Tag: Smoking
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Genetic Resilience to COPD: A Distinct Subtype in Smokers with High Genetic Risk
Understanding genetic resilience to COPD in smokers Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains a major health challenge, yet not all smokers with a high genetic risk develop the condition. Recent research introduces a new concept: genetic resilience to COPD. By examining individuals who smoke and carry a high polygenic risk score (PRS) for COPD but…
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Global and Regional Burden of Kidney Cancer (1990–2021) and Future Projections Based on GBD 2021
Overview: Kidney Cancer at a Glance Kidney cancer is a significant, though not the most common, genitourinary malignancy with a notably poor prognosis. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma accounts for the majority of cases, approximately 80%. The disease burden has grown from 1990 to 2021, driven by aging populations, diagnostic improvements, and lifestyle factors. This…
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Global and regional burden of kidney cancer 1990–2021: trends and future projections
Overview: the rising global impact of kidney cancer Kidney cancer, though not the most common cancer by incidence, poses a substantial global health challenge due to its mortality and disability burden. Recent analyses based on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 dataset reveal that from 1990 to 2021 the world experienced a marked increase…
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Genetic Resilience to COPD: A Distinct Subtype in Smokers
Understanding genetic resilience in COPD Cigarette smoking remains the leading environmental driver of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), yet not all smokers develop the disease. Recent research introduces the concept of genetic resilience: individuals who carry a high genetic risk for COPD yet show no airflow obstruction. By studying this resilient group, scientists aim to…
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Smoking Tied to Faster Huntington’s Decline: What Clinicians Need to Know
Overview: Smoking as a Modifiable Factor in Huntington’s Disease Huntington’s disease (HD) is a progressive, currently incurable neurodegenerative disorder. While genetics set the stage, modifiable environmental factors may influence when symptoms start and how quickly they advance. A recent analysis using Periodic Dataset 4 from Enroll-HD examined 2,438 individuals, including 799 presymptomatic carriers with four…
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Smoking Accelerates Huntington’s Progression: Clinical Practice Implications
Overview: Smoking as a Modifiable Factor in Huntington’s Disease Huntington’s disease (HD) is a progressive, incurable neurodegenerative disorder. While genetic timing largely governs onset, environmental and lifestyle factors can modulate how quickly symptoms emerge and advance. A recent analysis using Periodic Dataset 4 from Enroll-HD examined 2,438 individuals, including 799 presymptomatic carriers, with four consecutive…
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Smoking Tied to Faster Huntington’s Decline: Implications for Clinical Practice
Overview: Smoking as a Modifiable Factor in Huntington’s Disease Huntington’s disease (HD) is a progressive, incurable neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor, cognitive, and behavioral decline. While genetics determine risk, researchers are increasingly focused on modifiable environmental factors that might influence when symptoms begin and how quickly they worsen. A recent analysis using Periodic Dataset 4…
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Quitting Smoking in Midlife Slows Memory Loss and Brain Decline
New evidence that quitting smoking can protect the brain, even in midlife A major international study published in The Lancet offers a hopeful message for millions: quitting smoking is beneficial for brain health even if you’re in your 40s, 50s, or older. The research shows that stopping smoking after years of use slows memory loss…
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Dementia Risk Falls to Never-Smoker Levels After Quitting Smoking in Midlife
Quitting Smoking in Midlife Can Match Never-Smokers in Dementia Risk Emerging evidence suggests that giving up smoking in middle age may dramatically protect brain health. In a study involving 9,436 adults from England, the United States and 10 other European countries, those who quit smoking in midlife experienced a cognitive trajectory that, over roughly six…
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Does Smoking Raise Blood Pressure? Urine Tests Uncover the Direct Link
New evidence strengthens the link between smoking and higher blood pressure Smoking has long been known to harm heart health, but researchers have debated whether tobacco use elevates blood pressure independently or primarily insofar as it raises other cardiovascular risks. A recent analysis provides a clearer answer: smoking does appear to raise blood pressure on…