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  • A Usually “Harmless Virus” May Trigger or Contribute to Parkinson’s Disease

    A usually harmless virus might be an environmental trigger or contributor to Parkinson’s disease, a new study suggests. Researchers at Northwestern Medicine developed a tool called ‘ViroFind,’ which detects 565 viruses known to infect humans in a single assay or test. They analyzed post-mortem brain samples from 10 people with Parkinson’s disease and 14 control…

  • ‘Harmless’ Virus Might Trigger Parkinson’s Disease, Researchers Say

    A common virus once thought harmless to humans might be linked to Parkinson’s disease, a new study says. The germ, Human Pegivirus (HPgV), was found in half the autopsied brains of patients with Parkinson’s, but not in any brains from healthy people, researchers reported July 8 in the journal JCI Insight. “HPgV is a common,…

  • Never smoked? You could still be at risk of developing lung cancer, doctors warn

    Lung cancer, the second-most common cancer in the U.S., is often associated with smoking — but even those who have never had a cigarette could be at risk of the deadly disease. While it’s true that those who smoke face a much higher risk, up to 20% of lung cancers affect people who have never…

  • What to Do About Your Red, Itchy Eyes

    Allergic conjunctivitis is triggered by airborne allergens, like pollen that wafts off trees, grasses, and weeds. Minimizing contact with allergens is the best way to protect your eyes. You can do that by staying inside, keeping your windows shut, and using your A/C if you have access to one. It’s also a good idea to…

  • Seemingly harmless, symptomless virus may actually cause Parkinson’s disease: study

    While some cases of Parkinson’s disease are genetic, the vast majority have no known cause. Now, scientists have discovered that a virus that has flown under the radar for years might be a potential contributor to the neurodegenerative disorder. “We wanted to investigate potential environmental factors – such as viruses – that might contribute to…

  • Northwestern Medicine launches program for patients with obesity concerns who are planning a pregnancy

    Northwestern Medicine has launched a program to help patients who have concerns related to obesity and are planning a pregnancy. Women with higher levels of body fat sometimes struggle to conceive and can face greater health risks during pregnancy. Christina Boots, MD, MSCI, a reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist and one of the clinicians in…

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