Latest news with #ScienceDaily
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Could GLP-1 Drugs Potentially Help Treat Cancer? 1 Promising Study Suggests They Might
Key Points Obesity is linked to many diseases, including cancer. A recent study found that tumors in mice shrank after they were administered tirzepatide. It could take years for GLP-1 drugs to obtain regulatory approval as cancer-related treatments. 10 stocks we like better than Eli Lilly › GLP-1 agonist drugs like Zepbound and Mounjaro from drugmaker Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) continue to rise in popularity as people are hopeful about the weight loss they can achieve with their help. But a growing number of studies suggest that they could be useful in indications beyond diabetes and weight loss. One particularly intriguing study involves cancer, and it reveals a potential role for GLP-1 agonists in that area of healthcare. If GLP-1 drugs end up obtaining approval as treatments related to oncology, that could unlock a massive new sales growth opportunity for them. That could make a stock like Eli Lilly an even better buy than it is today. Study finds tumors shrank in mice with the help of tirzepatide Previous studies have shown that when people shed weight, they reduce their risks of developing many illnesses, among them, cancer. But a recent study presented at the Endocrine Society's annual meeting found that GLP-1 agonists could have a more direct impact: They may also reduce the size of breast cancer tumors. The study was modest in scope and not on human patients: Its subjects were 16 mice. Those mice that received injections of tirzepatide (the active ingredient in both Zepbound and Mounjaro) for 16 weeks lost around 20% of their weight, which was comparable to the weight loss that humans achieve while on the drug. And their tumors shrank by around that percentage as well. "Researchers found that tumor volume was significantly correlated with body weight," reported ScienceDaily. But even though these results are promising, they are very preliminary. It would take years of studies on humans before a GLP-1 drug could conceivably obtain a label expansion for use in treating any type of cancer. However, there is hope that GLP-1 drugs can do more than just help with diabetes and weight reduction. Regulators did approve tirzepatide for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea last year. And another study found that it can help reduce the risk of heart failure. As more research is done on GLP-1 drugs, the number of indications they can treat may grow significantly. And if tirzepatide is able to help treat cancer, it could make this already massive drug a sales behemoth for Eli Lilly. Business has been booming for Eli Lilly, and more growth is still ahead Eli Lilly has already been performing incredibly well, thanks in large part to its highly successful GLP-1 drugs. In the first three months of 2025, its sales soared by 45% year over year to $12.7 billion. Zepbound and Mounjaro combined to make up $6.2 billion of that tally. And what's exciting is that these drugs are still in their early growth stages. That's a big reason why Eli Lilly stock trades at a hefty premium of 65 times its trailing earnings. Its 5-year price-to-earnings growth (PEG) multiple of 1.2 indicates, however, that it may not be that expensive relative to its medium-term growth potential. Eli Lilly stock is a no-brainer buy Although the stock may not look cheap, Eli Lilly could be among the best long-term investments you can add to your portfolio today. If tirzepatide racks up more indications and Eli Lilly's already approved drugs reach greater numbers of people, its sales and profits are likely to rise in the years ahead. This year, the stock is up a modest 4% as the hype around it appears to have cooled. But if you're in it for the long haul, it would be hard to go wrong with Eli Lilly. It may just be one of the best growth stocks in the healthcare sector. Do the experts think Eli Lilly is a buy right now? The Motley Fool's expert analyst team, drawing on years of investing experience and deep analysis of thousands of stocks, leverages our proprietary Moneyball AI investing database to uncover top opportunities. They've just revealed their to buy now — did Eli Lilly make the list? When our Stock Advisor analyst team has a stock recommendation, it can pay to listen. After all, Stock Advisor's total average return is up 1,041% vs. just 183% for the S&P — that is beating the market by 858.71%!* Imagine if you were a Stock Advisor member when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $636,628!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,063,471!* The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 21, 2025 David Jagielski has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Could GLP-1 Drugs Potentially Help Treat Cancer? 1 Promising Study Suggests They Might was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
