Comment

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.

Part 1

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 2, 2025 at 12:18pm

Frustration can lead to failure for search and rescue dogs

Search and rescue dogs are heroes in fur coats, using their incredible sense of smell to find lost hikers, disaster victims, and missing people. But a new study suggests that these life-saving dogs may face an unexpected obstacle: frustration.

Researchers found that frustration significantly impacts search and rescue dogs' ability to perform search tasks effectively. In a study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, they reported that when the dogs experience frustration—such as blocked access to a reward or an unfulfilled expectation—they are slower to complete their searches and are more prone to errors.

Search and rescue dogs are trained to work in high-pressure environments, from collapsed buildings to dense forests. While they are known for their endurance and focus, certain factors can affect their work.

To test what factors affect their work, researchers  enlisted a dozen dogs and their handlers to participate in three activities. The dogs wore special collars to track heart rate and heart rate variability—key indicators of exertion and stress. Researchers also recorded the dogs' search accuracy and speed in locating a target odor and surveyed the dogs' handlers on their behaviors.

In the first activity, the dogs rested under normal, quiet conditions for 10 minutes.

In the second "frustration activity," handlers teased the dogs with an unattainable toy, withheld their attention, and then led the dog to complete a search.

In the third exercise, the handlers led the dogs through a moderate workout before completing the search.
The results showed:
After experiencing frustration, search dogs took significantly longer to indicate they found their search targets.
The dogs made more errors after the frustration activity.
Frustration increased the dogs' heart rate and decreased their heart rate variability, indicating a higher level of stress and reduced ability to recover.
Physical exertion caused increased heart rate but did not change heart rate variability, indicating no significant stress response to exercise.

The researchers say the information is valuable for search and rescue (SAR) handlers, many of whom rely on longstanding training methods that use frustration as a tool to build dogs' perseverance. We often think of frustration as a motivator, but these  findings show that it can backfire, slowing dogs down and increasing errors. And that's a serious concern.

It's our responsibility to make their work as stress-free and enjoyable as possible, they conclude.

Sally Dickinson et al, Frustration and its impact on search and rescue canines, Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2025). DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1546412

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 2, 2025 at 10:46am

Developing an Ecotoxicological Classification for Frequently Used Drugs in Primary Care

A classification of drugs based on their environmental impact

Scientists at the University of Lausanne (UNIL) and University center Unisanté classified 35 commonly used drugs based on their impact on the aquatic biodiversity.

The aim of this research is to provide medical staff with a tool for considering the environmental risks associated with certain common drugs when prescribing them. The proposed list is subject to change when new data becomes available, their rarity being a limiting factor for classification.

Every day all around the world, thousands of drugs are consumed, whether to relieve pain, regulate blood pressure or treat infections. But what happens after ingesting these products? Evacuated via urine, many substances end up in wastewater. They are only partially eliminated by these systems, and end up in lakes, rivers and streams, posing a risk to aquatic ecosystems. This risk is now recognized, but it is difficult for doctors to know how to integrate it into their practice.

At the University of Lausanne (UNIL), scientists from the Faculty of Biology and Medicine (FBM) and the Faculty of Geosciences and Environment (FGSE) have carried out a classification of widely-used drugs according to their ecotoxicity, i.e. their danger to the aquatic ecosystem. Published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, the study reveals that drugs commonly prescribed in general medicine—to combat inflammation or infection, for example—have significant consequences for the health of fish, algae and bacteria essential to aquatic biodiversity.

The researchers classified 35 drugs commonly consumed into categories ranging from low to high toxicity for aquatic ecosystems. To do this, they cross-referenced three pieces of information: the 50 most widely sold drugs  (by weight), those for which ecotoxicity thresholds exist, and the concentration of those found in the rivers  (in the form of active ingredients).

Among the most problematic drugs are common painkillers and anti-inflammatories such as diclofenac, which is toxic to fish liver and can lead to fish death. There are also antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, which can eliminate bacteria useful to the ecosystem's balance, and encourage the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Mefenamic acid and paracetamol, on the other hand, are in the category with the lowest environmental risks.

This classification is far from complete, because of the lack of data. It does, however, give some initial indications for practitioners, say the eco-toxicologists.

