All posts by : 1202miad3669

Revolution in Medicine: The World’s Smallest Pacemaker, Smaller Than a Grain of Rice, Has Been Developed

This temporary pacemaker, designed to regulate heart rhythm, is smaller than a grain of rice. It can be injected using a syringe, is controlled by light, and naturally dissolves in the body after completing its function. Researchers have described this innovation as a “transformative breakthrough” in medicine, with the potential to open new pathways for broader advancements in the life sciences.

Today, millions of people worldwide rely on permanent pacemakers that maintain regular heart rhythms by delivering electrical pulses. However, an international research team led by American scientists explains that the goal of developing this temporary version is to support approximately one percent of infants born with congenital heart defects who require pacing support during the first week following cardiac surgery.

This device may also be used for adult patients who need temporary heart rhythm stabilization during recovery after heart surgery.

End of Invasive Procedures for Temporary Pacemakers?

Currently, temporary pacemakers require invasive surgery in which electrode wires are sutured directly onto the heart muscle and connected to an external pacing device. Removal of these wires after recovery can sometimes result in serious complications.

For example, Neil Armstrong, the first human to walk on the Moon, died in 2012 due to internal bleeding caused by the removal of a temporary pacemaker.

The newly developed pacemaker is completely wireless and measures approximately 1 millimeter in thickness and 3.5 millimeters in length, allowing it to fit easily inside the tip of a syringe.

Remarkably, once its function is complete, the pacemaker naturally dissolves within the body, eliminating the need for surgical removal.

Smart Functionality Powered by Light and the Body’s Own Cells

This pacemaker is paired with a soft patch placed on the patient’s chest. When the patch detects an irregular heartbeat, it automatically emits light to activate the pacemaker and restore an appropriate heart rhythm.

The device is powered by a galvanic cell that converts chemical energy from bodily fluids into electrical pulses, enabling autonomous operation without external power sources.

To date, this technology has demonstrated successful performance in experimental studies involving mice, pigs, dogs, and human heart tissue in laboratory settings.

John Rogers, the senior author of the study from Northwestern University, stated that he expects the device to enter human clinical trials within the next two to three years.

He also announced that his laboratory has established a specialized spin-off company to commercialize this technology, emphasizing its potential to introduce innovative strategies for addressing public health challenges.

The findings of this study were published in the scientific journal Nature.

Source

Euronews

New Discovery: Human Blood Can Be Used as a Bone-Repairing Drug

Scientists at the University of Nottingham have made a significant breakthrough in regenerative medicine. They have discovered a novel method for repairing bone injuries using the patient’s own blood to create regenerative implants.

According to the Medical and Health News Service of Techna, the human body naturally has the ability to heal itself, but this ability is limited. Inspired by the body’s natural repair processes, scientists have developed a new material that significantly enhances bone repair.

Blood Clot Formation: The Main Inspiration

According to Techna’s Science News Department, when an injury occurs in the body, a blood clot forms and acts as a scaffold for tissue repair. By enhancing this natural blood clot and adding specific substances to it, scientists were able to create a material that accelerates the healing process.

This new material can be shaped in various forms and even 3D-printed to meet the specific needs of each patient. In experiments conducted on mice, the new material was able to double bone growth.

Advantages of Using the Patient’s Own Blood

One of the advantages of this method is that the implants are made from the patient’s own blood, eliminating the risk of rejection. Additionally, this approach speeds up recovery, and experimental results have shown it to be highly effective. Moreover, blood is easily accessible and can be used to create implants.

A Major Advancement in Bone Injury Treatment

This discovery could revolutionize the treatment of fractures and other bone injuries. Using this method, patients can recover faster and experience improved quality of life. Furthermore, this technique could potentially be applied to treat bone diseases such as osteoporosis.

The Role of Peptide Amphiphiles in Bone Repair

By combining the patient’s blood with specific substances called peptide amphiphiles, scientists have created a material that acts as a scaffold for bone cell growth. This new material helps bone cells grow faster and repair damaged tissue.

This scientific breakthrough promises a bright future for bone injury treatment. Using this method, bone injuries can be repaired safely and effectively.

