New blood tests may spot Parkinson’s before symptoms appear

New blood tests may spot Parkinson’s before symptoms appear

Researchers have identified a biological signature of Parkinson's disease they hope could lead to a simple blood test for the condition at least seven years before symptoms appear. Scientists have screened blood samples from people with Parkinson's and detected eight key proteins or "biomarkers" common to those with the condition. Based on these proteins in the blood, artificial intelligence could identify potential Parkinson's patients several years in advance. Parkinson's is […]

June 19, 2024 13

Health / Medical

WHO says vaccine patches could revolutionise measles prevention

A vaccine patch could be a safe and effective alternative way to protect young children against measles, a trial by the World Health Organisation in The Gambia has suggested. Dr. Birgit Giersing, team lead at the WHO vaccine product and delivery research unit to UN News that the patches could be a major breakthrough in protecting vulnerable populations from preventable diseases.

May 13, 2024 56

Health / Medical

Medical science has made great strides in fighting TB, but reducing poverty is the best way to end this disease

By Tom Nyirenda, Stellenbosch University Every year, 10 million people fall ill with tuberculosis. Even though the disease is both preventable and curable, it kills 1.5 million people each year, making it the world’s deadliest infectious disease. Over 25% of these deaths occur in African countries. The World Health Organization has developed a strategy to reduce TB deaths by 95% by 2035. It’s a monumental task. […]

March 26, 2024 21

Health / Medical

Musk’s Neuralink publishes brain implant trial results

Elon Musk says Neuralink’s first human trial participant can control a computer mouse with their brain, nearly one month after having the company’s chip implanted. The CEO of Future Today Institute, Amy Webb told CNN that it’s alarming that the study was initially published on Twitter (X), instead of a medical journal. We asked a local Psychologist Dr. Shaun Whittaker for his take on the matter.

February 21, 2024 47

Health / Medical

How worried should we be about the pneumonia outbreak in China?

C Raina MacIntyre, UNSW Sydney; Ashley Quigley, UNSW Sydney; Haley Stone, UNSW Sydney, and Rebecca Dawson, UNSW Sydney Reports of a surge in pneumonia-like illness primarily affecting children in northern China have captured our attention. The last time we heard about a mysterious respiratory outbreak leading to overcrowding in hospitals was the beginning of the COVID pandemic, so it’s not entirely surprising this has caused some alarm. On November 22 […]

November 28, 2023 7