Brain chips: the Sydney researchers ‘miles ahead’ of Elon Musk’s Neuralink
Multiple Australian projects are on the cutting edge of neurotech breakthroughs and man-machine interfaces – raising questions of security and privacy for human mindsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet ourmorning and afternoon news emails,free app ordaily news podcastBrain-computer interface technology is at the core of movies such as Ready Player One, The Matrix and Avatar. But outside the realm of science fiction, BCI is being used on Earth to help paralysed people communicate, to study dreams and to control robots.Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk announced in January – to much fanfare – tha...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - March 16, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Tory Shepherd Tags: Neuroscience Medical research Technology Disability Elon Musk Australia news Source Type: news
She beat a rare liver cancer – and now works with her father to find more cures
Cancer scientist decides to study the tumour that once afflicted his small daughter – and now her work is adding to his project’s successElana Simon was 10 years old when she started to experience severe pains in her abdomen. For two years, puzzled doctors put forward diagnoses including lactose intolerance, Crohn ’s disease and stress. It was not until 2008 that they pinpointed the real cause. Elana was suffering from fibrolamellar carcinoma(FLC), a rare, usually lethal, form of liver cancer.“In a way, it was comforting to have a word for what was wrong with me after so much confusion about my condition,” Elana ...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - March 16, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Robin McKie Science Editor Tags: Cancer research Medical research Science UK news Source Type: news
Why ME/CFS is still so poorly researched and treated | Letters
Readers respond to George Monbiot ’s article on the treatment and attitude of the medical profession to the debilitating conditionI am writing to express my appreciation of George Monbiot ’s perceptive article (‘You don’t want to get better’: the outdated treatment of ME/CFS patients is a national scandal, 12 March). I have lived with severe fatigue for more than three years, following a mild Covid infection. It is difficult to describe what it is like and it is not surprising that it is not well understood. My experience is that it is necessary to overcome my instincts to push myself, since running out of energy...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - March 15, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Guardian Staff Tags: ME / Chronic fatigue syndrome Health Society GPs Doctors NHS Psychology Science Medical research UK news Source Type: news
Africans Can Solve the Disease that Haunts Us — Here’s How
It is critical that African scientists tackle African problems, and the reasons extend beyond access. Credit: Jeffrey Moyo/IPS. By Khisi MdluliBOSTON, US, Mar 15 2024 (IPS) I was born in Brakpan, Johannesburg, South Africa, and grew up in eSwatini (known then as Swaziland). People in these two countries share one predominant fear: unemployment. Other worries in these countries and others in the region include unwanted pregnancies, low income and food safety. The diseases that are dreaded the most are cancer and diabetes. Feared infectious diseases include HIV-AIDS, COVID and cholera.
Even though South Africa and eSwatini a...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - March 15, 2024 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Khisi Mdluli Tags: Africa Development & Aid Headlines Health Poverty & SDGs Source Type: news
Brazil to release millions of anti-dengue mosquitoes as death toll from outbreak mounts
Mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria that inhibit spread of disease to be introduced in six cities after successful pilot schemeA dengue-fighting strategy that involves releasing bacteria-infected mosquitoes will be rolled out to six Brazilian cities in the coming months as the country battles a severe outbreak of dengue fever, a viral disease transmitted by theAedes aegyptimosquito.Factors such as hotter and wetter weather caused by the climate crisis and the circulation of previously absent subtypes of the virus are fuelling an explosion of dengue in Brazil, which has recorded1.6m probable cases since January – ...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - March 15, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Constance Malleret in Rio de Janeiro Tags: Global health Global development Insects Animals Environment Wildlife World news Society Infectious diseases Dengue fever Brazil Medical research Source Type: news
Neurological conditions now leading cause of ill-health worldwide, finds study
Numbers living with or dying from disorders such as stroke rises dramatically to 3.4bn people – 43% of global populationNeurological conditions ranging from migraine to stroke, Parkinson ’s disease and dementia, are now the leading cause of ill-health worldwide, causing 11.1 million deaths in 2021, research has revealed.The number of people living with or dying from disorders of the nervous system has risen dramatically over the past three decades, with 43% of the world ’s population – 3.4 billion people – affected in 2021, according toa study published in the Lancet.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - March 14, 2024 Category: Science Authors: David Batty Tags: Health Neuroscience Parkinson's disease Dementia Stroke Medical research Society Source Type: news
A waterworld with a boiling ocean and the end of dark matter? The week in science – podcast
Ian Sample and science correspondent Hannah Devlin discuss some of the science stories that have made headlines this week, from a new theory challenging the existence of dark matter to an alarming study about the possible impact of microplastics on our health and a glimpse of a ‘waterworld with a boiling ocean’ deep in spaceContinue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - March 14, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Presented by Ian Sample with Hannah Devlin; produced by Madeleine Finlay; sound design by Tony Onuchukwu Tags: Science Astronomy James Webb space telescope Physics Chemistry Plastics Health Medical research Environment Society Source Type: news
UK cancer study shows big fall in death rates since early 1990s
