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Scientists rig hospital-grade lightweight blood flow imager on the cheap

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have created a biological imaging system that can track blood flow in the lab and clinic using a webcam and laser pointer. The new system is significantly cheaper than existing equipment and has potential applications for imaging changes in tissues, including those outside the lab.

SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateSep 26, 2013

Chocolate may help keep brain healthy

A study of 60 older adults found that consuming two cups of hot cocoa per day for 30 days improved blood flow to the brain and enhanced working memory skills. The participants who started with impaired blood flow showed significant improvements in these areas, while those with regular blood flow showed no change.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateAug 7, 2013

Minimally invasive stents show some advantage over bypass in opening blocked leg arteries

A small study found that patients who received minimally invasive stents had a 31% risk of needing another procedure within 24 months, compared to 54% for those who received bypass surgery. The researchers hope to confirm these findings with further study and develop guidelines for determining when a stent is likely to be best.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Vascular Surgery·DateAug 6, 2013

Technique could identify patients at high risk of stroke or brain hemorrhage

Researchers developed a new method to measure cerebral blood flow in children on ECMO, finding that those who experienced strokes or brain bleeds had significantly higher blood flow rates than normal, two to six days prior. This technique could help physicians predict and prevent complications, with potential lead time for intervention.

SourceNationwide Children's Hospital·JournalPediatric Critical Care Medicine·DateJun 3, 2013

Blood is thicker than water -- and blood plasma is, too

Researchers at Saarland University and the University of Pennsylvania have discovered that blood plasma is a non-Newtonian fluid that forms threads and exhibits viscoelastic properties, influencing blood flow into narrow capillaries. This study may improve computer simulations of vascular pathological processes.

SourceSaarland University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 18, 2013

Shedding new light on infant brain development

A new study by Columbia University researchers found that the infant brain does not control its blood flow in the same way as the adult brain. With increasing age, the immature brain gradually developed its ability to increase local blood flow and generate a large blood-flow response.

SourceColumbia University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 18, 2013

Comparing mechanical clot removal and standard medical therapy for severe stroke

A new randomized controlled trial compared the effectiveness of mechanical clot removal with standard medical therapy in treating severe strokes. The study, led by Georgetown University Medical Center, found that removing blood clots within eight hours of stroke symptoms improved survival outcomes and reduced disability levels.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 8, 2013

Hass Avocado Board study published in Food & Function journal

A recent study published in Food & Function journal found that consuming fresh Hass avocado with a burger meal can neutralize inflammation and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The study, conducted by researchers at UCLA, also suggests that avocados may help mitigate negative effects on blood flow after eating a burger.

SourcePadillaCRT·JournalFood & Function·DateDec 18, 2012

New insights into how vascular networks form in fish brains

A study published in PLOS Biology reveals how the brain's vascular network forms in zebrafish, driven by blood flow and influenced by a protein called Rac1. The researchers found that vessel pruning occurs at loop-forming segments, leading to a simplified final form of the vasculature.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateAug 14, 2012

Successful transplantation of tissue-engineered vein in a child offers hope for patients who lack suitable veins for dialysis or bypass surgery

A 10-year-old girl's successful transplantation of a tissue-engineered vein has dramatically improved her quality of life, avoiding complications associated with synthetic grafts and lifelong immunosuppressive drugs. The procedure restored normal blood flow and significantly enhanced her physical growth.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJun 13, 2012

Advanced visualization techniques could change the paradigm for diagnosis and treating heart disease

Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine are pioneering a new way to diagnose heart disease by focusing on fluid dynamics, not muscle mechanics. This approach uses advanced ultrasound techniques to visualize blood flow in the heart, providing clues for early detection and effective therapeutic interventions.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMay 31, 2012

ESC cardiologists 'intrigued'by novel approach to heart failure

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology has shown significant improvements in peak post-ischemic blood flow in the arm and leg, suggesting a potential novel approach to heart failure treatment. However, further exploration is needed due to conflicting data on exercise capacity and inflammatory markers.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJan 30, 2012

Promising and perilous? The ambivalent role of the CXCL12/ CXCR4 axis in heart repair

Researchers found that reducing CXCR4 levels correlated with reduced infarct size and inflammation, but impaired recovery of blood flow and neovascularization. The study suggests that localized approaches, such as injecting stem cells with higher CXCR4 levels or CXCL12 variants, may be more effective in heart repair.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateNov 30, 2011

Window of opportunity to treat some stroke patients may be longer than originally suspected

A literature review suggests that some stroke patients can receive treatment beyond the standard 3-hour window, with brain cells remaining structurally intact and potentially revivable if normal blood flow is restored. This finding could enable doctors to provide better patient care by considering the 'tissue window' rather than just time

Pitt, Wake Forest team finds why stored transfusion blood may become less safe with age

A team of researchers has discovered that stored transfusion blood can accumulate 'free' hemoglobin and microparticles that react quickly with nitric oxide, leading to blood vessel constriction and hypertension. The findings suggest that a new approach to blood storage may be necessary to prevent complications.

Study: Preventive use of one form of natural vitamin E may reduce stroke damage

A new study found that preventive use of tocotrienol, a form of natural vitamin E, reduced brain tissue damage and preserved neural connections in dogs after they suffered strokes. The research suggests that this natural supplement may be beneficial for people at high risk of stroke, such as those who have had a previous ministroke.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism·DateJul 5, 2011

Dangerous blood pressure increases during exercise can be blocked, UT Southwestern researchers find

UT Southwestern researchers have identified a specific type of blood pressure medication that minimizes the effect of decreased blood flow and oxygen levels in muscles during exercise. This finding has implications for people with high blood pressure who may stop exercising due to fear of heart attack or stroke.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·DateApr 4, 2011

Functional boost for magnetic resonance imaging

Researchers have developed a more robust approach to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) that can improve the detection of neural activity and allow for more precise interpretations of fMRI data. This new technique involves three stages: prediction, modeling, and inference, which can turn noisy data into discrete sequences of ...

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Computational Biology and Drug Design·DateJan 18, 2011