Manual on meat inspection for developing countries
Scientists Make Breakthrough In Chronic Pain Treatment
Scientists have developed tiny robotic nerve "cuffs" to diagnose and treat neurological disorders. The flexible devices offer a safer, minimally invasive alternative to today's diagnostics and could also be used by amputees to control prosthetic limbs.
Today, many neurological disorders are diagnosed and treated using outdated, bulky electrode arrays that carry a high risk of nerve injury.
"Nerves are small and highly delicate, so anytime you put something large, like an electrode, in contact with them, it represents a danger to the nerves," said George Malliaras, a professor at the University of Cambridge's Department of Engineering and leader of this research, in a statement.
To overcome these difficulties, Malliaras and his colleagues at the British university used modern soft robotics technology to create small, flexible "cuffs" that can wrap around the nerves without the need for surgical sutures and glue. In fact, all they need is a tiny amount of voltage to change shape and form a self-closing loop around the target nerve cells.
An illustration shows a motor neuron cell. These cells are very fragile, but tiny robotic nerve "cuffs" have been developed to wrap around these cells without causing any damage to the nerve itself. An illustration shows a motor neuron cell. These cells are very fragile, but tiny robotic nerve "cuffs" have been developed to wrap around these cells without causing any damage to the nerve itself. Libre de droit/Getty"What's even more significant is that these cuffs can change shape in both directions and be reprogrammed," Chaoqun Dong, the paper's first author, said in a statement. "This means surgeons can adjust how tightly the device fits around a nerve until they get the best results for recording and stimulating the nerve."
The devices have so far been demonstrated in rats, with the results being published in the journal Nature Materials, but the team plans to perform further testing of the devices in animal models.
If all goes according to plan, the team says that these devices could be tested in humans within the next few years.
But how could they be used to actually treat patients? Well, let's say you had a patient with chronic pain. Electrical nerve implants like this could be used to block pain signals in the responsible nerves. These implants could also be used to stimulate specific nerves. For example, they could be used to restore movement in paralyzed limbs.
The ability of the device to open and close by itself also offers a range of potential avenues for developing highly targeted treatments, according to Malliaras.
"We might be able to have implants that can move through the body or even into the brain," he said. "It makes you dream how we could use technology to benefit patients in the future."
Is there a health problem that's worrying you? Let us know via health@newsweek.Com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured in Newsweek.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
How Ketamine May Be The Answer To Treatment-Resistant Depression
Once seen as nothing more than an anesthetic or a recreational drug, ketamine is now being ... [+] recognized for its potential in the world of mental health.
gettyAlthough it is not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration, off-label, supervised use of ketamine, a Schedule III substance, is allowed on a case-to-case basis in mental health treatment. What is FDA-approved, however, is esketamine, a close relative of ketamine that has shown promise in treating depression that isn't responding to the usual treatment methods including therapy and medication. This is not surprising, as there is substantial evidence of ketamine's therapeutic effects, with early studies linking its use to relief in depression symptoms.
More recently, ketamine is being studied for its therapeutic effects beyond depression. A study published in Ibrain suggests that ketamine could be beneficial in treating post-traumatic stress disorder and depression in patients who have failed to respond to traditional treatments such as talk therapy and psychiatric medications. Animal research, clinical trials and case reports have shown significant reductions in PTSD-related symptoms and rapid antidepressant effects.
However, the same study also raises some concerns over the long-term efficacy and safety of the drug, particularly in light of its effects on the nervous system.
Another recent article published in Missouri Medicine explores the availability of unsupervised and unregulated ketamine treatment through online for-profit companies. The review discusses the dangers of patients self-administering ketamine at home, particularly in the absence of proper medical supervision.
While ketamine's potential as a treatment for mental illness is undeniable and public interest in alternative therapies for certain conditions is evident, it's crucial to use caution and evidence-based practices in ensuring patient safety and wellness.
One mental health company that addresses the demand for novel treatments in treatment-resistant depression and other mental health conditions is Being Health. I spoke to Dr. Allie Sharma, co-founder and chief medical officer at the New York City-based company, to gain perspective on what is involved in ketamine infusion therapy and why it is likely to lead a change in how we approach the mental health of those who find traditional methods of treatment ineffective. Here are two important things I learned from our conversation.
