Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Why flat-faced dogs remain popular despite health problems

Despite severe health problems, 93% of flat-faced dog owners want to own their breed again in the future. Positive behavioral attributes and suitability for a sedentary lifestyle are common reasons for reacquisition or recommendation. However, owners acknowledge significant health risks, including respiratory disease and heat stroke.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 26, 2020

Scientists identify cause of leakiness in eye diseases

Researchers discovered a key mechanism behind eye vessel leakiness in diseases like age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. By targeting this specific step, they hope to develop new treatments that can selectively block leak-inducing effects without harming nerve and blood-vessel cells.

SourceeLife·DateApr 21, 2020

Charismatic invasive species have an easier time settling into new habitats

Research found that the physical characteristics of charismatic invasive species, such as body size and coloration, contribute to their appeal and can lead to increased human interaction and difficulty in management. Conversely, other species that are considered problematic may be viewed less favorably due to cultural perceptions.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateApr 21, 2020

Tetracycline-family antibiotics may offer early diagnostic for degenerative eye disease

Researchers discovered a potential new method to detect age-related macular degeneration using tetracycline staining and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy. Tiny deposits of lipids, proteins, and minerals under the retina can be visualized with this technique, offering enhanced early detection.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateApr 21, 2020

Study of rare genetic disorder that effects the eyes

A retrospective observational study of ophthalmologists' experiences with familial amyloid polyneuropathies (FAP) reveals the challenges of treating this rare disease, particularly in maintaining eyesight despite liver transplants. The study aims to share knowledge and best practices with other researchers and doctors worldwide.

SourceShinshu University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 3, 2020

Modeling the human eye in a dish

Scientists from Osaka University created a new cellular model of the human eye using hiPSCs, enabling them to isolate specific cells involved in eye development and study related diseases. The novel model uses PITX2, a key protein during eye development, to track cell expression and differentiate between eye cells.

SourceOsaka University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMar 24, 2020

Light at the end of the tunnel for most individuals with low-vision

A special issue of Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience reports remarkable progress in treating conditions of partial blindness. Research explores various aspects of vision loss due to diseases like glaucoma or optic neuropathy, with a focus on stop-cell death and induce regeneration to restore vision.

SourceIOS Press·JournalRestorative Neurology and Neuroscience·DateJan 22, 2020

Many older people's glasses of wrong power

A recent study by the University of Gothenburg found that many 70-year-olds in Sweden overestimate their eyesight, but can still see considerably better with glasses or power correction. The study also highlights the importance of regular eye exams to detect visual impairment and age-related diseases.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalActa Ophthalmologica·DateJan 14, 2020

Study pinpoints possible cause of noise-related blood vessel damage, heart disease

A recent study published in the European Heart Journal has identified a potential mechanism linking long-term exposure to environmental noise and cardiovascular disease. The research found that high noise levels lead to activation of the amygdala, a deep brain structure, triggering changes that increase the risk of heart attack, stroke...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateNov 26, 2019

Johns Hopkins researchers advance search for safer, easier way to deliver vision-saving gene therapy

Researchers have developed a new approach to delivering sight-saving gene therapy to the retina, using a small needle to inject harmless viruses into the suprachoroidal space. This method could provide a more permanent therapeutic option for patients with common diseases such as wet age-related macular degeneration and inherited retina...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 30, 2019

Researchers have identified areas of the retina that change in mild Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at the Complutense University of Madrid have identified areas of the retina that change in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease. The study used optical coherence tomography to measure retinal layer thickness and found significant thinning in certain locations, which can be used to diagnose the disease before other tests.

SourceUniversidad Complutense de Madrid·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 13, 2019

Genetic discovery linked to rare eye disease, MacTel

Researchers at the University of Utah Health have made a groundbreaking genetic discovery linking MacTel to HSAN1, revealing that toxic biomolecules deoxySLs cause damage to the macula. The study also found that lipid-lowering medication fenofibrate shows potential in protecting the retina from these biomolecules.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 11, 2019

Hidden danger from pet dogs in Africa

Dogs in Africa are susceptible to severe and often fatal disease if bitten by infected tsetse flies, characterized by symptoms such as corneal cloudiness. Researchers have developed molecular methods to accurately diagnose the disease, revealing a surprising link between canine and human cases.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalParasites & Vectors·DateSep 9, 2019