Health & Medicine
Using genetic signatures to better classify spinal neurons
Professor Samuel Pfaff at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies builds on previous work revealing important principles related to neural development, gene regulation, axon guidance and connectivity, and spinal motor circuit function. Spinal neurons were traditionally grouped into around 12 cardinal classes – but this doesn’t describe their full diversity. Now, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies team has developed […]
Hearing loss: who gains the most from cochlear implants?
Hearing loss can cause severe disabilities and impair daily life. Cochlear implants may be an option for those who experience extreme deafness, but there are long waiting lists for potential recipients in countries with limited healthcare options. Paula Greenham of Greenham Research Consulting has investigated what factors are most likely to result in improved quality of life for individuals requiring […]
Exosome microRNAs as liquid biopsies for the monitoring of prostate cancer
Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is a highly aggressive variant of prostate cancer that emerges in response to hormone therapy. Dr Sharanjot Saini and her staff, from the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, USA, are studying exosomes – nano-sized vesicles that transfer lipids, proteins, or genetic information between cells. These could be used as a source of biomarkers to […]
Male infertility and the genesis of mature sperm cells
About 10% of all males in the United States who are attempting to conceive suffer from infertility. Dr Rajakumar Anbazhagan, Dr Maria L. Dufau and Dr Kavarthapu Raghuveer from the National Institutes of Health, USA, aim to understand the biochemical pathways behind male factor infertility to devise a better strategy to address the issue effectively. The researchers identified a protein […]
Controlling heart rhythm reduces adverse outcomes in atrial fibrillation
Around 2% of the European population suffer from atrial fibrillation, a heart condition characterised by a change in heart rhythm that increases the risk of serious health complications. Currently, therapies to directly address the arrhythmia are not used for all patients. The Atrial Fibrillation Network Association (AFNET) was the responsible organisation for the EAST-AFNET 4 trial, which set out to […]
Transitional care programs for older adults: Improving Canada’s core health services
Transitional care programs are critical for ensuring better health management and continuity of care, oftentimes when older adult patients are required to move between healthcare services and settings and are most vulnerable to worse health outcomes. Transitional care programs are also found to be beneficial in reducing acute-care health resources and costs in countries around the world, however, for numerous […]
Moving closer to ideal care for heart failure patients using eHealth and Artificial Intelligence
Heart failure (HF) is a growing challenge which imposes unsustainable demands on healthcare systems worldwide. Professor Hans-Peter Brunner-La Rocca and Hesam Amin from Maastricht University Medical Center, are leading the international PASSION-HF project, which is developing an Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven eHealth system that enables self-care for patients with chronic HF. AI, personalised coaching, and serious gaming are included, providing […]
New independent research clarifies risks associated with different MHT (HRT) treatments
Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is used to ease severe symptoms associated with the menopause and can be administered in tablet, patch, gel, or implant form. However, previous research has suggested treatments may have serious side effects, including increased risks of developing blood clots, breast cancer, and dementia. Dr Yana Vinogradova of Nottingham University Medical School, UK, supported by UK researchers […]
Disruption of amyloid β-protein processing drives Alzheimer’s
In the study of familial Alzheimer’s disease, a specific form of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) found in amyloid plaques has been the focus of many investigations as a key driver of disease. However, increased concentrations of this form of Aβ does not always occur with disease-causing mutations, suggesting a different step in Aβ processing could be triggering Alzheimer’s. Professor Michael S. […]
Stem cell-based cartilage regeneration technology
Harnessing the regeneration ability of stem cells, researchers are making strides in the treatment of large cartilage defects of the knee. A collaborative team including Dr Khay-Yong Saw, Dr Reza Ng, Dr Caroline Jee (Kuala Lumpur Sports Medicine Centre, Malaysia), and Dr Adam Anz (Andrews Research and Education Foundation, Florida, USA) demonstrate the safety and efficacy of peripheral blood stem […]