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Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 3, 2025 at 11:14am

The heart remembers: Scientists describe how early-life cardiac injury in parents influences the next generation

Stress during the first years of life can have effects that last into adulthood. Less is known, however, about the possible inheritance of the consequences of early-life stress by the next generation. Now, scientists at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC) and the University of Bern in Switzerland have discovered that heart injury early in life in one generation of mice triggers changes in cardiac function in their offspring. The study is published in the journal Circulation.

A family history of heart attack is known to influence an individual's risk of cardiovascular disease. Moreover, the risk for offspring is greater if a parent experienced a heart attack earlier in life. Nevertheless, it has remained unclear if heart injury in a parent directly influences the cardiovascular system of the next generation.

A large number of children require heart surgery every year in teh world, so exploring whether the "memory" of early-life cardiac injury can be transmitted to the next generation offers an important opportunity to increase our understanding of cardiovascular disease and to improve the collection of medical histories.

The new study  analyzed if experimentally induced cardiac injury in male mice could produce an inherited effect in the next generation. 

The results  show that the offspring of fathers with early-life cardiac injury had altered heart function. The offspring of injured fathers showed evidence of altered heart development, characterized by transient expansion of the left ventricle during the first weeks after birth. 

This is really surprising  since the only difference between the newborns was that in one group the father had experienced cardiac injury early in life, while in the other group the father was uninjured.

The offspring of injured fathers also showed alterations in their responses to cardiac injury. These changes included improvements in cardiac remodeling (changes in the size, shape, and function of the heart after induced injury) compared with the offspring of uninjured fathers. This superior cardiac remodeling was associated with an increased volume of blood ejected by the heart per minute.

After injury, the heart normally switches its energy source from lipids to glucose, and this results in an accumulation of lipids in the heart tissue. The offspring of injured fathers accumulated fewer lipids in response to induced heart injury and had higher concentrations of circulating lipids in the blood. These observations suggest that the metabolism of mice with this 'family history' recovers better when these mice are themselves subjected to cardiac injury.

The changes observed in the offspring of injured fathers indicate that cardiac surgery in the first weeks after birth leaves a lasting "memory" that can eventually be transmitted to the next generation.

The researchers conclude that the findings open the way to a better understanding of the impact of heart disorders and underline the potential value of including family surgical history when collecting patient medical histories.

Benedetta Coppe et al, Paternal Cardiac Lesion Induces Cardiac Adaptation in Offspring, Circulation (2025). DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.124.070323

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 3, 2025 at 10:09am

 How heavy drinking damages cognition

For the first time, researchers demonstrate in an animal how heavy alcohol use leads to long-term behavioral issues by damaging brain circuits critical for decision-making.

Rats exposed to high amounts of alcohol exhibited poor decision-making during a complex task, even after a months-long withdrawal period. Key areas of their brains had undergone dramatic functional changes compared to healthy rats.

The findings, published in Science Advances, provide a new explanation of alcohol's long-term effects on cognition.

We now have a new model for the unfortunate cognitive changes that humans with alcohol-use disorder show, say the researchers.

We know that humans who are addicted to alcohol can show deficits in learning and decision-making that may contribute to their poor decisions related to alcohol use. We needed an animal model to better understand how chronic alcohol abuse affects the brain. Knowing what is happening in the brain of an animal when they are having these decision-making difficulties will tell us what is happening in humans.

In their experiments, the researchers found that the rats exposed to drinking did very badly when compared to controls.

The team linked the behavioral difficulties to dramatic functional transformations in the dorsomedial striatum, a part of the brain critical for decision-making. The alcohol had damaged neural circuits, causing alcohol-exposed rats to process information less effectively.

One surprise was how long alcohol dependence impairs cognition and neural function, even after withdrawal.

This may give us insight into why relapse rates for people addicted to alcohol are so high. Alcohol-induced neural deficits may contribute to decisions to drink even after going to rehab. We can clearly demonstrate these deficits can be long-lasting.

Chronic Ethanol Exposure Produces Sex-Dependent Impairments in Value Computations in the Striatum, Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adt0200

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 3, 2025 at 9:44am

Flowerpot snake's DNA repair ability provides insights into human genetic conditions like Down syndrome

The flowerpot snake, one of the world's smallest snakes, has some unusual distinctions. Also known as the Brahminy blind snake, it's the only known snake species with three sets of chromosomes instead of two—and it can reproduce without a mate.

