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Category: biotech/medical – Page 2,663

In the process outlined in the paper, a robotic implant about ten centimetres long is attached to the outside of the organ with two steel ‘O’ rings fixed around the tubular sections of the oesophagus. The unit containing the motor, sensors and electronics is sheathed in a biocompatible waterproof skin and connected by cable to a wearable control unit outside the body, and mechanostimulation encourages cell growth in the area between the rings.

The results were encouraging. Over nine days the implant extended the test pigs’ oesophageal length by 77% between the two rings, not by stretching the organ but by stimulating cellular growth within it. During this period the organ also experienced normal blood flow and functionality.

It sounds like something out of Star Trek, but an international team report success with a cell-regenerating robot implant. Andrew P Street reports.

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A new immune mechanism that uses mitochondrial DNA was discovered by Swedish researchers.

Researchers at Linköping University in Sweden have discovered a new kind of warning system that plays a role in the immune system. Mitochondria in the white blood cells produce a web of DNA fibers that act as a kind of alarm.

The Mitochondrial web slinger

White blood cells (leukocytes) are a primary part of our immune system, and they help to defend us from the threat of disease. In the new study, the research team showed that several types of leukocytes react to the small DNA fragments, which resemble the DNA from bacteria and viruses[1]. The leukocytes secrete a web made of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) strands.

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The future of lifespan extension science by the head of US research, Felipe Sierra.

Summary: These scientists aim to increase life span in humans. This report provides a glimpse into the future of a revolutionary scientific field called geroscience that seeks to slow down the chronic diseases of aging to increase life span and health span. Part 4 of a 4-part essay titled Geroscience by Felipe Sierra. [With an introduction by Brady Hartman. ]

Scientists in the geroscience field aim to slow down the chronic diseases of aging and increase life span in humans.

In fact, they’ve already done it in lab animals.

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Free radicals are costly.

Summary: Here’s what researchers have discovered about stopping the destruction caused by free radicals, including DNA damage, macromolecular damage, and damage to mitochondrial DNA. [This article first appeared on the website LongevityFacts.com. Author: Brady Hartman. ]

Scientists widely believe that DNA damage and macromolecular damage caused by free radicals generated by our mitochondria is the principle cause of aging.

However, they may have found a way to stop it.

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Summary: A brief review of the top reports in 2017 on prediabetes and type 2 diabetes treatments, including new ones and those in the pipeline. [This article first appeared on the LongevityFacts.com website. Author: Brady Hartman.]

A paper published in the Lancet shocked the public last year when they reported that 40% of Americans walking around today would develop type 2 diabetes. While type 2 diabetes is a leading cause of premature death, the World Health Organization (WHO) upset even more people when they announced that prediabetes – the precursor state to diabetes – kills far more people.

Here’s a look back at the reports in 2017 on the ways to prevent type 2 diabetes and prediabetes and the promising treatments in the pipeline for these two forms of diabetes.

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Scientists are searching for an effective Parkinsons treatment.

Summary: A disease-modifying drug for Parkinson’s disease remains the goal of researchers as they develop promising treatments using gene therapy, autophagy upregulators, and brain mapping. [Author: Brady Hartman. This article first appeared on LongevityFacts.]

Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are diseases of aging, and the incidence of these conditions rise with each passing year. Doctors expect these disorders to ramp up with increasing life expectancies.

Researchers aren’t just focusing on treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. Fortunately, scientists throughout the world are developing promising treatments for Parkinson’s disease as well.

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