‘Neuroprosthesis’ restores words to man with paralysis: Technology could lead to more natural communication for people who have suffered speech loss
Researchers at UC San Francisco have successfully developed a “speech neuroprosthesis” that has enabled a man with severe paralysis to communicate in sentences, translating signals from his brain to the vocal tract directly into words that appear as text on a screen. The achievement, which was developed in collaboration with the first participant of a […]
Tennessee Ceases Teen Vax Outreach; PEs in COVID Patients; Slow Running in Seoul
Note that some links may require registration or subscription. The Physician Fee Schedule proposed 2022 conversion factor — the number that determines how much physicians will be paid for treating Medicare fee-for-service patients — is $33.58, a decrease of $1.31 from the CY 2021 conversion factor of $34.89, CMS announced. Look for more on this […]
Impairments found in neurons derived from people with schizophrenia and genetic mutation
A scientific team has shown that the release of neurotransmitters in the brain is impaired in patients with schizophrenia who have a rare, single-gene mutation known to predispose people to a range of neurodevelopmental disorders. Significantly, the results from the research with human-derived neurons validated previous and new experiments that found the same major decrease […]
Combining plant-based diet and healthy microbiome may protect against multiple sclerosis: Metabolism of isoflavone by gut bacteria protects mice from MS-like inflammation
A new University of Iowa study suggests that metabolism of plant-based dietary substances by specific gut bacteria, which are lacking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), may provide protection against the disease. The study led by Ashutosh Mangalam, PhD, UI associate professor of pathology, shows that a diet rich in isoflavone, a phytoestrogen or plant-based […]
COVID Boosters Still Iffy; Delta Deaths To Come; Medicare Mulls Aduhelm Coverage
Note that some links may require registration or subscription. In a meeting with representatives from Pfizer, U.S. government officials stated that more data is needed before they can determine whether COVID-19 booster shots will be necessary. (New York Times) Meanwhile, WHO director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, PhD, criticized COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers for focusing on developing booster […]
The Phrase That Completely Transformed How I Think About Exercise
For most of my life, I’ve had a tumultuous relationship with exercise. This was mostly due to the fact that I felt like it was a requirement and I was never any “good” at it. I loathed team sports as a kid, and I’d put more energy into pretending I was sick so I could […]
Milestone for Safe Injection; Plasma Exchange for VITT; Cruises Beat Back CDC Rules
Note that some links may require registration or subscription. Rhode Island is the first state to make safe injection sites legal in an effort to prevent opioid overdoses. (Providence Journal) The global death toll from COVID-19 surpassed the 4 million mark on Wednesday. (USA Today) As of about 8 a.m. ET, the estimated COVID-19 toll […]
Secret to weathering climate change lies at our feet: New research on the microbiome of grass shows that the future lies with healthy bacteria
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst recently discovered that the ability of agricultural grasses to withstand drought is directly related to the health of the microbial community living on their stems, leaves and seeds. “Microbes do an enormous amount for the grasses that drive the world’s agriculture,” says Emily Bechtold, a graduate student in […]
COVID Surges Emerge; FDA Warns About Chantix; Lions, Tigers, Bears Get Vaxxed
Note that some links may require registration or subscription. While the rest of the country celebrated Independence Day, a sudden rise in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations — especially among Black residents — put a damper on the holiday spirit in Los Angeles County. (Los Angeles Times) A hospital in hard-hit Springfield, Missouri ran out of […]
Role of dopamine in songbird’s brain plasticity: Neurotransmitter shown to be a key driver in sensory processing
Neuroscientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have demonstrated in new research that dopamine plays a key role in how songbirds learn complex new sounds. Published in the Journal of Neuroscience, the finding that dopamine drives plasticity in the auditory pallium of zebra finches lays new groundwork for advancing the understanding of the functions of […]