Science photography: Blood cells

Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of red blood cells (erythrocytes) and a white blood cell (leucocyte, pink, upper centre). Red blood cells are biconcave, disc-shaped cells that transport oxygen from the lungs to body cells. They circulate around the body in the blood and also remove carbon dioxide to the lungs for exhalation. Their red colour comes from the oxygen-carrying protein haemoglobin. Red blood cells are the most abundant cell in the blood. They have no nucleus and are about 7 micrometres in diameter. White blood cells perform functions ranging from cleaning up cellular debris, to defending the body against bacteria and other pathogens.

Science: Alzheimer’s disease.

MRI scan of the brain of a 65- year-old patient with Alzheimer’s disease. The front of the brain is at top in this view from below. The progression of this degenerative disease has caused atrophy in both halves of the brain, but especially at upper right and upper left (orange areas). The ventricles (centre, blue) have also been affected and are dilated from their normal size. The causes of Alzheimer’s are poorly understood, but it is associated with the formation of plaques of an insoluble protein (amyloid) in the brain, and decreased levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. It is incurable, but the symptoms can be treated with drugs to raise acetylcholine levels.

newyorker:

Cartoon of the day. For more cartoons from this week’s issue: http://nyr.kr/HciHWv

Heart Attack - Watercolor EKG painting

Source: Etsy - Artologica

Infographic: 15 Things you didn’t know about the dead.

Don’t be alarmed - interesting facts concerning death

Source: medicalinsurance

Curved sheets of fibers in the left hemisphere of a human brain are woven together like fabric, a new study reveals. 

Source: sciencenews

springwise:

Smart inhaler teaches users how to improve their technique

Miniature sensors have already been used in inhalers to inform physicians of usage patterns in theSpiroscout by Asthmapolis. Now Cambridge Consultants has developed the T-Haler, which uses wireless technology to gamify the procedure and help those with asthma get the optimum dose of the drug. READ MORE…

Medical Innovation: Electric underwear for bedridden and wheelchair bound.

Source: springwise

For those who are bedridden or wheelchair-bound, bed sores — also known as pressure ulcers — can be a serious health problem. Recently, however, a Canadian team of researchers have come up with a solution: Smart-e-Pants, electric underwear that combat the problem by sending a mild electrical current to the wearer’s backside every 10 minutes.