The study demonstrates that umbilical cord-blood transplant is a life-saving treatment for newborns with infantile Krabbe's disease. Most infants with the disease die before reaching age 2, but treated newborns showed continual improvement in developmental skills and had age-appropriate mental and language skills.
A new IU study supports the theory of a sensitive period for optimal language development during early childhood. Children who received cochlear implants earlier in life showed faster language gains and better speech perception skills compared to those who received implants later.
A wearable captioning system developed at the Georgia Tech Research Institute allows users to customize captions in any venue that provides captioning. The system relies on mobile wireless technology and can transmit multiple text streams, making it potentially useful for language translation as well.
A McGill doctoral student presents findings that educators have a responsibility to protect students from verbal and physical abuse. The study highlights the need for effective policies and enforcement to prevent homophobic harassment in schools.
Researchers at Indiana University have successfully transformed adult bone marrow stem cells into auditory neurons, offering new hope for treating deaf patients. The breakthrough involves the use of Sonic hedgehog and retinoic acid molecules to stimulate the growth of nerve cells in patients with profound hearing loss.
Researchers at RIT have created a wearable eye tracker that enables subjects to wear the technology outside of the laboratory and even outdoors. The device tracks how eye movements support perception and what people pay attention to in order to gather information for everyday activities.
Researchers used the FDA's MAUDE database to analyze cochlear implant complications and trends over two periods. They found device failure was the most commonly reported complication, with a significant decrease in malfunction from pre-1998 to 2002.
As we age, our brain's ability to filter out background noise and sort information affects our hearing. Researchers have found a 'feedback' problem in the brain that diminishes our ability to hear, particularly in older adults who experience age-related hearing loss.
A study by Stanford researchers found that the youthful blood of younger mice can revive the regenerative abilities of older mice's satellite cells, which dot muscle tissue. This phenomenon was also observed in livers of older mice connected to younger lab-mates, suggesting a possible role for blood-borne factors in rejuvenation.
Researchers built robots with sensors and programming similar to rat pups' basic senses and motor skills. The robots showed a new behavior in an arena, favoring one wall over another, displaying emergent behavior. Understanding this simple system's biology may inform the design of more sophisticated robots.
Researchers analyzed Al-Sayyid Bedouin Sign Language (ABSL), a community of 3,500 deaf and hearing people, revealing a distinct grammatical structure that establishes systematic relations among words. ABSL follows a Subject-Object-Verb order, differing from English and other languages in the region.
Researchers have discovered a long-sought protein called TRPA1 that converts sound into nerve impulses, transmitting to the brain. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for deafness and balance disorders in the next five to ten years.
A Université de Montréal study reveals that early- and late-onset blind subjects excel in spatial hearing tests, distinguishing sounds from ambient noise. This improvement may stem from increased time spent developing the sense of hearing and compensatory cortical adaptations.
Researchers studying Nicaraguan Sign Language found that children give language its most fundamental features by learning it, contradicting theories of hard-wired blueprints. Children turn simple gestures into a true language through their own experimentation and improvement.
A study by Daphne Bavelier and her team found that visual information is less effective at holding seven items in short term memory compared to auditory information. However, a new test design revealed that both sight and sound are equally important for cognitive ability.
Researchers studied fossil whales and found significant changes in their ear anatomy, which enabled them to transition from a land-based to a marine-based existence. The new sound transmission system allowed modern cetaceans to locate prey using echolocation, making it crucial for survival.
Researchers at University College London found that humans use a strategy similar to barn owls for sound pitches above middle-C, while gerbils adapt to detect low-pitched sounds. The study suggests the brain adopts an efficient strategy to locate sound sources, adapting to different frequencies.
A three-year National Science Foundation grant funds a program to mentor deaf and hard of hearing students in state-of-the-art physics research at Tufts. Students from NTID and Gallaudet University participate in hands-on lab experience and classroom instruction.
Researchers found female patients with Wolfram syndrome have significantly worse hearing than male patients. The study also discovered that USH2a patients' hearing loss gradually deteriorates over time.