New York Post
22-07-2025
- Health
- New York Post
The surprising medical remedies of the Middle Ages, from lizard oil to a sweet migraine hack
Turns out, the Dark Ages weren't so dim when it came to wellness. Researchers have unearthed a trove of medical remedies dating back over a thousand years, revealing that early medieval Europeans were far more health-savvy than historians once believed. 'People in the early Middle Ages were quite into science, into observation, into figuring out the utility of different natural substances, and trying to identify patterns and make predictions,' Dr. Meg Leja, an associate professor of history at Binghamton University who helped led the effort, told Science Daily. Advertisement 3 New research suggests that ancient healers developed treatments rooted in natural remedies, keen observation and practical know-how. DM7 – Turns out, they might have been onto something — and today's wellness gurus are just catching up. 'A lot of things that you see in these manuscripts are actually being promoted online currently as alternative medicine, but they have been around for thousands of years,' Leja explained. Advertisement Got a headache? Forget Ibuprofen. A thousand years ago, the go-to remedy was a mixture of crushed peach pit and rose oil slathered on the forehead. While it might sound more witchcraft than wellness, modern science suggests they weren't entirely off-base: A 2017 study found rose oil may offer short-term relief from migraine pain — though the crushed peach pit is a bit more questionable. Another 9th-century manuscript's advice for improving hair health begins with a practical step: Cleanse the scalp using herbal-infused salt and vinegar to ward off parasites. Even today, vinegar rinses — especially with apple cider vinegar — are used as a home remedy for scalp issues like dandruff and eczema. Though vinegar definitely has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties, the scientific evidence that it can combat a flaking scalp is thin. Advertisement 3 Many ancient remedies drew on plants and animals to treat human ailments. Esther Hildebrandt – Sea salt scalp scrubs, meanwhile, are on the shelves of stores like Sephora and Ulta. But for truly luscious locks, medieval healers didn't stop there — they recommended topping it off with a a salve of oils blended with the 'ashes of a burnt green lizard' to unlock the full benefits. Advertisement While the internet isn't shy about embracing DIY beauty trends, the jury is still out on whether scorched reptile will become the next viral hair mask. From detox potions to botanical balms, many of the era's health hacks wouldn't feel out of place on TikTok's For You Page. But not all would hold up by today's standards. Case in point: One labor and delivery remedy advised pregnant women to tie vulture feathers to their left leg to ensure a smoother birth. Even Goop hasn't gone that far — yet. 3 Some early healing methods share striking similarities with practices in modern alternative medicine. AFP via Getty Images The surprising insights come from the Corpus of Early Medieval Latin Medicine, a digital collection compiled over the course of more than two years by Leja and her colleagues. This project has nearly doubled the number of known health manuscripts from before the 11th century. Many were found scribbled in the margins of unrelated books on topics like grammar, theology and poetry. 'It's true that we do lack a lot of sources for the period. In that sense, it is 'dark.' But not in terms of any kind of 'anti-science' attitudes,' Leja said. 'They were concerned about cures, they wanted to observe the natural world and jot down bits of information wherever they could in this period known as the 'Dark Ages,'' she added. Advertisement The collection continues to grow with new discoveries and translations added regularly. So, if you're curious to explore medieval wellness firsthand, the full catalogue is available online here. Bonus points if you can track down the 9th-century remedy for shrinking testicles.
