It is not every day that a fossil of an entirely new species is found, let alone that of an early human, estimated to be 300,000 years old. This recent discovery adds an entirely new chapter in the story of premodern human history. In 2019, a team of scientists led by Xiu-Jie Wu and Wu […]
The discovery of a 300,000-year-old fossil, and what it means Read More »
In 2004, a sudden brainstem stroke left the then 30-year-old Ann Johnson completely paralyzed. It took years of physical therapy for her to regain enough muscle control to express emotion on her face and breathe independently, but the muscles controlling her speech remained stagnant. Her daughter, 13 months old at the time of the stroke,
Defeating paralysis: revolutionary brain implant allows woman to speak after 18 years Read More »
With over 100,000 people on the transplant waiting list, not all of them have a chance to receive a matching organ in time. Due to insufficient supply and long waiting times, organ failure is one of the leading causes of death. To combat this, scientists are stepping up to counter this challenge by developing 3D
Bioprinting the Future Read More »
On the harsh, icy cliffs of the Tibetan Plateau, an ancient moss carpets the ground. Covered by snow for eight months of the year, Takakia is a highly specialized moss and one of the fastest-evolving plants ever documented. Surviving four mass extinctions, this 390-million-year-old moss species saw the rise and fall of dinosaurs and the
It is commonly believed that the division processes for cells of the body and reproductive system are distinct, but a new study shines a new light upon the possibility that they might actually be entangled. Mitosis is a cellular replication process that yields two cells identical to both each other and the cell from which
Enmeshed in the processes of mitosis and meiosis Read More »
According to a 2021 report by Alzheimer’s Disease International, someone in the world develops dementia every three seconds. It is an extremely common disease and diagnoses will only become more frequent; over 30 years, the number of people with dementia is expected to grow by 84 million. Alzheimer’s disease alone accounts for 80% of dementia
Genetic interventions in Alzheimer’s disease: A promising future Read More »
“Go outside and take a breath of fresh air” is a phrase we have all heard before. When facing a mental block or feeling frustrated and stressed, stepping outside can be therapeutic and relaxing. In fact, nature can be so therapeutic that some psychiatric professionals have even begun prescribing nature breaks to their patients. Mental
Opinion: The Nature Pill Read More »
Tucker Marr, an avid hockey player and analyst at Deloitte, suffered a fractured right skull and a subdural hematoma after falling down a flight of stairs. These injuries are critical and warrant emergency surgical treatment, a procedure called a craniectomy. Craniotomies are performed to reduce swelling, pressure, or bleeding in the brain, all of which
Crystal clear: Acrylic skull windows revolutionize post-craniectomy recovery Read More »
On Sept. 12, 2023, an FDA advisory committee concluded that over-the-counter (OTC) oral phenylephrine — the main active ingredient in Sudafed PE — is ineffective as a treatment for nasal congestion. This finding did not strike healthcare practitioners as “especially surprising” given that its efficacy has been controversial for decades. Despite this, the ingredient is
Oral phenylephrine: placebo, in tablet form Read More »