Author: Tom Patriot

The potentially deadly bacterium that’s on everyone’s skin

Tom Patriot

Forget MRSA and E. coli. There’s another bacterium that is becoming increasingly dangerous due to antibiotic resistance — and it’s present on the skin of every person on the planet. A close relative of MRSA, Staphylococcus epidermidis, is a major cause of life-threatening infections after surgery, but it is often overlooked by clinicians and scientists because it is so abundant. Researchers from the Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath warn that the threat posed by this organism should be taken more seriously and use extra precautions for those at…

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New molecules reverse memory loss linked to depression, aging

Tom Patriot

New therapeutic molecules developed at Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) show promise in reversing the memory loss linked to depression and aging. These molecules not only rapidly improve symptoms, but remarkably, also appear to renew the underlying brain impairments causing memory loss in preclinical models. “Currently there are no medications to treat cognitive symptoms such as memory loss that occur in depression, other mental illnesses and aging,” says Dr. Etienne Sibille, Deputy Director of the Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute at CAMH and lead scientist on…

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Lady Gaga Wins Third Grammy of the Night as She Gives Emotional Speech About Mental Health

Tom Patriot

Lady Gaga took home her third Grammy of the night thanks to her smash hit “Shallow” from A Star Is Born. Gaga nabbed the award for best pop/group performance for the film’s duet at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards Sunday night, beating out Christina Aguilera and Demi Lovato for “Fall in Line,” Backstreet Boys for “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” Tony Bennett and Diana Krall for “S Wonderful” and Maroon 5 and Cardi B for “Girls Like You.” “I gotta thank God, thank you for looking out for me. Thank you for my family at home, I…

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Accelerated risk of mobility loss for people aged 60+ tied to excess weight/inactivity

Tom Patriot

The combination of excess weight/obesity and an inactive lifestyle represents a powerful joint risk factor for developing mobility loss after age 60, according to a new study. Millions of Americans age 65 and older have difficulty walking, a disability that puts them at high risk of falls and a loss of independence. Other studies had suggested obesity and lifestyle factors such as lack of physical activity played a role in developing this loss of mobility. However, this is the first study to follow participants over time and examine the joint…

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