Source:

Techna News – Full Article

One Nutrient, Two Risks? The Surprising Link Between Obesity and Alzheimer’s

Researchers report a surprising connection between a key nutrient called choline, obesity, and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

According to ISNA, a new study suggests that a combination of obesity and low levels of choline may accelerate brain aging and potentially trigger some early mechanisms of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

According to the report, researchers led by a team from Arizona State University (ASU) state that choline is recognized as one of the most vital nutrients for a healthy body. Therefore, its deficiency, along with obesity-related stresses, may act as an early warning signal for cognitive decline long before actual symptoms appear.

Ramon Velazquez, a neurobiology specialist at ASU, says: “This research adds to the growing evidence that choline is a valuable marker for metabolic and brain dysfunction and emphasizes the importance of sufficient daily intake, as it is essential for human health.”

He added that several recent reports published this month show that lower choline levels in the blood are associated with behavioral changes, including anxiety and memory impairment, as well as broader metabolic dysfunction.

The researchers selected 15 obese individuals with an average age of 33.6 years and compared them with 15 healthy controls. They then analyzed key chemical levels and biomarkers in all participants.

Obese individuals showed significant differences, including reduced choline circulation, increased numbers of inflammation-related biomarkers, and higher levels of neurofilament light (NfL)—a blood protein indicating neuronal damage.

In obese participants, there was a strong correlation between lower choline and higher NfL levels. Notably, this same pattern was observed in post-mortem brain tissue analyses of older individuals who had died from Alzheimer’s or mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

These data are not comprehensive enough to prove cause and effect, but the overall picture suggests that obesity, choline, and early brain aging leading to dementia may all be interconnected. Choline could be part of the reason why obesity is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s.

Jessica Judd, a behavioral neuroscience specialist at Arizona State University, says: “Our results indicate that in young adults, good metabolic health and adequate choline support neural health and lay the foundation for healthy aging.”

This is the latest study emphasizing the numerous variables and factors involved in brain aging and dementia. Untangling the complex causes and effects is a real challenge for scientists, and discoveries like this can help illuminate what happens as the brain ages.

Further studies are needed to understand the details of this three-way relationship between obesity, choline, and neural degeneration. However, researchers suggest that low levels of this nutrient may be an early warning sign for diseases such as Alzheimer’s and that increasing choline intake could serve as a preventive measure.

While the liver naturally produces a small amount of choline, the recommended daily intake can easily be managed by eating eggs, fish, poultry, beans, and cruciferous vegetables.

It is already known that this nutrient is important for health, but now there is an additional reason to ensure it is included in our diet.

Wendy Winslow, a biochemist at Arizona State University, says: “Most people do not realize they are not getting enough choline. Adding choline-rich foods to your diet can help reduce inflammation and support your body and brain as you age.”

This research was published in the journal Aging and Disease.

News link: Ghatreh News

Stable Proteins: The Key to Youthful Ovaries

Groundbreaking Discovery by Scientists

Researchers at Northwestern University have identified a group of highly stable proteins in the ovaries that appear to play a crucial role in maintaining the health and longevity of this organ. The results of this study, published in the journal eLife, are transforming our understanding of reproductive aging in women.

The Importance of Ovaries

The ovaries are vital organs in the female reproductive system, containing eggs essential for fertility. These cells need to remain healthy and active for a long time to enable successful pregnancy.

Stable Proteins and Ovarian Longevity

Scientists have shown that certain proteins in the ovaries are extremely stable, often referred to as “long-lived” proteins. These proteins play a fundamental role in maintaining ovarian structure and function, helping to explain why ovaries age over time and fertility declines.

The Role of Mitochondria

These proteins are particularly abundant in the mitochondria, the cell’s powerhouses. Mitochondria are crucial for energy production and overall cell health. The stability of these proteins within mitochondria helps maintain proper egg function.

Future Research

Researchers are investigating whether these long-lived proteins are beneficial or harmful over time and how they affect egg quality and survival. They are also exploring ways to manipulate these proteins to improve ovarian health and enhance fertility.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that long-lived proteins play a critical role in maintaining ovarian health. A better understanding of their function could lead to new strategies for preserving female fertility and addressing reproductive aging.

