Find uplifting stories about heroes, innovations, and solutions
655 results for "vagus nerve"
Scientists are testing whether vagus nerve stimulation, already used to treat epilepsy and depression, could keep a key brain region healthy and protect against memory loss. Early research suggests this gentle therapy might help maintain brain function as we age.
Scientists at Oxford University discovered that spider silk can repair severe nerve injuries without harvesting healthy nerves from other body parts. The breakthrough could help 300,000 patients annually in the UK alone.
Scientists grew miniature brain and spinal cord systems in a lab and discovered that supposedly permanent nerve damage can be switched back on. An existing hormone drug dramatically boosted nerve regrowth in damaged neurons.
Millions endure chronic nerve pain so severe that even a gentle touch feels unbearable. Duke University researchers discovered a way to ease that suffering by restoring the tiny energy factories inside damaged nerve cells.
A UK surgeon is using golden orb-web spider silk to help damaged nerves heal across gaps too large for the body to repair on its own. The natural material acts as a scaffold that lasts 150 days instead of just 10, potentially eliminating the need for painful donor nerve grafts.
A biotech company just secured critical patent protection in South Korea for a groundbreaking therapy that could help people with spinal cord and nerve injuries. The approval marks a major step forward in bringing this innovative treatment closer to patients who desperately need it. #
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2F3d%2F01%2F3d01b02f-4e5e-4d94-a911-23a06aee8783%2Fgettyimages-2239147250.jpg)
Scientists discovered that a genetic mutation helping yaks survive at extreme altitudes could lead to treatments for multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy. The breakthrough reveals how nature's adaptations might repair damaged nerve cells in people.
Dutch researchers used advanced X-ray imaging to create the first complete 3D map of the clitoris's nerve system, revealing surprising complexity that could improve surgical outcomes. The breakthrough closes a knowledge gap that has existed for decades in medical science.
Scientists at Oregon Health & Science University discovered that stress nerves help pancreatic tumors grow, opening doors to potential new treatments. The breakthrough could transform how we fight one of the deadliest cancers.
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2F26%2F47%2F26473c59-4662-411e-8ec8-ee32b9db206d%2Fclitoris.jpg)
Dutch researchers have created the first complete 3D map of the clitoris's sensory nerves, filling a gap that's existed for decades despite similar penis research being done 30 years ago. The breakthrough could transform surgeries for survivors of genital mutilation and improve gender-affirming care.
Scientists used microscopic worms to discover two promising treatments that could protect cancer patients from the painful nerve damage caused by chemotherapy. The breakthrough could help millions complete lifesaving treatment without debilitating side effects.
Scientists discovered that a gene helping yaks survive high altitudes can repair the protective coating around nerves damaged by multiple sclerosis. The breakthrough could lead to new treatments for MS and other conditions that currently have no cure.
British researchers have developed a revolutionary therapy that grows missing gut nerves from stem cells in just six days, offering hope for newborns with a life-threatening digestive disease. The breakthrough could end the need for repeated surgeries that many children currently face.
Scientists at the University of Central Florida are developing a groundbreaking treatment for diabetic neuropathy that could help millions avoid relying on opioids and antidepressants. A $747,000 federal grant will fund research into regulating nerve signals instead of just masking pain.
Children with broken femurs are getting dramatically better pain relief in emergency rooms, thanks to an ultrasound-guided procedure that slashes opioid use by nearly three-quarters. A groundbreaking study shows the targeted nerve blocks work better than traditional treatment without any added risks.
Scientists discovered that a common bone hormone can ease chronic back pain by stopping pain-sensing nerves from growing into damaged spine areas. The breakthrough could lead to treatments that target the root cause of pain, not just symptoms.
A University of Central Florida scientist just received nearly three-quarters of a million dollars to develop a treatment for diabetic neuropathy that doesn't rely on addictive painkillers. His fresh approach targets the root cause instead of just masking symptoms.
Austin Peay student Tahmar Upshaw just broke a 12-year-old Paralympic world record in the 800-meter race, beating the mark by three full seconds. Born with a nerve condition that limits his right arm, he's now setting his sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.
A 29-year-old man's dangerous heart arrhythmia disappeared the moment doctors performed a routine rectal exam. The surprising cure happened through accidental stimulation of a nerve that controls heart rhythm.
After decades of failed attempts, Finnish researchers have identified two drug molecules that successfully trigger myelin repair in multiple sclerosis models. Both compounds crossed the blood-brain barrier and worked through entirely different mechanisms to achieve the same remarkable result.
Showing 20 of 655