The hand transplant: at first it seems like an idea straight out of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. But a new study shows a promising future for these kinds of procedures. Specifically, the study — which was presented at a recent meeting of the Society of Neuroscience — found that feeling in a transplanted […]
What’s involved in the process of tasting food? And why do we love certain types of food? Scientists examining these questions believe they’ve made an important discovery: the taste sensors found on the tongue have matching partners in the brain. For some time scientists have known that that specialized cells on the tongue are designed […]
Here’s something you might not know (but may suspect): a housefly can carry about a hundred different illnesses, some very serious (including one that can cause blindness). But flies don’t actually contract any of these illnesses, which is why researchers at Cornell University are studying their genes. The question is this: how can flies carry […]
A remarkable new study suggests that older adults who lose their sense of smell could also lose their lives within a five-year window. “Olfaction is a critical, if underappreciated, component of human physiology,” noted Dr. Jayant Pinto, the study’s lead author. “Although potentially less dependent on olfaction than many other mammals, humans still rely on […]
You might not see them every day, but there are now more unmanned aerial vehicles in the sky than ever before. Now, Transport Canada says that they could pose a hazard to air traffic, and suggests it’s time to release new regulations designed to keep Canadians safe. The problem with unmanned aerial vehicles, like drones, […]
A new and experimental treatment for spinal cord damage causing paralysis is being called “groundbreaking”. The reason: it’s giving patients initially left with no feeling in their legs some control over their limbs, bladder and bowel functioning, and even sexual organs. The treatment involves “zapping” the spinal cord with a special electrical device. Researchers say […]
Three-dimensional body parts and bionic eyes might sound like something out of a futuristic comic book. However, the following nine health breakthroughs are among the most incredible medical advances to watch out for in 2014! 1. Cancer Immunotherapy Cancer is getting a serious kick in the britches this year starting with a treatment called cancer […]
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A porcupine’s quills may be dangerous for those who get to close, but medical researchers have actually found that the creature’s quills can be used for several medical advancements. A collaborative team of researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Brigham Women’s Hospital in Boston have found that porcupine quills can be used in […]
Neuroscientists in Canada have discovered a way to communicate with patients in vegetative states. In a documentary, set to air Tuesday on the British Broadcasting Corporation network, a team of scientists analyse the brain activity of several vegetative patients. One patient, Scott Routley, suffered a severe brain injury when he was in a car accident, […]