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Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 3, 2020 at 6:38am

Human biology registers two seasons, not four, study suggests

As kids, we learn there are four seasons, but researchers at the Stanford School of Medicine have found evidence to suggest that the human body doesn't see it this way.

We're taught that the four seasons—winter, spring, summer and fall—are broken into roughly equal parts throughout the year

In south Asia that is summer, spring, winter and rainy season.

It didn't seem likely that human biology adheres to those rules. So scientists  conducted a study guided by people's molecular compositions to let the biology tell us how many seasons there are.

Four years of molecular data from more than 100 participants indicate that the human body does experience predictable patterns of change, but they don't track with any of Mother Nature's traditional signals. Overall, researchers saw more than 1,000 molecules ebb and flow on an annual basis, with two pivotal time periods: late spring-early summer and late fall-early winter. These are key transition periods when change is afoot—both in the air and in the body.

Scientists hope that observations from this study—of higher levels of inflammatory markers in the late spring, or of increased markers of hypertension in early winter, for example—can provide a better foundation for precision health and even help guide the design of future clinical drug trials.

M. Reza Sailani et al. Deep longitudinal multiomics profiling reveals two biological seasonal patterns in California, Nature Communications (2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18758-1

https://phys.org/news/2020-10-human-biology-registers-seasons.html?...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 3, 2020 at 6:21am

Scientists discovered a missing gene fragment that's shedding new light on how males develop

It's one of the most important genes in biology: Sry, the gene that makes males male. Development of the sexes is a crucial step in sexual reproduction and is essential for the survival of almost all animal species. Researchers report the surprise discovery of an entirely new part of the Sry gene in mice—a part we had no idea existed.

Scientists discovered Sry in 1990. It is the gene on the Y (male) chromosome that leads to the development of male characteristics in mice, humans and most other mammals. Since then, Sry has been the subject of intense study worldwide because of its fundamental role in mammalian biology.

We have come to understand, in some detail, how Sry acts to trigger a cascade of gene activity that results in the formation of testes, instead of ovaries, in the embryo. Testes then stimulate the formation of other male characteristics.

Researchers have understood the Sry gene is made up of one exon, a segment of a gene used to code for amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. This can be compared to a computer file consisting of one contiguous block of data on a hard disk.

Our newest research reveals there's actually a second exon in mouse Sry. This is like finding a whole new separate block of previously hidden data.

New sequencing approaches revealed what appeared to be two versions of Sry: a short, single-exon form and a longer, two-exon form. Scientists called this two-exon version "Sry-T."

They removed the new exon using CRISPR, a gene editing tool that lets researchers alter DNA precisely and  discovered this prevented Sry from functioning: XY mice (which would normally develop as males) developed as females instead.

Conversely, adding Sry-T to fertilized XX mouse eggs (which would normally develop as females) resulted in males.

The mouse Sry locus harbors a cryptic exon that is essential for male sex determination, Science 02 Oct 2020: Vol. 370, Issue 6512, pp. 121-124 DOI: 10.1126/science.abb6430 , science.sciencemag.org/content/370/6512/121

https://sciencex.com/news/2020-10-gene-fragment-males.html?utm_sour...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 3, 2020 at 6:16am

Bright light bars big-eyed birds from human-altered landscapes

New research shows the glaring light in human-altered landscapes, such as livestock pastures and crop fields, can act as a barrier to big-eyed birds, potentially contributing to their decline.

researchers found strong links between bird eye size, habitat and foraging technique. Birds that kept to the shade of the forest had larger eyes than those that inhabited the canopy, and birds with relatively small eyes were more numerous in agricultural settings.

The findings suggest eye size is an overlooked, but important trait in determining birds' vulnerability to changes in their habitat and could help inform future research on their sensitivity to other bright environments, such as cities.

 Ian J. Ausprey et al, Adaptations to light predict the foraging niche and disassembly of avian communities in tropical countrysides, Ecology (2020). DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3213

https://phys.org/news/2020-10-bright-bars-big-eyed-birds-human-alte...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 3, 2020 at 6:00am

Understanding  how cirrus clouds form in a better way

New research provides insights into how cirrus clouds form, with implications for agriculture, urban development and climate-change predictions. The study shows that trees and plants play an important role that affects precipitation and global climate change.

An international team combined theory, field measurements and lab experiments to develop a better understanding of the formation of clouds.

Scientists knew that particles in the air from smoke and auto emissions would influence the creation of clouds, but this new research spotlights the importance of volatile emissions from plants and organic amterial, which the scientists call "secondary organic aerosols."

The new data will help us better predict how activities such as deforestation or reforestation will affect the world's climate, because these secondary organic aerosols are derived from plants. If the levels of these organic aerosols change, we'll now have a better understanding of what effects this will have and be able to use this information in global climate models.

The researchers were able to take data supplied by other researchers on the project and use it to create cirrus-like ice clouds in their Purdue laboratory, and then analyze the results using a specialized spectrometry instrument.

Martin J. Wolf et al. A biogenic secondary organic aerosol source of cirrus ice nucleating particles, Nature Communications (2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18424-6

https://phys.org/news/2020-10-cirrus-clouds.html?utm_source=nwlette...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 3, 2020 at 5:53am

Physicists build circuit that generates clean, limitless power from graphene

A team of  physicists has successfully developed a circuit capable of capturing graphene's thermal motion and converting it into an electrical current.

Now an energy-harvesting circuit based on graphene could be incorporated into a chip to provide clean, limitless, low-voltage power for small devices or sensors.

The idea of harvesting energy from graphene is controversial because it refutes physicist Richard Feynman's well-known assertion that the thermal motion of atoms, known as Brownian motion, cannot do work. But now this team found that at room temperature the thermal motion of graphene does in fact induce an alternating current (AC) in a circuit, an achievement thought to be impossible.

