Jun 25, 2025 09:38 PM
Study says U.S. babies are missing a key gut microbe, fueling allergy risk
https://gizmodo.com/study-says-u-s-babie...2000619622
EXCERPTS: The prevalence of allergies and other chronic diseases is on the rise, with the number of food allergy cases in the U.S. increasing 50% between 2007 and 2021. These allergies can be life-threatening, and understanding their root cause is more important than ever before.
A new study has brought experts closer to doing just that. The findings, published Tuesday, June 24 in the journal Communications Biology, linked the rise of allergies and other chronic conditions such as asthma and eczema to the disappearance of Bifidobacterium from babies’ guts. These bacteria play a crucial role in breaking down breast milk, particularly complex sugars called human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). A century ago, they were abundant in the microbiomes of breastfed infants, but their prevalence has dwindled among babies in industrialized nations.
Initial results from the My Baby Biome study—a large-scale investigation of infant gut microbiomes in the U.S.—found that roughly 25% of infants lack detectable Bifidobacteria. The researchers suggest this increases their risk of developing noncommunicable diseases.
[...] Over the next several years [...] colleagues will work to understand the health outcomes that arise from Bifidobacteria-deficiencies over time, probing their impact on neurological disorders, obesity, and even diabetes risk. Unlocking the microbial mechanisms behind these conditions could lay the groundwork for better interventions... (MORE - missing details)
Breaking the silence about men breaking bones
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1088554
INTRO: Weak bones can have deadly consequences. Women often get bone density tests to screen for osteoporosis, yet many men don’t even realize they are at risk until they suffer a major fracture. June is Men’s Health Awareness Month, with a focus on raising awareness about osteoporosis in men.
A new survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center among U.S. adults finds that only 1% of men are concerned about bone density. This concerns Paul Lewis, MD, an interventional radiologist at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.
“It’s a silent disease, and it’s silent until it makes some noise, and how it makes noise is with a fracture,” said Lewis, who often treats patients with spinal and pelvic fractures.
The National Spine Health Foundation estimates that 2 million men have osteoporosis, while another 16 million men have low bone mass known as osteopenia. The Ohio State survey found cancer (32%) is the number one concern when it comes to men’s health, followed closely by heart disease (30%). Other top concerns include obesity (18%) and sexual health (8%).
With so many other pressing medical concerns, men often are surprised to learn they have osteoporosis. The disease, which means porous bones, causes a gradual loss of bone density and strength, which puts individuals at higher risk for broken bones, even from minor falls.
A fracture for an older adult can be deadly, which is why prevention is key, Lewis said... (MORE - details, no ads)
https://gizmodo.com/study-says-u-s-babie...2000619622
EXCERPTS: The prevalence of allergies and other chronic diseases is on the rise, with the number of food allergy cases in the U.S. increasing 50% between 2007 and 2021. These allergies can be life-threatening, and understanding their root cause is more important than ever before.
A new study has brought experts closer to doing just that. The findings, published Tuesday, June 24 in the journal Communications Biology, linked the rise of allergies and other chronic conditions such as asthma and eczema to the disappearance of Bifidobacterium from babies’ guts. These bacteria play a crucial role in breaking down breast milk, particularly complex sugars called human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). A century ago, they were abundant in the microbiomes of breastfed infants, but their prevalence has dwindled among babies in industrialized nations.
Initial results from the My Baby Biome study—a large-scale investigation of infant gut microbiomes in the U.S.—found that roughly 25% of infants lack detectable Bifidobacteria. The researchers suggest this increases their risk of developing noncommunicable diseases.
[...] Over the next several years [...] colleagues will work to understand the health outcomes that arise from Bifidobacteria-deficiencies over time, probing their impact on neurological disorders, obesity, and even diabetes risk. Unlocking the microbial mechanisms behind these conditions could lay the groundwork for better interventions... (MORE - missing details)
Breaking the silence about men breaking bones
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1088554
INTRO: Weak bones can have deadly consequences. Women often get bone density tests to screen for osteoporosis, yet many men don’t even realize they are at risk until they suffer a major fracture. June is Men’s Health Awareness Month, with a focus on raising awareness about osteoporosis in men.
A new survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center among U.S. adults finds that only 1% of men are concerned about bone density. This concerns Paul Lewis, MD, an interventional radiologist at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.
“It’s a silent disease, and it’s silent until it makes some noise, and how it makes noise is with a fracture,” said Lewis, who often treats patients with spinal and pelvic fractures.
The National Spine Health Foundation estimates that 2 million men have osteoporosis, while another 16 million men have low bone mass known as osteopenia. The Ohio State survey found cancer (32%) is the number one concern when it comes to men’s health, followed closely by heart disease (30%). Other top concerns include obesity (18%) and sexual health (8%).
With so many other pressing medical concerns, men often are surprised to learn they have osteoporosis. The disease, which means porous bones, causes a gradual loss of bone density and strength, which puts individuals at higher risk for broken bones, even from minor falls.
A fracture for an older adult can be deadly, which is why prevention is key, Lewis said... (MORE - details, no ads)