Research by Michigan Medicine suggests that overactive nerves in the head and neck may contribute to tinnitus. Acupuncture and trigger point therapy may be effective treatments for people with 'ringing in the ears'. The study found hyperactivity of touch-sensing neurons in animals, which could lead to new insights into the condition.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have discovered that auditory and visual information are integrated in the brain before being sent to the cortex. The findings suggest that hearing and vision may be more closely linked than previously believed, with implications for understanding how we perceive the world around us.
A new study reveals that mast cells not only cause allergic reactions but also help reduce skin damage and inflammation from sun exposure or poison oak. The discovery opens up new possibilities for treating allergies and other conditions.
A new method helps track individual male Asian elephants by analyzing their tusks, ears, and other features, aiding in poaching rate monitoring and conservation success. The study's results show 134 unique males out of a population of 991, with an adult male/female ratio of 1 to 4.33.
A twin study published by the NIH/NIDCD found that a person's ability to process multiple sounds simultaneously is largely inherited. The researchers discovered that identical twins were more similar in their dichotic listening abilities, with a strong genetic component responsible for up to 73% of the variation.
A study published in Science debunks the popular stereotype that females use more words than men, revealing both sexes use an average of 16,000 words per day. The research used a digital voice recorder to track daily interactions over eight years and analyzed transcripts from nearly 400 university students.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) can help reduce the number of infants and toddlers developing frequent ear infections. The vaccine was shown to decline frequent ear infections by 16% in Tennessee and 25% in New York.
A 52-year-old woman presented to an ear, nose, and throat doctor with a hoarse voice and tingling in the hand. After a 3-year history of right-sided facial pain and a brain scan showing a small pituitary gland cyst, she was diagnosed with a rare condition. The authors discuss their approach to diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers at UC Berkeley found that humans gain a performance advantage from cross-nostril comparisons when tracking scents. With training, humans can improve their accuracy significantly and nearly double their speed. This discovery challenges the common assumption that humans are poor smellers compared to other mammals.
A study analyzing data from a mail survey found that tinnitus perceived loudness and annoyance are influenced by clinical factors like duration, consistency, and hearing loss. Most patients with severe tinnitus experience high levels of distress, especially men, older adults, and those with co-existing conditions.
Researchers found that breast-feeding counters genetic tendencies toward ear infections, which can lead to learning difficulties and language development issues. The study identified specific genes involved in the vulnerability, but found that breast-feeding effectively neutralized their impact.
A study published in the Journal of Surgical Research found that reducing surgical resident work hours did not significantly improve perceived quality of patient care. Residents reported fewer fatigue-related errors but more continuity and communication issues.
A UK researcher has won a major science prize for his work on the region of the brain that helps us hear someone in a noisy place. The researcher, Sam Irving, is studying how the brain adapts to hearing loss and uses feedback systems to compensate.
A new study found that giving parents a 'wait-and-see' approach for treating ear infections significantly reduced the use of antibiotics, with little difference in outcomes for the children. The approach also interrupted the cycle of antibiotic prescription, reducing adverse effects and costs.
Researchers at Iowa State University are testing combustion for NASA using a new technology called electric particulate suspension. The goal is to understand how powders burn and ignite under various conditions, which could lead to improved fire safety and the development of a new safety standard.
Composer Dmitri Tymoczko has developed a geometric model to understand musical structure, representing every conceivable chord as a point in space. This approach helps connect familiar harmonies with dissonant cluster-type harmonies, revealing the melodic relationship between chords.
Researchers trained adult ferrets to localize sounds despite obstructed hearing, finding that frequency of training was crucial for improvement. The study showed that the brain can adapt to abnormal spatial cues rapidly with intensive training, suggesting potential benefits for patients with hearing disorders.
A new study from the University of Michigan Medical School found that a particular surgical procedure, the middle cranial fossa (MCF) approach, can preserve hearing in patients with small acoustic neuromas. The study examined 73 patients and reported a high rate of success, with three-quarters retaining useful hearing after tumor removal.
Researchers found that people exposed to loud noise over several years were 1.5 times more likely to develop acoustic neuroma, a slow-growing tumor that presses the cranial nerve responsible for sensing sound and balance. Wearing ear protection was associated with similar risk levels as non-exposure.
Researchers found that elevated homocysteine in blood may be a biomarker for increased AMD risk, particularly among advanced stages. High levels were also associated with higher AMD risk, highlighting the need for further study on prevention and treatment.
