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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...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 2, 2020 at 9:30am

Sci-com: Have Questions About Science? Skype A Scientist - It’s Now That Easy

https://www.skypeascientist.com/events.html

https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicolefisher/2020/09/30/have-questions...

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Risk of Severe Coronavirus Linked to Neanderthal Genes From 60,000 Years Ago

https://www.sciencealert.com/severe-coronavirus-has-been-linked-to-...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 2, 2020 at 8:01am

Radar developed for rapid rescue of buried people

When someone is buried by an avalanche, earthquake or other disaster, a rapid rescue can make the difference between life and death. Now researchers have developed a new kind of mobile radar device that can search hectare-sized areas quickly and thoroughly. The new technology combines greater mobility with accurate detection of vital signs.

Although radar devices can provide useful assistance, current systems are limited to stationary operation. Set up in a fixed spot, they can only search up to a distance of twenty to thirty meters, depending on the radar specifications. In disasters involving large-scale destruction, this distance is simply too short.

 The new technology  aims to significantly increase the search radius.  This one  is a mobile radar system that locates people buried under rubble by detecting their pulse and breathing. The longer-term goal is to mount this radar device on a drone and fly it over the disaster site. This would make searches faster and more effective even in areas extending over various hectares.

https://www.fhr.fraunhofer.de/en/businessunits/human_and_environmen...

https://phys.org/news/2020-10-radar-rapid-people.html

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 2, 2020 at 7:52am

Timing the life of antimatter particles may lead to better cancer treatment

Researchers have devised a simple way to glean more detailed information out of standard medical imaging scans. A research team  has designed a timer that can enable positron emission tomography (PET) scanners to detect the oxygen concentration of tissues throughout patients' bodies. This upgrade to PET scanners may lead to a future of better cancer treatment by quickly identifying parts of tumours with more aggressive cell growth.

The positrons that PET scans are named for are the positively charged antimatter forms of electrons. Due to their tiny size and extremely low mass, positrons pose no danger in medical applications. Positrons produce gamma rays, which are electromagnetic waves similar to X-rays, but with shorter wavelengths.

When receiving a PET scan, a patient receives a small amount of very weakly radioactive liquid, often composed of modified sugar molecules, usually injected into their blood. The liquid circulates for a short period of time. Differences in blood flow or metabolism affect how the radioactivity is distributed. The patient then lies in a large, tube-shaped PET scanner. As the radioactive liquid emits positrons that then decay into gamma rays, rings of gamma-ray detectors map the locations of gamma rays emitted from the patient's body.

Doctors request PET scans when they need information about not just the structure, but also the metabolic function of tissues inside the body. Detecting oxygen  concentration using the same PET scan would add another layer of useful information about the body's function.

Kengo Shibuya, Haruo Saito, Fumihiko Nishikido, Miwako Takahashi, and Taiga Yamaya. 2020. Oxygen sensing ability of positronium atom for tumor hypoxia imaging. Communication Physics. DOI: 10.1038/s42005-020-00440-z

https://phys.org/news/2020-10-life-antimatter-particles-cancer-trea...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 2, 2020 at 7:24am

New focus on the synergy effect of nanoparticles

Nanoparticles are used in a wide range of products and manufacturing processes because the properties of a material can change dramatically when the material comes in nano-form.

They can be used, for example, to purify wastewater and to transport medicine around the body. They are also added to, for example, socks, pillows, mattresses, phone covers and refrigerators to supply the items with an antibacterial surface.

Much research has been done on how nanoparticles affect humans and the environment and a number of studies have shown that nanoparticles can disrupt or damage our cells.

This is confirmed by a new study that has also looked at how cells react when exposed to more than one kind of nano particle at the same time.

The nanoparticles were tested on two types of brain cells: astrocytes and endothelial cells. Astrocytes are supporter cells in the central nervous system, which i.a. helps to supply the nervous system with nutrients and repair damage to the brain. Endothelial cells sit on the inside of the blood vessels and transport substances from the bloodstream to the brain.

