Category: Features
Chinese study finds airborne pollutants can cause ‘missed’ miscarriages
China’s capital, Beijing, has recorded unhealthy air pollution levels in past years, with particulate matter (PM) readings exceeding those recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). A recent study by a team of researchers from four local universities found that […]
Parkinson’s sees promising new treatment, thanks to US scientists
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterised by symptoms such as tremors and slow movement – experimental treatments for genetic disorders have so far targeted mutated proteins/enzymes, but scientists from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (Northwestern […]
US study suggests relaxation makes some worriers more anxious
A new study by Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), US, highlighted that relaxation exercises – aimed at reducing anxiety – has the opposite effect in some people. The mechanism behind relaxation-induced anxiety is yet unclear, but in this case, Professor […]
Salamander-like cartilage regrowth in humans could guide osteoarthritis treatment
Creatures like salamanders and lizards are able to regenerate lost limbs, which more readily regenerate at the extremities, such as the ends of legs or tails. Virginia B. Kraus, a professor of Medicine, Pathology and Orthopedic Surgery at Duke Health, […]
Japanese team identifies neurons that make people forget dreams
Vivid dreams that occur during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep are quickly forgotten due to a cluster of neurons that become active at this time. The recent findings from research by Nagoya University, Japan, could put an end to assumptions […]
Heart patients and bachelors/spinsters benefit significantly from dog ownership
Pets have been known to ease some health concerns but it has been recently proven that dog owners live longer, and this is especially true for heart disease patients or the ones living alone. Dr. Caroline Kramer at the Leadership […]
Israeli imaging device could help with better dry eye diagnoses
An insufficient tear film across one’s eyes can cause it to frequently become irritated, in what is known as dry eye disease. The condition is sometimes tricky to treat, but a new device developed by Israeli firm Advanced Optical Methods […]
Patient-derived heart cells points to genetic control of cardiac function, US study finds
Instances of cardiac function/malfunction, such as irregular rhythms or heart failure, has been unclear in genome studies to date but researchers at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine have discovered that genetic variations influence heart function […]
Robust antimicrobial resistance surveillance needed in SEA
A particular resistance to two kinds of drugs, namely carbapenems and polymyxins, in Southeast Asia (SEA) has prompted the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to evaluate their clinical risks to the […]
