Engage Learners in Science and Health With Our Kahoots!
NIGMS, in collaboration with Scholastic, has developed a collection of free biology and health activities on the educational app Kahoot! You can play them alone, with friends, or with a class of students. Four Kahoots! are currently available:
Imaging the Microscopic World investigates how researchers view cells, proteins, and other tiny structures.
Superbugs delves into infectious bacteria and viruses that can’t be fought off with medicines.
The Science of Sleep explores biological clocks and circadian rhythms.
Regeneration highlights how animals replace or restore damaged or missing cells, tissues, organs, and ...
Source: Biomedical Beat Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences - March 24, 2021 Category: Research Authors: Chrissa Chverchko Tags: Cells Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacology Injury and Illness Biological Clocks Infectious Diseases Microbes Regeneration Source Type: blogs
Beyond CBD: Here come the other cannabinoids, but where ’s the evidence?
In the span of a few years, the component of cannabis called CBD (cannabidiol) went from being a relatively obscure molecule to a healthcare fad that has swept the world, spawning billions in sales, millions of users, CBD workout clothing, pillowcases, hamburgers, ice cream — you name it. The concerns of such a rapid adoption are that enthusiasm might be soaring high above the actual science, and that there are safety issues, such as drug interactions, that are given short shrift in the enthusiasm to treat chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety, and many of the other conditions that CBD is believed to help alleviate.
Cannabis, ...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - March 23, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Peter Grinspoon, MD Tags: Complementary and alternative medicine Drugs and Supplements Fatigue Marijuana Pain Management Source Type: blogs
Paper-Based Device Rapidly Detects Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
Researchers at Binghamton University have developed a device that can rapidly detect certain types of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The device uses paper as a substrate, and allows a user to rapidly test the effects of specific antibiotics on patient bacterial samples. It measures the effects of antibiotics on the electron transfer bacteria, providing a new way to measure antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotic resistance is a growing crisis, with nearly 3 million antibiotic-resistant infections occurring in the US annually and 35,000 related deaths. If the levels of antibiotic resistance continue to increase, routine surger...
Source: Medgadget - December 2, 2020 Category: Medical Devices Authors: Conn Hastings Tags: Diagnostics Medicine Pathology Pediatrics Public Health Surgery Source Type: blogs
AMR – what it is and why you should know about it
Today marks the beginning of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, driven by the World Health Organisation to improve global knowledge of antibiotic drugs. Running from the 18th to the 24th of November, the awareness initiative is focused on uniting to preserve effective antimicrobials and reduce or prevent the spread of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), which is becoming an increasing concern across the world.
Before we jump deeper into the AMR and the global impact it will have if not addressed, let’s briefly cover the history of antimicrobials in medicine.
1910, the first breakthrough in antimicrobial treatment
T...
Source: GIDEON blog - November 18, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: Events News Source Type: blogs
What is antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and why you should know about it
Today marks the beginning of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, driven by the World Health Organisation to improve global knowledge of antibiotic drugs. Running from the 18th to the 24th of November, the awareness initiative is focused on uniting to preserve effective antimicrobials and reduce or prevent the spread of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), which is becoming an increasing concern across the world.
Before we jump deeper into the AMR and the global impact it will have if not addressed, let’s briefly cover the history of antimicrobials in medicine.
1910, the first breakthrough in antimicrobial treatment
T...
Source: GIDEON blog - November 18, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: Events News Source Type: blogs
Rapid Identification of Antibiotic-Resistant Infections: Interview with Jong Lee, CEO at Day Zero Diagnostics
Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern, with some predictions suggesting that routine surgery could be unacceptably risky in a future where many antibiotics have become obsolete. Part of the problem lies in the time it takes clinicians to diagnose an antibiotic-resistant infection. Current techniques involve lab technicians culturing a bacterial sample until it can be analyzed for drug resistance. The whole process takes days, and by the time the test provides an answer, a patient could be dead from sepsis.
To address this, clinicians typically administer broad-spectrum antibiotics in an effort to bring an infection...
Source: Medgadget - November 11, 2020 Category: Medical Devices Authors: Conn Hastings Tags: Exclusive Medicine Pathology Public Health Source Type: blogs
Pathways: The Superbug Issue
Cover of Pathways student magazine.
NIGMS and Scholastic bring you our latest issue of Pathways, which focuses on superbugs—infectious microbes that can’t be fought off with medicines. Viruses that can’t be prevented with vaccines, such as the common cold, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria both fall into this category.
Pathways, designed for students in grades 6 through 12, is a collection of free resources that teaches students about basic science and its importance to health, as well as exciting research careers.
The superbug issue will provide information about:
Differences between bacteria and viruses
...
Source: Biomedical Beat Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences - October 7, 2020 Category: Research Authors: Chrissa Chverchko Tags: Being a Scientist Injury and Illness Bacteria Drug Resistance Infectious Diseases Medicines Viruses Source Type: blogs
Post #52 Overkill: When Modern Medicine Goes Too Far by Paul Offit M.D.
