Air pollution linked to increased rates of kidney disease

While air pollution is known to cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, a new study indicates that it also likely causes damage to the kidneys.

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Artificial pancreas likely to be available by 2018

The artificial pancreas -- a device which monitors blood glucose in patients with type 1 diabetes and then automatically adjusts levels of insulin entering the body -- is likely to be available by 2018, conclude authors of a new paper.

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Scientists develop computer models to unravel the complexities of TB infection

Scientists used computers to model the formation of tuberculosis granulomas in the lung -- the non-active (latent) form of infection found in 2 billion individuals worldwide (11 million in the U.S.) that can activate to become a life-threatening infection. Employing a computer model aims to speed analysis of TB’s complex life-cycle and to identify potential new antibiotics, antibiotic targets, and biomarkers that can predict transition to active infection.

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A little spark for sharper sight

Stimulating the brain with a mild electrical current can temporarily sharpen vision without glasses or contacts, researchers have found.

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Tracking brain atrophy in MS could become routine, thanks to new software

The loss of brain tissue, called brain atrophy, is a normal part of aging, but multiple sclerosis (MS) accelerates the process. Such atrophy is a critical indicator of physical and cognitive decline in MS, yet because measuring brain atrophy is expensive and complicated, it’s done primarily in research settings. That may be changing, say scientists.

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Telomere length is indicator of blood count recovery in treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

The chemotherapy treatments necessary to treat Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in children can be grueling on the body, and can cause health-related complications during therapy, as well as long down the road after remission. Children receiving chemotherapy for AML receive 4 to 5 intensive chemotherapy courses, and while some children recover quickly from each course, others may take several months or more, which increases their risk for life-threatening infections.

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Researchers develop effective strategy for disrupting bacterial biofilms

A new discovery provides strong evidence that an innovative therapeutic approach may be effective in the resolution of bacterial biofilm diseases.

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Grade-school students teach a robot to help themselves learn geometry

Researchers create rTAG, a tangible learning environment that utilizes teachable agent framing, together with a physical robotic agent to get students away from the traditional computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

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Risk of blindness from spine surgery down significantly

The risk of blindness caused by spinal fusion, one of the most common surgeries performed in the U.S., has dropped almost three-fold since the late 1990s, according to the largest study of the topic to date.

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Resistant starch may benefit people with metabolic syndrome

The secret ingredient is in the flour, but its impact lies within the gut. Adding resistant starch to the diets of people with metabolic syndrome can improve bacteria in the gut, according to research. These changes help lower bad cholesterol and decrease inflammation associated with obesity.

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