The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a global search for effective ways to detect the virus, SARS-CoV-2, beyond vaccines and therapies. One promising method is surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), which boosts the signals of molecular probes using special nanomaterials. Gold and silver nanoparticle
Leprosy, caused by two bacteria - Mycobacterium leprae and M. lepromatosis - has been attacking humans for centuries. Even with medical advancements, it still impacts millions worldwide, often leading to nerve damage due to late detection and treatment. This suggests a need for ongoing research and
Imagine this: a 20-year-old guy, healthy and active, walks into the emergency room complaining of severe back pain and feeling sick enough to vomit. No history of smoking, no previous health issues. Sounds like a bad case of muscle strain, right? Wrong. This young man had something much more serious
Ever wondered how your ankle stability might be related to what's happening in your brain? A recent study dug into this question. Researchers looked at people with chronic ankle instability (CAI) and those without it. They asked both groups to do a simple foot exercise called dorsi-plantarflexion, w
Digital health technologies (DHTs) have surged over the last decade, boosted by advancements like electronic health records and the COVID-19 pandemic. More funding and regulatory backing have also fueled this growth. Yet, many DHT companies hit roadblocks when trying to expand. For instance, Pear Th
Imagine getting instant answers to your eye-related questions or learning about ophthalmology from a smart, digital assistant. That's the idea behind EyeGPT, a new large language model designed specifically for eye health. This innovative tool aims to streamline clinical processes and boost medical
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, schools around the world closed their doors, but not in Switzerland. A research study conducted from late 2021 to early 2022 looked into how Swiss teachers were handling the situation. It was a tough time for educators, with many feeling isolated and uncertain. Yet, t
Video games are a big deal for teens these days. But, did you know that playing too much can mess with how their brains deal with rewards? A recent study took a close look at this. They wanted to find out if there's a link between how teens' brains process rewards and whether they get hooked on gami
B-cell cancers are different. They develop slowly, which makes testing new treatments challenging. Researchers often use substitutes, known as surrogate endpoints, to speed up trials. But these shortcuts must be reliable for each type of disease and therapy. Let's explore how scientists ensure these
Ever wondered how teen smoking habits have shifted? Researchers explored this by examining data from 23 countries, focusing on teens aged 13-15. They aimed to understand how smoking prevalence has changed over time and what factors influence these trends. First, let's talk about the countries. They
