Author: Bianca Nogrady

Bianca Nogrady is an Australian freelance science journalist, broadcaster and author - www.biancanogrady.com - @biancanogrady

Musical incentive program improves stride length in Parkinson’s

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From Clinical Neurology News, 2 August 2013: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – An iPod-based program using music as reward and behavioral reinforcement can lead to significant improvements in stride length and walking speed, according to data presented at the international congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders. The AmbuloSono system, developed by researchers from the University of … Continue reading Musical incentive program improves stride length in Parkinson’s

Neurosurgery consult not necessary for mild traumatic brain injury

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From Clinical Neurology News, 7 August 2013: Mild traumatic brain injury with intracranial hemorrhage can be safely managed by an acute care surgeon without the need for an inpatient neurosurgical consultation, a retrospective analysis has found. A study of 270 patients with mild traumatic brain injury and positive CT scan findings of intracranial hemorrhage – … Continue reading Neurosurgery consult not necessary for mild traumatic brain injury

Low-dose perioperative steroids effective in IBD patients

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From ACS Surgery News, 26 July 2013: Postoperative postural hypotension or adrenal insufficiency in patients with inflammatory bowel disease can be effectively prevented with low-dose rather than high-dose steroids, according to data published in the June 14 online issue of Annals of Surgery [doi: 10.1097/SLA.b013e318297adca]. “Corticosteroid-treated patients undergoing major colorectal surgery are commonly prescribed high-dose steroids … Continue reading Low-dose perioperative steroids effective in IBD patients

Adaptation and race against climate change

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From Ecos magazine, 15 July 2013: Five years ago, the federal government took what many felt was the visionary step of investing $50 million dollars in the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF). Despite its considerable achievements – which have been hailed globally – NCCARF last month failed to secure continued funding. The initiative … Continue reading Adaptation and race against climate change

Trained brains become more efficient

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From ABC News in Science, 5 August 2013: A study on monkeys has called into question the fundamental assumption that an active neuron is a hungry one; an assumption that underlies brain imaging techniques such as fMRI. Researchers compared levels of neuron activity and the amount of glucose uptake in the primary motor cortex of … Continue reading Trained brains become more efficient

Adaptation and the race against climate change

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From Ecos magazine, 15 July 2013: Five years ago, the federal government took what many felt was the visionary step of investing $50 million dollars in the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF). Despite its considerable achievements – which have been hailed globally – NCCARF last month failed to secure continued funding. The initiative … Continue reading Adaptation and the race against climate change

COPD may boost risk of cerebral microbleeds

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From Clinical Neurology News, 19 July 2013: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was associated with an increased risk of cerebral microbleeds – a marker of cerebral small vessel disease – independent of factors such as age, sex, smoking status, and cholesterol levels, according to a prospective, population-based cohort study. “Depression, postural instability, cognitive and functional impairment … Continue reading COPD may boost risk of cerebral microbleeds

Climate change adaptation initiative feted and farewelled

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From ABC Environment, 26 June 2013: A ‘VISIONARY’ federally-funded climate change research initiative has come to an end, leaving its extensive network of researchers — many of them recent graduates — pondering an uncertain future. The National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) was established in 2008, with a five-year, $50 million mandate to address … Continue reading Climate change adaptation initiative feted and farewelled

Rasagiline added to dopamine agonist has small benefit in Parkinson’s

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From Clinical Neurology News, 25 June 2013: Rasagiline is safe and efficacious as add-on therapy in patients with early Parkinson’s disease whose symptoms are not adequately controlled with dopamine agonist monotherapy, results from a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study suggest. Data from the ANDANTE study showed that adding rasagiline (1 mg/day) to dopamine agonist therapy led … Continue reading Rasagiline added to dopamine agonist has small benefit in Parkinson’s