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Dr. Marie Gabrielle Laguna

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Fresh Fruit Consumption Can Diminish Diabetes Risk and Its Complications

May 9, 2017

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Fresh fruit consumption can lower the occurrence of diabetes and reduce the complications in diabetic people, says a study. Huaidong Du of the University of Oxford and his colleagues found that higher consumption of fresh fruits lower the diabetes risk in Chinese population.

The research team investigated about 500,000 people involving in the China Kadoorie Biobank for more than 7 years of follow-up, while also recording new diabetic patients and documenting the incidents of vascular disease and death in pre-existing diabetic people.

Fresh Fruit and Diabetes Risk Connection

The results showed that people who consumed fresh fruit had a lower risk of developing diabetes when compared to others. There was 0.2% decrease in the absolute diabetes risk over 5 years.

In diabetic people who consumed fresh fruit was linked with a lower risk of death, which corresponds to an absolute decrease in risk by 1.9% over 5 years and with reduced risks of macrovascular and microvascular complications.

Besides the health effects of consuming fresh fruit, researchers highlight the value of their results for diabetic Asian population. The major drawback of this observational study is that impacts of fruit consumption may be hard to differentiate from those participants' other behavioural and dietary characteristics.

Written by: Lax Mariappan, Msc

Synthetic Biomarkers Could Reveal Tiny Ovarian Tumors

May 8, 2017

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An advanced approach using synthetic biomarkers to detect ovarian cancers has been developed by MIT researchers. The approach was tested in mice and has detected tumor nodules which are smaller than 2 millimeters in diameter. In humans it could detect tumors for 5 months earlier than what is feasible with currently available blood tests.

A synthetic biomarker is used for the new test. This biomarker is a nanoparticle which can interact with tumor proteins to liberate fragments. These fragments can be identified in a urine sample of the patient. This way of detection is clearer than the natural biomarkers which are found in fewer quantities on the patient's blood.

Sangeeta Bhatia, a member of MIT’s Koch Institute says that we engineered our biomarker 15 times better than earlier version and compared it with a blood biomarker in a mice model of ovarian cancer to demonstrate that we could do it.�

Nanoparticles As Synthetic Biomarkers

Initially, Bhatia reported the approach of detecting cancer with synthetic biomarkers in 2012. This approach calculates the activity of endoproteases � protein-cutting enzymes. These enzymes are produced by tumors to help employ blood vessels and attack the tissues surrounded in that location for growth and spread of cancer.

To identify this kind of enzyme, the researchers developed nanoparticles covered with peptides that can be cut by specific proteases called MMPs. When injected into a mouse, these nanoparticles inactively settle at the tumor site. MMPs slice the peptides to release smaller reporter fragments which will be filtered out by the kidney and collected in the urine. A simple paper-based test can be used to detect those reporter fragments from the urine.

For this study, researchers made use of two new approaches to amplify the sensitivity of their detector. The first approach was to modify the polymer's length that binds the peptides to the nanoparticle. This modification also reduces the slicing by the non-target enzyme.

As a second approach, the researches included a targeting molecule called tumor-penetrating peptide to the nanoparticles. This addition makes the nanoparticles to collect at the tumor site in higher numbers and leads to amplify the number of cleaved peptides that concentrates in the urine.

With the help of these two enhancements, the researchers boosted the sensitivity of the sensor by 15 times, which they later found to be adequate in diagnosing ovarian cancer that consisted of tiny tumors (2 millimeters in diameter) in mice models. The researchers also tested this strategy in the liver where they were capable of detecting tumors that occurred in the colon. In human beings, colon cancer frequently spreads to the liver and creates small tumors that are hard to detect; the same applies in ovarian tumors.

Better Diagnosis

As of now, physicians depend on blood biomarkers made by ovarian tumors; however these markers do not collect in adequate concentrations to be detected until the tumors grow big as 1 centimeter in diameter. These blood markers can be detected only after 8 to 10 years after their formation. With the other available diagnostic tool, ultrasound imaging, tumors which are 1 centimeter or larger can be detected.

This new approach can detect tumor five months prior to the currently available diagnostic methods. This might create a major impact for some patients.

