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Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on June 25, 2020 at 8:50am

Transgenic rice lowers blood pressure of hypertensive rats

What if taking your blood pressure medication could be as simple as eating a spoonful of rice? And if this "treatment" could also have fewer side effects than current blood pressure medicines? Who wouldn't like it?

As a first step, researchers have made transgenic rice that contains several anti-hypertensive peptides. When given to hypertensive rats, the rice lowered their blood pressure.

A common class of synthetic drugs used to treat hypertension, called ACE inhibitors, target the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), which is involved in blood pressure regulation. However, ACE inhibitors often have unpleasant side effects, such as dry cough, headache, skin rashes and kidney impairment. In contrast, natural ACE inhibitors found in some foods, including milk, eggs, fish, meat and plants, might have fewer side effects. But purifying large amounts of these ACE-inhibitory peptides from foods is expensive and time-consuming. So researchers wanted to genetically modify rice—one of the world's most commonly eaten foods—to produce a mixture of ACE-inhibitory peptides from other food sources.

The researchers introduced a gene to rice plants that consisted of nine ACE-inhibitory peptides and a blood-vessel-relaxing peptide linked together, and confirmed that the plants made high levels of the peptides. The researchers then extracted total protein (including the peptides) from the transgenic rice and administered them to rats. Two hours after treatment, hypertensive rats showed a reduction in blood pressure, while rats treated with wild-type rice proteins did not. Treatment of rats over a 5-week period with flour from the transgenic rice also reduced blood pressure, and this effect remained 1 week later. The treated rats had no obvious side effects in terms of growth, development or blood biochemistry. If these peptides have the same effects in humans, a 150-pound adult would need to eat only about half a tablespoon of the special rice daily to prevent and treat hypertension, the researchers say.

Dandan Qian et al. Hypotensive Activity of Transgenic Rice Seed Accumulating Multiple Antihypertensive Peptides, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (2020). DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.0c01958

https://phys.org/news/2020-06-transgenic-rice-lowers-blood-pressure...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on June 25, 2020 at 8:41am

Forensic science: Bringing burnt bones back to life using 3-D technology

Forensic scientists at the University of Portsmouth have discovered a new way of presenting fragile evidence, by reconstructing a 'jigsaw' of human bone fragments using 3-D printing.

In the first known study of its kind, researchers took fragmented burnt human bones and tested the ability to make 3-D models suitable to be shown to a jury in court.

Forensic investigation of crime scenes and other incidents requires the analysis of many different items as evidence, including human remains, some of which may be damaged or fragmented. To determine whether these pieces of evidence were originally one whole, they have to undergo a process called 'physical fit analysis'.

A positive physical fit indicates that two or more fragments having originated from the same object. Confirming physical fit at a crime scene is essential to draw links between locations, place suspects at the scene, and allow for object reconstruction."

However, physical fit analysis relies on the manual handling and then placing back together of the human remains and is often challenging to conduct with bone fragments particularly when fragile, sharp, or embedded in other materials.

The scientists compared two different 3-D imaging techniques, micro computed tomography and structured light scanning. By generating virtual 3-D models and prints of burned human bone fragments, they tested the suitability of these imaging techniques and subsequent 3-D printing for physical fit analysis. The researchers ultimately found that 3-D imaging and printing allowed for effective physical fit analysis without excessively handling the original fragments.

Limiting the handling of fragile forensic evidence minimizes damage and contamination. Additionally, the use of 3-D prints opens up the possibility for physical fit demonstration, and the opportunity for a jury to explore the evidence replicas. Interaction with 3-D virtual models and animations also provides 360 degree visualization in an engaging, understandable and potentially impactful way, improving a jury's understanding.

Amber J. Collings et al, Reconstruction and physical fit analysis of fragmented skeletal remains using 3D imaging and printing, Forensic Science International: Reports (2020). DOI: 10.1016/j.fsir.2020.100114

https://phys.org/news/2020-06-burnt-bones-life-d-technology.html?ut...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on June 25, 2020 at 8:35am

How fake accounts constantly manipulate what you see on social media – and what you can do about it

https://techxplore.com/news/2020-06-fake-accounts-constantly-social...

