Major surgeries, such as heart bypass, may increase the risk of dementia. A study in the journal JAMA Neurology finds that blood levels of a protein that’s highly predictive of Alzheimer’s disease rise markedly during major surgery…and remain high for at least two days. The study may explain why about half of patients have memory and cognitive problems after heart surgery. About 10% of patients have symptoms that last a year or longer. Researchers say the study was small, but still, you might want to think about the least invasive surgery possible.
Gun violence is up by 30% since the start of the pandemic. A study in the journal Scientific Reports shows that the number of shootings was up significantly in 28 States in the first year of the pandemic. In some states, such as Minnesota, Michigan, and New York, shooting deaths, suicides and gun related injuries were up by more than 100%. Researchers say stress, fear and uncertainty have driven many people to buy guns. For example, in March 2020, at the start of the pandemic, handgun sales nationwide were up 41%.
Could the anxiety of being heard by someone else play a role in stuttering? A new study in the Journal of Fluency Disorders shows that adults who stutter don’t do it if they think no one else is listening. It’s the first scientific evidence of what’s long been reported, something called the “talk-alone-effect.” Researchers say it’s difficult to create laboratory conditions where a stutterer truly believes they’re not being overheard. Hence the difficulty in confirming it with scientific surety.
And finally, about half of pregnancies in the United States are unintended. Now a study in the journal Demographic Research shows that most of the time couples don’t think they need contraception because it’s impossible for them to get pregnant. Researchers say these pregnancies also typically result in a late start to prenatal care. Women don’t even consider the need if they don’t think it’s possible they might be pregnant.
Medical Notes 21-46: Week of November 14, 2021
Major surgeries, such as heart bypass, may increase the risk of dementia. A study in the journal JAMA Neurology finds that blood levels of a protein that’s highly predictive of Alzheimer’s disease rise markedly during major surgery…and remain high for at least two days. The study may explain why about half of patients have memory and cognitive problems after heart surgery. About 10% of patients have symptoms that last a year or longer. Researchers say the study was small, but still, you might want to think about the least invasive surgery possible.
Gun violence is up by 30% since the start of the pandemic. A study in the journal Scientific Reports shows that the number of shootings was up significantly in 28 States in the first year of the pandemic. In some states, such as Minnesota, Michigan, and New York, shooting deaths, suicides and gun related injuries were up by more than 100%. Researchers say stress, fear and uncertainty have driven many people to buy guns. For example, in March 2020, at the start of the pandemic, handgun sales nationwide were up 41%.
Could the anxiety of being heard by someone else play a role in stuttering? A new study in the Journal of Fluency Disorders shows that adults who stutter don’t do it if they think no one else is listening. It’s the first scientific evidence of what’s long been reported, something called the “talk-alone-effect.” Researchers say it’s difficult to create laboratory conditions where a stutterer truly believes they’re not being overheard. Hence the difficulty in confirming it with scientific surety.
And finally, about half of pregnancies in the United States are unintended. Now a study in the journal Demographic Research shows that most of the time couples don’t think they need contraception because it’s impossible for them to get pregnant. Researchers say these pregnancies also typically result in a late start to prenatal care. Women don’t even consider the need if they don’t think it’s possible they might be pregnant.
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