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Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on August 30, 2024 at 9:28am

Fluid 'stickiness' in female reproductive tract could influence fertility

In a study providing important new insights into the development of the female reproductive tract and fertility, researchers have revealed how the thickness of fluid surrounding the egg can impact the cellular structure of the fallopian tube and how well the egg or embryo travels along it.

Published in Nature Communications, the Monash University study sheds light on how variations in the "stickiness" or viscosity of the fluid in the female reproductive tract influence how cells are modified to facilitate the transport of eggs for fertilization.

This study highlights the potential for new treatments that could mimic or modify the natural stickiness of fluids in the reproductive system, offering hope for advancements in fertility therapies.

When the fluid is thicker, the extra resistance causes the cells to change their behavior. Some cells start growing tiny hair-like structures called cilia, which help move things like eggs along the reproductive tract. The thicker the fluid, the more cilia these cells produce, and the more coordinated their movements become. This coordinated beating pattern can facilitate the formation of metachronal waves, essential for the transport of eggs and embryos.

The findings suggest that the natural stickiness of fluid in our bodies could play a key role in processes like fertilization.

The study suggests that the elevated viscosity at certain stages of the menstrual cycle could be a natural mechanism to enhance the formation and coordination of cilia, thus facilitating fertilization. This important aspect of natural fertilization and the role of higher viscosity fluid in the reproductive tract may need more careful evaluation as part of infertility diagnosis and assisted reproduction practices.

It provides insights into how the viscosity (thickness, stickiness) of extracellular fluid influences the behavior of epithelial cells lining the fallopian tubes and could be key to understanding and potentially treating fertility issues.

Melati S. Abdul Halim et al, Fallopian tube rheology regulates epithelial cell differentiation and function to enhance cilia formation and coordination, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51481-9

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on August 30, 2024 at 8:45am

Researchers map 50,000 of DNA's mysterious 'knots' in the human genome

Researchers have mapped 50,000 of DNA's mysterious "knots" in the human genome. The innovative study of DNA's hidden structures may open up new approaches for treatment and diagnosis of diseases, including cancer.

DNA is well-known for its double helix shape. But the human genome also contains more than 50,000 unusual knot-like DNA structures called i-motifs, researchers  have discovered.

Published recently in The EMBO Journal is the first comprehensive map of these unique DNA structures, shedding light on their potential roles in gene regulation involved in disease.

In a landmark 2018 study, the same  scientists were the first to directly visualize i-motifs inside living human cells using a new antibody tool they developed to recognize and attach to i-motifs. The current research builds on those findings by deploying this antibody to identify i-motif locations across the entire genome.

In this recent study, they mapped more than 50,000 i-motif sites in the human genome that occur in all three of the cell types they examined.

That's a remarkably high number for a DNA structure whose existence in cells was once considered controversial. These findings confirm that i-motifs are not just laboratory curiosities but widespread—and likely to play key roles in genomic function.

I-motifs are DNA structures that differ from the iconic double helix shape. They form when stretches of cytosine letters on the same DNA strand pair with each other, creating a four-stranded, twisted structure protruding from the double helix.

The researchers found that i-motifs are not randomly scattered but concentrated in key functional areas of the genome, including regions that control gene activity.

They discovered that i-motifs are associated with genes that are highly active during specific times in the cell cycle. This suggests they play a dynamic role in regulating gene activity.

They  also found that i-motifs form in the promoter region of oncogenes, for instance the MYC oncogene, which encodes one of cancer's most notorious 'undruggable' targets. This presents an exciting opportunity to target disease-linked genes through the i-motif structure.

The widespread presence of i-motifs near these 'holy grail' sequences involved in hard-to-treat cancers opens up new possibilities for new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. It might be possible to design drugs that target i-motifs to influence gene expression, which could expand current treatment options.

Human genomic DNA is widely interspersed with i-motif structures, The EMBO Journal (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s44318-024-00210-5

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on August 29, 2024 at 11:06am

"There is weaker evidence for castor oil improving hair quality by increasing hair luster, and no strong evidence supporting its use for hair growth. Argan oil, or Moroccan oil, also does not have any significant evidence to improve hair growth or quality."