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https://phys.org/news/2020-06-alcohol-key-ingredients-medicines.htm...

Turning alcohol into key ingredients for new medicines:

Chemists have found a way to turn alcohol into amino acids, the building blocks of life.

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https://phys.org/news/2020-06-molecular-simulations-drugs-block-key...

Molecular simulations show how drugs block key receptors

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https://phys.org/news/2020-06-toxic-chemicals-environmentally-frien...

Removing toxic chemicals from water: New environmentally-friendly method

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https://phys.org/news/2020-06-moment-ultrafast-chemical-bonding-cap...

Every moment of ultrafast chemical bonding captured on film

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on June 25, 2020 at 6:51am

Binary and multiple stars

An apple falls but not the moon, why?

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on June 25, 2020 at 6:43am

Why Doesn't the Moon Fall to Earth? 

Gravity...

Does The Moon Really Orbit The Earth?

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on June 25, 2020 at 6:29am

Environmental DNA detection could cut pathogens in pet trade

As the SARS-CoV-2 puts new focus on zoonotic pathogens, a Washington State University researcher has developed a method to use environmental DNA (eDNA) to detect disease in the vast international trade of aquatic animals.

In a paper published in Scientific Reports on June 24 researchers outline two potential ways to test captive animals for pathogen DNA: batching test samples from individuals and sampling eDNA from the water in the animals' tanks. The eDNA method proved to be much more efficient.

 The best way to prevent the emergence of these pathogens and the diseases that come from them, is to keep them from getting here in the first place. It's an important goal but a really hard one because of the scale of the problem. With the eDNA method you are theoretically sampling an entire population at once, so you are more likely to detect whatever is there, and you can do that much more efficiently than with traditional approaches. Environmental DNA is already used to look for the presence of invasive species in places like the Great Lakes.

Scientific Reports (2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66280-7

https://phys.org/news/2020-06-environmental-dna-pathogens-pet.html?...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on June 25, 2020 at 6:15am

Faulty brain processing of new information underlies psychotic delusions, finds new research

Problems in how the brain recognizes and processes novel information lie at the root of psychosis, researchers from the University of Cambridge and King's College London have found. Their discovery that defective brain signals in patients with psychosis could be altered with medication paves the way for new treatments for the disease.

The results describe how a chemical messenger in the brain called dopamine 'tunes' the brain to the level of novelty in a situation, and helps us to respond appropriately—by either updating our model of reality or discarding the information as unimportant.

The researchers found that a brain region called the superior frontal cortex is important for signaling the correct degree of learning required, depending on the novelty of a situation. Patients with psychosis have faulty brain activation in this region during learning, which could lead them to believe things that are not real.

"Novelty and uncertainty signals in the brain are very important for learning and forming beliefs. When these signals are faulty, they can lead people to form mistaken beliefs, which in time can become delusions.

In novel situations, our brain compares what we know with the new information it receives, and the difference between these is called the 'prediction error'*. The brain updates beliefs according to the size of this prediction error: large errors signal that the brain's model of the world is inaccurate, thereby increasing the amount that is learned from new information.

Psychosis is a condition where people have difficulty distinguishing between what is real and what is not. It involves abnormalities in a brain chemical messenger called dopamine.

Normally, the activity of the superior frontal cortex is finely tuned to signal the level of uncertainty during learning. But by altering dopamine signaling with medication, we can change the reactivity of this region. When we integrate this finding with the results from patients with psychosis, it points to new treatment development pathways.

Source: Molecular Psychiatry (2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-0803-8

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-06-faulty-brain-underlies-psych...

* https://www.neuroscience.cam.ac.uk/research/cameos/DeludedBrain.php : Prediction error alludes to mismatches that occur when there are differences between what is expected and what actually happens. 

