Tag Archives: researchers

Ground-Breaking Stem Cell Therapy Helps Paralyzed Patient to Walk – WorkersCompensation.com

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Sarasota, FL (WorkersCompensation.com) While stem cell therapy has shown much promise in treating some medical issues, the use of stem cell therapy has been somewhat controversial over the years. One reason for the controversy is due to the large number of businesses offering unlicensed and unproven stem cell treatments that are not approved by the FDA. However, one recent miraculous case study announced by Mayo clinic may have patients lining up for treatment.

According to statistics from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, there are around 18,000 new Spinal Cord Injuries (SCIs) per year. In the U.S., around 302,000 people currently live with an SCI, most of which have occurred from automobile accidents, falls, acts of violence, or sports activities.

Around 1.7 percent of the U.S. population has some kind of paralysis, of which 33.7 percent is caused by stroke and 27.3 percent is caused by an SCI. Besides impacting physical ability, households of paralyzed people earn around $15,000 per year less, and have lower percentages of employment. The ability to treat SCIs and other paralysis injuries to help them return to a normal life could have monumental implications.

Researchers from Mayo Clinic treated ten SCI patients with stem cells that were harvested from fat in their abdomen or thigh. The stem cells were expanded for a period of four weeks to 100 million cells, and then injected into the lower spine lumbar region.

Included in the study were six patients with neck injuries, and four patients with back injuries, none of which had significant changes in MRIs at one year. All patients were followed for a period of two years, with ten examinations occurring during that time period.

In SCI cases, the most recovery is experienced within the first twelve months after an injury occurs. Then the improvement gradually tapers off or stops at 12 to 24 months after the injury. In the Mayo study, the average time from injury to treatment was 11 months. However, one patient received the stem cell treatment 22 months after the injury and still improved one point on the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale.

Overall, the researchers noted 7 out of the 10 patients made improvements on the ASIA scale. The improvements noted included increased sensation to pinpricks and light touch, increased strength in muscle motor groups, and improvements and recovery in bowel function including voluntary contraction.

Two out of three patients with no feeling or sensation below mid-spine or thoracic region improved by 2 points on the ASIA scale, with sensation and voluntary contraction abilities in their lower regions. The researchers estimate that only 5 percent of people with a complete thoracic injury would be expected to regain any feeling or movement.

According to a recent report from Beckers Spine Review, Chris Barr who was paralyzed from the neck down for seven years after a surfing accident, participated in the study. In the five years since his treatment, he has improved his independence, and has gained the ability to walk and stand on his own, with continued improvements in walking speed.

Stem cells are known for moving towards inflammation, however their ability to interact with the spinal cord - which has very limited ability to repair or make new cells - is not fully understood. While the results of the study are promising, it may take years before the treatment becomes a common option for patients.

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Ground-Breaking Stem Cell Therapy Helps Paralyzed Patient to Walk - WorkersCompensation.com

ChatGPT linked to declining academic performance and memory loss in new study – PsyPost

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Students tend to turn to ChatGPT, a generative artificial intelligence tool, when faced with increased academic workload and time constraints, according to new research published in the International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education. The study also reveals a concerning trend: reliance on ChatGPT is linked to procrastination, memory loss, and a decline in academic performance. These findings shed light on the role of generative AI in education, suggesting both its widespread use and potential drawbacks.

The motivation behind this research stems from the explosive growth of generative AI technologies in educational settings. Despite their potential to assist in learning and research, theres a growing concern among educators about their misuse, especially in relation to academic integrity. Previous studies have largely focused on theoretical discussions without much empirical data to support the claims.

My interest in this topic stemmed from the growing prevalence of generative artificial intelligence in academia and its potential impact on students, explained study author Muhammad Abbas, an associate professor at the FAST School of Management at the National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences in Pakistan. For the last year, I observed an increasing, uncritical, reliance on generative AI tools among my students for various assignments and projects I assigned. This prompted me to delve deeper into understanding the underlying causes and consequences of its usage among them.

To understand these dynamics, the study was conducted in two phases. Initially, the researchers developed and validated a scale to measure university students use of ChatGPT for academic purposes. They began by generating an initial set of 12 items, which was refined to 10 after expert evaluations for content validity. Further refinement through an exploratory factor analysis and reliability testing led to the final selection of eight items that effectively measured the extent of ChatGPTs academic use.

The scale included items such as: I use ChatGPT for my course assignments, I am addicted to ChatGPT when it comes to studies, and ChatGPT is part of my campus life.

