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According to scientific research, the most effective way to handle insults is by

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The saying goes, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” But that’s not true. Criticism and rejection It produces brain activity that is indistinguishable from actual pain. Essentially, insults cause pain.

Insult is a complex concept. Has been studied for a long timeIt turns out that the impact of an insult depends not only on who gives it but also on who receives it.

Thus, when it comes to simple insults (insults that have no social or historical significance), the “target” has a great deal of control over the outcome.

And there are plenty of scientifically-recognized ways to successfully defuse an insult or reverse its effects.

One is to attribute category membership to the insulter, making him or her appear as a lower-status, more vulnerable to ridicule.

Someone says, “Your hair is weird,” and you respond, “OK, grandma, calm down,” and you put them in the “old, unfashionable, out of date” category, making them look even worse, especially if they’re a guy in his 20s and there’s no way they could be your grandma.

Some people recommend finding something the insulter says about themselves and highlighting it.

They say, “I don’t know why. [your attractive partner] If they ask you, “Shall I explain it to you? In crayons?”, they mean to insult you, but their response comes across as an admission that they are easily confused.

And then there is co-constructed critique, which takes the insult and builds on it, which de-fans the insult.

“You’re fat!” they say. You say, “I hope so, I’ve spent enough money to get here.”

There are countless other counter-attacks, but they all revolve around a central theme of not empowering the insulter, not elevating the insulter’s status, and maintaining control of the narrative and the interaction.

This article is a response to a question emailed to me by Archie Fox: “What’s the best way to respond to an insult?”

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COVID-19 vaccines may be less effective due to intestinal parasites

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Duodenal hookworms (Ancylostoma duodenale) cause one of the most common intestinal parasitic infections worldwide.

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People with intestinal parasitic infections, quarter This has been suggested by experiments in mice infected with the parasite, which had significantly weaker immunity after receiving a COVID-19 vaccination compared to mice not infected with the parasite.

Previous studies have shown that people with intestinal parasitic infections have a weakened immune response to vaccines for diseases such as tuberculosis and measles because the parasites suppress the processes that vaccines trigger to confer immunity, such as activating pathogen-killing cells. Intestinal parasitic infections are most common in tropical and subtropical regions, where they often occur because of limited access to clean water and sanitation.

Scientists have not tested whether these pathogens reduce the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. Michael Diamond Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, vaccinated 16 mice with a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, half of which had been infected 12 days earlier with an intestinal parasite that lives only in rodents. They gave each mouse a booster shot three weeks after the first vaccination.

About two weeks after the booster shot, the researchers analyzed the animals' spleens to measure concentrations of CD8+ T cells, specialized white blood cells that are important for eliminating other cells infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They found that the spleens of mice infected with the intestinal parasite had about half the number of cells as mice without the parasite, suggesting a weakened immune response to the vaccine.

The researchers repeated the vaccination process in another group of 20 mice, half of which were infected with the intestinal parasite, exposing them to the highly infectious Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. After five days, the lungs of vaccinated rodents infected with the intestinal parasite had, on average, about 20% more virus than uninfected ones.

These findings suggest that intestinal parasites may reduce the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in people, but different types of intestinal parasites are known to affect immunity differently, the researchers say. Keke Fairfax The University of Utah researchers said it's unclear whether the parasite's infection in humans would have the same effect on vaccinating against COVID-19 as it did in mice, and the situation is further complicated by the fact that humans tend to harbor multiple types of intestinal parasites at the same time, they said.

Still, understanding how to alter the immune response to vaccination is important given the prevalence of parasitic infections, and these findings suggest that researchers may need to further evaluate the vaccine's effectiveness in parts of the world where a high proportion of the population is infected with intestinal parasites, Fairfax says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Uncovering the Root Cause of Bloating and Finding Effective Solutions

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Many people experience uncomfortable sensations like abdominal bloating or pressure.

You may notice your stomach feeling bloated or tighter than usual, hear strange noises, or feel the need to pass gas more often. While bloating is usually harmless, it can be unpleasant.

