#uk

This Old Cough Medicine May Be The Cure For Parkinson’s DiseaseA cough medicine that was used since the late 1970s is now being tested to see if it can combat Parkinson’s disease. A placebo-controlled Phase III trial in the UK will test if the drug, called ambroxol, can slow down the progression of the condition. Additionally, researchers will check if it can also improve the quality of life of those afflicted with the disease.For reference, ambroxol can thin out mucus, which allows people with colds and coughs clear phlegm easily from their airways. It can also reduce inflammation, which can soothe those with sore throats. As a potential drug for Parkinson’s, experts looked at how ambroxol can raise the levels of glucocerebrosidase, or GCase.This protein is responsible for helping the brain’s waste-clearance systems. Researchers also noticed that the levels of GCase seem to go down as levels of abnormal alpha-synuclein (a driving force in killing or impairing the neurons that provide the brain with dopamine) rise in those with Parkinson’s. Scientists in the lab hope that ambroxol can indirectly lower levels of abnormal alpha-synuclein in people with Parkinson’s as it raises the levels of GCase. The trial for the drug will utilize 330 people with Parkinson’s, who will be randomized into either a placebo or treatment group. Learn more about the trials and the drug here!Image credit: cottonbro studio#medicine #Parkinsons #neurological #disorders #research #clinicaltrials #UK #UCL #ambroxol

Eating Vegetables Actually Does Not Protect Against Cardiovascular DiseaseAnd that’s another reason to not eat vegetables– or at least a good excuse for anyone looking to push back against someone wanting to make you munch some veggies when you’re not in the mood!A UK Biobank study on 400,000 people discovered little to no evidence that supports the claim that vegetables affect the risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers from the Nuffield Department of Population Health at the University of Oxford, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the University of Bristol studied and concluded that any small apparent positive effect can be explained by other factors and not just because of consuming cooked or uncooked vegetables.UK Biobank’s large-scale prospective study employed its large sample size, long-term follow-up, and detailed information on social and lifestyle factors to determine whether or not vegetable intake has an effect on the risk of getting cardiovascular diseases. “Our large study did not find evidence for a protective effect of vegetable intake on the occurrence of CVD. Instead, our analyses show that the seemingly protective effect of vegetable intake against CVD risk is very likely to be accounted for by bias from residual confounding factors, related to differences in socioeconomic situation and lifestyle,” Dr. Qi Feng, the study’s lead author further explained. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t eat vegetables, though! Image credit: Adli Wahid#vegetables #Nutrition #CVD #cardiovasculardiseases #UK #Biobank #study #research

The Krispy Kreme and Xbox Collaboration No One ExpectedMicrosoft, and more specifically, Xbox, is not new to cross-brand synergies with previous marketing strategies involving collaborations with Taco Bell, Doritos, and Mountain Dew in order to promote the Xbox One X in the United States. This time, Microsoft has teamed up with Krispy Kreme to commemorate Xbox's 20th anniversary.Krispy Kreme is celebrating this by releasing an Xbox donut for a limited time. The iced donut is topped with green icing and is dusted with powdered sugar, decorated to look like the brand’s signature logo—a big “X”, aptly called the nexus symbol of the famous console. It’s also filled with a thick and decadent chocolate brownie fondant that isn’t too punch-in-the-face sweet.Some might say that green isn’t exactly the most appetizing color—but then again, who doesn’t love donuts? Plus, those who buy a box of 12 also get the chance of winning a new Xbox Series X!The limited-edition doughnuts are available across the UK until August 22nd.Image: engaget | M. Smith @thatmatsmith #donuts #krispykreme #xbox #consoles #gaming #microsoft #promotions #uk 