A Canadian study found that high birth weight among First Nations babies is associated with a significantly higher risk of postneonatal death. The research, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, compared over 5,000 births to First Nations mothers to over 630,000 births to French-speaking women.
Researchers found that cats, regardless of size, use a delicate balance between gravity and inertia to lap milk efficiently. The cat's tongue moves in a subtle motion, creating a column of liquid that is then pinched off by the cat's chin.
A new study published in the International Journal of Cancer has identified microRNA-138 as a gene that regulates cancer cell migration and may hold the key to reducing the spread of oral cancers. The research found that a reduced level of microRNA-138 is associated with enhanced ability of tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells to spread.
A common problem in newborns, tongue ties can hinder breastfeeding and lead to feeding problems. Researchers recommend a simple procedure called frenotomy to correct the issue, which can improve breastfeeding outcomes.
A study published in Science reveals that changes in subpolar climates influenced the development of the modern tropical Pacific climate. The research, led by Newcastle University's Dr Erin McClymont, used marine sediment analysis to reconstruct ocean temperatures during the Pliocene Era.
Researchers found that patients with obstructive sleep apnea who responded to mandibular advancement splint treatment had a larger tongue volume for their oral cavity size, suggesting this ratio as a predictor of response. The study included 49 patients and assessed the association between anatomical factors and treatment outcome.
Research by USDA scientists found that cows can efficiently graze pastures with easily accessible leaves, reducing the need for time and land. This approach enables ranchers to better estimate how long to leave cattle in a pasture and how large to make it.
A study by Texas A&M University researchers found that the internal daily clock of a tiny fruit fly influences its feeding behaviors, which may have implications for human eating habits and weight management. The flies' sensitivity to food varies with the time of day, with higher sensitivity to sugar during the day and lower at night.
A new study reveals that Egyptian fruit bats use an alternative strategy to detect and track targets. By alternating the direction of their sonar beam, they can pinpoint the location of a target but make it harder to detect in the first place. This approach optimizes pinpoint accuracy while sacrificing some detection ability.
Researchers found that French infants produce rising crying tones and German babies cry with falling intonation, suggesting early exposure to language-specific intonation patterns. This study suggests that the sense of hearing develops before other senses and influences a child's ability to learn their mother tongue.
Researchers have developed a small, inexpensive lab-on-a-chip sensor that can quickly and accurately identify sweetness in various substances. The sensor uses colorimetric technology to detect sweeteners, including natural and artificial sweeteners, and can produce results in about 2 minutes.
Researchers used high-speed ultrasound imaging to categorize N|uu clicks, a series of consonants distinct to southern Africa's Kalahari Desert. This breakthrough could change how linguists describe click languages and aid speech scientists in understanding speech production.
A unique case study found that first and second languages are represented in different places in the bilingual brain. Damage to one language was more severe than the other, with Hebrew skills impaired more significantly.
A clinical trial shows that quadriplegics can operate a powered wheelchair using a tongue drive system, which detects movement of a magnetic tracer attached to the tongue. The system allows for intuitive control with minimal prior training, enabling users to play computer games and navigate obstacles with ease.
Researchers have successfully developed echolocation in humans, allowing blind individuals to identify objects and navigate their surroundings. The technique involves producing specific tongue clicks to detect echoes, with results showing potential for practical applications beyond aiding the visually impaired.
Researchers monitoring Greenland's glaciers report a nearly three-fold increase in ice loss this summer compared to the previous record year. The total ice loss since 2000 is 10 times the size of Manhattan Island.
A handheld device, 'electronic tongue', can identify grape variety and vintage of wine at the press of a button. It uses six sensors to detect substances characteristic of specific wines, preserving quality and preventing fraud.
The Tongue Drive system allows individuals with severe disabilities, such as high-level spinal cord injuries, to control a computer and powered wheelchair using only their tongues. The system uses a small magnet attached to the tongue to direct cursor movement on a screen or joystick function in a powered wheelchair.
A large 3D model of the Blue Tongue virus has been created by WMG engineers, helping biologists devise new ways to combat the virus and potentially develop anti-viral drugs. The model is 5,200,000 times larger than the real thing and will be on display at the Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibition.