There are numerous causes of abdominal bloating, from dietary habits to underlying medical conditions. Excess gas in the digestive tract, which occurs when air is swallowed along with food or drink, is a common cause.

Moreover, certain foods and beverages can lead to gas formation during digestion, such as carbonated drinks, beans, broccoli, sprouts, and cabbage. This gas accumulation in the digestive system can result in bloating, exacerbated by factors like chewing gum, sweeteners, alcohol, caffeine, and protein supplements.

Digestive issues like constipation or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can also contribute to abdominal bloating. When stool becomes trapped in the colon, it can cause discomfort and bloating. Similarly, individuals with IBS may experience bloating in conjunction with abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation.

To address bloating, start by identifying trigger foods through a food diary and eliminating them from your diet. Opt for a fiber-rich diet consisting of whole, unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. Probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and kefir can aid digestion and reduce gas.

In addition to dietary changes, consider incorporating herbs and spices like ginger, peppermint, and fennel to alleviate bloating. Lifestyle adjustments such as eating smaller meals, chewing food slowly, staying hydrated, and engaging in regular exercise can also help combat bloating.

If bloating persists, especially with accompanying symptoms, it is advisable to consult a doctor as it could rarely indicate ovarian cancer, particularly in women over 50.

Written by Natasha Reid of Lincoln, this article addresses the question of why individuals may feel bloated.

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Heparin found to be effective antidote for cobra bites, say scientists

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Snake bites affect approximately 1.8 million people annually. The current standard of care is antibody-based antivenom, but it can be difficult to obtain and is generally ineffective against local tissue damage. New research suggests that heparin, a commonly used blood-clotting inhibitor, could be repurposed as an inexpensive antidote for cobra venom.

Zebra snake (Naja Nigrichinta) in Namibia. Image credit: Wolfgang Wüster.

“Our findings have the potential to significantly reduce the horrific necrotic injury caused by cobra bites, and may also slow the release of venom and improve survival rates,” Professor Greg Neely, from the University of Sydney, said.

The authors identified a way to block cobra venom using CRISPR gene editing technology and showed that heparin and related drugs could be repurposed to prevent necrosis caused by cobra bites.

“Heparin is cheap, ubiquitous and listed as an essential medicine by the World Health Organisation,” says Tian Du, a PhD student at the University of Sydney.

“If the human trials are successful, it could be used relatively quickly as a cheap, safe and effective drug to treat cobra bites.”

Using CRISPR, researchers have discovered the human gene required for cobra venom to kill flesh at the bite site.

One of the desired venom targets is an enzyme needed to make heparan and heparin, related molecules produced by many human and animal cells.

Heparan is present on cell surfaces and heparin is released during immune responses, and because of their similar structure, toxins can bind to either.

Scientists have used this knowledge to create an antidote that can stop necrosis in human cells and mice.

Unlike current cobra bite antivenoms, which are 19th century technology, heparinoids act as a “decoy” antidote.

The antidote works by injecting large amounts of “decoy” heparin sulfate or related heparinoid molecules into the bite site, which are able to bind to and neutralize the toxins in the venom that cause tissue damage.

“Our findings are intriguing because current antivenoms are largely ineffective at treating severe, localised poisoning which causes painful, progressive swelling, blistering and tissue necrosis around the bite,” said Professor Nicholas Casewell, from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

of study Published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

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Tian Y. Du others2024. Molecular dissection of cobra venom highlights heparinoids as potential antidotes to spitting cobra venom. Science Translational Medicine 16 (756); doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adk4802

Source: www.sci.news

The most effective method to cool cities: White and reflective roofs.

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White roofs in London would help keep the city cool during the hottest days.

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In cities like London, painting roofs white or adding reflective coatings is the best way to cool them down during the heatwaves, and these “cool roofs” could work better than solar panels, green roofs or adding more trees to the ground.