These oils might help with overall scalp health but are not substitutes for proven treatments prescribed by dermatologists.

Hair loss treatment is dictated by the type of hair loss. For the most common type of hair loss, pattern alopecia, or androgenetic alopecia, minoxidil is an over-the-counter topical treatment approved by the FDA for hair regrowth for both men and women. Platelet-rich-plasma can also be performed by dermatologists, which can help in certain hair-loss diseases. Hair transplants are a surgical option for more permanent results.

"Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals is essential for hair health.
Practicing stress-reducing activities such as meditation and regular physical activity, as well as getting enough sleep are all important for a healthy scalp. Other important points are avoiding tight hairstyles, and harsh chemicals and treatments that can damage the hair and minimizing the use of heat styling tools like blow dryers, curling irons and straighteners.
Claim: Botox now means younger looking skin later
Botox is a type of neuromodulator that can prevent the formation of wrinkles that form from facial movements by temporarily paralyzing the muscles responsible for these movements. Starting Botox in your 20s might be a preventive measure to reduce the appearance of fine lines later in life; however, it's important to consider the cost, potential side effects and the fact that it's not a permanent solution.

Regular injections will be needed, and the long-term effects of early use are still being studied. Other non-cosmetic uses for Botox can be to treat medical conditions such as chronic migraines or excessive sweating.

Social media trends are endless. The key to healthy skin is consistency, simplicity and working with a dermatologist who can provide expert advice that is specific for your skin needs.

Social media provides immediate access to information and often features visually engaging content. People are drawn to it because it offers convenience and relatability. Navigating social media advice with a critical eye and a focus on evidence-based practices will help you make better-informed decisions about your skin, nail and hair care. Visiting a dermatologist will allow for a proper consultation for skin conditions.
Source: Baylor College of Medicine

Part3

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on August 29, 2024 at 11:03am

Claim: Darker skin means no sunburn
While melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color, provides some natural protection against harmful rays, it is not a complete barrier against UV damage. Populations with darker skin can and do get sunburned, though it may take longer exposure to the sun compared to those with lighter skin. Although sunburn on darker skin might not always be as visibly red, a person will still experience pain and peeling. If left unprotected, people with darker skin will still experience premature aging, sunburn and an increased risk of skin cancer.

Claim: Toothpaste clears up acne
It is suggested that toothpaste can dry up pimples and other acne spots and make them disappear; however, it is not a recommended or effective treatment. Different toothpastes contain different types of ingredients that can irritate the skin, cause dryness and potentially make acne worse. But sticking to over-the-counter treatments that contain acne-fighting ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid that are safer and more effective.
Claim: Hair loss can be stopped or restored with different naturally occurring oils
Hair loss can be caused by numerous diseases, which is why it is important to see a dermatologist to uncover what it may be. There is anecdotal support that some oils can help with hair health, but there's limited scientific evidence backing their effectiveness for significant hair regrowth.
In one study, rosemary oil was shown to be effective in promoting hair growth after six months of use, and there are studies showing coconut oil can improve brittle hair, but there is limited evidence regarding its impact on hair growth.
Part2

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on August 29, 2024 at 11:01am

Social media skin tips debunked

With an endless feed of influencers, doctors and everyday people giving skincare advice, it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction. Dermatologists now are breaking down some of the most prominent social media skincare claims that can be simply ineffective or even dangerous.

Social media often encourages short, catchy tips rather than comprehensive, personalized advice. Even if an account is run by a board-certified dermatologist, social media advice can sometimes be overly simplified or generalized. Individual skin needs and conditions vary greatly, and what works for one person might not be suitable for another, say these experts.

Claim 1:  All adolescents need a product-intensive skincare regimen

With social media accessible to all ages, it is easy to find social media content directed at children and teens that make it seem like an intensive skin regimen is necessary for kids. However, using anti-aging products at a young age might be unnecessary and could potentially irritate kids' skin. Younger skin typically does not require advanced treatments, and overuse of certain products can disrupt its natural balance.

