2oceansvibe News | South African and international news

Sponsored by RSAWeb rss
2ov Radio
  • Home
  • About
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Seth Rotherham
  • du Cap Collection
  • Café du Cap
  • Cabine du Cap
  • Media Packs / Advertising
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Anonymous Tips
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
Seth Rotherham
  • Who Knew That Earwax Was So Revealing?

    05 Nov 2020 by Carrie in COVID-19, Health, Lifestyle, Science
    Related Posts
    • Ever Heard Of The Intern Who Stole Moon Rocks From A Secure NASA Facility So He Could Have Sex With His Girlfriend On It?
    • Crazy Video Of Researcher Trying To Close Door In Freezing Antarctic Winds [Video]
    • True Story: Researchers Investigated Three 'Zombie' Cases In Haiti
    • Scientists Create Rechargeable Batteries That You Can Eat
    • Make Yourself Feel Really Puny With NASA's New Black Hole Video

    [imagesource: TaPhotograph/Getty]

    Earwax is one of those things that you don’t really think about until you’re standing in the Q-tip aisle in Clicks.

    But, according to a new study published in the academic journal Heliyon, it might be worth considering, in detail.

    Don’t worry, this isn’t going to be gross. It’s actually pretty interesting.

    Researchers have developed a device (below) that collects a sample from your ear, which is then shipped off to a lab.

    Once there, it is tested for cortisol, to monitor depression and stress-linked conditions.

    The device, according to The Independent, works in a similar way to an earbud and could point to a simpler and cheaper way to monitor the steroid hormone.

    They also think that the test could be used for measuring glucose levels, for monitoring diabetes, or potentially even COVID-19 antibodies.

    Lead researcher Dr Andres Herane-Vives, of University College London’s Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, said:

    “Cortisol sampling is notoriously difficult, as levels of the hormone can fluctuate, so a sample might not be an accurate reflection of a person’s chronic cortisol levels.”

    “Moreover, sampling methods themselves can induce stress and influence the results.”

    Image: Trears

    “But cortisol levels in earwax appear to be more stable and with our new device it’s easy to take a sample and get it tested quickly, cheaply and effectively.”

    A pilot study of 37 volunteers has already been carried out to test different cortisol sampling techniques.

    The research team, including scientists from the UK, Chile and Germany, sampled participants’ earwax using a standard syringe procedure, known to be somewhat painful, and then followed up a month later by using the same sampling in one ear, and the new device in the other.

    They also analysed hair and blood samples, finding that earwax yielded more results, making it the cheapest and most efficient method.

    “After this successful pilot study, if our device holds up to further scrutiny in larger trials, we hope to transform diagnostics and care for millions of people with depression or cortisol-related conditions such as Addison’s disease and Cushing syndrome, and potentially numerous other conditions.”

    He didn’t expand on how it might be useful for testing for COVID-19, but it looks like all of this is in the early stages.

    Earwax, hey – who knew?

    [source:independent]

    • ← Prince Charles Really Hates That You Throw Away Clothes [Video]
    • Trump’s Spiritual Adviser Is Clearly Taking Some Strain [Video] →
    • Tweet
    • Tags:
    • earwax
    • earwax study
    • earwax test
    • hormones
    • Science
    • Study

    Latest News

    • Scientists Generate ‘Electricity From Thin Air’ Using Humidity

      [imagesource:wallpaperflare] It seems that not a week goes by without someone coming up...

    • Our Central Bank Is Preparing For The Total Power Grid Collapse

      [imagesource:enca] Our country has experienced unprecedented levels of load shedding th...

    • Mountaineers Have Left The Himalayan Slopes In Absolute Tatters [Video]

      [imagesource: Tenzi Sherpa] Mountaineers have left the Himalayas in absolute shambles, ...

    • See You Soon – Boks Legend ‘Beast’ Hands Over Webb Ellis Trophy To France Ahead Of Rugby World Cup

      [imagesource:twitter/rwc2023] Bok legend, Tendai "Beast" Mtawarira, landed in France on...

    • June Watchlist Sorted – All The Best Shows Streaming This Month [Trailers]

      [imagesource:youtube] May has ended along with the final episodes of Succession, Barry,...


    • 2oceansvibe Partners

    • CONTACT US
    • GOT A HOT STORY?
    • 2oceansvibe Radio
    • 2oceansvibe Media
    • Media Pack
    • Seth Rotherham
    • Café du Cap
    • Cabine du Cap
    • Cape Town City Accommodation
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Business
    • Media
    • Entertainment
    • Tech/Sci
    • World
    • Travel
    • Lifestyle
    • Sport
    • Politics
  • Follow

    2oceansvibe.com is part of the 2oceansVibe Media Group

    DMMA Logo