health lab Articles

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Health Lab

Gene therapy for rare epilepsy shows promise in mice

Dravet syndrome and other developmental epileptic encephalopathies are rare but devastating conditions. Research from Michigan Medicine takes aim at variant in SCN1B, which causes an even more severe form of DEE.
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Health Lab

Mitochondria may hold the key to curing diabetes

Mitochondria are essential for generating energy that fuels cells and helps them function. In a new study researchers used mice to show that dysfunctional mitochondria also trigger a response that affects the maturation and function of β-cells.
two Black women standing next to eachother, one in a pink tank top, one in long sleeve purple shirt, with yoga purple matts
Health Lab

Using culture to encourage exercise can help close a cancer survival gap – and improve quality of life 

Angela Fong, Ph.D., an assistant professor of applied exercise science at the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology and a member of the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center, says a variety of factors can contribute to a lower five-year survival rate of cancer among members of racialized and historically marginalized groups.
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Health Lab

Protect yourself from dry eyes this winter

Roni Shtein, a Michigan Medicine ophthamologist, answers questions about why dry eye disease occurs and what measures we can take to ensure our eyes stay hydrated throughout the winter.
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Health Lab

ALS survival may be cut short by living in disadvantaged communities 

Living in a disadvantaged community may decrease the length of time a person can survive with ALS by over 30%, a Michigan Medicine-led study finds.
mom and son and dog in front of the survival flight helicopter
Health Lab

Therapy dog supports teen through recovery after serious dirt bike accident

Evan Sanders had a dirtbike accident which left him with fractures across the left side of his body. During his hospital stay, service dog Barney helped Evan with his rehabilitation goals, including a visit to the Survival Flight helicopter.
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Health Lab

Longtime Michigan football announcer makes call on heart health

A famous sports announcer for University of Michigan football finds himself getting heart care at Michigan Medicine and spreading the word to others to be proactive about their heart health.
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Health Lab

Woman seeks another answer for uterine fibroids after advice to undergo a hysterectomy

After a recommendation to get a hysterectomy for uterine fibroids, Joyvina Evans persistently sought a second opinion for the condition known to disproportionately affect Black people.
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Health Lab

How do you treat rotator-cuff tears?

Rotator-cuff tears appear most in adults over the age of 40. These injuries are typically treated with physical therapy and surgical intervention as a last resort.
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Health Lab

Topical Mupirocin lowers lupus inflammation

J. Michelle Kahlenberg, M.D., Ph.D., led a team of researchers looking at an alternative treatment for lupus rashes with a topical treatment called mupirocin. 
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Health Lab

Diagnostic stewardship optimizes detection of appendicitis

University of Michigan researchers found that emergency departments vary widely in how they balance the need to diagnose appendicitis with the potential harms of overtesting.
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Health Lab

Exercise can reduce your cancer risk and help prevent its return

A director of exercise and health behavior in oncology shares ways to help cancer survivors live longer and better lives by incorporating exercise and other physical activity into everyday routines.
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Health Lab

Fluoride Q&A: An expert breaks down how it helps kids, and its unique history in Michigan

Sarah Clark, M.P.H., from the Department of Pediatrics at Michigan Medicine, answers what fluoride is and why it supports healthy teeth.
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Health Lab

Adderall shortage may be associated with increased use of alternative ADHD medication in kids

Study suggests that the Adderall shortage did not cause many children to stop stimulant therapy altogether but may have led to them switching to alternative stimulants for ADHD.
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Health Lab

Firearm hospitalizations dropped before the pandemic, then shot up

Hospital stays related to gun injuries dipped then rose sharply, and paralleled gun sales trends, with disparities by age, race and health insurance status.