The Surprising Role of NASA in Tackling the Climate Crisis

Posted on November 19, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Flaring, the deliberate burning of excess natural gas into the atmosphere, is one way methane is released from oil and gas facilities. His EMIT mission for NASA, over more than a year of operation, demonstrated its proficiency in discovering methane and other greenhouse gas emissions from space.

Since its launch 16 months ago, the EMIT imaging spectrometer has international space station demonstrated the ability to detect more than just surface minerals. More than a year after first detecting a methane plume from its perch on the International Space Station (ISS), data from NASA’s EMIT instrument is now being used to analyze greenhouse gas emissions with a level of proficiency that surprised even its designers. used to identify source emissions.

EMIT‘s mission and capabilities

EMIT, which stands for Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation, was launched in July 2022 to map 10 major minerals on the surface of the world’s arid regions. Mineral-related observations are already available. researcher and the general public to better understand how dust in the atmosphere affects the climate.

Methane detection was not part of EMIT‘s primary mission, but the instrument’s designers expected the imaging spectrometer to have that capability. More than 750 sources of emissions have been identified since August 2022, some of which are small, located in remote areas, and persistent over long periods of time, according to a new study published in the journal However, this device is said to have achieved more than sufficient results in that respect. scientific progress.

EMIT identified a cluster of 12 methane plumes within a 150 square mile (400 square kilometer) area in southern Uzbekistan on September 1, 2022. The instrument captured this cluster, which the researchers call a “scene,” in a single shot.

Credit: NASA/JPL-California Institute of Technology

Methane emissions and climate change

“We were a little cautious at first about what this device could do,” said Andrew Thorpe, a research engineer on the EMIT science team. NASAis a researcher at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and the paper’s lead author. “It exceeded our expectations.”

Knowing where methane emissions are coming from gives operators of landfills, agricultural sites, oil and gas facilities, and other methane-producing facilities the opportunity to address methane emissions. Tracking human methane emissions is key to limiting climate change because it provides a relatively low-cost and rapid approach to reducing greenhouse gases. Methane remains in the atmosphere for about 10 years, during which time it traps heat up to 80 times more strongly than carbon dioxide, which remains for centuries.

When strong winds kick up mineral rock dust(such as calcite or chlorite) on one continent, the airborne particles can travel thousands of miles and impact an entirely different continent. Airborne dust can heat or cool the atmosphere and the ground. This heating or cooling effect is the focus of NASA’s Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) mission.

Credit: NASA/JPL-California Institute of Technology

amazing results

EMIT has proven effective in detecting both large-scale sources (tens of thousands of pounds of methane per hour) and surprisingly small sources (hundreds of pounds of methane per hour). It has been. This is important because it will allow us to identify more “superemitters,” or sources that produce a disproportionate share of total emissions.

A new study documents how EMIT was able to observe 60% to 85% of the methane plumes typically seen during airborne operations, based on the first 30 days of greenhouse gas detections.

On September 3, 2022, EMIT detected a methane plume emitting approximately 979 pounds (444 kilograms) per hour in a remote corner of southeastern Libya. This is one of the smallest sources ever detected by this instrument.

Credit: NASA/JPL-California Institute of Technology

Comparison with airborne detection

From thousands of feet above the ground, an aircraft’s methane detection equipment is more sensitive, but researchers need advance notice that they will detect methane before the aircraft can be dispatched. Many areas are not explored because they are considered too remote, too dangerous, or too expensive. Furthermore, actual campaigns cover a relatively limited area over a short period of time.

EMIT, on the other hand, will collect data from a space station at an altitude of about 400 kilometers, covering a wide area of the Earth, especially the arid region between 51.6 degrees north and 51.6 degrees south latitude. The imaging spectrometer produces a 50-mile-by-50-mile (80-kilometer-by-80-kilometer) image of the Earth’s surface (researchers call it a “scene”), including many areas that could not be reached with airborne instruments. capture.

“The number and size of methane plumes that EMIT has measured around our planet is astonishing,” said Robert O. Green. JPL Senior Researcher and Principal Investigator at EMIT.

NASA EMIT

We created this time-lapse video showing the International Space Station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm moving NASA’s EMIT mission outside the station. The Dragon spacecraft was launched…

Posted by NASA EMIT on Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Detection by scene

To help identify sources, the EMIT science team created maps of methane plumes and identified them as Websitethe underlying data are available at the NASA and U.S. Geological Survey Joint Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center (LPDAAC). Data from this mission will be available to the public, scientists, and organizations.

EMIT began collecting observations in August 2022 and has since recorded more than 50,000 scenes. The instrument discovered clusters of emission sources in little-studied areas. Southern Uzbekistan On September 1, 2022, we detected 12 methane plumes totaling approximately 49,734 pounds (22,559 kilograms) per hour.

Additionally, the instrument detected a much smaller plume than expected.captured in a secluded corner Southeastern Libya On September 3, 2022, one of the smallest sources to date was emitting 979 pounds (444 kilograms) per hour, based on local wind speed estimates.

Reference: “Attribution of Individual Methane and Carbon Dioxide Sources Using EMIT Observations from Space” Andrew K. Thorpe, Robert O. Green, David R. Thompson, Philip G. Brodrick, John W. Chapman, Clayton D. Elder, Itziar, Iraklis-Leuchert, Daniel H. Cusworth, Alana K. Ayasse, Riley M. Duren, Christian Frankenberg, Louis Gunter, John R. Warden, Philip.・E. Dennison, Dar A. Roberts, K. Dana Chadwick, Michael L. Eastwood, Jay E. Farren and Charles E. Miller, November 17, 2023, scientific progress.

DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh2391

EMIT mission details

EMIT was selected from the Earth Venture Instrument-4 public offering by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate’s Earth Sciences Division and was developed at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, managed for NASA by the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California. Data from this instrument is publicly available for use by other researchers and the public at the NASA Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center.

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The reasons why certain individuals do not exhibit symptoms of coronavirus infection

Posted on November 19, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

The peptide NQK-Q8 (light color), part of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that the virus uses to enter cells, bound to the groove of HLA-B*15:01 (orange color). This figure shows the crystal structure of HLA-B*15:01 in complex with the spike-derived peptide NQKLIANQF from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, published by Augusto et al., 2023 (Nature) (PDB Entry – 8ELH) It is based on.Credit: Andre Luis Lourenço

New study shows common genetic variations among people are involved in mediating SARS-CoV-2 Asymptomatic infection.

Have you ever wondered why some people don’t get sick? COVID-19 (new coronavirus infection)? Research recently published in journals Nature We show that common genetic variations among people are responsible for vectoring asymptomatic transmission of SARS-CoV-2. The results show that people with this mutation do not feel sick once infected. This exciting discovery was the result of a joint U.S.-Australian study led by Dr. Danilo Augusto, an assistant professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Dr. Jill Hollenbach, Professor, University of California, San Francisco. Stephanie Gras, a professor at La Trobe University in Australia.

The role of human leukocyte antigens (HLA)

The research focuses on a group of genes called human leukocyte antigens (HLAs). These HLA genes code for proteins that the immune system uses to identify healthy cells and distinguish them from cells infected with bacteria or viruses. The HLA system is important for the immune response, but varies widely between individuals. Because of the role of HLA in fighting infections, researchers are wondering whether there may be certain variants that make us more protected against or more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. I thought about it. virus.

Danilo Augusto, assistant professor of biological sciences at UNC Charlotte;

Research results and methodology

Hollenback led the data collection that began early in the pandemic. First, 29,947 unvaccinated people were screened using a mobile app specifically designed to track COVID-19 symptoms, and 1,428 people tested positive for the virus. reported.everyone has their own DNA It has been pre-sequenced for HLA gene analysis. Researchers found that people with the gene mutation HLA-B*15:01 were much more likely to remain asymptomatic after infection. Remarkably, this variant is present in approximately 10% of the population. In summary, those who had HLA-B*1501 in their genome could not avoid infection, but they were spared from getting sick.

Insights into the immune response

“We hypothesized that their immune systems would respond so quickly and strongly that the virus would be cleared before they could cause symptoms. It would be because they already know what to look for. It’s like having an army where you can tell by their uniforms that they’re bad guys,” Hollenback said.

HLA molecules present parts of the virus to immune effector cells for testing. The study used cells from individuals with HLA-B*15:01 who donated blood several years before the pandemic. The results showed that these people had memory T cells against specific particles of SARS-CoV-2. People who had never had any contact with SARS-CoV-2 had already been exposed to other viruses in some way and had developed an immune memory against particles from SARS-CoV-2.

Their immunological memory would elicit a much faster response and explain why those people remain asymptomatic. Still, it remained intriguing how they were able to develop immune memory against SARS-CoV-2 without ever being exposed to this virus.

cross-reactive immune response

“It is widely known that other types of coronaviruses have been causing seasonal colds for decades. We know that these people have been exposed to seasonal coronaviruses in the past and that somehow Alternatively, we hypothesized that people specifically carrying HLA-B*15:01 could rapidly kill cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 through a cross-reactive immune response. So even if the bad guys changed their uniforms, the military would be able to identify them by a tattoo on their boots or maybe an arm. That’s how our immunological memory works to keep us healthy. ” Augusto said.

After careful analysis of the genome sequences of all coronaviruses, this study found that this SARS-CoV-2 particle, recognized by HLA-B*15:01 in unexposed individuals, was It was shown to be very similar to particles. By presenting crystal structures and affinity assays, this study demonstrated that T cells from pre-pandemic individuals can discriminate between past coronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2 virus particles with equal efficiency. This means that these individuals have created immunological memory against previous coronaviruses, but because of the high similarity of this viral particle, memory T cells also recognize SARS-CoV-2 very quickly. can be killed.

Implications and future research

The results point to a mechanism for how individuals avoid illness caused by SARS-CoV-2, and the research group plans to continue learning about responses to the virus, which could lead to treatments for COVID-19. Your understanding of the law and vaccines will deepen.

For more information about this study, see “Uncovering the secrets of the COVID-19 ‘Super Dodgers’.” Reference: “Common alleles of” HLA Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection is Associated with .

Danilo G. Augusto, Lawton D. Murdlo, Demetra SM Chatzileontiadu, Joseph J. Sabatino Jr., and Tasneem Yousufari , Noah D. Peiser, Xochitl Butcher, Kelly Kaiser, Caroline Guthrie, Victoria by W. Murray, Vivian Pe, Sannidhi Sarvadavabatla, Fiona Beltran, Gurjot S. Gill, Carla L. Lynch, Cassandra Yun, Colin T. Maguire, Michael J. Peluso, Rebecca Ho, Timothy J. Henrik, Stephen G. Deeks, Michelle Davidson, Scott Lu, Sarah A. Goldberg, J. Daniel Kelly, Jeffrey N. Martin, Cynthia A. Vieira-Green, Stephen R. Spellman, David J. Langton, Michael J. Dewar-Aldiss, Corey Smith, Peter J. Bernard, Seulgi Lee, Gregory M. Marcus, Jeffrey M. E. Holguin, Mark J. Pletcher, Martin Myers, Stephanie Gras, Jill A. Hollenback, July 19, 2023, Nature.

