Welcome to the KentConnects blog, where we provide tips, best practices, examples, and more helpful information to improve your processes, boost your efficiency, and make your lab work smarter and safer.
Spring has arrived, and with it several new discoveries related to fertility and birth. Exploring the complexities of fertility and reproductive health has long been a focal point of scientific study, with researchers utilizing animal models to gain insights into the intricate mechanisms underlying fertility-related issues.
Animal research has long been a cornerstone of scientific exploration, providing invaluable insights into the intricate workings of various biological systems, including the complex roles the liver plays in metabolism, detoxification, and immune function. New studies have made some important discoveries related to liver function and its implications for biomedical science and clinical practice.
As of 2023, an estimated 6.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Without a significant scientific breakthrough to cure or prevent the disease, that number is projected to double by 2050. Scientists all over the world are striving to achieve such breakthroughs, with animal research offering several promising avenues.
Can we artificially regenerate things we’ve lost, like hearing, bone, brain function, or even memories? Several new studies have revealed different repair and regeneration mechanisms in mice, sparking hope that these findings might pave the way for humans to recover things they’ve lost.
The brain continues to be one of the richest areas of preclinical research, with experiments with mice helping researchers uncover a wide range of new insights into the intricate workings of the brain. From mapping the cell types in the mouse brain to developing virtual reality (VR) goggles for mice and exploring the neurobiological processes behind daydreaming, these advancements are reshaping our understanding of neural mechanisms and helping researchers unravel the secrets of the brain.
Paralysis and spinal injuries have long been among the most challenging and devastating conditions for patients and healthcare providers. However, recent preclinical research offers potential breakthroughs in the field of spinal injury treatment and paralysis management.
While much animal research is devoted to understanding bodily functions and finding treatments and cures for serious diseases and conditions, sometimes the target is a more everyday concern. Recent mouse studies have shed new light on hair loss and may point to possible treatments.
According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), 39 million people worldwide were living with HIV as of 2022, and there were 1.3 million new infections in 2022 alone.
Sugar is known to cause a number of health problems in humans, and sugar substitutes may be no better. In May 2023, the World Health Organization issued new guidance discouraging the use of non-sugar sweeteners (NSS), citing the findings of a systematic review of the available evidence, which suggests using NSS does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children and may lead to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and mortality in adults. New studies continue to confirm these findings, uncovering troubling new issues with all types of sweeteners.
Addiction is a complex condition with both physical and psychological causes and effects, which, coupled with the wide variation in addictive substances, makes it difficult to treat effectively. New research with mice and rats has uncovered potential new treatments that effectively reduce addictive behavior with no side effects.