Heart

Soft tissues don’t fossilize well, so scientists have to infer organ anatomy from bones. But an unexpected treasure trove of new information has been discovered in Australia, with a 380-million-year-old fish fossil preserving the oldest heart ever found.

Scientists have demonstrated a new system that can restore crucial molecular and cellular functions in pigs one hour after death. The experiments could help widen the organ transplantation pool and may even lead to new treatments for heart attacks.

Researchers have announced success from a pair of experimental pig-to-human heart transplant procedures completed on recently deceased human subjects who were kept on mechanical ventilation for three days while the organs were monitored in their bodies.

A new article has offered insights into the world’s first pig-to-human heart transplant, which took place earlier this year. Researchers report the patient died unexpectedly two months after the procedure and the exact cause of death is still unclear.

Researchers have demonstrated a new technique for helping heart cells regenerate after a heart attack, using mRNA to return the cells to a stem-cell-like state. Tests in mice showed drastic improvements to heart function a month after a heart attack.

Last year, scientists at Northwestern University announced a transient pacemaker that dissolves when no longer needed. They've now improved the device, and incorporated it into a linked suite of wearable sensors.

Scientists have demonstrated a novel approach to tackling arterial plaque that relies on laser, ultrasound and exploding microbubbles to destroy it with greater safety and efficiency, while hinting at unique long-term advantages.

When conducting cardiac research, it would be ideal if experiments could be performed on actual living human hearts. Scientists have developed what may be the next-best thing, in the form of a tiny mechanical heart powered by real cardiac cells.

The FDA has authorized a Fitbit feature designed to continuously monitor a wearer’s heart rhythms for signs of arterial fibrillation. The roll-out is based on a study that last year reported the algorithm detects 98 percent of irregular heart rhythms.

Researchers have discovered a new potential way to prevent arteries clogging, and as such reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The technique involves ramping up a cleaning process that naturally slows down as we age.

In phase 1 trials, an RNA gene therapy has shown promise for reducing levels of a lipoprotein associated with a high risk of heart disease. The treatment could help fight a form of the disease that can’t currently be treated through lifestyle changes.

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have shed new light on the relationship between sleep and body fat, demonstrating how a lack of sleep can increase levels of insidious visceral fat deep in the abdomen, which carries acute risks to our health.