Researchers have discovered the role of cadherin 23 protein in the mechanotransduction process that converts sound waves into electrical signals. The study provides insights into Usher syndrome and age-related hearing loss, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for treating deafness.
Researchers found that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can lead to poorer hearing performance in women, especially in noisy environments. The study involved 32 women who had received HRT and compared their hearing with 32 women who had not.
Research by Susan Goldin-Meadow found that adults develop a syntax similar to deaf children's gesture systems when communicating through hand gestures. The study suggests that the order of gestures reflects a more fundamental property of human thought, independent of communication.
A study led by Prof. Ehud Ahissar found that two types of neurons respond to whisking motion and surface contact, respectively, indicating a dynamic dance of perception where hands, eyes, and whiskers actively seek out sensation. This research has implications for optimizing artificial sensory aids for the deaf and blind.
Researchers have discovered a new protein, TUG, that controls the movement of GLUT4, a glucose transporter in cells. This finding may lead to new drug targets for treating Type 2 diabetes.
Purdue University's David Ertmer created an interactive website to monitor early speech development in children with hearing impairments. The site provides audio examples of baby jargon, such as babbling and squealing, to help parents recognize progress in their child's speech development.
Scientists measured over 1,800 genes in sensory cells from the chicken inner ear, revealing significant differences between the cochlea and utricle. The study provides new insights into the causes of aging-related hearing loss and may lead to therapy that replaces lost sensory hair cells.
A new online library, Digital Library for Earth System Education (DLESE), provides deaf students with interactive and visual resources that cater to their unique needs. The library offers reliable and up-to-date information, reducing the learning gap between deaf and hearing students.
A recent study reveals that nearly 25% of adults with disabilities are obese, compared to 15% without disabling conditions. Adults with lower limb mobility difficulties face the highest risk and often lack exercise counseling from their physicians.
Researchers have identified a new human hearing loss gene, TMIE, in deaf mice, which may lead to the development of a screening test and therapy for families affected by inherited hearing loss. The discovery brings scientists closer to understanding the intricate choreography of genes and proteins involved in human hearing development.
A landmark study published in Nature reveals that deaf and hearing adults who experienced language in early life perform similarly well in learning a new language later in life. Deaf adults with little language experience show low levels of performance, whereas those with early experience demonstrate high proficiency.
Scientists have found a potential mechanism for obesity resistance in mice lacking the fat-making enzyme DGAT1. These mice are more sensitive to leptin and insulin, leading to lower tissue triglyceride levels and increased sensitivity to insulin, resulting in weight loss despite high-fat diets.
Researchers found that deaf people's brains process vibrations in the same part of the brain as sound, leading to a similar musical experience. This discovery challenges the long-held belief that brains are hardwired at birth and instead shows that our genes provide a developmental strategy for brain organization.
Researchers found that babies exposed to signed language produce distinct hand movements with low-frequency rhythmic activity, indicating an innate sensitivity to linguistic patterns. This discovery suggests that parents' sing-song way of speaking and playful rhyming games can aid the language learning process.
Researchers found that after stopping cocaine use, individuals become more sensitive to drug-associated environmental cues, leading to increased cravings and a higher risk of relapse. The study suggests that treatment programs must consider this persistence of craving beyond the acute withdrawal phase.
A new study found that deaf children who receive cochlear implants at a young age have better speech recognition skills than those who wait longer. The research suggests that early implantation is crucial for language development and can improve communication skills in children with hearing impairments.
Researchers at CU-Boulder have developed a new method to study language development in Spanish-speaking populations, enabling early identification of hearing-impaired infants and providing effective interventions. The study involved over 130 Spanish-speaking children, showing positive effects on their subsequent language abilities.
Scientists have made significant progress in understanding how birds regenerate their hair cells, a process that could lead to new treatments for human deafness. By studying the sequence of events involved in this process, researchers hope to develop strategies to prevent or reverse certain forms of hearing loss.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that cochlear implants improve quality of life and save $50,000+ over a child's lifetime. The study provides evidence that pediatric cochlear implantation is highly cost-effective from a societal perspective.