Overkill: When Modern Medicine Goes Too Far by Paul Offit M.D.I am admittedly a huge fanboy of Paul Offit, an infectious disease guru at Children ' s Hospital of Philadelphia, one of the preeminent pediatric hospitals in the world. His latest bookOverall: When Modern Medicine Goes Too Far, is a collection of medical facts that are already known to the well-read individual, but fly in the face of wrongly-held, out-dated, commonly-believed medical concepts. The majority of the incorrect information was previously considered the standard of care, but newer and better science and studies have clearly demonstrate...
Source: A Pediatrician's Blog - September 23, 2020 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: blogs
UV Disinfection of Medical Equipment: Interview with Jeremy Starkweather, President of UV-Concepts
With the COVID-19 pandemic set to continue for the foreseeable future, efforts to deal with the virus in healthcare facilities are of the utmost importance. Reducing viral transmission will protect patients and clinicians alike. A key part of this is disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, including those of portable medical equipment such as wheelchairs.
Medgadget recently featured the UV-C Enclosure from UV-Concepts, an Englewood, Colorado firm. The device acts to disinfect medical equipment through short wavelength UV light, and can process even large items such as a wheelchair. Along with SARS-CoV-2, the syste...
Source: Medgadget - August 14, 2020 Category: Medical Devices Authors: Conn Hastings Tags: Exclusive Medicine Public Health Source Type: blogs
New insights on antibiotics use on crops amongst smallholder farmers
Philip Taylor and Robert Reeder, research scientists at CABI, did not start out looking for trends in antibiotic use in crops. In fact, both Drs. Taylor and Reeder’s primary interest at the start of their study was to simply understand the general use of agrochemicals and other agents by smallholder farmers in lower and middle income countries (LMIC). What they found, however, as explained in their recently published article in CABI Agriculture and Bioscience, demonstrates how real-world data, drawn from community support networks, can unearth previously unknown uses of antibiotics which help protect the livelihoods of...
Source: BioMed Central Blog - August 10, 2020 Category: General Medicine Authors: Dylan Parker Tags: Biology Developing World Uncategorized agriculture AMR antimicrobial resistance Source Type: blogs
Exploring Nature ’s Treasure Trove of Helpful Compounds
A cone snail shell. Credit: Kerry Matz, University of Utah.
Over the years, scientists have discovered many compounds in nature that have led to the development of medications. For instance, the molecular structure for aspirin came from willow tree bark, and penicillin was found in a type of mold. And uses of natural products aren’t limited to medicine cabinet staples and antibiotics. A cancer drug was originally found in the bark of the Pacific yew tree, and a medication for chronic pain relief was first isolated from cone snail venom. Today, NIGMS supports scientists in the earliest stages of investigating natural pro...
Source: Biomedical Beat Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences - June 24, 2020 Category: Research Authors: Chrissa Chverchko Tags: Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacology Bacteria Cool Tools/Techniques Medicines Microbes Source Type: blogs
Reusable Disinfectant Developed from Mussel “Glue”
Mimicking mussels’ natural “glue” could have multiple benefits.
Many species have developed unique adaptations to help them thrive in their environments, and scientists in a field called biomimicry use these examples as the basis for tools to help humans. Biomimicry researchers have made a wide range of products, from climbing pads modeled after gecko feet to a faster, sharp-nosed bullet train based on the beak of the kingfisher bird. The animal kingdom also provides inspiration for biomedical products. For instance, scientists at Michigan Technological University in Houghton discovered that a natural ...
Source: Biomedical Beat Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences - May 20, 2020 Category: Research Authors: Susan Johnson Tags: Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacology Cool-creatures Research-organisms Wound-healing Source Type: blogs
Part One: Tapping the Wrist
The wrist is not commonly aspirated in the emergency department, but emergent arthrocentesis may be indicated for extreme or concerning cases, and tapping the wrist to determine the underlying pathology or relieve pain may be of great value. The synovial fluid from the joint space can be analyzed for crystals, infection, and blood. This information may help determine the overall plan and aid in decision-making and consultation. The ultimate treatment plan may include admission, intravenous antibiotics, multiple aspirations, and even surgical washout.A swollen, painful wrist that is hot to the touch is concerning for sep...
Source: The Procedural Pause - April 1, 2020 Category: Emergency Medicine Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs
Antibiotic resistance is the climate change of medicine
Imagine a looming global crisis that threatens the health of countless people, confounding scientists and governments with its sheer magnitude and complexity and growing at a pace that will quickly exceed our ability to reverse course. Sounds a little like climate change, right? The existential threat I’m referring to in this case is microscopic: antibiotic-resistant […]Find jobs at Careers by KevinMD.com. Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now. Learn more. (Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog)
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - February 6, 2020 Category: General Medicine Authors: < span itemprop="author" > < a href="https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/post-author/eric-beam" rel="tag" > Eric Beam, MD < /a > < /span > Tags: Meds Infectious Disease Source Type: blogs
