by Iliyah Maddox | Dec 4, 2024 | biology, health and medicine
Researchers have made a significant advancement in understanding an important component of the nervous system: the neuromuscular junction, a crucial connection between nerves and muscles. A recent study performed by Charles Frison-Roche of the Center of Research in Myology in the Sorbonne University, Paris, and colleagues, reveals the role of proteins known as Muscleblind-like proteins, or MBNL proteins for short, which help to regulate motor coordination by helping to maintain neuromuscular junction stability. This discovery is potentially very useful, as loss-of-function of MBNL proteins is a hallmark of a genetic condition called Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 (or DM1 for short). DM1 disrupts muscle control, leading to muscle weakness, problems with balance, and other symptoms that can get progressively worse over time. MBNL proteins, and their role in the neuromuscular junction, may represent new treatment targets in DM1.
by Iliyah Maddox | Dec 2, 2024 | health and medicine
Liver disease is a significant health challenge globally. It can often progress unnoticed for years until it becomes life-threatening. Cirrhosis is the final stage of chronic liver diseases, and it can be caused by conditions such as viral hepatitis, excessive alcohol consumption, or metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease, which is linked to conditions such as obesity or diabetes. Once cirrhosis has set in, the tissue in the liver becomes permanently scarred, reducing its function, and this can progress to liver failure or liver cancer. Often, these conditions are not diagnosed in sufficient time for effective treatment. Happily, a new risk assessment tool called the LiverRisk score, developed by the LiverScreen Consortium, could pave the way for early liver disease diagnosis, potentially allowing clinicians to intervene before irreversible liver damage occurs. The LiverRisk score helps to identify those who are at risk of severe liver complications in the future. The diagnostic tool is designed to be easy to use, and is based on clinical markers that are widely available from routine blood tests.
by Iliyah Maddox | Nov 18, 2024 | biology, education & training, health and medicine
Our kidneys filter blood to remove waste and can regulate water balance. We’ve all experienced that when we’re thirsty urine becomes concentrated, signalling us to drink more water. When we drink excess water, we urinate more frequently, and the urine is diluted. The kidneys’ ability to concentrate or dilute urine according to our body’s need relies on countercurrent multiplication (or CCM), a complex process that generates a salt concentration gradient in the kidney. However, CCM is challenging to teach and understand. Dr. Serena Kuang, a researcher and educator at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, has developed a more understandable CCM model and clears up errors in existing explanations making CCM easier to understand and teach.
by Iliyah Maddox | Nov 11, 2024 | health and medicine
In the high-stakes world of critical care, medical professionals are frequently called upon to perform life-saving procedures under intense pressure. Among these, airway intubation stands out as one of the most critical and technically demanding tasks. This procedure, which involves inserting a tube into a patient’s airway to ensure that they can breathe, is often performed in emergency situations where seconds count. The ability to intubate swiftly and accurately can mean the difference between life and death. However, this task is also fraught with stress, particularly for trainees who are still developing their skills. To better understand how these trainees cope with the stress of intubation, Dr Neil Cunningham of the University of Melbourne and colleagues conducted a groundbreaking study comparing physiological stress responses in simulated and clinical environments. Their findings offer valuable insights into the effectiveness of simulation-based training, which has become a cornerstone of medical education.
by Iliyah Maddox | Nov 8, 2024 | health and medicine
The development of pressure injuries in hospital patients is a regular occurrence, and certain areas of the body are more susceptible. Although there is abundant research on pressure injuries in adult patients, studies relating to infant and child patients are lacking. Dr. Ivy Razmus at the University of Detroit Mercy has conducted extensive research on the prevention of pressure injuries in patients under the age of 12 years. She highlights the crucial role of advanced practice nurses in managing this widespread problem.
by Iliyah Maddox | Oct 30, 2024 | biology, health and medicine
Pulque, an ancient Mexican beverage, is making waves in the scientific community—not just as a cultural relic, but as a potential health-boosting powerhouse. A team of researchers, including Prof. Rogelio Valadez-Blanco, Dr. Yesica Ruiz-Ramírez, and Prof. Paula Guadarrama-Mendoza, from Universidad Tecnológica de La Mixteca, has been investigating the hidden potential of the bacteria found in this traditional drink. Their findings suggest that pulque’s naturally occurring lactic acid bacteria could play a key role in promoting gut health and even combating harmful pathogens that cause foodborne illnesses.
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