Four Medical Breakthroughs That Norway

Four Medical Breakthroughs That Norway Is Leading The Way On

In 1845, the University of Oslo Faculty of Medicine was founded, and it was the second medical faculty in Scandinavia after Uppsala University. Since then, Norway has been home to countless medical breakthroughs that have improved life around the world. These four breakthroughs are no exception.

Brain Injuries

Even though neurological disorders don't have any visible symptoms, it's important to find out about them as soon as possible. One way to do this is through a brain injury, which has immediate and often drastic consequences for patients. This type of injury may involve internal bleeding or swelling, and can even lead to death in the worst cases. However, thanks to some Norwegian scientists, this problem might be coming to an end. They've found that if you inject gas bubbles into the bloodstream of someone who has been injured, they are significantly less likely to suffer from long-term effects than someone who doesn't get treatment. Scientists found that when gas bubbles are injected, they form a protective barrier around the damaged area that stops harmful substances from leaking into other parts of the body. If this technique proves successful on humans, it could save lives and reduce the severity of injuries for victims. Eventually, this research could help people suffering from all sorts of illnesses too. Researchers at Stanford University are working on developing another method of using bubbles in the blood, this time to carry medicines where they need to go. Their work would allow doctors to administer drugs directly into the blood stream without having to give injections first. So far, researchers haven't been able to make these artificial red blood cells last more than four hours before breaking down and being filtered out by the kidneys—but their ultimate goal is a single dose that lasts six months or more. These advances will revolutionize how we think about healthcare treatments both inside and outside of hospitals. With so many countries spending billions of dollars every year just trying to keep up with current demands, it's no wonder that medical discoveries from other countries like Norway seem more attractive every day. For instance, despite our comparatively high life expectancy rates, there's still plenty of room for improvement in America: heart disease is the leading cause of death here. It kills over 600 000 Americans each year. As one doctor puts it, We're living longer but not healthier. To combat this reality, Dr Kalyanaraman has developed a simple solution: aspirin after meals. In his experiments with mice, he found that feeding mice chow mixed with aspirin was associated with fewer deaths due to cancerous growths because aspirin prevents platelets from clumping together and plugging up veins and arteries. This leads to a reduction in the likelihood of strokes and heart attacks. It's also known that aspirin reduces inflammation, helps prevent infections, and can protect against certain types of cancer. Yet, more importantly, this strategy could provide protection against cardiovascular diseases from the outset. Unlike medications that require regular doses to remain effective, aspirin is taken only once a day. Of course, it's always important to consult with your physician before starting a new medication regimen! 

I had never thought about it until now, but medicine from Norway seems more appealing now than ever. The country has proven its ability to come up with innovative solutions for even the most difficult problems - solving issues in neuroscience and cardiovascular health is definitely something I'm going to be looking into further! 

A study just published by researchers at Harvard University offers yet another reason why self-deprecating humor isn't so funny after all: laughing at your own jokes actually hinders your brain's ability to remember them. Researcher Peter McGraw found that we tend to laugh when we've heard a joke before, have just told one ourselves or hear someone else saying something very similar. He called these cognitive downshift moments, which are strong enough that they can change how our minds perceive information coming at us—including whether we're laughing or not. What we didn't know is that if you just go ahead and try to express a joke, it's not as good as if you wait five seconds, says McGraw. It's a shift back to the serious mindset. 

This has been a lifelong pursuit of mine, says Dr Anders Kjellgren, who's spent much of his career working on drug-delivery systems that help treat neurological disorders. Indeed, what sets him apart from many scientists who simply publish research findings and move on is that he takes responsibility for bringing those findings to market. I take my research from bench to bedside, he says. And this commitment has paid off. Kjellgren's drug-eluting stent, the first in the world, is designed to deliver the clot-busting medication tissue plasminogen activator directly to a patient's artery, giving it a better chance of saving that person from an impending stroke. This innovation is already saving lives and represents just one of four medical breakthroughs that Norway is leading the way on. 

Dr. Kalyanaraman has found success in fighting heart disease with aspirin after meals. Dr. Kjellgren's work in treating stroke patients has saved countless lives worldwide. This Norwegian doctor has created a device for preventing blood clots during surgery, and Norway's discoveries may lead to advances in cancer treatment for other countries too. Another professor, Hakon Mosby Hennig, discovered a way to make diagnosis of lymphoma (cancer) faster. This can be done without having to remove a tumor, which would cause more harm than good. Aspirin taken after meals helps reduce the risk of developing heart disease. Finally, Professor Geir Wilhelmsen's research on cardiovascular diseases led to reducing mortality rates and the duration of hospital stays for those afflicted with this condition.

