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Debunking a life-threatening myth: "Tongue swallowing prevention" maneuvers delay CPR and might contribute to brain injury or death for collapsed athletes

A study in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology finds that delaying chest compressions to prevent tongue swallowing can lead to poor outcomes, including death or severe brain injury. The research exposes media-fueled misconceptions and emphasizes the importance of immediate CPR training.

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 30, 2025

Stratifying the immune landscape of tongue cancer

Researchers identify five distinct immunotypes in tongue squamous cell carcinoma, shedding light on why current immunotherapies fail. The study's findings highlight the need for immune-based assessments to guide treatment decisions and suggest a new approach to personalized medicine.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalCancer Immunology Immunotherapy·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 27, 2025

How the cerebellum controls tongue movements to grab food

Researchers discovered that Purkinje cells in the cerebellum signal to stop tongue movement as it approaches a target, allowing for precise control of tongue movements. This understanding is crucial for developing treatments for symptoms linked to cerebellar dysfunction, such as vocal muscle spasms and speech disorders.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 10, 2025

Why maggots love the texture of decaying fruit

A study on fruit fly larvae revealed the presence of neurons with mechanoreceptors in their peripheral taste organs, allowing them to sense food texture. This discovery sheds light on the complex process of tasting texture and highlights the importance of multisensory contributions in food perception.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2025

Photodynamic therapy with annatto colorant found to be effective against bad breath

A study published in PLOS ONE found that antimicrobial photodynamic therapy using annatto colorant was effective in treating halitosis in mouth-breathing children. The researchers used a LED light source to target the annatto, which generated reactive oxygen species that killed bacteria on the tongue, leading to improved oral health.

AI algorithms can determine how well newborns nurse, study shows

Researchers developed a device with AI algorithms to analyze suckling strength and pattern in newborns. The system showed improved accuracy over subjective clinician assessments, identifying abnormal patterns that may indicate the need for surgical intervention or improved feeding practices.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalIEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 29, 2024

Proof of concept of new material for long lasting relief from dry mouth conditions

A novel aqueous lubricant technology has been developed at the University of Leeds, providing a longer-lasting solution for people with dry mouth conditions. The substance, composed of microgel and hydrogel, binds strongly to the surface of the mouth, reducing desorption and offering up to five times more effective relief.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 20, 2023

You’ve got some nerve

Researchers developed a new metric to analyze the relationship between nerve density and oral cancer progression. Normalized nerve density was found to be associated with poor survival rates for patients with tongue cancer, highlighting its potential as a tool for identifying aggressive tumors.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalClinical Cancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2023

Why chocolate feels so good – it is all down to lubrication

A team of scientists at the University of Leeds has decoded the physical process behind chocolate's sensation in the mouth. They found that fat plays a key role in creating the smooth emulsion, and by understanding this mechanism, they hope to develop healthier luxury chocolates with the same feel and texture.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2023

How Japanese speakers confuse the pronunciations of /hi/ and /si/

A study by Toyohashi University of Technology found that Japanese speakers often confuse the pronunciations of /hi/ and /si/ due to palatalized tongue articulation. Real-time MRI and supercomputer simulations revealed that acoustic contrast between the sounds can be produced by differences in tongue shape in the transverse direction.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalThe Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·DateApr 7, 2021

A species identified in 2016 as an ancient form of chameleon was misidentified at that time, say researchers

Researchers re-examined ancient fossils found in Myanmar's amber deposits, revealing that a species initially thought to be an ancient form of chameleon was actually part of the albanerpetontid lineage. The new findings indicate that these ancient amphibians were climbers with specialized tongues for catching food.

Japanese expedition identifies East Antarctic melting hotspot

A Japanese expedition has identified a surprising melting hotspot in East Antarctica, with ice beneath Shirase Glacier Tongue melting at an alarming rate of 7-16 meters per year. This finding could significantly impact predictions of sea level rise and climate change, as the Antarctic ice sheet is Earth's largest freshwater reservoir.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 24, 2020

At 8 months, babies already know their grammar

At 8 months, babies demonstrate a grasp of grammatical concepts in French, recognizing function words such as articles and prepositions. They exhibit limited interest in new functors, suggesting an innate understanding of their mother tongue's linguistic structure.

SourceCNRS·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 12, 2020

Simple injection of air proves successful in releasing child's tongue trapped in bottle, inspired by opening a wine bottle

A new technique using air injection has been shown to be effective in releasing a tongue trapped in a bottle, with no need for general anaesthesia or invasive procedures. This method was inspired by the author's experience opening a wine bottle and involved injecting air into the bottle to produce positive pressure.

SourceThe European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC)·JournalEuropean Journal of Anaesthesiology·DateOct 31, 2019

Sensing food textures is a matter of pressure

A study by Penn State researchers found that the ability to detect food textures is related to individual differences in pressure sensitivity. The study involved 111 volunteer tasters who were asked to perceive different textures in chocolate, with those who could detect grittiness being more accurate. This research may have implicatio...

SourcePenn State·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 13, 2019

Salamanders chew with their palate

Researchers have discovered that salamanders, like the Italian Crested Newt, chew their prey using their palatal teeth, breaking it up with a rhythmic motion. This unique chewing mechanism is similar to that found in ancient mammals and may date back to the early days of land-based vertebrates.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateMar 22, 2019