A team of Indian astronomers has made a fascinating discovery that could change how we think about how planets are born. The team, led by Liton Majumdar from the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) in Odisha, studied a unique triple-star system called GG Tau A, located 489 light-years away from Earth, as mentioned in the latest report by India Today.
Hip osteoarthritis (HOA), a prevalent condition among those aged 55 years and above, is a significant cause of joint pain and functional impairment and it contributes to the overall burden of chronic pain experienced by the elderly population. While platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid (HA) injections have emerged as innovative therapeutic approaches for managing osteoarthritis, their effectiveness in HOA remains a subject of contention. Therefore, the objective of this review was to assess the efficacy of PRP versus HA in terms of pain relief and functional outcomes for the management of HOA. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases from 2013 to 2023 to identify pertinent randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A total of seven trials (478 participants) were included. The selected studies underwent quality assessment using the updated Cochrane risk of bias tool. The pain and functional outcomes were examined using measures of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain scale, visual analog scale (VAS), and Harris hip score (HHS). In the meta-analysis, standard mean differences (SMDs) along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to estimate overall effect magnitudes for continuous outcomes were extracted. Statistical significance was determined using p-values below 0.05. At six months, the PRP group experienced a significantly lower standard mean WOMAC pain score (SMD =-0.38, CI =-0.64 — 0.13; p = 0.03). No significant differences in WOMAC pain scores were noted at one to two months (SMD = 0.09, CI =-0.24, 0.43; p = 0.59), and at 12 months (SMD =-0.85, CI =-1.81, 0.12; p = 0.09). Similarly, for VAS, patients on PRP showed a slight improvement in their VAS scores at six months (SMD =-0.50, CI =-0.89,-0.12; p < 0.01). However, no significant differences in VAS between the PRP groups and the HA groups were observed at one to two months (SMD =-0.22, CI =-0.49, 0.04; p = 0.10) and at 12 months (SMD =-0.22, CI:-0.63, 0.19; p = 0.29). In terms of hip dysfunction, there was no statistically significant standard mean difference in HHS between the PRP and HA groups at six months (SMD = 0.02, CI =-0.40, 0.44; p = 0.93), and at 12 months (SMD =-0.31, CI =-0.32, 0.22; p = 0.73). This review and meta-analysis provide insights into emerging treatments for HOA, especially considering that PRP shows potential benefits and safety for patients with HOA during mid-term follow-up in a 12-month period. Nevertheless, it is necessary to conduct research that includes high-quality designs and larger sample sizes to validate the comparative efficacy of these treatments.
Generative artificial intelligence probably won’t change your life in 2025 — at least, not more than it already has, according to Google CEO Sundar Pichai.
When OpenAI launched ChatGPT two years ago, generative AI quickly captured the imagination of users around the world. Now, with the industry’s competitive landscape somewhat established — multiple big tech companies, including Google, have competing models — it’ll take time for another technological breakthrough to shock the AI industry into hyper-speed development again, Pichai said at the New York Times’ DealBook Summit last week.
“I think the progress is going to get harder. When I look at [2025], the low-hanging fruit is gone,” said Pichai, adding: “The hill is steeper … You’re definitely going to need deeper breakthroughs as we get to the next stage.”
“Our findings take us closer to solving a long-standing mystery in astronomy that will redefine our understanding of how galaxies were created in the early universe.”
The team’s research was published on Wednesday (Dec. 4) in the journal Nature.
The team made their breakthrough using the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA). ALMA is the largest astronomical project in existence comprised of 66 radio antennas situated in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile.
Unlocking Real-Time Inflammation Monitoring with Active-Reset Protein Sensors.
Imagine a tiny device that could continuously monitor your body’s inflammation levels, offering insights in real time to help manage diseases. While sensors for small molecules like glucose have existed for years, tracking proteins—a critical component in understanding inflammation—has been a major challenge. Proteins are present at much lower levels in the body, and traditional sensors struggle with slow response times due to their high-affinity binding to these molecules.
A team led by Zargartalebi has now overcome this barrier by introducing active-reset protein sensors. These sensors employ high-frequency oscillations of positive voltage to rapidly release bound protein molecules from their sensing electrodes. This breakthrough allows the sensors to reset in under a minute, enabling continuous tracking of protein levels.
The researchers incorporated these sensors into a microneedle device, which was successfully tested in mice to monitor cytokines—key markers of inflammation associated with diabetes. Unlike previous approaches, this method is not only simple to implement but can also be adapted to various sensor designs, potentially revolutionizing how we monitor and respond to conditions like chronic inflammation.
By bringing real-time protein monitoring closer to reality, active-reset sensors could pave the way for more dynamic and responsive healthcare, ensuring better disease management and prevention.
