How COVID affected teens' brains, plus new cancer drugs and Parkinson's risk

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How COVID affected teens' brains, plus new cancer drugs and Parkinson's risk

A new study has found that COVID-19 can have long-lasting effects on the brains of teenagers. The study, published in the journal Nature, found that teens who were infected with COVID-19 were more likely to have problems with memory, attention, and processing speed.

The researchers believe that the virus may damage the brain in a number of ways. For example, it may cause inflammation in the brain or disrupt the blood flow to the brain. The study also found that teens who were hospitalized with COVID-19 were more likely to experience brain problems than those who were not hospitalized.

The researchers say that more research is needed to understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the brain. However, they believe that the findings of the study are important because they highlight the need for teens who have been infected with COVID-19 to receive ongoing monitoring and support.

In other news, scientists have developed a new drug that could help to treat a variety of cancers. The drug, called capmatinib, targets a specific mutation in the EGFR gene. This mutation is found in a number of different cancers, including lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer.

Capmatinib has been shown to be effective in treating patients with advanced EGFR-mutant cancers. In a recent clinical trial, patients who were treated with capmatinib experienced significant tumor shrinkage and improved survival rates.

The drug is currently being evaluated in additional clinical trials. If approved, capmatinib could be a valuable new treatment option for patients with EGFR-mutant cancers.

Finally, a new study has found that exposure to certain environmental pollutants may increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The study, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, found that people who were exposed to higher levels of manganese and iron were more likely to develop Parkinson's disease.

Manganese and iron are naturally occurring elements that can be found in air, water, and soil. Exposure to these pollutants can occur through breathing contaminated air, drinking contaminated water, or eating contaminated food.

The researchers say that more research is needed to confirm the link between exposure to manganese and iron and the risk of Parkinson's disease. However, they believe that the findings of the study are important because they highlight the need to reduce exposure to these pollutants.

I hope you found this news article informative. Please let me know if you have any other questions.