Researchers discover novel mediator of once-mysterious chronic itch

Although it was first reported in 1880, there has been little research conducted on prurigo nodularis (PN), an inflammatory chronic skin disorder characterized by firm, intensely itchy nodules that appear across the arms, legs and torso. PN disrupts the sleep and quality of life of those afflicted, and while its cause is largely unknown, it’s …

Study says failure to rid amyloid beta protein from brain may lead to Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is one of medicine’s most elusive thieves, a disease that slowly and irreversibly robs a person’s ability to think, reason, remember and maintain normal body functioning. The underlying cause of Alzheimer’s disease is unknown, but researchers believe that one of the prime suspects is a microscopic fragment of protein known as amyloid beta …

Molecular changes in tissue microenvironment may promote colorectal cancer

According to the National Cancer Institute, colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer diagnosed in the United States, predicted to strike nearly 150,000 people in 2021. The agency also estimates the disease will kill approximately 53,000 Americans this year, making it the nation’s second leading cause of cancer mortality. Even more disturbing, say the …

Rural residents, American Indians travel farthest for certified stroke care

The distance a stroke patient must travel to receive care at a certified stroke center differs by race, age, income and insurance status, with the largest disparities found among rural residents and American Indians, according to a combined analysis of U.S. census data and road maps published today in Stroke.