Children may benefit from using products formulated for sensitive skin, which are free from harsh chemicals and fragrances, and some children may require products specifically designed to address acne.

A recommended skincare routine is the same as one for most adults—a gentle cleanser to remove dirt and oil followed by a non-comedogenic moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated and finished with a daily use of sunscreen to protect from ultraviolet (UV) damage.

Claim: You can skip sunscreen

Baylor dermatologists stress that skipping sunscreen is not advisable. Sunscreens are defined by whether they have physical or chemical agents to protect against UV rays, which can lead to skin cancer.

Physical sunscreens, either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, act as a physical barrier that reflects and scatters UV rays away from the skin, while chemical sunscreens contain carbon-based compounds such as avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, octinoxate and others to absorb UV rays and convert them into heat, which is then released from the skin.

Some patients may have sensitive skin that could be agitated by certain sunscreens or reservations about the effects of chemical sunscreen on the skin; however, Visiting a board-certified dermatologist will help patients find the right sunscreen and answer questions patients may have about sunscreens.

Part1

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on August 29, 2024 at 10:53am

Women with higher levels of educational attainment tend to move delivery up in order to avoid the holiday, she explained, adding that this decision, which prioritizes the convenience of both mother and obstetrician, artificially shortens the pregnancy and may put the baby at risk.

Although the study focused on the Carnival period, Melo believes the tendency to opt for an earlier delivery is general and not confined to holidays.

The WHO recommends at least 39 weeks for a healthy pregnancy.

The authors of the article stress the need for public policy to limit preterm deliveries without medical justification in order to minimize the risks associated with premature birth and low birth weight.

Footnotes: 

1. https://www.newindianexpress.com/hyderabad/2017/Feb/11/c-sections-f...(measure%20of%20time).

----

Carolina Melo et al, The effect of birth timing manipulation around carnival on birth indicators in Brazil, Health Economics (2024). DOI: 10.1002/hec.4858

Part 2

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on August 29, 2024 at 10:50am

Preterm delivery by cesarean section is a growing tendency in some parts of the world and entails risks for babies, study shows

In India people choose delivery dates based on astrologers' advice. 'Auspicious days', 'good muhurths' are making them go for C-section pre-term deliveries. 

 

Some people in India choose to have a C-section delivery on an auspicious date or time, known as a muhurat, based on the belief that their baby will be more prosperous if born during this time. For example, in January 2024, some expectant mothers in Uttar Pradesh requested C-sections on January 22, the day of the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony in Ayodhya. Others have requested C-sections during the "Abhijit Muhurat" period between 11:45 AM and 12:45 PM. 

C-sections for an auspicious time of birth

People trying to ensure the entry of  a new member at the right muhurtam (1)

Both C-section and preterm deliveries are bad says science!

Now Brazilian researchers have investigated the effects of delivery date manipulation to avoid the Carnival holiday. Their findings suggest that Brazilian women are giving birth too early, impairing the health of their babies.

The evidence shows that many cesarean sections scheduled to take place during the Carnival holiday in Brazil are moved up or postponed. Researchers at INSPER, a private higher education and research institution in São Paulo city, investigated the effects of this manipulation of birth timing on infant health.

Their findings are reported in an article published in the journal Health Economics.

According to the article, postponement leads to an increase in gestational age and a reduction in neonatal mortality, while earlier delivery than scheduled entails a reduction in gestational age and birth weight, especially in high-risk pregnancies and at the lower end of the birth weight distribution. In net terms, the Carnival holiday increases gestational age by 0.06 days on average and reduces neonatal mortality and early neonatal mortality by 0.30 and 0.26 per 1,000 live births respectively.

study shows that delivery dates are extensively manipulated in the vicinity of the Carnival holiday. This is done by rescheduling C-sections, and mainly involves less vulnerable women with higher levels of schooling.

Part 1

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on August 29, 2024 at 10:02am

Why are cacti so diverse?

