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Scientists from the University of Texas at Dallas have identified a previously unknown “housekeeping” process in kidney cells that ejects unwanted content, resulting in cells that rejuvenate themselves and remain functioning and healthy.

This unique self-renewal method, distinct from known regeneration processes in other body tissues, sheds light on how the kidneys can maintain their health throughout one’s life in the absence of injury or illness. The team detailed their findings in a study recently published in Nature Nanotechnology.

Unlike the liver and skin, where cells divide to create new daughter cells and regenerate the organ, cells in the proximal tubules of the kidney are mitotically quiescent — they do not divide to create new cells. In cases of a mild injury or disease, kidney cells do have limited repair capabilities, and stem cells in the kidney can form new kidney cells, but only up to a point, said Dr. Jie Zheng, professor of chemistry and biochemistry in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and co-corresponding author of the study.

A Texas A&M University professor and a team of pharmacology researchers are spearheading advances in the use of medical cannabinoids for epilepsy and seizure disorders.

A team led by Dr. D. Samba Reddy, a Regents Professor in the Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics at the Texas A&M University School of Medicine, has made progress in determining efficacy, safety and new applications of cannabinoid therapeutics. Reddy’s work establishes a foundation for tailored and effective epilepsy treatments, offering hope to those facing its challenges.

The team’s research on epilepsy has resulted in the publication of five key papers featured in the May 2023 issue of the journal Experimental Neurology.

Continue reading “Pioneering CBD For Epilepsy Treatment And Prevention” »

Researchers have identified a platelet-derived factor that improves cognition in mice and published their findings in Nature Communications. Finding the right molecules This paper begins with the same refrain common in […].

NIH-funded study suggests need to reevaluate opioid addiction treatment recommendations in the era of fentanyl.

Individuals with opioid use disorder who were prescribed a lower buprenorphine dose were 20% more likely to discontinue treatment than those on a higher dose, according to a study of patients prescribed buprenorphine in Rhode Island from 2016 to 2020, as fentanyl became widely available. The study, published today in JAMA Network Open, was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health, and conducted by researchers at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; NIDA and the Rhode Island Department of Health.

Among patients newly initiating buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder, 59% of those prescribed the target daily dose of 16 milligrams recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and 53% of those prescribed the higher 24 mg daily dose discontinued treatment within 180 days. A statistical analysis that allowed for multivariable comparison of these two dose groups showed patients prescribed the recommended dose (16 mg) were significantly more likely to discontinue treatment over 180 days compared to those prescribed 24 mg.

At Science4Seniors we strive to take rigorous research published in Scientific Journals and make the core information accessible to all. If you want to support us please like and follow us on Facebook. In recent years, the intersection of medical science and technology has unfurled fascinating possibilities, especially in diagnostics. Among the many marvels we’ve been introduced to, medical artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how we detect and diagnose a plethora of health conditions. One area that stands out significantly in this transformation is the potential of AI in the analysis of retinal images.

The Department of Defense has teamed up with Google to build an AI-powered microscope that can help doctors identify cancer.

The tool is called an Augmented Reality Microscope, and it will usually cost health systems between $90,000 to $100,000.

Experts believe the ARM will help support doctors in smaller labs as they battle with workforce shortages and mounting caseloads.

Continue reading “Google and the Department of Defense are building an AI-powered microscope to help doctors spot cancer” »

Our hope is for COVID-19 to never repeat itself,’ said the new program’s executive director.

A program run by a Canadian university is seeking to improve global health care for the most vulnerable by examining how artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance readiness for infectious disease epidemics in the Global South.

This is according to a report by CTV News published on Wednesday.

Continue reading “AI now used in the fight against global infectious diseases” »

Apple’s new “State of Mind” feature in the Health app is more than a tech update; it’s Apple’s foray into helping us understand our emotions. Beyond tracking physical activity with the Apple Watch, the company is now capturing our moods. This, combined with insights from a new Journal app (which Apple says will be woven into our life’s events and multimedia tapestry), aims to give a full picture of our daily experiences, both in body and mind.

Here’s how Apple envisions this feature will play out in real life.

Imagine a vacation in an unfamiliar city. At the start of your day, the Health app prompts you to record your mood. You describe it as “Very Pleasant” and indicate to the app that… More.

Continue reading “The Science Behind Apple’s ‘State Of Mind’ Feature, Explained By A Psychologist” »

Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders account for about 10% of all consultations in primary care and have a major impact on quality of life and health care resources. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), H. pylori infection, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), coeliac disease, antibiotic-associated diarrhea (ADA), infectious diarrhea, are some common GI disorders.

The efficacy of probiotics in preventing and treating gastrointestinal disorders has received considerable attention in recent years. This article will shed light on how probiotics are more or less effective in treating different gastrointestinal disorders.

Indian Burden and Factors Affecting GI Disorders The prevalence of self-reported gastrointestinal disorders in India is around 18%. Whereas the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) ranges from 2.5% to 7.1% in most population-based studies in Asia.