Author: healthadmin

People who lose the ability to recall visual memories after brain injury share damage that involves a single, highly specific brain region. Recent analyzes of these rare medical cases have revealed that structures called fusiform image nodes serve as important hubs for human imagination. These results were published in the journal cortexhelps explain the physical origins of our mind’s eye. Most people can close their eyes and easily picture their childhood bedroom or the face of a loved one. This ability is known as visual mental imagery. This allows humans to relive past events, solve spatial problems, and envision future…

With the launch of a key obesity drug underway in the United States, Novo Nordisk is turning its attention eastward to strengthen prospects for its Wigovy tablets in Europe and other countries. Novo will invest €432 million ($501 million) to add a new tablet factory to its facility in Athlone, Ireland, the company announced in a March 2 press release. The expansion will provide the Athlone site with significant additional production capacity for Novo’s current and future suite of GLP-1 medicines, according to the release. Specifically, Novo says it is upgrading and renovating its existing facility in Athlone to manufacture…

Why do people leave tips? According to new research, the answer comes down to two main motivations. Some customers tip as a pure reward for good service. Some people tip because they feel pressured to conform to social norms. That difference is important. Customers who truly value your service often leave more than their usual amount. People who are primarily motivated by social expectations tend to match the average tip, no matter how much. Over time, this dynamic can cause tipping rates to rise steadily in places where tipping is common. Research published in business administration A study by Dr.…

Get the health information and medications you need every weekday with STAT’s free newsletter Morning Rounds. Sign up here. good morning. A conference to review the U.S. measles elimination status has been postponed until after the midterm elections. For more news, including exclusive information from Katie Palmer and reports from across the pond, read below. STAT Madness Begins It’s that time of year again for our annual Bracket Style contest, where readers vote on the most important and impactful biomedical and health research published over the past year. The tournament attracts 64 entries from 50 universities, research institutions, and independent…

This is encouraging news for people looking to lose weight safely, especially older adults who want to lose weight without losing bone or muscle mass. The study, “Does time spent upright moderate the effects of weighted vests on bone density changes during weight loss in older adults,” was published in a peer-reviewed journal. Frontiers of aging. A weighted vest can provide an external load equal to the weight lost. Replacing that weight by wearing a vest allows you to: It prevents the body’s metabolism from slowing down and helps maintain weight loss. Maintaining your muscles and…

Bio-based plastics made from materials such as sugarcane, corn and agricultural waste have a smaller carbon footprint than plastics made from petroleum, according to a new study. However, bio-based plastics have a significant impact on natural ecosystems.This study is the first comprehensive life cycle analysis comparing bio-based and fossil-based plastics. Researchers tracked the environmental impacts of the production, use, and disposal of five bio-based and seven fossil-based polymers. While most previous studies on bio-based plastics have emphasized their carbon footprint, the new study also covers impacts on ecosystem quality and human health.Another recent study found that replacing traditional plastics with…

A new study reveals that life beneath the surface of one of the driest places on Earth is far more resilient and diverse than many scientists expected. An international team led by the University of Cologne studied tiny soil insects known as nematodes in Chile’s Atacama Desert. Often compared to a polar desert, the Atacama is considered one of the driest regions in the world. With little precipitation, high salt concentrations in the soil, and large temperature fluctuations, it is one of the harshest environments on Earth. Despite these harsh conditions, the researchers found a thriving community of nematodes. Experts…

Social media algorithms are not politically neutral and can actively shape an individual’s political opinions. Recent research published in journals nature present evidence that turning on an algorithmic feed on Platform X shifted users’ political views to the right. Turning off the algorithm did not reverse this effect. This suggests that algorithms can leave a lasting footprint on people’s information environments. X, formerly known as Twitter, is the leading platform for political news and public conversation. The platform offers two main ways to display your content. A chronological feed simply displays posts from accounts you actively follow in the exact…

At the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), researcher Dr. Leonardo Ferreira is leading an ambitious effort to change the way type 1 diabetes (T1D) is treated. With $1 million in support from Breakthrough T1D, the world’s leading research and advocacy organization, Ferreira and collaborators at partner institutions are testing new strategies aimed at treating and potentially curing the disease. Their approach integrates stem cell science, immunology, and transplantation research. The central goal is simple but bold. The goal is to restore insulin-producing beta cells in T1D patients without the need for immunosuppressants. “These awards support the most promising research…

Refeyn, a developer of pioneering mass photometry technology, is expanding its adoption globally across contract research organizations (CROs) and contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs). To showcase this development, Refeyn has launched a new webpage highlighting how leading CROs and CDMOs are redefining process development and manufacturing workflows using mass photometry, and providing researchers with an interactive tool to discover and partner with these organizations. Refeyn’s Samux™ benchtop mass photometer enables rapid analysis of adeno-associated virus (AAV) samples. Image credit: Refine The rapid adoption of mass photometry reflects the growing demand for fast, reliable, and cost-effective analyzes for protein and…