Comment

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 22, 2023 at 10:31am

New ultra-high speed processor to advance AI, driverless vehicles and more

A team of international scientists has developed an ultra-high speed signal processor that can analyze 400,000 real time video images concurrently, according to a paper published in Communications Engineering.

The team developed a processor that operates more than 10,000 times faster than typical electronic processors that operate in Gigabyte/s, at a record 17 Terabits/s (trillion bits per second).

The technology has profound implications for the safety and efficiency of driverless cars, medical imaging and could help find habitable planets beyond our solar system.

These are portable, ultra-precise optical rulers that could be used for everything from handheld breath scanners to detecting small movements of objects in space or finding Earth-like exoplanets.

The processor's efficiency and speed will have a major impact on artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and robotic vision. The ability to process vast amounts of data in real-time will lead to more intelligent, autonomous robotic systems that can operate efficiently in real-world environments.

In astronomy, for example, processing large volumes of celestial data at unprecedented speeds will support groundbreaking discoveries. This approach will also accelerate functions of medical imaging and autonomous vehicles.

All real-time analysis and decision-making requires ultrafast analysis of video images for everything from autonomous driving to artificial intelligence in order to detect and analyze objects.

The secret to its remarkable performance lies in the integrated optical microcomb, which overcomes the bandwidth and energy limitations inherent in electronics.

 Mengxi Tan et al, Photonic signal processor based on a Kerr microcomb for real-time video image processing, Communications Engineering (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s44172-023-00135-7

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 22, 2023 at 9:58am

The study brings to light the overlooked health hazards posed by pathogens associated with microplastics in aquatic environments. It strongly advocates for immediate and decisive action to protect public health and maintain the integrity of the environment. Additionally, the research underscores the necessity for multidisciplinary research efforts to unravel the intricate interactions between microplastic-associated pathogens and to devise effective strategies for their mitigation.

More information: Huan Zhong et al, The hidden risk of microplastic-associated pathogens in aquatic environments, Eco-Environment & Health (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.eehl.2023.07.004

Part 2

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 22, 2023 at 9:57am

Microplastic-associated pathogens in aquatic environments: A hidden health risk

Microplastics, which are minute plastic particles under 5mm in size, are becoming ever more ubiquitous in marine and freshwater ecosystems around the globe. These particles, derived from primary and secondary sources, such as industrial raw material nurdles and the degradation of larger plastic items, have escalated into a major environmental issue.

In aquatic settings, these microplastics take on the role of carriers for a range of pathogens, encompassing bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. This dynamic presents a considerable hazard, with the potential to cause infections in both marine life and humans.

A new study, featured in the journal Eco-Environment & Health, reveals the hidden dangers associated with pathogen-laden microplastics in aquatic environments, underscoring an increasing concern for public health.
The research delves into how microplastics act as conduits for pathogens in various aquatic environments. It thoroughly investigates the factors influencing the adherence of pathogens to microplastics, their survival, and the probability of these pathogens being transmitted to humans via different routes of exposure.

This investigation is instrumental in shaping both public health policies and environmental strategies. It emphasizes the urgent need for intensified monitoring of microplastic contamination and calls for expanded research into the role of microplastics in pathogen transmission, along with the health risks that ensue.

Part 1

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 22, 2023 at 9:53am

Highlights
The Cd(II) adsorption capacity followed the order of PA > PLA > PP.
Oxygen groups played critical roles in Cd(II) adsorption by PLA MPs.
Degradation of PLA MPs enhanced Cd(II) desorption in human digestive fluid.
Cd(II) release was easier from PLA during human digestion than from PP or PA.
The study sets a foundation for future research into the long-term impacts of biodegradable microplastics on human health and the environment. It emphasizes the need for more thorough regulations and guidelines to effectively manage the use and disposal of these materials.

 Timing Jiang et al, A potential threat from biodegradable microplastics: mechanism of cadmium adsorption and desorption in the simulated gastrointestinal environment, Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s11783-024-1779-4

Part 2

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 22, 2023 at 9:52am

Hidden dangers in eco-friendly choices: The health risks of biodegradable microplastics revealed

A study published in Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering on September 25, 2023, unveils the potential health risks associated with biodegradable microplastics, particularly polylactic acid (PLA).

This in-depth study offers a nuanced exploration of the interactions between biodegradable microplastics, specifically polylactic acid (PLA), and the heavy metal cadmium (Cd(II)). It meticulously examines and contrasts the adsorption and desorption processes of these microplastics in varied environments, ranging from natural ecological settings to simulated human gastrointestinal conditions.
This comparative analysis extends to traditional non-biodegradable microplastics, providing a rich understanding of the different environmental behaviors of these materials. Significantly, the research unveils that, despite the biodegradability of PLA, its interaction with cadmium can lead to substantial health risks.

These findings are instrumental in deepening our comprehension of the multifaceted environmental impact of microplastics, especially in relation to human health and safety, thus enriching the discourse on the ecological implications of both conventional and biodegradable plastics.

Part 1

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 22, 2023 at 9:32am

Research shows that sniffing women's tears reduces aggressive behaviour in men

New research, published in PLOS Biology, shows that tears from women contain chemicals that block aggression in men. The study finds that sniffing tears leads to reduced brain activity related to aggression, which results in less aggressive behaviour.

Male aggression in rodents is known to be blocked when they smell female tears. This is an example of social chemosignaling, a process that is common in animals but less common—or less understood—in humans.
To determine whether tears have the same effect in people, the researchers exposed a group of men to either women's emotional tears or saline while they played a two-person game. The game was designed to elicit aggressive behavior against the other player, whom the men were led to believe was cheating.
When given the opportunity, the men could get revenge on the other player by causing them to lose money. The men did not know what they were sniffing and could not distinguish between the tears or the saline, which were both odorless.
Revenge-seeking aggressive behavior during the game dropped more than 40% after the men sniffed women's emotional tears. When repeated in an MRI scanner, functional imaging showed two aggression-related brain regions—the prefrontal cortex and anterior insula—that became more active when the men were provoked during the game, but did not become as active in the same situations when the men were sniffing the tears.

