Articles tagged with Blindness
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Researchers found that blind cavefish develop more taste buds on their head and chin, particularly after 18 months of age. This adaptation is thought to be an adaptive trait, allowing the fish to better detect food sources like bat guano.
A study by Georgetown University neuroscientists reveals that the primary visual cortex develops a unique connectivity pattern in people born blind, stable over time and distinct from individuals who can see. This finding has profound implications for understanding brain development and may help launch personalized rehabilitation and s...
A new study from the University of Washington suggests that cortical implants like Blindsight, developed by Neuralink, will not provide high-resolution vision. Instead, researchers found that a single electrode stimulates only one neuron, and image sharpness is determined by thousands of neurons in the brain.
A new genetic test has identified a mutation causing progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) in English Shepherd Dogs, allowing breeders to eliminate the disease from their population. The test is available for purchase and will help prevent the disease from being passed on to puppies.
A new study published in Optometry and Vision Sciences found that people with early vision loss are less accurate at estimating the distance of sound compared to those who lose sight later in life. This difficulty can have safety implications, such as judging distances while crossing roads.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University will test a possible breakthrough drug for inherited retinal disease, which may prevent blindness in patients with various genetic mutations. The study aims to advance the technology to FDA-regulated clinical trials and potentially expand the application of the Bax-inhibiting therapeutic.
A new study found that patients prescribed semaglutide for diabetes or weight loss have a higher risk of developing NAION, a potentially blinding eye condition. The study revealed a significant risk increase in diabetic and overweight/obesity patients taking semaglutide.
Researchers found ChatGPT consistently ranks resumes with disability-related honors and credentials lower than the same resumes without those honors. However, when trained to prioritize disability justice and DEI principles, the system improved its rankings for most disabilities, except for autism and depression.
Researchers have developed a new treatment for diabetic retinopathy that addresses the root cause of the disease, preventing progression and potential blindness. The anti-ceramide immunotherapy has been shown to be effective in animal and cell culture models, offering a safer alternative to current treatments.
Researchers have found a pioneering approach to combat age-related vision loss with a new therapy that boosts IRAK-M levels in retinal cells. The discovery offers a comprehensive treatment option for the millions of people affected by AMD.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine used genetically engineered mice to study the mechanism of congenital stationary night blindness. The findings demonstrate that a mutation in the rhodopsin gene produces unusual background electrical activity, desensitizing rods and causing poor vision in low-light settings.
A study by UMass Amherst researchers reveals key features for developing effective robotic guide dogs, including two-hour battery life, camera orientations, and audio sensors. The research aims to address barriers to adoption of canine guide dogs, which are currently limited by cost, allergies, and physical limitations.
Residential segregation, income inequality, and persistent poverty are associated with higher rates of vision difficulty and blindness in this cross-sectional study. The findings highlight the importance of understanding neighborhood characteristics on vision health outcomes.
Researchers created an ultra-small vision implant with single-neuron sized electrodes, allowing for thousands of 'pixels' to be stimulated simultaneously. The implant's unique combination of flexible materials ensures long-term functionality and stability.
A pioneering CRISPR gene editing trial has demonstrated significant improvement in vision for 79% of participants with inherited retinal degeneration. The study's findings support further research into the potential of CRISPR-based treatments for inherited blindness.
A phase 1/2 trial of CRISPR gene editing has demonstrated safety and efficacy, with measurable improvements in 11 out of 14 participants with a form of inherited blindness. The treatment, EDIT-101, was found to be clinically meaningful for four participants and showed significant improvements in cone-mediated vision.
Researchers at MCG's Vascular Biology Center have identified a new treatment target for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness. Targeting the adenosine receptor 2A (Adora2a) may block excessive blood vessel growth and fibrosis, potentially offering a more efficient treatment than current therapies.
A team of scientists from Pohang University of Science & Technology developed an artificial vitreous body based on alginate to treat retinal detachment. The hydrogel maintains vision post-surgery and regulates fluid dynamics within the eye, preventing recurrence and air bubble formation.
Researchers translate visual data of celestial objects into sonified sounds to improve accessibility and trust in scientific discoveries. The study shows significant learning gains and positive experiential responses among participants, increasing access to astronomy for everyone.
A new AI technology has been developed to detect severe cases of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) with 100% accuracy. The system analyzes retinal images and can identify blood vessel anomalies, enabling early treatment and potentially saving sight for thousands of premature infants globally.