Written by Lax Mariappan, Msc

Image Credit:�Nephron/CC BY-SA 3.0 – MIT

Mebendazole Shows Promise In Treating Brain Tumors

May 7, 2017

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Mebendazole, a medication for treating pinworms could be used to treat one of the most common brain tumors which is low grade glioma. Marc Symons, PhD, professor in The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research’s Karches Center for Oncology Research, have determined that the drug mebendazole that could extend the lives of low grade glioma patients.

Low-grade glioma is a tumor that develops from cells that could help and safeguard the brain’s nervous system. Surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the available treatments for this tumor. As the blood-brain barrier blocks substances from the blood entering to the brain, chemotherapy is very difficult. Vincristine is a drug that is usually used as part of different drug combinations for the treatment of brain tumors, though it is slightly toxic and very poorly passes through the blood-brain barrier.

Dr. Symons and team investigated mebendazole that had demonstrated to be efficient in treating glioma turmors in earlier studies. By analyzing how mebendazole destroys isolated tumor cells in the laboratory, they demonstrated that it functions in precisely the similar way as vincristine. They also identified but, that while mebendazole efficiently prevented the growth of glioma tumors, vincristine did not function at all.

Efficiency of�Mebendazole

“We were quite shocked to know that vincristine, which is now being used to treat an array of various brain tumors, was completely inefficient in our in vivo glioma model,” mentioned Dr. Symons. “In comparison, in the same model, mebendazole worked rather well, most possibly since mebendazole crosses the blood-brain barrier and reaches the tumor a way better than vincristine. The reason that vincristine may be wrongly believed to be efficient for the brain tumors treatments is that it often has been used in combination with other therapies.”

As per the new findings and because of the fact that vincristine frequently has high side effects in contrast to comparatively mild reactions to mebendzole, Dr. Symons and his colleagues are currently motivated to begin clinical trials to verify whether mebendazole may replace vincristine in brain tumors therapies. https://call6.ch/basel-inserate/

“Sometimes breakthroughs can be looking at current therapy in a new light,” said Kevin J. Tracey, MD, president and CEO of the Feinstein Institute. “This new strategy requires to be examined in clinical trials, but with Dr. Symons’ new results we can be closer to a new treatment option that might extend the lives of the patients with low-grade glioma and other brain tumors.”

Written by Lax Mariappan, Msc

Nanopores Could Map Small Changes in DNA That Signal Big Shifts in Cancer

May 6, 2017

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Researchers at University of Illinois showed a new method using nanopores to identify, count and map methylations which may be a cancer signal, with extraordinary resolution.

Jean-Pierre Leburton, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Illinois University said that single or less methylations is not a problem, however if there are a number of them and they are found close to each other, it is not good. DNA methylation is really a beginning process for cancer. So we have to find how many of them found and how closely they are packed. That can reveal as the stage of cancer. �

Limitation in resolution is a major challenge on others efforts to detect methylation with the help of nanopores. Researchers initiate this by making a tiny hole in a flat sheet which has only one molecule or atom thickness. The pore is dipped in a salt solution and an electrical current is applied to force the DNA molecule through the hole. Researchers are aware that a methyl group is threaded through the dips in the current. But when two or three methyl groups are closer to each other, the pore counts it as one signal, Leburton mentioned.

Nanopores To Detect Methylations

The Illinois team tried a little different strategy. Instead of dipping, they applied current directly on the conductive sheet around the pore. In collaboration with Klaus Schulten, a professor of physics at Illinois, Leburton’s team made use of advanced computer simulations to examine applying current to various flat materials, like molybdenum disulfide and graphene, as methylated DNA was passed through.

“Our simulations denote that assessing the current through the membrane instead of just the solution around it is much more precise,” Leburton said. “If you have two methylations close together, even only 10 base pairs away, you continue to see two dips and no overlapping. We also can map where they are on the strand, so we can see how many there are and where they are.”

Leburton’s group is working with collaborators to improve DNA threading, to cut down on noise in the electrical signal and to perform experiments to verify their simulations.

