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Mar 20, 2024

Scientists say they can cut HIV out of cells

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, genetics

The gene-editing method used might ultimately offer a way to remove HIV, experts say.

Mar 20, 2024

Associative Patterns Between Iron Deficiency Anemia and Febrile Seizures in the Five to 60 Months Age Group: A Comprehensive Systematic Review

Posted by in category: neuroscience

Convulsions developed due to temperatures above 38°C (100.4°F) are termed as febrile seizures (FS). These seizures are not caused by any central nervous system infections (CNS) or any metabolic abnormalities. Essentially, it occurs in individuals without a prior history of afebrile seizures [1]. It is the most commonly observed seizure type in children under five years of age [1]. Roughly one-third of children who have one FS may experience a second. Among children with simple FS, 1% to 2% may develop epilepsy. In contrast, those with complex FS have a higher risk, with 6% to 8% later being diagnosed with epilepsy [2].

Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are pervasive on a global scale. Roughly 30% to 40% of people worldwide suffer from IDA, with the majority residing in developing nations [3]. IDA has stood as the primary contributor to the healthcare burden in India over the last 10 years [4]. Iron deficiency can adversely affect the developing brain in multiple ways. It can impair hippocampal neuron growth and disrupt the myelination process, which insulates nerve fibers for efficient signaling. This deficiency can also impact the metabolism of neurotransmitters such as monoamines and aldehyde oxidase, resulting in lower neurotransmitter levels and a potential decrease in the seizure threshold. Moreover, low serum ferritin levels in conjunction with fever can compound the adverse effects on the brain, potentially leading to seizures [5]. Notably, it’s worth mentioning that the peak ages for FS and IDA coincide [5]. While certain studies identified a link between FS and anemia resulting from iron deficiency [6–16], other research yielded divergent findings [17–20]. The primary objective of this study is to find the association between IDA and FS in children by doing a systematic review of the literature of the last 10 years. The secondary objective is to understand the significance of the iron profile in FS.

This study is a systematic review done in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Mar 20, 2024

Precancerous Skin Lesions and Skin Cancer

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

Like many cancers, skin cancers — including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma — start as precancerous lesions. This WebMD slideshow tells you how to spot the early warning signs of skin cancer and seek treatment.

Mar 20, 2024

A Superconductor Found in Nature Has Rocked the Scientific World

Posted by in categories: energy, materials

The quest for boundless energy takes an electrifying turn with this magic mineral.

Mar 20, 2024

NASA tests autonomous space robots for off-world construction

Posted by in categories: robotics/AI, space

NASA is developing autonomous space robots to build shelters, solar arrays, and more on the moon and Mars.

Mar 19, 2024

Oregon State scientists discover metal capable of removing carbon dioxide from air

Posted by in categories: climatology, sustainability

Oregon State University scientists studying ways to filter greenhouse gases from the air recently discovered that when molecules of the metal vanadium are bound with oxygen molecules as peroxide, they can pull carbon dioxide from the air. The carbon molecules can be siphoned off using a small amount of energy that’s then funneled into other uses, like making limestone for buildings or enhancing the atmospheric carbon in greenhouses, accelerating plant growth.

The process could help improve nascent technologies in capturing carbon dioxide from the air to slow the impacts of global climate change. The discovery was published in the journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry in December.

Carbon dioxide is responsible for about two-thirds of the atmospheric heating causing global climate change, and it is primarily released in the burning of fossil fuels for energy, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Mar 19, 2024

ALS Progression Slows with Use of Noninvasive Ventilation

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

In an observational study, noninvasive respiratory support was associated with disease slowing for ALS patients, regardless of stage or site of onset.

Mar 19, 2024

Psat1-generated α-ketoglutarate and glutamine promote muscle stem cell activation and regeneration

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, life extension

Alpha ketoglutarate, or AKG, has long been used as a dietary supplement in the bodybuilding world.


By satisfying bioenergetic demands, generating biomass, and providing metabolites serving as cofactors for chromatin modifiers, metabolism regulates adult stem cell biology. Here, we report that a branch of glycolysis, the serine biosynthesis pathway (SBP), is activated in regenerating muscle stem cells (MuSCs). Gene inactivation and metabolomics revealed that Psat1, one of the three SBP enzymes, controls MuSC activation and expansion of myogenic progenitors through production of the metabolite α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) and α-KG-generated glutamine. Psat1 ablation resulted in defective expansion of MuSCs and impaired regeneration. Psat1, α-KG, and glutamine were reduced in MuSCs of old mice. α-KG or glutamine re-established appropriate muscle regeneration of adult conditional Psat1 -/- mice and of old mice. These findings contribute insights into the metabolic role of Psat1 during muscle regeneration and suggest α-KG and glutamine as potential therapeutic interventions to ameliorate muscle regeneration during aging.

Keywords: aging; glutamine; ketoglutarate; muscle regeneration; muscle stem cells.

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Mar 19, 2024

A ‘New Star’ from a Nova Outburst is Expected Soon. Here’s How to Spot it

Posted by in category: innovation

Covering the latest scientific breakthroughs and innovations that are shaping the world.

Mar 19, 2024

‘Matryoshka doll’ structures provide solution for next-generation miniaturized filter capacitors

Posted by in category: futurism

A research team led by Prof. Meng Guowen and Prof. Han Fangming from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, together with Prof. Wei Bingqing from the University of Delaware, miniaturized line-filtering capacitors with “matryoshka doll” structure electrodes, providing a high-performance and space-saving solution for line-filtering applications.