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Time of India
19 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Dogs can detect Parkinson's disease through smell, study reveals
Dogs' incredible sense of smell has long been used to track fugitives, find human remains, and uncover hidden drugs, but now, researchers say they can also detect Parkinson's disease with remarkable accuracy. In a recent study published in the Journal of Parkinson's Disease, two specially trained dogs identified the condition using skin swabs, with up to 80% success in detecting confirmed Parkinson's cases and up to 98% accuracy in ruling out healthy individuals. Scientists believe this discovery could pave the way for a quick, non-invasive, and cost-effective method for early diagnosis. Dogs trained to sniff out Parkinson's symptoms Parkinson's disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects movement, often causing tremors, stiffness, and coordination problems. One little-known symptom is the overproduction of sebum, an oily substance secreted by the skin. Researchers believe this excess sebum emits a distinct odour that dogs can be trained to recognise. Five dogs initially began training, but only two passed the rigorous selection process: Bumper, a 2-year-old Golden Retriever, and Peanut, a 3-year-old Black Labrador. These dogs trained on over 200 skin swab samples from both Parkinson's patients and healthy individuals, learning to identify the disease through scent alone. Promising accuracy in early diagnosis During double-blind testing, where researchers did not know which samples were from Parkinson's patients, the dogs demonstrated impressive accuracy. Bumper and Peanut correctly identified Parkinson's samples about 80% of the time and avoided false positives with 98% accuracy, even when other health conditions were present. Lead researcher Dr. Nicola Rooney of the University of Bristol said dogs could help develop early detection tools for Parkinson's, a disease that often goes undiagnosed for years. Claire Guest, CEO of Medical Detection Dogs, emphasised that early diagnosis could allow for interventions to slow disease progression and improve quality of life.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Dogs can detect incurable disease years before signs appear with near 100% accuracy
The lead author of the study said dogs' ability to sniff out the condition, that affects thousands of Scots, were "well above chance" Dogs are wonderful creatures and there is a reason they are often referred to as man's best friend. Most canines are loyal, affectionate, and there for you in times of hardship. And there is perhaps no tougher time than when you're ill. Now, new research has uncovered an astounding fact about pooches that could change the way we approach Parkinson's disease in Scotland, of which around 13,000 people have been diagnosed, and the number is growing, according to Parkinson's UK. Parkinson's disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years, according to the NHS. The main symptoms are tremors, slow movement, and stiff and inflexible muscles. A person with Parkinson's disease can also experience depression and anxiety, balance problems, loss of smell, insomnia, and memory problems. However, the new study has proved that people with Parkinson's disease have an odour that can be reliably detected from skin swabs by trained dogs. In a double-blind trial, the animals identified skin swabs from people with Parkinson's with up to 80 per cent sensitivity and 98 per cent specificity, even when other health conditions were present. The findings offer hope for a simple, non-invasive diagnostic method using biomarkers that appear long before traditional symptoms, potentially allowing earlier treatment and slowed disease progression. "We are extremely proud to say that once again, dogs can very accurately detect disease," said Claire Guest, Medical Detection Dogs CEO and Chief Scientific Officer. "There is currently no early test for Parkinson's disease and symptoms may start up to 20 years before they become visible and persistent leading to a confirmed diagnosis. Timely diagnosis is key as subsequent treatment could slow down the progression of the disease and reduce the intensity of symptoms." The Medical Detection Dogs and the Universities of Bristol and Manchester research was published on July 15 in The Journal of Parkinson's Disease. The study's two dogs were Golden Retriever, Bumper and Black Labrador, Peanut. Bumper and Peanut were trained by the charity, Medical Detection Dogs, to distinguish between sebum swabs from people with and without Parkinson's. As mentioned, in a double blind trial, they showed sensitivity of up to 80 per cent and specificity of up to 98 per cent. And not only that - they also detected it in samples from patients who also had other health conditions. The dogs were trained over a number of weeks on over 200 odour samples from individuals that had tested positive for PD and control samples from people who did not have the disease. Samples were presented to the dogs on a stand system and the dogs were rewarded for correctly indicating a positive sample and for correctly ignoring a negative sample. In the double-blind testing, meaning that only a computer knew where the correct samples were, each line was also presented in reverse order so that samples for which no decision was made were re-presented. Then any unsearched samples were collected together in new lines, until a decision had been made for all samples. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. A definitive diagnostic test for Parkinson's does not yet exist, so identification of potential biomarkers could help diagnosis and timely intervention. Nicola Rooney, Associate Professor at Bristol Veterinary School and lead author, said: "Sensitivity levels of 70 per cent and 80 per cent are well above chance. "I believe that dogs could help us to develop a quick non-invasive and cost-effective method to identify patients with Parkinson's disease."