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New artificial protein developed by scientists can enhance memory

Posted on November 19, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Researchers have developed a new breakthrough in memory research by genetically modifying the LIMK1 protein and activating it with rapamycin. This innovative approach shows promise in the treatment of memory-related neuropsychiatric disorders and in the advancement of neurological research.

Researchers at the Catholic University of Rome’s Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and the A. Gemelli National Polyclinic Foundation IRCCS have developed an artificial protein that improves memory.

Neuroscientists at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the Catholic University of Rome and the Agostino Gemelli National Polikuri Foundation IRCCS genetically modified a molecule called LIMK1, a protein that normally operates in the brain and plays an important role in memory.

They added a “molecular switch” activated by administering rapamycin, a drug known for some anti-aging effects on the brain.

Collaborative research with important implications

This is the research result published in the journal scientific progressIt involves the Catholic University of Rome and the Agostino Gemelli National Polyclinic Foundation IRCCS. The study was coordinated by Claudio Grassi, full professor of physiology and chair of the neuroscience department.

This research was supported by the Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research and the U.S. government. Alzheimer’s disease The Association Foundation and the Italian Ministry of Health have great application potential by deepening our understanding of memory function and facilitating the identification of innovative solutions for neuropsychiatric diseases such as dementia.

Role of LIMK1 in memory processes

The LIMK1 protein plays an important role in determining structural changes in neurons, namely the formation of dendritic spines. Dendritic spines enhance information transmission in neural networks and are important for learning and memory processes.

Professor Claudio Grassi, senior author of the study, explains: “Memory is a complex process that involves changes in synapses, connections between neurons, in specific brain regions such as the hippocampus, a neural structure that plays an important role in memory formation.”

“This phenomenon, known as synaptic plasticity, involves changes in the structure and function of synapses that occur when neural circuits are activated, such as by sensory experiences. It promotes the activation of signal transduction pathways,” Professor Grassi added.

“Some of these proteins are particularly important for memory, and in fact, decreased expression or modification of these proteins is associated with changes in cognitive function. One of these proteins is LIMK1. The goal of our study was to control the activity of this protein, as it plays an important role in the maturation of dendritic spines. We have shown that controlling LIMK1 with drugs can promote synaptic plasticity. meaning that it can promote the physiological processes that depend on it,” Professor Grassi emphasizes.

Chemogenetic strategies: a new approach to memory enhancement

“The key to this innovative ‘chemogenetics’ strategy, which combines genetics and chemistry, is the use of the immunosuppressive drug rapamycin,” said Christian Ripoli, associate professor of physiology at Catholic University and lead author of the study. It is precisely connected to this,” he added. The drug is known to increase life expectancy and have beneficial effects on the brain in preclinical models. ”

“We therefore modified the sequence of the LIMK1 protein by inserting a molecular switch that can activate it on command through the administration of rapamycin,” emphasizes Professor Lipoli.

“Using this gene therapy to modify the LIMK1 protein and activate it with a drug significantly improved memory in animals with age-related cognitive decline. This makes it possible to manipulate synaptic plasticity processes and memory in clinical conditions, and paves the way for the development of further “engineered” proteins that could revolutionize research and treatment in the field of neurology. ”, experts emphasize.

“The next step is to test the effectiveness of this treatment in experimental models of neurodegenerative diseases that exhibit memory impairment, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Further research is also needed to validate the use of this technology in humans. “Professor Grassi concluded.

Reference: “Manipulation of memory by exogenous disordered kinases” Cristian Ripoli, Onur Dagliyan, Pietro Renna, Francesco Pastore, Fabiola Paciello, Raimondo Sollazzo, Marco Rinaudo, Martina Battistoni, Sara Martini, Antonella Tramutola, Andrea Sattin, Eugenio Barone, Takeo Written by Saneyoshi, Tommaso Ferrin, Yasunori Hayashi, Claudio Grassi, November 15, 2023, scientific progress.
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh1110

Source: scitechdaily.com

The Quiet Contributors: How Anxiety and Depression Can Speed Up Cardiovascular Disease

Posted on November 17, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

A recent study presented at the 2023 American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions highlighted the link between mental health and cardiovascular disease. The study found that anxiety and depression can hasten the onset of cardiovascular risk factors, that cumulative stress scores are significantly associated with heart disease, and that mental health has a significant impact on heart health.

Two other studies presented at the same session also linked mental health and heart health, showing that depression and anxiety may accelerate the development of cardiovascular risk factors and critical events. According to one study conducted in Boston, people with a higher genetic susceptibility to stress developed cardiovascular risk factors at a younger age than those without the genetic marker. A separate Dallas-based study found that accumulated stress contributes to negative health behaviors such as smoking, leading to worsened cardiovascular health.

The American Heart Association emphasizes that mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and stress increase the risk of poor heart health. Two new studies have found that a person’s mental state may affect their health to a greater extent than previously thought.

One study examined the mechanisms by which mental state affects heart health, finding that depression and anxiety accelerate the development of new cardiovascular risk factors. Researchers found that people with depression or anxiety developed new risk factors on average six months earlier than those without mental health conditions, and were at a higher risk for major cardiovascular events. Another study showed that cumulative stress scores were significantly associated with increased risks of atherosclerosis and overall cardiovascular disease.

Researchers encouraged more frequent screenings for cardiovascular risk factors in people with depression and anxiety, and suggested that treatment for these mental health conditions may reduce the acceleration of cardiovascular risk factors.

The two studies presented at the 2023 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions underscore the interdependence of mental and heart health, and emphasize the need for proactive care for mental health conditions in order to improve overall heart health.

Source: scitechdaily.com

The Process of a ‘Bouncing’ Comet Spreading Life Across the Galaxy

Posted on November 15, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered how comets can deliver the molecular building blocks of life to planets in our galaxy, particularly those in the “pea-in-a-pod” system, where the planets orbit each other closely. It was demonstrated that

Cambridge researchers have proposed that comets could carry the building blocks of life to other planets, especially in the “pea-in-a-pod” system. Their findings suggest that these molecules can survive on planets with close orbiting neighbors, providing new insights into the search for extraterrestrial life.

How did the molecules that make up life originate on Earth? One long-standing theory is that they may have been transported by comets. Now, researchers from the University of Cambridge have shown how comets can deposit similar building blocks on other planets in the galaxy.

The role of Comet Speed and the “Peas in a Pod” system

To transport organic material, comets must travel relatively slowly, at speeds of less than 15 kilometers per second. At higher speeds, critical molecules cannot survive. The speed and temperature of the impact causes the molecules to break apart.

The most likely place for a comet to travel at a reasonable speed is in a “pea in a pod” system, where groups of planets orbit closely together. In such systems, comets can essentially pass or “bounce” from one planet’s orbit to another, slowing them down.

If the velocity is slow enough, the comet will hit the planet’s surface, releasing intact molecules that researchers believe are precursors to life. The results were announced on November 15th. Proceedings of the Royal Society A suggests that if the arrival of comets is important for the origin of life, such systems would be promising places to look for life outside the solar system.

Comet: carrier of prebiotic molecules

Comets are known to contain various building blocks of life known as prebiotic molecules. For example, a sample of asteroid Ryugu analyzed in 2022 showed that the asteroid was delivered intact. amino acid and vitamin B3. Comets also contain large amounts of hydrogen cyanide (HCN), another important prebiotic molecule. HCN has strong carbon-nitrogen bonds, making it highly resistant to high temperatures. This means that it can survive and remain intact even if it enters the atmosphere.

Lead author Richard Anslow, from the Cambridge Institute of Astronomy, said: “We’re constantly learning more about the atmospheres of exoplanets, so we’re wondering whether there are planets out there where complex molecules could be transported by comets. I wanted to find out.” “It’s possible that the molecules that brought life to Earth came from comets, and the same could be true for other planets in our galaxy.”

The researchers do not claim that comets are necessary for the origin of life on Earth or other planets, but instead place limits on the types of planets to which complex molecules such as HCN can be successfully transported by comets. I was thinking about it.

Comet path and influence on the solar system

Most of the comets in our solar system are located outside of Earth’s orbit. Neptune,So-called kuiper belt. When comets and other Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs) collide, they can be pushed toward the Sun by Neptune’s gravity and eventually pulled into the Sun. Jupitergravity. Some of these comets pass through the asteroid belt and enter the inner solar system.

“Earth is currently the only example of a planet with life, so we wanted to test our theory on a planet similar to ours,” Anslow said. “What kind of comet, moving at what speed, could deliver intact prebiotic molecules?”

Using various mathematical modeling techniques, the researchers determined that it is possible for comets to carry precursor molecules throughout their lives, but only in certain scenarios. For a planet to orbit a star similar to our Sun, the planet must have a low mass, and it is beneficial for the planet to be in a close orbit to other planets in the system. The researchers found that nearby planets in close orbits are much more important for planets around low-mass stars, whose typical velocities are much higher.

In such a system, a comet could be pulled in by the gravity of one planet and pass by another before colliding with it. If this “comet pass” occurs enough times, the comet’s velocity will be slow enough that some prebiotic molecules will be able to survive atmospheric entry.

“In these dense systems, each planet has a chance to interact with and capture the comet,” Anslow said. “This mechanism could be how prebiotic molecules reach the planet.”

For planets orbiting low-mass stars like M dwarfs, complex molecules are more difficult to transport by comets, especially if the planet’s density is loose. Rocky planets in these systems are also exposed to higher velocity collisions, which can pose unique challenges for life on these planets.

Implications for the search for extraterrestrial life

Researchers say their results could help determine where to look for life outside the solar system.

“It’s interesting that we can start to identify the types of systems that can be used to test different origin scenarios,” Anslow said. “This is another way of looking at the great work already being done on Earth. What molecular pathways gave rise to the wide variety of life we see around us? Are there other planets with similar pathways? These are exciting times, as we can combine advances in astronomy and chemistry to study some of the most fundamental questions.”

Reference: “Can comets deliver prebiotic molecules to rocky exoplanets?” RJ Anslow, A. Bonsor, PB Rimmer, November 15, 2023. Proceedings of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physics and Engineering Sciences.

DOI: 10.1098/rspa.2023.0434

This research was supported by the Royal Society and part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Richard Anslow is a Fellow of Wolfson College, Cambridge.

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Comets are the most likely carriers of life’s essential building blocks to planets in clusters

Posted on November 15, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Nearby neighboring worlds can slow down the comet enough to allow the building blocks of life to survive

Shutterstock/Bradaki

It may be easiest to deliver materials for life to neighboring planets. Comets can carry many of the key building blocks of life, such as amino acids and other organic compounds, but their ability to deliver those building blocks to a particular planet depends on the configuration of their broader systems. It may depend.

There are several ideas about how the ingredients for life began on Earth, but the common idea is that a comet hit the Earth and organic molecules were deposited here. But comets tend to travel through space at extremely high speeds, and if they hit a planet at more than about 20 kilometers per second, the chances of their important compounds surviving the impact are almost zero.