The Star
18-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
China's ‘green great wall' triggers hay fever misery: scientists
For Ma Bo, a resident of Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia, late July marks the beginning of another round of suffering. He has suffered from hay fever – an allergic condition triggered by inhaling pollen – for many years. His symptoms have gradually worsened since 2018, progressing from sneezing and conjunctivitis to an allergic cough and, eventually, bronchial asthma. The artemisia plant, which is widely cultivated in northwestern China to contain wind and sand erosion, has been identified as the trigger for his symptoms. Its pollen is particularly active from late summer to mid-autumn. This resilient plant contributes to the 'green great wall' – the weapon across the arid northern region that China uses to fight desertification – but it is also suspected of causing an increasingly concerning endemic hay fever outbreak. Now, after years of research, a group of Chinese scientists have confirmed the plant's role in causing the disease at a molecular level and identified several allergenic substances in its pollen. For the first time, the team has identified five volatile components from a member of the artemisia plant family, confirming they could all trigger allergic reactions. These findings 'provide a basis' for preventing and treating allergic diseases in areas where the plants are grown, according to a report in the state-owned newspaper Science Daily on Monday. The study, which was conducted jointly by scientists from the school of pharmacy at Xian Jiaotong University and the Yulin Forestry Science Research Institute – both in northwestern China's Shaanxi province – was published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials at the end of May. Artemisia, which has more than 100 species, is easy to grow and has low cultivation costs. However, according to a 2023 report by the Health Times, a subsidiary of People's Daily, its pollen has become a common allergy cause in northern China. Over the past years, what has unfolded in Yulin – a city in the northernmost part of Shaanxi province – is a prime example of how well-intentioned efforts to transform harsh natural environments can induce unexpected side effects. Yulin, situated at the confluence of the Mu Us Desert and the Loess Plateau, was once among the country's worst affected by land desertification. Large-scale planting of sand sagebrush, an artemisia species, began in the 1950s. This measure has proven highly effective, with the Mu Us Desert steadily shrinking and Shaanxi's green landscape expanding northwards by 400km (250 miles). However, residents reported that allergies had become more common. A preliminary survey conducted in 2019 by Yulin health authorities in collaboration with Peking Union Medical College Hospital found that pollen from sand sagebrush was the main cause of allergic rhinitis in the region. In 2023, the ongoing prevention and control of allergic rhinitis was listed by the local government as the top priority for improving livelihoods. He Langchong, a pharmacy professor at Xian Jiaotong University who was born in Yulin, decided to take action. Starting in 2022, he and his team lived in Yulin and worked with with a local research institution to launch a long-term 'allergen tracking campaign'. Allergies are an overreaction of the immune system to specific substances. When allergens in the air enter the human body, they bind to specific receptors and trigger allergic symptoms. By developing an allergen gas analyser and conducting a systematic screening of plant samples, the researchers identified five volatile components. They further discovered that these components could significantly activate mast cells via a receptor called MrgX2, leading to allergic reactions. Mast cells generally aid in normal immune system function. Additionally, by measuring changes in the content of these volatile components in plant samples taken in different months, He and his colleagues found that the total content increased gradually as the plants grew, reaching much higher levels in August and September than in other months. This pattern closely aligns with the onset of the hay fever peak season in Yulin. Once allergens are identified, they can be monitored and the public can be advised on appropriate protective measures, according to Science Daily. In the meantime, anti-allergy drugs targeting this specific allergen can be developed based on the findings. Shaanxi is not the only province where people are hit with the condition. Ma Bo, the resident of Hohhot, estimates that more than 30 per cent of people around him are affected. He said there was no specific treatment available, only a plan to manage symptoms. And a resident of Lanzhou, in the northwestern Chinese province of Gansu, told the South China Morning Post he had suffered from hay fever for more than 10 years. His symptoms started in autumn each year and include severe sneezing, watery eyes and facial swelling. In China, a forestry and grassland bureau official from Yulin admitted in a 2020 newspaper interview that the public health issue caused by sand sagebrush planting had taught officials 'a profound lesson'. 'In future desertification control efforts, we have fully considered plant diversity and potential impacts on residents' lives,' he said. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
How your old phone could become a ‘tiny data centre' helping researchers to track marine life
