Tag Archives: Caffeine

Caffeine Unveils New Insights into Star Formation in Dense Gas Environments

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Astronomers reveal new insights into the factors influencing star formation efficiency in the densest regions of galaxies through Caffeine research.

GAL316: A massive star-forming region. Image credit: ESO / M. Matten / André et al. / VVV.

In this groundbreaking study, astronomer Michael Mattern from the University of Paris-Saclay and his team meticulously mapped dense gas across 49 giant star-forming complexes located approximately 3,000 parsecs away within our galaxy’s disk.

“Creating stars is a challenging endeavor, and the process lacks efficiency,” the astronomers stated.

“Current understanding indicates that a certain minimum density of gas and dust is necessary for stars to form.”

“Only about 1 to 2 percent of the gas and dust in these regions is utilized in the ignition of a star.”

“Could denser regions exhibit higher efficiency in star formation?”

“We are examining GAL316, one of the remarkable stellar nurseries we observed, to explore this question,” they elaborated.

The ongoing CAFFEINE survey employs the ArTéMiS camera on the Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX), a state-of-the-art radio telescope situated on the Chajnantor Plateau.

“APEX, managed by the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, has successfully captured the faint emissions of cold gas clouds, visible as blue glows in GAL316 images,” the researchers revealed.

“This glow overlays a starry backdrop, successfully recorded by ESO’s VISTA telescope.”

They discovered that as gas density increases past a specific threshold, the efficiency of star formation – the conversion rate of gas into stars – does not proportionately escalate.

This observation contradicts existing models that suggest a continual rise in star formation with density increases.

Conversely, the efficiency remains nearly constant in extremely dense gas, reinforcing the notion that stars primarily form within filamentous structures in clouds, a process dictated by the fragmentation of these filaments into protostar cores.

The findings suggest a potential gas density threshold for efficient star formation, bolstering the hypothesis that the physics of dense filaments governs star formation, rather than turbulence or feedback from nascent stars alone.

This research represents one of the most thorough efforts to date in connecting the physical structure of dense gas with star formation efficiency, paving the way for future observations and simulations that aim to elucidate the emergence of Sun-like stars from interstellar clouds.

“Our results indicate that the densest regions observed in this Caffeine study show similar efficiencies in star production compared to other stellar nurseries, provided they exceed the minimum density,” the scientists remarked.

Their findings are detailed in a published paper in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.

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M. Mattern et al. 2024. Investigating star formation efficiency in dense gas: Initial results from the CAFFEINE survey utilizing ArTéMiS. A&A 688, A163; doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202449908

Source: www.sci.news

New Research Indicates Morning Caffeine Enhances Mood

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Recent studies indicate that caffeine intake is linked to a notable positive impact, particularly strong within the initial 2.5 hours after waking up (i.e., in the morning).

Individuals who regularly consume caffeine often report feeling better after having coffee or other caffeinated beverages. This effect is noticeable until late morning. Image credit: Sci.News.

“Caffeine is a stimulant for the central nervous system utilized by approximately 80% of the global population and is available in various forms, including coffee, tea, sodas (like Coke), and chocolate.”

“Positive expectations surrounding caffeine use include alleviating fatigue, enhancing cognitive and physical performance, and promoting favorable mood changes.”

“There is a notable gap in research regarding the beneficial effects associated with caffeine in real-world circumstances, especially concerning mood and emotional states.”

The study involved 236 young adults from Germany over a duration of up to four weeks.

Participants answered a brief smartphone survey seven times daily.

This research aimed to explore caffeine consumption in both daily life and controlled laboratory scenarios.

The researchers also examined whether coffee affects individuals differently.

“We were somewhat surprised to find no significant differences among individuals with varying caffeine consumption levels, depressive symptoms, anxiety, or sleep issues,” remarked Dr. Hayenberger.

“The relationship between caffeine intake and emotional responses was largely consistent across all demographics.”

“We anticipated that individuals with higher anxiety levels would experience a decline in mood, including increased tension, after consuming caffeine.”

“However, those who have adverse reactions to caffeine may avoid it, and our study did not include participants who completely abstain from caffeine.”

Scientific findings explain the mood-boosting effects of caffeine on morning emotions, attributed to its ability to block adenosine receptors.

“Caffeine functions by inhibiting adenosine receptors, which can enhance dopamine activity in key brain regions; this phenomenon is linked to improved mood and increased alertness,” states Professor Anu Learro from Warwick University.

“Nonetheless, it’s still uncertain whether these effects are related to diminished withdrawal symptoms following a night’s sleep.”

“Even moderately caffeinated individuals might encounter mild withdrawal symptoms that resolve after their first coffee or tea in the morning.”

study will be published in the journal Scientific Reports.

