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Category: biotech/medical – Page 174

Source: NUS

Researchers have uncovered novel insights into how brain function disruptions related to cerebrovascular disease (CeVD) interact with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology to impact neurodegeneration and cognition in older adults.

Led by Associate Professor Juan Helen Zhou, Director of the Centre for Translational Magnetic Resonance Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine), the research team revealed a brain functional connectome phenotype that is related to multiple CeVD markers and contributes additively to cognitive decline and neurodegeneration alongside AD.

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Red light exposure may reduce blood clot risks, according to groundbreaking research. By lowering inflammation and platelet activity, it could prevent strokes, heart attacks, and more. Clinical trials are next.

The ability of released products of platelet activation to induce thrombosis-generating neutrophil extracellular trap formation was quantified. Subsequent thrombosis was measured using murine models of VT and stroke.

To translate our findings to human patients, light-filtering cataract patients were evaluated over an 8-year period for rate of venous thromboembolism with multivariable logistic regression clustered by hospital.

Exposure to long-wavelength red light resulted in reduced platelet aggregation and activation. RNA-seq analysis demonstrated no significant transcriptomic changes between micered and micewhite.

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An international team of astronomers, led by researchers from the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Warsaw, have identified a new class of cosmic X-ray sources. The findings have been published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Most people encounter X-rays during medical visits where they are used to create images of bones or diagnose lung conditions. These X-rays are generated using artificial sources.

However, not everyone knows that celestial objects can also emit X-ray radiation. “Some cosmic phenomena produce X-rays naturally,” explains Dr. Przemek Mróz, the lead author of the study. “For example, X-rays may be produced by a hot gas falling onto compact objects like white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes. X-rays can also be generated by decelerating charged particles, such as electrons.”

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Large language models (LLMs), the most renowned of which is ChatGPT, have become increasingly better at processing and generating human language over the past few years. The extent to which these models emulate the neural processes supporting language processing by the human brain, however, has yet to be fully elucidated.

Researchers at Columbia University and Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research Northwell Health recently carried out a study investigating the similarities between LLM representations on neural responses. Their findings, published in Nature Machine Intelligence, suggest that as LLMs become more advanced, they do not only perform better, but they also become more brain-like.

“Our original inspiration for this paper came from the recent explosion in the landscape of LLMs and neuro-AI research,” Gavin Mischler, first author of the paper, told Tech Xplore.

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Over the last few years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been firmly in the world’s spotlight, and the rapidly advancing technology can often be a source of anxiety and even fear in some cases. But the evolution of AI doesn’t have to be an inherently scary thing — and there are plenty of ways that this emerging technology can be used for the benefit of humanity.

Writing in “AI for Good” (Wiley, 2024), Juan M. Lavista Ferres and William B. Weeks, both senior directors at Microsoft’s AI for Good Research Lab, reveal how beneficial AI is being used in dozens of projects across the world today. They explain how AI can improve society by, for example, being used in sustainability projects like using satellites to monitor whales from space, or by mapping glacial lakes. AI can also be used in the wake of natural disasters, like the devastating 2023 earthquake in Turkey, or for social good, like curbing the proliferation of misinformation online. In addition, there are significant health benefits to reap from AI, including studying the long-term effects of COVID-19, using AI to manage pancreatic cysts or detecting leprosy in vulnerable populations.

In this excerpt, the authors detail the recent rise of large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT or Claude 3 and how they have grown to become prominent in today’s AI landscape. They also discuss how these systems are already making a significant beneficial impact on the world.

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DNA that can repair DNA similar to Digital Error Correction!

This could make human live longer!

Before the researchers sequenced the Greenland shark’s genome, only about 10 genomes were available for all elasmobranchs — a subclass of fish including sharks, rays and skates — said Dr. Nicole Phillips, an associate professor of ecology and organismal biology at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. Phillips was not involved in the research conducted by Hoffman, Sahm and their team.

“The more high-quality genomes that are sequenced, the better we can understand the genetic underpinnings of shared as well as unique traits of this ancient group,” Phillips said in an email. “Identification of the genetic basis of lifespans across different species, including long-lived sharks, allows researchers to understand the biology of aging and longevity.”

Because of the sharks’ preference for deep waters, historically most information on the Greenland shark came from commercial fishing records. In the past decade, researchers have increasingly used video, including remotely operated vehicles and baited cameras, as well as observations in captured specimens to research the elusive shark.

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A research team from Yokohama National University has developed a novel approach to investigate how the orientation and behavior of electrons in titanium affect its physical properties. Their findings, published in Communications Physics on December 18, 2024, offer valuable insights that could lead to the creation of more advanced and efficient titanium alloys.

Titanium is highly prized for its exceptional resistance to chemical corrosion, lightweight nature, and impressive strength-to-weight ratio. Its biocompatibility makes it an ideal material for medical applications such as implants, prosthetics, and artificial bones, while its strength and durability make it indispensable in aerospace engineering and precision manufacturing.

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A study in Nature Human Behaviour characterizes protein signatures in the blood associated with social isolation and loneliness, demonstrating how these link social isolation and loneliness to an increased risk of disease and mortality.

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Shen et al. characterize protein signatures in the blood associated with social isolation and loneliness, demonstrating how these link social isolation and loneliness to an increased risk of disease and mortality.

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The brain’s response to emotional words is guided by neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, shaping how we interpret language. Surprising new research shows even the thalamus is involved, bridging emotion and cognition.

Summary: Researchers have uncovered how neurotransmitters in the brain respond to the emotional content of language, shedding light on the intersection of emotion, cognition, and communication. Using advanced techniques, the team simultaneously measured dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine release in patients during exposure to emotionally charged words.

They found distinct patterns of neurotransmitter activity across brain regions like the thalamus and anterior cingulate cortex, challenging assumptions about their roles in emotional and linguistic processing.

These findings suggest that brain systems evolved for survival also support complex human functions like language interpretation. Validation in animal models confirmed these patterns, paving the way for future studies on decision-making and mental health.

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Neuralink Corp.’s brain-computer device has been implanted in a third patient and the company has plans for about 20 to 30 more implants in 2025, founder Elon Musk said.

“We’ve got now three humans with Neuralinks implanted and they’re all working well,” Musk said during an event in Las Vegas this week that was streamed on X, his social media service.

Neuralink is one of a growing group of startups developing brain implants that can help treat conditions such as paralysis and ALS. They are experimental procedures that usually require opening up the skull to place electrodes in the brain tissue. A year ago, Neuralink said it had implanted its device in its initial patient, Noland Arbaugh.

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