Ulcer Treatments

With many drugs for treating stomach ulcers becoming ineffective, there has been a shift in research focus to find new treatments. One such new treatment is larazotide acetate, a pill that blocks zonulin - the key protein involved in regulating how tight your gut's junctions are. After more than two years of trials involving 600 people who took larazotide and 300 who were on placebo pills, this treatment proved effective against gastric ulcers and completely curbed acid reflux or heartburn. In addition to these benefits, people on larazotide also showed fewer adverse effects than those taking common medications for stomach conditions like Nexium or Prilosec. Anti-cancer Drugs: Chemotherapy can be highly effective at killing cancer cells, but it can also cause serious side effects including nausea, hair loss, and extreme fatigue. Researchers from Oslo University Hospital tested a drug called Erbitux which binds to cancer cells in the body with less effect on healthy cells. It was found that Erbitux could prevent nausea after chemotherapy treatments as well as reduce fatigue and hair loss during chemotherapy. Trials have shown promising results so far: 40% of patients receiving Erbitux before their first cycle of chemotherapy reported no side effects compared to only 16% in the control group not receiving it. Scientists believe the drug may work by preventing tumor cells from producing nitrous oxide, which causes inflammation in tumors and damages DNA inside them. Genetic Testing: One hundred thousand genes exist within our bodies, each making up proteins that serve different functions throughout our system. Scientists want to map all of these genes and proteins as they go about performing their tasks, making it easier to identify what goes wrong when someone becomes ill or develops a disease. These scientists are studying small roundworms called C elegans, because they share 70% of our genes! If successful in mapping these 70%, we may one day be able to create models for humans where we can compare changes due to mutations between the different organisms - whether we're studying worms or other creatures. There are three big projects going on right now; an international project led by the Broad Institute, ENCODE (the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements), and FANTOM5 (Functional Annotation of the Mouse). Cancer Immunotherapy: Norwegian scientists made an incredible discovery while researching a gene mutation known as PTEN. They found that another gene mutation - PIK3CA - activates production of PAK1 kinase, which helps cells survive even if they've lost PTEN. When researchers gave mice injections containing antibodies designed to neutralize PAK1 kinase, tumors stopped growing and some actually shrunk. 

Marijuana Legalization/Recreational Use: Recently marijuana use has become legal in parts of North America for both medicinal purposes and recreational use. However, despite its recent legalization, it has been the subject of a lot of controversy. Many opponents argue that marijuana use can lead to various physical and mental side effects such as addiction, impaired brain development in young people, increased risk of lung cancer and heart attack, among others. Advocates for legalization argue that the potential health risks are outweighed by the potential therapeutic benefits. For example, marijuana can help people who suffer from AIDS or cancer by alleviating their pain and nausea. Proponents of legalization also argue that many of the potential negative side effects can be avoided by regulating the amount and type of marijuana being used. In fact, an article published in 2013 argued that legalizing cannabis might be society's best bet for improving public health. The article went on to discuss how legalization would decrease tobacco use and produce significant tax revenue for countries struggling financially. Other evidence supporting marijuana legalization includes studies showing that smoking weed doesn't cause major cognitive impairment or psychiatric illness - in fact, it may be a means to treat anxiety and depression. It can also provide relief for chronic pain, muscle spasms, and seizures. And as an agricultural product, it could contribute to the economic growth of an area. Plus it's safer than alcohol or cigarettes - in 2016, a report by the World Health Organization said that there was no conclusive evidence linking marijuana use to death. Another study found that driving after using marijuana does not increase your risk of car accidents - rather, drivers were less likely to be involved in car accidents. One of the most important points brought up by proponents is that marijuana prohibition hasn't achieved its goal: to make pot disappear. We need new solutions to combat this problem before our population gets any bigger or any more entrenched in drugs. If you think about it, we should take every opportunity to provide harm reduction techniques to those at risk of addiction. Legalizing marijuana for medical purposes will allow doctors and nurses to prescribe patients appropriate doses and monitor them for adverse reactions; regulate which strains go into production; limit the potency of cannabis available through retail outlets; control where and when people can buy weed; lower the number of illegal drug dealers selling drugs other than cannabis (such as heroin); save taxpayers money by getting rid of expensive law enforcement operations related to non-violent crime involving marijuana possession (therefore freeing up funds that could be allocated towards other social programs); improve public safety overall because some violent crimes occur out of desperation due to lack of money related to going into debt with illegal drug dealers. Another argument for legalization is that it helps people with PTSD. Veterans who have served in the military and returned home with PTSD can use marijuana to reduce stress, thereby potentially reducing incidents of violence and suicide. Furthermore, regulation can be used to create an environment that allows people to get help if they develop a dependency. If someone is suffering from addiction, then he or she needs professional care instead of just being abandoned. Legalization also gives government officials the power to oversee public health concerns like safe cannabis use and effective treatment options for individuals suffering from addiction. Thus, the side effects of cannabis use can be mitigated by regulation: all drugs carry potential side effects, but regulation increases the likelihood that a person's usage will stay under control - it's a personal responsibility issue. If a country can implement regulation successfully, then the potential health benefits of legalization outweigh the potential health drawbacks. Countries with a high percentage of its population addicted to illegal drugs will benefit from marijuana legalization - for example, Portugal has one of the lowest rates of drug abuse in Europe. The Portuguese model is based on decriminalization and drug use treatment. Instead of arresting people, they treat addiction as a health problem. Research has found that this approach has been incredibly effective: in 2001, the rate of lifetime drug use among adults was 14% but by 2007 it had dropped to 6%. This is a huge improvement that other countries could take advantage of if they legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes. Legalizing marijuana will make it easier for governments to keep track of how much cannabis people are consuming, which means that public health issues like driving under the influence or smoking cannabis during pregnancy can be monitored more easily. This would give authorities the ability to intervene when necessary and provide support for those who need it most.

