Global access to contraception: are we nearly there yet?
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Global access to contraception: are we nearly there yet?

By Felicity Greenfield May 17, 2023
The development of the contraceptive pill is often deemed one of the most important inventions of the 20th century, allowing women reproductive autonomy. Yet, over 60 years later, in 2022, 40% of pregnancies worldwide were still unintentional. How are we this far away after travelling for so long? Unintended pregnancies foster a hotbed of poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. 60% of unintended pregnancies end in abortion, 45% of which are considered unsafe. They also result in far reaching negative social and economic consequences. Progress has been made by efforts, such as by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in improving…
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Anti-IL-8 Antibody Gives New Hope to Endometriosis Patients
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Anti-IL-8 Antibody Gives New Hope to Endometriosis Patients

By Akua Agyemang Mar 27, 2023
When it comes to menstruation, society has seemingly offered more brain power towards devising euphemisms than research of the process itself and associated conditions. Granted, this trend is due, in large part, to the historical demographic makeup of researchers being predominantly male, steering the bulk of medical research dollars and focus on conditions with the propensity to chiefly put those with male anatomy at risk. Thankfully, over the past few decades, the tides have shifted (pun not intended), and the diversification of researchers and scientists has invigorated a push to support menstruation research as part of an overall initiative to…
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The newly discovered fourth meningeal layer.
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The newly discovered fourth meningeal layer.

By Muhammed Al-Diraa Mar 06, 2023
A new study has revealed an interesting novel structure in the brain – a fourth meningeal layer. The Subarachnoid Lymphatic-like Membrane (SLYM) is located in the subarachnoid space and divides it into an outer, superficial compartment and an inner, deeper area surrounding the brain. SLYM is immunophenotypically distinct from the other meningeal layers in the human and mouse brain, and it acts as a barrier to particles with a molecular weight greater than 3kDa. SLYM encases blood vessels and harbours immune cells (mainly a large population of myeloid cells, the number of which increases in response to inflammation and ageing).…
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Cancer vaccines – wishful thinking or medical possibility?
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Cancer vaccines – wishful thinking or medical possibility?

By Muhammed Al-Diraa Feb 06, 2023
Watch a short summary of the article here: We are all familiar with vaccines. From the MMR vaccines we received as children, to the boosters we took during adolescence; we have all seen the seasonal flyers every year at our GP encouraging us to book a flu jab. Recently, the advent of COVID vaccines as well as other protective measures such as quarantine and social distancing helped curb the rising numbers of infected individuals during the pandemic. Vaccines have helped eradicate some diseases entirely – take smallpox as an example. But the vaccine has always been attributed as a measure…
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Teixobactin: An antibiotic against bacterial resistance
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Teixobactin: An antibiotic against bacterial resistance

By Muhammed Al-Diraa Dec 12, 2022
Hospitals and doctors have been wary of the rapid rise in antibiotic resistance among disease-causing microorganisms. One infamous example is MRSA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This increase in multidrug-resistant bacteria is a cause for concern globally. Before the discovery of antibiotics, Staphylococcus aureus was fatal in 80% of infected wounds. Antibiotic resistance could yield a future where this horrifying statistic resurfaces. Antibiotics have played a major role in our progress as a species. It has been estimated that antibiotics have increased average life expectancy in the developed world by as much as 20 years. However, over time, bacteria and other microorganisms…
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New evidence suggests that many ACL injuries can heal without surgery
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New evidence suggests that many ACL injuries can heal without surgery

By Muhammed Al-Diraa Nov 13, 2022
The anterior cruciate ligament. One of the major ligaments in the knee joint, connecting the femur bone in the thigh to the tibia bone in the shin. This ligament is infamous in sports, and you may have seen headlines of athletes devastated by injuries to their ACL. Derrick Rose, the youngest MVP in NBA history, was touted to be the second coming of Michael Jordan, before his ACL tear in the 2011/12 season halted his career. Michael Owen, Tom Brady, Klay Thompson, and Anne Keothavong are all examples of high-class athletes who have suffered this same injury. How is this…
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