Individually, the greater the difference in this brain activity, the less often the player took revenge during the game. Finding this link between tears, brain activity, and aggressive behavior implies that social chemosignaling is a factor in human aggression, not simply an animal curiosity.

We found that just like in mice, human tears contain a chemical signal that blocks conspecific male aggression. This goes against the notion that emotional tears are uniquely human.

 Agron S, de March CA, Weissgross R, Mishor E, Gorodisky L, Weiss T, et al. (2023) A chemical signal in human female tears lowers aggression in males. PLoS Biology (2023). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002442

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 22, 2023 at 9:28am

The current study aimed to clarify the association between hormone therapy, statin use, and VTE risk, specifically in the US population of women aged 50 to 64. The results show that statin therapy reduced hormone therapy–associated VTE risk, with high-intensity statins showing a more significant risk reduction.

The authors conclude that while statin therapy was associated with reduced risk of VTE associated with exogenous hormones, it did not eliminate the risk, suggesting that more controlled studies are needed.

More information: John W. Davis et al, Statin Use and the Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Women Taking Hormone Therapy, JAMA Network Open (2023). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.48213

Part 2

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Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 22, 2023 at 9:27am

Statins found to reduce risk of blood clots associated with menopausal hormone therapy

Researchers have provided substantial evidence supporting the potential role of statins in mitigating venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk associated with hormone therapy in postmenopausal women, possibly reshaping the risk-benefit considerations for this population.

In a paper, "Statin Use and the Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Women Taking Hormone Therapy," published in JAMA Network Open, the researchers used a cohort of 223,949 women (mean age 57.5 years) with 20,359 cases and 203,590 matched controls to conduct a nested case-control design analyzing data from a commercially insured claims database.

Statin therapy was associated with reduced VTE risk in women on hormone therapy, highlighting potential benefits for women with perimenopausal symptoms. Hormone therapy exposure without statin therapy increased VTE risk by 53%, but when combined with statins, the risk was reduced by 18% compared to those without hormone therapy or statin exposure.

Menopause can cause problematic symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disruptions, cognitive changes, vaginal dryness and urine leakage that can significantly impact a woman's quality of life. Hormone therapy is often used to manage these symptoms. However, hormone therapy has a downside, as previous studies indicate an elevated risk of developing blood clots or VTE.

Statin drug therapy has been associated with reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events and VTE. Statin therapy, along with hormone therapy, has looked promising in some previous studies, though with different dosage guidelines than are typical.

Part 1

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 22, 2023 at 9:08am

Time-resolved single-cell transcriptomics defines immune trajectories in glioblastoma, Cell (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.11.032. www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(23)01317-X

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on December 22, 2023 at 9:08am

However, all these important insights are equivalent to getting many still-frame images from a movie and trying to understand the plot. "Knowing what preceded what is not enough to deduce causality, but without this knowledge, we don't really have a chance of understanding what the cause is and what is the effect". 

The development of the groundbreaking new technology started with the research on glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive brain tumour. 

We usually think of cancer as cells growing out of control, but in fact, cancer is also the loss of the ability of the body, and specifically of its immune system, to control this growth. And when you look at tumors, large parts of them are composed of dysfunctional immune cells, which sometimes make up one third or even half of all the cells in a tumour.

Glioblastoma is one of the most immune-suppressive types of tumors. "To understand how to defeat this cancer, we need to understand what happens to the immune cells as they enter the tumor and why they lose the capacity to fight the tumor and become dysfunctional.

Ideally, we'd want to have a little clock on each cell telling us when it entered the tumor and when the signals and checkpoints that instruct it to become incompetent are activated. This back to the future time machine was thought to be impossible to develop.

The breakthrough came when researchers decided to take an uncanny approach. Instead of trying to measure time in cells within the tumor tissue, they decided to try to mark the cells while they are still in the blood—before they enter the tumor. By using different fluorescent dyes at different time points, they are later able to know exactly when each cell entered the tissue and how long it had been there, and this reveals the dynamic changes that happened to the cells in the tissue, for example, what are the different stages at which immune cells become dysfunctional inside the tumour.

The challenge was to develop the optimal way to color the cells in the blood at specific time points, making sure the dye does not reach the tissue itself or stay too long in the blood, potentially mixing with the next dye. At the same time, the dye had to stay on the cells long enough for them to be measured.

As part of the study, the researchers showed that the method makes it possible to measure time in immune cells in different tissues—the brain, the lungs and the digestive system of animal models.

Using Zman-seq,  researchers were able to gain insights into why the immune system is so dysfunctional in battling glioblastoma.

They showed that immune cells called natural killer cells, which, as their name implies, are crucial to killing rogue cells, become dysfunctional very quickly because the tumor hijacks their killing mechanisms—and this happens within less than 24 hours after their entry into the tumor. This explains why therapeutic attempts to harness the immune system for fighting glioblastoma are so ineffective.

Now researchers are developing ways to block the immune-disabling tumor checkpoints in order to reactivate the immune system in glioblastoma and other hard-to-treat tumors. In addition, they plan to adapt Zman-seq to the study of temporal dynamics of cells throughout the human body.

Zman-seq supplies the 'hard facts,' the empirical measurements enabling scientists to understand the precise order of events that immune and other cells are going through when they enter a tumor, and this may lead to a completely new thinking on how to generate more effective therapies for cancer and other disorders.

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