Scientists discover mechanism that could regrow damaged nerves

spinal-cord

The discovery could lead to developing a drug that can trigger regrowth of damaged nerves.

Spinal cord injuries are currently irreparable. Most people who suffer from such an injury never fully recover, and many end up with partial or even full paralysis. Although we’ve made great strides in understanding how spinal injuries damage nerves and how we might fix the spinal cord in the future, and even how those patients can cope in the meantime, we still don’t know how to repair the nerves themselves when such an injury occurs. However, scientists at Imperial College London have recently discovered a mechanism that allows them to repair, and even regenerate, nerves in the central nervous system after a spinal cord injury.

 

 

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Neuroplasticity: How our brain rewires and adapts (Infographic)

neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity helps the brain to reorganize itself.

The human brain is a marvelous thing. It helps us learn, helps us adapt. A core part of these abilities is thanks to neuroplasticity, which allows our human brain to reorganize itself as necessary — even after traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).

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Injectable foam stops internal bleeding on the battlefield

The polyurethane foam begins as two liquids stored separately and injected together into the abdominal cavity.

Despite the best efforts of military first responders to stabilize abdominal wounds sustained on the battlefield, they have few options when it comes to stopping internal bleeding caused by gunshots or explosive fragments.  DARPA is studying a new type of injectable foam that molds to organs and slows hemorrhaging. This could provide field medics with a way to buy more time for soldiers en route to medical treatment facilities.

 

 

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Children as Young as 12 Months Can Undo Carseat Restraints

child in car seat

40% of children wriggle out of carseat restraints while the car is moving.

Children as young as 12 months and still too young to walk are finding ways to wriggle out of protective car restraints and are increasing their risk of serious injuries, a study shows.  40% of the children unbuckle themselves while the car is moving.

 

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Fat and Muscle Tissue Could Be Turned Into Bone and Cartilage

Muscle

Muscle cells, pictured, could be encouraged to change into cartilage and then bone by using a form of gene therapy.

Fat and muscle tissue taken from patients’ own bodies could be converted into bone and cartilage to speed up the time it takes to heal injuries.  Researchers have been able to regrow bone and cartilage by inserting a gene into muscle and fat cells and then implanting them at the site of an injury.

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Fitness Experts Agree Stretching Before Exercising Could be Harmful

stretch

Stretching before exercising could be harmful

Want a better work-out? Then don’t stretch beforehand, some experts say. Many people take it for granted that they should start their exercise routines with some stretching on the spot, perhaps hoping it will loosen them up for their work-out. Most fitness experts now agree this kind of static stretching before exercise is not just counter-productive, but potentially harmful.

 

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Female Athletes Suffer More Injuries Because Training Programs Are Designed For Men

Basketball

Women suffer more sports injuries than men

Sportswomen experience “dramatically” higher rates of injury than men because programs designed for “young adult while males” fail to take into account “intrinsic biological differences” between the sexes, according to the Canadian study.

 

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Smartfish Pro Self-Adjusting Ergonomic Keyboard

Smartfish Pro Self-Adjusting Ergonomic Keyboard 

 Smartfish Pro

Typing on the computer all day can lead to some problems. And I’m not talking lack of sleep and a steady diet of Hot Pockets. I’m talking carpal tunnel syndrome. Between comments on Facebook, twitter, gaming and commenting, we are all just one keystroke away from carpal tunnel at any given time. The Smartfish Pro is designed to help prevent it rather then causing it.

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Portable, Noninvasive Trauma Monitors

Portable, Noninvasive Trauma Monitors 

A portable, noninvasive monitor developed by researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. 

Patients with severe injuries or serious infections run the risk of circulatory shock–a life-threatening condition in which the blood can’t supply tissues with enough oxygen and nutrients. If shock is recognized in time, the patient can be resuscitated with oxygen, intravenous fluids, and medications. But catching shock early is no simple matter. A small infrared sensor currently under development at the University of Massachusetts Medical School promises to detect impending shock earlier than any other noninvasive test.

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