Dr. Krakauer's research investigates how various factors affect our speech and movement, especially after medical events like a stroke. He studies how divided attention impacts speech adjustment, revealing that our speech mechanisms often operate automatically rather than relying heavily on focus. His work on stroke recovery identifies distinct challenges individuals face when trying to move their fingers independently, shedding light on how brain pathways and muscle coordination factor into rehabilitation. Additionally, he looks at how body shape measurements can predict health risks, particularly for diabetes and kidney function, emphasizing that even non-obese individuals can have harmful fat distributions. His research also touches on genetic variations among populations, helping us understand human diversity from an evolutionary perspective.
Key findings
Divided attention slightly reduced immediate speech adjustments but did not affect later adaptations, indicating automatic speech control mechanisms.
Stroke patients showed a lack of coordinated finger movement due to both a loss of complexity in control and an unwanted bias toward moving fingers together, revealing two distinct issues.
For women, a 1-unit increase in the Allometric Body Shape Index (ABSI) was linked to worse kidney function; higher Hip Index (HI) was associated with better kidney health.
The Body Shape Index (ABSI) accurately predicted abdominal fat distribution in non-obese Asian Indians with type 2 diabetes with an accuracy rate of 82%.
L-canavanine was found in Hedysarum alpinum seeds at a concentration of 1.2%, suggesting potential toxicity linked to the death of Chris McCandless.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Krakauer study stroke recovery?
Yes, Dr. Krakauer studies how individuals recover from strokes, particularly focusing on finger movement and coordination.
What conditions does Dr. Krakauer's research help patients with?
His research benefits patients at risk for kidney problems, type 2 diabetes, and those undergoing rehabilitation after a stroke.
Is Dr. Krakauer's work relevant to speech therapy?
Yes, his work on divided attention and speech production provides valuable insights for speech therapists.
What is the significance of body shape indices in Dr. Krakauer's research?
He examines how body shape measurements can predict health risks, particularly for kidney function and diabetes complications.
Has Dr. Krakauer researched any safety concerns related to plants?
Yes, he studied the presence of a compound in certain plant seeds that may pose health risks, specifically in relation to foraging.
Publications in plain English
Divided Attention Has Limited Effects on Speech Sensorimotor Control.
2024
Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR
Krakauer J, Naber C, Niziolek CA, Parrell B
Plain English This study looked at how divided attention—like being distracted visually—affects people's ability to adjust their speech when sounds are altered. Researchers found that while divided attention slightly reduced immediate adjustments in speech, it didn't affect how people adapted in later attempts. This matters because it shows that our speech adjustments mainly work automatically, and any differences between people in how they adjust to sounds likely come from the speech system itself, not from how focused they are.
Who this helps: This helps speech therapists and researchers understand better how speech production works.
Allometric body shape indices, type 2 diabetes and kidney function: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study.
2023
Diabetes, obesity & metabolism
Kjaergaard AD, Krakauer J, Krakauer N, Teumer A, Winkler TW +1 more
Plain English This study looked at how different body shape measurements, not just BMI, relate to kidney function and type 2 diabetes. Researchers found that for women, higher levels of two body shape indices (ABSI and WHI) were linked to worse kidney function while a higher Hip Index (HI) seemed to help protect against kidney issues. For instance, a 1-unit increase in ABSI led to significantly higher levels of a marker for kidney damage in women, while higher HI was associated with lower markers for kidney damage in both men and women.
Who this helps: This research benefits patients at risk for kidney problems and type 2 diabetes, particularly women.
Loss of finger control complexity and intrusion of flexor biases are dissociable in finger individuation impairment after stroke.
2023
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology
Xu J, Ma T, Kumar S, Olds K, Brown J +3 more
Plain English This study looked at how people who have had a stroke struggle to move their fingers independently, which is critical for using their hands effectively. The researchers found that this problem stems from two distinct issues: a loss of complexity in how finger movements are controlled and an unwanted bias that makes certain fingers move together. Specifically, they discovered that people with stroke show a lack of coordinated finger movement which isn’t just a mechanical issue but also involves changes in brain pathways.
Who this helps: This helps patients recovering from a stroke by improving the understanding of their hand function and guiding rehabilitation.
A Body shape index significantly predicts MRI-defined abdominal adipose tissue depots in non-obese Asian Indians with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
2020
BMJ open diabetes research & care
Anoop S, Krakauer J, Krakauer N, Misra A
Plain English This study looked at how a specific body shape measurement called the Body Shape Index (ABSI) relates to fat distribution in the abdomen of non-obese Asian Indians with type 2 diabetes. Researchers found that the ABSI can effectively predict the amount of abdominal fat, with a high accuracy rate of 82% in identifying those with excess fat. This is important because even non-obese individuals can have unhealthy fat levels that increase their risk for diabetes complications.
Who this helps: Patients with type 2 diabetes and healthcare providers treating them.
Presence of L-canavanine in Hedysarum alpinum seeds and its potential role in the death of Chris McCandless.
2015
Wilderness & environmental medicine
Krakauer J, Long Y, Kolbert A, Thanedar S, Southard J
Plain English This study looked at whether a compound called L-canavanine is found in the seeds of a plant called Hedysarum alpinum, which may have played a role in the death of Chris McCandless in 1992. The researchers confirmed that L-canavanine is present in these seeds at a concentration of 1.2%. This finding suggests that eating these seeds likely contributed to McCandless's death, raising concerns about the safety of consuming them.
Who this helps: This helps patients and outdoor enthusiasts who may consider foraging for wild plants.
Effects of a single dose of isosorbide-5-mononitrate on the left ventricular diastolic function in systemic hypertension.
1989
The American journal of cardiology
Marmor A, Krakauer J, Schneeweiss A
Plain English This study looked at how a single dose of isosorbide-5-mononitrate affects the heart's left ventricle in 18 patients with high blood pressure. The researchers found that while the patients' blood pressure dropped significantly from 120 to 102 mm Hg, the overall heart function stayed about the same. However, the time it took for the heart to fill with blood increased, showing that the medication had effects on how the heart fills during relaxation, likely due to a reduced amount of blood returning to the heart from the veins.
Who this helps: This research benefits patients with high blood pressure by providing insights into heart function and treatment options.
Distribution of gene frequency as a test of the theory of the selective neutrality of polymorphisms.
1973
Genetics
Lewontin RC, Krakauer J
Plain English This study looked at how gene variations differ among human populations and whether these differences are due to natural selection rather than just random chance. The researchers found that among various human genes, there were significant differences in their gene frequencies, indicating that natural selection has played an important role, while tests on fruit fly populations showed no evidence of selection over time. This matters because it helps us understand how human genetic diversity is shaped, which can have implications for fields like medicine and genetics.
Who this helps: This helps researchers and geneticists studying human evolution and genetic diversity.