Archive for February, 2010
New stem cell research may cure blindness due to macular degeneration.
02.26.2010Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. has filed a request with the FDA to test a treatment for macular degeneration. Advanced Cell would be conducting the clinical trial with the Foundation Fighting Blindness which is bound by 
National Institute of Health (N.I.H.) regulations.
A proposal by the N.I.H. would expand it’s current definition of human embryonic stem cells which would enable researchers that it finances to work with cells derived from blastomeres.
Advanced Cell pioneered the development of embryonic stem cells from blastomeres and has since learned how to convert these cells into the specific cells that form the basement membrane of the retina. Animal testing of these blastomere-derived cells has resulted in the retinal cells growing well and reproducing light-detecting rod and cone cells which resulted in the improved vision of the lab animals.
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
The chicken’s superior ability to see color may aid scientists
02.23.2010Researchers have mapped five types of light receptors in a chicken’s eye. What researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis discovered is that the receptors were laid out in interwoven mosaics which afforded the chicken the ability to see several colors in any given part of the retina.
Details of the study are in the February 1, 2010 journal of PLoS ONE. Scientists are hoping that this knowledge will allow them to use stem cells and other new therapies to treat the various genetic disorders that can cause various forms of blindness.
The difference between the avian and human retina is that humans have cones which are sensitive to red, blue and green wavelengths while birds have cones sensitive to red, blue, green and violet wavelengths. They can even detect some ultraviolet wavelengths. In addition, our avian friends have a double cone which is believed to help them detect motion.
Since many of the conditions that cause blindness in humans involve cones and rods, it is hoped that studying the organization of the chicken’s retina will help scientists understand and fix related problems in the human eye.
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
Avatar in 3D might cause visual problems in some people
02.20.20103D movies are making a huge comeback these days. Moviegoers flocked to the blockbuster “Avatar” and were dazzled by the 3D images. However, for a small percentage of people, 3D movies can be a real headache.
About 5 to 10 percent of people don’t have true depth perception and even more have trouble with their binocular vision. These are needed to see the 3D images in movies. Strabismus and amblyopia are both eye conditions which can cause the person to experience eyestrain which can in turn lead to a headache.
Strabismus is the professional term used when the eyes don’t align properly when focusing. Amblyopia? is the loss or lack of development of clear central vision in one eye, even when using eyeglasses or contact lenses. Even people who struggle to keep their eyes lined up and moving together will have trouble processing the 3D images.
People who have experienced trouble when viewing 3D images should consult their eye care professional and have an eye exam and have their stereoscopic vision assessed.
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
Poor impulse control associated with Type 2 Diabetes
02.17.2010A recent study published in the online journal BioPsychoSocial Medicine reveals that type 2 diabetics were much more likely to demonstrate poor impulse control in psychological testing than healthy people.
Standard testing of impulse control of newly diagnosed diabetics resulted in the diabetics making about 50% more errors of commission than normal controls, regardless of whether they were overweight.
Cognitive impairment did not play a role because the diabetic patients performed just as well as controls did on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test of executive function.
The findings of this study may explain why diabetic patients have difficulty adjusting to the lifestyle changes? of avoiding high-fat foods and daily exercise. Researchers would like to conduct further studies to determine the potential causal role of impulsivity in the development of type 2 diabetes. This could lead to the development of psycho-behavioral interventions aimed at improving impulse control which could be helpful in preventing or treating type 2 diabetes.
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
iPod use may cause near-sightedness
02.16.2010An increasing number of Americans are being diagnosed with myopia according to a study by the National Eye Institute. The dramatic increase could be due to the increased use of technological gadgets such as cell phones,? iPods and computers.
When the human eye spends so much time on “close up” activity, it has to compensate to see more clearly in the distance. This can lead to the eyeball becoming too long and developing too much curvature. This results in myopia.
Approximately 25 percent of Americans were diagnosed with myopia between the years of 1971 and 1972 compared to 41.6 percent between the years of 1999 and 2004. The increase in cases of myopia has far-reaching implications. People with serious myopia could develop far more serious eye conditions such as retinal detachments or retinal degeneration.
Ophthalmologists encourage those who engage in extended computer related activities to take frequent breaks and look out a window. This helps to relax their eyes. In addition, it is especially important that children engage in outside activities. This allows the children to see objects at all range of distances. Some studies have shown higher rates of myopia in children who spend less time outdoors.*
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