Written by Lax Mariappan Msc

Immunotherapy Can Be Improved By Targeting Tumor Blood Vessels

May 3, 2017

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The efficiency of immunotherapy against various types of cancers is now improved by EPFL scientists by means of reprogramming tumor blood vessels. These blood vessels are important in delivering oxygen and nutrients for cancer cells' growth.

The laboratory of Michele De Palma at EPFL studied two proteins, namely VEGFA and ANGPT2, which tumours create to induce the growth of new blood vessels. Inhibiting the actions of VEGFA and ANGPT2 may stop the growth of the blood vessels, restrict the supply of oxygen and nutrients, and starve the tumours.� To inhibit both VEGFA and ANGPT2, the EPFL team utilized an antibody known as A2V.

Efficiency of A2V

The team examined A2V in investigational models of breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and melanoma. They discovered that A2V had better therapeutic benefits, while antibodies that inhibit either VEGFA or ANGPT2 had limited efficiency.

Significantly, A2V also blocks metastasis, a condition that often leads to death in cancer patients. Under the control of VEGFA and ANGPT2, tumour blood vessels also gain an abnormal structure that slows down the passage of T cells, therefore minimizing the efficiency of immunotherapy. A2V resulted in the degeneration of many tumour blood vessels; however some persisted after the therapy.

“One fascinating result was that A2V not only degenerated most of the tumour blood vessels, but also reversed the abnormal features of those that had persisted, making them like that of normal blood vessels and more open to the onset of anti-tumoural T cells”, says De Palma.

Certainly, A2V enhanced the “extravasation” of activated T cells into the tumours, a process that is needed to begin an immune response against the tumour. Tumours can escape detection and attacks by guarding immune cells, such as T cells. Tumours achieve this by expressing some proteins, called “immune checkpoint ligands”.� Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), which joins PD-1 receptor that is found on the T cells surface, halting them from attacking the tumor. A method to avoid this problem is to use drugs known as checkpoint inhibitors.

These are normally antibodies that identify and attach the immune checkpoint proteins on tumours, hence leaving them permissive to immune attacks. The EPFL researchers discovered that the accumulation of activated T cells around the A2V therapy also stimulated a defensive response: the blood vessels begun to create the checkpoint ligand PD-L1 in an attempt to “blind-sight” the attacking T cells. But, the researchers' team found that it is likely to overcome this hindrance by inhibiting the PD-1 receptor.

Undeniably, an anti-PD-1 antibody highly enhanced the anti-tumoural effects of A2V. “While A2V reversed the tumour blood vessels and helped the arrival of activated T cells, the anti-tumoural T cells happen to quickly repressed upon their extravasation to the tumour microenvironment”, says De Palma.

The study has significant inferences for cancer immunotherapy.� “Our work proposes that some anti-angiogenic drugs, namely ANGPT2 inhibitors, have more intense effects on tumours than earlier assumptiont. Additionally targeting the blood vessels, they also facilitate the beginning of anti-tumoural immune responses, which can be supported by immune checkpoint blockade”.

Written by Lax Mariappan, MSc

Mediterranean Diet Can Prevent Blindness

May 1, 2017

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People who intently comply with the Mediterranean diet, especially those who have high fruit intake, may less likely develop age-related macular degeneration by around 1/3, a study showed. Macular degeneration is a leading cause of blindness. The results of this study were presented at the 120th annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. This study is the first to show that caffeine may actually protect against age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Previous research have demonstrated the health advantages of the Mediterranean diet , which encourages eating fruits, veggies, whole grains, legumes, nuts, healthy fats and fish, and limiting red meat and butter. The food plan has been proven to fortify heart health and diminish the risk for cancer, but there was little study on whether it also has advantages on eye health. To determine this, researchers studied a Portuguese population to observe whether adherence to the diet impacted men and women’s risk of AMD. Their findings revealed a significant decrease in risk in individuals who ate a Mediterranean diet in most cases, and chiefly among people who consumed more fruit and caffeine.

