Health benefits of morning coffee; robots in nursing homes; quitting vaping in 2025 – Morning Medical Update

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Drinking coffee in the morning tied to better overall health

New research out of Tulane University found that people who drink their coffee between 4:00 a.m. and noon had a 16% lower chance of death, from any cause, compared to those who didn’t drink coffee at all. The research, published in the European Heart Journal, also found that coffee drinkers had a 31% lower risk of dying from heart disease, compared to non-coffee drinkers. The number of cups per day, or whether or not the coffee was caffeinated, did not make a difference. However, coffee-drinkers who preferred their drinks in the afternoons and evenings did not have a lower risk of death. ABC News has the full story.

Using robots in nursing homes leads to better employee retention, better care

A recent study has found that the adoption of robots in nursing homes can enhance employee retention, increase productivity and improve patient care. The study, led by Yong Suk Lee, an associate professor at the University of Notre Dame, and published in Labour Economics, analyzed data from Japanese nursing homes, highlighting the benefits of using robots for tasks including lifting patients, aiding mobility and monitoring health data. Facilities that used robots reported lower staff turnover, reduced patient restraints and fewer bedsores among residents.

The findings have significant implications for the long-term care industry, especially as populations grow older worldwide. Lee noted that the use of robots alleviates physical strains on workers, allowing them to focus on tasks requiring empathy and human touch. “This research provides critical insights into how societies can successfully navigate the challenges of caring for aging populations,” Lee said.

New methods to quit vaping in 2025

Know anyone ready to quit vaping in the new year? Text messages may be a useful tool for young people looking to quit, and the prescription medication, varenicline, could be used to help adults, according to a new study from the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Amherst. Published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the study analyzed nine randomized studies involving more than 5,000 participants, marking an early but critical step in understanding which methods could be effective.

Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, an assistant professor of health policy and management at UMass Amherst, and senior author of the study, emphasized the need for continued research to refine these approaches. “This is an area of research that is in its infancy, but is growing rapidly and organically from people who vape asking about help to quit vaping,” Hartmann-Boyce said.