Why aren’t people getting the addiction treatment they need?
A study published in JAMA found that less than 25 percent of people experiencing opioid addiction get the proper medications to treat it. These include methadone and naltrexone, which are widely considered to be the best treatments for opioid addiction. Researchers think this is due to the heavy regulations surrounding these drugs, and the fact that many medical schools don’t include opioid addiction treatment in their curriculum, leaving many doctors under prepared.
Can eating disorders be caused by your genes?
New research in Nature Mental Health finds that people with a greater genetic risk for high body mass index were more likely to show symptoms of eating disorders. Interestingly, the shape of a person’s brain can also affect the presence of these conditions. This shows that eating disorders may develop earlier than previously thought. Scientists have found that certain brain structure can cause symptoms in children as early as 10 years old (Yale University).
Your cells are talking to each other
Scientists say that the cells in our body work together as a team to be more efficient. Just like grandfather clocks, these cells synchronize when they’re next to each other and adjust their workload accordingly. For example, researchers discovered that synchronized cells produce more of one disease-fighting super protein compared to cells that worked independently. The study, published in Cell Systems, is a big step in understanding how cells communicate, which is still a medical mystery (University of Copenhagen).
You’ve heard birds sing, but what about mosquitoes?
New research in Nature Communications suggests that the annoying buzz of a mosquito is actually a mating call. Scientists have recently discovered that the flying pests have tiny ear-like antennae which can detect the buzzing of potential mates. Researchers hope this discovery leads to new insecticides that target those hearing systems and make mating more difficult.
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