In the second phase of the study, the researchers sought to validate the findings from the first phase while also testing specific hypotheses related to ChatGPTs impact. The sample consisted of 494 university students who were surveyed across three timepoints, each separated by a 1-2 week interval.

This time-lagged approach allowed the researchers to first gather data on predictor variables (academic workload, time pressure, sensitivity to rewards, and sensitivity to quality), followed by the measurement of ChatGPT usage, and finally, the assessment of outcomes (procrastination, memory loss, and academic performance).

Abbas and his colleagues found that high levels of academic workload and time pressure were significant predictors of increased ChatGPT usage, suggesting that students under significant academic stress are more likely to turn to generative AI tools for assistance.

Students who were more sensitive to rewards were less inclined to use ChatGPT, indicating a possible concern about the academic integrity and the potential negative consequences of relying on AI for academic tasks.

Moreover, the study uncovered significant adverse effects of ChatGPT usage on students personal and academic outcomes. Increased reliance on ChatGPT was associated with higher levels of procrastination and memory loss, and a negative impact on academic performance, as reflected in students grade point averages. These findings suggest that while ChatGPT can be a valuable resource under certain circumstances, its excessive use might lead to detrimental effects on learning behaviors and outcomes.

One surprising finding was the role of sensitivity to rewards, Abbas told PsyPost. Contrary to expectations, students who were more sensitive to rewards were less likely to use generative AI. Another surprising finding was the positive relationship of generative AI usage with procrastination and self-reported memory loss and negative relationship between generative AI usage and academic performance.

Interestingly, the study did not find a significant relationship between sensitivity to quality and ChatGPT usage, suggesting that concerns over the quality of academic work do not necessarily influence the decision to use AI tools.

The findings highlight the potential dual impact of ChatGPT in academia, serving both as a helpful tool under academic pressure and as a potential risk to academic integrity and student learning outcomes.

The average person should recognize the dark side of excessive generative AI usage, Abbas said. While these tools offer convenience, they can also lead to negative consequences such as procrastination, memory loss, and compromised academic performance. Also, factors like academic workload, sensitivity to rewards, and time pressure play significant roles in influencing students decision to use generative AI.

The study provides important details about ChatGPT usage among university students. But the study, like all research, includes limitations. For example, the time-lagged design, while more robust than cross-sectional designs, does not entirely eliminate the possibility of reciprocal relationships.

The study suggests a one-way impact of ChatGPT usage on students academic workload and personal outcomes, such as procrastination and memory loss. However, its conceivable that these relationships could be bidirectional. For instance, students who are prone to procrastination might be more inclined to use ChatGPT, rather than ChatGPT usage leading to increased procrastination.

The research opens the door to investigating the broader effects of ChatGPT usage on students learning outcomes and health. Future research could delve into how reliance on generative AI tools affects cognitive skills, mental health, and overall learning experiences.

My long-term goals involve expanding this line of research to further explore through other methods, such as experiments, how excessive use of generative AI affects students outcomes, Abbas said.

The study, Is it harmful or helpful? Examining the causes and consequences of generative AI usage among university students, was authored by Muhammad Abbas, Farooq Ahmed Jam, and Tariq Iqbal Khan.

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ChatGPT linked to declining academic performance and memory loss in new study - PsyPost

Diet Sodas Linked to Heart Issues – Futurism

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Bad news for diet soda lovers: artificially-sweetened soft drinks may come with a heart-shaped price tag.

Published in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation:Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, the new research out of a Shanghai teaching hospital suggests that there may be a link between regularly drinking significant amounts of diet soda and dangerously irregular heartbeats.

As the Mayo Clinic explains, atrial fibrillation, the medical term for irregular heartbeats, is associated with a group of symptoms that also include heart palpitations, fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath.

Looking at a database cohort of more than 200,000 patients, the team comprised primarily of endocrinology researchers at the Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital found that over a period of nearly 10 years, those who drank more than 2 liters of sodas with nonsugar sweeteners were significantly more likely to develop a-fib compared to those who drank fruit juice or regular soda.

Specifically, the study indicates that people who drank more than two liters of diet beverages per week were 20 percent more likely to develop a-fib than those who don't drink any though the researchers struggled to explain exactly why it might cause the scary heart-related symptoms.