A new study finds that gut bacteria can cause blindness in some inherited eye diseases by breaching the body's defenses. Treating these bacteria with antimicrobials may prevent sight loss, offering a potential new approach to treatment.
A large, diverse genetic study identified novel genetic locations associated with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), a leading cause of irreversible blindness globally. The study implicated vascular and cancer-related genes in POAG risk, with 20% of associated genes related to primary cilia.
University of Melbourne researchers have received a $35 million grant to develop a world-first tissue engineered cornea to treat corneal blindness. The technology has the potential to provide corneal tissue to surgeons worldwide, including countries with limited eye banks.
A new smartphone app called All_Aboard has been developed to aid blind and visually impaired individuals in finding bus stops. The app uses artificial intelligence and camera technology to detect street signs and provide auditory cues, achieving a success rate of 93% compared to Google Maps' 52%.
Researchers used fMRI to assess brain responses to lights stimulating only cone cells in dogs with different types of retinal diseases. The study found that gene augmentation therapy restored response in cortex to black and white stimulation, making this disease a promising one for photoreceptor cell replacement treatment.
A Baylor University chemistry professors develop a codex using lithophane, converting images from scientific textbooks into tactile formats for students with blindness. The study found that students with blindness can accurately describe, recall and distinguish high-resolution data and imagery at an average accuracy of 88%.
A NSF-funded project, MABLE, is developing a digital app using crowdsensing, AI, and robotics to empower individuals with responsive maps and turn-by-turn instructions. The app aims to improve accessibility and navigation for persons with visual or mobility impairments, such as those with low vision and wheelchair users.
A team of researchers has created an audio feedback system that uses neuromorphic cameras and speaker arrays to provide real-time audio cues in three dimensions. The system enables blind players to track the ball and movements, allowing them to play table tennis with greater accuracy.
Researchers have successfully converted human retinal cells, specifically Muller glia, into neurons in a lab setting using an artificial fish-like genetic program. This breakthrough could potentially serve as a new source of neurons to treat vision loss caused by disease or trauma.
A team of neuroscientists discovered that people who are blind can recognize basic faces using the fusiform face area, a region crucial for face processing in sighted individuals. The researchers used a device that translates images into sounds to study brain activity.
Researchers at Nagoya University identified the link between iron and blindness caused by ocular toxoplasmosis, a parasite affecting one-third of the world's population. Controlling iron levels has shown promise as a potential cure.
A new international clinical trial found that a drug candidate is highly effective in treating Acanthamoeba keratitis with medical cure rates of 87%, reducing the risk of poor visual outcomes and surgery. The treatment, low concentration polihexanide (PHMB 0.08%), follows a novel and evidence-based protocol.
Researchers developed 'acoustic touch' smart glasses that translate visual information into distinct sound icons, enhancing the ability of blind or low-vision individuals to navigate their surroundings. The technology significantly improved object recognition and reaching abilities, empowering independence and quality of life.
Researchers developed smart glasses with an acoustic touch feature similar to human echolocation. The technology enables blind or low-visioned individuals to recognize and reach objects.
A new compound developed at the University of Illinois Chicago potentially offers an alternative to injections for wet age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness. The drug targets End Binding-3 and has been shown to reverse damage and promote regenerative processes in animal models.
A new study finds that US state and territory COVID-19 websites do not meet accessibility standards, making it difficult for visually impaired individuals to access critical health information. The researchers identified a range of accessibility problems, including incompatibility with screen readers and limited contrast.
A significant increase in the need for treatment of eye diseases is expected due to the growing elderly population. The number of patients requiring anti-VEGF medication is projected to rise by 50% over the next five years.
Researchers developed an AI foundation model for eye care that can identify sight-threatening eye diseases and predict general health. The model, RETFound, was trained on millions of eye scans from the NHS and outperforms existing state-of-the-art AI systems across complex clinical tasks.
A study by Lena Havstam Johansson found that nearly 5% of 70-year-olds had undiagnosed glaucoma, which damages the optic nerve and affects vision. Those with glaucoma reported poorer quality of life due to impaired vision, leading them to avoid social activities and feel frustrated.
A new project by JooYoung Seo at the University of Illinois School of Information Sciences aims to make data curation more accessible for everyone, regardless of abilities. The three-year grant will connect multimodal data representation with day-to-day reproducible workflows, enriching understanding and offering multiple perspectives.