Consuming A Mediterranean Diet

Researchers at the University of Coimbra in Portugal studied 883 individuals ages 55 or older in the said country between 2013 and 2015. Around 449 of the subjects had AMD in its early stages before blindness, and 434 didn’t have AMD. Researchers evaluated their diets using a questionnaire and asked how they ate foods related to the Mediterranean food plan. The more they ate meals related to the diet, the bigger the rating, from 0-9. Individuals who carefully followed the diet scored a 6 or higher.

The results showed that adherence to the Mediterranean diet leads to a lower AMD risk.

Of those who did not comply with the diet (scored below a 6), 50 percent had AMD. Of those who did intently comply with the diet (scored 6 or above), only 39 percent had AMD. This represents a 35 percent lower risk compared to those who didn’t adhere to the diet.

The results also showed that intake of fruits were especially beneficial to health. Researchers analyzed consumption of foods and found that people who consumed greater amounts of fruit were much less prone to have AMD. Of people who consumed 150 grams (about 5 ounces) or more of fruit a day, 54.5 percent didn’t have AMD and 45.5 percent had AMD. In summary, persons who ate a lot of fruit each day are 15 percent much less likely to have AMD.

Caffeine and Antioxidants

The researchers also found out that caffeine and antioxidants can protect well against AMD.

Researchers used a computer program to analyze the individuals’ consumption of micronutrients, using the questionnaire. They found larger consumption of antioxidants such as those in caffeine, beta-carotene and vitamins C and E can protect against AMD. Of people who consumed high amounts of caffeine (about 78 mg a day, or equal to one shot of espresso), 54.4 percent did not have AMD and 45.1 percentage had AMD.

While caffeine isn’t viewed as part of the Mediterranean diet per se, consumption of caffeine-containing foods like coffee and tea is long-established in Mediterranean nations. The researchers opted to look at caffeine on account that it’s a powerful antioxidant that is known to be protective against other diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.

According to Rufino Silva, M.D., Ph.D., lead author of the study and professor of ophthalmology at the University of Coimbra, Portugal; ophthalmologist working at the Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra; and investigator at the Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image, This research adds to the evidence that a healthy, fruit-rich diet is important to health, including helping to protect against macular degeneration. We also think this work is a stepping stone towards effective preventive medicine in AMD.�

Workplace Accidents: 10 Tips For Prevention

Apr 30, 2017

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Workplace accidents affect directly and indirectly a business; sometimes these accidents can even lead to the death of an individual. As of 2015, worker deaths in the United States are 13 per day; however these deaths and injuries can be prevented.

Workplace accidents can add costs to the business in the form of medical expenses, compensation, and legal procedures. The indirect costs of workplace accidents include additional employees training, productivity loss, repairing equipments and accident investigations.

The following tips can be useful to create a safer workplace and to avoid usual workplace accidents.

Safety Plan

A safe workplace relies on an efficient accident prevention program. The program should cover the safety and health of all employees and hazardous behavior or practices must be reported. These reports can be useful to track safety practices and eventually, it can avoid workplace accidents.

Screening Employees

Few accidents happen due to the inability and lack of experience of the workers. Pre-employment screening is recommended to find the right candidates with required work experience and physical capabilities for the corresponding position.

Safety Training

You should frequently promote a safety standard in the workplace among all employees in every position. Training should be given to employees regarding safety measures so that they will get to know the importance of workplace safety. To avoid strain injuries and for safe lifting and moving, supplemental training about body mechanics is recommended.

Finding Vulnerabilities

Every business has its own vulnerabilities and it needs different safety standards. Most workplace accidents can be prevented with proper safety standards and training. Discuss with a safety expert and find out what the possible vulnerabilities are and the ways to prevent them effectively.

See our related article How to Claim Compensation for Workplace Injuries�

Using Protection Equipments

Employees at all levels should be provided with personal protection gear and you must make sure they use it at the right time. Improper handling of personal protection equipments can also cause injuries to people, so educate everyone on using hard hats, having face protection and on using goggles, earplugs, gloves and safety shoes in the right way.

Adequate Staffing

Inadequate staffing requires the implementation of overtime. When employees work overtime, they may get exhausted and fail to meet the desired output. There is also a risk for accidents due to exhaustion, as employees may lack diligence and focus. Having seasonal staff or part-time employees could increase productivity and also avoid accidents because of exhaustion.

