Men addicted to internet gaming have different levels of activity in areas of the brain associated with impulsiveness than women with the same addiction, a new study shows. "Altered brain functions may be one of the factors causing the sex variances in the severity of internet dependency," said lead researcher Yawen Sun, MD, from Renji Hospital at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine.

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection may activate dormant herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), leading to neuroinflammation and accumulation of Alzheimer's disease (AD)–related proteins in the brain, new research suggests. Previous research has suggested a correlation between HSV-1 and AD and involvement of VZV. However, the sequence of events that the viruses create to set the disease in motion has been unclear.

@yashav To develop the algorithm, Aboagye and colleagues divided the brain into 115 regions and allocated 660 different features, such as size, shape, and texture, to assess each region. They trained the algorithm to identify where changes to these features could accurately predict AD. Using data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), the team tested their algorithm on brain scans from more than 400 patients with early and later stage AD, healthy controls, and patients with other neurologic conditions, including frontotemporal dementia and Parkinson's disease.

@olibhiya For context, on April 5, the United Kingdom reported about 10 cases of acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children younger than 10 in Scotland with no underlying conditions. Seven days later, the UK reported that 61 additional cases were under investigation in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the majority of which were in children aged 2-5 years. The cases in the United Kingdom presented with severe acute hepatitis, with increased liver enzyme levels (aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and alanine aminotransferase [ALT] levels above 500 IU/L), and most presented with jaundice. Some reported gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting in the previous weeks.

@kanish Over a median follow-up of 15.8 years, 432 (7.8%) participants went on to have a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, and the presence of four species and two clusters at baseline were significantly associated with the development of type 2 diabetes. The four species include Clostridium citroniae (hazard ratio [HR], 1.21; unadjusted P = .02), C. bolteae (HR, 1.20; unadjusted P = .01), Tyzzerella nexilis (HR, 1.17; unadjusted P = .03), and Ruminococcus gnavus (HR, 1.17; P = .04). And the two positively associated clusters mostly consisted of the same species (both HR, 1.18). Importantly, the associations were nearly the same among participants in eastern and western Finland, which are known for having unique genetic as well as lifestyle differences that impact morbidity and mortality.

@yash-0 At the beginning of the pandemic, we were asked by a member of the media if we could offer any insight about how anxiety in particular was affecting people during the pandemic, since we were the only ones with a database that could give quantitative detail. The results of their screen could also help find that information in real time.

@japmaan Many times, you can prevent a stiff neck with some lifestyle changes and ergonomic workplace tools. Prevention may also mean breaking some bad habits, like poor posture. In addition, regular exercise can strengthen your muscles and make them less likely to be strained or injured. Also, not smoking or quitting smoking can help prevent neck pain. Quitting can be difficult. Talk to your doctor to create a quit-smoking plan that is right for you. If you have a painful, stiff neck, you can try several remedies to reduce the pain and lessen the stiffness. Many of these remedies can also be used for prevention.

Apply heat or ice
Apply ice for 20 minutes a few times a day to help relieve neck inflammation. You can also alternate between applying ice and heat. Taking a warm bath or shower or using a heating pad may also help.
Take OTC pain relievers
Over-the-counter pain relievers like the following can help reduce the pain:
ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
naproxen sodium (Aleve)
acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Hello, My 3 years old toddler is having a habit of spitting, what should I do? Why it happens and how to make my child stop? Please help me with your suggestions.

@yash During the winter season, there is nothing more comforting than snuggling in your razai with the room heater on. But doctors warn that leaving your heaters on for the entire night cannot only lead to sleepless nights, dry skin, and allergy but can even prove to be fatal. Sleeping with the heater on increases the levels of carbon monoxide in the room above the safe level. People with heart disease may get chest pain, while smokers with heart disease are particularly at risk, so are young children and elderly. The risk of asphyxia (sleep death) is high when using gas heaters. The excessive carbon monoxide in the room chokes the supply of blood to the brain, which can lead to haemorrhage and eventually death.

@june Hair loss may occur during the first few months of treatment. This effect is usually temporary as your body adjusts to this medication. If this effect persists or worsens, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious effects of high thyroid hormone levels occur: increased sweating, sensitivity to heat, mental/mood changes (such as nervousness, mood swings), tiredness, diarrhea, shaking (tremor), headache, shortness of breath.