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    Category Health/Medical

    ‘Goldilocks’ Neurons promote REM Sleep

    June 20, 2019, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Using a technique called optogenetics, a laser light was used to turn off or on MCH neurons time locked with the temperature warming phases. It demonstrated the necessity of the MCH neurons to increase REM sleep during warming toward “just right” room temperature. Picture: Pascal Gugler for Insel Gruppe AG

    It has been a mystery why REM sleep, or dream sleep, increases when the room temperature is ‘just right’. Neuroscientists show that melanin-concentrating hormone neurons within the hypothalamus increase REM sleep when the need for body temperature defense is minimized, such as when sleeping in a warm and comfortable room temperature. These data have important implications for the function of REM sleep.

    Every night while sleeping, we cycle between two very different states of sleep...

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    A Miniature Robot that could check Colons for Early Signs of Disease

    June 20, 2019, Categories  Physics, Technology/Electronics, Health/Medical

    Engineers have shown it is technically possible to guide a tiny robotic capsule inside the colon to take micro-ultrasound images. Known as a Sonopill, the device could one day replace the need for patients to undergo an endoscopic examination, where a semi-rigid scope is passed into the bowel – an invasive procedure that can be painful.
    The Sonopill is a small capsule – with a diameter of 21mm and length of 39mm, which the engineers say can be scaled down. The capsule houses a micro ultrasound transducer, an LED light, camera and magnet.

    Engineers have shown it is technically possible to guide a tiny robotic capsule inside the colon to take micro-ultrasound images. Known as a Sonopill, the device could one day replace the need for patients to undergo an endoscopic examination, where a semi-rigid scope is passed into the bowel – an invasive procedure that can be painful.

    Micro-ultrasound images also have the advantage of being better able to identify some types of cell change associated with cancer...

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    Vest helps Athletes keep their Cool

    June 19, 2019, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Hasegawa and Yudai Chaen (lead author of the paper) measure the heart rate, sweat rate, muscle activity and temperature of the athlete while exercising in a hot and humid environment (35°C at 50% humidity).
    CREDIT
    Hiroshima University

    A new cooling vest for sports athletes may ensure everyone can compete safely in sweltering summer conditions such as the upcoming 2020 Summer Olympics. Strategies to cope with body heat in sports is a pressing issue. The Tokyo Olympics will be held in the hot and muggy Japanese summer where the ambient temperature is expected to be above 33°C. Athletes have to worry about performing under pressure of the high-stakes competition but also now have to deal with a very hot and humid climate...

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    Topical Cream shows promise in Treatment of Skin Pigmentation disease, Vitiligo

    June 17, 2019, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Hands with vitiligo
    “Topical ruxolitinib has the potential to change the way vitiligo is treated. Not only is it effective at repigmenting the skin, but it has an excellent safety profile,” said Dr. Rosmarin.

    A nationwide phase II clinical trial, coordinated out of Tufts Medical Center in Boston, has found that a topical cream was extremely effective in reversing the effects of vitiligo, a relatively common autoimmune disease that causes loss of skin pigmentation. Topical application of the medicated cream, ruxolitinib, which is currently used as an oral treatment for certain blood disorders, resulted in substantial improvement of facial vitiligo symptoms in nearly half of the trial’s participants...

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