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J. Haschenberger et al. 2025. Positive effects of association with caffeine consumption do not involve any negative effects changes throughout the day. Sci Rep 15, 28536; doi:10.1038/s41598-025-14317-0

Source: www.sci.news

New Research Suggests Caffeine May Decrease Effectiveness of Some Antibiotics

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Researchers from the University of Tübingen and Würzburg have found that components of our everyday diet, including caffeine, can influence bacterial resistance to antibiotics. They observed that E. coli bacteria adjust complex modulation cascades to respond to chemical signals from their immediate environment, potentially impacting the effectiveness of antibiotics.

This diagram illustrates a 3D computer-generated image of a group of E. coli. Image credits: James Archer, CDC.

In a systematic screening, Professor Ana Rita Brochado and her team examined the effects of 94 different substances, including antibiotics, prescription medications, and dietary components, on the expression of critical gene regulators and transport proteins in E. coli bacteria.

Transport proteins function as pores and pumps within bacterial membranes, regulating the movement of substances in and out of cells.

A precisely adjusted balance of these mechanisms is crucial for bacterial survival.

“Our data reveals that certain substances can exert subtle yet systematic influences on gene regulation in bacteria,” explained doctoral student Christoph Vincefeld.

“These findings indicate that even everyday substances, which lack direct antibacterial properties, like caffeinated beverages, can impact specific gene regulators that modulate transport proteins, thereby modifying bacterial import and composition.”

“Caffeine initiates a cascade of events starting with the lob gene regulator, resulting in alterations in several transport proteins in E. coli. This effect reduces the uptake of antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin,” Professor Rita Brochado added.

“Consequently, this diminishes the antibiotic’s effectiveness.”

The researchers characterize this effect as an “antagonistic interaction.”

The diminishing efficacy of certain antibiotics also applies to salmonella enterica, a close relative of E. coli.

This suggests that even similar bacterial species can react differently to identical environmental cues, likely due to variations in transport pathways and how they contribute to antibiotic absorption.

“This foundational study on the effects of commonly consumed substances highlights the significant role of science in addressing and resolving real-world challenges,” stated Professor (Doshisha) Karla Pollmann.

“This research contributes meaningfully to the understanding of what is termed ‘low-level’ antibiotic resistance, which does not result from classical resistance genes but rather through regulation and environmental adaptation.”

“These insights could influence future treatment strategies involving drug or dietary component modifications.”

The results will be published online in PLOS Biology.

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C. Vincefeld et al. 2025. Systematic screens reveal regulatory contributions to chemical cues in E. coli. Plos Biol 23(7): E3003260; doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3003260

Source: www.sci.news

Eating fruit, fiber, caffeine, and dairy products linked to reduced risk of tinnitus

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The key underlying mechanisms may include the protective effects of these diets on blood vessels and nerves, and their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, according to new systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Increased consumption of fruit, dietary fiber, dairy products and caffeine may be associated with a lower risk of tinnitus. Image credit: SERP PAE.

Tinnitus is characterized by perceived sounds such as buzz, cicada, and currents, and occurs without external auditory stimuli.

It is associated with pain, depression, anxiety, stress, and in severe cases suicide, which has a major impact on the overall quality of life.

Recent epidemiological data suggest a globally pooled prevalence of approximately 14.4% in adults and 13.6% in children and adolescents.

The prominent prevalence of tinnitus and its major impact on life and mental well-being is becoming increasingly important medical and social concerns.

The origin of tinnitus remains elusive and involves a variety of factors.

Some researchers suggest neurological dysfunction or circulation problems in the inner ear, abnormal neural activity in the central auditory pathways, and irregular activity in nonauditory brain regions such as the anterior edge, anterior cingulate cortex, and thalamus.

Dieting can have a major impact on tinnitus, but it remains unclear which specific foods will aggravate or alleviate tinnitus symptoms.

In their review and meta-analysis, Dr. Menni Chang and his colleagues at the traditional Chinese Medical University University University searched a research database looking for research linking tinnitus and diet in adults published by May 2024.

They found eight observational studies, including 301,533 individuals who evaluated 15 dietary factors using a quality questionnaire suitable for inclusion in the analysis.

Dietary factors include carbohydrates, caffeine, eggs, fruits, fiber, fat, meat, protein, sugar, fish, vegetables, and dairy products.

The combined findings revealed that increased consumption of fruit, dietary fiber, dairy products and caffeine is associated with a decrease in the incidence of tinnitus.

These reductions were 35% for fruit intake, 9% for dietary fiber, 17% for dairy products, and 10% for caffeine intake.

Although no association was found between other dietary factors and tinnitus, the results were inconsistent after further analysis, the authors point out that the association between caffeine intake and tinnitus is controversial.

The authors acknowledge that the observational design of the included studies did not establish causal relationships, and that a relatively small number of included studies may have led to certain traditional beneficial dietary factors (such as vegetables and eggs) not showing significant differences.

“The major underlying mechanisms may include the protective effects of these diets on blood vessels and nerves, as well as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties,” they said.

“A further extensive research is needed to complement and verify the relationship between dietary intake and tinnitus.”