By analyzing the flowerpot snake's unique genome, scientists are uncovering how the tiny reptile repairs its DNA and prevents harmful mutations. The findings, published in the journal Science Advances, provide valuable insights into genetic repair mechanisms that could deepen our understanding of human gene evolution.

This DNA repair and replication activity supports a fascinating mechanism called premeiotic endoreplication, a process through which the snake duplicates its chromosomes before dividing them, sidestepping the need for the typical pairing of chromosomes seen in sexual reproduction. This mechanism allows the snake to produce offspring that are exact genetic clones of itself.

The flowerpot snake's genetic and reproductive quirks may also provide insights into human trisomy conditions, such as Down syndrome.

For example, we know that having multiple sets of chromosomes is rare for animals, yet flowerpot snakes survive just fine with three instead of the normal two humans have.

Using advanced genomic technology, the research team discovered that the flowerpot snake, native to Africa and Asia, has 40 chromosomes, organized into three subgenomes. These subgenomes formed through complex genetic events, including chromosome fusion in ancestral species. The researchers hypothesize that this genetic structure enables the snake to reproduce without needing sperm from a male partner.

One major question the scientists explored was whether this reproductive strategy comes with evolutionary drawbacks. Asexual species typically struggle because they lack genetic shuffling, which helps eliminate harmful mutations over time. However, the flowerpot snake appears to have developed a way to counteract this risk. The researchers think its slow but steady evolutionary pace helps limit the accumulation of harmful mutations.

They also examined how genetic variations across different flowerpot snake populations suggest chromosome exchanges between the subgenomes. These exchanges appear to balance genetic diversity and stability—maintaining enough variation for adaptation while preventing incompatibilities that could disrupt reproduction.

The study also revealed something unexpected—many of the flowerpot snake's immune-related and sexually selected genes, such as those involved in sperm development, have lost their functions.

Yunyun Lv et al, Genomic Insights into Evolution of Parthenogenesis and Triploidy in the Flowerpot Snake, Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adt6477. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adt6477

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 3, 2025 at 9:20am

Microplastics detected in cat placentas and fetuses during early pregnancy

In a small study of eight cats at early stages of pregnancy, researchers detected 19 different kinds of microplastic particles in fetuses from two cats and in the placentas of three cats.

Humans and other animals worldwide are increasingly exposed to microplastics, which are small particles of plastic contaminants. Studies suggest that microplastics can have a variety of adverse health effects. For instance, research in rodents suggests that fetuses exposed to microplastics during pregnancy may experience impaired development. Microplastics have also been found in human amniotic fluid, further raising concerns about fetal exposure.

To deepen our understanding of this topic, researchers investigated whether microplastics could be found in cat placentas and fetuses during early stages of pregnancy. They evaluated eight pregnant stray cats that had been brought to a veterinary hospital as part of a population-control program in northern Italy.

Using a standard chemical analysis technique known as Raman spectroscopy, the researchers detected microplastics in fetal tissue from two of the cats and in placental tissue from three of the cats. They found a total of 19 different types of microplastics in the tissue samples.

These findings show that even during early stages of pregnancy, microplastics may accumulate in cat placentas. They also suggest that microplastics may be able to cross the placental barrier and accumulate in cat fetuses. However, further research will be needed to determine whether microplastics in cat placentas and fetuses might impact fetal health and development.

In light of their findings and the findings of earlier studies, the researchers call for limits on the general use of plastics and for the development of alternative materials. They also call for policymakers and industrial stakeholders to enact strategies for mitigating plastic pollution that poses risks to humans and animals.

 Detection of microplastics in the feline placenta and fetus, PLOS One (2025). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0320694

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 3, 2025 at 8:59am

Scientists create 'fungi tiles' with elephant skin texture to cool buildings

A team of scientists  has developed "fungi tiles" that could one day help to bring the heat down in buildings without consuming energy.

These wall tiles are made from a new biomaterial combining fungi's root network—called mycelium—and organic waste. Earlier research has shown that mycelium-bound composites are more energy efficient than conventional building insulation materials such as expanded vermiculite and lightweight expanded clay aggregate.

