A blood test may help in early detection of ovarian cancer

A recent scientific study has discovered a molecular signal in the blood that may help monitor the subtle changes that precede ovarian cancer, in a step that may represent an important development towards early detection of the disease, which is often discovered after it has already spread.

According to the British newspaper The Guardian, researchers pointed out that efforts to detect early ovarian cancer have focused for decades on trying to detect small tumors, but they decided to focus on monitoring early molecular signs that precede the appearance of cancer.

“We asked a completely different question: What if we could identify the first warning molecular signs, before invasive cancer even develops,” said Rajan Gogna, study leader and researcher at the Hoag Cancer Research Institute in California, USA.

The researchers explained that ovarian cancer may begin with microscopic changes in the inner lining of the fallopian tubes, and these changes are known as “serous tubal epithelial carcinoma.”

The study revealed that women with these changes have high blood levels of an RNA molecule known as to-stroma, which allowed researchers to use it as a potential indicator to detect these early changes.

When measuring levels of this molecule in blood samples, the test was able to detect pre-cancerous changes in 92.3 percent of women with it, and it also succeeded in correctly identifying 98.2 percent of healthy women.

The results were not limited to women with precancerous changes, but the study showed the potential importance of testing in women who have genetic factors that increase the risk of ovarian cancer.

The researchers explained that about 72 percent of the positive results in this group may be correct, while the accuracy of the negative results approached 100 percent, indicating the promising ability of the test to rule out the presence of these changes in women who show a negative result.

The researchers pointed out that this discovery represents a promising step towards developing more accurate methods for early detection of ovarian cancer, and helping women who are most at risk of infection make preventive decisions based on clearer biological information.

A recent scientific study revealed that losing one hour of sleep may increase people's susceptibility to falling victim to electronic fraud, which relies on fake messages aimed at deceiving users and pushing them to reveal their personal data or click on suspicious links.

According to the Everyday Health scientific website, the study was conducted by researchers at the University of California, and included more than 11,200 university employees. Their response to experimental fraudulent e-mails was tested before and after the change to daylight saving time in the spring of this year, when clocks were moved forward by one hour.

The team found that the rate of clicking on fake e-phishing links increased by about 13 percent after the implementation of daylight saving time, compared to the period before it.

Eitan Schechtman, the study's lead researcher and assistant professor of neurobiology and behavior at the university, said that what surprised the researchers was that "a simple, normal change in sleep patterns, the kind that many would not consider harmful or unusual, had a significant and measurable effect."

However, the study had some limitations. The researchers did not measure the participants' actual hours of sleep, so they could not determine whether lack of sleep was the direct cause of the increased click rate on phishing links. The study also suggests that changes in circadian rhythms - the body's biological clock - or exposure to morning light may have contributed to these results.

Why does lack of sleep affect decision-making ability?

Sleep supports attention, concentration, memory, and the brain's ability to perceive potential dangers.

Michael Grandner, director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, said checking email requires paying attention to small details and identifying messages that can be trusted.

He added: “Your brain does more than just keep you awake. It needs to sort information, determine what deserves your attention, keep track of what you are doing, and detect errors.”

Research indicates that lack of sleep particularly affects the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which is the area responsible for planning, judgment, and impulse control.

For his part, William Kilgore, professor of psychiatry and neuroscientist at the University of Arizona, explained that the study did not determine whether the participants clicked on the links because of their weak ability to make decisions, or as a result of decreased alertness and failure to notice important details.

He cautioned against overestimating the impact of losing one hour of sleep on everyone, saying: “For most healthy people, one night of one hour less sleep is unlikely to have a significant impact on their decisions.”

He added that the greatest risk appears when a person reduces his sleeping hours significantly during one night, or when he constantly suffers from sleeping for hours less than his usual needs.

Harms go beyond electronic fraud

The repercussions of lack of sleep are not limited to increasing the chances of falling into fraud, as it can affect multiple aspects of daily life, including memory, attention, and emotional regulation.

Grandner explained that a lack of sleep may make a person less able to spot an error in a bill, remember whether he took his medication, or correctly understand a message from a colleague.

Shechtman also believes that this may have potential implications for leadership and impulsive buying.

Shechtman emphasized that the most important message from the study is that “even minimal sleep loss can have a noticeable impact on our daily cognitive performance,” expressing his hope that the results will encourage people to give sleep a priority instead of postponing it or considering it a secondary matter.

Mint, one of the herbs commonly used in preparing tea, foods, and even oral care products, is receiving increasing attention not only for its refreshing taste, as it contains compounds that researchers are studying to reveal their potential health benefits, according to the “Health” website.

1. It may help relieve digestive disorders

Peppermint may help relieve symptoms of some digestive disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and indigestion.

Mint, including peppermint, contains compounds with therapeutic properties, most notably L-menthol, which helps relax muscles. Menthol works to block calcium channels responsible for smooth muscle contraction, which may contribute to alleviating abdominal pain and diarrhea.

The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds found in mint may also help reduce inflammation and cell damage in people with irritable bowel syndrome.

A review that included 12 studies, in which 835 people participated, showed that taking peppermint oil for between two and 12 weeks led to a significant improvement in abdominal pain, bloating, and gas, compared to placebo.

Another review that included 96 studies revealed that peppermint oil supplements, when used with other ingredients such as caraway oil, effectively helped relieve abdominal pain and feelings of pressure.

2. May enhance cognitive performance

Some research suggests that peppermint oil supplements may help improve cognitive performance.

Peppermint contains compounds that may support cognitive functions through their effect on neurotransmitters, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and their ability to inhibit the enzyme “acetylcholinesterase” (AChE).

This enzyme works to break down acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter that plays an essential role in attention and memory.

A study conducted on 24 people showed that taking a single dose of peppermint oil, amounting to 100 microliters, led to improved performance on cognitive tests, in addition to reducing mental fatigue associated with performing tasks that require concentration for long periods.

3. It may help relieve nausea

The soothing scent of peppermint may help relieve nausea, and its use may also help reduce nausea and vomiting in cancer patients.

A study conducted on 84 women with breast cancer who were undergoing chemotherapy showed that taking 40 drops of peppermint essential oil mixed with water every eight hours led to a significant decrease in nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

However, most studies examining the effect of peppermint on nausea and vomiting have focused on its use in aromatherapy, not on taking it in supplement form.

4. It may improve athletic performance

Although research is limited, some findings suggest that peppermint supplements may naturally help enhance endurance and strength during exercise.

The anti-spasmodic properties of mint may contribute to relaxing the lung muscles and improving oxygen access to the tissues, which may reflect positively on athletic performance.

A small study conducted in 2013 on 12 men showed that drinking 500 milliliters of mineral water with 0.05 milliliters of peppermint essential oil, for ten days, led to a significant improvement in athletic performance, lung function, heart rate, and physical ability during an stress test on a treadmill.

In another study conducted in 2014 on 30 healthy men, it was found that taking a single oral dose of 50 microliters of peppermint essential oil led to a significant improvement in athletic performance and lung function indicators, compared to placebo.

Although these results seem promising, more studies are needed to understand how peppermint supplements contribute to improving athletic performance.