Spine News and Research

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Study may help develop new treatments for abnormal nerve growth in the spine

In experiments with genetically engineered and old mice, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers say they have added to evidence that the vast majority of low back pain in people may be rooted in an overgrowth of pain-sensing nerves into spinal cartilaginous tissue.

14 Jan 2020

Loopholes limit new California law to guard against lofty air ambulance bills

Kathleen Hoechlin lost control as she crested a small jump on her final ski run of the day at California's Mammoth Mountain two years ago. She landed hard on her back, crushing one of the vertebra in her lower spine "like a Cheerio," she said.

14 Jan 2020

Study provides new insights into experience of women with rare neurological disorder

Imagine living with unwanted sexual arousals, occurring unexpectedly and repeatedly, unrelated to any sexual desire or pleasure.

9 Jan 2020

New method uses MRI, machine learning to forecast genetic mutations in glioma tumors

Researchers at Osaka University have developed a computer method that uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and machine learning to rapidly forecast genetic mutations in glioma tumors, which occur in the brain or spine. The work may help glioma patients to receive more suitable treatment faster, giving better outcomes.

9 Jan 2020

First in vitro system can help study early spine development in humans

More than 20 years ago, the lab of developmental biologist Olivier Pourquié discovered a sort of cellular clock in chicken embryos where each "tick" stimulates the formation of a structure called a somite that ultimately becomes a vertebra.

9 Jan 2020

New approach using deep learning could speed up brain image microscopy by 16 times

Textbook descriptions of brain cells make neurons look simple: a long spine-like central axon with branching dendrites.

8 Jan 2020

Gut microbes may play a role in stroke recovery

New research shows that the microorganisms in our gut could help protect brain cells from damage caused by inflammation after a stroke.

8 Jan 2020

Using CRISPR to switch off pain gene becomes a possibility with new study

A pathbreaking study reports success in disabling an important gene that is responsible for inducing the sensation of pain.

7 Jan 2020

Novel imaging technique produces accurate, real-time intraoperative diagnosis of brain tumors

A novel method of combining advanced optical imaging with an artificial intelligence algorithm produces accurate, real-time intraoperative diagnosis of brain tumors, a new study finds.

6 Jan 2020

Exposure to air pollution associated with poor bone health

Some of the effects of air pollution on health are well documented -lung cancer, stroke, respiratory diseases, and a long etcetera- but for others there is less scientific evidence.

3 Jan 2020

Evidence for engrams as neural basis for memory

Though scientist Richard Semon introduced the concept of the "engram" 115 years ago to posit a neural basis for memory, direct evidence for engrams has only begun to accumulate recently as sophisticated technologies and methods have become available.

2 Jan 2020

Short chain fatty acid supplementation improves stroke recovery, mice study shows

Supplementing the body’s short chain fatty acids can improve stroke recovery, according to research in mice recently published in JNeurosci. Short chain fatty acid supplementation may be a non-invasive addition to stroke rehabilitation therapies.

From Society for Neuroscience 2 Jan 2020

Study uncovers a previously unknown subtype of muscle stem cells

Scientists have discovered a new subtype of muscle stem cells. These cells have the ability to build and regenerate new muscles, making them interesting targets for the development of gene therapies.

21 Dec 2019

$Powerful new tool developed to predict spinal fractures in patients$

Powerful new tool developed to predict spinal fractures in patients

Osteoporotic vertebral fractures are a prevalent skeletal condition in the elderly, which occurs due to a net loss in bone density with the inevitable onset of aging.

19 Dec 2019

The Acoustics of the Brain: Random-access 3D Microscopy in Neuroscience

Máté Marosi and Zsolt Iván discuss the use of acousto-optic microscopes to study neural networks in the brain, from cell bodies to dendrites, to tiny spines.

From Femtonics Ltd. 17 Dec 2019

Spine surgery is safe in advanced-age patient group

Spine surgeons from seven institutions in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan, conducted a multicenter, prospective study of spine surgeries performed in patients 80 years of age and older.

17 Dec 2019

Analysis: In medical billing, fraudulent charges weirdly pass as legal

Much of what we accept as legal in medical billing would be regarded as fraud in any other sector.

16 Dec 2019

Study: Claim lines for Lyme disease have increased 117% from 2007 to 2018

From 2007 to 2018, claim lines with diagnoses of Lyme disease increased nationally 117 percent, according to a new white paper from FAIR Health, a national, independent nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing transparency to healthcare costs and health insurance information.

10 Dec 2019

Facial injuries related to cell phones have risen steeply

National emergency room data analysis has shown that number of injuries related to cell phones has risen in the last 20 years.

9 Dec 2019

Variability in function after lower spinal fusion reflects patient characteristics

Patient-reported functional outcomes vary considerably after lower (lumbar) spinal fusion surgery. But the variability mainly reflects patient characteristics, rather than differences in care provided by surgeons or hospitals, suggests a study in Spine.

8 Dec 2019