High school athletic participation can predicts future drug abuse
A recent study has found that senior athletes are more likely to misuse prescription stimulants than non-athletes. In fact, players in a contact sport are almost 50 percent more likely to abuse stimulants within ten years after graduation. Scientists suggest that student athletes should be screened for drug use and then monitored as they move into young adulthood. The research is published in the American Journal of Epidemiology (University of Michigan).
How different are human and animal brains?
A new study published in the journal Science has finally identified the features that make us human. Unfortunately, researchers believe the human-specific characteristics also make us susceptible to neurological disorders. A certain type of immune cell in our brain is one of five cell types not found in other primate species. However, scientists think it’s also part of what makes us vulnerable to diseases (Yale University).
The birth defect that may prevent healing in broken bones
Researchers have discovered that people with Down syndrome may not be able to heal from bone fractures. The study, published in the journal Bone, uses mice to show how the fractures aren’t able to fully repair in a Down syndrome model. These findings show a need for doctors to provide specialized care for people with this condition (Texas A&M University).
Americans are ditching their sleep medication
After decades of increased use, researchers have found a 31 percent decline between 2013 and 2018. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, also reports that people over the age of 80 show an 86 percent decrease in their use of sleep medication. Scientists hope we continue this trend and begin using behavioral treatments to manage our nighttime issues instead of drugs.
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