Following Standards Strictly

When employees skip some steps just to finish a task before deadlines or other reasons, accidents happen. These accidents can be prevented if everyone follows all instructions and standard operating procedures. Ensure that your workplace has clear instructions and is more organized to avoid unwanted accidents.

Vehicles Maintenance

Driving accidents happen due to poor maintenance of vehicles and improper driving or inadequate staffing. Make sure all the company vehicles are inspected and maintained periodically to avoid such accidents. Workplace-driving accidents cost more including employee compensation, healthcare expenses and vehicle repair.

Monitoring Safety Standards

Some employers don't care about safety after training and this becomes a loophole in workplace safety. Safety measures in a workplace should be monitored regularly through supervision, education and staff meetings. Commonly, employers reward employees for their performance; in the same way, employees should be rewarded for following safety standards. This will encourage employees at all levels to follow safety measures in the workplace.

Organized Workplace

A workplace should be clean and organized to avoid safety and health hazards. Assuring a debris-free environment, with floors without spills and enough foot path, which may prevent accidents related to slipping, tripping and falling.

Workplace accidents cost a lot not only on the part of employers but also on the part of workers. Accident prevention and wellness programs should educate employees and keep everyone safe.

Common Car Crash Injuries Everyone Should Know About

Apr 29, 2017

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Here are some of the most common car crash injuries that you should be aware of so that you will know what to expect after a car crash.

Have you experienced being injured in a car accident? If you have, you probably have a lot of things in your mind, such as how severe your injury is and whether it is worth to pursue claims. Whether you have minor injuries or your pain and other symptoms have started some time after the car crash, it may be worth to file a claim.

There are many types of injuries that we usually encounter in the news every now and then. These injuries have signs and symptoms which may not be evident right after the car crash. It may take several days for pain to set in and these signs and symptoms may get worse and may even give rise to other medical complications. For your own safety, you should seek medical help immediately after a car�� crash. It's also essential that you file a claim as soon as possible so that your medical care costs can be paid. There are some injuries that do not show up on x-rays and if you don't seek medical help immediately, insurance companies may ignore your claim because your time of suffering has already passed.

Head and Brain Injuries

These injuries can include injuries to the brain, inter-brain hemorrhage, skull fractures or wounds that may require suturing. They are often caused by a sudden blow to the head that may also pierce the skull. This further gives rise to traumatic brain injury (TBI) that may be mild or severe. A mild type of TBI such as a concussion can improve after only a few days while a severe head injury can affect speech, movement, cognition and memory and may even give rise to a coma.

? See our related article Car Crash Injuries: How to Avoid on the Road�

Neck and Back Injuries

These injuries may include those that damage the spinal cord, whiplash injuries and sprains or strains. The most common of these neck and back injuries is whiplash, which can stretch the neck and then quickly put it into place due to sudden stop or acceleration. This causes damage to the spinal cord, vertebrae, disks and ligaments, further leading to paralysis and the loss of function of other parts of the body. Whiplash injuries can also bring about pain that can last for a lifetime.

Neck injuries may also bring about damage to the larynx or the trachea; if severe, it can cause death.

Burn Injuries

Car crashes can lead to burn injuries which may range from mild to severe. Severe burns may need skin grafts and may result to unsightly scarring.

Chest Injuries

Car crashes can also cause injuries to the ribs and the sternum or the breast bone, especially if the driver or passenger was not using a seatbelt.� These injuries may be avoided nowadays by airbags in steering wheels and dashboards; however there may still be damages such as internal bleeding and fractures. Tears to the diaphragm may also occur and may cause difficulties in breathing.

See our related article Medical Conditions in Car Crash Injuries: What to Expect�

Pelvic and Abdominal injuries

Car crashes can bring about hip fractures and injuries to the internal organs located within the abdomen. The most commonly affected organs are the liver, the kidneys and the spleen.

Leg and Foot Injuries

These are often a result of impacts or smashing into a part of the car. There may be resultant wounds or bruises that can be painful and swollen. Much worse, there may even be fractures, either single or multiple. The knees are prone to meniscus tears which are tears within the knee cartilage; this results from the leg being twisted and turned.

