The human immune system is a nearly perfect defense mechanism. It protects the body from bacteria, viruses and other pathogens. It recognizes incipient tumors and eliminates them. It cleans cellular debris at the site of injury or infection. In order to fulfill its myriad functions, the immune system must first and foremost distinguish between self … Read more
We often tend to think of measles as an embarrassing childhood disease with those red spots that gradually cover the whole body but are harmless and overcome. Wrongly so: it is a serious viral disease that is very contagious (an infected person can infect 15 to 20 others; it is contagious on average before the … Read more
Cases of opioid poisoning and sales of these analgesics have increased significantly in Switzerland over the past twenty years. The number of calls to Tox Info has tripled. This is the result of a study by ETHZ researchers. “Our study clearly shows that the consumption of opioids in Switzerland is increasing rapidly,” said Andrea Burden, … Read more
A growing body of evidence shows the degree of interdependence between hosts and their gut microbiota, illustrating the importance of the gut-brain axis to human health. Byproducts of the gut microbiota are known to circulate in the bloodstream and regulate host physiological processes, including immunity, metabolism, but also brain function. This is a first established … Read more
The formation of blood vessels or angiogenesis is a complex process. This process involves multiple inhibition and stimulation mechanisms that are activated simultaneously, “like the cogs in a wheel”. Certain cells in blood vessels, so-called endothelial cells, play a key role and regulate the exchange between blood and tissue, says lead author Prof. Ralf Benndorf, … Read more
Why is that important? Alzheimer’s disease is a tauopathy in which dementia is particularly associated with a Neurofibrillary Degeneration Associated with Phosphorylated Tau Protein. Preclinical studies have shown that passive immunotherapy directed against the tau protein can slow down the progression of this degeneration, specific monoclonal antibodies have been developed. Semorinemab (or RG6100) is a … Read more
STI, abortion, endometriosis: Almost every second woman finds it difficult to rely on her intimate health Photo credit: Getty With summer — namely, the time of year most conducive to a more active sex life — finally coming to an end, it’s an alarming situation that the latest YouGov Institute study finds for Livi. These … Read more
Mansong Suttakarn/Shutterstock Sprain or strain? You trip and hurt your ankle. Ouch! She’s swollen, she’s throbbing… it’s definitely a sprain. Uh, or maybe a sprain? What is the difference between the two? If you keep confusing sprains with strains, you’re not alone. “It’s easy to confuse sprains with strains because in both cases the soft … Read more
What to eat after a sporting activity? That’s the question everyone asks, especially when trying to achieve a specific goal and get results. In connection with strength training, reference is made in particular to weight loss or mass gain. Depending on your goals, it’s important to recharge your batteries after physical exertion without gorging on … Read more
It’s vacation time and we all hope to take full advantage of it. Here’s a little guide to not ruining those precious moments of freedom as new, highly contagious variants of COVID-19 take effect as summer begins. Will the summer of 2022 be different from the previous ones, marked by a lull in the pandemic? … Read more