Richard Anslow Researchers at the University of Cambridge ran a series of simulations to investigate how planetary systems can slow down comets and reduce their impact velocity enough to preserve these compounds. In ideal conditions, a slow impact would leave behind a type of prebiotic soup called a comet pond within the impact crater.

They discovered that there are two types of systems that can slow down a comet by 5 to 10 kilometers per second. One is a system with relatively massive stars, where everything tends to orbit slightly. For planets that are slow and have several planets spaced closely together like peas in a pod, the comet could weave between them and lose speed over time. there is.

“The best planetary systems are on relatively low-mass planets like Earth, around high-mass stars similar to the Sun but perhaps even more massive, and close enough for other rocky planets to pass through.” “It would be in a planetary system that has comets around it,” Anslow said.

He said that if astronomers eventually detect signs of life on other planets, simply examining the overall system configuration could help them understand how it got there. and that it could advance our limited understanding of how life formed. Earth.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

DeepMind AI outperforms top weather forecasts, with one caveat

Posted on November 14, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Will the AI tell me if I need an umbrella?

Sebastien Bozon/AFP via Getty Images

AI company Google DeepMind says AI can more accurately predict the weather 10 days out than current state-of-the-art simulations, but meteorologists are still trying to build weather models based on actual physical principles. It warns against abandoning and relying solely on patterns in the data. Expose the shortcomings of AI approaches.

Existing weather forecasts are based on mathematical models, which use physics and powerful supercomputers to definitively predict what will happen in the future. These models have gradually become more accurate by adding more details, but this requires more calculations, more powerful computers, and higher energy demands.

Rémi Lam and his colleagues at Google DeepMind took a different approach. The company’s GraphCast AI model is trained on his 40 years of historical weather data from satellites, radar, and ground-based measurements to identify patterns that even Google DeepMind can’t understand. “As with many machine learning AI models, it’s not that easy to interpret how the model works,” Lamb says.

To make the predictions, actual weather measurements taken at two points six hours apart from more than one million locations around the globe are used to predict the weather six hours into the future. These predictions can be used as input for another round that predicts another 6 hours into the future.

DeepMind researchers carried out this process using data Produces a 10-day forecast from the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). They say it outperformed ECMWF’s “gold standard” High Resolution Forecasting (HRES) by providing more accurate forecasts on more than 90 per cent of the data points tested. At some altitudes, this accuracy increased to 99.7%.

Matthew Chantry He, who worked with Google DeepMind at ECMWF, said his organization had previously seen AI as a tool to complement existing mathematical models, but in the past 18 months it has seen a shift in the way AI can actually provide predictions on its own. He said that he has become able to do so.

“We at ECMWF believe this is a very exciting technology that has the potential not only to reduce energy costs when making forecasts, but also to improve them. Creating a reliable operational product “Probably more work is needed, but this is likely the beginning of a revolution in the way weather forecasts are made, and this is our assessment,” he says. According to Google DeepMind, using GraphCast to make a 10-day forecast takes him less than a minute on a high-end PC, but with HRES it can take several hours on a supercomputer.

But some meteorologists are wary of trusting weather forecasting to AI. Ian Renfrew According to researchers at the University of East Anglia in the UK, GraphCast currently lack the ability to marshal data into its own starting state, a process known as data assimilation. In traditional predictions, this data is carefully incorporated into simulations after thorough checks on physics and chemistry calculations to ensure accuracy and consistency. Currently, GraphCast must use a starting state prepared in the same way by ECMWF’s own tools.

“Google won’t be doing weather forecasts any time soon because they can’t assimilate the data,” Renfrew said. “And data assimilation is typically one-half to two-thirds of the computation time for these forecasting systems.”

He says there are also concerns about completely abandoning deterministic models based on chemistry and physics and relying solely on AI output.

“Even if you have the best predictive model in the world, what’s the point if the public doesn’t trust you and you don’t take action? We ordered the evacuation of 30 miles of Florida’s coastline. “If nothing happens, it will blow away the trust that has been built over decades,” he says. “The advantage of a deterministic model is that you can investigate it. If you get a bad prediction, you can investigate why that prediction is bad and target those aspects for improvement.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

12 Billion Years Ago, JWST Uncovers Secrets of Star-Forming Galaxies

Posted on November 14, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers discover that most early galaxies from about 12 billion years ago had more glowing gas than stars due to interactions with neighboring galaxies. I was able to.

This groundbreaking result provides new insights into the evolution of galaxies and the early Universe, and highlights the transformative impact of JWST on astrophysics.

New images from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have helped Australian astronomers uncover the secrets of how infant galaxies began a burst of star formation in the very early universe .Some early galaxies were rich in gas that shined brighter than emerging stars. In a new study, astronomers have discovered just how prevalent these bright galaxies were about 12 billion years ago. Images from JWST show that nearly 90% of galaxies in the early Universe had this glowing gas, creating so-called “extreme emission line features. An image of a distant polar emission galaxy. Observed by the James Webb Space Telescope (left) and the Hubble Space Telescope (right). This comparison highlights the sharpness of the JWST images. Credit: ARC Center of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3 Dimensions (ASTRO 3D)

“The stars in these young galaxies were amazing, producing enough radiation to excite the gas around them. This gas, in turn, shined even brighter than the stars themselves.” said Dr. Anshu Gupta, Curtin University Node of the ARC Center for Three-Dimensional All-Sky Astrophysics (ASTRO 3D) and the International Radio Astronomy Research Center.Iqral), lead author of the paper describing this finding. “Until now, it has been difficult to understand how these galaxies are able to accumulate so much gas. Our discovery suggests that each of these galaxies had at least one neighboring galaxy. This suggests that interactions between these galaxies cool the gas and trigger intense star formation episodes, resulting in this extreme luminescence property.” Progress in observing galaxies in the early universe

This discovery is an example of the unparalleled clarity the JWST telescope provides in studying the early universe.

“The quality of data from the James Webb Telescope is exceptional,” says Dr. Gupta. “It has the depth and resolution necessary to observe the surroundings and neighboring galaxies of early galaxies, when the universe was just 2 billion years old. We were able to confirm that there are significant differences in the number of neighboring galaxies among galaxies that do not.”

The target galaxy observed by the James Webb Space Telescope (left) and the Hubble Space Telescope (right). The unprecedented resolution and sharpness of the JWST images allowed us to identify neighboring galaxies (cyan circles) that were not even visible to Hubble. Credit: ARC Center of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3 Dimensions (ASTRO 3D

Until now, we’ve struggled to get clear images of galaxies whose universe is about 2 billion years old. Since many stars had not yet formed, there were far fewer galaxies to focus on, making the task even more difficult.“Before JWST, we could only get pictures of really huge galaxies, most of which were in very dense galaxy clusters, making them difficult to study,” says Dr. Gupta. “With the technology available at the time, it was not possible to observe 95% of the galaxies used in this study. His Webb telescope revolutionized our research.

An image of a distant polar emission galaxy. Observed by the James Webb Space Telescope (left) and the Hubble Space Telescope (right). This comparison highlights the sharpness of the JWST images. Credit: ARC Center of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3 Dimensions (ASTRO 3D)

Checking previous assumptions
The discovery proved an earlier assumption, said fellow author Tran, associate director of ASTRO 3D and the Harvard University and Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. “We suspected that these extreme galaxies were signposts of intense interactions in the early universe, but only with JWST’s keen eye could we confirm our hunch.” she says.

The study is based on data obtained as part of the JWST Advanced Deep Extragacular Survey (JADES) survey, which uses deep infrared imaging and multi-object spectroscopy to explore the universe for the earliest galaxies. It paves the way for further insights. “What’s really interesting about this study is that we see similarities in emission lines between the first galaxies and galaxies that formed more recently and are easier to measure. It means we now have more ways to answer difficult questions about the early Universe,” said second author Ravi Jaiswal, PhD student at Curtin University/ICRAR and ASTRO 3D.

“This research is at the heart of the work of our Galaxy Evolution Programme. Understanding what earlier galaxies looked like will help us answer questions about the origins of the elements that make up all of our daily life on Earth. We can,” said Professor Emma Ryan-Weber, ASTRO 3D Director.

Reference: “MOSEL study: JWST reveals massive mergers/strong interactions in the early universe driving extreme emission lines” Anshu Gupta, Ravi Jaiswar, Vicente Rodriguez-Gomez, Ben Forrest, Kim -Vy Tran, Themiya Nanayakkara, Anishya Harshan, Elisabete Da Cunha, Glenn G. Kapsack, Michaela Harshman, of astrophysical journal.

DOI: 10.48550/arXiv.2311.02158

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The microbiome may be linked to memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease, new study finds

Posted on November 12, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

A groundbreaking study proves that Alzheimer’s disease symptoms can be induced in healthy animals through gut microbiome transmission, highlighting the gut-brain connection and suggesting early treatment and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. New avenues for personalized interventions have been opened.

Researchers have discovered a link between the gut microbiome and gut bacteria. Alzheimer’s disease disease.

For the first time, research has demonstrated that symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease can be transmitted to healthy young organisms through the gut microbiome, confirming its role in Alzheimer’s disease.

The research was led by Professor Yvonne Nolan from APC Microbiome Ireland, the world’s leading SFI-funded research center based at University College Cork (UCC), and Professor Yvonne Nolan from UCC’s Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience. Professor Sandrine Thure, King’s College London, and Dr. Annamaria Cattaneo, IRCCS Fatebenefratelli, Italy.

Scientists have discovered a link between Alzheimer’s disease and the gut microbiome. Pictured are Dr. Stephanie Grabracer and Professor Yvonne Nolan. Credit: UGC

This study confirms that the gut microbiome is emerging as an important research target for Alzheimer’s disease, given its sensitivity to lifestyle and environmental influences.

was announced on brainThis study shows that memory impairment in Alzheimer’s patients can be transferred to younger animals through gut microbiota transplantation.

Alzheimer’s disease, memory impairment, gut microbiome

Patients with Alzheimer’s disease had greater abundance of pro-inflammatory bacteria in their fecal samples, and these changes were directly correlated with the patients’ cognitive status.

Professor Yvonne Nolan said: “The memory test we investigated relies on the growth of new neurons in the hippocampal region of the brain. Animals with the gut bacteria of Alzheimer’s patients produced fewer new neurons and had impaired memory. I found out that it is true.”

“Alzheimer’s patients are typically diagnosed at or after the onset of cognitive symptoms, which may be too late, at least with current treatments. “Understanding the role of gut bacteria could pave the way for the development of new treatments and even personalized interventions,” Professor Nolan said.

Implications for treatment strategies and research collaborations

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia and is a general term for memory loss and other cognitive impairments severe enough to interfere with daily life. As the population ages, one in three people born today could develop Alzheimer’s disease. Funded by Science Foundation Ireland, scientists at UCC are leading the way in healthy brain aging by investigating how the gut microbiome responds to lifestyle influences such as diet and exercise. We are working to develop strategies to accelerate and advance the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Professor Sandrine Thuret, Professor of Neuroscience at King’s College London and one of the study’s senior authors, said: ‘Alzheimer’s disease is an insidious disease and there is still no effective treatment. , represents an important advance in the understanding of this disease, confirming that the composition of our gut microbiota is causally linked to the development of the disease. This collaboration will help future research in this field. We hope that this will lead to potential advances in therapeutic interventions.”

