New brain implant could rewire stroke rehab
Why it matters: If this works, it could reshape rehabilitation for the 800,000 Americans who have a stroke each year — and the millions already disabled by one.
State of play: The device, developed by German neurotech company CorTec GmbH, was implanted last week in a 52-year-old man whose strokes have severely limited his mobility, according to UW Medicine.
Doctors hope electrical pulses delivered to his brain during rehab will rewire neural circuits and improve function.
The five-year study is funded by the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
How it works: The device consists of two soft, flexible sheets embedded with tiny electrodes that are placed on the surface of the brain's motor cortex, the area responsible for movement, per UW Medicine.
During rehab, the electrodes deliver precisely timed electrical pulses to stimulate brain activity when the patient attempts to move.
This stimulation is designed to strengthen surviving neural pathways and help the brain form new connections to restore lost function.
What they're saying: Stroke patients often recover some, but not all, function, said Jeffrey Ojemann, study co-lead and vice chair of neurological surgery at the UW School of Medicine.
"We want to see whether by stimulating the brain during rehabilitation sessions we can help them regain more function," Ojemann said.
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National Geographic
36 minutes ago
- National Geographic
Rat kings might actually be real—but it's nothing to laugh about
A rat king displayed at the University of Tartu Natural History Museum in Estonia. Some have claimed that the phenomenon in which rats become entangled by their tails is just a hoax but experts say there's reason to believe it's real. Photograph by Oleksandr Rupeta, Alamy Stock Photo This phenomenon is when a pack of rats become entangled by their tails, unable to separate themselves. We asked experts to weigh in on whether it is really possible. Since at least the 1500s, people have been mesmerized by the legend of a so-called 'rat king.' Usually depicted as a mass of a rodents with their tails tied in a knot, the specific details can vary by the telling. In some stories, the group is led by one rat that directs the rest, perhaps with psychological powers, while in others, the whole group works together, like some kind of amalgamated monster. In one version or another, the rat king—which can refer to the whole group of animals, or simply the dominant rat—is an idea that has appeared in all forms of pop culture. But is there any truth to the rat king legend? Some experts have argued that historical rat king 'discoveries' could have been hoaxes—although they couldn't rule out the possibility that such a thing is physically possible. Meanwhile others are convinced. (How rats became part of city life.) Limited Time: Bonus Issue Offer Subscribe now and gift up to 4 bonus issues—starting at $34/year. 'The rat king is not a legend,' argues Andrei Miljutin, curator at the University of Tartu Natural History Museum in Estonia, in an email. 'In contrast to gods and humanoids, everyone can see and study rat kings at museums in different countries. Two of them are housed in the very building where I am writing this message.' However, Miljutin, who says rats are his favorite animal and that he somewhat fell into studying rat kings, stresses that the discovery of one is nothing to celebrate. 'Indeed, it is a death sentence. The animals suffer from permanent pain. They cannot move around normally to find food and water, and what is worse, they are helpless,' he says. As rats scramble over one another, their tails can become entangled. Above, a miniature sculpture by 19th century netsuke artist Ikkan depicts five rats in a ball. Photograph by Heritage Art/An illustration of a rat king drawn by German physician M. B. Valentini in 1714. Tales of rat kings date back at least to the 1500s. Photograph by Interfoto/Alamy Stock Photo In a 2007 study published in the journal Proceedings of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, Miljutin found that, before 2005, there were 58 rat king sightings he deemed reliable, though just six of these were preserved in museums. Interestingly, some common themes emerged. With the exception of one rat king documented on the island of Java in Indonesia, all the rat kings were from the same species—the black rat, or Rattus rattus. Most were identified in Germany, France, Poland, the Netherlands, and Belgium, and findings often seemed to coincide with spates of cold weather. (Carolina the giant rat retires as a hero after saving many lives.) Therefore, Miljutin concluded that rat kings are most likely to occur in areas where both cold winters and black rats are found. As for how the tails of the rats became entangled, it seems true rat kings are not a result of knotting, but rather the product of some other sticky material. In one case Miljutin investigated in South Estonia in 2021, he says, 'the knot of tails looked like a large ball due to the incorporation of a mixture of clay soil, poultry manure, straw, and feathers.' Interestingly, those rats were still alive by the time Miljutin got to them. This makes him one of the very few people known to have seen a living rat king phenomenon in person. The local news channel even captured video of the 13 tangled-up black rats—all young rats of both sexes. How rat kings could happen As an urban rodentologist of more than 30 years—who has even been described as 'the rat king of New York' himself—Bobby Corrigan has come across this legend more than once. 'I have been asked in the press multiple times about rat kings, and I always reply I have not personally witnessed it in my long career,' says Corrigan, who spent 16 years teaching at Purdue University and is now a consultant for RmC Pest Management Consulting. But after reviewing Miljutin's evidence, Corrigan says he's convinced. 'For sure, it is real, but it is rare,' he says, 'or at least rare to us humans. Maybe not to the long-tailed rats of the world.' (Is it time to finally ban glue traps in the U.S.?) There are also several aspects of rodent behavior and anatomy Corrigan has seen firsthand that align with what would be necessary to create a rat king. 'Rats have a behavior where they all get together in very tiny spaces in walls and ground burrows. It's called hugger-muggering,' says Corrigan. 'They all get really close together to exchange body heat, because they don't hibernate.' Similarly, Corrigan says rat tails are composed of cartilage, which makes them very flexible, and many rat species use their tails to curl around branches to provide some extra grip. However, rat tails cannot be tied into a knot, he says. Finally, while he finds it unlikely any trapped rodents would obey a master and function as one, rats do establish hierarchies, similar to primates or canines. 'Often there will be a dominant male that mates with all the females and keeps a territory,' says Corrigan. 'So, is there a dominant rat in the area where there is a social structure, and could you call that rat 'king'? Yes.' While rats and rat kings might seem frightening—especially as they're portrayed in pop culture—Corrigan says he takes a different point of view. 'We probably owe 20, maybe 30, additional years to our own [life expectancy] to rats,' he says. 'We've tested every single cancer drug in the world on them, every pharmaceutical, and we continue to do so.' 'These animals are a tremendous benefit to humankind,' says Corrigan.
