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Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 20, 2024 at 10:26am

Adding sweetener to coffee enhances 'night-owl' effects of caffeine, research reveals

Adding sugar or artificial sweeteners to coffee disrupted the body clocks in mice more than coffee on its own, researchers have found, with it causing day and night to be reversed in some mice. If this holds for humans as well, adding sweetener to coffee would have significant health ramifications.

If you need to perk yourself up in the morning, or stay up late to get some work or a school assignment done, most people will make themselves a cup of coffee or grab an energy drink containing caffeine. These "night-owl" effects of that perky chemical are far from unknown.

A myriad of epidemiological studies have demonstrated how night-oriented people tend to drink more caffeinated beverages than morning people, and experiments on animals and cells have shown how caffeine works to extend the waking period of the internal body clock.

But a group of researchers accidentally discovered that changes in the activity rhythms of mice were affected even more strongly when they mixed caffeine with sugar or other sweeteners.

The mice that had consumed the caffeine-sweetener mix experienced a very long "free-running" sleep-wake period of 26–30 hours, and some even switched from a nocturnal circadian rhythm to a daytime-based one.

These effects continued to happen even when the mice were subjected to persistent darkness. This latter phenomenon suggests that the caffeine-sweetener effect is operating independently of the central regulator of the internal body clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which lies in the hypothalamus in the brain. That central regulator itself is normally governed by light and the natural day-night cycle, and it in turn ensures a synchronization of clocks situated in organ tissue elsewhere in the body.

The researchers think that the combination of caffeine and sweetness may be creating a conflicting signal within the body possibly mediated by another famous chemical, dopamine. Both caffeine and sweeteners activate the reward system in the brain, leading to the release of dopamine. It is this double hit of dopamine that could be contributing to the emergence of the long-period activity rhythms.

The researchers now aim to investigate further the possible dopamine link and see whether the boost to caffeine produced by a sweetener is replicated in humans. While this initial study only looked at the effects in mice, the findings may have important implications for our understanding of how sweetened caffeine affects human health.

 Yu Tahara et al, Sweetened caffeine drinking revealed behavioral rhythm independent of the central circadian clock in male mice, npj Science of Food (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41538-024-00295-6

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 20, 2024 at 9:48am

Climate change could trigger more earthquakes, study suggests

A recent  study published in the journal Geology demonstrates that climate change can affect the frequency of earthquakes, adding to a small but growing body of evidence showing that climate can alter the seismic cycle.

Geoscientists analyzed the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in southern Colorado, a range with an active fault along its western edge. Their results indicate that the fault had been held in place under the weight of glaciers during the last ice age, and as the ice melted, slip along the fault increased. This suggests that earthquake activity along a fault could increase as glaciers recede.

Climate change is happening at a rate that is orders of magnitude faster than we see in the geologic record.

We see this in the rapid mountain glacial retreats in Alaska, the Himalayas and the Alps. In many of these regions, there are also active tectonics, and this work demonstrates that as climate change alters ice and water loads, tectonically active areas might see more frequent fault movements and earthquakes due to rapidly changing stress conditions.

It is well known that climate adjusts to seismic changes in the Earth's surface. The tectonic uplift of mountain ranges alters atmospheric circulation and rainfall, for example.

The Sangre de Cristo Mountains were covered with glaciers during the last ice age. Using remote-sensing and field data, the researchers reconstructed where the ice was, calculated the load that would have been pushing on the fault, and then measured displacement of the fault, or how much it had shifted.

The study found that fault slip rates have been five times faster since the last ice age than during the time the range was covered in glaciers. This research may preview how other glacier-adjacent faults will respond to a warming climate.

And this is compelling evidence. 

The research adds to our understanding of what drives earthquakes, which is important for hazard assessment. Faults in areas with rapidly retreating glaciers or evaporating large bodies of water may need to be monitored for increasing earthquake activity.

Cecilia Hurtado et al, Exploring the impact of deglaciation on fault slip in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Colorado, USA, Geology (2024). DOI: 10.1130/G52661.1

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 20, 2024 at 9:40am

This new  sunscreen uses TiO₂ nanoparticles to cool skin while blocking UV rays

Wearing sunscreen is important to protect your skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation but doesn't cool people off. However, a new formula, described in Nano Letters, protects against both UV light and heat from the sun using radiative cooling. The prototype sunblock kept human skin up to 11 degrees Fahrenheit (6 degrees Celsius) cooler than bare skin, or around 6 °F (3 °C) cooler than existing sunscreens.

Radiative cooling involves either reflecting or radiating heat away from something, cooling whatever's underneath. It is already used to create cooling fabrics and coatings that could both cool and heat homes, among other applications.