1. There Are Safety Protocols And A Stringent Screening Process For Ketamine Infusion Therapy"Treatment-resistant depression is defined as at least two failed medication trials of antidepressants for the current episode of depression," Sharma explains. "We offer Ketamine Infusion Therapy for treatment-resistant depression, given that Ketamine has been shown in numerous studies to provide rapid improvement and durability of response and has the potential to make a long-lasting impact in people's lives by alleviating the symptoms of depression."
Being Health's ketamine-based treatment was developed over the course of nearly two years with experts in the fields of anesthesiology and psychiatry. It unfolds through a structured, five-step process designed to ensure the safety, effectiveness and personalized care for each patient undergoing ketamine infusion therapy. Here's a breakdown of the process:
This procedural approach ensures that individuals at risk or unlikely to benefit from ketamine are carefully screened out, prioritizing patient safety and the effectiveness of the treatment.
2. Ensuring Fair And Safe Access To Ketamine-Based Treatments Is ImportantA 2022 narrative review published in the Journal of Pain Research points to ketamine's beneficial and significant role in reducing symptoms of depression, both initially and over time. Interestingly, it was also found to have improved the psychotherapist-patient relationship, significantly enhancing treatment outcomes.
"KAP refers to a psychotherapy session conducted by a KAP therapist outside—not during or immediately after—the infusion. Therefore, the potential for ethical issues to arise during our KAP sessions is minimized since patients are not in an altered state of consciousness during the KAP sessions."
This measured approach to therapy involving ketamine is vital as it ensures that therapeutic benefits are maximized while maintaining the highest standards of patient safety and ethical treatment practices.
The FDA's approval of esketamine, a ketamine derivative, for specific depression cases marks a significant milestone, signaling a shift toward more widespread acceptance of these novel treatments. Another beacon of ketamine's potential in mental healthcare is the fact that some insurers are starting to offer coverage to certain stages of ketamine infusion therapy, such as initial consultations (for screening) and KAP sessions.
A commitment to safety, through rigorous protocols and expert-led care, exemplifies the responsible advancement in this field. As research continues, particularly in areas like PTSD and alcohol use disorder, and as other novel substances such as MDMA and psilocybin enter clinical trials, regulations are expected to evolve to ensure these therapies' safe and ethical use. This dynamic interplay between innovation and regulation underscores a hopeful direction for mental health treatment, promising more effective solutions for those grappling with persistent mental health challenges.
The Best Treatments For Teen Acne, According To Dermatologists
Schoolwork, ever-changing hormones and identity crises are all part of the teenage experience, but frequent breakouts might be the most common obstacle for teens.
Acne plagues an estimated 80% of people between ages 11 and 30 at some point in their lives, according to The National Institutes for Health. This can take a toll on teens' self-esteem: Adolescents and young adults who suffer from acne have higher rates of anxiety and depression, according to the New England Journal of Medicine.
I spoke to dermatologists about how to treat teen breakouts and the best acne-fighting ingredients to look for. I also compiled our experts' top picks for the best acne treatments to shop, along with products our NBC Select staffers used and loved as teens.
SKIP AHEAD How we picked the best teen acne treatmentsBest face cleansers for teen acneBest spot treatments for teen acneHow to treat teen acne
When treating teen acne, our experts recommend looking for the following ingredients and type of products to include in your everyday skin care routine:
Below, we gathered expert-recommended face washes and spot treatments that can help improve teen acne. All of the following products are noncomedogenic and include gentle or acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and adapalene.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Gel Facial Wash$22.99
Dermstore
$22.99
Ulta
$22.99
La Roche Posay
Noncomedogenic products like this La Roche-Posay face wash won't block pores, says Dr. Adnan Mir, assistant professor at New York Medical College and dermatopathologist at Dermpath Diagnostics in Port Chester, New York. This foaming cleanser is recommended by Dr. Mona Gohara, a dermatologist at Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut, because it's both noncomedogenic and contains zinc pidolate, which has astringent, anti-inflammatory properties shown to improve acne.
