Alkem bergen

02/07/2025

Scientists created a cream that can bring hair back — it cures baldness with just one week of use.

The age-old quest for a cure for baldness may be entering a promising new chapter, thanks to groundbreaking research from UCLA scientists.

After years of experimentation, the team has identified a molecule—dubbed PP405—that can successfully awaken dormant hair follicles. In early human trials, participants who applied the molecule topically at bedtime for just one week showed statistically significant results.

Unlike many existing treatments that produce only wispy hair, PP405 is believed to stimulate the growth of full, terminal strands.

The molecule works by inhibiting a protein that keeps follicle stem cells dormant, effectively reactivating the body’s natural hair-growing capabilities.

The breakthrough comes from a trio of UCLA researchers: William Lowry, Heather Christofk, and Michael Jung, who have co-founded a startup, Pelage Pharmaceuticals, to further develop and commercialize the treatment. With $16.4 million in backing from Google Ventures, the team is preparing for larger clinical trials and working toward FDA approval. While the treatment won’t work for everyone, it holds promise for the majority of individuals affected by hair loss, including those who lose hair due to aging, stress, genetics, or chemotherapy. As the researchers cautiously advance through regulatory hurdles, optimism is mounting that a reliable cure for baldness may finally be on the horizon.

learn more https://newsroom.ucla.edu/magazine/baldness-cure-pp405-molecule-breakthrough-treatment

02/07/2025

02/07/2025

Chronic stress doesn’t just affect your mind — it triggers real physical symptoms.

Kindness toward yourself isn't just good for your mental health. It directly affects your physical well-being, and whether there's long-term damage.

Chronic stress and anxiety can manifest in the body in troubling ways, leading to symptoms like heart palpitations, headaches, digestive issues, insomnia, and even skin breakouts.

These are more than just discomforts; they’re signals from your body that something’s out of balance.

When you're overwhelmed, it's okay to pause.

Taking time to relax—whether through deep breathing, a short walk, or simply saying no—helps reset your nervous system and lowers stress hormones. By practicing self-compassion and prioritizing rest, you’re not just nurturing your mind—you’re giving your body the care it needs to stay healthy and resilient.

dive deeper https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/body

02/07/2025

From gas bubbles to worn cartilage, here’s what makes your joints pop—and how to know if it’s something to worry about.

02/07/2025

While most people appreciate the health advantages that come from running, cycling, or lifting weights, fewer people understand the benefits that come from a good swim.

Swimming offers a low-impact exercise with numerous benefits, from the health of your muscles and joints to the function of your heart and lungs. Experts detail the benefits of swimming—and how to get started: https://on.natgeo.com/3G6mKwy

29/04/2025

Your eyes reveal more than you think — scientists found a way to predict ADHD with a retinal scan.

The key? It's AI.

A new study out of South Korea suggests a faster, noninvasive way to screen for ADHD may be found in the back of the eye. Researchers at Yonsei University College of Medicine used AI to analyze retinal fundus photographs, identifying key indicators such as blood vessel density, vessel shape and width, and changes to the optic disc. Their machine learning model achieved an impressive 96.9% accuracy in predicting ADHD based on eye images alone, offering a potential breakthrough over current time-consuming and inconsistent diagnostic methods.

The study, involving 646 children and adolescents, demonstrates that simple eye scans could one day become a quick and scalable tool for ADHD screening. While further research across broader age ranges is needed, the approach could significantly speed up early detection and access to support. As ADHD affects around 1 in 20 people, a fast, reliable diagnostic tool could make a transformative difference in academic, social, and family life for millions worldwide.

source https://www.nature.com/articles/s41746-025-01547-9

29/04/2025

Why do pregnant women get ultrasounds instead of MRIs? This image may be some indication...

In reality, while these MRI images look alarming — making the fetus look like an alien demon — the real reason women get ultrasounds is because it is safer and more cost-effective.

That said, MRIs are done when ultrasound doesn't provide sufficient information, especially for detailed soft tissue imaging or when fetal anomalies are suspected.

learn more
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/mris-of-fetuses/

29/04/2025

29/04/2025

Scientists created a robot that has *living* skin.

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have taken a major step toward making robots more human-like by successfully binding living skin tissue to robotic surfaces.

Using a new method inspired by human skin ligaments, the team created tiny V-shaped holes filled with collagen gel, forming strong, seamless anchors for the living skin.

The result is a robot capable of making more natural facial expressions, like smiling—offering promising improvements for robots working in human-facing roles such as healthcare and education, where empathy and emotional connection are crucial.

This breakthrough could revolutionize robotics by enhancing both appearance and sensory capabilities. Living skin could give robots not only realistic facial expressions but also a sophisticated ability to sense touch, temperature, and texture—something synthetic materials have yet to fully replicate. Future research will focus on developing vascular systems to nourish the skin, making it even more lifelike and durable. If successful, humanoid robots of tomorrow may not just look human—they could feel human, too.

the paper https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-physical-science/fulltext/S2666-3864(24)00335-7?

29/04/2025

Fungal infections are on the rise. They're now resistant to treatment just like bacteria — and people are dying.

Drug-resistant bacteria have long been a focus of global health efforts. Antifungal resistance has been ignored.

Now, people are dying.

Fungi like Candida auris and Aspergillus fumigatus are becoming increasingly resistant to existing treatments, leading the World Health Organization to list them as "critical" pathogens.

In the Netherlands, for instance, resistant A. fumigatus strains now make up 15% of cases — a dramatic rise from two decades ago.

Ferry Hagen, a medical mycologist, calls antifungal resistance a "silent pandemic" because, although it spreads more slowly than bacterial resistance, its effects are no less serious, complicating treatment for life-threatening infections.

The fight against antifungal resistance is particularly challenging due to the similarity between fungal and human cells, which makes developing safe and effective treatments difficult.

To make matters worse, resistance often develops faster than new drugs can be created, partly due to agricultural antifungals that expose fungi to similar compounds. Hagen highlights the need for improved genome sequencing and diagnostic tools to detect resistant strains and understand their underlying mechanisms.

This essential data could lead to better treatments and help curb the spread of antifungal resistance before it becomes an even greater public health crisis.

source https://www.who.int/news/item/01-04-2025-who-issues-its-first-ever-reports-on-tests-and-treatments-for-fungal-infections

25/11/2022

Artificial Cornea restores vision to a legally blind man.

Learn More:

- https://bit.ly/3itZXKF
- https://engt.co/3sPBO6e

21/10/2022