The feet as well as the ankles may also get injured with fractures, sprains or strains. Limbs, feet or toes may even be severed, especially in those involving motorcycle accidents.

Soft Tissue Injuries

The body has a lot of soft tissues in the form of muscles, tendons and ligaments which serve to cushion the other parts of the body and protect them against damage. However, these soft tissues can also get damaged and may cause excruciating pain and discomfort.

Fractures

The bones may be broken during a car crash. Fractures are extremely painful and may require orthopedic surgery; they may also take months to heal.

Whatever your car crash injury is, don't forget to seek medical help immediately after a car crash. Also, don't forget to file the necessary claims.

Common Motorcycle Accidents Frequently Encountered On the Road

Apr 28, 2017

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Follow these tips to avoid common motorcycle accidents.

Riding a motorcycle is fun and but dangerous at times. Every motorcyclist should know even just a few basic safety measures. Protective gears, including helmets, are highly recommended to stay safe.

Sudden Car Turns

This type of motorcycle accidents are the most common and dangerous to the riders. The turning car hits the motorcycle under the following circumstances: when the motorcycle is about to go straight through an intersection, while the motorcycle is passing the car or when the motorcycle is trying to overtake the car.

In order to prevent this accident, you have to predict the next move of the other drivers. �You have to pay attention to indicators that somebody may be waiting to turn in front of you.

A Car Comes into Your Lane

This accident happens when a car right next to a motorcycle starts to merge with the same lane. The common reasons behind this type of accidents include lack of attention or when the motorcycle blocked the blind spot of the car in a four-lane road.

When you are riding a motorcycle, you should be able to view the car's mirrors, and especially, the driver's face; this indicates that they can see you. Otherwise you're in a blind spot where the car driver cannot see you; you have to slow down or speed up or to get out of the spot.

As you cannot notice whether you are in a blind spot or if the other vehicle driver notices you, you have to be more proactive. You should observe that a car or vehicle is changing lanes by these signs: by turning signals, wheels beginning to turn, or the driver rotates his head to see vehicles in his blind spot.

Head-On Collisions

In this type of accident, the car hits the motorcycle head-on. This often results in the death of the motorcyclist. During this type of accident, the motorcycle driver will be crushed or propelled through the air and possibly into hard surface.

As per recommendation of The US National Safety Council, a motorcyclist should follow the Four Rs� to prevent a head-on collision by reading the road ahead, driving to the right, reducing speed, and riding off the road.

See our related article Motorcycle Accidents and Medical Issues: What to Expect�

Motorcycle Lane Splitting

Lane splitting happens while a motorcycle drives between two adjacent lanes of slow-moving or stopped vehicles at traffic congestion or in traffic light. This is also a common reason for motorcycle accidents because of the following factors:

When there is not enough gap between the car and the motorcycle
When there is less space for the motorcycle to turn
When car drivers don't expect anyone to pass by them in stopped traffic
When cars do not split lanes and drivers don't anticipate it

Lane-splitting is highly unsafe and unnecessary. In splitting lanes, make sure there are enough gaps in between stopped cars.

Riding Under the Influence

It is a fact that alcohol has a major role in motorcycle crashes. If a motorcyclist is having blood alcohol concentration of more than 0.08 percent, the chances of accidents are high.

The best way to prevent this type of accidents is to avoid drink and riding. If you are attending a party or hanging out and your consumed alcohol is over the limit, it is recommended that you leave your motorcycle and return home on a taxi.

Taking a Corner Too Fast or Slipping Out

Riding motorcycles on corners can be difficult and dangerous at times. While driving near a corner, you have to be cautious about gravel, water, patches of sand etc. If you hit any of these materials, your tire loses traction and it can wipe out easily.

To avoid this type of accidents at corners, reduce your speed to maximize your vision. Make sure that you can handle the corner and that there is no danger before you increase your speed. The best advice is to ride as fast as you can and see if you are comfortable with it. While taking a turn, slow in and fast out� is the right rule to follow.

