The pelvic floor is a set of muscles that supports pelvic organs, such as the bladder and bowel. These muscles aid urinary control, continence, and sexual function. Both men and women can experience pelvic floor weakness over time. As with other muscles, people can perform exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor, enhancing bowel and bladder...
When the Body Attacks Itself
New research shows how the immune system’s interaction with viruses leads to autoimmune disease Viral infections can trigger the onset of debilitating autoimmune diseases. For example, in acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), the body attacks a protein that protects nerves in the brain and spinal cord, often following a viral infection. However, how viral infections interact...
Researchers reveal how blue light exposure is damaging our eyes
In today’s highly connected world we are increasingly having blue light beamed into our eyes at all times of day. While a convincing body of research is suggesting blue light from our TVs, computers, smart phones and tablets can significantly disrupt our circadian rhythms, it is less clear how much damage this particular spectrum of light...
Scientists Discover The Secret Weapon Of Stomach Viruses
Researchers have discovered why some stomach bugs hit us so hard — and spread so fast. New research published Wednesday in Cell Host & Microbe found that stomach infections, like norovirus and rotavirus, are more contagious and more potent when the virus particles cluster together. A cluster of rotaviruses. The image is from a transmission...
Alzheimer’s drug may stop disease if used before symptoms develop
August 1, 2018 by Fariss Samarrai, University of Virginia About 50 percent of people who reach the age of 85 will develop Alzheimer’s disease. Most will die within about five years of exhibiting the hallmark symptoms of the disease – severe memory loss and a precipitous decline in cognitive function. The reddish-blue mouse neurons in this...
Gas sensing gut pill beats breath test diagnosis
New trials reveal swallowable sensor 3,000 times more accurate than current technology RMIT UNIVERSITY New trials of a breakthrough swallowable sensor have revealed the device is 3,000 times more accurate than the current technology used to diagnose many gut disorders. IMAGE: THE CAPSULE, WHICH PROVIDES REAL-TIME DETECTION AND MEASUREMENT OF HYDROGEN, CARBON DIOXIDES AND OXYGEN IN...
Measure of belly fat in older adults is linked with cognitive impairment
TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN A new study using data from over 5,000 individuals has found that a measure of belly fat (waist: hip ratio) was associated with a reduced cognitive function in older Irish adults (>60 years of age). These findings have significant implications as the global prevalence of dementia is predicted to increase from 24.3...
Mindful brains
In the world with so much buzz around us, it can be difficult to unplug from work and not think about the never-ending list of things to do. Stress accumulates…. If you can relate to these statements (let’s be honest, most of us will), you might search for ways to de-stress, and people are becoming...
New Wearable Sensor Detects Stress Hormone in Sweat
Cortisol is key to tracking stress, but it’s tough to measure in an instant; Stanford researchers say they’ve figured out how Photo: Stanford University/Science AdvancesStress. We all know it can be bad for us. It affects blood pressure, metabolism, immune response, and memory. Over time, it can contribute to the development of chronic diseases. So...
First grand project from Genome Project-write (GP-write) looks to develop ultra-safe virus-resistant cells
The leadership of the GP-write project – Jef Boeke from NYU Langone Medical Centre (NY), George Church from Harvard Medical School (MA), Andrew Hessel from Autodesk Inc (CA) and Nancy J Kelley from New York Genome Center (NY, all USA) – have announced their project’s latest developments. Updating the goals of their seminal GP-write paper, published...