Professor. John F. Cryan, vice president of research and innovation at UCC, who also worked on the study, said: He conducts research into related diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, and with UCC he recognizes APC Microbiome Ireland as a leading institution in microbiome and brain health research. This research is consistent with our UCC Futures Framework and the University’s strategic plans in the areas of food, microbiome, health and, soon to be launched, Future Aging and Brain Sciences. “

Reference: “The microbiota of Alzheimer’s patients induces defects in cognition and hippocampal neurogenesis” Stephanie Grubrucker, Moira Marizzoni, Edina Silajzic, Nicola Lopizzo, Elisa Mombelli, Sarah Nicolas, Sebastian Dom-Hansen, Katia Scacellati, Davide Vito Moretti, Melissa Rosa, Carina Hoffman, John F. Cryan, Olivia F. O’Leary, Jane A. English, Aongus Lovell, Cora O’Neill, Sandrine. Ture, Annamaria Cattaneo, Yvonne M. Nolan, October 18, 2023; brain.
DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad303

The research was carried out by Dr Stephanie Grubrucker, a postdoctoral researcher in collaboration with Professor Nolan, in collaboration with postdoctoral colleagues Dr Edina Siladzic from King’s College London and Dr Moira Marizzoni from IRCCS Fatebenefratelli in Italy. It was carried out. UCC collaborators were Professor Cora O’Neill, Dr Olivia O’Leary, Dr Sarah Nicholas, Dr Jane English, Mr Sebastian Dohm Hansen and Dr Aongus Lovell.

Source: scitechdaily.com

View of Earth from a 6,000 km orbit through a 2 mm lens

Posted on November 12, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Credit: University of Maribor

Equipped with a miniature camera, the TRISAT-R CubeSat captured unique images of the Earth from 6,000 km, contributing to ESA’s research on medium-Earth orbit and digital imaging effects.

Partially shadowed Earth in the distance as seen from orbit at an altitude of 6,000 km (3,700 miles). This unusual image was obtained using a very small camera. It measures just 2 mm (0.08 inches), about the size of the end of a 20 euro cent (or US nickel). This is part of a small-scale technology experiment carried out on his shoebox-sized TRISAT-R CubeSat at ESA.

Iztok Kramberger, TRISAT-R project manager at the University of Maribor, explains: “This tiny camera, less than 2 cubic millimeters in size, captured images of an object of about 1 trillion cubic kilometers – our beautiful Earth – from thousands of kilometers away.”

A CubeSat made from three standardized 10 cm (4 inch) boxes, Trisat R This is Slovenia’s second space mission, with Europe’s first Vega-C launch last year reaching the relatively harsh environment of medium-Earth orbit at an altitude of 6,000 km (3,700 miles). The mission’s orbit passes through the core of the ionosphere (the electrically active layer of Earth’s atmosphere) and the inner Van Allen radiation belt.

The side cover size of TRISAT-R CubeSat is 10×10 cm. In the center you can see the photodiode (the white part in the middle) and the camera (the small black dot next to the diode and directly above the image). In the center of the camera, you can see a 2 x 2 mm camera lens with a 120 degree field of view. The lens is made from clear, radiation-resistant borosilicate glass and is attached directly to the image sensor below, providing 320 x 320 pixels.Credit: University of Maribor

This will enable TRISAT-R to test a range of radiation detection payloads. In addition, the TRISAT-R team mounted his two miniature cameras with lenses made of clear borosilicate glass directly onto a 320×320 pixel image sensor to provide limited radiation resistance. Ta.

Dr. Cranberger added: “These highly miniaturized cameras are not intended to perform ground imagery, so the resulting images of the Earth are very low resolution. Also, the TRISAT-R satellite uses magnetorque for attitude control. accurate pointing is difficult to achieve.

“Our main interest was in capturing an example of the ‘black sun effect’, which is common in terrestrial digital image processing, where pixel oversaturation can cause very bright areas to appear dark. We were successful in these investigations and were fortunate to be able to obtain images like this one. ”

ESA supported the manufacturing, assembly and testing of TRISAT-R through the ‘Fly’ element of the Integrated Support Technology Program, opening up on-orbit demonstration opportunities for European companies.

Located in a unique and challenging orbit, TRISAT-R’s commissioning phase is scheduled to conclude later this month, including 16 months of successful on-orbit operations.

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The merger of quantum biology and AI fueled genome editing advancements

Posted on November 11, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have utilized quantum biology and explainable artificial intelligence to advance CRISPR Cas9 technology for genome editing in microorganisms. This breakthrough has enabled more precise genetic modification of microorganisms, opening up possibilities for the production of renewable fuels and chemicals. The research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory has significantly improved the efficiency of CRISPR Cas9 genome editing in microorganisms and contributed to renewable energy development.

CRISPR is a powerful tool for bioengineering, used to modify the genetic code to improve the performance of organisms or correct mutations. ORNL scientists developed a method to improve the accuracy of the CRISPR Cas9 gene editing tool used to modify microorganisms for the production of renewable fuels and chemicals. They have leveraged their expertise in quantum biology, artificial intelligence, and synthetic biology to achieve this.

To improve the modeling and design of guide RNAs, ORNL scientists sought to better understand what is happening at the most fundamental level in the cell nucleus, where genetic material is stored. They turned to quantum biology to study how electronic structure affects the chemical properties and interactions of nucleotides, such as DNA and RNA.

Furthermore, scientists at ORNL have built an explainable artificial intelligence model called iterated random forest, which has been used to train the model on a dataset of about 50,000 guide RNAs targeting the genome of Escherichia coli. This model has provided important features regarding the nucleotides that allow for better selection of guide RNAs.

Improving the CRISPR Cas9 model provides scientists with a high-throughput pipeline for linking genotype to phenotype in functional genomics. This research will impact efforts at the ORNL-led Center for Bioenergy Innovation (CBI), such as improving bioenergy feedstock plants and bacterial fermentation of biomass.

The results of this research significantly improve the prediction of guide RNAs. This represents an exciting advance toward understanding how avoid ‘mistakes’ and improving the ability to use CRISPR tools to predictively modify the DNA of more organisms. The study was funded by SEED SFA and CBI, part of the DOE Office of Science’s Biological and Environmental Research Program, ORNL’s Laboratory-Directed Research and Development Program, and OLCF and Compute’s High Performance Computing Resources and Data Environment for Science, both supported by the Office of Science.

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NASA’s Webb and Hubble team up to capture the most vivid image of the universe

Posted on November 10, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

This panchromatic view of galaxy cluster MACS0416 was created by combining infrared observations from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope with visible-light data from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Jose M. Diego (IFCA), Jordan CJ D’Silva (UWA), Anton M. Koekemoer (STScI), Jake Summers (ASU), Rogier Windhorst (ASU), Haojing Yan ( University of Missouri)https://chat.openai.com/c/de5c3def-7d31-49b0-bd44-3d61675a3ae5

The result is a vivid landscape of the galaxy and more than a dozen newly discovered time-changing objects.

When the two flagship observatories come together, they reveal a wealth of new details that are only possible through their combined power. Webb and Hubble collaborated on studying MACS0416, a galaxy cluster about 4.3 billion light-years from Earth. Combining these data yields a prismatic panorama of blue and red. These colors provide clues to the galaxy’s distance. While the images themselves are surprising, researchers are already using these observations to fuel new scientific discoveries, such as identifying gravitationally expanded supernovae and ordinary stars.

This side-by-side comparison of galaxy cluster MACS0416 seen in optical light from the Hubble Space Telescope (left) and infrared light from the James Webb Space Telescope (right) reveals different details. Both images show hundreds of galaxies, but the Webb image shows galaxies that are invisible or only barely visible in the Hubble image. This is because Webb’s infrared vision can detect galaxies that are too far away or covered in dust to be seen by Hubble. (Light from distant galaxies is redshifted due to the expansion of the universe.) Webb’s total exposure time was about 22 hours, while the exposure time of the Hubble image was his 122 hours. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI

NASA’s Webb Space Telescope and Hubble Space Telescope combine to create the most colorful view of the universe. NASA’s james webb space telescope and hubble space telescope They teamed up to study a vast galaxy cluster known as MACS0416. The resulting panchromatic images combine visible and infrared light to assemble one of the most comprehensive views of the universe ever captured. MACS0416, located approximately 4.3 billion light-years from Earth, is a pair of colliding galaxy clusters that will eventually merge to form an even larger cluster. Details revealed by the combination of stretching and contraction forces

This image reveals a wealth of detail only possible by combining the power of both space telescopes. This includes an abundance of galaxies outside the cluster and a scattering of light sources that change over time, possibly due to gravitational lensing (distortion and amplification of light from distant background sources). It is.

The galaxy cluster was the first in a series of unprecedented cosmic views into ultra-deep space from an ambitious joint Hubble program called Frontier Fields, launched in 2014. Hubble pioneered the search for some of the faintest and youngest galaxies ever detected. Webb’s infrared vision greatly enhances this deep observation by going even deeper into the early universe with its infrared vision.

This image of galaxy cluster MACS0416 highlights gravitational lensing background galaxies that existed about 3 billion years after the Big Bang. The galaxy contains an ephemeral object that the scientific team has named Mothra, whose brightness changes over time. Mothra is a star that is magnified at least 4,000 times. The researchers believe that Mothra is magnified not only by the gravity of the galaxy cluster MACS 0416, but also by an object known as a millilens, which weighs about the same as the globular cluster. Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Jose M. Diego (IFCA), Jordan CJ D’Silva (UWA), Anton M. Koekemoer (STScI), Jake Summers (ASU), Rogier Windhorst (ASU), Haojing Yan ( University of Missouri)

Roger Windhorst of Arizona State University, principal investigator of the PEARLS program (Extragalactic Field for Reionization and Lensing Science), which carried out the Webb observations, said: “We are looking at objects that are farther away and fainter. “By doing so, we are building on Hubble’s legacy.”Understand image color and scientific goals

To create the images, the shortest wavelengths of light were generally color-coded as blue, the longest wavelengths as red, and the intermediate wavelengths as green. The wide range of wavelengths from 0.4 to 5 microns provides particularly vivid galactic landscapes.

These colors provide clues to the galaxy’s distance. The bluest galaxies, as most commonly detected by Hubble, are relatively nearby and often exhibit intense star formation, while the redder galaxies, as detected by Webb, tend to be more distant. Some galaxies appear very red because they contain large amounts of cosmic dust that tends to absorb bluer-colored starlight.

