Eye Health News and Research

Latest Eye Health News and Research

Rubber ducks can be full of nasty bugs at bath time

Researchers have found that the cute little rubber ducks that float around in bath tubs and come in contact with potable water are homes to millions of bacteria and harmful microbes. They found that these toys contain water that’s seeped into them and when squeezed, they release this dirty water into the bath water. The water is rich in microbes that could be potentially “pathogenic” or disease causing especially among children, they write.

28 Mar 2018

New AI method optimizes touchscreen interfaces for users with disabilities

Researchers at Aalto University, Finland, and Kochi University of Technology, Japan, developed a new algorithmic approach to user interface optimization that takes individual differences into account.

27 Mar 2018

New study reveals why some visual cues remain subliminal

Understanding conscious perception is a major challenge for neuroscience. A new study published on March 22nd in Science now shows why weak visual stimuli of the same strength are sometimes detected and other times remain subliminal: As the signals travel from visual areas to the prefrontal cortex, fluctuating brain dynamics can make the difference, elevating some signals above the threshold of conscious experience and stopping others in their tracks.

27 Mar 2018

Scientists create synthesized antibiotic capable of treating superbugs

A "game changing" new antibiotic which is capable of killing superbugs has been successfully synthesized and used to treat an infection for the first time -- and could lead to the first new class of antibiotic drug in 30 years.

23 Mar 2018

Portable and wearable technology supports future of military medical devices

In the 15th century, soldiers injured in battle were left on the battlefield for two to three days until their condition either stabilized or they died. Since the efforts of surgeon Ambroise Paré in the same century, one of the forerunners in improving medical treatment for injured soldiers, the care that soldiers receive today is much safer, quicker and well organized.

23 Mar 2018

Wearable brain scanner enables brain imaging whilst moving

Scientists have revealed a novel wearable brain scanner that can provide accurate images whilst the subject is moving.

22 Mar 2018

New ocular inserts allow patient's cornea to absorb more antibiotics

The anatomic and physiologic structure of the eyes constitutes by itself an important barrier when administering medicine. The amount of medicine that passes through the cornea by applying creams or drops is very limited and it is necessary to develop alternative, more effective ways of administering them ocularly.

22 Mar 2018

Study uncovers new genetic cause of posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy

A new genetic cause of corneal dystrophy has been discovered with funding from Fight for Sight by researchers at UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital London, in collaboration with colleagues in the Czech Republic.

22 Mar 2018

Immune cells can repopulate in the retina after elimination, mice study shows

Immune cells called microglia can completely repopulate themselves in the retina after being nearly eliminated, according to a new study in mice from scientists at the National Eye Institute.

21 Mar 2018

New system based on artificial intelligence provides reliable detection of breast cancer

A team of researchers at the Universitat Politècnica de València and the Instituto de Física Corpuscular, joint center between the Spanish National Research Council and the University of València have participated in the development of a system that helps diagnose breast cancer and is able to reduce the number of false positives.

21 Mar 2018

New study identifies key role for particular gene in 16p11.2 deletion syndrome

In a new study of one of the most common genetic causes of autism, neuroscientists at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory have identified a specific molecular mechanism that appears to undermine the ability of neurons in affected mice to properly incorporate changes driven by experience.

20 Mar 2018

Robocall increases diabetic retinopathy screening rates among poor minorities

Automated reminder calls may be an effective tool to improve screening for diabetic eye disease among low-income minority patients, especially African Americans, a new study finds. The study results will be presented Monday at ENDO 2018, the Endocrine Society's 100th annual meeting in Chicago, Ill.

20 Mar 2018

LSD reduces 'sense of self' - research

Dr Albert Hofmann, a Swiss chemist, first found the effects of LSD or lysergic acid diethylamide or “acid” on the psyche. It has been 75 years since his invention. Now new research finds deeper understanding of how this psychedelic chemical alters the perception and affects the brain.

19 Mar 2018

Stem cell-derived ocular cells treat severe AMD

In July 2015, 86-year-old Douglas Waters developed severe age-related macular degeneration (AMD). He struggled to see things clearly, even when up close.

19 Mar 2018

Researchers find the heart to be capable of arrhythmia termination after local gene therapy

The heart is capable of terminating arrhythmias itself after local gene therapy, potentially avoiding the need for patients to undergo painful electric shocks, according to a proof-of-concept study presented today at EHRA 2018, a European Society of Cardiology congress.

19 Mar 2018

Scientists discover basic molecular mechanism that helps understand how ALS works

It took eight long years of research, but now an international team led by neuroscientists at Université de Montréal has discovered a basic molecular mechanism that better helps understand how Lou Gehrig's disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), works.

19 Mar 2018

Discovery aids understanding of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Researchers have discovered a basic molecular mechanism that sheds light on the disease process underlying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

19 Mar 2018

Aussies unaware of sun protection rules to prevent skin cancer

A new study from Cancer Council Australia has shown that despite bearing the brunt of the hot sun’s UV rays and being prone to skin cancer, Australians are largely unaware of the protective uses of sunscreen and fail to adopt sunscreen application practices correctly.

19 Mar 2018

Study reveals mechanisms underlying maintenance of memory during sleep hours

During the hours of sleep the memory performs a cleaning shift. A study led by a Spanish scientist at the University of Cambridge reveals that when we sleep, the neural connections that collect important information are strengthened and those created from irrelevant data are weakened until they get lost.

15 Mar 2018

Researchers build better AI algorithms to screen patients for diabetic eye disease

The ability of artificial intelligence (AI) to help screen patients for a common diabetic eye disease gains momentum with a new study published online today in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

14 Mar 2018