Some passive radiative cooling technologies rely on an ingredient called titanium dioxide (TiO2) because the whitish substance reflects heat. TiO2 particles are also used in mineral sunscreens to reflect UV light, but the particles aren't the right size to produce a cooling effect. So, researchers  wanted to tune the size of TiO2 nanoparticles to create a sunscreen that works both as a UV protector and a radiative cooler.

The team created their sunblock by combining six ingredients: TiO2 nanoparticles, water, ethanol, moisturizing cream, pigments, and a common silicone polymer used in cosmetics called polydimethylsiloxane. By carefully adjusting the sizes of the TiO2 nanoparticles, they produced a material that reflects both UV light and solar heat, imparting the cooling ability.

The new formulation demonstrated an SPF of about 50, water resistance and continued efficacy after 12 hours of simulated sunlight exposure with a xenon lamp. Additionally, when applied to both animal and human skin, the product didn't cause irritation.

In tests on people in a hot and humid outdoor environment, the new radiative cooling sunscreen was found to keep the participants' skin up to 10.8 °F (6.0 °C) cooler than bare skin, and up to 11.0 °F (6.1 °C) cooler than commercially available sunscreens. The formulation is inexpensive, costing only $0.92 for 10 grams of the mixture—on par with sunblocks already on the market.

Jiaqi Xu et al, High-Performance Radiative Cooling Sunscreen, Nano Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c04969

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 19, 2024 at 12:41pm

Your lifestyle may be aging your brain faster than you think

New research has found a relationship between lifestyle choices that affect dementia risk and early signs of aging in the brain.

Researchers discovered reduced white matter volume and an imbalance in electrical activity in the brains of participants whose lifestyle factors were linked to a higher risk of dementia.

It appeared factors like dietary habits, sleep patterns and physical activity levels, could already be affecting the brain before any signs of cognitive decline.

In the same way that sun safety choices can present on your skin and affect your future cancer risk, the researchers found a relationship between a person's lifestyle choices, their brain health, and their future dementia risk.

Even in very healthy older adults, higher modifiable dementia risk was connected to two major indicators of brain health—white and the brain's ability to balance its electrical activity.

It appears that the dementia risk of your daily choices is "painted" onto the canvas of your brain. The good news? The paint is still wet, and you're holding the brush.

Thomas Pace et al, Modifiable dementia risk associated with smaller white matter volume and altered 1/f aperiodic brain activity: cross-sectional insights from the LEISURE study, Age and Ageing (2024). DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afae243

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 19, 2024 at 11:09am

What is metformin's secret sauce? New study shows how this drug works in living animals

Millions of people take metformin, a type 2 diabetes medication that lowers blood sugar. The drug has also been shown to slow cancer growth, improve COVID outcomes and reduce inflammation. So scientists are trying to determine how, exactly, the drug works.

A new study has provided direct evidence in mice that the drug reversibly cuts the cell's energy supply by interfering with mitochondria to lower glucose levels. More specifically, metformin blocks a specific part of the cell's energy-making machinery called mitochondrial complex I. In doing so, the drug can target cells that may be contributing to disease progression without causing significant harm to normal, healthy cells.

Colleen Reczek et al, Metformin targets mitochondrial complex I to lower blood glucose levels, Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ads5466. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ads5466

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 19, 2024 at 11:02am

Microplastics in the air may be leading to lung and colon cancers

Tires and degrading garbage shed tiny pieces of plastic into the air, creating a form of air pollution that  researchers suspect may be causing respiratory and other illnesses.

A review of some 3,000 studies implicates these particles in a variety of serious health problems. These include male and female infertility, colon cancer and poor lung function. The particles also may contribute to chronic pulmonary inflammation, which can increase the risk of lung cancer.

These microplastics are basically particulate matter air pollution, and we know this type of air pollution is harmful, say the researchers.

Microplastics are less than 5 millimeters—smaller than a grain of rice—and they are ubiquitous in the environment. Each year, companies around the world produce nearly 460 million metric tons of plastic. That is projected to reach 1.1 billion by 2050.

A major source of plastic in the air is driving. Friction wears down tires along with the road surface, sending plastic fragments into the air.

This new paper is the first systematic review of microplastics using gold standard methods approved by the National Academy of Sciences.

Researchers  urge regulatory agencies and policy leaders to consider the growing evidence of health harms from microplastics, including colon and lung cancer.

 Environmental Science & Technology (2024). 

Effects of Microplastic Exposure on Human Digestive, Reproductive, and Respiratory Health: A Rapid Systematic Review

doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c09524

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 19, 2024 at 9:55am

Elevated levels of 'forever chemicals' found in several smartwatch wrist bands

Smartwatches and fitness trackers have become ubiquitous forms of wearable tech, accompanying many people throughout their days (and nights). But they may expose the skin to so-called forever chemicals in the process. More expensive wristbands made from fluorinated synthetic rubber revealed particularly high amounts of one forever chemical, perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), according to a study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals that are very good at two things—lasting seemingly forever in the environment and repelling water, sweat and oil. Because of the latter properties, manufacturers include these chemicals in many consumer products, such as stain-resistant bedding, menstrual products and fitness wear, including smartwatch and fitness tracker wristbands.