Building on this proven insulating property, the  team worked with local ecology and biomimicry design firm bioSEA to add a bumpy, wrinkly texture to the tile, mimicking an elephant's ability to regulate heat from its skin. Elephants do not have sweat glands and rely on these wrinkles and crevices on their skin to regulate heat.

In laboratory experiments, the scientists found that the cooling rate of their elephant skin–inspired mycelium tile was 25% better than a fully flat mycelium tile, and the heating rate was 2% lower. They also found that the elephant skin-inspired tile's cooling effect improved a further 70% in simulated rain conditions, making it suitable for tropical climates.

Mycelium-bound composites are created by growing fungi on organic matter such as sawdust or agricultural waste. As the fungus grows, it binds the organic matter into a solid, porous composite.

For this study, the  scientists used the mycelium of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)—a commonly found fungus—and bamboo shavings collected from a furniture shop.

These two components were mixed with oats and water and packed into a hexagonal mold with an elephant skin–inspired texture designed by bioSEA using computational modeling and algorithms to select the optimal design.

The mycelium tiles were left to grow in the dark for two weeks, then removed from the hexagonal mold and left to grow in the same conditions for another two weeks.

Finally, the tiles were dried in an oven at 48°C for three days. This final step removes any remaining moisture, prohibiting further mycelial growth.

The scientists found that the elephant skin-inspired tile absorbed heat more slowly. When its bumpy textured surface faced the heat source, its temperature increased by 5.01°C per minute, compared to 5.85°C per minute when its flat surface was exposed to heat. As a control, the scientists also heated a flat mycelium tile and found it gained 5.11°C per minute.

The elephant-skin-inspired tile cooled fastest when heated from the flat side, losing 4.26°C per minute. When heated from the textured side, its flat side lost 3.12°C per minute. The fully flat control tile lost 3.56°C per minute.

Based on these findings, the scientists recommended installing the tiles with the flat side adhered to the building façade and the textured surface exposed to external heat for optimal thermal performance.

 Eugene Soh et al, Biodegradable mycelium tiles with elephant skin inspired texture for thermal regulation of buildings, Energy and Buildings (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2024.115187

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 2, 2025 at 1:02pm

Feeding mice that model triple-negative breast cancer a high-linoleic-acid diet increased FABP5 levels, mTORC1 activation and tumor growth. The researchers also found increased levels of FABP5 and linoleic acid in the tumors and blood samples from newly diagnosed triple-negative patients.

The findings show that linoleic acid can have a role in breast cancer, though in a more targeted and defined context than previously appreciated. The study also is thought to be the first to establish a specific mechanism through which this common dietary ingredient influences disease.

Nikos Koundouros et al, Direct sensing of dietary ω-6 linoleic acid through FABP5-mTORC1 signaling, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.adm9805

Part 2

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 2, 2025 at 1:01pm

Omega-6 fatty acid promotes the growth of an aggressive type of breast cancer, study finds

Linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid found in seed oils such as soybean and safflower oil, and animal products including pork and eggs, specifically enhances the growth of the hard-to-treat "triple negative" breast cancer subtype, according to a preclinical study  by  Medicine investigators. The discovery could lead to new dietary and pharmaceutical strategies against breast and other cancers.

In the study, published March 14 in Science, the researchers found that linoleic acid can activate a major growth pathway in tumor cells by binding to a protein called FABP5. Comparing breast cancer subtypes, the team observed that this growth pathway activation occurs in triple-negative tumor cells, where FABP5 is particularly abundant, but not in other hormone-sensitive subtypes. In a mouse model of triple-negative breast cancer, a diet high in linoleic acid enhanced tumor growth.

This discovery helps clarify the relationship between dietary fats and cancer, and sheds light on how to define which patients might benefit the most from specific nutritional recommendations in a personalized manner.

Omega-6 linoleic acid is a diet-derived nutrient that is considered essential in mammals for supporting multiple bodily processes. However, the abundance of this fat in "Western-style" diets has increased significantly since the 1950s, coinciding with the increased usage of seed oils in fried and ultra-processed foods.

This has led to concerns that excessive omega-6 intake might be one of the explanations for rising rates of certain diseases, including breast cancers. But decades of studies have yielded mixed and inconclusive results, and have never uncovered any biological mechanism tying omega-6s to cancers.