A specific gene, espin, is linked to deafness and abnormal behaviors in jerker mice. The mutated gene affects hair cell function, leading to false signals sent to the brain, which causes animals to move erratically.
Researchers identified a working 'inhibitory synapse' between brain neurons and hair cells in the cochlea, suggesting a feedback mechanism that wires ears and brain for hearing. This discovery moves researchers closer to understanding human and mammalian hearing development.
Despite computers and the Internet's potential to revolutionize information access for people with disabilities, progress has been slow due to a lack of investment from governments and industries. However, advancements in technology, such as accessible software programs and tactile graphics, hold promise for improving accessibility.
A landmark CU-Boulder study confirms that early detection and intervention for infants with hearing loss has a significant positive impact on their subsequent language abilities. Infants identified within the first six months showed improved expressive vocabulary development compared to those identified after six months.
Dr. Rachel I. Mayberry's research indicates that there is a critical period for sign language acquisition, guiding the learning of all first languages. This critical period emphasizes the importance of early childhood exposure and language acquisition in order to achieve optimal comprehension.
Researchers at USC have created a machine system that recognizes spoken words better than humans, with potential benefits for Navy sonar and improving interaction between man and computer. The system may eventually enable voice control of computers, help the deaf, and aid air traffic controllers in noisy environments.
Researchers at USC created a machine system that recognizes spoken words better than humans, with the ability to distinguish words in vast amounts of random noise. The novel neural network architecture mimics the biological system's temporal dimension, allowing it to process information structured in time.
Researchers have discovered that myosin VI moves backwards on actin filaments, toward the minus end, challenging current understanding of protein movement. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of cellular assembly and maintenance, particularly in structures with single-orientation actin filaments.
University of Michigan scientists have found that salicylate can prevent deafness in guinea pigs exposed to aminoglycoside antibiotics. The study suggests that moderate doses of aspirin could be effective in preventing hearing loss and damage caused by these antibiotics.
Researchers confirmed that one type of genetic mutation causes inherited profound deafness, while another does not. Genetic tests found 42% of individuals with moderate to profound congenital deafness had sequence variations in the GJB2 gene.
A computer model developed by Jay Rubinstein suggests that increasing the signal pulses from external processors can produce more independent neuron activity, similar to natural acoustic stimulation. This breakthrough could lead to substantial improvements in all types of sound coding for people with cochlear implants.
A team of researchers from UNMC and Boys Town National Research Hospital has identified the gene responsible for Usher syndrome Type IIa, a genetic disorder affecting 4 in 100,000 people. The discovery may lead to an eventual cure for the condition, which causes moderate to severe hearing loss and juvenile blindness.
A new study published in the Journal of Marriage and the Family found that husbands' acceptance of influence from their wives and sharing power are crucial for successful marriages. The research, conducted over six years, showed that active listening techniques do not predict marital success and may even hinder conflict resolution.
Researchers have discovered that individual neurons in the brain can be compared to tiny computers that analyze and integrate information from different sources. These findings have implications for improving hearing aids, sonar devices, and speech recognition systems.
Researchers successfully cloned a gene responsible for inherited deafness in a large extended family in Costa Rica, revealing insights into hearing mechanisms. The autosomal dominant gene DFNA1 causes progressive hearing loss between ages 6 and 20, with the mutation tracing back to a common ancestor in 1713.
Researchers have discovered that common antibiotics like streptomycin can cause hearing loss and kidney damage in some individuals. Using iron chelators to prevent the formation of toxic molecules could provide a safe and inexpensive solution.
Researchers found that muscle fibers strengthen their relationship with one nerve and ignore the rest, a finding that could help explain how memories are soldered into the brain. The study suggests that synapse elimination may be a step-wise process where the muscle fiber decides which healthy axon to keep.
A linguist documents the development of a sign language in Nicaraguan deaf children, revealing that early exposure to language is crucial for its emergence. The study confirms theories that language is an innate human trait with minimal input triggering expression.
Researchers found that mice without thyroid hormone receptor beta are deaf, even though they appear healthy. The study suggests that this gene controls hearing development, and its loss may cause human genetic forms of deafness.