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin$15.48
$17.99
Amazon
$13.68
Walmart
$20.99
Ulta
"Foam-based cleansers are [best] for those with oily skin," says Jaber, who recommends this one from CeraVe. The cleanser has 4% benzoyl peroxide to fight acne-causing bacteria, hyaluronic acid to preserve the skin's natural moisture and niacinamide, which helps to calm irritation, according to our experts. It's fragrance-free, noncomedogenic and can remove any excess oil, dirt or makeup from the skin, according to the brand.
PanOxyl Foaming Wash$9.77
Amazon
$7.49
Ulta
$9.77
Walmart
This PanOxyl face and body foaming wash has 10% benzoyl peroxide, the highest concentration available without a prescription. This was also one of NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin's favorites as a teen: "It helped reduce the frequency of breakouts, but since I have sensitive skin, I used it every other day instead of every day." It works to clean and unclog pores and contains moisturizing ingredients to help combat dryness, according to the brand.
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash$9.48
$12.29
Amazon
$8.87
Neutrogena
$12.99
Walgreens
This expert-recommended acne face wash from Neutrogena has 2% salicylic acid to fight breakouts and remove dirt, oil, grime, impurities and bacteria from the skin, according to the brand. NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio says this was her go-to face wash when she was a teen because it stopped breakouts from forming. "I noticed it made a huge difference when it came to clearing up existing bumps around my cheeks and forehead," she says. The wash is also oil-free and noncomedogenic, so it's great for sensitive, oily skin. If you're using a salicylic acid cleanser for the first time, try using it every other day at first and eventually apply it daily depending on how your skin reacts, according to our experts.
Avéne Milk Cleanser$22.00
Amazon
$22.00
Dermstore
$25.99
Walgreens
Avéne's gentle, no-rinse cleanser is formulated with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, so it's hydrating enough to keep the skin barrier healthy, yet won't clog pores, says Gohara. It also works to remove makeup, dirt and oil and adds moisture back into the skin, according to the brand.
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment$20.81
Amazon
$16.79
Target
$14.97
Walmart
Differin Gel is a Select staff-favorite spot treatment that won our 2023 Wellness Award for best overall acne treatment. Malin says she started using Differin gel for her hormonal and cystic acne as a teenager since it is the only OTC retinoid that does not require a prescription. "It helped reduce my acne in a few days when I used it as a spot treatment, which, as a high schooler, was perfect because it made me less insecure about my skin," she says.
This treatment contains 0.1% adapalene, which regulates cell turnover along the pores to reduce clogging, according to our experts. "If there's one thing to pick to do for your acne, start using Differin gel at bedtime," says Jaber. Wash with a gentle cleanser, dry your skin fully and apply a pea size of Differin onto the entire face, according to the brand.
Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Treatment Gel$6.00
$13.39
Amazon
$10.77
$13.39
Walmart
$13.49
Walgreens
This spot treatment is a favorite of both Gohara and Jaber, and can reduce the size and redness of acne in just two hours, according to the brand. It contains 10% benzoyl peroxide, which inhibits the growth of the bacteria that causes acne, experts told us.
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, Glass Bottle Drying Lotion$18.00
Amazon
$18.00
Ulta
$18.00
Sephora
This quick-drying formula may be a good option for those looking to avoid benzoyl peroxide, experts say. It contains salicylic acid to fight acne and calamine to calm irritation, according to the brand. Simply dip a cotton swab into the pink sediment at the bottom of the bottle and dab it directly onto your pimple, according to the brand. The lotion dries quickly but leaves a pink, chalky residue, so the brand recommends using this product at night.
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads$38.00
Sephora
$36.00
Dermstore
$38.00
Ulta
These First Aid Beauty facial pads are made for sensitive skin because they can gently exfoliate using an alcohol-free (non-drying) formula, according to the brand. Recommended by Gohara, these pads have hyaluronic acid and white tea extract to hydrate and protect your skin. The brand recommends using this product in the morning and in the evening after cleansing and before moisturizing.