Source:

Techna News

Why Female Hair Loss Is Still Poorly Understood

Prevalence of Hair Loss in Women

One-third of women experience some form of hair loss (alopecia) during their lifetime, yet this condition has been less studied and can significantly impact women’s mental health.

Personal Experience: Heder

Heder, a 32-year-old writer:

“My hair has always been thin, but in the summer of 2020, I noticed rapid hair loss. Suddenly, I saw the reflection of my scalp in the mirror under the light. Since then, I feel like a different person. Although I have told myself many times that it’s just hair loss, my previous confidence hasn’t returned.”

Why Hair Loss in Women Has Been Overlooked

Dr. Zainab Laftah, dermatologist at Healthcare UK The Shard:

“Most research on hair loss has focused on men because of its high prevalence and the emphasis on male hormonal mechanisms and male-specific treatments. Hair loss in women, which can be more complex, has received much less attention.”

Impact of Social Media

With the rise of social media, women are increasingly discussing hair loss and joining support groups. Heder says:

“Talking about a shared problem can be initially comforting, but prolonged participation in these groups without solutions can increase feelings of hopelessness.”

What Causes Hair Loss in Women?

Normal Hair Shedding

According to the NHS, we naturally lose 50 to 100 hairs daily. Severe hair loss is usually linked to one of three main conditions:

1. Androgenetic Alopecia (Female Pattern Hair Loss)

• Hair follicles shrink, preventing new hair growth.
• New hair grows thin and weak.
• Causes: Hormonal changes (menopause, thyroid disorders) and genetics.

2. Telogen Effluvium (Temporary Hair Loss)

• Triggered by severe stress, illness, rapid weight loss, or pregnancy.
• Hair usually regrows once the triggering factor is removed.

3. Alopecia Areata (Autoimmune Hair Loss)

• The immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles.
• Causes sudden hair loss in small, round patches on the scalp or other body areas.

Treatment for Female Hair Loss

Androgenetic Alopecia

• Main treatment: Topical minoxidil.
• Additional options: Spironolactone, low-dose oral minoxidil.
• Note: Not all patients respond the same way.

Hormonal Disorders

Oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be recommended if hair loss is caused by hormonal imbalances, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Alopecia Areata

New medication: Ritlecitinib (Litfulo by Pfizer) has been recommended as a treatment for alopecia areata for the first time.

Innovative Research

• Stem cell and exosome therapies to stimulate hair follicles at the cellular level.
• Development of anti-androgen drugs to combat hair loss.

Source:

euronews Persian

Endometriosis: Not Just a Uterine Disease—Linked to Hundreds of Other Conditions

Data-Driven Research

Scientists using advanced data-driven research have discovered strong links between endometriosis and a wide range of other conditions, including cancer, Crohn’s disease, and migraines.

Prevalence and Diagnostic Challenges

Endometriosis is a painful and often overlooked condition, estimated to affect one in ten women worldwide. Despite its high prevalence, diagnosis can take years and treatment options remain limited.

Researchers’ Perspectives

Uma Khan, a researcher at the University of California, San Francisco:

“The problems associated with endometriosis are broad-ranging; from infertility, autoimmune diseases, and acid reflux, to cancers, asthma, and eye disorders.”

Research Method

Khan and colleagues collected over 43,000 patient medical records from six different medical centers and analyzed them using custom algorithms to identify patterns linking endometriosis with other health conditions.

Key Findings

• Over 600 correlations between endometriosis and other diseases were identified.
• Connections with migraines, reinforcing previous studies on the potential effectiveness of migraine medications in treating endometriosis.

Widespread Impact on Women’s Lives

Dr. Linda Judis, physician and scientist:

“This condition affects every aspect of patients’ lives—from interpersonal relationships and the ability to maintain a job, to starting a family and mental health.”

Current Treatment Challenges

• Hormonal therapy and surgery are the main treatment options.
• Patients respond differently to hormonal treatments, which can also have significant side effects.
• The disease may recur after surgery, and even hysterectomy does not guarantee complete relief.

New Hope for Patients

Marina Sirota, Professor of Pediatrics:

“We now have the tools and data that can truly make a difference for patients with endometriosis and potentially spark a fundamental shift in how this condition is approached.”

Source:

Euronews English