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Dec 29, 2022

Graphene oxide elicits microbiome-dependent type 2 immune responses via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor Nanotechnology

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, health, nanotechnology

Although the toxicity of graphene‐based nanomaterials on human health has been extensively studied, their impact on the microbiome remains poorly understood. Using zebrafish as a model, we show that graphene oxide modulates the immune system in a microbiome‐dependent manner through a mechanism mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. The study suggests an interplay among graphene‐based nanomaterials, microbiome and innate immune system.

Dec 29, 2022

Surprise Kilonova Discovery Shakes Up Long Gamma-Ray Burst Theory

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

For nearly two decades, astrophysicists have believed that long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) resulted solely from the collapse of massive stars. Now, a new study upends that long-established and long-accepted belief.

Led by Northwestern University.

Established in 1,851, Northwestern University (NU) is a private research university based in Evanston, Illinois, United States. Northwestern is known for its McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science, Kellogg School of Management, Feinberg School of Medicine, Pritzker School of Law, Bienen School of Music, and Medill School of Journalism.

Dec 29, 2022

Serotonin Deficiency Directly Linked With Depression in Groundbreaking Study

Posted by in category: neuroscience

New research in Biological Psychiatry offers the first direct evidence of diminished 5-HT release cements “serotonin hypothesis.”

Researchers have postulated since the 1960s that major depression stems from disruptions in the serotonin neurotransmitter system. However, the evidence for that idea, though plentiful, was indirect. In fact, a recent comprehensive analysis of existing studies concluded that there was not strong evidence to support the “serotonin hypothesis.” In its wake, some in the field have called for a reexamination of the hypothesis. Not so fast, says a new study that provides direct evidence of disrupted serotonin release in the brains of individuals with depression.

The study was published recently in the journal Biological Psychiatry.

Dec 28, 2022

Shedding LIGHT on the Mechanisms Underlying Severe Asthma

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, health

Scientists have discovered that an inflammatory cytokine known as LIGHT is a major factor in the deadly airway damage that can affect people with severe asthma. This research has suggested that such airway damage could be reversed by therapeutics that halt LIGHT, and the molecule could offer a way to treat asthma. The study, which used a mouse model and human tissue, has been reported in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

“This is a very, very significant finding,” said senior study author and LJI Professor Michael Croft, Ph.D. “This research gives us a better understanding of the potential of therapeutic targeting of LIGHT and what we might do to relieve some of the symptoms and some of the inflammatory features seen in patients who have severe asthma.”

Dec 28, 2022

When You Die You Know You Are Dead, According to Scientists

Posted by in category: futurism

What seems to stand out above anything else is that death is different for each of us.


One of the most contemplated questions across all of the man kind is “what happens when we die?” And while we may not have all of the answers, scientists have recently found that death may not be as cut and dry as we all may have thought.

Many of us have heard the notion that our life flashes before our eyes as we die. Others talk of crossing over from life into the afterlife, and some even say there is light at the end of a tunnel. We all have ideas and beliefs surrounding what happens during our final moments, but what happens?

Continue reading “When You Die You Know You Are Dead, According to Scientists” »

Dec 28, 2022

India stares at power outages, will EVs add to the burden of its stretched power sector in future?

Posted by in category: energy

Impact Of EVs On Power Supply: Even when EVs become mainstream, their cumulative demand for power would be a small fraction of India’s overall capacity. Power sector actually needs more consumers but the concern is whether the grid will be flexible enough to handle EVs.

Dec 28, 2022

Scientists Discover ‘New’ Organ Hidden Within Your Face

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

You’d think that existing exclusively within the human body would give way to a complete knowledge of the organs hidden within. Instead, we’re constantly discovering new parts of the weird and glorious biological machine we each call home. The latest in these discoveries are the “tubarial glands,” a pair of small organs responsible for producing saliva.

Dec 28, 2022

Our Physical Universe Is Based on Patterns in Mathematics

Posted by in categories: materials, mathematics

We may think we invented mathematics but we actually only discover it. It’s the immaterial underpinning of material nature.

Dec 28, 2022

AI Model Links Smell Molecules With Metabolic Processes

Posted by in category: robotics/AI

Efforts to build a better digital “nose” suggest that our perception of scents reflects both the structure of aromatic molecules and the metabolic processes that make them.

Dec 28, 2022

Kenya Case Study Part I: M-PESA story

Posted by in categories: finance, space

“M-PESA”: that is a name in global fintech history that can never be erased. Not that anybody would want to. Forever it will be the perfect example of a viable financial ecosystem based on rules unthinkable before. A living masterpiece that was created by a mosaic of unique circumstances, choices and risks taken at a particular time and place, and that continues to evolve in the changes it brought to the country.

Since I’m neither a local, nor deeply involved with the African markets (yet), I would not dare to simply impose my DIY analytics on my readers. Instead, I invite you to listen to my conversation with M-PESA’s own Kevin Amateshe reflecting on Kenya’s digital financial services space, M-PESA’s role, the past, present and future: https://youtu.be/QlZuKwnsAS4

Continue reading “Kenya Case Study Part I: M-PESA story” »