New research by UCLA Health has found a simple blood test could provide faster and more accurate diagnosis of ALS by measuring cell-free DNA. The noninvasive test could not only allow neurologists to rule out other neurological diseases but also detect ALS disease earlier to provide better treatment and potentially improve life expectancy.

Oral cancer remains a serious health concern, often diagnosed too late for effective treatment, even though the mouth is easily accessible for routine examination. Dentists and dental hygienists are frequently the first to spot suspicious lesions, but many lack the specialized training to distinguish between benign and potentially malignant conditions.

A friend’s struggles with arthritis and the finger braces used to manage it inspired research by a Carnegie Mellon University student that could make it easier for patients to follow rehabilitation plans, speed up recovery times and help people manage chronic conditions.

Faulty versions of the LMNA gene can cause a wide range of health problems, including heart muscle disease (dilated cardiomyopathy) and muscle weakness (muscular dystrophies). Many of these diseases are caused by single-point mutations, which are changes to one DNA “letter” (base).