Researchers in the Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center have found that terpenes mimic cannabinoids and produce similar pain-relieving effects.

Continuing coverage: When it comes to the medicinal and therapeutic properties of Cannabis sativa, an unsolved mystery is whether there exists an “entourage effect,” whereby the pain-relieving effects of the plant as a whole are greater than any of its individual parts. “A lot of people are taking cannabis and cannabinoids for pain,” said lead researcher John Streicher, PhD, a member of the UArizona Health Sciences Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center and associate professor of pharmacology at the College of Medicine – Tucson.

During Monsoon Season, Arizonans can expect to see more scorpions this summer. "Typically, scorpion season is going to range from about May all the way through October, with the peak being in June," said Laura Morehouse, MPH, CHES, a health education specialist at the UArizona Poison and Drug Information Center. The Center has already received over 300 sting reports as of mid-June, Morehouse added.

When it comes to the medicinal and therapeutic properties of Cannabis sativa, an unsolved mystery is whether there exists an “entourage effect,” whereby the pain-relieving effects of the plant as a whole are greater than any of its individual parts. “A lot of people are taking cannabis and cannabinoids for pain,” said lead researcher John Streicher, PhD, a member of the UArizona Health Sciences Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center and associate professor of pharmacology at the College of Medicine – Tucson.

A recent study by researchers at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix defines a mechanistic role for an understudied bacteria family in gynecologic disease.

Two Health Sciences insiders share takeaways for better future events from a year of online conferences, meetings and more.

Bacterial vaginosis is the most common and recurrent gynecological condition affecting nearly 30% of women between the ages of 15 and 44, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A University of Arizona Health Sciences-led study recently identified a specific bacteria family and uncovered how it contributes to bacterial vaginosis, paving the way for new insights into disease prevention and treatment. "Using this study and our 3D model as a foundation, we hope to determine if and how other species are altering the environment to contribute to bacterial vaginosis," said Melissa Herbst-Kralovetz, PhD, a member of the BIO5 Institute and associate professor of basic medical sciences at the College of Medicine – Phoenix.

Why are many health officials saying we don’t need a COVID-19 booster shot, at least not yet? Deepta Bhattacharya, PhD, an immunobiologist at the College of Medicine – Tucson, said the efficacy of the Pfizer vaccine isn’t waning several months after being vaccinated. Bhattacharya explained what’s happening in our bodies that allows the vaccine to be so effective, even with the variants.