The five most-read posts on Scope this week were:
Human-sized microwaves to treat malaria?: While it may sound like something out of a science-fiction novel, researchers are investigating the use of low-power microwaves to destroy malaria parasites in the blood.
Reconnecting severed blood vessels without sutures: A team of Stanford researchers as developed a sutureless method that appears to be a faster, safer and easier alternative than the conventional approach of reconnecting severed blood vessels.
How laughter, anger may influence heart health: Anger and the inability to manage stress can harm your heart, while laughter can be an effective stress-reliever and improve cardiovascular function, according to a pair of studies presented this week at the European Society of Cardiology meeting.
Discussing sleep and work performance among health-care professionals: Associate professor Steven Howard, MD, is well known for his research on fatigue and sleep deprivation, especially as it relates to health-care professionals. In this Q&A, Howard discusses how fatigue negatively affects performance, the role cultural beliefs or societal pressures play in increasing the prevalence of sleep deprivation in our country and how organizations and professional societies can promote sleep as a priority among health-care professionals.
Old blood makes young brains act older, and vice versa: In a study published this week in Nature, Stanford scientists describe how naturally occurring blood-borne substances in the blood of old mice can make young brains act older. These substances, whose levels rise with increasing age, appear to inhibit the brain’s ability to produce new nerve cells critical to memory and learning.