Oskar Bruss Researchers at University College London ran a climate simulation to look at how temperatures in London would have changed on the hottest two days of the summer of 2018 if the city had implemented widespread cooling measures, from cooled roofs to air conditioners to cooling solar panels. The highest temperature was 35.6℃ (96.1°F).

The researchers found that the cool roofs outperformed all other countermeasures, reducing the city's average outdoor temperature by 1.2°C over the two days, and by as much as 2°C in some places. By comparison, adding more trees reduced temperatures by just 0.3°C, and solar panels reduced temperatures by 0.5°C.

The study found that while widespread air conditioning may keep indoor temperatures lower, it could increase outdoor temperatures by up to 1°C in parts of central London. “In London, cool roofs were the most effective at reducing outdoor temperatures at pedestrian level,” Bruce says.

While the study only used two days of data for its simulations, Bruce said: Similar published studies.

Applying reflective coatings or brightening roof surfaces across cities would be a relatively simple, low-cost climate adaptation measure, Bruce says. “In fact, I think it's probably the easiest thing to implement,” he says. “I see very little reason not to do this more widely.”

Beyond cooling, he says there are other reasons to install technologies: trees and green roofs can boost biodiversity and resident well-being, for example, and solar panels can provide clean electricity.

2023 Report A report by the Greater London Authority suggests that cool roofs could become a policy focus for the city government as summer temperatures rise due to climate change. “As temperatures in London are expected to rise and heatwaves become more frequent, reflective roofs are likely to become a key element of climate adaptation strategies,” the report said.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Science has proven the most effective method for cutting a sandwich

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It is commonly believed that cutting a sandwich diagonally to create two triangles is the best way, but there is limited scientific evidence to support this claim.

One theory suggests that the triangular shape allows for the first two bites to be taken from a 45-degree corner, which has crust on only one side, making it easier to access the center of the sandwich where the filling is most concentrated.

After eating the corner, take 1-3 bites diagonally, missing the crust. Depending on the size of the sandwich, you may be left with an additional small triangle.

Ultimately, each triangle will become a single 90-degree chunk of crust. However, cutting the sandwich into rectangles would result in two crust corners on each half.

Another reason for cutting sandwiches into triangles is that they are easier to eat. Starting at one of the corners leads to a cleaner bite, and the 45-degree angle of the triangle maximizes the engagement depth.

If taken to the extreme, cutting the sandwich into four triangles allows for a neat eating experience in three bites.

This cutting strategy is often used at children’s parties, though kids might not always start with the 45-degree corner. In such cases, simply cutting off the crust altogether may be the best option.

This article provides insight into the scientifically best way to cut a sandwich, as inquired by Jeremy Fry of Felixstowe.

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Are dating apps effective in helping you find a soulmate?

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a A class action lawsuit filed in U.S. federal court on Valentine's Day last year alleges that Match Group, owner of dating apps such as Tinder, Hinge and OkCupid, uses a “predatory business model” to keep users hooked. The lawsuit directly contradicts Hinge's claims of being “designed to be removed”.

The lawsuit has sparked new debate about the potential harm to mental health caused by dating apps, but for scientists who study romantic relationships, the central question remains: do these apps actually work? The answer, according to Elizabeth Bruch, a sociologist at the University of Michigan who has studied online dating for a decade, is that there is no definitive scientific evidence either way.

Michael Rosenfeld, a sociologist at Stanford University, notes that online dating has become increasingly popular, with half of all heterosexual couples in the U.S. now meeting online. The trend is also growing in Europe, with an estimated 80 million users on dating apps. Despite this growth, the effectiveness of these apps in helping users find their soulmates remains uncertain.

While online dating continues to gain traction, research on the success and longevity of couples who meet through these apps is scarce. Companies generally do not publicly release data on this topic, but experts like Bruch argue that there is no evidence to suggest that these companies have better insights than scientific researchers.

Recent studies have shown that couples who meet online report slightly lower satisfaction and stability in their relationships compared to those who meet offline. However, this difference may be attributed to other factors rather than the online dating experience itself, such as deep-seated biases and geographical distance between partners.