Improved screening and treatment means fewer middle-aged people dying of disease despite rise in casesMore middle-aged people are getting cancer but fewer of them are dying from it thanks to improved detection and better treatment, research has found.The findings are “positive and reassuring” for those aged 35 to 69, according to cancer experts quoted in the British Medical Journal, which published the paper.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - March 13, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Denis Campbell Health policy editor Tags: Cancer Health NHS Health policy Society Cancer research Politics UK news Medical research Source Type: news
Wim Hof breathing and cold-exposure method may have benefits, study finds
Adrenaline release thought to dampen inflammation, but experts say method ‘not without risks’Whether plunging themselves into ice baths or deliberately hyperventilating and then holding their breath, devotees of “The Iceman” Wim Hof are evangelical about the physical and mental benefits these practices bring. A new study suggests they may indeed reduce levels of inflammation in the body. However, experts stress that practising the Wim Hof method is not without risk.Hof is a Dutch athlete, best known for record-breaking feats such as swimming under ice and running barefoot on ice and snow. More recently, he has buil...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - March 13, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Linda Geddes Science correspondent Tags: Science Health & wellbeing UK news University of Warwick Life and style Medical research Fitness Source Type: news
Overweight girls ‘more likely to see GP about musculoskeletal problems’
Study finds reception-age girls with obesity 67% more likely to see doctor about musculoskeletal issues than those at healthy weightGirls aged between four and 11 who are overweight or obese are more likely to see a GP at least once about musculoskeletal problems than their healthy weight peers, research suggests.Pupils in reception year who had a body mass index considered overweight were 24% more likely to see a doctor at least once for a musculoskeletal issue while their peers who were living with obesity were 67% more likely to do so than girls with a healthy weight, the study found.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - March 12, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Nadeem Badshah Tags: Obesity Health Medical research UK news Science Society Children Source Type: news
Covid vaccines cut risk of virus-related heart failure and blood clots, study finds
Researchers say jabs substantially reduce for up to a year the chances of serious cardiovascular complicationsCovid vaccinations substantially reduce the risk of heart failure and potentially dangerous blood clots linked to the infection for up to a year, according to a large study.Researchers analysed health records from more than 20 million people across the UK, Spain and Estonia and found consistent evidence that the jabs protected against serious cardiovascular complications of the disease.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - March 12, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Ian Sample Science editor Tags: Medical research Coronavirus Science Health Vaccines and immunisation World news Infectious diseases Society Source Type: news
Why do we lose our hair as we age, and what can we do about it? – podcast
For some people, going bald or experiencing thinning hair can have a significant impact on mental wellbeing and self confidence. Madeleine Finlay speaks to Rudi Zygadlo about how it affected him and what he eventually did about it, and to consultant dermatologist and hair specialist Dr Sharon Wong about what exactly is going on when our hair thins, which treatments are available to help, and what we can expect from new technologies in the pipelineRead Rudi Zygadlo ’s description of his hair transplantSign up to the TechScape newsletter to read Alex Hern ’s weekly look at how technology is shaping our livesContinue read...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - March 12, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Presented by Madeleine Finlay, with Rudi Zygadlo, produced by Madeleine Finlay and Joshan Chana, sound design by Joel Cox, the executive producer is Ellie Bury Tags: Science Men's hair Women's hair Hair loss Beauty Medical research Cosmetic surgery Source Type: news
UK report reveals bias within medical tools and devices
Experts say action needed as report finds minority ethnic people, women and those from deprived backgrounds at risk of poorer healthcareMinority ethnic people, women and people from deprived communities are at risk of poorer healthcare because of biases within medical tools and devices, a report has revealed.Among other findings, the Equity in Medical Devices: Independent Review has raised concerns over devices that use artificial intelligence (AI), as well as those that measure oxygen levels. The team behind the review said urgent action was needed.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - March 11, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Nicola Davis Science correspondent Tags: Health Artificial intelligence (AI) UK news Race Inequality Medical research Science Coronavirus Society World news Source Type: news
Scientists move step closer to making IVF eggs from skin cells
Procedure could overcome common forms of infertility and help people have children who share their DNAScientists are a step closer to making IVF eggs from patients ’ skin cells after adapting the procedure that created Dolly the sheep, the first cloned mammal, more than two decades ago.The work raises the prospect of older women being able to have children who share their DNA, and to overcome common forms of infertility caused by a woman ’s eggs becoming damaged by disease or cancer treatment.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - March 8, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Ian Sample Science editor Tags: IVF Medical research Science Health Fertility problems Genetics Embryos Biology World news Source Type: news
What ’s behind the rapid rise of cancer in the under-50s? – podcast
Ian Sample speaks to the Guardian ’s health editor, Andrew Gregory, about the worrying global rise in cancers in under-50s, and hears from Yin Cao, an associate professor in surgery and medicine at Washington University in St Louis, who is part of a team conducting a huge study into why young people are developing bowel cancer at record ratesContinue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - March 7, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Presented by Ian Sample with Andrew Gregory, produced by Madeleine Finlay, sound design by Tony Onuchukwu, the executive producer is Ellie Bury Tags: Science Cancer research Health Medical research Society Bowel cancer Source Type: news
