822" align="alignleft" width="200"]Hampus Yngwe, MD, MScCentre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, and Stockholm Health Care Services Stockholm, Sweden Dr. Hampus Yngwe[/caption] MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Hampus Yngwe, MD, MSc Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, and Stockholm Health Care Services Stockholm, Sweden MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Depression is a common and disabling condition and current treatments do not work for all patients. Psilocybin has shown promise as a rapid-acting treatment, but more controlled studies are needed to clarify its effects, durability and safety.

30 Apr

Posted at 12:31h in Author Interviews
[caption id="attachment_73541" align="aligncenter" width="500"]can-two-people-get-sober-together.jpg pexels[/caption]

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available.

Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. To learn how to get support for mental health, drug or alcohol conditions, visit FindSupport.gov. If you are ready to locate a treatment facility or provider, visit FindTreatment.gov or call 800-662-HELP (4357).

U.S. veterans or service members in crisis can call 988 then press "1" for the Veterans Crisis Line, text 838255, or chat online.

The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has a Spanish language line at 1-888-628-9454 (toll-free).

It's the question every clinician has heard from a worried family member at intake: "They're both using. If we send them both to treatment, won't they just relapse together?" It's a fair question. It's also, according to a surprisingly robust body of research, the wrong one. The better question is whether the couple gets the right kind of treatment — because the data on couples in recovery is more nuanced, and more hopeful, than the conventional wisdom suggests.

29 Apr

Posted at 10:56h in Author Interviews, Cancer Research, Genetic Research
[caption id="attachment_73528" align="alignleft" width="200"]Dr. Yuval Malka, PhDFaculty of Medicine Hebrew University and Founder & CEO of Modular Therapeutics BV Dr. Yuval Malka, PhD[/caption] MedicalResearch.com Interview with Dr. Yuval Malka, PhD Faculty of Medicine Hebrew University and Founder & CEO of Modular Therapeutics BV and Dr. William Faller PhD University of Bristol discussing their new study on RNA dicing — a fundamental mechanism that generates multiple functional protein outputs from a single mRNA molecule — and its implications for cancer biology and therapeutics.

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: This study is a follow-up to previous work published in recent years (Malka et al., Nature Communications 2017; Malka et al., Molecular Cell 2022), in which we discovered that the mRNA of thousands of genes can be further processed into smaller fragments that translate into shorter proteins. On one hand, this finding helps bridge the gap between our understanding of the transcriptome - traditionally limited to ~20,000 genes and the proteome, which contains hundreds of thousands to potentially millions of distinct protein and peptide isoforms. On the other hand, those earlier studies did not provide sufficient biological insight into this extensive and robust process. The current study represents the third part of this trilogy, introducing a new concept in RNA biology termed "RNA dicing." We show that RNA dicing in eukaryotic systems enables the production of multiple functional protein outputs from a single mRNA molecule. How does this work? Most proteins consist of several domains, each with a distinct function, for example, mediating protein–protein interactions, determining subcellular localization, or carrying catalytic activity. We demonstrate that RNA dicing selectively removes portions of the mRNA template, resulting in the translation of shorter proteins lacking specific domains. This leads to substantial changes in protein function, localization, and interaction partners. In simple terms, RNA dicing mediates modular gene expression.

28 Apr

Posted at 22:27h in Author Interviews, Pain Research, Surgical Research
MedicalResearch.com Interview with a VERTEX Spokesperson discussing suzetrigine (JOURNAVX®), a first-in-class non-opioid pain signal inhibitor, and new Phase 4 data presented at the 2026 Annual Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine meeting.

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: There is a critical need for effective, safe non-opioid analgesics to help manage pain and reduce reliance on opioids. Despite significant safety and tolerability concerns such as addiction, opioid use disorder (OUD) and gastrointestinal side effects, opioids remain a common approach for managing moderate-to-severe acute pain. Our recent phase 4, single-arm study assessing suzetrigine in patients who underwent arthroscopic orthopedic procedures or laparoscopic abdominal or gynecological procedures highlighted the transformative potential for suzetrigine to be used as part of an opioid-free multimodal therapy for patients with moderate-to-severe acute pain. JOURNAVX® (suzetrigine) is a first-in-class, prescription non-opioid pain signal inhibitor for the treatment of moderate-to-severe acute pain, including postoperative pain, in adults. It works by selectively inhibiting the NaV1.8 sodium channel on peripheral nociceptors and, therefore, is not believed to have the addiction potential and tolerability issues associated with centrally acting opioids.

18 Apr

Posted at 17:27h in Author Interviews, PT-Rehabilitation, Rheumatology
[caption id="attachment_73342" align="aligncenter" width="500"]knee-compression-osteoarthritis.jpg Photo by Terry Shultz P.T. on Unsplash[/caption] Symptomatic knee osteoarthritis affects roughly 13.8 percent of adults over 40, making it one of the most common causes of chronic joint pain worldwide. As clinicians increasingly prioritize conservative management over early pharmacological intervention, non-pharmacological strategies have gained renewed attention. Among these, compression bracing has emerged as a subject of growing research interest, with recent meta-analyses suggesting measurable benefits for pain, stiffness, and physical function. A body of evidence now supports the idea that compression knee support shown to improve joint proprioception through stimulation of cutaneous mechanoreceptors surrounding the joint capsule. This mechanism, first described in biomechanical research published in the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine (PubMed 15388537), offers a physiological rationale for what many patients report anecdotally: that wearing a compression sleeve makes the knee feel more stable during movement. For clinicians weighing treatment options, the question is no longer whether bracing has a role in osteoarthritis care, but which type of brace matches a given patient's needs.