Eye Health News and Research

Latest Eye Health News and Research

Blocking Epac1 protein slows lung fibrosis in preclinical models

Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and collaborators have identified a previously overlooked protein, Epac1, as a key driver of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a chronic and progressive lung-scarring disease.

15 Jul 2025

Senegal becomes ninth African country to eliminate trachoma

The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Senegal as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. Senegal becomes the ninth country in WHO's African Region to have achieved this feat.

15 Jul 2025

Light-activated drug discovery identifies broad-spectrum antivirals

UC Santa Barbara researchers and collaborators from campus biotech spinoff Integrated Biosciences, as well as Harvard, MIT and genomics company Illumina Ventures are using optogenetics - the use of light to probe the functions of living tissue - to find compounds to help our bodies more effectively help themselves in times of physiological stress.

15 Jul 2025

Novel AI-powered retina tracker detects eye disease in under one second

A novel AI-powered retina tracker can analyze retinal images with near-perfect accuracy in under one second, according to a study being presented Monday at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in San Francisco, Calif.

15 Jul 2025

New imaging technique reveals mitochondrial activity inside live animals

In this study, researcher developed a new imaging approach that combines two powerful techniques to solve this problem. First, a special type of microscope called a two-photon microscope is used, which can look deep into live tissues with minimal damage.

14 Jul 2025

Uncovering the hidden architecture of the genome in three dimensions

In biology textbooks and beyond, the human genome and DNA therein typically are taught in only one dimension. While it can be helpful for learners to begin with the linear presentation of how stretches of DNA form genes, this oversimplification undersells the significance of the genome's 3D structure.

12 Jul 2025

Autistic adults describe mental strain of nonverbal communication

Imagine having a conversation where every gesture and glance feels like a test. You're juggling eye contact, facial expressions, and tone of voice, all while trying to keep up with the words. You might miss something, or someone might misread you.

11 Jul 2025

Burundi eliminates trachoma and sets example for disease control in Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Burundi as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, making it the eighth country in WHO's African Region to reach this important milestone.

11 Jul 2025

Who’s policing opioid settlement spending? A crowdsourced database might help

After years of legal battles, state attorneys general won billions of dollars in opioid settlements from drug companies accused of fueling the addiction crisis. They declared victory at press conferences, and some touted the deals during their gubernatorial campaigns.

11 Jul 2025

Doulas, once a luxury, are increasingly covered by Medicaid — even in GOP states

As a postpartum doula, Dawn Oliver does her best work in the middle of the night.

10 Jul 2025

New insights into the lasting biological and social effects of childhood maltreatment

Childhood maltreatment leaves a lasting impact that goes far beyond physical injuries or fading memories.

9 Jul 2025

New Scientific Statement outlines future research directions for type 1 diabetes

A new Scientific Statement released today by the Endocrine Society highlights potential research directions related to the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) that should help with the development of new and improved treatment options.

9 Jul 2025

Mindfulness meditation boosts attention across all age groups

A new study from the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology reveals that just 30 days of guided mindfulness meditation can significantly enhance key aspects of attentional control - especially how quickly and accurately people direct their focus - regardless of age.

9 Jul 2025

Why vitamin B6 could raise the risk of hypoglycemia for people with diabetes

A large-scale Mendelian randomization study found no genetic evidence that vitamins A, C, or D reduce the risk of major diabetic complications. However, higher genetically predicted vitamin B6 levels were strongly associated with increased risk of diabetic hypoglycemia, warranting caution with supplementation.

8 Jul 2025

Coffee ring effect inspires breakthrough in rapid at-home tests for disease detection

Got a sore throat and the sniffles? The recent rise of rapid at-home tests has made it easier to find out if you have a serious illness like COVID-19 or just a touch of spring allergies.

8 Jul 2025

Artificial intelligence enhances radiologists’ accuracy in breast cancer detection

Artificial intelligence (AI) improves breast cancer detection accuracy for radiologists when reading screening mammograms, helping them devote more of their attention to suspicious areas, according to a study published today in Radiology, a journal of the Radiological Society of North America.

8 Jul 2025

Virtual mindfulness meditation apps improve cognitive focus in adults

Studies suggest mindfulness meditation can improve cognition, but few researchers have examined whether virtual mindfulness meditation apps are effective.

7 Jul 2025

Retinal cells rewire to preserve vision in retinitis pigmentosa

Scientists at the Jules Stein Eye Institute at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA have discovered that certain retinal cells can rewire themselves when vision begins to deteriorate in retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic eye disease that leads to progressive blindness.

7 Jul 2025

Unlocking the brain’s language to fight Alzheimer’s

June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. With an estimated 55 million people living with Alzheimer's Disease and other forms of dementia worldwide, advancing understanding of these complex diseases is critical to finding new treatments, and potentially, cures.

7 Jul 2025

Fluorescent drug helps surgeons see nerves clearly during complex procedures

When surgeons dissect tissue to remove a tumor or make a repair they must work cautiously, relying on electrophysical monitors and their own anatomical knowledge to avoid cutting nerves, which could complicate the patient's recovery.

4 Jul 2025