ScienceDaily

 

New AI algorithm monitors sleep with radio waves

Aug 7 2017

Researchers have devised a new way to monitor sleep without any kind of sensors attached to the body. Their sensor uses low-power radio waves that detect small changes in body movement caused by the patient's breathing and pulse, then translates those measurements into sleep stages: light, deep, or rapid eye movement (REM).

Automated measure of nighttime oxygen levels could speed diagnosis of sleep apnea

Aug 7 2017

Computer analysis of oxygen levels in the blood during sleep could -- by itself -- provide an easy, relatively inexpensive and sufficiently reliable way to determine which children who snore habitually could benefit from a diagnosis and treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. This approach was most accurate for children with severe apnea.

From greenhouse gas to 3-D surface-microporous graphene

Aug 7 2017

Tiny dents in the surface of graphene greatly enhances its potential as a supercapacitor. Even better, it can be made from carbon dioxide in a novel approach. The process uses a heat-releasing reaction to dig micropores into 3-D graphene and could be a useful supercapacitor material.

First human application of novel PET tracer for prostate cancer

Aug 7 2017

Researchers have demonstrated the potential of a new PET tracer, Carbon-11 labeled sarcosine (11C-sarcosine), for imaging prostate cancer, and set the stage for its possible use in monitoring other cancers.

Record for fastest light pulse set

Aug 7 2017

A research team has demonstrated a 53-attosecond X-ray flash, opening the door to shoot slow-motion video of electrons and atoms in living cells.

Breakthrough device heals organs with a single touch

Aug 7 2017

Researchers have developed a device that can switch cell function to rescue failing body functions with a single touch. The technology, known as Tissue Nanotransfection (TNT), injects genetic code into skin cells, turning those skin cells into other types of cells required for treating diseased conditions.

Single strep bacteria protein sets off white blood cell's early warning system

Aug 7 2017

Group A Streptococcusbacteria -- the cause of strep throat and flesh-eating infections -- have been well studied for nearly a century. But researchers recently made a surprising discovery: strep's M protein alone wipes out macrophages, but not other types of immune cells. The macrophages' self-sacrifice serves as an early warning of infection to the rest of the immune system.

Midlife cardiovascular risk factors may increase chances of dementia

Aug 7 2017

A large, long-term study suggests that middle aged Americans who have vascular health risk factors, including diabetes, high blood pressure and smoking, have a greater chance of suffering from dementia later in life.

Women have more active brains than men

Aug 7 2017

In the largest functional brain imaging study to date, researchers compared 46,034 brain SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) imaging studies provided by nine clinics, quantifying differences between the brains of men and women.

Largest-ever study of pets and kids' health finds no link

Aug 7 2017

A large body of research has reported an association between the pet ownership and better health among children. But a new study that is the largest-ever to explore the issue contradicts the common thinking. Researchers did find that children from pet-owning families tended to have better general health, but those differences disappeared when factors such as family income and family housing were considered.

MRI contrast agents accumulate in the brain

Aug 7 2017

Experts have provided new guidance in the use of contrast agents during MRI scans. Emerging research suggests gadolinium-based contrast agents, injected in a patient's veins to brighten tissues in MRI images, accumulate in the brain. More than 300 million doses of such drugs have been administered since their introduction in 1987.

Small streams have a big influence on our lives

Aug 7 2017

Small streams make up 70-80 percent of the total channel length of river networks, and they strongly influence downstream portions these networks. The role small streams -- known as headstreams -- play in retaining or transmitting sediment and nutrients, providing habitat and refuge for diverse aquatic and riparian organisms, creating migration corridors, and governing connectivity at the watershed-scale is the subject of a recent review.

The ocean's fastest shark is being threatened by over fishing

Aug 7 2017

Study using satellite-tagged shortfin mako sharks shows mortality rates have been dramatically underestimated.

Benefits of advanced wood-burning stoves greater than thought

Aug 7 2017

Advanced wood-burning stoves designed for use in the developing world can reduce air pollution more than anticipated, because gaseous emissions from traditional wood stoves form more particulate matter in the atmosphere than researchers previously thought.

Researchers crack the 'Karakoram anomaly': Why glaciers near K2 are growing in size

Aug 7 2017

Researchers identify 'Karakoram vortex' and explain why glaciers near K2 are growing in size.