If you're thinking of switching back to regular soda, that's not a perfect solution either.The Shanghai researchers also found that drinking more than two liters per week of conventionally sweetened cola saw a 10 percent increase in a-fib symptoms.

When looking at the portion of the cohort that drank only pure, unsweetened fruit or vegetable juice, the researchers found something even more fascinating: they appeared to have an eight percent lower risk of developing irregular heartbeats than their soda-drinking counterparts.

While there's been lots of research looking into other negative health effects associated with diet sodas, Penn State nutritionist Penny Kris-Etherton pointed out in an interview withCNNthat this appears to be the first looking at its association with a-fib.

"We still need more research on these beverages to confirm these findings and to fully understand all the health consequences on heart disease and other health conditions," Kris-Etherton, an American Heart Association contributor who didn't work on the study, told CNN. "In the meantime, water is the best choice, and, based on this study, no- and low-calorie sweetened beverages should be limited or avoided."

At the end of the day, drinking a bunch of diet soda is still probably not as bad for your heart as, say, excessive alcohol intake, but the risk is serious enough to take seriously and to make those pure fruit juices look all the tastier.

More on heart health:Cannabis Use Linked to Higher Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke

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Diet Sodas Linked to Heart Issues - Futurism

COVID increases risk of schizophrenia? Read what a new study has found – IndiaTimes

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COVID cases are increasing globally. India recorded more than 4,400 COVID cases as on Friday. Cases of COVID have been increasing in the country ever since the first case of JN.1 variant was detected in Kerala. The JN.1 variant, an offshoot of the BA.2.86 variant is currently responsible for more than 60% of COVID cases in the US. In view of the emerging variants of the COVID-causing coronavirus, it is essential to know about the effects of the virus on the human body. A new study has shed light on the effect of COVID on the cognitive function of the brain. The study, not peer-reviewed yet, found a substantial increase in the likelihood of being diagnosed with a schizophrenia spectrum and psychotic disorder (SSPD) after experiencing moderate to severe illness due to SARS-CoV-2 infection, in comparison to a group of individuals who had non-Covid Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Our study is consistent with the known neurotropism of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and other reports of increased risk of major psychiatric disorders following Covid-19 infection, said Asif Rahman, from the Department of Industrial & Management Systems Engineering, West Virginia University. Further research is required to identify specific characteristics of populations and individuals who may be at a particularly high risk of developing SSPD and potentially other significant psychiatric conditions following Covid-19 infection. Understanding these psychiatric risks associated with Covid-19 is an essential component of our strategy to address the evolving landscape of long-Covid, added Rahman, in the paper posted on a preprint site. Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder characterized by distorted thinking, disrupted emotions, and abnormal perceptions of reality. It typically manifests in early adulthood, impacting a person's ability to function in daily life. Common symptoms include hallucinations (false sensory perceptions), delusions (false beliefs resistant to reason), disorganized thinking, and impaired social or occupational functioning. Long-term high fat diets linked to increased risk of COVID, finds study The exact cause of schizophrenia is unclear, but a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurobiological factors likely contribute. Genetic predisposition, neurotransmitter imbalances (particularly involving dopamine), and structural brain abnormalities are implicated. Subtypes of schizophrenia exist, with paranoid, disorganized, catatonic, residual, and undifferentiated forms identified. Treatment often involves antipsychotic medications to manage symptoms, therapy to enhance coping skills and social functioning, and support from mental health professionals, family, and friends. While medication can help control symptoms, the course of schizophrenia varies, and individuals may experience periods of remission and relapse. Early intervention and ongoing support are crucial for managing the condition. Stigma surrounding schizophrenia persists, highlighting the importance of education and understanding to promote empathy and effective mental health care.

How did the researchers find this correlation? Different from other studies, the team took acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and COVID lab negative cohorts as control groups to accurately gauge the impact of COVID on SSPD. Data from 19,344,698 patients were methodically filtered to create propensity-matched cohorts: ARDS, Covid-positive, and Covid-negative. They analyzed the hazard rate of new-onset SSPD across three distinct time intervals: 0-21 days, 22-90 days, and beyond 90 days post-infection. COVID positive patients consistently exhibited a heightened hazard ratio across all intervals, the findings showed. These are notably higher than both ARDS and Covid-19 lab-negative patients, the team said. Intriguingly, our data indicated that younger individuals face a heightened risk of SSPD after contracting Covid-19, a trend not observed in the ARDS and Covid-negative groups, they added.

