In animals, the brain (enkephale) (Greek for “in the skull”), is the control center of the central nervous system, responsible for behavior. The brain is located in the head, protected by the skull and close to the primary sensory apparatus of vision, hearing, equilibrioception (balance), sense of taste, and olfaction (smell).
Aiming to cure deafness, Stanford scientists first to create functional inner-ear cells – Researchers have found a way to coax embryonic stem cells as well as reprogrammed adult cells to develop into sensory cells that normally reside in the mammalian inner ear. Those mechanosensitive sensory hair cells are the linchpin of hearing and balance.
Fluctuating blood pressure associated with risk of cerebrovascular disease – The risk of cerebrovascular diseases appears to be higher among individuals with fluctuating blood pressure in addition to high blood pressure, according to a report in the May issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Clinical study shows patients gain limb movement years after stroke – Patients show modest yet meaningful gains in limb movement and an improved outlook on life years after suffering a stroke, a major clinical study has found.
New gene associated with increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease – Researchers have identified a gene that appears to increase a person’s risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of Alzheimer’s disease.
Study identifies food combination associated with reduced Alzheimer’s disease risk – Individuals whose diet includes more salad dressing, nuts, fish, poultry and certain fruits and vegetables and fewer high-fat dairy products, red meats, organ meats and butter appear less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
State Public Health Director Announces Tuberculosis Cases Hit Record Low Despite Recent Outbreak — Illinois still ranks 5th in the nation for highest number of TB cases – In recognition of World Tuberculosis Day, Dr. Damon T. Arnold, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), announced an all time low for the number of new tuberculosis (TB) cases in Illinois.
Deep brain stimulation reduces epileptic seizures in patients with refractory partial and secondarily generalized seizures – A recent study organized by Stanford University researchers found patients with refractory partial and secondarily generalized seizures had a reduction in seizures after deep brain stimulation.
Warfarin users appear more likely to develop brain bleeding following stroke treatment – Patients already taking warfarin who develop an acute stroke appear more likely to experience a brain hemorrhage following treatment with an intravenous clot-dissolving medication, even if their blood clotting function appears normal, revealed by researchers.
Weight loss diets significantly reverse arterial clogging — Ben-Gurion University study — 2-year study reveals that carotid artery atherosclerosis reduction is due to weight loss-induced decline in blood pressure from either low-carbohydrate, low-fat or Mediterranean diets – A two-year study led by researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) found that healthy, long-term weight loss diets can significantly reverse carotid (main brain artery) atherosclerosis, a direct risk factor for strokes and heart attacks.
Pneumococcal vaccine offers protection to HIV-infected African adults in clinical trial – A clinical trial of a vaccine against a major cause of pneumonia and meningitis has shown that it can prevent three out of four cases of re-infection in HIV-infected adults in Africa.
An apple a day? Study shows soluble fiber boosts immune system – Soluble fiber – found in oats, apples, and nuts, for starters reduces the inflammation associated with obesity-related diseases and strengthens the immune system, revealed by researchers.
Stress raises risk of mental decline in older diabetics, study shows — Stress raises the risk of memory loss and cognitive decline among older people with diabetes, research suggests. – Researchers at the University of Edinburgh studied more than 900 men and women aged between 60 and 75 with type-2 diabetes, which tends to be common after the age of 40.
