Author: healthadmin

A simple bedside vision test may help predict recovery of consciousness in patients with severe brain injuries, according to new research presented at the 2026 European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress. The study found that a previously overlooked phase of the pupillary response to light, known as the late lights-out response (LOR), predicted improvement in consciousness seven days later in acute brain injury patients. In contrast, standard pupillary measurements already widely used in intensive care units (ICUs), such as neurological pupillary index (NPi) and pupillary light reflex (PLR) latency, did not predict subsequent recovery of consciousness. Predicting whether a patient…

Researchers have discovered an unexpected natural ally that could help farmers tackle one of agriculture’s fastest-growing challenges: saline soils. A team including scientists from the University of East Anglia (UEA), led by Chinese researcher Dr Yanfeng Zheng, has discovered that naturally occurring soil bacteria can significantly improve the ability of plants to survive under saline conditions. The study also revealed previously unknown ways in which these microbes protect crops such as corn, tomatoes and rapeseed from salinity stress. The discovery could eventually help farmers grow food on land that is too saline for conventional farming. Soil salinity threatens global agriculture…

A new in vitro study reveals how melatonin can quell inflammation of fetal membranes caused by infection, providing new clues for future strategies against inflammation-related preterm birth. Study: Melatonin modulates inflammation in human fetal membranes: an ex vivo approach. Image credit: Pikovit / Shutterstock In a recent study published in the journal scientific reportA group of researchers evaluated whether melatonin reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in human fetal membranes in an in vitro model and determined whether the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway is involved in this effect. background Preterm birth is one of the leading causes of infant mortality and morbidity. Inflammation of…

A large-scale drug repurposing screen of more than 5,000 compounds reveals unexpected antiviral power in a common antibiotic, providing a rapid pipeline to treat life-threatening orthohantavirus infections. Research: Drug repurposing screening identifies antiviral compounds against Puumara orthohantavirus. Image credit: Kateryna Kon / Shutterstock In a recent study published in the journal scientific reportresearchers conducted a high-throughput phenotypic drug screen using live Puumara virus (PUUV) to speed the discovery of treatments for diseases caused by orthohantaviruses. In this study, we screened 5,256 compounds and identified 70 validated host-directed therapies that successfully inhibited viral infection across human lung and endothelial cells. The…

New research suggests that eliminating the nasal virus that causes the symptoms may reduce allergic inflammation and open a new treatment avenue for the millions of people suffering from allergic rhinitis. Study: Treatment of allergic rhinitis using ribavirin spray to eliminate commensal viruses in the nose. Image credit: Cinefootage Visuals / Shutterstock In a recent study published in the journal Signal transduction and targeted therapyresearchers investigated how viruses present in the nasal cavity contribute to the development of allergic rhinitis (AR). In a small phase 2 trial, researchers found that removing commensal viruses from the nose with ribavirin nasal spray…

People who frequently experience a deep sense of inner emptiness often struggle to maintain a solid identity and regulate their emotions. A recent study using smartphones has mapped how emptiness fluctuates from day to day and relates to broader personality challenges. The study was published in Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment. Mental health professionals often hear patients describe feeling a deep emptiness within themselves, believing that nothing matters, and lacking a sense of who they are. Currently, the most widely used psychiatric diagnostic manual lists emptiness as the only symptom of borderline personality disorder. The manual also limits this…

New research published in scientific progress Researchers suggest that vibrating small magnets implanted within the muscles of amputated limbs can restore a natural sense of hand coordination. These findings provide evidence that the brain perceives movements as synchronized whole-hand movements rather than isolated finger twitches. This research offers a promising path toward advanced prosthetic limbs that allow users to feel what they are doing without relying entirely on vision. For amputees, operating a prosthesis often feels mechanical and disconnected. This happens because the surgery separates the muscles from the joints, disrupting the natural communication between the body and the brain.…

listen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations may occur. We work with our partners to continually review and improve our results.Some residents in northeastern Ontario are questioning a new law that would allow the prime minister’s cabinet to use pesticides even if Health Canada deems them unsafe.Bill C-30, passed on June 18, gives the Cabinet the power to license pesticides that it believes will benefit the national economy or food security. The bill does not clearly define what the national economic or food security interests are. Camille Tremblay-Beaulieu, co-executive director…

A recent study led by researchers at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) suggests that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may be one of the most effective ways for older people to reduce body fat while preserving muscle mass. This study compared different exercise intensities in healthy older adults and found that all levels of exercise resulted in some degree of fat loss. However, only HIIT helped participants maintain lean muscles. “We found that high-, moderate- and low-intensity exercise all lead to moderate fat loss, but only HIIT maintains lean muscle,” said lead author and exercise physiologist Dr Grace Rose…

A new study reveals that age, biological sex, and cognitive ability correspond to distinct patterns in the brain waves that ripple through your mind at night. Analyzing data from nearly 2,000 healthy people, researchers found that the architecture of rest changes with age and is subtly different for men and women. The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Sleep. As a person spends the night, the brain cycles through different stages. Humans alternate between rapid eye movement sleep, in which they usually have vivid dreams, and several stages of non-rapid eye movement sleep. The latter includes light rest…