Old phones could have a new chapter as tiny data centres, a new line of research has found. Each year, more than 1.2 billion smartphones are produced globally. Despite the expense to consumers and the environmental toll of producing them, our devices have an increasingly short lifespan as people tend to replace them every two to three years. But rather than gathering dust in a drawer - or adding to the world's mountain of electronic waste - discarded smartphones could be reconfigured for a range of useful green applications. 'Innovation often begins not with something new, but with a new way of thinking about the old, re-imagining its role in shaping the future,' says Huber Flores, Associate Professor of Pervasive Computing at the University of Tartu in Estonia. He is one of several European researchers behind the new study published in the IEEE Pervasive Computing journal. Related 'We don't want to be a niche brand': Seaweed is taking plastic out of stadiums and sandwich boxes This Indian city is using smartwatches to track the impact of increasingly deadly extreme heat Turning outdated smartphones into micro data centres is surprisingly cheap, if you know how. The researchers found that it only costs around €8 to bypass a phone's hardware features and reprogramme it. Firstly, the researchers removed the phones' batteries and replaced them with external power sources to reduce the risk of chemical leakage into the environment, a ScienceDaily report explains. Then, four phones were connected together, fitted with 3D-printed casings and holders, and turned into a working prototype ready to be reused. Related From Scotland to Sweden: How smart cities are helping residents save energy Deep discoveries, landmark lawsuits and rising renewables : Positive environmental stories from 2025 The prototype created by researchers was put to use underwater, where it participated in the monitoring of marine life by helping to count different sea species. Normally, these kinds of tasks require a scuba diver to record video and bring it to the surface for analysis. The prototype meant the whole process could be done automatically underwater. And there are many other ways that a phone's capacity to efficiently process and store data can be put to good use after its WhatsApping days are done. These mini data centres could also be used at bus stops, for example, to collect real-time data on the number of passengers. This could help to optimise public transportation networks. Such smartphone repurposing is just a drop in the ocean of issues that natural resource mining, energy-intensive production and e-waste present. Ultimately, we need to challenge this throwaway culture and move to a more circular model. But the research shows one small way to satisfy demand for computing power with what we've already got. 'Sustainability is not just about preserving the future,' says Ulrich Norbisrath, Associate Professor of Software Engineering at the University of Tartu. 'It's about reimagining the present, where yesterday's devices become tomorrow's opportunities.'
Euronews
16-06-2025
- Science
- Euronews
Old smartphones turned into ‘tiny data centres' to track marine life
Old phones could have a new chapter as tiny data centres, a new line of research has found. Each year, more than 1.2 billion smartphones are produced globally. Despite the expense to consumers and the environmental toll of producing them, our devices have an increasingly short lifespan as people tend to replace them every two to three years. But rather than gathering dust in a drawer - or adding to the world's mountain of electronic waste - discarded smartphones could be reconfigured for a range of useful green applications. 'Innovation often begins not with something new, but with a new way of thinking about the old, re-imagining its role in shaping the future,' says Huber Flores, Associate Professor of Pervasive Computing at the University of Tartu in Estonia. He is one of several European researchers behind the new study published in the IEEE Pervasive Computing journal. Turning outdated smartphones into micro data centres is surprisingly cheap, if you know how. The researchers found that it only costs around €8 to bypass a phone's hardware features and reprogramme it. Firstly, the researchers removed the phones' batteries and replaced them with external power sources to reduce the risk of chemical leakage into the environment, a ScienceDaily report explains. Then, four phones were connected together, fitted with 3D-printed casings and holders, and turned into a working prototype ready to be reused. The prototype created by researchers was put to use underwater, where it participated in the monitoring of marine life by helping to count different sea species. Normally, these kinds of tasks require a scuba diver to record video and bring it to the surface for analysis. The prototype meant the whole process could be done automatically underwater. And there are many other ways that a phone's capacity to efficiently process and store data can be put to good use after its WhatsApping days are done. These mini data centres could also be used at bus stops, for example, to collect real-time data on the number of passengers. This could help to optimise public transportation networks. Such smartphone repurposing is just a drop in the ocean of issues that natural resource mining, energy-intensive production and e-waste present. Ultimately, we need to challenge this throwaway culture and move to a more circular model. But the research shows one small way to satisfy demand for computing power with what we've already got. 'Sustainability is not just about preserving the future,' says Ulrich Norbisrath, Associate Professor of Software Engineering at the University of Tartu. 'It's about reimagining the present, where yesterday's devices become tomorrow's opportunities.'
