Welcome to Fitmodo, your regular weekly round up of the news you need to know to keep your earthly form in top shape — from fitness advice to breakthroughs in medical research.
This week: controlling machines with your mind, how age damages sperm, a new diet to help fight diabetes and suturing wounds with lasers.
Australian Scientists Found A Way To Control Machines With Your Mind, No Brain Surgery Required
The US military is looking for ways to insert microscopic devices into human brains to help folks communicate with machines, like prosthetic limbs, with their minds. And now, Australian scientists are saying they have found a way to do just that — without ripping open patients’ skulls.
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The Older You Get, The More Likely It Is You’ll Have Mutated ‘Selfish’ Sperm Cells
It’s well established that older men are more likely to pass on a genetic disorder to their offspring, but we’re learning more about why this happens: As men age, their sperm mutates more frequently. This is bad news for men who want to have children later in life.
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Australian Researchers Develop Low Carb, High Protien And Fat Diet That Fights Diabetes
Adelaide researchers have developed a diet and exercise program which has proven to be highly effective in reducing the burden of type 2 diabetes, with an average 40 per cent reduction in medication levels. The diet incorporates an eating pattern that is very low in carbohydrates and higher in protein and unsaturated fats.
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Experts Say CSIRO Climate Science Job Cuts Will Put Australian’s Health At Risk
More experts have raised concerns about the recent job cuts at CSIRO, stating that climate science “underpins planning and programs for the health sector in Australia with climate modelling used by health researchers to identify issues, monitor changes, plan a response, and prepare resources”.
They describe the planned cuts to climate research as “a shocking and poor decision” that must be reversed.
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Someday, Suturing A Wound Will Involve Lasers
A certain medical dye will stick together when hit by a laser, effectively suturing a wound without the need for staples or traditional sutures. But the dye will only penetrate as deep as the light does, so this method only works on superficial wounds. The solution is a biological wave guide to direct the light deeper into the wound.
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Scientists Isolate Gene Responsible For Rare Vibration Allergy
A small segment of the population is literally allergic to vibrations, an annoying condition that gives rise to hives and other symptoms. Researchers at the NIH have now isolated the genetic mutation responsible for the disorder, and it’s offering new insight into related conditions.
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Also catching our eye:
- Lifehacker Australia has checked out the new Microsoft Band 2 — here’s the review.
- When was the last time you thought about how often you wash your bed sheets, and if it could be effecting your health? Business Insider has all the info you need, and it’s probably not great news.
- Find out what happened when Popsugar Austrlia’s Health and Fitness editor followed Ronda Rousey’s strict diet for three weeks.