“Until we combine the Webb data with the Hubble data, we won’t get the full picture,” Windhorst said.Scientific discoveries and the “Christmas Tree Galaxy Cluster”

New Webb observations contribute to this aesthetic view, but they were taken for a specific scientific purpose. The research team combined his three epochs, each conducted a few weeks apart, with his fourth epoch by the CANUCS (Canadian NIRISS Unbiased Cluster Survey) research team. The goal was to search for objects that change in brightness observed over time, known as transients.

They identified 14 such transients across the visual field. Twelve of these transients are located in three galaxies that are highly magnified by gravitational lensing, and may be individual stars or star systems that are temporarily highly magnified. The remaining two transients are in more moderately expanded background galaxies and may be supernovae.

“We call MACS 0416 the Christmas Tree Galaxy Cluster, both because it is so colorful and because of the flashing lights found within it. Transients are seen everywhere. ” said Haojing Yang of the University of Missouri-Columbia, lead author of a paper describing the scientific results.

Among the transients the team identified, one in particular stood out. It is located in a galaxy that existed about 3 billion years after the Big Bang and has been magnified by at least 4,000 times. The research team nicknamed the system “Mothra” for its “monstrous nature” of being extremely bright and highly magnified. It joins another lensed star that researchers previously identified and named “Godzilla.” (Godzilla and Mothra are both giant monsters known as kaiju in Japanese movies.)

Interestingly, Mothra can also be seen in Hubble observations taken nine years ago. This is unusual because zooming in on stars this much requires a very specific alignment between the foreground galaxy cluster and the background stars. The mutual motion of stars and star clusters should eventually dissolve the alignment.

Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Jose M. Diego (IFCA), Jordan CJ D’Silva (UWA), Anton M. Koekemoer (STScI), Jake Summers (ASU), Rogier Windhorst (ASU), Haojing Yan ( University of Missouri)”

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Vitamin B3 Shows Promise in Treating Chronic Inflammatory Pain

Posted on November 9, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Mitochondria in specific sensory neurons may be linked to chronic pain

Beast of the Beast Science / Alamy

A type of vitamin B3 called nicotinamide riboside reduces persistent pain in mice, suggesting it may also treat chronic pain in humans.

Inflammation (the body’s first line of defense against injury and pathogens) is a major cause of pain. However, some people experience continued pain even after the inflammation has subsided.

To understand why, Niels Eichelkamp and colleagues from Utrecht University in the Netherlands analyzed the effects of inflammation on mitochondria, the powerhouses of cells. Previous research has linked chronic pain to mitochondrial dysfunction, particularly in specialized nerve cells called sensory neurons that sense changes in the environment.

The researchers injected a substance that causes inflammation into the hind legs of 15 mice. They then measured the amount of oxygen consumed by the mitochondria in the animals’ sensory neurons, which indicates mitochondrial function. They found that a week after the inflammation had subsided, the mitochondria were consuming significantly more oxygen than before the injection, suggesting that the inflammation caused lasting changes in their function. Further experiments linked these mitochondrial changes to increased pain sensitivity in the rodents even after inflammation had subsided.

The researchers then analyzed molecular byproducts of chemical reactions called metabolites in the animals’ mitochondria. They compared these to mitochondrial metabolites in naive mice. caused inflammation. The researchers found that levels of nicotinamide riboside in the mitochondria of the mice’s sensory neurons were lower than expected after the inflammation subsided. This is a type of vitamin B3 that is important for mitochondrial function.

So, about a week after inducing inflammation in another group of 12 mice, Eichelkamp and his team gave half of them a high dose of nicotinamide riboside (500 milligrams per kilogram of body weight). administered. In comparison, her recommended daily amount of vitamin B3 for most adults is 14 milligrams and 16 milligrams. They then assessed the animals’ sensitivity to pain by measuring how quickly they removed their paws from the heat. Mice that did not receive nicotinamide riboside withdrew their paws twice as fast on average as those that did, suggesting that the supplement reduced pain.

Taken together, these findings reveal two things. One is that inflammation can impair mitochondrial function in sensory neurons, and these dysfunctions increase the risk of chronic pain even after inflammation has subsided. Second, taking nicotinamide riboside supplements may help treat this chronic pain by restoring mitochondrial function.

However, people with chronic pain should not rush to take these supplements. “[This research] Still inside the rodent. How does that translate to humans? We need to check that first,” Eikelkamp said. In clinical trials, nicotinamide riboside may be ineffective or have unintended consequences, he says.

Even if these findings apply to humans, they probably only apply to certain types of chronic pain, such as chronic inflammatory diseases, Eikelkamp says. For example, more than 20 percent A proportion of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic disease characterized by persistent joint inflammation, continue to experience pain even when inflammation levels are low. Therefore, it makes sense to test these findings in that demographic first.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

New Study Unravels the Varied Emotional Purpose of Dreams in Different Locations

Posted on November 4, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Dreaming is a complex neurophysiological experience that is influenced by the sociocultural environment, and recent research has compared the dreams of forager communities in Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo with those in Europe and North America, and has Differences in tone and simulation of real-life situations became apparent. This study shows that dreams reflect social norms and values, suggesting a link between dream content and an individual’s sociocultural life.

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the University of Toronto revealed that dreams have a variety of emotional functions.

Why do we dream? This phenomenon is rooted in neurophysiological processes in the brain and manifests as multifaceted, often emotionally charged experiences that can mimic aspects of reality to varying degrees. However, the definitive reason for dreaming remains unclear. A new study jointly conducted by the University of Geneva (UNIGE), the University of Toronto and the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG) compares the dreams of her two hunting communities in Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo with those of individuals living in Africa. did. Europe and North America.

It showed that the first two groups not only produced more threatening dreams but also more cathartic and socially oriented dreams than the Western group.These results will be read scientific reportshows how strong the link between sociocultural environment and dream function is.

Dreams are hallucinatory experiences common to all humankind. This occurs most often during a paradoxical phase of sleep known as the rapid eye movement (REM) phase. However, it can occur during any sleep stage.

What is the physiological, emotional and cultural function of dreams? Do they regulate our emotions? Does it prepare us to deal with certain situations? Recent theories suggest that during “functional” dreaming, individuals simulate more threatening or social situations, which may have an evolutionary advantage in promoting adaptive behavior in real-life situations. It suggests that it is possible.

Dream results vary depending on environment and population studied

To test these theories, researchers from UNIGE and the University of Toronto compared the dream content of the Bayaka people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Hadza people of Tanzania, two communities that approximate a hunter-gatherer lifestyle. . Ancestry – Ancestry of a diverse group of individuals living in Europe and North America (Switzerland, Belgium, Canada), including healthy participants and patients with mental disorders.

Bayaka and Hadza dream stories were collected over two months in the field by anthropologists from the University of Toronto. Data on dreams in Western groups comes from previous studies published between 2014 and 2022.

“We found that Bayaka and Hadza dreams are very dynamic. They often begin in dangerous, life-threatening situations, whereas the Western groups we observed In contrast, in clinical populations, such as patients suffering from nightmares or social anxiety, dreams may be intense but do not involve cathartic emotional resolution. “The latter group seems to lack the adaptive function of dreaming,” says Lampros, a private professor and group leader in the Department of Psychiatry and Basic Neuroscience at UNIGE School of Medicine, and HUG’s attending physician.・Mr. Perogamvros explains. The Center for Sleep Medicine led the study.

A mirror that reflects social structure

The researchers found that among the responses Native Americans have when faced with threats in dreams, those related to social support are very frequent. For example, an indigenous person reports a dream in which he was run over by a buffalo in the middle of the bush and was rescued by a member of his community. Or someone may have a dream where they fall into a well and one of their friends saves them. These dreams contain their own emotional resolutions.‘

“Social bonds are necessarily very strong among the Bayaka and Hadza people. Daily life and the division of labor are typically more egalitarian when compared to the more individualistic societies of Europe and North America. This kind of dependence on social connections and community means that the best way for them to process the emotional content associated with threats in their dreams is to take advantage of the social relationships they have. “In fact, these relationships are emotional tools used to process life’s challenges,” says John, an associate professor of evolutionary anthropology at the University of Toronto in Mississauga and lead author of the study. David Samson explains. Therefore, the research team suggests that there is a close relationship between the function of dreams and the social norms and values of each specific society studied.

“However, this study makes it difficult to infer a causal relationship between dreams and daytime activity. Nor should we conclude that dreams in Western populations have no emotional function.”・Mr. Perogamvros added. In fact, in 2019, the same research team found that “bad dreams” in Western people, dreams with negative content that are not nightmares, are often simulations of our fears, and that once we wake up, we are faced with our fears. published a study showing that they are preparing to do so. I’m awake. “There appears to be more than one type of ‘functional’ dream. This study shows that there is a strong link between our sociocultural lives and the function of dreams,” the researchers said. concludes.

Reference: “Evidence for the Emotionally Adaptive Function of Dreams: A Cross-Cultural Study” David R. Samson, Alice Clerge, Nour Abbas, Jeffrey Senese, Marika S. Sarma, Sheena Lou-Levi, Ibrahim A.・Mabulla, Audax ZP Mabulla, Valcy Miegacanda, Francesca Borghese, Pauline Henkarz, Sophie Schwartz, Virginie Starpenich, Lee T. Gettler, Adam Boyett, Alyssa N. Crittenden, Lampros Perroganvros, 2023 October 2nd, scientific report.
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43319-z

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Teens’ asthma risk may be heightened by E-cigarettes

Posted on November 3, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

A Texas A&M University study shows that e-cigarettes increase the risk of asthma in young nonsmokers, identifies associated risk factors, and calls for public health measures to reduce e-cigarette use among young people. There is.

This study highlights the urgent need to develop approaches to address the rising prevalence of e-cigarette uptake and its negative health effects.

A recent study from the Texas A&M University School of Public Health found that e-cigarettes may increase the risk of asthma in young people who do not smoke traditional tobacco products.

The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among adolescents has increased dramatically over the past few years. Although e-cigarettes contain fewer toxins than regular cigarettes, they still contain a cocktail of harmful chemicals that increase the risk of respiratory illness.

Research results on e-cigarettes and asthma

In this new study published in preventive medicine, researchers analyzed data from a national survey of young people to determine whether there was a link between e-cigarettes and asthma. Researchers also sought to identify factors that may be associated with e-cigarette use among adolescents.

The research team used data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, a national health dataset set up by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to track health behaviors and outcomes in children and youth. The study used data collected between 2015 and 2019, including information on e-cigarette use. The analysis included data from more than 3,000 youth ages 13 to 17 in Texas and more than 32,000 youth in the United States for comparison.

The survey asked respondents whether they had ever used e-cigarettes, how many days in the past 30 days they had used e-cigarettes, and whether a health care professional had ever told them they had asthma. The study includes information on respondents’ gender, age, race, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), and presence or absence of symptoms of depression. The analysis also includes data on the use of other substances, including traditional cigarettes, alcohol, and illicit drugs.

Correlation and risk factors

This study confirmed the association between e-cigarette use and asthma in young people who have never smoked traditional tobacco products. This indicates that e-cigarettes increase the risk of asthma independently of the use of traditional tobacco products in young people.