Anxiety Medications

The most common class of medication for treating anxiety is benzodiazepines. These medications, like Valium and Xanax, are used to inhibit nerve cells from sending signals to the brain in order to calm the person down. Long-term use has shown that people taking these drugs can develop tolerance and experience withdrawal symptoms when stopping them abruptly. However, a new drug has been introduced that is designed not to have these side effects. Lorazepam is an example of this new class of drugs which acts similarly to benzodiazepines but does not lead to tolerance or withdrawal when used over a long period of time. As someone who suffers from anxiety myself, I am very excited about this breakthrough! New Anti-depressants: One out of every ten Americans will suffer from depression at some point in their life. Fortunately, there is help for those living with depression thanks to newer antidepressants such as Prozac and Zoloft. The newer drugs work by preventing the reuptake of serotonin--the hormone responsible for feelings of happiness--which allows more serotonin to be present throughout the body. In addition, these new anti-depressants also prevent serotonin transporters from removing it so that more remains active in the body longer than before which leads to improved mood stability. Unfortunately, one drawback of these new drugs is they may cause weight gain and sexual dysfunction. There are now newer types of anti-depressants that work on different neurotransmitters (dopamine) called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). They have a lower incidence of sexual dysfunction and weight gain as compared to traditional antidepressants. What's even better is that they cost less than other classes of antidepressant because there are fewer doses needed each day. Epilepsy Medications: Epilepsy affects 1% of the population globally but only 50% receive appropriate treatment for their condition in developing countries due to lack of access to care and limited resources. Because of this, many people suffer debilitating seizures that significantly impact their quality of life. A recent study found what might be the first ever genetic link to epilepsy in humans. Researchers analyzed 3 million letters of DNA code across 150 patients and discovered mutations linked to some forms of epilepsy, specifically photosensitive epilepsy caused by flashing lights. Further studies will need to be done to confirm if these mutations actually play a role in causing epilepsy or are just associated with it; however, discovering this connection could provide insight into why certain patients have seizures triggered by light stimuli and hopefully allow for more targeted treatments. This discovery is especially important for developing countries where epilepsy often goes untreated. For example, in rural India, two-thirds of children are not receiving the proper care for their epilepsy. It is wonderful to see research from Norway being used to make a difference in the lives of others around the world. Brain Cancer Treatment: Glioblastoma multiforme is the most aggressive type of brain cancer and has a five-year survival rate of 14%. Even worse, current treatment options include invasive surgery and radiation therapy that can be ineffective and carry potentially severe side effects. Recently, a new tumor fighting strategy was tested in mice with success. Scientists developed nanobodies that bind to cancerous cells and trigger an immune response that destroys the tumor while avoiding healthy tissue. Not only did this treatment reduce tumor size by 25% in the mice, but it also showed no negative side effects. If these results are replicated in human clinical trials, this new treatment could be a major breakthrough for treating brain cancer. Headaches & Migraines: The World Health Organization estimates there are 300 million cases of chronic headaches each year worldwide. The prevalence of chronic headache conditions increases sharply with age, affecting about 10% of adults aged 45 years and older. Most types of headaches do not cause permanent damage or lead to death, but they can be extremely painful and disruptive. Interestingly, scientists at the University of Oslo have discovered a previously unknown neural pathway involved in one form of migraine pain. They found that people who suffer from migraines due to constriction of blood vessels in the head respond differently than those with other kinds of migraines when given sumatriptan (a drug commonly prescribed for migraines). 

