“Hidden consciousness” may be present in 25% of unresponsive patients

A severe brain injury can leave patients unresponsive to stimuli, but they may be more aware than we realize. A new study of brain activity has shown that up to a quarter of unresponsive patients may exhibit “hidden consciousness.”Continue ReadingCateg… Continue reading “Hidden consciousness” may be present in 25% of unresponsive patients

Implantable mic says sayonara to external cochlear implant hardware

While cochlear implants do indeed allow some deaf people to hear, they also incorporate potentially problematic external components located on the side of the head. That could soon change, however, thanks to an experimental new implantable microphone.C… Continue reading Implantable mic says sayonara to external cochlear implant hardware

Toxic arsenic and lead found to be common in tampons

It’s estimated that, in the US, between 52% and 82% of people who menstruate use tampons. To avoid health risks, especially given the high potential for vaginal absorption, it’s imperative that any harmful chemicals present in tampons are identified.Co… Continue reading Toxic arsenic and lead found to be common in tampons

Vaccine breakthrough protects the immunocompromised from the unvaxxed

Measles was declared eliminated from the US in 2000 because of vaccination. Now, it’s back – in a big way. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of June 27, 2024, 159 measles cases had been reported across 23 states. Of … Continue reading Vaccine breakthrough protects the immunocompromised from the unvaxxed

ECG necklace ensures underweight babies get life-saving skin contact

For low-birth-weight (LBW) babies, skin-to-skin contact with their mother can literally be a lifesaver. A new high-tech necklace ensures that they get enough of that snuggling, while also providing essential data on their vital signs.Continue ReadingCa… Continue reading ECG necklace ensures underweight babies get life-saving skin contact

Angry? Your blood vessels pay the price, new study demonstrates

Even brief periods of anger caused by triggering memories can negatively impact our blood vessels’ ability to relax. That’s the finding of a new study that could have implications on how we look at heart attack and stroke risk.Continue ReadingCategory:… Continue reading Angry? Your blood vessels pay the price, new study demonstrates

Hybrid brain lets one species’ neurons help out another’s

Adding rat stem cells to a mouse embryo resulted in a ‘hybrid brain’ in which the rat cells stepped in to restore function when the mouse’s sense of smell was removed, new research has shown. It’s the first time one animal’s cells have been used to res… Continue reading Hybrid brain lets one species’ neurons help out another’s

Emo senses your smile before it happens and responds in kind

A robot called Emo that senses when a human is about to smile and simultaneously responds with one of its own could represent a big step towards developing robots with enhanced communication skills more conducive to building human trust, a new study su… Continue reading Emo senses your smile before it happens and responds in kind

Climate alchemy: Team turns carbon dioxide into super-strong fibers

In an effort to mitigate human-caused climate warming, scientists are focused on ways to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. One of the more novel ways to do this has just been announced by scientists at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) … Continue reading Climate alchemy: Team turns carbon dioxide into super-strong fibers

Regular ketamine use found to restructure the brain’s dopamine system

Researchers have mapped the whole brain of mice, revealing how regular ketamine use produces divergent changes in specific areas of the brain responsible for producing the ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitter, dopamine. The discovery could have significant imp… Continue reading Regular ketamine use found to restructure the brain’s dopamine system