Researchers also found evidence that some demographic factors, behaviors associated with drug use, and the presence of depressive symptoms were associated with e-cigarette use. Young people who used traditional cigarettes, alcohol, and other substances were more likely to use e-cigarettes, as were depressed subjects.

Additionally, Hispanic youth in Texas were significantly less likely to have used e-cigarettes than non-Hispanic white youth. However, researchers found that there were no notable differences between races and ethnicities in the United States as a whole. Further research is needed to identify factors that may be associated with decreased e-cigarette use among Hispanic youth in Texas.

Recommendations and conclusions

“Increasing knowledge about the harmful effects of e-cigarette use, introducing stricter regulations, and promoting alternative coping mechanisms for mental health are potential interventions to reduce e-cigarette use.” “Yes,” said Dr. Taehyung Lo, lead author of the study.

Given the burden of asthma and the increasing use of e-cigarettes among adolescents, researchers hope these findings will help inform public health efforts to reduce e-cigarette use. ing.

Reference: “The Association between E-Cigarette Use and Asthma in U.S. Youth: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System 2015-2019,” by Taehyun Roh, Kido Uyamasi, Anisha Aggarwal, Alexander Obeng, and Jenny Carrillo, September 2023. Four days, preventive medicine.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2023.107695

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Lucy spacecraft makes a new asteroid discovery, finding another one beyond asteroid Dinkinesh

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Asteroid Dinkinesh and its orbiting asteroids

NASA/Goddard/SwRI/Johns Hopkins University APL/NOAO

NASA’s Lucy spacecraft passed the first asteroid and discovered a second asteroid at the same time. Lucy passed the small asteroid Dinkinesh on November 1, and images sent back to Earth show that Dinkinesh has an even smaller space rock orbiting it, the smallest main-belt asteroid ever observed up close. It became clear that there was.

This finding was not entirely surprising. As Lucy approached Dinkinesh over the past few weeks, the asteroid’s brightness appeared to oscillate over time, often indicating the presence of some type of satellite. But Dinkinesh’s diameter is only about 790 meters (790 meters), making it impossible to spot the satellite from Earth, and until November 1, even spacecraft were too far away to see it clearly.

During a flyby on November 1, Lucy flew just 430 kilometers (430 kilometers) from Dinkinesh at speeds of about 16,000 kilometers per hour, taking photos as it passed. These photos reveal a second, smaller asteroid in the Dinkinesh binary, this one only about 220 meters in diameter.

“We knew this would be the smallest main-belt asteroid ever seen up close.” Keith Knoll at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. statement. “The fact that it’s two makes it even more exciting. In some ways, these asteroids are similar to near-Earth asteroids. Binary Didymus and Dimorpho [NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test mission] However, there are some very interesting differences that we will explore further. ”

The main purpose of the flyby was to test Lucy’s scientific equipment, especially the system that keeps it on target as it passes by at high speed, and the fact that nothing is visible in these first images suggests that the tracking system is not properly aligned. It shows that it is functioning. The remaining data from the encounter will be transmitted to Earth over the next week or so for more thorough examination by the mission’s scientists and engineers.

Now that Lucy has passed Dinkinesh and its partner asteroid, its next target is asteroid 52246 Donald Johansson, where it plans to visit in 2025 before accelerating toward Jupiter’s Trojan asteroids. The Trojan horse travels in front of and behind Jupiter as it orbits around the sun, and because it is likely a remnant left over from the formation of the solar system, it provides valuable insight into how the planet formed and evolved over time. May hold insights. Lucy she will reach the Trojans in 2027.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Starfish possess only a substantial, compressed head and lack a body.

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

A juvenile Patilia miniata starfish with fluorescent staining highlighting the skeleton, muscles, and nervous system.

Laurent Formery

Scientists trying to figure out where the starfish’s head is located have come to the surprising conclusion that the starfish is practically the entire body of the animal. The discovery not only solves this long-standing mystery, but also helps us understand how evolution created the dramatic diversity of animal forms on Earth.

Starfish, also known as sea stars, belong to a group of animals called echinoderms, which includes sea urchins and sea cucumbers. Their strange body design has long puzzled biologists. Most animals, including humans, have distinct cranial and caudal ends, and a line of symmetry runs down the middle of the body, dividing it into two halves of its mirror image. Animals with this bilateral symmetry are called bilateral animals.

Echinoderms, on the other hand, have five lines of symmetry radiating from a central point and no physically obvious heads or tails. However, they are closely related to animals like us, having evolved from bilaterally symmetrical ancestors. Even larvae are bilaterally symmetrical and then radically reorganize their bodies as they metamorphose into adults.

These large differences make it difficult for scientists to find and compare equivalent body parts in bilateral animals to understand how echinoderms evolved. “Morphology tells us very little,” he says. Laurent Formery at Stanford University in California. “That’s too strange.”

Formalie and his colleagues decided to examine a set of genes known to direct head-to-tail control. All bilateralist organizations. In these animals, these genes are turned on and expressed in stripes in the outer layers of the developing embryo. The genes expressed in each stripe define which point it is on the cranio-caudal axis.

The aim was to see if gene expression patterns could reveal the hidden “molecular anatomy” of echinoderms. “This particular gene suite is ideal for investigating the diversity of the most extreme forms of animals,” says the team leader. chris lowe, also at Stanford University. “I think echinoderms are a very extreme experiment in how to use that bidirectional network to produce very, very different body plans.”

To the team’s surprise, the gene that determines the head edge of bilateral animals was expressed in a line running down the center of each star star’s lower arm. The next leading gene is expressed on both sides of this line, and so on.

Even more bizarrely, genes normally expressed in the trunk of bilateral animals were missing from the animals’ outer layers. This suggests that the starfish abandoned its trunk region and released its outer layer to evolve in a new direction, Formery said.

The findings show that “the bodies of echinoderms, at least with respect to their external surfaces, are essentially lip-walking heads.” Thurston Lacari from the University of Victoria, Canada, was not involved in the study. Animals like us may have swam away to escape predation. “Echinoderms didn’t need trunks because they were hunched over and armored,” Lacari says.

The idea that echinoderms are “head-like” animals is “interesting and powerful,” he says. Andreas Heyland at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. This raises some very important and fundamental questions about how ecological factors shape the evolution of anatomy, he says. “Finding the underlying conserved patterns provides important insights into how development evolves.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Utilizing Webb’s Advanced Optical Techniques to Unravel the Mysteries of the Ring Nebula

Posted on November 1, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

New images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope’s MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) reveal intriguing details of the Ring Nebula. These images show approximately 10 concentric arcs located just beyond the outer edge of the main ring, suggesting the presence of a low-mass companion star orbiting the central star at a distance similar to that between Earth and Pluto. Researchers from the Royal Observatory of Belgium, Griet van de Steene and Peter van Hof, are part of the international team of astronomers who released these breathtaking images. In their research paper, they analyze these features and discuss their implications for the star’s evolution.

The Ring Nebula, located about 2,200 light-years from Earth in the constellation Lyra, is a well-known and visually striking planetary nebula. It displays a donut-shaped structure consisting of glowing gas, which was shed by a dying star as it reached the end of its lifecycle. The web’s NIRCam (near-infrared camera) and MIRI instruments have captured stunning footage of the nebula, providing scientists with an opportunity to study and understand its complex structure.

The recent images obtained by the James Webb Space Telescope’s NIRCam reveal intricate details of the filamentary structure of the inner ring of the Ring Nebula. This inner region contains about 20,000 dense spherules and is rich in hydrogen molecules. Additionally, the outer region of the nebula contains a thin ring with enhanced emission from carbon-based molecules known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These details were analyzed and described in a research paper by Griet van de Steene, Peter van Hof, and their team.

The Webb images also show peculiar spikes extending outward from the central star on the outside of the ring. These spikes, observed in the infrared but faint in the visible spectrum captured by the Hubble Space Telescope, may be caused by molecules forming in the shadow of the densest part of the ring, shielded from direct radiation from the hot central star.

Furthermore, the researchers discovered 10 concentric arcs in a faint halo outside the ring. These arcs indicate the possible presence of a companion star orbiting at a distance similar to that between our Sun and Pluto. The interaction between the central star and this companion star may have shaped the nebula into its distinctive elliptical form.

The detailed images captured by the Webb telescope provide valuable insights into the process of stellar evolution. By studying the Ring Nebula, scientists hope to gain a better understanding of the life cycles of stars and the elements they release into space. Griet van de Steene and Peter van Hof, along with their team of experts in planetary nebulae and related objects, are actively researching and analyzing the Ring Nebula using imaging and spectroscopy techniques.

Source: scitechdaily.com

New insights uncovered by scientists on the transformative effects of endurance training on muscles

Posted on October 31, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Researchers at the University of Basel have conducted a study on muscle adaptations in mice and discovered that endurance training leads to significant muscle remodeling. This is evident in the differential gene expression in trained muscles compared to untrained muscles, with epigenetic changes playing a crucial role in these adaptations. Trained muscles become more efficient and resilient, allowing for improved performance over time. The findings shed new light on the mechanisms behind these muscle adaptations.

Endurance training comes with numerous benefits. Regular exercise not only enhances overall fitness and health but also brings about substantial changes in muscle structure. This results in decreased muscle fatigue, increased energy production, and optimized oxygen usage. The recent experiments conducted by researchers at the University of Basel, using mice as subjects, have further elucidated these muscle changes.

Professor Christoph Handsin, who has extensive experience in muscle biology research at the Biozentrum University of Basel, explains that it is well-known that muscles adapt to physical activity. The goal of their study was to gain a deeper understanding of the processes occurring in muscles during athletic training. The researchers found that training status is reflected in gene expression.

Comparing untrained and trained mice, Handsin’s team examined the changes in gene expression in response to exercise. Surprisingly, they discovered that a relatively small number of around 250 genes were altered in trained resting muscles compared to untrained muscles. However, after intense exercise, approximately 1,800 to 2,500 genes were regulated. The response of specific genes and the degree of regulation depended largely on the training condition.

Untrained muscles activated inflammatory genes in response to endurance training, which could lead to muscle soreness from small injuries. In contrast, trained muscles exhibited increased activity in genes that protect and support muscle function, allowing them to respond differently to exercise stress. Trained muscles were more efficient and resilient, enabling them to handle physical loads better.

The researchers found that epigenetic modifications, chemical tags in the genome, played a crucial role in shaping muscle fitness. Epigenetic patterns determine whether genes are turned on or off, and the patterns differed significantly between untrained and trained muscles. The modifications affected important genes that control the expression of numerous other genes, ultimately activating a distinct program in trained muscles compared to untrained muscles.

These epigenetic patterns determine how muscles respond to training. Chronic endurance training induces short and long-term changes in the epigenetic patterns of muscles. Trained muscles are primed for long-term training due to these patterns and exhibit faster reactions and improved efficiency. With each training session, muscular endurance improves.

The next step for researchers is to determine whether these findings in mice also apply to humans. Biomarkers that reflect training progress can be used to enhance training efficiency in competitive sports. Additionally, understanding how healthy muscles function is crucial for developing innovative treatments for muscle wasting associated with aging and disease.

