Author: healthadmin

Bedfont® Scientific Limited, a long-established medical technology company with over 49 years of expertise in the design and manufacture of medical breath analyzers, is celebrating the women driving innovation in the medical technology industry this International Women’s Day (IWD). IWD is an annual event that celebrates women’s achievements and raises awareness of gender equality. In 2026, IWD will celebrate 115 years of raising awareness against discrimination and taking action to build gender equality. Image credit: Bedfont® Scientific Ltd This year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” emphasizes the power of reciprocity and support. By giving women equal access to leadership opportunities, Bedfont®…

Scientists at New York University have developed a method that uses light to guide how microparticles are arranged in crystals. The study was reported in the journal Cell Press chemistrydescribes a simple and reversible technique for constructing crystals that can support the creation of new classes of responsive and adaptable materials. Crystals are found everywhere in nature and technology, from snowflakes and diamonds to the silicon in electronic devices. The core of the crystal is made up of particles organized in a precise repeating pattern. To better understand how these structures emerge, researchers often study colloidal particles. Colloidal particles are…

Recent research published in PNAS Nexus This suggests that the famous equality found in some hunter-gatherer societies may be driven more by self-interest than by a natural desire to be generous. When the researchers allowed participants to both give and receive food from others in a game, they found that equality was typically achieved only when taking food from the person who had more. This provides evidence that active demands for fair distribution, rather than voluntary philanthropy, help maintain balanced resources in these communities. The Hadza people are an indigenous people who live near Lake Eyasi in northwestern Tanzania. Many…

The outer planet is surrounded by dozens of moons trapped in a thick icy shell. Some of these frozen worlds, such as Saturn’s moon Enceladus, are thought to have vast oceans of liquid water trapped between their icy crusts and rocky interiors. Because liquid water is essential to life as we know it, these moons rank among the most promising places in the solar system to search for extraterrestrial life. Research published in natural astronomy It investigates what’s happening far below the frozen surface and provides new explanations for the unusual landscapes seen on some of these moons. “While not…

A small wireless retinal implant helps restore central vision in patients with progressive age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to results published today. New England Medical Journal. Progressive dry AMD, also known as geographic atrophy (GA), is the most common cause of permanent blindness in older adults, affecting more than 5 million people worldwide. This international, multicenter clinical trial was co-led by Jose Alain Sahel, MD, director of the UPMC Vision Institute. Dr. Daniel Palankar, Professor of Ophthalmology, Stanford University; Dr. Frank Holz, professor of ophthalmology at the University of Bonn in Germany. Clinical trials showed significant improvement in visual acuity…

As more people turn to ChatGPT and other large-scale language models (LLMs) for mental health advice, new research suggests these AI chatbots may not be ready for the role. The study found that even when instructed to use established psychotherapy approaches, the system consistently did not meet professional ethical standards set by organizations such as the American Psychological Association. Researchers at Brown University worked closely with mental health experts to identify recurring patterns of problem behavior. In testing, chatbots mishandled crisis situations, responded in ways that reinforced harmful beliefs about users and others, and used language that gave the impression…

Clinch River, Scott County, Virginia. (Photo by Sarah Fogelson/Virginia Mercury) As 10-year-old Andrik Williams of Fort Blackmore, Virginia, prepares for his next round of cancer treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, he keeps in mind the people his mother calls “the military.” “He has the military behind him and he knows it,” Andrik’s mother, Kelsey Williams, 33, said in a phone interview from St. Jude in Memphis. “He will win the military battle.” Andrik was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer, in 2025. The diagnosis was made after severe lower back pain brought…

Kgari, the largest sand island on earth, is famous for its crystal clear freshwater lake. New research from the University of Adelaide suggests these iconic bodies of water may be more vulnerable than previously thought. Scientists have discovered signs of a major dry period during the mid-Holocene, about 7,500 years ago, by analyzing ancient sedimentary layers at Lake Kgari, located off the southeast coast of Queensland. “Our study shows that some of Kgari’s deepest lakes dried up around 7,500 years ago, long after the end of the last ice age and during a period of high rainfall,” said lead researcher…

Teens and young adults who have survived cancer appear to age faster than people of the same age who have never had cancer, according to a new study. Scientists have discovered signs of premature aging not only in cells, but also in brain performance such as memory, attention, and information processing ability. The survey results are nature communications. The study was led by Dr. Annalynn Williams of the Wilmot Cancer Institute at the University of Rochester and co-corresponding author Dr. Kevin Krull of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Lifestyle changes may reverse biological aging There may be encouraging news ahead.…

Shortly after President Donald Trump took office last January, USDA officials were reportedly directed to flag and remove web pages that mentioned climate change, including resources farmers use to prepare for extreme weather events. In response, environmental and agricultural nonprofits sued government agencies for the loss of critical information. In May, days before a scheduled public hearing, the USDA announced it would restore its climate webpage. At that point, “we essentially won,” said Peter Lehner, lead attorney at Earthjustice, a nonprofit law firm representing the plaintiffs. However, negotiations over a legal settlement continued. Last week, the agriculture department finally settled…