Medical Notes: How Cancer Hijacks Our Internal Clock, The Dangers Of Dirt, And Is Alcohol Ever Good For You?

How cancer hijacks our internal clock.

All of our cells are set to a specific time managed by the brain that tells them when to perform their functions. However, new research in Cancer Cell reveals that brain cancer takes advantage of this process. The tumor’s able to sync up with the circadian clock and work its own growth into the natural daily processes of the body. These findings reveal why certain drugs affect brain tumors differently.

Why we should be wary of dirt.

Antibiotic resistance is estimated to only get worse in the coming years – taking away many of our options for effective medication. New research in Nature Communications shows that bacteria in soil may be aiding this scary future. Pollution and changing land use can disturb this ecosystem and make it easier for the resistant bacteria in dirt to infect humans.

Science may have found a cure for nightmares.

Patients with dream anxiety disorder experience chronic nightmares where they’re being chased or attacked by demonic beings. It can cause other mental distress, but thankfully virtual reality may ease some of these scary dreams. Researchers used imagery rehearsal therapy to replace nightmare imagery with less frightening scenes. The participants reported lower levels of anxiety, nightmare distress, and nightmare effects by the end of the study. The research is published in the journal Dreaming.

Is alcohol ever good for you?

There have long been claims that a glass of red wine at night can promote heart health, but a substance use researcher believes these effects have been overstated. The scientist reviewed hundreds of studies and found that even moderate drinking will reduce life expectancy.