Medical Notes: Reversing Liver Damage, How Omega-3 Fatty Acids Fight Cancer, And Are Newborn Babies Conscious?

Liver damage can be deadly, but you may be able to reverse it.

Stress and aging can cause severe scarring, disease, and even organ failure. Just simply getting older causes some liver cells to die off. Thankfully, research in the journal Nature Aging demonstrates that this damage is partially reversible. An experimental treatment can block the cell death from occurring, keeping the liver healthy for longer. (Duke University)

Do you have a higher risk of cancer?

Adding more fats into your diet may help. New research in the International Journal Of Cancer reveals that omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are linked to a lower risk of developing various types of cancers. These healthy fats can be found in nuts and fish, but increasing your omega-3 consumption may not be good for everyone. The high levels may also be associated with a greater risk of prostate cancer, so consult a health professional before making any changes to your diet. (University of Georgia)

Can we reverse antibiotic resistance?

Scientists are trying to find out how to use our current medications more efficiently and effectively, instead of developing new drugs to fight the resistance. As part of this mission, new research in Nature Communications has discovered how resistant genes spread so fast. They duplicate and jump from strain to strain, helping each one form a resistance to new drugs. (Duke University)

You may want to skip your next caffeine fix.

Energy drinks have become a coffee substitute for many people, but this strategy isn’t the best option for your health. Regular consumption can cause high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, and issues with sleep. The high sugar content in many energy drinks also contributes to weight gain and higher chances of developing cardiovascular issues later in life.(University of Rochester)

How much of the world can newborn babies understand?

By measuring the brain activity of infants, scientists have found new evidence for the awareness of newborns. The article, published in the journal Neuron, shows that consciousness may develop in babies earlier than we thought. In fact, there’s an ongoing debate on whether they’re able to have this awareness in the womb as well. (NYU)