Tag Archives: Columbia University

Blood analysis reveals signs of Parkinson’s 10 years before diagnosis

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Clumps of a damaged protein called alpha-synuclein gather on the dopamine-producing brain cells of patients with Parkinson's disease, triggering an autoimmune response from T cells

In 2017, scientists at Columbia University found the first direct evidence that autoimmunity may play a role in the onset of Parkinson’s disease. The same team has been working to fill in this timeline of physiological events and uncovered further evidence of how the immune system contributes to the development of the disease, potentially opening up new windows of opportunity for early intervention.

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Category: Medical, Science

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Hydrogel scaffold may fast-track healing of torn ligaments and tendons

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Rupturing a tendon or ligament can be a devastating setback for athletes both professional and amateur, and not just for the hefty medical costs associated with treatment and rehabilitation. These types of injuries can mean long stints on the sidelines… Continue reading Hydrogel scaffold may fast-track healing of torn ligaments and tendons→

Weird weather pushes Greenland to worst ice loss on record

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A new study has calculated that the Greenland ice sheet lost hundreds of billions of tons of ice last year, marking the biggest drop in its ice mass since records began in 1948. And warm weather alone wasn’t to blame – the team found that unusual press… Continue reading Weird weather pushes Greenland to worst ice loss on record→

American robins head north sooner due to Arctic snow melting earlier

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Climate change threatens to shake up the lifestyles of many animals around the world and a new study has revealed that for the American robin these wheels are already very much in motion. Scientists tagged the songbirds with GPS units to track their mi… Continue reading American robins head north sooner due to Arctic snow melting earlier→

Kidney stone drug found to starve pancreatic cancer cells to death

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Like all cells in the body, cancerous cells need nutrients and energy to survive, which presents researchers with an opportunity to cut off the supply and slow their spread. A research team at Columbia University has made an exciting discovery in this … Continue reading Kidney stone drug found to starve pancreatic cancer cells to death→

Study finds COVID-19 spread in China fueled by “stealth transmission”

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A new study published in the journal Science has tracked the spread of the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV2, across China in January concluding 86 percent of early infections were undocumented. The researchers suggest a “radical increase” in identification… Continue reading Study finds COVID-19 spread in China fueled by “stealth transmission”→

Cane-based companion robot supports mobility-impaired with a friendly touch

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Taking inspiration from the traditional cane, a team of researchers from Columbia Engineering in New York has come up with a LiDAR-enabled robotic assistant which offers light-touch support for the mobility-impaired. Dubbed Canine, the device… Continue reading Cane-based companion robot supports mobility-impaired with a friendly touch→

Slow-and-steady drug combo wins race against pancreatic cancer

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Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly forms of the disease, thanks largely to the fact that the tumors tend to be much more solid. This means that cancer drugs aren’t able to get inside to work their magic. But now researchers have iden… Continue reading Slow-and-steady drug combo wins race against pancreatic cancer→

EEG scan detects hidden consciousness in unresponsive brain injury patients

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A landmark study from neurologists at Columbia University has described a new method to detect signs of consciousness in unresponsive brain-injured patients using a simple EEG scan. The research also suggests the EEG data can predict which pa… Continue reading EEG scan detects hidden consciousness in unresponsive brain injury patients→

Declassified spy satellite photos reveal accelerating ice loss at Earth's "third pole"

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Recently declassified US spy satellite images reveal Himalayan glaciers have been melting at an accelerating rate

It’s not entirely news that the Earth’s ice budget is under threat from a warming climate, but a new study has looked into just how fast that’s happening. Using recently declassified spy satellite photos, researchers found that compared to the last quarter of the 20th century, Himalayan glaciers have been melting twice as fast this century. In a rare piece of good news, a separate study has shown that a Greenland glacier has gained ice for the third year in a row.

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Category: Environment

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