New Atlas

Science Audio available

"Game-changing" research could lead to novel treatment for osteoporosis in women

Anthony Wood January 18, 2019

Scientists have genetically engineered female mice to develop super strong, dense bones by altering neurons in the rodents' brains. The development could be the first step towards a novel treatment for the brittle bone disease osteoporosis in women.

The researchers hope that their work could be used to help combat brittle bone defects in ...

Medical Audio available

Novel nano-gel promises to help kill leftover cancer cells after surgery

Rich Haridy December 10, 2018

The first step in many cancer treatments is to surgically remove the tumor, however this often isn’t enough. As long as a few cancer cells remain the tumors often grow back, but a new innovative spray gel, administered onto a cancerous site during surgery, may help prevent the tumors recurring.

The gel helps the immune system target and kill any cancer cells that remain after tumor-removal ...

Science

Portable device gets the drop on toxic algae

Ben Coxworth October 3, 2018

Freshwater and marine algal blooms can be harmful – even fatal – to wildlife and humans alike, so the sooner that authorities can predict them, the better. A cheap and portable new device developed at UCLA could help them do so.

Science

Genetic technique improves visual learning in mice with autism

Rich Haridy September 24, 2018

A new study has proposed a novel strategy to help autistic individuals improve their ability to process visual information. Mice, engineered with autistic characteristics, were genetically altered to improve their visual and sensory learning abilities.

An experimental technique boosted activity in areas of the visual cortex, helping autistic mice learn a ...

Health & Wellbeing

Gut bacteria mechanism behind the anti-seizure effects of ketogenic diet uncovered

Rich Haridy May 24, 2018

The ketogenic diet was developed a century ago to treat children with severe epilepsy, but how it actually worked was always unclear. Now a new study suggests the diet can elevate levels of specific gut bacteria that subsequently affect certain neurotransmitters to reduce the risk of seizures.

Impressive research out of UCLA has uncovered the connection between gut bacteria and seizures

3D Printing

Breakthrough 3D bio-printer puts artificial tissue on the table

David Szondy May 22, 2018

In a move that could one day lead to artificial transplant organs, a UCLA team has developed a new technique for printing complex bio-tissues using multiple materials. Using a specially modified 3D printer, it promises to one day create complex therapeutic biomaterials on demand.

The 3D bioprinter has two key components: a custom-built microfluidic chip (pictured) and a digital micromirror

Medical

Injectable hydrogel helps brain tissue regrow after stroke in mice

Michael Irving May 21, 2018

The brain may be an incredible organ, but it struggles to repair itself after sustaining damage from a stroke. Now, researchers from UCLA have developed an injectable hydrogel that can coax healthy tissue to patch up damage by helping regenerate new brain tissue, nerve fibers and blood vessels.

A photomicrograph of the new tissue grown in the stroke-damaged cavity of a mouse brain: the ...

Biology

Scientists inject one snail's memories into another's brain

Michael Irving May 14, 2018

Biologists at UCLA have effectively transferred a memory from a trained snail into the mind of an untrained one. The experiment could eventually lead to new treatments for restoring memory in Alzheimer’s patients or to reduce traumatic memories.

Researchers have transferred genetic memories from the brains of one marine snail to another

Medical

Spinal zaps return hand movement to paralyzed subjects

Darren Quick April 26, 2018

Six people suffering varying degrees of paralysis have now regained the use of their hands and fingers after participating in a UCLA-led study of a nonsurgical, noninvasive spinal stimulation technique.

A new non-invasive spinal stimulation technique has given paralyzed subjects the ability to do everyday tasks, ...

Science

Artificial intelligence lets smartphone microscopes produce lab-quality images

Ben Coxworth April 16, 2018

There are now attachments that let you capture microscope images with a smartphone. Unfortunately, the limitations of the phone's lens and image sensor mean that those images still won't be as good as those from a lab-grade microscope. That could change, however, thanks to a recent advance in AI.

Image of a blood smear from a smartphone camera (left), following enhancement by the algorithm (center), ...