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Making Time for the Dinner Table: The Impact of Sharing Family Meals Together


Shot of a happy family having lunch together at home

Families are often busy with work, school, extra-curricular activities, and everyday life. With this in mind, it’s important for families to come together and spend time with one another. One way many families do this is after a long day of work and school is gathering at the dinner table and enjoying a meal together. In fact, the National Research Center on Hispanic Children and Families (NRCHCF) highlights research that finds that half of all Hispanic children eat at least one meal a day with their family, which has many health, emotional, and academic benefits. Additionally, 63% of preschool-aged children (birth to age 5) are the most likely to have daily family meals, while teenagers are the least likely. Let’s dig deeper into this research and why it’s important ...

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7 Key Trends Shaping the Future of Cancer Research


Female Doctors Talking In Medical Research Center And Using Desktop Computer To Analyze MRI Scans Of Brain. Surgeon And Neuroscientist Discussing Solutions For Treating Cancer.

Cancer death rates have dropped 34% over the past three decades, saving the lives of more than 4.5 million people.  And it’s all thanks to cancer research.   Research is the foundation of critical public health efforts, including prevention, screenings, and advancements in cancer treatment, according to the latest progress report on cancer from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).   Every year the AACR puts out its progress report to discuss the latest achievements in research while keeping a watchful eye on the future, including the need for ongoing scientific research to one day eradicate cancer.   Here are 7 key takeaways from the report and how it will impact the future of cancer research.  1. The Number of Survivors is Projected to Rise Between ...

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Help Researchers Learn About the Latina Breast Cancer Experience


Female patient listening to doctor in medical office.

Despite cancer deaths declining, cancer continues to be a top cause of death among Latinos and all people in the US.   One of the most prevalent forms of cancer is breast cancer.  Every year, 240,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Many of these women are Latina.  What’s more, breast cancer is the top cause of death among Latinas.   That’s one of the reasons that a researcher at Liberty University is looking for Latina breast cancer survivors to participate in a research study.  Let’s explore the research study and discover ways to contribute to research to ensure better breast cancer outcomes for Latinas and all women.  Research Study on Breast Cancer  The study aims ...

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How Education Level Impacts Mortality



In the last 15 years, U.S. mortality rates have leveled off or worsened, according to a new report from the National Institutes of Health. One of the lesser-known reasons for this trend is educational level. “Notably, research has found that mortality is [better] among people with a higher level of education,” according to NIH. Let’s dig deeper into this research and what it means for our communities. What Research Found on Educational Levels      The NIH cites a recent study, published in JAMA Health Forum and led by Boston University School of Public Health. The study examined U.S. mortality rates by educational attainment before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with data from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics and the U.S. Census ...

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13 Key Drivers of the Latino Cancer Burden, According to Researchers


13 drivers of cancer burden

In the United States, cancer is a significant public health challenge. For example, among Latinos, who are 19.5% of the population, rates are higher and prognoses are poorer than other groups. The Latino cancer burden is driven by complex interactions in 13 key areas, according to a new publication from the Task Force: Latino Researchers Against Cancer in the journal Frontiers in Public Health. The task force, led by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez of UT Health San Antonio and comprised of specialists in oncology, public health, and behavioral sciences, spent a year meeting together to unpack the influences contributing to cancer, from genetics to societal practices. "Findings highlight environmental hazards, genetic susceptibilities, stigmas, and linguistic barriers as significant ...

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Researchers Identify Hidden Genetic Causes of Congenital Heart Disease


Doctor displaying anatomy model.

Scientists and collaborators at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai recently identified novel genetic interactions that may contribute to congenital heart disease. Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a problem with the heart’s structure at birth. Let’s go beyond the surface and learn more about what the research means and how it can help others! The Health Impact of Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) When a disease or condition is congenital, it means someone is born with this condition. Congenital heart diseases or defects occur when “when the heart, or blood vessels near the heart, don’t develop normally before birth. Such defects result when a mishap occurs during heart development soon after conception — often before the mother is aware that she is pregnant,” ...

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3 Important Studies on How Cancer Affects All People


Mature scientist leading a lab research

Cancer continues to be tied with heart disease as the top cause of death for all people, including Latinos. People of different backgrounds suffer higher rates of certain cancer types, are diagnosed at later stages, and are more likely to die from the disease. This is often due to issue with non-medical drivers of health in communities. That’s why researchers choose to keep studying the intersection between background and health issues so that science and medicine can improve cancer outcomes for these individuals and everyone.   Here are three cancer studies that focus on cancer and background.   1. Trends in Incidence of Testicular Cancer Testicular cancer remains the second -most common cancer in men aged 15-39 worldwide, according to a study published in the National ...

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Researchers Work to Improve Treatment for Uveal Melanoma


Doctor examining eye of senior.

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic are working to better understand and find treatment for uveal melanoma, also called melanoma of the eye. Uveal melanoma is a type of cancer that involves one of the three parts of the eye that comprise the uvea: the iris, the ciliary body, and the choroid. The researchers have developed organoid models, or 3D models grown from patient tissue, which accurately reflects a patient’s unique genetic and biological characteristics. “When derived from a patient’s cancer tumor, an organoid will behave and respond to treatments outside the body in a lab (in vitro) just like the original tumor would inside the body (in vivo),” according to a Eureka Alert news release. Let’s look further into this research and how it can impact all ...

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