A Temple University researcher has developed a new method for clinical taste testing using edible strips containing five basic tastes. The strips, created by dissolving polymers in warm water and adding taste stimuli, can measure thresholds for tastants at lower levels than traditional 'sip and spit' tests.
Researchers are rethinking how muscles work by studying toads' rapid feeding actions. They've discovered that muscles behave like springs, allowing for efficient energy storage and release. This new model could lead to innovations in prosthetics, electric motors, and treatments for Parkinson's disease.
Researchers at University at Buffalo have found that people with periodontitis who are infected with human papillomavirus (HPV) are at increased risk of developing tongue cancer. The study showed that 63% of patients with tongue cancer also had periodontitis, and 90% of those without HPV also did not have periodontitis.
A University of California, Irvine study found that language barriers between patients and healthcare providers lead to longer hospital stays, more medical errors, and lower patient satisfaction. Patients who spoke directly with their doctors were most satisfied with their care.
A study found that men with chronic gum disease were at higher risk for tongue cancer, regardless of smoking status. Periodontitis was significantly associated with an increased risk of tongue cancer in a study of 51 white men.
A new surgical technique, 'beavertail' surgery, has given back the ability to swallow to patients with tongue cancer. The procedure involves modifying an existing technique by adding a 'jellyroll' of fat and connective tissue to replace diseased tongue tissue.
Flamingos' unusual eating habit is revealed to be supported by an anatomical structure called erectile tissue. This newly discovered feature helps stabilizes the mouth and tongue, enabling them to efficiently consume algae and crustaceans from the water.
A new study suggests that gender differences in sleep apnea may be linked to estrogen levels, with pre-menopausal women being less likely to develop the condition. The researchers used rats to investigate the role of serotonin in controlling tongue movement, finding no difference in serotonin-producing neurons between males and females.
A new study investigates the role of effort-reward congruity in reducing promotion reactance, suggesting that consumers select incentives fostering consistency between reward and behavior. The research sheds light on the complexities of consumer decision-making under promotional influences.
A study by D.N. Tatakis and colleagues found that individuals with lip piercings had significantly more gum recession compared to those without piercings, with an average depth of double the control group. Increased time of wear was also linked to a higher prevalence of gum recession in pierced individuals.
Researchers at U of T used 3-D ultrasound to analyze tongue function after surgery, creating a baseline for 'Joe Canadian' tongue reconstruction. The study aims to improve speech outcomes for patients with tongue cancer.
Researchers at Indiana University and Leiden University found that tiny changes in a parrot's tongue position can significantly affect the qualities of its sounds. This discovery sheds light on the complex communication systems of birds, which are comparable to human speech.
Researchers found that Monk parakeets change their vocal-tract formant frequencies and amplitudes with tongue movements, suggesting a role for lingual articulation in mimicking human speech. This discovery also implies that lingual articulation may underlie the natural vocalizations of parrots.
A new study by University of Michigan researchers suggests the risk for recurrent yeast infections is related to a woman's immune response to the yeast. Women who have had cunnilingus or masturbation with saliva in the past month were more likely to develop recurrent yeast infections.
The chemical capsaicin in peppers has been found to stimulate circulation, trigger pain relief, and even ease arthritis symptoms. It is also used in repellent sprays, marine coatings, and various drugs.
Researchers developed new techniques to improve both quality of life and surgical outcomes for patients with oral cancer. The study involved 43 patients, who received tongue reconstruction after half or more of the tongue was removed.
A study found that a quadriplegic individual's brain preserves its ability to 'feel' and 'move' despite severe spinal cord injury. The findings indicate stability in the brain's motor patterns, suggesting a small portion of the spinal cord may still be intact.
A brain-imaging study found that obese individuals have enhanced metabolic activity in specific regions involved in sensory processing of food. This suggests a heightened sensitivity to food palatability, potentially driving overeating in obese individuals.
Researchers found that long-stemmed barbells increase the risk of gum recession in 35% of subjects with pierced tongues. Additionally, 47% of young adults wearing barbells for four or more years had chipped teeth due to habitual biting.