Attach the mini microscope to your smartphone to take the test Despite the fact that many of us spend a good portion of our day in front of a computer or pouring over documents, chances are we don’t get our eyes checked as often as we should. Whatever the reason for this, there’s now...
Year: <span>2017</span>
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New drug gives hope for those with progressive multiple sclerosis
As many as 400,000 Americans are believed to suffer from multiple sclerosis — a debilitating disease of the central nervous system. A new drug may provide relief from the most devastating form of MS. Six years ago, at age 45, Jerrie Gullick suddenly developed leg and back pain, numbness, and severe fatigue. She was barely able to...
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ANCIENT CHINESE MALARIA REMEDY FIGHTS TB
A centuries-old herbal medicine, discovered by Chinese scientists and used to effectively treat malaria, has been found to potentially aid in the treatment of tuberculosis and may slow the evolution of drug resistance. In a promising study led by Robert Abramovitch, a Michigan State University microbiologist and TB expert, the ancient remedy artemisinin stopped the...
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Optical control of a neuroreceptor alleviates chronic pain
Summary: Pain serves as a valuable warning signal, but when it becomes chronic, pain should be considered as a real disease. An international team has identified and controlled one of the centers associated with chronic pain. This work made it possible to relieve the symptoms in mice and demonstrated the ability of the brain to remedy...
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Neurable Funded to Power Brain-Controlled Virtual and Augmented Reality
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Dec. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Neurable, a developer of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology based on breakthrough neuroscience, has raised a $2M seed round to bring its software platform to market. Brian Shinled the round through Accomplice’s Boston Syndicate with participation from Point Judith Capital, Loup Ventures, the Kraft Group, NXT Ventures, and prominent angel investors. ...
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New study explains how low-dose aspirin may prevent cancer
Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and death worldwide, and its prevalence is predicted to increase in the next few years. Cancer prevention strategies include making healthy lifestyle choices and getting tested if at risk. New research suggests that a small dose of aspirin may help prevent the formation of cancer cells and explains...
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Could a narcolepsy drug help combat food addiction?
A prescription drug used to treat narcolepsy and other sleep disorders has the potential to help people whose obesity is driven by food addiction. This is the conclusion of a new study published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences. Researchers suggest that a drug used to treat narcolepsy may also help tackle obesity driven...
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Nanodiscs target tumors in potential cancer vaccine
Nanodiscs may be used in a vaccine against some types of cancer, with a new study finding the technology effective in killing and preventing recurrence of tumors(Credit:lightsource/Depositphotos) Colon and melanoma cancers could soon be treated with a simple vaccine, if research from the University of Michigan lives up to its early promise. Using synthetic nanodiscs, scientists...
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Is this why women are more likely to get arthritis? Scientists have identified a ‘master switch’ gene that causes their immune system to attack itself
Some 8 out of 10 cases of autoimmune diseases are believed to affect women Researchers have pinpointed the key gene that controls their immune system Called VGLL3 – it regulates cells and could pave a way for a drug that targets it A ‘master switch’ that makes women more prone to arthritis has been...
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Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Spontaneously Make Cartilage After Blockage of VEGF Signaling
Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be induced to make cartilage by incubating the cells with particular growth factors. Unfortunately, batches of MSCs show respectable variability from patient-to-patient. Therefore the growth factor-dependent method suffers from poor efficacy, limited reproducibility from batch-to-batch, and the cell types that are induced are not always terribly stable. Finding a better...