A new electrical stimulation therapy for spinal muscle atrophy (SMA) has shown promise in reactivating motor neurons and improving movement. In a pilot clinical trial, three patients who received spinal cord stimulation for one month experienced increased strength, reduced fatigue, and improved walking ability. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have [...]
AI is evolving at an incredible pace, but its growing energy demands pose a major challenge. Enter spintronic devices—new technology that mimics the brain’s efficiency by integrating memory and processing. Scientists in Japan have now developed a groundbreaking spintronic device that allows for electrical control of magnetic states, drastically reducing power consumption. This breakthrough [...]
(Nanowerk News) Cleaning up after a major oil spill is a long, expensive process, and the damage to a coastal region’s ecosystem can be significant. This is especially true for the world’s Arctic region, where newly opened sea lanes will expose remote shorelines to increased risks due to an anticipated rise in sea traffic. [...]
Nanotechnology, which involves working with materials at the atomic or molecular level, is becoming increasingly important in space exploration. By improving strength, thermal stability, electrical conductivity, and radiation resistance, nanotechnology is helping create lighter, more durable spacecraft, better life support systems, and stronger protective gear for astronauts.1 Nanomaterials in Spacecraft Construction Materials like carbon nanotubes [...]
CBD is gaining popularity as a remedy for pregnancy symptoms like nausea and anxiety, but new research suggests it may not be as safe as many believe. A study from McMaster University found that oral cannabis use, including both THC and CBD, is linked to impaired fetal growth, abnormal placental development, and long-term behavioral changes in [...]
Scientists discover that even mild COVID-19 can alter brain proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease, potentially increasing dementia risk—raising urgent public health concerns. A recent study published in the journal Nature Medicine investigated whether both mild and severe cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are linked to changes in brain biomarkers associated with [...]
A massive new study sheds light on how cannabis affects the brain, particularly during cognitive tasks. Researchers analyzed over 1,000 young adults and found that both heavy lifetime use and recent cannabis consumption significantly reduced brain activity during working memory tasks. This impairment was linked to worse performance on tasks requiring focus, problem-solving, and instruction-following. Brain [...]
With their high surface area and enhanced physicochemical properties, nanomaterials play a critical role in drug delivery, consumer products, and environmental technologies. However, their nanoscale dimensions enable interactions with cellular components in complex and sometimes unexpected ways, potentially inducing oxidative stress, inflammation, or bioaccumulation. As their use expands, understanding these risks through nanotoxicity testing becomes [...]
A nanotechnology-based drug delivery system developed at UVA Health to save patients from repeated surgeries has proved to have unexpectedly long-lasting benefits in lab tests – a promising sign for its potential to help human patients. The approach would allow surgeons to apply a paste of nanoparticles containing hydrogel on transplanted veins to prevent the formation [...]
Japanese scientists detected all five nucleobases — building blocks of DNA and RNA — in samples returned from asteroid Bennu by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission. NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission brought back 121.6 grams of asteroid Bennu, unveiling nitrogen-rich organic matter, including DNA’s essential bases. Scientists found differences between Bennu’s chemistry and that of meteorites like Ryugu, suggesting diverse cosmic conditions shaped their molecular [...]