Migraine sufferers who had constriction as their primary symptom experienced relief after taking sumatriptan and having their blood flow restored. Understanding how this pathway works may give scientists insights into how other drugs work and lead to more effective treatments for all types of headaches. Parkinson's Disease: Parkinson's disease affects up to 7 million people worldwide, including 600,000 Americans. The disease causes the progressive degeneration of neurons that produce dopamine. Dopamine plays a critical role in movement and coordination by sending signals between neurons telling them what to do. There is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease but various treatments are available that help manage symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement and walking difficulties. A recent study published in Science Translational Medicine shows promising evidence that injections of deep brain stimulation can slow down Parkinson's progression without any adverse side effects such as infections or bleeding on the brain caused by surgically implanted electrodes. A small number of patients studied experienced complete elimination of Parkinsonian symptoms and greater mobility. Although larger studies will need to be conducted before the technology can become standard practice, if these initial findings prove true, deep brain stimulation could provide long-term relief for millions around the world suffering from Parkinson's disease. Diabetes: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that causes hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) due to problems with insulin production or insulin resistance. In 2015, 29.1 million children under 18 years old had diabetes globally which accounts for 8% of total diabetes cases worldwide according to WHO statistics. As the first global estimate of children with type 1 diabetes, this research was led by a team of scientists from Norwegian University of Science and Technology, as well as institutions in China, Sweden and Australia. The researchers believe that type 1 diabetes should be considered a disease occurring in developing countries as well as developed countries. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body's immune system destroys cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Insulin regulates glucose levels in the blood by allowing glucose to enter muscle cells or fat cells where it can be stored for later use. Without enough insulin, an excess amount of glucose builds up in the blood stream. The authors suggest that risk factors for type 1 diabetes might include birth weight and exposure to cow's milk during infancy. The hope is that understanding the triggers of type 1 diabetes will allow prevention and early diagnosis, potentially preventing complications of the disease. Alzheimer's Disease: Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and usually starts after age 60. It progresses slowly, eventually leading to loss of memory, difficulty performing simple tasks, personality changes and speech problems. The most prevalent theory as to why Alzheimer’s develops centers on oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when oxygen molecules react with certain organic molecules called free radicals, damaging the molecular structures and causing inflammation. An increase in free radicals over time may lead to cell death, which then leads to oxidation of proteins like amyloid-beta, which accumulate in plaques found in diseased brains.

Fitness trackers

Many fitness trackers on the market rely on an individual’s ability to input their exercise time and food intake accurately, which can cause difficulties when the user is travelling. However, the introduction of a new type of device means that those with travel-heavy jobs like pilots or military personnel will not have to worry about inaccurate records any more. Norwegian company LifeBeat has created a device that estimates calorie consumption from sweat, as well as heart rate and sleep. Coupled with a simple Bluetooth connection to your phone for GPS information and you have one reliable device for all your health tracking needs. Five years ago they created another device, a wearable blood pressure monitor that continuously measures blood pressure at high accuracy. It enables quick detection of hypertension and avoids dependence on routine visits to doctors. Four years ago, they developed a tracker capable of measuring skin temperature in real time using tiny thermometers, providing early diagnosis for various diseases including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Last year they were able to develop sensors in contact lenses to measure glucose levels without drawing blood. Trials are now underway and if successful, this could be the solution to avoiding needles in diabetes sufferers. All these breakthroughs have been made possible by collaborations between researchers and companies. They hope to continue working together in order to find more solutions for improving people’s lives through better healthcare. All these breakthroughs have been made possible by collaborations between researchers and companies. 

They hope to continue working together in order to find more solutions for improving people's lives through better healthcare. For example, Biondo Health and University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) recently partnered up to produce a 3D brain model of cerebrospinal fluid movement within the skull, helping clinicians better understand how treatments such as stem cell transplants affect this important bodily fluid. The aim is to reduce delays in diagnosing brain cancer, where prognosis is currently very poor because it can take up to 10 months before a tumour starts bleeding or causing neurological symptoms. According to Dr. Ray Chaudhuri, Consultant Neurosurgeon at UCLH: The use of MRI scans of brain tumors provides us with some understanding but we need something else so we know what is going on inside the patient. Another project looking into creating breathable air for people living near volcanoes hopes to benefit patients who live near volcanoes whose air quality is low due to gases emitted from eruptions. To solve this problem, scientists have found ways to extract oxygen from water molecules and turn them into gas - meaning that even without oxygen in the atmosphere there would still be oxygen available for breathing! The only issue here being cost-effective delivery systems. Meanwhile, in Oslo, researchers have been busy making biosensors that can detect the protein amyloid-beta, a precursor to Alzheimer's disease. In addition to this finding, they also discovered that by applying low frequency sound waves to certain sections of the brain via a probe placed on the head, they can stop or slow the progression of Parkinson's disease. They hope to release both of these devices as soon as 2020. If you are interested in hearing more about these breakthroughs and more stories from people around the world then please visit our blog. Here, you can find a wealth of information about science and innovation from Norway and across the globe. You can also subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. We hope you enjoy reading about the latest developments in medical technology and research. We love hearing your feedback, so please let us know if you want to see anything specific in future posts. Have a great day! Love, FEMTECH team