As dating platforms continue to evolve, promising new methods for matchmaking based on brain activity or facial expressions, questions remain about the efficacy of these approaches. Many users have reported disappointments and frustrations with online dating, raising concerns about the addictive nature of dating apps and their impact on users’ well-being.

To address these concerns, researchers like Bruch and Gordon are developing their own dating app that doubles as a research tool to improve our understanding of romantic relationships. Their goal is to provide users with transparent and ethical matchmaking experiences that prioritize compatibility over preconceived notions of compatibility.




What makes a good match? Similarity in age, ethnicity, and education level does not guarantee longevity. Photo: Maria Korneeva/Getty

Bruch and Gordon hope that their research will shed light on the complex dynamics of love and relationships, offering users a more fulfilling and transparent dating experience. They are particularly interested in exploring how users’ perceptions of compatibility can influence their dating preferences and outcomes.

While dating apps have revolutionized how people connect and form relationships, concerns remain about their addictive qualities and potential negative impacts on users’ mental health. Researchers are advocating for greater transparency and accountability within the industry to ensure that users can make informed decisions and have positive dating experiences.

In the midst of ongoing debates about the impact of dating apps on society and relationships, researchers and experts emphasize the need for greater scrutiny and regulation to ensure the well-being of users and the integrity of the industry.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Effective Recycling Techniques to Reduce Plastic Waste from Ending up in Landfills

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Andriy Onufriyenko/Getty Images

In 1980, Disney World in Orlando, Florida, began developing a new method of generating electricity for its theme parks that would reduce the use of increasingly expensive oil. The solid waste-to-energy conversion plant took garbage, including plastics, and converted it into flammable gas using a method called pyrolysis. It opened in 1982 but closed a year later due to high operating costs.

Today, environmentalists cite the Disney story that shatters the reputation of a series of new technologies collectively known as advanced recycling, which takes plastic waste and turns it back into brand new plastic.

Their argument is dishonest. The failure of the Disney plant had more to do with the subsequent drop in oil prices than with any technical or environmental issues. Pyrolysis has improved significantly since the 1980s. In any case, Disney’s factory is designed to produce fuel, not classified as advanced recycling.

Advanced recycling is rapidly innovating with the potential to help solve the global plastics crisis, as reported in our feature “A surprising new technology that could recycle all plastics forever.” It has the potential to capture millions of tonnes of waste plastic and turn it back into a clean, fresh state by breaking it down into its molecular components. The goal is a circular economy that eliminates the need to make “virgin” plastic from oil.

It’s not a panacea. These factories produce toxic waste, have problems with their energy use, and perpetuate traditional plastics ahead of newer, greener alternatives. Campaigners are right to argue that it would be better to do away with plastic altogether. However, given practical considerations, they are not going away anytime soon, and most advanced recycling technologies are better for the environment than their alternatives.

There should be serious discussion about advanced recycling, especially whether it should be incorporated into future global treaties on plastic pollution. Make sure it’s based on fact and not a Disney story.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Adopting a low FODMAP diet may be more effective than medication in reducing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome

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Eating less of some types of foods and more of others may ease irritable bowel syndrome

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Two types of diets are more effective at treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) than drugs, a trial has found.

One diet was designed to be low in FODMAPs, a group of carbohydrates similar to sugars found in dairy products, wheat, and certain fruits and vegetables. The second, less common approach used for IBS is an adaptation of a low-carbohydrate diet that is high in fiber and low in other types of carbohydrates, such as sugar and starch.

In a randomized trial, both diets showed better symptom improvement than standard drug treatment after four weeks.

IBS can cause mysterious symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and abdominal pain that increase or decrease over time. The underlying cause of this condition is unknown.

The usual advice is to avoid common triggers such as caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods. Symptomatic treatments such as laxatives for constipation and drug therapy for diarrhea may be given.

