The hottest Medical Science Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

Cancer Science in On a Tear

Ground Truths • 7436 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Cancer Research Medical Science Therapeutics Biotechnology Genomics
  1. Recent research has made great progress in understanding cancer, revealing that many cancer cells may come from multiple clones. This helps explain how cancer develops and spreads.
  2. Studies are showing how powerful visual mapping of tumors can be, especially for identifying how different immune responses affect the growth of cancers like breast and ovarian cancer.
  3. New insights into circular DNA in cancer cells are revealing its role in tumor growth and resistance to treatments. There is even potential for new therapies targeting this DNA to combat cancer.

Thinking about a cure for pain, again

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 597 implied HN points • 25 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Pain management Medical Science Chronic Pain Diabetes Mental health
  1. Pain is a fundamental part of being human and signals when something is wrong, yet we still don't fully understand how it works or how to treat it effectively.
  2. Diabetes can cause specific types of nerve pain that result from damage to the nerves, often making it hard for those affected to find relief.
  3. Researchers might need to focus on targeting pain at the nerve level to find better solutions, potentially using advanced methods like gene therapy.

Letter from Harvard

Natural Selections • 10 implied HN points • 20 May 25
🔬 Science Research Funding Medical Science Cancer Research Public Policy Higher education
  1. The end of federal funding for research can hurt students, especially those from low-income families, making it harder for them to contribute to important medical advancements.
  2. A lot of scientific research relies on federal money, and cuts can disrupt ongoing projects and harm future innovation, making it a complex issue beyond just budget cuts.
  3. Having more people involved in science is great, but it raises questions about how to fund it fairly. We need to ensure that decisions on funding are made wisely and not based on popularity.
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The Validation and Frustration of Stunkard et al.

Weight and Healthcare • 619 implied HN points • 11 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Research Body positivity Medical Science Healthcare systems
  1. Stunkard et al.'s 1959 study on weight loss interventions revealed the ineffectiveness and harmfulness of most programs from as early as the 1950s.
  2. The study highlighted common flaws in weight loss research, such as short-duration studies, lack of specific data on individual outcomes, and the exclusion of unsuccessful participants.
  3. It's frustrating to see that the failure of weight loss interventions has been consistently validated since the 1950s, yet the weight loss industry continues to grow, offering dangerous and expensive solutions.

Do masks work?

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1068 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Health Education Public Health Epidemiology Medical Science Disease Prevention
  1. The science around masks is complex, with considerations like the type of mask, disease, social context, and transmission period.
  2. Research shows masks can be effective in reducing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at both an individual and population level.
  3. The effectiveness of masks is influenced by factors like compliance, type of mask, and social setting, requiring a nuanced approach to policies and recommendations.

A Premature Declaration of Success

The Heart Attack Diet • 139 implied HN points • 25 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Diet Nutrition Medical Science Weight management
  1. The impact of PUFAs on weight gain in mice should be common knowledge and thoroughly researched, yet there seems to be confusion and skepticism around the topic.
  2. The idea that PUFAs are linked to obesity raises questions about why this information isn't widely accepted and why PUFAs are still prevalent in food.
  3. Eliminating PUFAs and adjusting protein intake could potentially lead to significant health benefits and weight management, highlighting the potential impact of dietary changes.

On Incomprehensible Mystery

The Heart Attack Diet • 79 implied HN points • 06 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Weight Loss Medical Science Research
  1. Understanding complex mysteries often involves asking the right questions and breaking down the problem into simpler elements. Once the core questions are identified, solutions become clearer.
  2. History shows that even the most intricate scientific challenges eventually yield to persistent inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge. What may seem incomprehensible at first can become simple with the right approach.
  3. Science is not just about conducting studies and publishing results, but about finding answers through experimentation and continual questioning. The key lies in identifying the right questions and trusting in replicable, well-designed studies.

Robert Roberson Is Going to Die Because Courts Aren't Built for Science Questions

The Medicine & Justice Project • 7 HN points • 20 Jun 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Medical Science Legal system Criminal Justice
  1. Courts may not be equipped to handle complex scientific questions, potentially leading to wrongful convictions or sentences.
  2. Medical diagnoses like shaken baby syndrome can evolve over time with new scientific evidence, impacting legal cases like Robert Roberson's.
  3. Challenges arise when legal systems fail to adapt to new scientific knowledge, creating obstacles for individuals seeking justice based on updated understanding.

Neospora Caninum: A Protozoan Parasite Not to Be Ignored

Tessa Fights Robots • 32 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Medical Science Cancer Treatment
  1. Researchers propose infecting people with a parasite to treat cancer, based on the belief that it doesn't harm humans - a controversial idea with potentially serious implications.
  2. Protozoan parasites, such as Neospora caninum, are prevalent in dogs and cattle, causing issues like leg paralysis in puppies and spontaneous abortions in cattle, highlighting the complexity of parasitic infections.
  3. Medical misconceptions exist around well-studied parasites like Toxoplasma gondii, with doctors often overlooking long-term implications and potential reactivation of the parasite, leading to underdiagnosis and lack of comprehensive treatment.

Trust Pediatricians

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 18 Oct 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Pediatrics Vaccines Children's Health Public Health Medical Science
  1. Children generally fare well if they get COVID-19, with hospitalization rates for the age group 5-11 being quite low.
  2. Data on the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 shows promising safety and efficacy, with a robust immune response and minimal side effects.
  3. It's essential to have open discussions and consider evolving information about vaccines and COVID-19 risks to make informed decisions for children.