Goat Milk, Cow Milk, Spider Milk?!
Scientists in China have found a species of spider that produces a milk-like fluid to feed its young. Toxeus magnus, a jumping spider, is found in China and Taiwan. The mothers care for their spiderlings for as long as 20 days, unlike other mom spiders who leave the nest right away. During the newborn time, the mother feeds her babies a white fluid from her abdomen, which scientists discovered contains four times as much protein as cow’s milk. No word on whether this “milk” would give a human spidey sense.
Breakthrough for Alzheimer’s
Brain experts at West Virginia University’s Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute recently announced a potential breakthrough treatment for early stage Alzheimer’s. The procedure focused ultrasound waves through a specialized helmet on a spot in the brain, which opened up the brain-blood barrier — a nearly impenetrable shield between the brain’s blood vessels and cells that make up brain tissue. Opening the barrier allowed doctors to target the hippocampus and the memory and cognitive centers of the brain, which are impacted by plaques found in people with Alzheimer’s. The potential benefits will take some time to evaluate.
3
The number of hospitals in southeastern Virginia that hold the highest stroke center designation. Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center in Norfolk and Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News are all rated comprehensive stroke centers through the DNV GL-Healthcare Comprehensive Stroke Certification Program. These hospitals provide the most advanced stroke treatment available.
1.71
The average number of days it takes to poop out a LEGO, according to a study published in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. Six doctors in Australia and the U.K. swallowed minifigure heads for the experiment that examined ingested foreign objects.
6
The number of fries a Harvard dietician said you should eat in a single serving.
Hospitals are Tech Savvy
All three health systems in Hampton Roads have been recognized among the national’s Most Wired, according to a yearly survey of how hospitals are using information technology. Bon Secours, Riverside and Sentara health systems and its hospitals were named in the 2018 survey, which identifies best practices and promotes the strategic use of health care IT to elevate the health and care of communities around the world.
$250,000
The amount of a donation recently received by the Virginia Health Care Foundation. The donation, from Optima Health, will help the foundation promote new eligibility criteria for Medicaid. Determine eligibility at the state’s Medicaid website at coverva.org or call 855-242-8282.