If these measures don’t work, you may want to consider cutting back on foods high in FODMAPs. FODMAPs tend not to be digested until they reach the colon, which is why they are thought to cause bloating and diarrhea. This encourages the colon to retain water, and when the molecules are consumed by bacteria, gas is produced and causes bloating.

Sanna Niebacka Researchers from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden wanted to find out how a regular low-FODMAP diet compared to an alternative approach: high in fiber but low in carbohydrates. In practice, this means eating high-fat, high-protein foods such as meat and dairy products, and sources of fiber include nuts, seeds, beans, and vegetables such as cabbage.

The research team asked around 300 people with IBS to use one of three approaches depending on their symptoms: take medication or adopt one of two diets. The diet provided people with free grocery delivery, as well as detailed meal plans and recipes.

After one month, 76% of the low-FODMAP group reported a significant reduction in symptoms, compared with 71% of the low-carbohydrate diet group and 58% of the drug treatment group.

The big surprise was that a low-carbohydrate, high-fiber diet that didn’t exclude FODMAP-containing foods was about as effective as a low-FODMAP approach, Nybacka says. “We can’t answer any questions as to why. It appears that altering carbohydrate content and reducing FODMAP intake may be beneficial.”

but hazel everitt Researchers at the University of Southampton in the UK say the trial would have been more informative if it had lasted longer. “The problem with many of the IBS diets that have been proposed is that they are very difficult to stick to long-term,” she says.

Participants were followed for up to six months, but during the last five months participants who were initially offered drug treatment were also given dietary advice.

Niebacka says one potential problem with the low-carbohydrate, high-fiber diet is that this group of people had slightly elevated blood cholesterol levels. Therefore, you should seek your doctor’s advice before adopting this diet, she says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Why recycling may not always be the most effective solution for combating climate change

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Recycling is not a silver bullet to stop climate destruction. Far from it. Potential Impact – Savings of approximately 11 gigatons of carbon dioxide (CO2) over 30 years. Even if the world recycled more than 80 percent of its municipal waste, that amount would be overshadowed by the greenhouse gases emitted by fossil fuels and industry – a staggering 36.8 gigatons in 2022 alone.

In the UK, it is estimated that recycling 18 million tons of CO2 annually. This is equivalent to removing five million cars from the road. While promising, it is only a very small fraction of the emissions generated by fossil fuels and industry each year, which are about 200 times greater than those from agriculture and the global fashion industry.

These numbers may be discouraging, but what can an individual do to help?

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

First and foremost, do not give up on recycling. It is a simple way to reduce landfill waste and slow down the depletion of the earth’s resources.

To put into perspective the impact of recycling, dividing the 18 million tonnes by the UK’s population of 67 million, the average Briton is saving about 269kg of CO2 per year through recycling.

According to DEFRA, Britons recycled 44% of household waste in 2021. By recycling 100% of household waste, an individual could save up to 610kg per year.

If you truly want to make a difference, focus on making sustainable choices early on in the consumption process. Opt for loose fruits and vegetables, solid detergents, repair and reuse old clothes, and most importantly, buy less.

Emphasize the Reduce and Reuse aspects of the 3R mantra and resort to recycling only when other options are exhausted.

Let’s Start With One Thing

If you feel overwhelmed, start by making one sustainable change at a time. For example, by using a reusable water bottle instead of plastic ones, you can save 20kg of CO2 per year.

A review of thousands of studies worldwide suggests that changes like taking fewer long-haul flights, using public transport, and improving home energy efficiency are significant in reducing household carbon footprints.

While recycling alone may not be the solution to climate change, it is a step in the right direction. Each individual has the power to make a positive impact.

This article addresses the question posed by Jensen Pitts via email: “Can recycling really make a difference?”

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Study: Certain plants are more effective than others in removing air pollution through green walls

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Biologists are University of Surrey They investigated interspecific variation in particulate matter accumulation, washout, and retention in 10 broad-leaved plants, focusing on leaf characteristics.

thomson other. We found that the interaction between macromorphology and micromorphology in green-walled plant species determines their particulate matter removal ability.Image credit: Thomson other. 2024., doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170950.

