천암한의원 Acupuncture Center ChunAm

12/10/2025

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Studies have identified a diminished sense of smell as a potential early warning sign of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers at the University of Chicago found that individuals carrying the APOE e4 gene, a known risk factor for Alzheimer's, exhibited a 37% higher likelihood of experiencing olfactory dysfunction by age 65. This decline in smell detection was observed even before noticeable memory issues emerged.

Further investigations revealed that in early Alzheimer's stages, immune cells in the brain, known as microglia, may mistakenly attack neural connections between the olfactory bulb and the locus coeruleus, a brainstem region crucial for sensory processing. This damage disrupts the brain's ability to process smells, potentially leading to anosmia (loss of smell). These findings suggest that olfactory dysfunction could precede cognitive decline and serve as an early biomarker for Alzheimer's disease.

Experts emphasize that while a reduced sense of smell can be a normal part of aging, its occurrence in conjunction with other risk factors may warrant further evaluation. Simple at-home smell tests are being explored as non-invasive tools for early detection of cognitive impairment, offering a promising avenue for identifying individuals at risk of Alzheimer's disease before clinical symptoms appear.

Research Paper 📄
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62500-8

12/09/2025

Thank you for all the love and blessings in 2025!!!

11/14/2025

Thyroid cancer is on the rise, particularly among young adults, and women are three times more likely to be affected than men. This cancer often grows slowly inside the butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck and can develop without obvious symptoms, making it easy to overlook.

Early warning signs include a small lump or swelling in the neck, changes in voice, or trouble swallowing. These subtle changes are often dismissed as minor throat irritation, tension, or stress. While many thyroid nodules are harmless, cancerous ones can spread to nearby lymph nodes and other areas if left untreated.

The increase in thyroid cancer diagnoses is partly due to more medical imaging, which sometimes detects nodules incidentally. Despite this, many cases remain unnoticed until the disease progresses, highlighting the importance of regular neck self-exams and checkups. Early detection significantly improves treatment success and can prevent more serious complications. Staying alert to subtle changes in the neck is key for young women, who face the highest risk.

11/05/2025

Young and middle-aged athletes exposed to repeated head impacts may experience profound changes in their brains years before chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, can be diagnosed. New research shows that even without the classic protein clumps linked to CTE, the brains of these athletes reveal early signs of inflammation, neuron loss, and altered blood vessel cells. Microglia, the brain’s resident immune cells, shift from their normal “homeostatic” state to an inflammatory state, with the proportion of these cells increasing the longer an athlete played contact sports. These inflammatory microglia express genes related to metabolism, oxygen stress, and immune signaling, hinting at ongoing cellular stress.

The study also uncovered damage to endothelial cells, which line blood vessels. These cells show signs of inflammation and activate genes involved in forming new vessels, suggesting the brain attempts repair but may compromise the blood-brain barrier over time. Most strikingly, a specific population of neurons in the upper cortex, critical for cognitive function, was reduced by more than half in athletes exposed to repeated head impacts. This loss was proportional to the years spent playing contact sports and could explain early cognitive and mood symptoms reported by athletes.


Research Paper 📄
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09534-6

11/01/2025

Breast cancer often hides in plain sight. Even after successful treatment, up to 30 percent of patients see their tumors return, contributing to hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. A promising new study from the University of Pennsylvania suggests we may have a way to stop this: by actively going after dormant tumor cells (DTCs) that linger quietly in the bone marrow and other parts of the body.

Instead of waiting and monitoring for recurrence, researchers tested drugs that target these sleeper cells directly. In a trial of 51 breast cancer survivors confirmed to have DTCs, hydroxychloroquine and everolimus—either individually or together—proved highly effective. When combined, the drugs eliminated 87 percent of DTCs, and all participants remained cancer-free for three years. Even using either drug alone kept survival rates above 90 percent. Mouse studies conducted beforehand showed similar results and helped reveal why these dormant cells respond differently from actively growing tumors.

These findings highlight that dormant tumor cells are biologically distinct from active cancer, meaning some drugs ineffective against growing tumors can selectively wipe out the sleepers. Not every survivor has DTCs, but for those who do, this approach could dramatically reduce relapse risk. Researchers now aim to expand trials, test different drug combinations, and refine dosing to maximize protection. For many survivors, targeting these hidden cells may finally ease the lingering fear of cancer returning.


Research Paper 📄
DOI: 10.1038/s41591-025-03877-3

10/14/2025

High blood sugar, also called hyperglycemia, often creeps in quietly, showing up with vague signs like being tired all the time or constantly thirsty. You might brush off the urge to drink more water or the fact that you’re running to the bathroom more often, but these subtle symptoms are early red flags. As your blood sugar stays high over time, your body starts to struggle. The kidneys pull water from your tissues to flush out extra sugar, leading to dehydration, dry mouth, and endless thirst. You may feel constantly hungry too, because even with all that sugar in your blood, your cells are starving for energy they can’t access.

