October 2020 - BioMedWire (BMW)

FridayOct 30, 2020 12:00 pm

Researcher Develops App to Help Kidney, Heart Disease Patients Manage Diets

For many living with heart and kidney diseases, taking care of their health includes managing their diets to suit medical recommendations that restrict the consumption of some nutrients. While this might be easy for some, a majority find it hard to follow these recommendations without tracking their nutrition through the day. To help with this, assistant professor and nephrologist Dr. Ibrahim Elali has created DecideDiet. This free smartphone app allows patients to manually record or scan the bar code of the food they are about to eat. The app automatically evaluates the potassium, or sodium content, of the food item…

FridayOct 30, 2020 10:00 am

COVID-19 Deals Chronic Disease Patients a Double Blow

A new study conducted by the University of New South Wales has discovered that right now is the most dangerous time for individuals with NCDs (noncommunicable diseases) such as cardiovascular conditions, respiratory problems, cancer and diabetes — primarily because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study found that individuals with NCDs were more likely to contract the virus and succumb to it, especially since their exposure to NCD risk factors such as unhealthy diets, social isolation and substance abuse has increased amid the pandemic. The researchers also discovered that the coronavirus disrupted essential public health services, which many individuals who live…

ThursdayOct 29, 2020 12:00 pm

Approximately One-Third of US Young Adults Are Unaware of Common Signs of a Stroke

According to new research that was published in “Stroke,”, approximately 30% of adults below age 45 in the United States don’t know the five most common stroke symptoms. Strokes are the main cause of disability in the country as well as the fifth leading cause of death. Between 10% to 15% of the 795,000 individuals who suffer a stroke are young people, aged between 18 and 45, so recognizing the signs is vital. Other recent studies suggest that while stroke incidence is decreasing among the general population, its incidence and hospitalizations have grown by more than 40% in young people…

ThursdayOct 29, 2020 10:00 am

Biomedical Engineer Invents Technique That May Help Improve Eyesight

A professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Miami College of Engineering, Noel Ziebarth, and her groundbreaking research may help in the development of treatments designed to help the blind see again. The professor is also head of the Biomedical Atomic Force Microscopy Lab where she uses scanning electron, atomic force and confocal microscopes to analyze the retina, cornea and lens of the human eye in its diseased and normal states. Ziebarth is mainly interested in treatments that may be used to treat cataracts. Cataracts are the clouding of the lens of the eye, which is normally clear, and…

WednesdayOct 28, 2020 12:00 pm

Men More Likely to View Face Masks as Infringement on Freedom

According to new research that was published in the “Personality and Individual Differences” journal, both women and men are equally likely to wear face masks during the coronavirus pandemic. However, the study shows that women and men tend to have contrasting reasons for not wearing face masks. Matt C. Howard, an assistant professor at the University of South Alabama, is a researcher involved in this study. His interest in the matter arose after reading a few popular news reports that claimed that men were less likely to wear face masks. This is despite recent research that indicated that both women…

WednesdayOct 28, 2020 10:00 am

Study Discovers Link Between Dopamine, Serotonin and Decision-Making

For the longest time, serotonin and dopamine have been linked to pleasure and reward. In a pioneer study done by researchers from University College London, findings published in “Neuron” show that these two neuromodulators may be connected to general cognition. This is essentially shaping how people view the world and act on those views. Researchers simultaneously and continuously monitored serotonin and dopamine in human brains. While the two neuromodulators have been studied extensively in animals, it is still challenging for researchers to separate the reinforcement animals receive from the decision-making. This is because animals need to be trained in order…

TuesdayOct 27, 2020 12:00 pm

Comparison Between Saliva, Swab Coronavirus Tests

From the start of the pandemic, researchers and clinicians have been searching for nasopharyngeal swab alternatives. Tests administered using these swabs are hard to scale up for mass testing, they put health workers in closer contact with individuals who may be infected, and they require more supplies. Saliva has been suggested as an easy and low-cost alternative. However, its accuracy and efficacy remain a point of conflict. Trials of saliva-based tests have been carried out in the field but produced mixed results. These results only make it harder for saliva to be used in the existing testing framework as researchers…

TuesdayOct 27, 2020 11:25 am

Strategic HCP Partnerships Virtual Summit Networking Hub for Healthcare Professionals

Virtual event set for Wednesday, Nov. 18–Friday, Nov. 20, 2020 Forum for healthcare professionals, executives of healthcare organizations and service providers Three virtual environments — exhibit hall, session areas and network rooms — offer optimal opportunity for engagement Hosted by Lincoln Health Network The Strategic HCP Partnerships Summit — a virtual event this year — is shaping up to be a networking hub for healthcare professionals, executives of healthcare organizations (HCO) and service providers. The three-day event, scheduled for Nov. 18–20, 2020, offers a platform that promises to foster engagement and provide a wealth of opportunity to build and expand…

TuesdayOct 27, 2020 10:00 am

Patent Suggests Apple Is Working on Smart Biomedical Glasses

It is commonly known that Apple is working on bettering its offerings in the wellness and health category. The company was recently awarded a patent that indicates that the firm is taking its approach into health a step further with a new invention: biomedical smart glasses. Spotted by Patently Apple, the new patent describes this invention as a head-mounted display device that can monitor certain head movements such as nodding one’s head as well as facial gestures such as closing and opening mouths. The device can also be used with other health devices, including the Apple Watch. This ability will…

MondayOct 26, 2020 12:00 pm

Is It Acceptable for Police to Seize Your Biomedical Samples?

Let’s assume you’ve acquired a grant to begin a research study to investigate the spread of a certain disease in a population. So you gather your samples, do your research and publish your findings. Then out of nowhere, law enforcement shows up with a court order to obtain a sample from your collection that will help in the legal prosecution of one of the participants of your study. As a researcher, would you find it unethical for the police to take your research samples without the participants’ consent or knowledge? In an essay authored by Nina de Groot and her…