Green wall is a vertical system that has received particular attention because it can be installed without occupying additional space at street level.

They also offer other benefits, such as reduced dependence on existing soil conditions and additional ecosystem services.

Green wall is a term that includes walls covered with all forms of vegetation.

Green facades and living walls are two types of green walls, where green facades usually include climbing plants, whereas living walls include planting materials and plants to support a more diverse variety of plants. Includes technology.

The reduction of air pollutants by green walls depends on several factors such as plant type, barrier dimensions, leaf area index, humidity, wind speed, and orientation of the location.

“By planting vertically against green walls, communities can purify the air without taking up too much street space,” said Mamatha Thomson, a postgraduate researcher at the University of Surrey.

“Our study suggests that this process depends not only on leaf shape but also on the micromorphological properties of the leaf surface.”

“We believe that the right mix of species creates the most effective green walls. We look forward to conducting further research to see if we are right. .”

In this study, Thomson et al. planted 10 species: Evergreen Candy Tuft (Iberis sempervirens), Ivy (hedera helix) And that Wild marjoram (Ornamental pill beetle)in a custom-built 1.4 meter green wall.

The leaves of the evergreens candytuft and ivy were found to be particularly good at trapping pollutant particles, both large and small.

Meanwhile, rain was able to wash most of the pollutants from the lavender's hairy leaves.

Candytuft and marjoram also performed well in washing away small pollution particles.

“We hope that urban planners and infrastructure experts can use our findings to think more carefully about what they plant,” said Prashant Kumar, a professor at the University of Surrey.

“Having a green wall is a great way to remove pollution, but what you plant on top of it can make a big difference to its success.”

of result It was published in the magazine Total environmental science.

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Mamatha Thomson other. 2024. Investigating the interplay between particulate matter scavenging, scavenging, and leaf properties in green-walled species. Total environmental science 921: 170950; doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170950

Source: www.sci.news

Is spam email effective for receiving responses?

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DDo spam emails actually work? We're not talking about suspicious phishing emails, we're talking about annoying ads and sales pitches. Perhaps the answer is yes, otherwise spammers wouldn't care, but I find it hard to believe.
Ali Farhan, Manchester

Please send new questions to
nq@theguardian.com
.

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wait a minute. I'm going to email 300 million people and ask them. el comentario

It's more effective than doing nothing. This is the secret behind all marketing. one, another name

There are many different types of spam. More targeted types (e.g., an email from a company you've previously shopped with telling you they have a sale) can tell people what they might be interested in and potentially lead to a sale. That's why it works so well. Anything that's completely fake or untargeted won't be very effective.

But the reason companies use this kind of email is because it's so cheap. Send thousands of emails for just a few pounds. It only takes a few people to respond to make it worthwhile. For many of them, if 1 out of 1,000 people who receive an email buys something, they can make a profit from it. Meanwhile, everyone's inboxes suffer.
Snowy John

I work in sales and send out so-called spam emails. (This is in the business-to-business sales space.) There's a trick behind this. I don't reach out unless I have a reason and think there's something I can do to help. This is done by looking at the role the company is in, the types of technology, and evaluating its growth. Emails are personalized. Mixed in with my phone calls, I also embed videos of me reviewing websites in my emails.

It definitely works. Will everyone react? Absolutely not. Some people show interest, but it takes time to strike up a conversation. But that's part of sending an email. To get people in and out. If you choose not to contact us anymore, please do not contact us again.
Konobu 2020

I really don't understand people who don't care about spam or sell things on the street. I ignore everyone and look it up myself if I need to buy something. I may be missing out on countless deals, but I'll take a chance. Babylonian SheDevil03

My inbox is mostly unusable due to emails from companies I love and have previously purchased from. I receive at least two emails a month from companies that sell belts. How many quality belts can I buy? I might buy another one in five years, but I won't buy it from that annoying spammer. mega road

