Margarida Maia, PhD, science writer —

Margarida is a biochemist (University of Porto, Portugal) with a PhD in biomedical sciences (VIB and KULeuven, Belgium). Her main interest is science communication. She is also passionate about design and the dialogue between art and science.

Articles by Margarida Maia

Off-label Adalimumab May Be of Benefit for Cardiac Sarcoidosis

Adalimumab — a medication that blocks the pro-inflammatory TNF-alpha protein — safely and effectively eased symptoms of cardiac sarcoidosis in seven adults, allowing them to reduce or discontinue their use of corticosteroids, a study reports. The therapy also promoted a rise in the number of lymphocytes, a type of…

De Novo Cardiac Sarcoidosis Linked to Worse Heart Disease

Patients with sarcoidosis of the heart, called cardiac sarcoidosis, with no other organ involved have more advanced symptoms at their first doctor visit than those with prior involvement of organs other than the heart, a study found. With time, they also develop a type of irregular heartbeat called ventricular…

Study Compares Suspected Cardiac Sarcoidosis Between Sexes

Females with suspected cardiac sarcoidosis experience chest pain and palpitations more frequently than males, but their heart is affected less severely by the condition, a study suggests. Yet, the incidence of either death from all causes or significant ventricular arrhythmia — an abnormal rhythm in the heart’s lower chambers…

DNA Sequencing May Help ID Tuberculosis Versus Sarcoidosis

A DNA sequencing technology called next-generation sequencing (NGS) may be used to detect tuberculosis (TB) rapidly and accurately — which could help in distinguishing it from sarcoidosis, a study suggests. While tuberculosis and sarcoidosis share many symptoms, the therapies for the two diseases differ greatly, according to researchers.