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
This change to your skin can be a sign you have one of the deadliest cancers
It's a lot to digest. About 67,400 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year, and nearly 52,000 will die from it, according to American Cancer Society estimates. The highly aggressive disease develops from abnormal cell growth within the pancreas, a vital organ that plays a crucial role in digestion and blood sugar regulation. Advertisement 4 Dr. Diane Simeone is the founding director of the Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection (PRECEDE) Consortium, which aims to increase the five-year pancreatic cancer survival rate from 13% to 50%. Courtesy of the PRECEDE Consortium It's one of the deadliest cancers — only 13% of pancreatic cancer patients typically survive five years after diagnosis — because early detection is so difficult. 'The pancreas is hidden deep in the abdomen, and early symptoms, such as back pain, fatigue, weight loss or digestive discomfort, are vague and often mistaken for other, less serious conditions,' Dr. Diane Simeone, director of Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health, told The Post. Jaundice — the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes — is a clearer sign of pancreatic cancer. Simeone highlights why many patients get this sneaky symptom — and why screening is so important. Advertisement What is jaundice? Jaundice occurs when the blood has excess bilirubin, a yellowish substance that's produced when the body breaks down old red blood cells. The liver is most responsible for eliminating bilirubin. 4 Jaundice — the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes — is a visible sign of pancreatic cancer. New Africa – Advertisement A tumor blocking the bile ducts or affecting the liver's function can prevent the proper processing of bilirubin, causing the pigment to accumulate. The yellowing of the whites of the eyes is often the first noticeable sign — the skin and the inside of the mouth may turn yellow as well. Jaundice can also cause dark urine, pale poop and sometimes itchy skin and stomach pain. Advertisement 'The excess bilirubin is excreted through the kidneys, darkening the urine and preventing it from reaching the intestines, which leads to pale stools,' Simeone explained. 'It can also cause itching because the bile acids that are not being excreted normally accumulate in the skin and stimulate nerve endings.' Stomach pain can be felt from a tumor obstructing the bile duct. Jaundice can signal pancreatic cancer — and what else? Elevated levels of bilirubin often indicate liver troubles. Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver cancer can be culprits. 4 Jaundice can indicate problems with the liver. Here, a doctor shows the anatomy of the liver to a patient. Peakstock – Other suspects include gallstones in the bile duct, certain blood disorders, viral or bacterial infections, some medications and genetic conditions. Newborns can experience jaundice because their liver isn't fully developed. With pancreatic cancer, jaundice is a common symptom when the tumor is in the head of the pancreas, blocking the common bile duct. How is pancreatic cancer diagnosed? Advertisement Pancreatic cancer screening is generally recommended for those with a family history of the disease, genetic mutations linked to a higher risk and pancreatic conditions like chronic pancreatitis. MRIs, CT scans and endoscopic ultrasounds visualize the pancreas and surrounding areas to see if there's a tumor. If one is detected, a tissue or cell sample is taken to determine if it's cancerous and, if so, the stage of the cancer. 'There are certain blood tests that help in the diagnosis, such as liver function tests, complete blood counts and tumor markers like CA 19-9,' Simeone said, referring to Cancer Antigen 19-9, a protein that can be released by pancreatic cancer cells into the bloodstream. Advertisement 'The mission of PRECEDE is to help identify an early detection biomarker, such as a blood test that can discover the cancer at the earliest possible stage.' 4 Surgeons operate on a pancreatic cancer patient in France on June 7, 2019. Surgery is one of the potential treatment options for the disease. AFP via Getty Images Simeone is the founding director of the Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection (PRECEDE) Consortium, which is studying over 9,500 high-risk individuals to improve early detection of pancreatic cancer. The goal is to increase the five-year survival rate from 13% to 50% through collaborative research, standardization of screening protocols and development of early detection tools. How is pancreatic cancer treated? Advertisement Depending on when the cancer is caught, treatment options may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and palliative care. 'Surgical resection [to remove the tumor] is typically only an effective option before the cancer has spread,' Simeone said. 'This is precisely why early detection is so important and PRECEDE's primary mission and focus.'