When the endothelial cells were exposed to nano-platinum, nothing happened. When exposed to nano-silver, their ability to divide deteriorated. When exposed to both nano-silver and nano-platinum, the effect was amplified, and they died in large numbers. Furthermore, their defense mechanisms decreased, and they had difficulty communicating with each other.

So even though nano-platinum alone does not do harm, something drastic happens when they are combined with a different kind of nano-particle.

An earlier study, conducted by researchers, has shown a dramatic synergy effect of silver nanoparticles and cadmium ions, which are found naturally all around us on Earth.

In that study, 72 % of the cells died (in this study it was intestinal cells) as they were exposed to both nano-silver and cadmium ions. When they were only exposed to nano-silver, 25% died. When exposed to cadmium ions only, 12% died.

We are involuntarily exposed—Little is known about how large concentrations of nano-particles are used in industrial products.

 Barbara Korzeniowska et al, The Cytotoxicity of Metal Nanoparticles Depends on Their Synergistic Interactions, Particle & Particle Systems Characterization (2020). DOI: 10.1002/ppsc.202000135

https://phys.org/news/2020-10-health-focus-synergy-effect-nanoparti...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 2, 2020 at 7:12am

Earthquake forecasting clues unearthed in strange precariously balanced rocks

https://phys.org/news/2020-10-earthquake-clues-unearthed-strange-pr...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 2, 2020 at 7:05am

New neuron type discovered only in primate brains

Neuropsychiatric illnesses like schizophrenia and autism are a complex interplay of brain chemicals, environment, and genetics that requires careful study to understand the root causes. Scientists have traditionally relied on samples taken from mice and non-human primates to study how these diseases develop. But the question has lingered: are the brains of these subjects similar enough to humans to yield useful insights?

Now work from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard is pointing towards an answer. In a study published in Nature, researchers from the Broad's Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research report several key differences in the brains of ferrets, mice, nonhuman primates, and humans, all focused on a type of neuron called interneurons. Most surprisingly, the team found a new type of interneuron only in primates, located in a part of the brain called the striatum, which is associated with Huntington's disease and potentially schizophrenia.

The findings could help accelerate research into causes of and treatments for neuropsychiatric illnesses, by helping scientists choose the lab model that best mimics features of the human brain that may be involved in these diseases.

 Fenna M. Krienen et al. Innovations present in the primate interneuron repertoire, Nature (2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2781-z

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-10-neuron-primate-brains.html?u...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 2, 2020 at 6:54am

Study suggests wisdom can protect against loneliness

Over the last few decades, there has been growing concern about loneliness across all ages, particularly in middle-aged and older adults. Loneliness, defined as feeling isolated or not having an adequate number of meaningful personal connections, is consistently associated with unhealthy aging and has been identified as a major risk factor for overall adverse health outcomes.

In a recent cross-cultural study, researchers examined middle-aged and older adults and found loneliness and wisdom had a strong negative correlation. The study suggests that wisdom may be a protective factor against loneliness.

An important finding from the study was a significant inverse correlation between loneliness and wisdom. People with higher scores on a measure of wisdom were less lonely and vice versa.

Loneliness was consistently associated with poor general health, worse quality of sleep and less happiness, whereas the reverse was generally true for wisdom.

Both loneliness and wisdom are personality traits. Most personality traits are partially inherited and partially determined by environment.

Wisdom has several components, such as empathy, compassion, self-reflection and emotional regulation. Researchers found that empathy and compassion had the strongest inverse correlation with loneliness. People who were more compassionate were less lonely.

"If we can increase someone's compassion, wisdom  is likely to go up and loneliness is likely to go down. studies that examine how to decrease loneliness as people age will be critical for effective interventions and the future of health care.

Aging and Mental Health, DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2020.1821170

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-10-san-diego-italy-wisdom-lonel...

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