New wearable detects fatigue accurately using AI and advanced sensors

Burnout and chronic fatigue carry a substantial economic cost and pose serious risks in professions where alertness is critical. Yet diagnosing fatigue and related mental health conditions today relies largely on self-reported questionnaires, which tend to be subjective, intermittent and poorly suited to real-time evaluation. Wearable devices could fill the gap by continuously tracking cardiovascular … Read more

Deferring PCI before TAVR shows comparable outcomes in elderly patients

Older patients with coronary artery disease scheduled for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) had comparable outcomes regardless of whether they underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) before TAVR, according to findings from the PRO-TAVI study presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26). TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure in which a new … Read more

Heart failure and atrial fibrillation share underlying genetic and molecular mechanisms

New research published in Nature Cardiovascular Research reveals that heart failure and atrial fibrillation share underlying genetic and molecular mechanisms, suggesting that the two cardiovascular conditions may be less distinct than previously thought. Two serious heart conditions that often coexist Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle is damaged and unable to pump enough nutrient-rich blood to meet the … Read more

Study finds GLP-1 medicines cut fat while preserving muscle function

A new study in mice and humans suggests GLP-1 medicines drive weight loss primarily by reducing fat, while preserving muscle function and easing fears about harmful muscle wasting. Key takeaways Fat, not skeletal muscle, accounted for most of the weight loss. According to the study, GLP-1 medicines reduced body fat in obese mice much more … Read more

Exercise cuts ‘chemo brain’ and fatigue in cancer patients

A simple home-based exercise plan helped patients stay active during chemotherapy, reducing mental fatigue and showing potential to ease “chemo brain”, especially in those on shorter treatment cycles.  Study: Effects of Exercise on Cognitive Impairment in Patients Receiving Chemotherapy: A Multicenter Phase III Randomized Controlled Trial. Image credit: NDAB Creativity/Shutterstock.com  Cancer-related cognitive impairment occurs in … Read more

New RNA therapy enhances the heart’s ability to repair itself after injury

After a heart attack, cardiologists can reopen blocked vessels and restore blood flow, but the muscle cells that died will never be replaced. “The heart is one of the organs with the least ability to regenerate,” said Ke Cheng, Alan L. Kaganov Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Columbia Engineering. “The spontaneous regeneration power is very, very limited.” In … Read more

New study identifies specific brain cells most vulnerable to ALS and dementia

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) belong to a spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases with overlapping symptoms, characterized by muscle wasting, paralysis, dementia, and other serious impairments. There are currently no effective treatments. Many patients have a common hallmark: A protein called TDP-43 clumps together in the neurons of the brain to form tiny … Read more

Prebiotic fiber supplement lowers pain sensitivity in people with knee osteoarthritis

A new study has found that a prebiotic fiber supplement reduced pain, improved grip strength, and lowered pain sensitivity in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA) – with far fewer dropouts than a digital physiotherapy programme. The INSPIRE clinical trial, led by experts at the University of Nottingham, showed that taking a daily supplement of inulin- a … Read more

Electrical Stimulation stimulation restores movement and sensory feedback after severe spinal injury

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 ability to receive sensory feedback from them. Both are critical to generate the coordinated movement involved in walking. Now, a team of researchers from Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, … Read more

Specific gut microbe may boost muscle strength and performance

A species of gut bacteria called Roseburia inulinivorans is specifically associated with human muscle strength and improved muscular performance in mice, finds research published online in the journal Gut.  R inulinivorans changes certain metabolic processes in muscle, and converts muscle fibres to ‘fast-twitch (type II)—designed for short intensive movement, such as sprinting and weights-the findings show.  R inulinivorans holds promise … Read more