Blurry vision and fatigue are also common as fluids shift around the body and cells fail to get the fuel they need. High sugar levels mess with your immune system too, making infections—especially yeast infections—more frequent. Your skin might become dry and itchy, and wounds could heal more slowly than usual. If nerve damage starts to set in, numbness, tingling, or even sharp pain in your hands or feet can develop. In some cases, blood sugar can go dangerously high, leading to serious conditions like ketoacidosis or coma.

If symptoms like extreme thirst, stomach pain, rapid breathing, or fruity-smelling breath occur, don’t wait—call for help. Even mood changes and weight loss can be linked to high sugar levels. The longer hyperglycemia goes untreated, the more damage it does—so it’s crucial to spot the signs early and take action.

10/07/2025

Instant coffee linked to nearly 7x higher risk of age-related vision loss in new study.

A recent study found that people who regularly drink instant coffee have nearly seven times the risk of developing dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a major cause of vision loss, and this risk seems connected to their genetic makeup. Unlike other types of coffee, only instant coffee showed this strong link, possibly because it’s more processed and interacts differently with certain genes involved in eye health.

While this doesn’t prove instant coffee causes AMD, it highlights an important association that could mean people with certain genes should be cautious about their instant coffee intake.

Research Paper 📄
PMID: 40521080

10/01/2025

Watermelon is more than just a refreshing summer fruit. It contains an amino acid called L citrulline, which supports blood flow and helps reduce muscle soreness after exercise.

When you push your body through a tough workout, your muscles need oxygen and nutrients to recover and rebuild. L citrulline in watermelon helps widen blood vessels, allowing for better circulation. This improved flow delivers essential fuel to tired muscles and may shorten the time it takes to recover. Some studies suggest that athletes who consume watermelon or watermelon juice before or after training experience less soreness and greater comfort the next day.

Beyond recovery, watermelon offers several other fitness friendly benefits. Since it is made up of over ninety percent water, it is a natural hydrator that helps replace fluids lost through sweat. The fruit also provides natural sugars that restore energy levels, along with potassium and magnesium that help regulate muscle contractions and prevent cramps. Vitamin B6 plays a role in energy production and supports overall muscle health.

Adding watermelon to your diet is simple. You can enjoy it as fresh slices, blend it into a smoothie, or drink it as juice after a workout. With its mix of hydration, nutrients, and natural compounds that aid recovery, watermelon is a sweet and practical way to support an active lifestyle.

10/01/2025

New treatment strategy turns aggressive breast cancer cells into harmless ones.

Researchers have uncovered a breakthrough approach to tackling triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), one of the most aggressive and hard-to-treat forms of breast cancer. By blocking an enzyme called PLK1, scientists were able to push these cancer cells to mature into more normal, non-proliferating cells that stop growing and start dying—a process called differentiation.

This treatment not only slows tumor growth but also makes cancer cells more vulnerable to the immune system, offering hope for combining it with immunotherapy. Since PLK1 inhibitors are already in clinical trials for other cancers, this discovery could fast-track new treatment options for TNBC patients who currently have limited therapies available.


RESEARCH PAPER 📄
PMID: 36008466

09/23/2025

Your immune system might be behind both psoriasis and joint inflammation.

Psoriatic arthritis develops in up to 30% of people with psoriasis when the immune system mistakenly attacks joints and connective tissues, not just the skin. This autoimmune overreaction often happens in those with a genetic predisposition and can be triggered by infections, injuries, stress, or lifestyle factors like smoking and obesity.
Treatments focus on calming specific immune signals called cytokines to control symptoms without shutting down the immune system completely, while lifestyle changes—such as good sleep, stress management, exercise, and an anti-inflammatory diet—help reduce flare-ups and support overall health.

09/22/2025

Weekly egg consumption may cut Alzheimer’s risk nearly in half, new study on aging finds.

Eating at least one egg a week could significantly protect your brain, with a large study showing nearly a 47% lower risk of Alzheimer’s dementia among older adults who regularly ate eggs compared to those who rarely did.

The brain benefits mostly come from choline, a nutrient in eggs that supports healthy brain cells and their communication, and omega-3 fatty acids that boost brain function. While more research is needed, this simple and affordable food might be a powerful tool for keeping your mind sharper as Alzheimer’s cases grow worldwide.


RESEARCH PAPER 📄
PMID: 38782209

09/10/2025

When you are asleep, your body is not just relaxing. Your immune system is actually training and preparing for battle. It produces infection fighting proteins called cytokines along with antibodies that target harmful bacteria and viruses. Some cytokines even act like messengers that tell your body how to respond when a threat shows up. This night shift work is one reason why you often feel stronger and heal faster after good rest.

If you do not sleep enough, your immune system does not get the time it needs to create these protective substances. This means fewer antibodies are available to fight germs. Your white blood cells, which are like soldiers of your immune system, also become less active and less accurate. Instead of detecting and attacking invaders quickly, they may respond slower or miss the target altogether.

As a result, your body becomes more vulnerable to common infections like colds and the flu. Recovery also drags on because your immune system is not working at full power. Even vaccines may not work as effectively when you are sleep deprived, since your body struggles to build a strong defense response.

Over time, constant lack of sleep does more than just leave you open to everyday sickness. It puts your immune system in a state of stress and imbalance, which raises your risk for serious long term problems like diabetes, heart disease, and even certain types of cancer.