In conclusion, the study conducted by researchers at the University of Basel has unveiled the mechanisms through which muscles adapt to regular endurance training in mice. The insights gained from these findings may have implications for human performance and health. Furthermore, understanding muscle function can aid in the development of treatments for muscle-related conditions.

Source: scitechdaily.com

The Power of Salt and “Baking” in Addressing Environmental Challenges

Posted on October 29, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Chemists at the University of Copenhagen have made a significant breakthrough in textile recycling by developing an environmentally friendly method to recycle polyester using Harthorn salt. Polyester, which is the second most used fiber in the world, poses a threat to the environment as very little of it is currently recycled. The fabric is a combination of plastic and cotton, making it challenging for the industry to separate and recycle. However, the chemists have discovered a simple solution using a single ingredient found in households.

Polyester is found in various everyday items, such as clothing, sofas, and curtains, with an astonishing 60 million tonnes of the fabric being produced annually. Unfortunately, the production and lack of recycling have a negative impact on the climate and environment, as only 15% of polyester is recycled, while the rest ends up in landfills or incineration, contributing to carbon emissions.

Recycling polyester presents significant challenges, particularly in separating the plastic and cotton fibers without losing them. Traditional methods prioritize preserving the plastic components, resulting in the loss of cotton fibers. These methods are also expensive and complex, with the use of metal catalysts generating harmful waste.

In a revolutionary development, a team of young chemists has found a remarkably simple solution to this problem that could transform sustainability in the textile industry. The researchers have developed a traceless catalytic methodology that allows for the depolymerization of polyester into monomers in an easy and environmentally friendly approach, at a large scale.

The process requires no special equipment and only relies on heat, a non-toxic solvent, and common household materials. By cutting a polyester garment into small pieces and placing them in a container with a mild solvent and Harthorn salt (ammonium bicarbonate), the mixture is heated to 160 degrees Celsius and left for 24 hours. The result is a liquid where the plastic and cotton fibers separate into distinct layers. This simple and cost-effective process preserves the cotton fiber while breaking down the polyester.

The Harthorn salt is broken down into ammonia, CO2, and water during the process. The combination of ammonia and CO2 acts as a catalyst, selectively breaking down the polyester while keeping the cotton fibers intact. The use of ammonia in combination with CO2 is environmentally friendly and safe. Due to the mild nature of the chemical reaction, the cotton fibers remain in excellent condition.

The researchers were pleasantly surprised by the success of their simple recipe for recycling polyester. Although the method has only been tested in the laboratory, the researchers believe it is scalable and are currently exploring partnerships with companies to test the method on an industrial scale. They are determined to commercialize this technology, which has the potential to make a significant impact on textile recycling.

Source: scitechdaily.com

New Research from Yale University Uncovers Crucial Factor in 90% of Enigmatic Miscarriages

Posted on October 27, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

A Yale University study reveals that placenta testing can identify the cause of 90% of previously unexplained miscarriages, providing a path to improved pregnancy care and emotional relief for affected families.

Researchers at Yale University have demonstrated that placenta testing can accurately pathologically determine more than 90% of previously unexplained miscarriages, a finding that researchers say could help inform future pregnancy care. say:

The results of this study were recently published in the journal Reproductive science.

Miscarriage statistics

Of the approximately 5 million pregnancies each year in the United States, 1 million end in miscarriage (miscarriage occurs before 20 weeks of pregnancy) and more than 20,000 end in stillbirth after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Up to 50% of these losses are classified as “unspecified.”

Emotional strain and research purpose

Patients who suffer from these pregnancy outcomes are often told that their loss is unexplained and that they can just try again, contributing to patients’ feelings of responsibility for the loss, said lead author and obstetrics department specialist. said researcher Dr. Harvey Kliman. Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine.

“Pregnancy loss is a tragedy, and to be told there is no explanation causes great pain to the families of those who have lost,” said Kliman, who is also director of the Reproduction and Placenta Research Unit. “Our goal was to extend the current classification system to reduce the number of cases that remain unidentified.”

Methodology and findings

For this study, Professor Kliman collaborated with Beatrix Thompson, currently a medical student at Harvard University, and Parker Holzer, a former graduate student in the Yale School of Statistics and Data Science, to explore the pathology of loss. We developed an expanded classification system for pregnancy loss based on clinical tests. placenta.

The team started with a series of 1,527 single-child pregnancies that ended up being losses and were sent to Kliman’s Consulting Services at Yale University for evaluation. After excluding cases for which there was insufficient material for testing, 1,256 placentas from 922 patients were tested. Of these, 70% were miscarriages and 30% were stillbirths.

Domenic Rice is 33 weeks pregnant with her fifth child, holding a photo frame of herself with her stillborn son, TJ.Credit: Photo by Nancy Borowicz

By adding distinct categories of “placenta with abnormal growth” (atypical placenta) and “small placenta” (less than 10 placentas);^th For example, the authors were able to establish a pathological diagnosis for 91.6% of pregnancies, including 88.5% of miscarriages and 98.7% of abortions, based on existing categories such as cord accident, avulsion, thrombosis, and infection. I did. stillbirth.

The most common pathological feature observed in unexplained miscarriages was placental dysmorphism (86.2%), a marker associated with genetic abnormalities. The most common pathological feature observed in unexplained stillbirths was a small placenta (33.9%).

Impact and future recommendations

“This study suggests that more than 7,000 small placentas may be detected per year associated with stillbirth.” in the womb “Before the loss, we had flagged these pregnancies as high risk,” Kliman said. “Similarly, identifying placental dysmorphisms could be one way to potentially identify genetic abnormalities in the approximately 1 million miscarriages that occur in our country each year.”

Additionally, “having a specific explanation for the loss of a pregnancy can help families understand that the loss is not their fault, begin the healing process, and, if possible, prevent similar losses in the future, especially It can prevent stillbirths from occurring.”

When asked what the most effective way to prevent stillbirth is, Kliman replied, “Measure the placenta!”

References: “Placental Pathology in Unexplained Pregnancy Loss” by Beatrix B. Thompson, Parker H. Holzer, and Harvey J. Kliman, September 19, 2023. reproductive science.
DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01344-3

Source: scitechdaily.com

Rare genetic mutations may enhance treatment efficacy for migraine headaches

Posted on October 26, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Migraines can cause debilitation

Nikki Lloyd/Getty Images

An analysis of the genomes of 1.3 million people has revealed dozens of variations associated with migraine, which could lead to more effective treatments for migraines.

Up to 20% of adults worldwide are thought to experience migraines. Migraines are recurring headaches that are often difficult to treat and can interfere with daily life. Some people have sensory symptoms, such as flashing lights or tingling in the body, before the headache begins, but others do not. It is not known why these two types of migraine, known as migraine with aura and migraine without aura, exist.

“While it is well known that migraines run in families, it has not been easy to identify a clear genetic basis for each subtype,” he says. Debbie Hay at the University of Otago in New Zealand.

now, Kari Stephenson Researchers from the Icelandic biopharmaceutical company deCODE Genetics have identified a genetic variation that appears to influence whether people develop migraines.

Researchers analyzed the DNA of 1.3 million people in Iceland, Denmark, the UK, the US and Norway, and found that around 80,000 of them had experienced migraines.

They discovered 44 genetic mutations associated with the condition, 12 of which had never been reported before. Among these, the research team PRRT2 Genes that help control signaling between neurons are correlated with a greater risk of migraine with aura and epilepsy.

the other A rare mutant that suppresses the function of a gene SCN11A and KCNK5which play a role in transporting sodium and potassium between cells, respectively, and appear to prevent both types of migraines.

The discovery could lead to new treatments that target the causes of migraines, such as drugs that can inhibit the production of a protein encoded by migraines. SCN11A and KCNK5 gene.

“Findings like this should bring great hope to people who suffer from migraine,” Stefansson said. “Current treatments cannot completely eliminate the tendency to develop migraines, so there is a lot of room for better treatments.”

“While great advances have been made in migraine treatment recently, there is still much work to be done in understanding the mechanisms of migraine and how to tailor treatment to each patient,” Hay says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Unprecedented Level of Internal Structure Exposed by Groundbreaking Human Brain ‘Atlas’

Posted on October 26, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Global collaboration has led to the creation of the world’s most comprehensive primate brain atlas, consisting of 4.2 million cells. This atlas has provided insights into region-specific functions, associations with neurological diseases, and has guided future brain research and disease intervention. The project aims to explore the evolution of the human brain and discover new targets for disease treatment. The initiative, known as the “Brain Initiative Cell Census Network” project by the National Institutes of Health, has been working towards mapping the cell groups and understanding their functions for over 21 years. The recent breakthrough discovery has allowed scientists to gain a deeper understanding of the brain and the medical mysteries behind disorders such as autism and depression. The research team, led by scientists from Arizona State University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Washington, and the Brotman Beatty Institute, created the largest atlas of the primate brain to date. The atlas consists of profiles of over 4 million cells, providing valuable information on the evolution of human cognition and behavior, as well as the occurrence of neurological diseases. The data collected has been made publicly available for the scientific community and the general public. The research team utilized state-of-the-art single-cell techniques and analyzed gene expression and DNA regulatory regions to identify molecularly distinct brain cell types and their functional characteristics. They also investigated the genetic architecture of neurological disease risk at the cellular level. The atlas serves as a crucial resource for further research on the human brain and potential interventions for neurological diseases.

Source: scitechdaily.com

Researchers discover the science behind our increased appetite for certain foods

Posted on October 25, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Researchers have made an interesting discovery about the impact of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) found in prepared foods on hunger and health. AGEs, which are produced during cooking processes like baking and frying, enhance the appeal of food but also have negative effects on our well-being. Studies using nematodes have shown that AGEs lead to increased consumption and reduced lifespan, emphasizing the importance of choosing healthier food options.

Scientists at Buck have identified a mechanism that may explain why consuming delicious yet unhealthy food increases our desire to eat more. Overeating and weight gain can result from various factors, including the ready availability of flavorful, high-calorie foods. The researchers at Buck have found that AGEs, a type of chemical found in processed and prepared foods, contribute to increased hunger and a decreased ability to make healthy food choices. This research sheds light on the reasons behind our testing abilities for these foods.

According to Pankaj Kapahi, the lead author of the research study, “This research involving tiny worms has significant implications for human dietary choices and our tendency to overeat certain foods.” He added, “Modern processed foods rich in AGEs are tempting to eat, but we know very little about their long-term effects on our health.” The study was recently published in the journal eLife.

An evolutionary perspective suggests that humans have evolved mechanisms that encourage us to consume as much food as possible when it is readily available. This is because excess calories are stored as fat, which can be utilized during periods of fasting. The preference for flavorful foods, particularly those high in sugar, has been favored by natural selection. However, the mechanisms that make it difficult to resist such foods have remained unclear. AGEs are metabolic byproducts that occur naturally during sugar metabolism in cells but are also formed during cooking processes and are found in many processed foods. AGEs provide the appealing brown color that occurs during cooking, making food more appetizing and harder to resist.

