MNT’s editors share their 2022 research highlights in a new podcast
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As we wrapped up 2022, three of our editors — Maria Cohut, the Feature Editor, Yasemin Nicola Sakay, the Global News Editor, and Managing Editor James McIntosh — joined the “In Conversation” podcast to talk about some of 2022’s research highlights.
From a global perspective, there’s no denying that the monkeypox epidemic (now known as mpox), the war in Ukraine, the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, and the upheaval surrounding the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the U.S. have all made headlines. But amidst all the turmoil, there have also been some bright spots in the world of medical research.
Stem cell research has made significant strides, with scientists exploring their potential use to treat a wide range of conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, and diabetes. Our own Managing Editor, James McIntosh, donated stem cells earlier this year to help further research into treatments for people with blood cancers and blood disorders. James talks about his experience in “Through My Eyes.”
There has been growing interest in the potential of psychedelics in mental health treatments. Some studies have suggested that psychedelics, such as psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) and MDMA (better known as ecstasy), may be effective in treating conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. While research in this area is still in the early stages, the results so far have been promising and have sparked excitement among researchers and advocates.
Finally, there was news of a novel method for identifying potential dementia symptoms that may allow for earlier diagnosis, and the discovery of an insulin-mimicking molecule that could potentially be used to treat diabetes in the future.
All in all, it’s been a year of both challenges and progress in the medical field. Here’s hoping for even more exciting advances in the years to come!
To listen to the podcast and find links to all this research and more, jump to “2022 highlights: Dementia, stem cell, and mental health research.”
We’ve also collected some of your favorite articles from this year’s Sunday Supplement, plus the latest stories on continuing human evolution, what to eat to fix bad breath, and a new way of looking at successful aging. Scroll down to learn more.
We will return with our regular daily newsletter and Sunday Supplement early in the new year. In the meantime, we are always keen to hear from you, so please get in touch by email if you have any feedback, comments, or questions about this week’s newsletter.
Tim Snaith
Newsletter Editor, Medical News Today
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