 Developing an Ecotoxicological Classification for Frequently Used Drugs in Primary Care, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2025). doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22020290

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 2, 2025 at 10:18am

Air pollution and traffic noise increase the risk of stroke through combination effect

New research shows that air pollution and traffic noise together may pose a greater risk for stroke than either factor alone. The researchers found that even at low levels—below the EU's air quality standards and around WHO noise recommendation levels—the risk of stroke increased significantly.

The study, published in Environment International, analyzed data from 136,897 adults in Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. The results show that a 5 µg/m³ increase in air pollution (PM_2.5) raises the risk of stroke by 9%, while an 11 dB increase in traffic noise increases the risk by 6%.

When both factors are combined, the risk may be even higher. For example, in quieter areas (40 dB), an increase in PM_2.5 was linked to a 6% rise in stroke risk, but in noisier areas (80 dB), the same increase in PM_2.5 raised the risk by 11%, though this result was not statistically significant.

The fact that we see clear associations even at relatively low levels indicates that current exposure limits may not be sufficient to protect public health. Stronger regulations are needed to reduce exposure and lower the risk of stroke and other diseases, say the researchers.

 Huyen Nguyen Thi Khanh et al, Exploring the interaction between ambient air pollution and road traffic noise on stroke incidence in ten Nordic cohorts, Environment International (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2025.109403

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 2, 2025 at 9:28am

Scientists merge two 'impossible' materials into new artificial structure

An international team of researchers has merged two lab-synthesized materials into a synthetic quantum structure once thought impossible to exist and produced an exotic structure expected to provide insights that could lead to new materials at the core of quantum computing.

The work, described in a cover story in the journal Nano Letters, explains how four years of continuous experimentation led to a novel method to design and build a unique, tiny sandwich composed of distinct atomic layers.

One slice of the microscopic structure is made of dysprosium titanate, an inorganic compound used in nuclear reactors to trap radioactive materials and contain elusive magnetic monopole particles, while the other is composed of pyrochlore iridate, a new magnetic semimetal mainly used in today's experimental research due to its distinctive electronic, topological and magnetic properties.

Individually, both materials are often considered "impossible" materials due to their unique properties that challenge conventional understanding of quantum physics.

The construction of the exotic sandwich structure sets the stage for scientific explorations in what is referred to as the interface, the area where the materials meet, in the atomic scale.

This work provides a new way to design entirely new artificial two-dimensional quantum materials, with the potential to push quantum technologies and provide deeper insight into their fundamental properties in ways that were previously impossible.

Mikhail Kareev et al, Epitaxial Stabilization of a Pyrochlore Interface between Weyl Semimetal and Spin Ice, Nano Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c03969

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 2, 2025 at 8:32am

Patients with implants also exhibited higher levels of chromium, titanium, niobium, and zirconium in blood and serum. In cerebrospinal fluid, titanium, niobium, and zirconium levels were significantly elevated, but only when serum levels of these metals were also increased. This is an important finding as it supports the accuracy of less invasive blood sampling as an indicator of possible cerebrospinal fluid inundation.

Patients with implant components containing cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys had the highest cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of both cobalt and chromium. Cobalt levels in cerebrospinal fluid were significantly elevated even among patients with implants in place for less than ten years. Pain in the joint containing the implant was also associated with higher cobalt levels in cerebrospinal fluid.

No increase in cerebrospinal fluid metal levels was observed in patients with implants lacking cobalt-chromium-molybdenum components. Patients with cemented implants showed elevated levels of zirconium in blood and serum, though not in cerebrospinal fluid. Aluminum did not appear elevated in the implant group despite being present in certain implant alloys.
Blood-brain barrier integrity, assessed by serum S-100B levels, appeared unaffected and uncompromised in the implant group. Among those with elevated cerebrospinal fluid cobalt or zirconium, serum S-100B levels were lower than in matched controls.

Findings indicate that metal particles released from joint implants can accumulate in the central nervous system, especially those containing cobalt-chromium-molybdenum.
Results suggest that arthroplasty-related metal exposure is not confined to local tissues but extends systemically and may involve the brain. While blood-brain barrier dysfunction was not evident, the presence of these metals in cerebrospinal fluid raises questions about long-term neurological safety.

Anastasia Rakow et al, Metal Concentrations in Blood and Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients With Arthroplasty Implants, JAMA Network Open (2025). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.2281

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