Need for Speed

High-performance motorcycles are normally lightweight and can reach a speed of up to 160 mph or even more. As per statistics, high risk drivers are below the age of 30 riding sports bikes. The death rate from motorcycle accidents is high among sports bike riders' and the ratio is two to four times more than that of normal motorcyclists. Driving at manageable speed is the best way to avoid such accidents.

The above listed accidents are common motorcycle accidents, however they can be avoided. Be proactive, observant and use protective gear. Follow traffic rules strictly and consider the above-mentioned safety tips. Happy riding!

Common Truck Accidents and Why They Occur

Apr 27, 2017

1996

What are the common truck accidents and why do they occur?

Truck accidents can bring about fatal consequences. This is why commercial drivers should avoid them by all means. Truck accidents can cause devastating consequences that can cause physical, financial and emotional stress. Thus it is a must that we should have knowledge about the most common truck accidents and their reasons so that we can prepare well for them.

Truck accidents and other commercial vehicle accidents are different from a passenger vehicle accident. This is because a truck accident usually creates more damage, as a truck is bigger than a passenger vehicle. The massive weight of the truck along with its cargo type and volume determines the extent of the damage. Statistics show that fatigue of the driver, impairment in driving and improper training of drivers are the common reasons why truck accidents occur.

Truck accidents are usually divided into two: those that are caused by passenger vehicle drivers and those caused commercial drivers.

See our related article Truck Accidents: Top Ways on How to Avoid�

Passenger Vehicle Drivers

Sometimes, the reasons why truck drivers meet accidents are not because of themselves but due to other drivers on the road. Some of these reasons are as follows:

Changing Lanes

Changing lanes abruptly is not good; neither is improperly merging in front of a truck. Passenger drivers need to consider that larger trucks need more distance and time for them to decrease speed. Passenger drivers should never swerve in front of a truck because it may lead to accidents because the truck driver was not given enough time to respond.

Unsafe Passages

Passenger vehicles should be careful when trying to pass a truck because they may not know how much space is there. Avoid passing on steep roads, hills or curves and give enough room for a truck to pass safely and enough time for the driver to brake.

Blind Spot Driving

When driving behind a truck, always remember that the driver may not see you well. Truck drivers always have a blind spot where they have limited to zero visibility. Don't follow a truck too closely and give them enough room to maneuver.

See our related article Truck Accidents and Possible Common Medical Conditions�

Allow Wide Turns

It may be hard for trucks to make wide turns so never race a truck towards a place where it may want to turn.

Commercial Truck Drivers

Truck Driver Fatigue

Driver fatigue is one of the reasons for truck accidents. Drivers should be given enough time for rest and sleep. Routes should be scheduled and drivers should avoid driving for more than 11 hours.

Poor Truck Maintenance

These are actually the fault of truck companies who do improper or poor maintenance. Routine checks should be done on trucks and other commercial vehicles and these checks should be properly documented. A truck company may be held liable for an accident when there is faulty equipment or equipment malfunction.

Location and Weather

Poorly created roads and extreme weather conditions such as storms, ice or snow can cause truck accidents to happen. Make sure that the truck has a maintenance check before proceeding in these conditions.

Distracted Driving

Truck drivers need to focus their attention on the road. One of the common reasons for truck accidents is calling or texting on mobile phones while driving. Truck drivers should let go of their gadgets while driving.

Overspeeding

This is a common issue among truck drivers who drive and exceed the speed limit. Truck drivers should follow the traffic flow and not rush. Studies show that truck drivers are more likely to encounter accidents when they increase speed of a vehicle which weighs 20 times more than a typical passenger car.

Bad Driving Practices

Due to fatigue or being bored, truck drivers may often resort to unsafe driving practices such as following another vehicle too closely, failure to check for the blind spots, road rages, changing lanes and not using signals.

Other Common Causes of Truck Accidents

The other causes of truck accidents include improper training on the part of a truck driver, inexperienced driving, and overloading. Recently, countries ad states have already determined weight limits of commercial trucks to avoid accidents.

If you are truck driver, you should keep in mind all these causes so that you can avoid them. Accidents happen, but you have the power to prevent them from happening.

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