In the new study, the researchers sought to resolve this confusion by initially looking at breast cancer, which has been linked to modifiable factors such as obesity. They looked at the ability of omega-6 fatty acids—particularly linoleic acid, the dominant one in the Western diet—to drive an important, nutrient-sensing growth pathway called the mTORC1 pathway.

A key initial finding was that linoleic acid does indeed activate mTORC1 in cell and animal models of breast cancers, but only in triple-negative subtypes. (The term "triple negative" refers to the absence of three receptors, including estrogen receptors, that are often expressed by breast tumor cells and can be targeted with specific treatments.)

The scientists discovered that this subtype-specific effect occurs because the polyunsaturated fatty acid forms a complex with FABP5, which is produced at high levels in triple-negative breast tumors but not in other subtypes, leading to the assembly and activation of mTORC1, a major regulator of cell metabolism and cancer cell growth.

Part 1

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 2, 2025 at 12:48pm

"So, the question is how do you keep the positives of border fences and toss the negatives?"
Here are four ways the researchers think physical borders can maintain national security while also minimizing harm to wildlife.

Cut down on lights and noise. Many international border areas were dark, quiet and uninhabited before fences and walls were installed. That means the animals who live there haven't grown accustomed to navigating light-flooded, noise-polluted environments full of human activity. Dimming lights and restricting the hours in which noisy construction can take place would go a long way toward supporting wildlife in those areas.

Let animals pass. What if border walls carved out passageways for small animals? What if border security workers opened temporary gaps in the fence a few times every migratory season? Taking these occasional measures would help lessen the disruption some species have experienced with the construction of border walls.
Use different materials. A coiled, sharp material called concertina wire tops many border fences to discourage people from climbing over. One study found that for some species, concertina wire was responsible for one to two deaths per mile per year along about 600 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, a perilously high mortality rate. Constructing fences with a different type of wire could save thousands of animals' lives every year.

Increase binational cooperation. To ensure a better future for some of the world's most beloved species, government leaders and scientists on both sides of every border barrier should work together to arrive at common security and preservation goals.

Cole Sennett et al, International border fences and walls negatively affect wildlife: A review, Biological Conservation (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110957

Part 3

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 2, 2025 at 12:46pm

The first is habitat fragmentation. Borders can cut animals off from their natural ranges, and that is especially dangerous for animals with a very small travel radius, such as reptiles and some birds. Imagine a lizard who only travels up to a quarter mile from home. Then, imagine a fence going up in the middle of that lizard's already tiny range, restricting its stomping grounds—and potential food supply—even more. And don't forget that border infrastructure like bright lights, non-native landscaping, roads and increased staff will further hamper that lizard's ability to hunt, forage and even reproduce.
The second involves less genetic variation. International borders can disrupt animals' ability to interact and breed with each other. That means that over time, they become less genetically diverse, leading to a decrease in immunity to certain diseases. With time, they may even become inbred and unable to reproduce.
And, finally, there are fewer safety nets. Some endangered species are legally protected in one country but illegally poached in another. Without international cooperation on wildlife conservation, lax hunting laws and enforcement will continue to hurt animals who exist on both sides of a border fence.
There are a few benefits too:
Even in places where animals are threatened by poaching on one side of a border fence, they're shielded from it on the other—guaranteeing they won't go completely extinct. Borders can also shield animals from disease.
Part 2

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 2, 2025 at 12:43pm

Border fences are bad for wildlife

International border barriers everywhere are harming wildlife by bisecting their habitats, disrupting their hunting and collecting patterns and preventing them from commingling. In some cases, the borders are causing so much harm that they could cause certain species to go extinct.

That's according to a new study published in the journal Biological Conservation.

The literature review, which analyzed 42 studies on wildlife and borders by scientists across the globe, was part of a special issue on addressing land degradation.

With border barriers, the habitat that animals once moved freely across is divided, fragmenting populations, reducing availability to water, lowering gene flow and even killing animals that try to cross.

Animals don't recognize political boundaries—they are tied to the resources that they need to survive. It's hard seeing animals come up against a new barrier—a huge wall or fence—that stops their ability to get a drink of water or find seasonal foods, especially in desert environments.

The problem has become worse due to a dramatic increase in border barriers in the 21st century. According to a report from the Migration Policy Institute there were just two dozen border walls across the world in 2000; two decades later, that number has tripled. 

The researchers found   three main ways in which physical borders were harming wildlife.

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