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COVID increases risk of schizophrenia? Read what a new study has found - IndiaTimes

New hacker group uses old attack methods to breach Asian gambling companies – The Record from Recorded Future News

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Researchers have uncovered a previously unknown hacker group that uses simple and dated attack methods to target governments and businesses in the Asia-Pacific region.

Called GambleForce, the group has been active since September and has mainly targeted the gambling industry, according to the report by Singapore-based cybersecurity firm Group-IB.

GambleForce broadened its focus in recent months to include government, retail, and travel websites. As of now, it has 20 known victims in its portfolio, primarily located in Australia, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, South Korea, Thailand, and Brazil.

The attackers use a set of publicly available open-source tools designed for penetration-testing. They havent employed any unique modifications and keep almost all default settings on the tools.

They primarily infect their victims using SQL injections a type of cyberattack where an attacker manipulates a web application's database queries by injecting malicious SQL code. Researchers say this is one of the oldest attack methods, yet many companies are still susceptible to it.

SQL attacks persist because they are simple by nature, the researchers said. Companies remain susceptible to such attacks because they fail to address fundamental flaws.

The goal of GambleForces attacks is unclear. In some instances, the attackers stopped after performing reconnaissance, while in other cases, they successfully extracted user databases containing logins and hashed passwords, along with lists of tables from accessible databases, according to the researchers.

The threat actor attempts to exfiltrate any available piece of information within targeted databases, the report said. What the group does with the stolen data remains unknown so far.

After discovering GambleForce's malicious activity, the researchers took down its command and control server. However, they believe that the hackers will most likely regroup and rebuild their infrastructure to launch new attacks.

Group-IB didnt attribute this group to a specific country but said that they found commands written in Chinese. This fact alone is not, however, enough to determine the groups origin, researchers said.

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Daryna Antoniuk is a freelance reporter for Recorded Future News based in Ukraine. She writes about cybersecurity startups, cyberattacks in Eastern Europe and the state of the cyberwar between Ukraine and Russia. She previously was a tech reporter for Forbes Ukraine. Her work has also been published at Sifted, The Kyiv Independent and The Kyiv Post.

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New hacker group uses old attack methods to breach Asian gambling companies - The Record from Recorded Future News

Readers Want Publications to Label AI-Generated Content

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Trust Issues

With levels of distrust towards the news reaching new heights, some publications have begun experimenting with publishing artificial intelligence-generated content — which has been an unmitigated disaster in many instances.

And as it turns out, readers are becoming increasingly wary of the trend, which could only serve to erode their trust even further.

According to a new preprint study by researchers from the University of Oxford and the University of Minnesota, readers want news media to disclose if the article was AI-generated. But they also tend to trust news organizations less if they use AI-generated articles unless they list other articles that have served as sources for the AI-generated content.

"As news organizations increasingly look toward adopting AI technologies in their newsrooms," the researchers write, "our results hold implications for how disclosures about these techniques may contribute to or further undermine audience confidence in the institution of journalism at a time in which its standing with the public is especially tenuous."

Full Disclosure

For their study, the researchers surveyed 1,483 people English speakers located in the United States and presented them with a batch of political news articles that were AI-generated. Some were labeled as created by AI and some were not. Others were labeled as AI and contained a list of news articles that served as sources.

The researchers then asked the readers to rate the trustworthiness of news organizations by looking at the articles. The researchers found that readers rated content from news organizations that published articles labeled as AI-generated lower on an 11-point trust scale compared to news organizations that had articles with no disclosure.

Interestingly, articles that were labeled as being AI-generated weren't deemed by participants as being "less accurate or more biased," according to the paper. This tracks with the results of the appended survey participants also filled out: more than 80 percent of them want news organizations to label if content was AI-generated.

The researchers also noted some important limitations of their study, including pre-existing partisan divides and the associated variation in the amount of trust in the media. People may have also been put off by the lack of real-world associations of the mock news organizations named in the study.

It's a heavily nuanced topic that highlights the need for further research as well as more disclosure and a thorough vetting of generated content by news orgs.

"I don’t think all audiences will inevitably see all uses of these technologies in newsrooms as a net negative," coauthor and University of Minnesota researcher Benjamin Toff told Nieman Lab, "and I am especially interested in whether there are ways of describing these applications that may actually be greeted positively as a reason to be more trusting rather than less."

More on AI content: Sports Illustrated Union Says It’s "Horrified" by Publication of AI-Generated Writers

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Readers Want Publications to Label AI-Generated Content