Wales Online
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
Item of clothing can land you £100 fine while driving in heatwave
Item of clothing can land you £100 fine while driving in heatwave Fines could rise to £5,000 and nine penalty points in more serious cases Drivers have been warned of the dangers of driving wearing flip flops (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto ) As temperatures rise in Wales, drivers are being urged to think twice about their choice of footwear, particularly when it comes to flip-flops, sliders and sandals. Under Rule 97 of the Highway Code, motorists must ensure their clothing and footwear do not prevent them from using vehicle controls safely. Wearing shoes that slip off easily or reduce braking force could land you with a £100 fine and three penalty points for 'driving without due care and attention', and more if the case ends up in court. While it's not technically illegal to drive in flip-flops, it is illegal to drive unsafely, and police can issue penalties on the spot if your footwear is deemed a risk. A spokesperson for car repair experts at Bumper warned: 'Driving in flip-flops or loose summer sandals may feel comfortable, but it can quickly become dangerous. "These types of footwear offer poor grip and can easily slip off or get caught between the pedals. "We'd always recommend keeping a pair of secure driving shoes in your car during summer months to avoid fines, points on your licence, or worse, an accident.' Motorists found driving in unsuitable footwear could be prosecuted under careless driving laws. Article continues below Fines could potentially rise to £5,000 and nine penalty points in more serious cases. The penalty can also lead to increased insurance premiums. Experts recommend wearing shoes with a sole no thicker than 10mm, good grip, and secure fastening, such as laces or Velcro, to avoid accidental slipping. In recent years, drivers have admitted online to wearing open-toed shoes behind the wheel, with many unaware of the risks. Others note the lack of pedal control when wearing flimsy footwear, especially in manual cars where frequent foot movement is essential. The RAC has clarified that while there's no law explicitly banning flip-flops, drivers must be in full control of their vehicle at all times. Article continues below Driving barefoot or in unsafe shoes could compromise that control. With millions of expected to take to the roads for day trips and holidays this summer, road safety experts are calling on all drivers to check their footwear before they drive, and to treat driving as seriously as any other part of their journey.
Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Drivers could be fined £100 for not knowing common motorway rule
Motoring experts are urging drivers to be aware of the rules of the road as police are cracking down on a common driving offence that is committed on motorways every day Motorists are being warned they could be hit with fines and penalty points for one of the most frustrating habits on the UK's motorways. Police are ramping up efforts to tackle middle lane hogging, a practice all too common on motorways across the country, causing frustration day in, day out. Notoriously among the most overlooked driving regulations, many drivers are blissfully unaware that they're even making a mistake. Middle lane hogging happens when drivers remain in the motorway's middle lane despite the inside lane being clear, leading to unnecessary congestion as vehicles are forced to overtake by switching to the outer lane. It can clog motorways and irritate drivers. Middle lane hogging is listed amongst the most annoying kinds of driver behaviour in Britain, reports Birmingham Live. While ignorance can play a part, other drivers simply can't be bothered to switch back to the inside lane - or prefer driving there. Those caught lounging in the middle lane risk facing a hefty £100 fine and receiving three points on their licence. Warnings and driver education on the issue may precede penalties, giving offenders an opportunity to understand the error of their ways and its ramifications. A spokesperson for Bumper, leaders in car repairs, said: "Middle lane hogging might seem harmless to some, but it can have real consequences. "Not only can it earn you a £100 fine and three penalty points, but it also disrupts the natural flow of motorway traffic, causing frustration and potentially dangerous overtaking. "Staying in the left-hand lane when not overtaking is a simple rule that makes a big difference to everyone's journey. "With more drivers heading out for summer road trips, it's vital to brush up on motorway etiquette to avoid unnecessary penalties that could impact your insurance premiums." RAC explains why middle-lane hogging is bad The RAC website states that in busy periods, such hogging can cause congestion as traffic is forced into the outside lane to pass a lane hogger. Their site says: "If the driver in the middle lane moved over, the same traffic could be split over two lanes, spreading the flow of traffic to prevent it bunching up in the outer lanes. Many also see staying in the middle lane as selfish, because if someone is correctly following the Highway Code and driving in the inside lane when they catch up with a middle-lane hogger, they then need to move across two lanes to overtake the lane hogger to avoid 'undertaking'. "This also means the overtaker has to complete four lane changes in total, instead of two."
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Drivers warned about taking one medicine on long trips that could lead to £1,000 fine
Experts have warned drivers setting off on long summer trips to think twice about taking travel sickness medication, as side effects could lead to fines of up to £1,000. Concerns are rising about how over-the-counter remedies such as travel sickness tablets containing hyoscine hydrobromide which might impair driving ability. Bumper, a provider of interest-free car repair finance, has issued a warning that side effects from these medications could affect concentration and control behind the wheel, potentially resulting in legal penalties. A spokesperson from Bumper explained: 'Driving while experiencing side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision could lead to a £1,000 fine for not having proper control of the vehicle or a clear view of the road ahead. "If you're unsure whether it's safe to drive after taking travel sickness medication, it's important to consult a doctor or pharmacist before getting behind the wheel.' To avoid relying on medication, Bumper recommends these tips to help prevent travel sickness naturally: Avoid heavy or greasy meals before travelling Stay hydrated with water or chamomile tea Chew gum to ease nausea Take turns driving if possible Keep the car well ventilated Distract yourself with music or conversation The NHS website says of hyoscine hydrobromide: "It is a travel sickness medicine that belongs to a group of medicines called anticholinergics or antimuscarinics. "It's thought to work by affecting your inner ear and your brain to control vomiting. It also relaxes the muscles in the walls of your stomach. "Hyoscine hydrobromide comes as patches that you stick to your skin and tablets that you suck, chew or swallow. "It can also be given by injection, but this is usually only done in hospital. It is given to reduce the amount of saliva in your mouth which can help with symptoms if you're having palliative or end of life care. "You can buy the tablets and patches at pharmacies." Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice.
