Brain area necessary for fluid intelligence identified

A team led by UCL and UCLH researchers have mapped the parts of the brain that support our ability to solve problems without prior experience—otherwise known as fluid intelligence.

First total ear canal removal surgery performed on pig

Doctors at Oregon State University's veterinary hospital performed the first known total ear canal ablation surgery on a pig last week, in consultation with a human ear doctor who previously operated on the lead veterinary surgeon's ear.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/first-total-ear-canal-removal-surgery-performed-on-pig

Time spent in nature appears to slow Parkinson's, Alzheimer's

Living in an area with easy access to parks and rivers appears to slow the progression of devastating neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Computer vision is superior to surgeons in identifying spinal implants, shows study

Identifying previously placed spinal hardware can be difficult and time consuming when a patient needs revision surgery. Detailed information on the implant model and type are often lacking when patients are referred elsewhere or may be missing in the surgical notes. To overcome this challenge, researchers developed a computer vision machine learning approach that more accurately and efficiently identifies previously placed thoracolumbar instrumentation.

A checkerboard pattern of inner ear cells enables us to hear

A Japanese research group has become the first to reveal that the checkerboard-like arrangement of cells in the inner ear's organ of Corti is vital for hearing. The discovery gives new insight into how hearing works from the perspective of cell self-organization and will also enable various hearing loss disorders to be better understood.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/a-checkerboard-pattern-of-inner-ear-cells-enables-us-to-hear

Dressing 'revolution' seeks artificial skin for burn victims

Far from the humble sticking plaster, medical firms and researchers are seeking to create the "ultimate dressing"—artificial skin they hope will revolutionize the treatment of severe burns.

'Blizzard of the century' leaves nearly 50 dead across US

Emergency crews in New York were scrambling Monday to rescue marooned residents from what authorities called the "blizzard of the century," a relentless storm that has left nearly 50 people dead across the United States and caused Christmas travel chaos.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/blizzard-of-the-century-leaves-nearly-50-dead-across-us

China to end quarantine on arrival in fresh COVID rule relaxation

China said Monday it would scrap mandatory quarantine on arrival, further unwinding years of strict virus controls as the country battles a surge in cases.