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on June 25, 2020 at 6:05am

New research reveals how water in the deep Earth triggers earthquakes and tsunamis

https://phys.org/news/2020-06-reveals-deep-earth-triggers-earthquak...

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https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-06-one-time-treatment-neurons-p...

One-time treatment generates new neurons, eliminates Parkinson's disease in mice

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1121900/

Funny science actually tested in a lab! (Farts) Flatus can cause infection if the emitter is naked, but not if he or she is clothed. Final conclusion? Don't fart naked near food. $$

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https://phys.org/news/2020-06-arctic-siberian-alarms-scientists.htm...

The Arctic is on fire: Siberian heat wave alarms scientists

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https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-06-blocking-unleash-immune-tumo...

Blocking a 'jamming signal' can unleash immune system to fight tumors

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https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-06-cancer-chemicals-complex-cel...

Cancer study shows how chemicals cause complex cell mutations

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https://theconversation.com/affluence-is-killing-the-planet-warn-sc...

Affluence is killing the planet, warn scientists

Affluence trashes our planetary life support systems. What’s more, it also obstructs the necessary transformation towards sustainability by driving power relations and consumption norms. To put it bluntly: the rich do more harm than good.

The most affluent are most responsible

The facts are clear: the wealthiest 0.54%, about 40 million people, are responsible for 14% of lifestyle-related greenhouse gas emissions, while the bottom 50% of income earners, almost 4 billion people, only emit around 10%. The world’s top 10% income earners are responsible for at least 25% and up to 43% of our environmental impact.

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on June 24, 2020 at 9:48am

In many countries the coronavirus pandemic is accelerating, not slowing

https://theconversation.com/in-many-countries-the-coronavirus-pande...

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Preventing dangerous blood clots from COVID-19 is proving tricky

Anti-clotting medicines may help stem excessive blood clotting, but the best dose isn’t clear **

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/covid-19-coronavirus-preventing...

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https://www.asianscientist.com/2020/06/in-the-lab/volcanic-eruption...

Why Volcanic Eruptions Reduce Rainfall

The stronger the El Niño warming triggered by a volcanic eruption, the greater the subsequent reduction in global rainfall, researchers say.

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https://www.asianscientist.com/2020/06/in-the-lab/entanglement-base...

Quantum Satellite Sends ‘Secret Key’ Over 1,000km
They were able to exchange a cryptographic key over 1,000 kilometers, illustrating the possibility of a future global quantum communication network.

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** https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-ldquo-superspreading...

How ‘Superspreading’ Events Drive Most COVID-19 Spread

As few as 10 percent of infected people may drive a whopping 80 percent of cases, in specific types of situations

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on June 24, 2020 at 9:25am

Women Get Overmedicated Because Drug Dosages Are Determined By Tria...

Women end up being overmedicated because drug dosages are calculated based on studies predominantly conducted on men, new research has suggested. One direct implication of this, researchers say, is that women end up suffering from excess side effects.

Researchers from the University of Chicago and the University of California, Berkeley, analyzed 5,000 publicly available clinical drug studies and identified 86 drugs that reacted differently in men and women. These included common drugs such as aspirin, morphine, and heparin, and widely prescribed antidepressants such as sertraline and bupropion.

For all these drugs, researchers found, women metabolized them more slowly than men, ultimately resulting in higher levels of exposure to the drug and in 96% of cases, also in higher rates of adverse side effects such as headaches, nausea, bleeding, and seizures.

It has been common practice to exclude women from biomedical research and drug trials because it was believed that the influence of female hormones could complicate findings or interrupt study designs, an assumption that has been proven wrong multiple times. Therefore, a large proportion of studies underrepresent women and even if they get included, the data is not analyzed taking differences in sex into consideration. This leads to a problem in understanding how diseases, drugs, and vaccines affect men and women differently.

Source: Sex differences in pharmacokinetics predict adverse drug reactions ...

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