America Academy of Neurology issues guidance on the use of wearable devices

Article examines smart watches, fitness trackers and more for neurological care Highlights: The AAN has issued new guidance on wearable devices and digital apps as potential tools in neurological care, focusing on non-FDA cleared technology. Wearable devices and digital apps that are available to consumers are emerging as potential tools in neurological care. These include

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Safer blood clot treatment with apixaban than with rivaroxaban, according to large venous thrombosis trial

The first clinical trial to compare two commonly used drugs head-to-head for venous thrombosis treatment has found a clear winner: while both drugs work well to prevent recurrent blood clots, apixaban is safer than rivaroxaban, with fewer bleeding complications. Venous thrombosis occurs when a blood clot lodges in the veins of the legs or lungs.

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Study: Electrical stimulation can restore ability to move limbs, receive sensory feedback after spinal cord injury

In new results from a clinical trial, researchers show that electrical stimulation of the spinal cord can restore the muscle control and sensory feedback required for coordinated walking movements. The effects of spinal cord injuries are complex and multifaceted. People lose not only the ability to control the movement of their limbs, but also the

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A 3D printable scaffold to support fast bone growth

A bone-like composite developed at EPFL uses naturally occurring enzymes to accelerate mineralization through an energy-efficient, room-temperature process. The strong, lightweight material shows promise for bone repair applications. Inspired by the resilient and self-repairing mechanical properties of bone, scientists have been developing synthetic materials using one of bone’s main components: a mineral called hydroxyapatite (HA).

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Mediterranean diet protects against fractures while calorie restriction increases bone breakdown, study finds

A Mediterranean diet can significantly lower the risk of hip and overall fractures, according to a major new review from the University of Chester. Researchers from the University’s Medical School have closely analysed 30 studies involving more than 500,000 adults to provide new insights into how popular diets affect bone health. As outlined in the new study,

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AI can predict risk of serious heart disease from mammograms quantifying calcifications in breast arteries

Key takeaways: The risk of serious or fatal heart disease can be predicted with artificial intelligence (AI) analysis of mammograms, according to research published in the European Heart Journal. The study shows that AI can be used to assess the build-up of calcium deposits in the arteries of the breast from the standard X-ray mammography scans

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Muscular Strength linked to Longer Life in Women Aged 63 to 99 Years

A large, diverse cohort study shows that muscle strength, especially grip strength, may signal survival odds in older women, regardless of how much they move, how long they sit, or their measured fitness level. A recent study in JAMA Network Open examined whether muscular strength is associated with mortality in older women, controlling for aerobic activity, sedentary time,

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Researchers develop beating, 3D‑printed heart model for surgical practice

Washington State University researchers have developed a 3D-printed model of the left side of the heart that contracts and beats, offering the chance for surgeons and medical students to rehearse important heart surgeries on a model that acts like the real thing. The WSU researchers, in fact, did a valve repair on their heart model, using ultrasound imaging

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Cloaked Stem Cells Evade Immune Rejection in Mice, Pointing to a Potential Universal Donor Cell Line

A study published today in Stem Cell Reports demonstrates that genetically engineered human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can overcome immune rejection in mice with humanized immune systems, surviving for five months in a stringent transplantation model. The findings provide proof-of-principle for the development of a potential universal donor hPSC line designed to resist immune attack. Led by Danny Chan,

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