Category: Education
Bioengineered human heart cells see improved performance
Researchers can now utilise induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) to form a model of human adult-like cardiac muscle. They do this by introducing electric and mechanical stimulation at an early stage. Since this muscle is similar to the adult heart, […]
Sleep deprivation linked to higher risk of Alzheimer’s
Researchers from a small study at the National Institutes of Health have found that even losing one night of sleep lead to an immediate increase in beta-amyloid, a protein in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease, In Alzheimer’s disease, beta-amyloid […]
NIH researchers uncover clue behind rare bone disorder
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have made a ground-breaking discovery in uncovering the genetic basis of a “dripping candle wax” bone disease. The rare disorder, known as melorheostosis, causes excess bone formation that resembles dripping candle wax on […]
Beneficial to have pets in nursing homes, but it can also pose risks
Having pets visit or live in nursing homes can bring delight and joy in residents, but it can also pose injuries and illnesses. In a survey of nursing homes in Ohio, nearly all the facilities allowed pets of all kinds […]
Chronic irritability in teenagers linked to suicide risk
Teenagers with chronic irritability, serious depression and anxiety are largely at risk of attempting suicide, says a major Canadian study. Based on records for 1,430 children followed for up to 17 years, researchers found that those who were particularly irritable […]
Experts propose new definition of Alzheimer’s disease
In a new pioneering and radical move, experts have come up with a suggestion on how Alzheimer’s disease is defined, focusing more on biological changes in the body and less on clinical symptoms such as memory loss and cognitive decline. […]
The brain continues to develop new memory cells well into old age
Scientists say that the human brain continues to develop new cells important for memories and exploration well into our 70s. “These new brain cells sustain our abilities to make new memories, learn, and cope with the environment, and they are […]
Antidepressants in pregnancy affect babies’ brains
Taking antidepressants during pregnancy may lead to changes in babies’ brains, though experts are unsure of the exact changes. Researchers examined brain scans of 16 newborns whose mothers took medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for depression during […]
Noisy workplaces expose people to high cholesterol and high blood pressure
People who work in noisy workplaces run the risk of having heightened blood pressure and cholesterol. “A significant percentage of the workers we studied have hearing difficulty, high blood pressure and high cholesterol that could be attributed to noise at […]
Smartphones can aid in the management of Parkinson’s disease
A U.S. study has found that an experimental smartphone application can help doctors monitor the changes in the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in patients. “Like diabetes, Parkinson’s has variability and symptom fluctuations, which can also vary the treatment. We can’t […]