Their paper It will be displayed in the journal BMJ Open.

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M.Chan et al. 2025. 15 common dietary factors and tinnitus relationships: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. BMJ Open 15: E091507; doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-091507

Source: www.sci.news

The optimal times to consume caffeine in the morning: a guide to maximize productivity.

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It’s not just called go juice. Caffeine is the most popular performance-enhancing drug in the world. It’s not a nutrient, but a drug, and it’s the most widely consumed psychoactive stimulant by humanity.

In the UK, 98 million cups of coffee are consumed every day. Apart from kickstarting your morning, it has been shown to enhance motor skills like muscle strength and endurance, as well as cognitive skills such as attention, reading speed, and problem-solving abilities.

“There’s a long list of substances believed to enhance performance,” says James Betts, Professor of Metabolic Physiology at the University of Bath. “But I would put caffeine at the top of that list because its effects are so powerful and consistent, affecting almost every tissue in the body.”

Fun fact: Coffee beans are actually seeds from the fruit of the coffee tree – Credit: Sam Brewster

These effects are driven by a diverse biology. Caffeine stimulates the nervous system, increases adrenaline, reduces fatigue, promotes fat burning for energy, and helps conserve glycogen stores, thus improving endurance.

Additionally, it blocks adenosine receptors, a neurotransmitter promoting sleep. This is why coffee makes us feel alert and energized. However, excessive caffeine consumption can lead to irritability, anxiety, and insomnia.

It’s important to time your caffeine intake correctly for optimal effects. Research by Betts suggests that consuming strong coffee after a night of poor sleep can impair blood sugar control over time.

Poor blood sugar control can increase the risk of diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease, emphasizing the importance of strategic caffeine consumption.

For improved performance during workouts or activities, Betts recommends consuming coffee 45 to 60 minutes before starting. The effects of caffeine are long-lasting, lasting up to one to two hours in heavy consumers and four to six hours in moderate consumers.

In the 16th century, coffee was banned in Mecca because it was believed to stimulate radical thinking – Photo credit: Getty

While caffeine can enhance cognitive tasks, excessive consumption can lead to poor academic performance due to disrupted sleep quality and daytime sleepiness.

Overall, Betts believes caffeine consumption, especially in the morning, is beneficial for waking up and functioning well throughout the day. It has been linked to preventing various diseases and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.

About our experts

James Betts is a Professor of Metabolic Physiology at the University of Bath with expertise in nutrition, exercise, and metabolism.

Read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Study suggests that increasing caffeine intake can lead to better blood vessel health

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In a study led by Sapienza University in Rome, caffeine intake was positively correlated with the proportion of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in lupus patients.

Orefice others. studied the role of caffeine intake on endothelial function in lupus patients by evaluating the effects of caffeine intake on circulating endothelial progenitor cells. Image credit: Sci.News.

Vascular disease, damage to blood vessels, and the resulting heart attacks and strokes are among the leading causes of death in the general population.

These risks are even higher in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

This is due both to the disease itself and to some of its treatments, especially cortisone derivatives.

Until now, doctors’ recommendations for reducing these vascular risks have primarily been about avoiding risk factors.

This includes traditional recommendations such as smoking cessation, reducing cholesterol, and managing high blood pressure, as well as stopping inflammation and reducing the dose of cortisone medications.

But researchers at Rome’s Sapienza University think that doing something that’s actually fun may help patients improve their vascular health.

Research suggests that the caffeine found in coffee, tea, and cocoa helps regenerate the lining of blood vessels and actively supports endothelial progenitor cells, a group of cells involved in blood vessel growth.

Diets rich in vitamin D (found in fatty fish and eggs) and vitamin A (found in many fruits), polyunsaturated fatty acids and low in sodium appear to play a role in reducing inflammatory burden well known.

“We were also wondering about caffeine,” said Dr. Fulvia Ceccarelli and colleagues.

“In addition to its well-known stimulant effects on the body, caffeine also exerts anti-inflammatory effects because it binds to receptors expressed on the surface of immune cells.”

“The effects of caffeine intake on cardiovascular health have been widely investigated, but results are contradictory.”

The study authors surveyed 31 lupus patients without traditional cardiovascular risk factors using a 7-day dietary questionnaire.

After a week, the researchers drew blood from patent patients to measure blood vessel health.

They found that patients who consumed caffeine had better blood vessel health, as measured through the endothelial cells that form the critical lining of blood vessels.

“This study is an attempt to provide patients with information about the possible role of diet in controlling the disease,” said Dr. Ceccarelli.

“The results will need to be confirmed through longitudinal studies aimed at assessing the actual impact of coffee consumption on the course of the disease.”

of result Published in a magazine Rheumatology.

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Valeria Orefice others. Caffeine improves endothelial dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus by promoting survival of endothelial progenitor cells. Rheumatologypublished online October 9, 2024. doi: 10.1093/rheumatism/keae453

Source: www.sci.news