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
Are you hot, fit and tan? Get ready for liberals to label you a MAGA fanatic.
Since President Donald Trump's return to the White House, I've noticed a steady stream of rhetoric that attempts to make health and fitness partisan. It's the heart of summer, and the days are long and toasty. Beaches on the coasts (or Lake Michigan, closer to where I live) are packed and clothing is minimal. Some people look good showing extra skin. Most of them don't. The reality is that more than 70% of Americans are overweight or obese, and the trend has been moving rapidly in the wrong direction, leading to a plethora of preventable health problems and costs associated with them. It's concerning, and the effort to combat obesity should be something we can all agree on. Sadly, it's not. Since President Donald Trump's return to the White House, I've noticed a steady stream of rhetoric that attempts to make health and fitness partisan. If you're fit and enjoy working out (or even sport a tan), chances are there's a progressive who will eye you with suspicion of being MAGA. Sydney Sweeney's jeans ad triggers liberals. She looks good. They don't. | Opinion It's an extreme example of the 'if-Trump-is-for-it, we-must-be-adamantly-against-it' mentality that has infected the left. To borrow a phrase from former Democratic vice presidential contender Tim Walz, it's weird. Trump wants kids to be more fit. Why is that a negative? Trump brought physical fitness into the limelight on July 31 by signing an executive order reestablishing the Presidential Fitness Test for America's public school students. The test had been around for decades until the 2012-13 school year, when President Barack Obama replaced it. The order states: 'We must address the threat to the vitality and longevity of our country that is posed by America's declining health and physical fitness. For far too long, the physical and mental health of the American people has been neglected.' The rise in obesity and the decline in health is especially disheartening when it comes to the country's kids. According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2024 report, about 20% of children are obese (2 in 5 adults are obese). That's a sharp increase from when childhood obesity rates were 5% in the 1970s. Not only is this a national health concern, it's a national security one, as Trump acknowledges in his executive order. The CDC report found that only 2 in 5 young adults are weight-eligible and active enough to serve in the military. 'The military has experienced increasing difficulty in recruiting soldiers as a result of physical inactivity, obesity, and malnutrition among our nation's youth,' retired Army Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling said in the report. Yet, Trump's commonsense approach to boost fitness was met with consternation among media progressives. 'Trump is reviving an outdated and problematic practice for American schoolkids,' proclaimed MSNBC. 'Generations of Americans who struggled to complete a pull-up in front of their classmates winced as President Trump announced that he was reinstating the annual assessment,' The New York Times opined. Opinion: Trump is racking up GOP wins no one else could. What do Never Trumpers say now? Doing Pilates does not make you an authoritarian. Nor does having a tan. Leftists also have thoughts about fitness for adults and what it says about conservatism. Earlier this year, fitness influencer MaryBeth Monaco-Vavrik posted a video that went viral connecting the 'popularization of Pilates & running instead of strength training … and the rise of extreme American authoritarianism.' She also equated conservatism with 'smaller bodies.' Leno's right: Colbert got canned because Americans are tired of left's lectures | Opinion Men, on the other hand, must avoid looking too manly and the trap of toxic masculinity and the "manosphere," which liberals tell us have flourished under Trump. For instance, actor Sacha Baron Cohen's appearance on the August cover of Men's Fitness UK sparked criticism over his newly chiseled body. One headline said his physique 'is repellent to most women.' (It must be because I'm a conservative woman, but I found Baron Cohen's new look the opposite of repellent.) In 2024, a columnist in The Guardian warned, 'There is a dark side to wellness, which I always, for shorthand, thought of as political: getting fit makes you more rightwing.' And now, enjoying sunshine and getting a tan could mark you as a MAGA fanatic. After all, Trump and his health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., sport a perennial bronze shade. As The Atlantic recently observed: 'Tanning is back. Only this time, it's not just about looking good − it's about embracing an entire ideology.' I'd wager the vast majority of people who are fit and spend time outdoors do so because they know it's beneficial for their health and simply enjoy it. It has nothing to do with Trump or how they vote. Progressives trying to demonize fitness to "get back" at Trump are hurting themselves − and the next generations of Americans. Ingrid Jacques is a columnist at USA TODAY. Contact her at ijacques@ or on X: @Ingrid_Jacques
