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The energy changes in the miracle of hearing

Hearing depends on a rapid series of energy changes. A vibrating source, such as the vocal cords, creates sound waves — acoustic pressure waves moving through the air. When those waves reach the eardrum, the ear converts the acoustic energy (sound) into mechanical energy (physical movement) through the three small bones of the middle ear. That mechanical motion then pushes on the fluid-filled cochlea, changing the energy into hydraulic pressure waves. As these waves travel through the cochlea, they stimulate thousands of tiny hair cells, which convert the motion into electrochemical ...

WHO sees ‘encouraging signs’ in Congo Ebola fight, but warns cases in one eastern region are surging

GENEVA (AP) — The head of the U.N. health agency is hailing “encouraging signs” in the fight against an Ebola outbreak in one part of eastern Congo, while warning that case counts are rising fast in another as officials race to tamp down the virus. World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Wednesday that signs of gaining ground against the Bundibugyo virus, the rare species behind the outbreak, have emerged in Ituri province. But he said that the situation is one of “many outbreaks in many places.” “We are now starting to see encouraging ...

Electric bike and scooter safety tips every parent should know

STATE COLLEGE — E-bikes and e-scooters are showing up everywhere, in neighborhoods, on trails and in school parking lots. They’re convenient, fun and increasingly popular with kids and teens. But they also come with additional risks compared to traditional bikes and scooters. Emergency ...

From symptoms to solutions: How to recognize and treat kidney stones

Kidney stones are hard, solid deposits of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys, affecting millions of adults each year. These painful structures develop when urine becomes overly concentrated, allowing substances like calcium, oxalate, uric acid and cystine to crystallize. Over time, these tiny crystals bind together to create stones that range in size from tiny sand grains to larger, obstructive masses. While smaller stones can pass through the urinary tract completely unnoticed, larger deposits can trap urine and cause physical discomfort and health complications if left ...

UPMC expands neurosurgery team in Williamsport

WILLIAMSPORT — UPMC welcomes Hudin Jackson, M.D., neurosurgeon, to the UPMC Neurological Institute at Williamsport. Dr. Jackson earned her medical degree from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Conn., and completed her neurosurgery residency and enfolded spine ...