Combating acne can be tough, and finding the root cause — whether that's hormones, stress or genetics — can help you find the best solution. There are generally two ways to treat teen acne and pimples, according to our experts: preemptive face-washing with appropriate cleansers and spot-treating breakouts.
Wash your face with gentle, soap-free cleanserIt's important to remove any makeup before bed and to wash your face every day — twice a day if you have oily skin or if your face gets dirty throughout the day, like after a workout, says Jaber.
When it comes to face cleansers, look for gentle, noncomedogenic products, which means they won't block pores, says Mir. "Cleansers with ingredients like glycolic acid, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide can be very helpful for those with acne," says Jaber. "But be careful as they can be irritating and drying."
Spot treat pimplesAll three dermatologists we spoke to recommend spot treating pimples from the second they start to develop until they're just about gone. Look for a product containing a retinoid (a form of vitamin A that helps unclog pores), benzoyl peroxide (a topical antiseptic) or salicylic acid (an exfoliant that removes dead skin and unclogs pores), according to the experts.
What is acne?
Acne is a skin condition that primarily affects the face, shoulders, chest and back. Fueled by fluctuating hormones that increase oil production in the skin, breakouts happen when that oil (also known as sebum) combines with dead skin cells, clogs pores and traps bacteria, which then causes inflammation, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Indeed, both whiteheads and blackheads are clogged sebaceous glands, says Mir. (The black color is due to the oil reacting with oxygen, not due to dirt.) "People with acne have glands that make more oil and are more easily plugged," he says.
Though it affects teens, there's actually no standard age or period of time when this "oil surge" calms down, according to Gohara. "It's completely genetic," she says. "Some people never get it, for some people, it lasts five years."
What makes teen acne worse?
Minimizing or avoiding ways that could make acne worse is the key to reducing breakouts, according to our experts. In addition to a balanced diet and staying hydrated, excessive face washing and exfoliating, popping pimples and trying multiple new products at once can all exacerbate acne.
Washing your face too often
Believe it or not, washing your face too frequently can leave you susceptible to more breakouts. "One of the mistakes I commonly see with teens is they really want to get their skin better, and so they over-wash their skin," says Jaber. That can dry out skin, which can actually make breakouts worse, he says.
Piling on the trendy products
"Teens tend to turn to their favorite influencer and start putting what I call 'the kitchen sink approach' on their face," Gohara says, adding that this can "stoke the acne fire." Acne breakouts can take five days or more to disappear, so it's important for teens to stick to a basic routine and give their skin time to heal, she says.
Over scrubbing or exfoliating
Teenage skin already sluffs dead skin cells on its own, so using scrubs containing abrasive beads can be extremely irritating, according to Mir. Scrubbing should also be avoided: "Sometimes, teens think acne is from dirt and they start to scrub it, but scrubbing is bad," says Gohara. She recommends using a gentle, alcohol-free exfoliant once a week in the form of pads containing glycolic acid.
Don't pop pimples
Though it isn't the absolute worst thing a teen can do if the pimple has come to a head, all of our dermatologists warned against popping pimples. "Picking and popping pimples can lead to scarring, because you increase inflammation," says Mir. "Once in a while a dermatologist will do it, and some people feel a compulsion to pick and pop, but it's something that we like to discourage."
When should you see a dermatologist for acne?
If breakouts leave scars or don't respond to a regular routine of gentle cleansing, exfoliation and spot treatment, a consultation with a dermatologist might be in order, says Gohara. "Some people need something stronger to manage their acne, like an oral antibiotic," she says.
And teens shouldn't get discouraged: Though acne is often an annoying part of our teenage years, most cases are entirely curable, according to Gohara.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Mili Godio is an updates editor at NBC Select who has covered a variety of skin care topics, including products for rosacea, keratosis pilaris and cystic acne treatments. For this article, Godio and Manning-Schaffel spoke to three dermatologists to narrow down the best treatments for teen acne, and highlighted their recommendations for the best products to consider.
Vivian Manning-Schaffel is a freelance contributor at NBC Select.
Catch up on NBC Select's in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
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