Cacti are among the most diverse plants, from the giant saguaro cactus that can grow up to 18 meters in height, all the way down to the tiny button cactus which is a few centimeters tall. A new study has shed light on the mystery as to why there are so many different types.

The work is published in the journal Nature Communications.

Researchers pieced together all known published data on cacti to better understand the driving forces behind the huge diversity of cacti species found today and built the biggest ever evolutionary tree for cacti using thousands of DNA sequences.

The team looked at a large number of biological variables, such as plant size, soil sand content, geographical range, aridity and diurnal temperature range (the minimum and maximum temperatures experienced over 24 hours). They correlated this data with biodiversity and rates of evolution of new species.

The new study found that temperature range during the day, sand content in the soil and seasonal changes are the biggest drivers of evolution in cacti.

 Jamie B. Thompson et al, Identifying the multiple drivers of cactus diversification, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51666-2

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on August 29, 2024 at 9:42am

LZ is intricately and innovatively designed to find direct evidence of dark matter—a mysterious invisible substance thought to make up most of the mass of the universe. Dark matter is particularly challenging to detect, as it does not emit or absorb light or any other form of radiation.

The LZ detector tries to capture the very rare and very faint interactions between dark matter and its 7-tonne liquid xenon target. To do this, LZ must be carefully and delicately calibrated and any background noise removed so the experiment can be perfectly tuned to observe these interactions.
These theorized elementary particles interact with gravity, which confirms the existence of dark matter in the first place, and possibly through a new weak interaction too.

This means WIMPs are expected to collide with ordinary matter—albeit very rarely and very faintly. This is why very quiet and very sensitive particle detectors are needed for WIMP detection.
At the center of the experiment is a large liquid xenon particle detector maintained at around -110oC, surrounded by photo-sensors. If a WIMP interacts with a xenon atom, a tiny amount of light should be emitted and the sensors will capture it. But in order to see these rare interactions, the team had to carefully remove as much as possible background radiation from the detector materials first.

But this is not enough and explains why LZ is operating around a mile underground. This shields it from cosmic rays, which bombard experiments at the surface of the earth. The detector and its cryostat sit inside a huge water tank to protect the experiment from particles and radiation coming from the laboratory walls.
For dark matter searches it is of vital importance to suppress any sources of background radiation, in particular neutrons and gamma rays. LZs veto detectors enable us to reject such processes and to gain the sensitivity to extremely rare dark matter interactions.

"Finally, LZ made sure that the liquid xenon itself is as pure as possible by carefully removing a key contaminant through a complex years-long process. Many complex systems had to come together for LZ to work, and these results show they are performing in seamless harmony.

Source: https://indico.uchicago.edu/event/427/overview

Part 2

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Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on August 29, 2024 at 9:39am

Dark matter, dark matter, where are you?

New results from the world's most sensitive dark matter detector narrow down its characteristics, edging closer to unraveling one of the biggest mysteries of the universe.

The LUX-ZEPLIN Dark Matter Experiment (LZ), based at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in South Dakota, US, has analyzed extensive data which gives unprecedented insights into one of the leading candidates for dark matter known as weakly interacting massive particles, also called WIMPs. The findings, presented recently at the TeV Particle Astrophysics 2024 Conference in Chicago, Illinois, and the LIDINE 2024 Conference in São Paulo, Brazil, are nearly five times more sensitive than previous investigations and indicate WIMPs seldom interact with ordinary matter, confirming just how difficult dark matter is to trace.
The results present a significant improvement over previous searches for WIMP dark matter. We have probed a large range of masses that dark matter could have and its interaction strength with normal matter but so far it remains elusive. Searching for dark matter is definitely a marathon and not a sprint, and with LZ still to collect roughly three times more data than was used for these latest results, everything is still to play for.
LZ found no evidence of WIMPs above a mass of 9 GeV/c2, where 1 GeV/c2 roughly corresponds to the mass of a hydrogen atom.

The experiment now needs to run for up to 1,000 days to realize its full sensitivity. This initial result is just a fraction of that exposure, which validates the decade-long design and construction effort.
part 1

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