Doctors can’t predict who will develop type 1 diabetes, a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system destroys the cells needed to control blood-sugar levels, requiring daily insulin injections and continual monitoring. Now, a new study led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has found that viruses in the intestines may...
Post
New technology to manipulate cells could help treat Parkinson’s, arthritis, other diseases
A groundbreaking advancement in materials from Northwestern University could potentially help patients requiring stem cell therapies for spinal cord injuries, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritic joints or any other condition requiring tissue regeneration, according to a new study. “It’s important in the context of cell therapies for people to cure these diseases or regenerate...
Post
Well-known protein stimulates insulin secretion in pancreatic cells, surprising scientists
A study published online in The FASEB Journal demonstrated that a protein complex (Gbeta5-RGS) commonly known for halting cellular functions may actually stimulate insulin secretion in pancreatic cells. This discovery offers insights into new treatment strategies for conditions where the body is unable to produce sufficient levels of insulin, such as diabetes. “Once again, Gbeta5-RGS proteins continue...
Post
From the two-handled teapot to the tap turner: 10 gadgets to help you tackle arthritis
Around ten million Britons have some form of arthritis and live in pain Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can be extremely painful and worsen over time, leading to reduced strength and flexibility in the joints But a range of spcialist products and gadgets claim to ease the pain Around ten million Britons have some form...
Post
Cut out sugary drinks to prevent type 2 diabetes, study finds
An international study led by ANU has bolstered the global campaign for a sugar tax, finding thousands of cases of type 2 diabetes could be prevented every year in Thailand if people stopped drinking sugary drinks every day. The results come from the Thai Cohort Study from 2005 to 2013, which involved a nation-wide sample...
Post
What’s to know about rhabdomyolysis?
Rhabdomyolysis is a condition in which skeletal muscle tissue dies, releasing substances into the blood that cause kidney failure. Rhabdomyolysis is usually caused by a specific event. This is most commonly injury, overexertion, infection, drug use, or the use of certain medications. The condition is fairly rare, with roughly 26,000 new cases in the United States each...
Post
Fifteen possible causes of abdominal pain
Abdominal pain refers to discomfort in the space between the chest and pelvis. Most cases of abdominal pain are mild and have a variety of common causes, such as indigestion or muscle strain. Symptoms often resolve quickly on their own or with basic treatment. Abdominal pain, especially with severe or chronic symptoms, can also be...
Post
Needle-Free Viscous Drug Injections: Interview with CEO of Portal Instruments
High viscosity biologic drugs generally require syringe injections, but many patients are extremely uncomfortable around long needles and injection times can create a great deal of anxiety. Portal Instruments, a company out of Cambridge, Massachusetts, has developed a nearly automatic needle-free injector that reminds us of something doctors in science fiction movies would use. We spoke...
Post
High-tech wound dressing glows if it has to go
Open wounds are something of a paradox – they need to be checked regularly, yet taking the dressing off too often just increases the risk of infection. That’s why a group of Swiss researchers has developed a new “glowing” bandage that lets caregivers monitor the healing progress of wounds, from the outside. Known as Flusitex...
Post
This Wearable MRI Device Could Help Us Read Minds
IN BRIEF Mary Lou Jepsen, former head of display technology at Oculus, has founded a startup called Openwater that hopes “to create a wearable to enable us to see the inner workings of the body and brain at high resolution.” A WEARABLE MRI What if you could “see” directly into another person’s brain? The ability to read minds,...