Medical
Having already cured many diseases and conditions that were once a death sentence, medical researchers continue to strive to help us live longer and healthier lives. Read about the latest advances here.
Latest News
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Light-activated propulsion spins bacteria-shredding micromotors
April 18, 2024The four spikes on a new nanocrystal developed in Spain spin up under light and move through liquid, blasting any bacteria unfortunate to be in their path. The development could spell trouble for bacteria that resists traditional drug treatments. -
New flu drug aims to keep you in a 'Goldilocks zone' of lung inflammation
April 12, 2024A new drug for severe influenza successfully keeps patients at the perfect level of lung inflammation to protect against lung damage while still allowing the immune system to fight off the infection. It's effective in mice even days after infection. -
Sleep apnea: Mouthguards less invasive, just as effective as CPAP
April 12, 2024Obstructive sleep apnea can cause or contribute to high blood pressure, so a new study examined which sleep apnea treatments – a CPAP machine or a mouthguard that keeps the airways open – was more effective at lowering blood pressure. -
App detects heart failure vibes via a smartphone's existing sensors
April 09, 2024Detecting the first stages of heart failure could soon be as simple as placing a smartphone on a patient's chest. That's the conclusion of an ongoing study, which is aimed at developing an app for diagnosing the potentially lethal condition as early as possible. -
New asthma cause identified – and a new angle for treatment
April 07, 2024As common as asthma is, exactly how it starts remains murky. Scientists have now identified a new root cause, and importantly a new angle for treating the disease that can prevent the main symptoms. -
Simple oral spray prevents UTIs for up to nine years
April 07, 2024An oral vaccine that prevents urinary tract infections (UTIs) recurring has shown to provide protection for nearly a decade in a majority of patients, according to a new study. This easy treatment offers a safe, effective method of UTI prevention. -
New one-and-done vaccine protects against multiple coronaviruses
April 04, 2024A single-shot vaccine that protects against multiple coronaviruses, including the one that causes COVID-19, has been developed. It erased all viral traces from the lungs of animal subjects, opening a pathway for a similar human vaccine. -
Smartphone compass accurately measures glucose without the prick
April 03, 2024The magnetometer found inside your cellphone acts like a traditional compass to help you navigate your surroundings. Now, researchers are using it to map human biology, and it could ultimately make managing diabetes a lot cheaper and easier. -
World's most powerful MRI machine captures first stunning brain scans
April 02, 2024The world’s most powerful MRI machine has scanned its first living human brains. The resulting images give an ultra high resolution glimpse into the brain, to help us better understand the nature of consciousness and treat neurodegenerative diseases. -
Younger generations have bigger brains – and it's impacting dementia
April 01, 2024In the human species, bigger brains suggest better brain health and cognitive function. And since the 1930s, our brains have been growing. Now, a new study shows how this is affecting our risk of developing dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease. -
Brain tumors 5x more likely when taking common contraceptives
March 27, 2024Taking frequently prescribed contraceptive hormones for a year or more has been linked to a heightened risk of developing a serious brain tumor. One of those hormones, medroxyprogesterone acetate, is currently taken by some 74 million women worldwide. -
Beyond plaques: New Alzheimer's treatment pathway discovered
March 27, 2024Researchers have discovered that limiting a certain enzyme can have a dramatic impact in protecting against the effects of Alzheimer's disease. The finding could lead to a new class of drugs that fight the disease. -
Bladder sensor sends 'pee-time' alerts to patients' smartphones
March 26, 2024Although you may know when you need to pee, such is not the case with everyone. A new implantable sensor is designed to help those other folks, by sending a smartphone alert when their bladder is full. -
Gene-edited pig kidney transplanted into first living human patient
March 25, 2024A genetically edited pig kidney has been successfully transplanted into a living patient for the first time. Reports indicate the man is doing well a few weeks on, raising hopes for a wider pool of donated organs in future. -
Keto diet could delay pre-Alzheimer’s memory decline
March 21, 2024Eating a keto diet prevented the mild cognitive impairment often seen in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, new research has found. The researchers suggest that adopting the diet may be a way of delaying the onset of full-blown Alzheimer's.
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