Genes get shuffled and re-dealt with every new generation, meaning many are relatively recent. But while exploring the “dark heart” of the human genome, geneticists have now found some of the most ancient pieces of DNA, inherited from Neanderthals and an as-yet-unknown human relative, which may be affecting our sense of smell to this day.
Category: biotech/medical – Page 3,141
“Unprecedented achievement” enables clinical trials of promising anti-cancer molecule
Over 30 years ago, a molecule with incredible anti-cancer properties was discovered in sea sponges. However, it was so structurally complex scientists have been unable to synthesize it in large enough quantities to be able to test it in humans. Now a team of scientists has finally made a landmark breakthrough, achieving total synthesis of the molecule in volumes large enough to proceed to clinical trials.
Low-carb diet could reduce risk of these diseases
Scientists gave participants low-, medium- and high-carb diets to see what they did to their health.
Microbes Help Produce Serotonin in Gut
Though serotonin is well known as a brain neurotransmitter, it is estimated that 90 percent of the body’s serotonin is made in the digestive tract. In fact, altered levels of this peripheral serotonin have been linked to diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis. New research at Caltech, published in the April 9 issue of the journal Cell, shows that certain bacteria in the gut are important for the production of peripheral serotonin.
Researchers develop ‘vaccine’ against attacks on machine learning
Researchers from CSIRO’s Data61, the data and digital specialist arm of Australia’s national science agency, have developed a world-first set of techniques to effectively ‘vaccinate’ algorithms against adversarial attacks, a significant advancement in machine learning research.
Serotonin linked to somatic awareness, a condition long thought to be imaginary
International team spearheaded by researchers at McGill University has discovered a biological mechanism that could explain heightened somatic awareness, a condition where patients experience physical discomforts for which there is no physiological explanation.
Receding Gum Repair Surgery
Do You Have Receding Gums? Watch This Procedure on Gingival Recession Repair.
Credit: Touch Surgery (https://bit.ly/2QVk4mB)
Alzheimer’s Vaccine Shows Promising Results In Mice
Scientists develop a new vaccine for alzheimer’s disease.
Inside Life on the Frontlines of the Ebola Crisis in Congo
On the frontlines of the Ebola response are local Congolese workers with temporary job contracts. They are often driven into this work by economic necessity, as well as a desire to help.
Belinda Landu, a tall 28-year-old with long hair who radiates confidence, was making a meager living as a tailor in capital city Kinshasa before the outbreak. While visiting her mother in Beni last August, she spotted an advertisement for a health promoter. Today, she’s passionate about her role: decontaminating the houses of confirmed Ebola patients. “I want to stop the spread of the epidemic,” she said. “My family understand I work here to help people. If we get Ebola people will help us too.”
When she arrives at the scene of a recent diagnosis, Landu changes into a full protective outfit, including a full plastic bodysuit, mask, hairnet, gumboots, and both latex and rubber gloves, and begins the slow process of covering everything — inside and outside a house — with a chlorinated spray. Locals gather around to stare at her. They’re often terrified, she says, though she tries to be kind — speaking to them before she starts, and even stopping to play soccer with children after she changes out of her outfit.
For the June edition of Journal Club
Dr. Oliver Medvedik and guests will be taking a look at the recent human trial of Urolithin A, a metabolite produced by microflora and an active ingredient in pomegranates which is linked to increased levels of mitophagy in aged animals. Join us at 13:00 EDT on our Facebook channel where we will be livestreaming the show and discussing this interesting publication.
Link to Paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s42255-019-0073-4
Literature.