Tag: Injuries

Thousands still detained in Ghana's witch camps:
In parts of Northern Ghana, poverty and fear lead to extreme abuse and the exile of people accused of 'witchcraft'. While many are killed or die from their injuries, hundreds are also forced to go to witches' camps.

ScienceDaily (Nov. 20, 2009) Researchers have shown how an experimental drug might restore the function of nerves damaged in spinal cord injuries by preventing short circuits caused when tiny "potassium channels" in the fibers are exposed.

The chemical compound also might be developed as a treatment for multiple sclerosis.

ScienceDaily (Nov. 10, 2009) The first human embryonic stem cell treatment approved by the FDA for human testing has been shown to restore limb function in rats with neck spinal cord injuries -- a finding that could expand the clinical trial to include people with cervical damage.

In January, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration gave Geron Corp. of Menlo Park, Calif., permission to test the UC Irvine treatment in individuals with thoracic spinal cord injuries, which occur below the neck. However, trying it in those with cervical damage wasn't approved because preclinical testing with rats hadn't been completed.

ScienceDaily (Nov. 10, 2009) The world record for fastest text message typing is held by a 21-year old college student from Utah, but his dexterous digits could mean serious injury later on. Most adults aged 18-21 prefer texting over e-mail or phone calls, and ergonomics researchers are starting to wonder whether it's putting the younger generation at risk for some overuse injuries -- once reserved for older adults who have spent years in front of a computer.

Watch out, weekend warriors! Weve got the rundown on how to prevent seven dreaded sports injuries.

After a sedentary work week, end-zone catches and 36-hole weekends can take their toll in common sports injuries. The seven most common sports injuries are:

1. Ankle sprain
2. Groin pull
3. Hamstring strain
4. Shin splints
5. Knee injury: ACL tear
6.  Knee injury: Patellofemoral syndrome injury resulting from the repetitive movement of your kneecap against your thigh bone
7. Tennis elbow (epicondylitis)