The most popular articles of 2023

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With over 400 stories published on Health Lab in 2023, the following headlines caught the most readers’ eyes. 

Read on to learn more and discover more fascinating articles on research and wellness by exploring all this past year’s articles.

1. Study shows dementia more common in older adults with vision issues

A study lends further weight to the idea that vision problems and dementia could be linked. 

In a sample of nearly 3,000 older adults, the risk of dementia was much higher among those with eyesight problems – including people who weren’t able to see well even when they were wearing their usual eyeglasses or contact lenses.

2. AI can predict certain forms of esophageal and stomach cancer

The innovative artificial intelligence tool accurately predicts esophageal adenocarcinoma and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma, both highly fatal cancers, three years prior to diagnosis.

3. Could ginger help treat autoimmune disease symptoms?

According to a Michigan Medicine study, healthy volunteers who took an oral ginger supplement saw a significant decreased risk of inflammation, blood clotting and vascular damage from the lowering of their neutrophil hyperactivity that is known to be present in many autoimmune disorders.

4. Study shows promising treatment for tinnitus

Investigators led groundbreaking research on how the brain processes bi-sensory information and how these processes can be harnessed for personalized stimulation to treat tinnitus.

5. Tumor-destroying soundwaves receive FDA approval for liver treatment in humans

The technique provides a non-invasive alternative to surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer.

6. "Drawing Dad" becomes sensation throughout pediatric cancer unit

In three months of his son being in and out of the hospital, Greg Martin Jr. created over 30 different drawings adorning hospital windows in the unit.

7.  The surprising origin of a deadly hospital infection

The most common hospital-onset infection is caused by the bacterium Clostridioides difficile, or C. diff, and accounts for almost half a million infections in the United States each year.

Surprising findings from a study suggest that the burden of a C. diff infection may be less a matter of hospital transmission and more a result of characteristics associated with the patients themselves.

8. Early signs of Alzheimer’s: Most older adults see the value of screening but haven’t been tested

Even though many adults see the benefits to screening for cognitive decline, 80% say they haven’t had one themselves.

9. Yes, you should get a COVID shot this year

Not considered a booster, the newest COVID vaccine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in September, just in time for respiratory infection season.

10. The Barbie feet challenge isn’t worth your Ken-ergy

A social media trend, inspired by the famous Barbie film, caused pain and injuries when done for extended periods of time.