The Web site of the National Institutes of Health has some advice for anyone wondering about whether to take a fish oil pill to improve your health. Yes. And no. Continue reading… “Are fish oil pills a $1.2 billion industry built on empty promises?”
Amazing connection between gut bacteria and cognitive functioning
Oregon State University researchers have discovered a new link between cognitive functioning and gut bacteria. In recent years the science involving bacteria in the gut and its link to health and cognitive functioning has boomed. Parkinson’s disease has even been linked to changes in gut bacteria. Published in the journal Neuroscience, a new study shows that diets high in fat and sugar are probably impacting cognitive functioning, because of their impact on the type of bacteria that thrive on high-fat and high-sugar diets. Continue reading… “Amazing connection between gut bacteria and cognitive functioning”
First 3D heart printed using multiple imaging techniques
Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital congenital heart experts have successfully integrated two common imaging techniques to produce a three-dimensional anatomic model of a patient’s heart. Continue reading… “First 3D heart printed using multiple imaging techniques”
Top 11 tech innovations that could change medicine
Huge changes in medicine and healthcare fueled by technology are heading our way. Continue reading… “Top 11 tech innovations that could change medicine”
Injectable electronic brain implants
U.S. and Chinese scientists have, for the first time, developed a method to inject microelectronic devices such as wires and transistors directly into the brain (or other body parts) to measure or stimulate neural activity. Continue reading… “Injectable electronic brain implants”
Using genome sequencing to improve patient care
According to one speaker at Advances in Genome Biology, a conference for genomic scientists held earlier this year, the use of genome sequencing to improve patient care is no longer a far-off goal — it’s happening today. Continue reading… “Using genome sequencing to improve patient care”
Hacking our nervous system
Former gymnast Maria Vrind from Volendam in the Netherlands, had to accept that things had reached a crisis point, when she found that the only way she could put her socks on in the morning was to lie on her back with her feet in the air. “I had become so stiff I couldn’t stand up,” she says. “It was a great shock because I’m such an active person.” Continue reading… “Hacking our nervous system”
Preserving memories forever?
It is the stuff of urban legends about Walt Disney, sci-fi cartoons and B-movies; the science of cryonics – preserving living (or dead) beings in low temperatures until they can be resuscitated. Continue reading… “Preserving memories forever?”
Lost memories reactivated by researchers with optogenetics
Researchers at MIT reveal, in a paper published last week in the journal Science, that they were able to reactivate memories that could not otherwise be retrieved, using a technology known as optogenetics. Continue reading… “Lost memories reactivated by researchers with optogenetics”
Tiny milimeter-size ‘millirobots’ could replace invasive surgery
Researchers from the University of Houston have developed a concept for MRI-powered millimeter-size “millirobots” that could one day perform unprecedented minimally invasive medical treatments. Continue reading… “Tiny milimeter-size ‘millirobots’ could replace invasive surgery”
New crazy device that promises perfect vision for the rest of your life
Having invented a device that lets you see “three times better than 20/20 vision” without wearing any contacts or glasses at all — for an entire lifetime, an optometrist from British Columbia believes he’s created the holy grail of corrective lenses. Continue reading… “New crazy device that promises perfect vision for the rest of your life”
Turning blood into neural cells
McMaster University scientists, discovered, simply by having people roll up their sleeve and provide a blood sample, how to make adult sensory neurons from human patients. Continue reading… “Turning blood into neural cells”