Researchers at UCL and NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre have developed a gene therapy that significantly reduces hearing loss in mice with Norrie disease. The treatment, which restores the missing norrin protein, has shown improved blood vessel structure and protected sensory hairs in the inner ear.
Researchers found that rodents exposed to light for the first time in adulthood showed significant plasticity in their brains, challenging previous beliefs about adult brain rigidity. After a month, their brains looked similar to those of healthy controls, with organized visual responses and smaller receptive fields.
Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University have successfully grown retinal pigment epithelial cells on a nanofibre scaffold treated with fluocinolone acetonide, showing increased resilience and growth. This breakthrough technology has great potential for developing ocular tissue transplantation to treat age-related macular degeneration.
A study published in PLOS Biology reveals that the inferolateral occipitotemporal cortex selectively encodes object shape in both sighted and early blind individuals. This finding suggests that the brain is organized as operators executing a function regardless of input senses.
A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that higher levels of diglycerides and triglycerides are associated with an increased risk of primary open-angle glaucoma. The research suggests that these lipid metabolites play a role in the disease's pathogenesis, highlighting potential new targets for prevention or treatment.
A team from UNIGE created a book with tactile illustrations that associate sounds with objects, enabling visually impaired children to identify them more easily. The combination of gestures, shapes, and sounds helps bridge the gap between visual and tactile experiences.
A team of researchers found that a small population of nerve cells exists in everyone that could be coaxed to regrow, potentially restoring sight and movement. The discovery provides new insights into how axons grow and could lead to effective therapies for blindness, paralysis, and other disorders caused by nerve damage.
Researchers have found that stimulating a specific bile acid receptor, FXR, may help prevent retinopathy of prematurity in premature babies. By targeting this receptor, the study aims to develop earlier and more effective treatments to protect their vision.
A new study by Anglia Ruskin University found that people with sight loss in the UK are confused by a 'disjointed' certification system, creating barriers to accessing support and benefits. The research highlights inconsistencies in the process, long waiting lists, and lack of clarity around entitlements.
Researchers found that temporary blindness caused by occluding one eye for two hours led to increased sensitivity to auditory input when the other eye was monitored. The brain's neural response to sound was selectively enhanced, indicating a high degree of plasticity and interdependence between senses.
A NYU Abu Dhabi study reveals that improvements in visual functions are linked to changes in white matter pathways and specific brain regions. The research confirms the potential of cataract surgery to improve visual function and brain plasticity, especially when performed at a younger age.
KIORA's treatment demonstrates restoration of visual function in patients with retinitis pigmentosa. KIO-301 shows promise as a potential cure for blindness due to the degenerative eye disease.
A deep learning AI model has been developed to screen for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in infants at risk of blindness. The tool was trained on images of newborns and found to be as effective as senior paediatric ophthalmologists in discriminating normal retinal images from those with ROP that could lead to blindness.
Scientists design a mini gene therapy to replace the mutated gene in Usher 1F, increasing protein production and restoring hearing in mice. The approach may also prevent blindness by targeting a different form of the protein involved in vision loss.
Researchers have built a new model to examine Usher Syndrome, a leading cause of combined deafness and blindness. The model replicates the visual problems not addressed by previous models, offering insight into strategies for designing therapeutic interventions.
Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School have achieved significant vision recovery in experimental models of damaged retinas using stem cells. The study marks a promising step towards potentially restoring vision in eye diseases characterized by photoreceptor loss.
A recent study revealed the key to a protein that commonly causes blindness, including its role in transporting toxic compounds out of the eye. Mutations in this protein can cause vision loss in diseases like Stargardt disease, which affects approximately 30,000 people nationwide.
A team from the National Eye Institute identified Reserpine as a compound that keeps light-sensitive photoreceptors alive in three models of Leber congenital amaurosis type 10, an inherited retinal ciliopathy disease. The study suggests a potential treatment strategy for addressing retinal ciliopathies caused by multiple genes.
Researchers developed a new form of omega-3 fatty acid DHA that can cross into the retina, increasing retinal DHA content and preserving function. This approach overcomes previous barriers and shows promise for preventing Alzheimer's-related declines in visual function.
A study by Karolinska Institutet found that blind individuals have a heightened ability to sense signals from their inner body, with an average accuracy of 0.78 for counting heartbeats. This enhanced sensitivity may also impact emotional processing and perception.