Researchers found that people with early dementia tend to rely more on familiar information pathways due to poor attentional control. This can lead to struggles with everyday tasks that require processing multiple pieces of information.
Researchers have developed more sensitive tests to predict Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline. These implicit-memory tests outperform the commonly used Mini Mental exam, which is mainly sensitive to episodic memory. The new tests are strong predictors of Alzheimer's diagnosis two years early.
Daniel Gallie's research doubles protein content of corn grain, increasing its value for producers and providing a nutritious source for millions suffering from protein-energy malnutrition. The high-protein corn can be easily applied to sweet corn, offering a solution for those relying on plant-based sources.
Researchers at UC Berkeley found that humans can reliably discern the source of an odor when presented with it through one nostril. The brain's primary olfactory cortex is divided into separate areas for each nostril, allowing for accurate localization. This ability has implications for various fields, including truffle hunting.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have isolated the ramosa1 gene, which controls flower-bearing branch arrangement in corn. This gene played a key role in suppressing branching in early domesticated corn, leading to straight rows of kernels and compact ears. The study also reveals that plants with different levels of ramosa1...
A recent study found that a 'watch and wait' approach to treating kids' ear infections could significantly reduce the overuse of antibiotics. The study surveyed over 2,000 parents in Massachusetts communities, revealing mixed attitudes towards this treatment method.
A study found that piercing ear cartilage increased the risk of infection compared to lobe piercing. The authors identified 7 confirmed Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections and 18 suspected cases, with most treated ineffectively with antibiotics.
Research by Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center reveals that hearing can significantly improve the ability of individuals with mildly impaired eyesight to locate objects in space. The study found that when sound was added, participants with nearsightedness were able to perform as well as those with normal vision.
Research confirms a direct link between small jaws, breathing difficulties, and increased risk of bed-wetting and ear infections in children. Orthodontic treatment has been shown to be effective in reducing or eliminating these issues, offering an alternative to traditional medication or ear tubes.
Researchers discovered the YB-1 protein's Cold Shock domain, resembling a bucket with handle and two ears, attaches DNA to its binding site. The domain alone forms weak bonds to DNA, contradicting previous measurements of complete protein strength.
Researchers discovered that fusiform cells in the cochlear nucleus integrate acoustic information with head and ear position information to pinpoint sound sources. The study found that synapses transmitting acoustic information are stable, while those carrying head and ear position information exhibit plasticity.
Researchers studied how angle of riblets on pipe affect fluid flow, finding that diverging riblets speed up airflow by reducing turbulence. This study may also aid biologists in understanding the function of pit organs on sharks.
A single geophone can detect seismic vibrations in Europa's icy crust, revealing its depth and potentially life-sustaining liquid ocean beneath. The technique, tested on Arctic Sea ice, aims to uncover the moon's internal structure without the need for a costly lander mission.
A systematic review found that ear thermometry is not a reliable method for measuring infants' body temperature, with wide individual differences and potential overestimation or underestimation of temperatures. This raises concerns about the accuracy of fever detection and precise temperature measurement in clinical settings.
The study identified the gene responsible for producing ear wax as being located on chromosome 16, near another gene linked to paroxysmal kinesigenic choreoathetosis. This discovery may shed light on the development of apocrine glands and their secretory products.
A survey of university undergraduate students found that over half had body piercings, while only 23% had tattoos, with piercing complications being the most common issue. Medical experts noted that tattooing may pose a risk for certain infections, but further studies are needed to confirm this.
Researchers created a new database of acoustic measurements to help engineers build customized sound systems. The database aims to improve human-computer interaction by enabling spatial sound with accurate location and depth perception.
UC Davis researchers have captured the critical information needed to reproduce actual sounds as each listener perceives them. By analyzing changes in sound waves as they bounce off surfaces and ears, the team has developed personalized software and hardware for spatially accurate sound reproduction.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that adults tend to interpret messages metaphorically, whereas children tend to take things literally. As people grow older, their ability to understand and use metaphors improves, reflecting cognitive and linguistic advancements.
The researchers are studying the otolith - the ear bone of the bluefin tuna - to see why its numbers have been dwindling for 25 years. By analyzing the layering of the otolith, they can determine the age of the fish and its nursery areas.
Canadian Medical Association Journal article highlights lack of consensus among otolaryngologists on indications for ear tube insertion in children. Only 6 of 17 factors and 1 of 4 clinical vignettes were agreed upon, suggesting a need to revisit clinical practice guidelines.