[#biosensors](https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/biosensors?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZXpWTjqoXcElrcVMft-YBHF33SrUIfWG14SxebDv6jc7ayB9obklbDJ5BXDEcXMFhRK4gARwyDe24ko0Pjq0q5uSGpyaiia1YlxceB88HQ4AkLMRRKBaP_TJR0TQWWUQlYvZFrxBhxODGJhyWYo_RjJbdkcNE9A_kXuT2XJxXfpKD1LGhewSjGBaGndlInALDM&__tn__=*NK-R) [#invivo](https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/invivo?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZXpWTjqoXcElrcVMft-YBHF33SrUIfWG14SxebDv6jc7ayB9obklbDJ5BXDEcXMFhRK4gARwyDe24ko0Pjq0q5uSGpyaiia1YlxceB88HQ4AkLMRRKBaP_TJR0TQWWUQlYvZFrxBhxODGJhyWYo_RjJbdkcNE9A_kXuT2XJxXfpKD1LGhewSjGBaGndlInALDM&__tn__=*NK-R) [#sensing](https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sensing?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZXpWTjqoXcElrcVMft-YBHF33SrUIfWG14SxebDv6jc7ayB9obklbDJ5BXDEcXMFhRK4gARwyDe24ko0Pjq0q5uSGpyaiia1YlxceB88HQ4AkLMRRKBaP_TJR0TQWWUQlYvZFrxBhxODGJhyWYo_RjJbdkcNE9A_kXuT2XJxXfpKD1LGhewSjGBaGndlInALDM&__tn__=*NK-R) [#inflammation](https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/inflammation?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZXpWTjqoXcElrcVMft-YBHF33SrUIfWG14SxebDv6jc7ayB9obklbDJ5BXDEcXMFhRK4gARwyDe24ko0Pjq0q5uSGpyaiia1YlxceB88HQ4AkLMRRKBaP_TJR0TQWWUQlYvZFrxBhxODGJhyWYo_RjJbdkcNE9A_kXuT2XJxXfpKD1LGhewSjGBaGndlInALDM&__tn__=*NK-R) [#Microneedle](https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/microneedle?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZXpWTjqoXcElrcVMft-YBHF33SrUIfWG14SxebDv6jc7ayB9obklbDJ5BXDEcXMFhRK4gARwyDe24ko0Pjq0q5uSGpyaiia1YlxceB88HQ4AkLMRRKBaP_TJR0TQWWUQlYvZFrxBhxODGJhyWYo_RjJbdkcNE9A_kXuT2XJxXfpKD1LGhewSjGBaGndlInALDM&__tn__=*NK-R)
[#regenerativesensors](https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/regenerativesensors?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZXpWTjqoXcElrcVMft-YBHF33SrUIfWG14SxebDv6jc7ayB9obklbDJ5BXDEcXMFhRK4gARwyDe24ko0Pjq0q5uSGpyaiia1YlxceB88HQ4AkLMRRKBaP_TJR0TQWWUQlYvZFrxBhxODGJhyWYo_RjJbdkcNE9A_kXuT2XJxXfpKD1LGhewSjGBaGndlInALDM&__tn__=*NK-R) [#pointofcare](https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/pointofcare?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZXpWTjqoXcElrcVMft-YBHF33SrUIfWG14SxebDv6jc7ayB9obklbDJ5BXDEcXMFhRK4gARwyDe24ko0Pjq0q5uSGpyaiia1YlxceB88HQ4AkLMRRKBaP_TJR0TQWWUQlYvZFrxBhxODGJhyWYo_RjJbdkcNE9A_kXuT2XJxXfpKD1LGhewSjGBaGndlInALDM&__tn__=*NK-R) [#diagnostics](https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/diagnostics?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZXpWTjqoXcElrcVMft-YBHF33SrUIfWG14SxebDv6jc7ayB9obklbDJ5BXDEcXMFhRK4gARwyDe24ko0Pjq0q5uSGpyaiia1YlxceB88HQ4AkLMRRKBaP_TJR0TQWWUQlYvZFrxBhxODGJhyWYo_RjJbdkcNE9A_kXuT2XJxXfpKD1LGhewSjGBaGndlInALDM&__tn__=*NK-R) [#cytokines](https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/cytokines?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZXpWTjqoXcElrcVMft-YBHF33SrUIfWG14SxebDv6jc7ayB9obklbDJ5BXDEcXMFhRK4gARwyDe24ko0Pjq0q5uSGpyaiia1YlxceB88HQ4AkLMRRKBaP_TJR0TQWWUQlYvZFrxBhxODGJhyWYo_RjJbdkcNE9A_kXuT2XJxXfpKD1LGhewSjGBaGndlInALDM&__tn__=*NK-R)
You might be keenly interested to know that this eagerness to produce responses is something tuned into AI. The AI maker has made various computational adjustments to get the AI to press itself to respond. Why so? Because people want answers. If they aren’t getting answers from the AI, they will go someplace else. That’s not good for the AI maker since they are courting views.
There is a ton of research taking place about AI hallucinations. It is one of the most pressing AI issues of our time.
AI hallucinations are considered a scourge on the future of generative AI and LLMs. Sadly, the state-of-the-art AI still has them, for example, see my analysis of OpenAI’s most advanced ChatGPT or new model o1 that still indeed emits AI hallucinations at the link here. They are like the energy bunny and seem to just keep running.
A recent study by the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care reveals that an area of the brain distinct from the stroke lesion may play a significant role in causing the life-altering symptoms with which survivors are often left, which can include severe challenges with speech, mobility and cognition. These results provide hope that innovative, non-invasive treatments could help improve or even fully reverse post-stroke symptoms.
Strokes (which more than 100,000 Canadians suffer every year) leave behind an area where brain cells have died, called a lesion. However, this cannot explain the widespread consequences of stroke, limiting scientists’ and clinicians’ ability to treat them.
The study, titled “Secondary thalamic dysfunction underlies abnormal large-scale neural dynamics in chronic stroke,” published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reveals that degeneration of the thalamus—an area of the brain distinct from the stroke lesion—is a significant contributor to post-stroke symptoms.