While the Maillard reaction, which occurs when sugars and proteins interact with heat, is well-known for making food taste good, it can have detrimental effects on the body. The resulting AGEs cause inflammation and oxidative damage, which contribute to various health issues such as blood vessel stiffness, high blood pressure, kidney disease, cancer, and neurological problems. Accumulation of these metabolic byproducts in different organs is likely one of the main factors in the aging process of organs and organisms overall. It is due to these harmful effects that researchers are studying the impact of AGEs on health.

Even tiny worms used in the Kapahi lab were not immune to the allure and harm of AGEs. Researchers observed that these chemicals not only caused diseases and reduced lifespan but also increased the worms’ appetite for the same substances. The researchers aimed to understand the underlying mechanism by which AGEs promote excessive eating. Through their study, they identified a signaling pathway mediated by specific AGE molecules that promotes feeding and neurodegeneration. They also found that worms lacking the ability to process even naturally occurring AGEs had significantly shorter lifespans. The study is now expanding to mice, where researchers will investigate the relationship between AGEs and fat metabolism.

Understanding this signaling pathway may provide insights into overeating caused by modern diets rich in AGEs. This research highlights the role of AGE accumulation in diseases such as obesity and neurodegeneration and its association with the global rise in age-related diseases.

The key takeaway from their work is a profound realization that our food intake is often controlled by the food itself. To address this, the researchers have personally changed their diets, practicing intermittent fasting to allow the body to utilize fat instead of sugar. They also recommend consuming whole grains to maintain stable glucose levels and utilizing moist heat instead of dry cooking methods, such as steaming or frying. Adding acids when cooking, like when grilling, slows down the formation of AGEs.

In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the impact of AGEs found in processed and prepared foods on hunger, overeating, and overall health. It highlights the need for individuals to be conscious of their dietary choices and opt for healthier alternatives to reduce the negative effects of AGE accumulation in the body.

Source: scitechdaily.com

Acapulco, Mexico braces as Hurricane Otis rapidly intensifies into a perilous Category 5 storm

Posted on October 25, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

ACAPULCO, Mexico — Hurricane Otis intensified from a tropical storm to a dangerous Category 5 hurricane rapidly as it made its way towards Mexico’s South Pacific coast on Tuesday, ultimately making landfall near the resort town of Acapulco early Wednesday. The potential for devastating damage was predicted.

According to the National Hurricane Center, Otis had maximum sustained wind speeds of 160 mph by late Tuesday. It was located about 55 miles south-southeast of Acapulco and moving north-northwest at a speed of 9 mph.

A hurricane warning was in effect from Punta Maldonado to Zihuatanejo, with a hurricane watch in effect from Lagunas de Chacahua to Punta Maldonado.

Otis is expected to maintain its Category 5 hurricane strength until it reaches land, but it is anticipated to rapidly weaken thereafter due to Mexico’s mountainous region. Otis is forecasted to dissipate over southern Mexico on Wednesday night.

As rain began to fall and winds increased, people in Acapulco hurried home and tourists were forced to leave the beaches.

The state government of Guerrero announced the preparation of 396 evacuation centers to accommodate families affected by wind damage and rising waters.

The Mexican Army and Navy have deployed over 8,000 troops equipped with specialized equipment to aid in the rescue operations. The port of Acapulco, where approximately 300 fishing boats are docked, has been closed by the authorities.

Otis is expected to bring 5 to 10 inches of rainfall to Guerrero, with certain areas possibly experiencing up to 15 inches. This raises concerns about landslides and flash floods in Guerrero’s steep mountains.

In the Atlantic Ocean, hurricane tammy After passing through the Lesser Antilles over the weekend, it continued northeast over open ocean with winds of 115 mph. Tammy was located approximately 925 miles south-southeast of Bermuda. The storm is expected to weaken by Thursday, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

The process of using lasers to transform moon dust into roads

Posted on October 23, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

ESA’s PAVER project aimed to create paved surfaces on the lunar surface using melted lunar regolith. They conducted ground-based tests using a carbon dioxide laser and are planning to use a Fresnel lens on the Moon to focus sunlight. The successful use of lasers to melt simulated lunar dust is a significant development in addressing the challenges posed by lunar dust in future missions.

The construction of roads on the lunar surface is essential for astronauts who will likely be driving rather than walking during their missions. Lunar dust is fine, abrasive, and sticky, leading to equipment damage and spacesuit corrosion. For example, the Apollo 17 lunar rover overheated when its rear fender was lost and replaced with a lunar map, covered in kicked-up dust. The Soviet Lunokod 2 rover experienced a similar fate, dying from overheating after its radiator became covered in dust.

To prevent the accumulation of lunar dust, it is necessary to pave active areas on the Moon, including roads and landing pads. The idea of melting sand to create roads was originally proposed in 1933. ESA’s PAVER project, led by Germany’s BAM Institute for Materials Testing in collaboration with Aalen University, LIQUIFER Systems Group, and the University of Claustal in Austria and Germany, investigated the feasibility of building lunar roads using a similar approach. The project received support from the Institute for Space Materials Physics of the German Aerospace Center (DLR).

The PAVER consortium utilized a 12-kilowatt carbon dioxide laser to melt simulated lunar dust and create a glassy solid surface that can serve as a paved surface on the Moon. They achieved spot sizes of 5 to 10 cm in their trials. By utilizing a 4.5 cm diameter laser beam, they developed a strategy to produce a triangular hollow-centered geometry of about 20 cm in diameter. This approach allowed them to create solid surfaces over large areas of lunar soil suitable for roads or landing pads.

The project’s materials engineer, Advenit Makaya, explained that the current laser used in their experiment functions as a light source instead of lunar sunlight. To achieve equivalent melting on the lunar surface, the laser light would be focused using a Fresnel lens with a diameter of several meters.

The PAVER consortium’s methodology involved trial and error to determine the optimal laser beam size and geometry. They found that larger spot sizes were easier to work with, as heating on a millimeter scale produced challenging agglomeration due to surface tension. With their approach, they were able to create a stable layer of molten regolith, which could be better controlled. The resulting material is glassy and brittle but can withstand primarily downward compressive forces, potentially being repaired if needed.

The research team discovered that reheating a cooled track could cause cracks, leading them to minimize crossover in the geometry. The depth of a single melt layer achieved was approximately 1.8 cm. Depending on the required loads, the constructed structures and roads could consist of multiple layers.

The PAVER consortium estimated that a 100 square meter landing pad with a 2 cm thick high-density material could be constructed in 115 days using their approach.

The PAVER project originated from a call for ideas conducted by ESA’s Basic Activities Discovery Division through the Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP). Out of 69 submissions, 23 ideas were implemented, including the PAVER project. The project has opened up promising avenues for future research in extraterrestrial manufacturing and construction.

Overall, the successful use of lasers to melt lunar dust represents a significant advancement towards the construction of roads and landing pads on the lunar surface, addressing the challenges posed by lunar dust in future lunar missions.

Source: scitechdaily.com

Newly Discovered Light Properties Unveiled by Centuries-Old Theorem

Posted on October 18, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Researchers have used a 350-year-old mechanical theorem that is usually applied to tangible objects to uncover new insights into the properties of light. By interpreting light intensity as equivalent to physical mass, they mapped light into a system to which established mechanical equations could be applied. This approach reveals a direct correlation between the degree of non-quantum entanglement of light waves and the degree of polarization. These discoveries have the potential to simplify the understanding of complex optical and quantum properties through more direct light intensity measurements.

Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology have applied a 350-year-old theorem originally used to describe the behavior of pendulums and planets to uncover new properties of light waves.

Ever since Isaac Newton and Christian Huygens debated the nature of light in the 17th century, the scientific community has grappled with the question: Is light a wave, a particle, or both at the same time at the quantum level? . Now, researchers at the Stevens Institute of Technology have used a 350-year-old mechanical theorem, typically used to describe the motion of large physical objects such as pendulums and planets, to A new relationship has been revealed. The most complex behavior of light waves.

Reveal relationships between light properties

The research, led by Xiaofeng Qian, an assistant professor of physics at Stevens College, and reported in the August 17 online issue of Physical Review Research, shows that the degree of non-quantum entanglement of light waves exists in a direct and complementary relationship. We proved for the first time that it does. It depends on the degree of polarization. As one increases, the other decreases, so the level of entanglement can be directly inferred from the level of polarization, and vice versa. This means that difficult-to-measure optical properties such as amplitude, phase, and correlation (and perhaps even properties of quantum wave systems) can be estimated from something much easier to measure: the intensity of light.

Physicists at Stevens Institute of Technology are using a 350-year-old theorem that explains how pendulums and planets work to uncover new properties of light waves. credit:
Stevens Institute of Technology

“We’ve known for more than a century that light sometimes behaves like waves and sometimes like particles, but reconciling these two paradigms is extremely difficult. We know that,” Chen said. There is a deep connection between the concepts of waves and particles not only at the quantum level but also at the level of classical light waves and point-mass systems. ”

Applying Huygens’ mechanical theorem to light

Qian’s team used a mechanical theorem originally developed by Huygens in his 1673 book on pendulums. This theorem explains how the energy required to rotate an object varies depending on the object’s mass and its axis of rotation. “This is a well-established mechanical theorem that explains how physical systems like clocks and prosthetic limbs work,” Qian explained. “But we were able to show that it can also provide new insights into how light works.”

This 350-year-old theorem describes the relationship between a mass and its rotational momentum. So how does this apply to light, which has no mass to measure? Qian’s team interprets the intensity of light as equivalent to the mass of a physical object, which can be interpreted using Huygens’ mechanical theorem. We mapped those measurements into a coordinate system. “Essentially, we found a way to transform optical systems so that they can be visualized as mechanical systems and described using established physical equations,” he explained. .

Once the researchers visualized light waves as part of a mechanical system, new relationships between wave properties quickly became apparent, such as the fact that entanglement and polarization are clearly related to each other.

“This hasn’t been shown before, but when you map the properties of light onto a mechanical system, it becomes very clear,” Qian says. “What was once abstract becomes concrete. Using mechanical equations, you can literally measure the distance between the ‘center of mass’ and other mechanical points to determine how different properties of light interact with each other. We can show how they are related.”

Elucidating these relationships has important practical implications, as it may allow us to estimate subtle and difficult-to-measure properties of optical systems, and even quantum systems, from simpler and more reliable measurements of light intensity. Qian explained that there is a gender. More speculatively, the researchers’ findings suggest that mechanical systems could be used to simulate and better understand the strange and complex behavior of quantum wave systems.

“It’s still in front of us, but this first study clearly shows that by applying mechanical concepts, we can understand optical systems in entirely new ways,” Qian said. Ta. “Ultimately, this research will help simplify the way we understand the world by allowing us to recognize the essential underlying connections between seemingly unrelated physical laws.”

References: “Bridging coherence optics and classical mechanics: Complementarity of general light polarization entanglement” by Xiao-Feng Qian and Misag Izadi, August 17, 2023. physical review study.
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevResearch.5.033110

Source: scitechdaily.com