The bands contain fluoroelastomers, synthetic rubbers made from chains of PFAS, to create a material that avoids discoloration and repels dirt. Though this durability makes the bands great for sweaty workouts, it might also present a source of these compounds to get under the wearer's skin—literally.

Researchers investigated several commercially available watchbands for the presence of fluorine as well as 20 individual PFAS.

The team screened 22 wristbands from a range of brands and price points, most of them newly purchased but a few previously worn. All of the 13 bands advertised as being made from fluoroelastomers contained the element fluorine. But two of the nine bands that did not advertise being made from fluoroelastomers also contained fluorine, which indicates the potential presence of PFAS.

Of those tested, wristbands that cost more than $30 contained more fluorine than those under $15. Next, following a chemical extraction, all the wristbands were checked for 20 different PFAS. PFHxA was found to be the most common, appearing in nine of 22 tested wristbands. The median PFHxA concentration was found to be nearly 800 parts per billion (ppb), and one sample exceeded 16,000 ppb.

The researchers suggest that the large amounts of PFHxA found in the wristbands may be a result of the compound being used as a surfactant during the fluoroelastomer manufacturing process.

 Recent studies suggest that a significant percentage of these forever chemicals could pass through human skin under normal conditions.

The research team recommends purchasing lower-cost wristbands made from silicone. If the consumer wishes to purchase a higher-priced band, they suggest that they read the product descriptions and avoid any that are listed as containing fluoroelastomers.

Presence of Perfluorohexanoic Acid in Fluoroelastomer Watch Bands, Environmental Science & Technology Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.4c00907. pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.estlett.4c00907

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 18, 2024 at 6:23am

The scientists also found that three metabolic pathways associated with the production of a building block for DNA and RNA—5-aminoimidazole ribonucleotide or AIR—were overabundant in the mycobiome of patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma. AIR is linked to purine production, necessary for energy metabolism and DNA synthesis.

The nasal mycobiome of individuals with allergic rhinitis and asthma differs from that of healthy controls in composition, structure and function, Frontiers in Microbiology (2024). DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1464257

Part 3

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 18, 2024 at 6:23am

To study the nasal mycobiome, the researchers recruited 214 participants from among children and young adults attending an immunology and asthma clinic in Porto. 155 patients had both allergic rhinitis and asthma, while 47 were only diagnosed with allergic rhinitis and 12 with asthma. 125 healthy controls were also enrolled.

The scientists took samples from the participants' noses using nasal swabs and sequenced the fungal DNA they found, focusing on two specific regions to identify different fungal species and develop an overview of each participant's mycobiome. After quality controls, they had 306 samples to work with.

They then used network analysis to understand the relationships between different genera of fungi, and to characterize the different communities of fungi present in healthy and sick participants. They also investigated the function of different fungi, looking at the metabolic pathways they affect, to try to understand the implications of any mycobiome variation between the groups of patients.
The most common families of fungi across all samples were Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. In these two families, 14 genera dominated the mycobiomes.

"Among these dominant genera we detected common fungi that have been recognized in humans as allergenic or opportunistic pathogenic fungi.
This suggests that the nasal cavity is a major reservoir for fungi that could be involved in allergic rhinitis and asthma.
There was a very clear and statistically significant difference between the patients with respiratory diseases and the healthy controls—and no significant difference between the different groups of patients with respiratory diseases. The patients with respiratory diseases had more diverse and richer mycobiomes.

The fungi sampled from patients with both allergic rhinitis and asthma also showed more evidence of connections between them than the fungi in the healthy participants' noses and those who only had allergic rhinitis. This could indicate that the fungi are affecting the nose's immune environment.
Part 2

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 18, 2024 at 6:21am

Patients whose allergies cause the sniffles have different fungi living in their noses, scientists discover

Several people have allergies that cause a runny nose. This respiratory disease, formally called allergic rhinitis and frequently associated with asthma, is a common problem around the world, and the upper airway is a key target for research into the underlying disease processes.

Now a global team of researchers has discovered that patients with allergy-induced sniffles and asthma have different fungal colonies or mycobiomes in their noses, suggesting potential lines of inquiry for future treatments.

This may suggest that allergic rhinitis increases the diversity and changes the composition of the upper airway's microbiome.

Allergic rhinitis causes sneezing, itching, inflamed nasal mucous membranes, and a blocked and runny nose. It's often comorbid with asthma, which also involves inflammation and obstructed airways. Allergic rhinitis and asthma may even be different aspects of the same airway inflammatory disease, which makes it critical to identify the links between them and the underlying causes.

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