Additionally, they discovered that their design increased the amount of power delivered.

1. P. M. Thibado, P. Kumar, Surendra Singh, M. Ruiz-Garcia, A. Lasanta, L. L. Bonilla. Fluctuation-induced current from freestanding graphene. Physical Review E, 2020; 102 (4) DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.102.042101

https://phys.org/news/2020-10-physicists-circuit-limitless-power-gr...

utm_source=nwletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-nwletter

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 3, 2020 at 5:45am

New nanotechology design provides hope for personalized vaccination for treating cancer

One of the key challenges in developing effective, targeted cancer treatments is the heterogeneity of the cancer cells themselves. This variation makes it difficult for the immune system to recognize, respond to and actively fight against tumors. Now, however, new advances in nanotechnology are making it possible to deliver targeted, personalized "vaccines" to treat cancer.

A new study demonstrates the use of charged nanoscale metal-organic frameworks for generating free radicals using X-rays within tumor tissue to kill cancer cells directly. Furthermore, the same frameworks can be used for delivering immune signaling molecules known as PAMPs to activate the immune response against tumour cells. By combining these two approaches into one easily administered "vaccine," this new technology may provide the key to better local and systemic treatment of difficult-to-treat cancers.

"Nanoscale metal-organic frameworks for x-ray activated in situ cancer vaccination" Science Advances (2020). advances.sciencemag.org/lookup … .1126/sciadv.abb5223

https://phys.org/news/2020-10-nanotechology-personalized-vaccinatio...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 3, 2020 at 5:41am

Why do people respond differently to the same drug?

Scientists  have comprehensively mapped how a key class of proteins within cells regulates signals coming in from cell surface receptors.

The study reveals, among other things, that people commonly have variants in these proteins that cause their cells to respond differently when the same cell receptor is stimulated—offering a plausible explanation for why people's responses to the same drugs can vary widely.

The findings could lead to new treatment approaches for a range of conditions.

Ikuo Masuho et al, A Global Map of G Protein Signaling Regulation by RGS Proteins, Cell (2020). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.08.052

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-10-people-differently-drug.html...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 3, 2020 at 5:33am

Enhancing blood sugar control boosts brain health for people with type 2 diabetes

Controlling blood sugar levels improved the ability to clearly think, learn and remember among people with type 2 diabetes who were overweight, a new study shows. But losing weight, especially for people who were obese, and increasing physical activity produced mixed results.

Owen T Carmichael et al, Long-term change in physiological markers and cognitive performance in type 2 diabetes: the Look AHEAD Study, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (2020). DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa591

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-10-blood-sugar-boosts-brain-hea...

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Researchers test brain stimulation in zero gravity

Bashar W. Badran et al, Brain stimulation in zero gravity: transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) motor threshold decreases during zero gravity induced by parabolic flight, npj Microgravity (2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41526-020-00116-6

https://phys.org/news/2020-10-brain-gravity.html?utm_source=nwlette...

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 Researchers discover a rare genetic form of dementia

A new, rare genetic form of dementia has been discovered by a team of  researchers. This discovery also sheds light on a new pathway that leads to protein build up in the brain—which causes this newly discovered disease, as well as related neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's Disease—that could be targeted for new therapies. 

Alzheimer's disease(AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a buildup of proteins, called tau proteins, in certain parts of the brain. Following an examination of human brain tissue samples from a deceased donor with an unknown neurodegenerative disease, researchers discovered a novel mutation in the Valosin-containing protein (VCP) gene in the brain, a buildup of tau proteins in areas that were degenerating, and neurons with empty holes in them, called vacuoles. The team named the newly discovered disease Vacuolar Tauopathy (VT)—a neurodegenerative disease now characterized by the accumulation of neuronal vacuoles and tau protein aggregates.

Nabil F. Darwich et al, Autosomal dominant VCP hypomorph mutation impairs disaggregation of PHF-tau, Science (2020). DOI: 10.1126/science.aay8826

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-10-rare-genetic-dementia.html?u...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 3, 2020 at 5:31am

Snippet: Cat imitates human, in first scientific demonstration of behavior

Evidence of a cat recognizing and mimicking human behavior

In the research demonstration the cat responded to 18 requests to perform an action it had never done before following requests mimic the researchers, including opening a drawer, spinning around, reaching out and touching a toy, and laying down in a certain position. The cat was found to respond as desired approximately 81 percent of the time. The researchers suggest that the cat demonstrated the capability of mapping its own body parts to those of another creature, and to understand how those parts could be used in similar ways.

Claudia Fugazza et al. Did we find a copycat? Do as I Do in a domestic cat (Felis catus), Animal Cognition (2020). DOI: 10.1007/s10071-020-01428-6

https://phys.org/news/2020-10-evidence-cat-mimicking-human-behavior...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 3, 2020 at 5:16am

Radiation-immune and repairable chips to fabricate durable electronics

To operate safely and reliably in outdoor environments, electronic devices should be resistant to a wide variety of external factors, including radiation. In fact, high-energy radiation can damage several components of field-effect transistors (FETs) commonly used to make electronics, including their superconducting channel, gate oxide and the insulating materials surrounding it (e.g., isolation or substrate oxides).

For several years, research teams worldwide have thus been trying to devise strategies that could make transistors more resistant to radiation. Researchers have recently fabricated a radiation-hardened and repairable integrated circuit (IC) based on carbon nanotube transistors with ion gel gates. This IC could be used to build new electronic devices that are more resistant to high-energy radiation.

Radiation-hardened and repairable integrated circuits based on carbon nanotube transistors with ion gel gates. Nature Electronics (2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41928-020-0465-1.

https://techxplore.com/news/2020-10-radiation-immune-chips-fabricat...

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