Last week's N&Q was about beans, this week it's about Spam. Will it be mushrooms next Sunday? Fried onion rings? Please wait and see… eddie miscellaneous post

I especially despise people who have an “unsubscribe” button that doesn't actually work. They immediately rank at the top of my banned list. Oz Josh

Avoiding spam is a great way to waste time. bricklayer options

Source: www.theguardian.com

New Study Identifies the Most Effective Diet for Reducing Loud Snoring

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Dealing with snoring can be a bothersome experience for everyone involved, whether it’s falling asleep on a public bus or waking a loved one. Researchers may have found the best diet to combat this issue.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition that puts people at risk for high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. This is because OSA causes multiple disruptions during sleep due to loud snoring and interruptions in breathing.

The solution may lie in a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, as suggested by a new study published in the journal ERJ Open Research. This diet may help prevent or treat OSA.

In order to test this theory, researchers at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, used data from 14,210 participants in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants were asked to list everything they had consumed in the past 24 hours, and the research team categorized their responses into three dietary patterns: a healthy plant-based diet, an unhealthy plant-based diet, and a diet high in animal products.

The “unhealthy” plant-based diet included high amounts of refined carbohydrates, potatoes, sugary drinks, sweets, desserts, and salty foods.

Additionally, participants completed a sleep questionnaire to determine the likelihood of having OSA. The researchers found that people with diets high in plant foods were 19% less likely to suffer from snoring caused by OSA. On the other hand, those who consumed an unhealthy plant-based diet were 22% more likely to have OSA.

Researchers believe that a healthy plant-based diet may be important due to its anti-inflammatory components and antioxidants, which can impact fat mass, inflammation, and muscle tone, thereby affecting a person’s OSA risk.

Dr. Johannes Melak, the chief researcher, emphasized that diet quality is important in managing the risk of OSA, and that a healthy plant-based diet may reduce inflammation and obesity.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Probiotics found effective in reducing fatigue and memory loss related to prolonged COVID-19 infection

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Probiotics, illustration of live microorganisms that can affect intestinal bacteria

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A daily cocktail of prebiotics and probiotics can help reduce fatigue, memory, and symptoms in people with long-term COVID-19 (symptoms that persist for months or years after being infected with COVID-19). May be useful in treating gastrointestinal complaints.

Although little is understood about long-term coronavirus infections, previous research has shown that people with the disease have lower levels of certain gut microbes than those without. Masu. In particular, they lack gut bacteria that produce compounds called short-chain fatty acids that regulate immune responses.

Siu Ng and his colleagues at the Chinese University of Hong Kong have formulated a mixture that boosts the production of short-chain fatty acids. The product, called SIM01, contained three probiotics (live bacterial strains) and three prebiotics (compounds that help the growth of beneficial gut bacteria).

They distributed this cocktail to 232 adults. Another group of 231 adults took a mixture containing starch and low-dose vitamin C. Both mixtures were taken twice a day for 6 months. All participants were residents of Hong Kong, had previously tested positive for COVID-19, and met the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s criteria for long-term COVID-19 infection.

Researchers used a questionnaire to assess 14 long-term COVID-19 symptoms in participants before treatment began and after treatment ended. At the end of the trial, people who received SIM01 were likely to experience relief from five long-term coronavirus symptoms: fatigue, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, general unwellness, and gastrointestinal upset. It was found to be about 2 to 2.5 times higher on average. The research team also found no serious side effects from the treatment.

Analysis of fecal samples taken before and after the trial revealed that SIM01 increases gut microbial diversity and promotes the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, Ng said. Therefore, she says, it could be useful in treating other conditions that are associated with disruption of the gut microbiome, such as chronic fatigue syndrome.

However, it is unclear how these changes in the gut reduce the symptoms of long-term coronavirus infection. timothy sampson At Emory University in Georgia. “It makes sense that the microbiome has the ability to mediate immune responses, but… [immune system] What is actually at the root of [long covid] You get symptoms,” he says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Artificial Intelligence identifies novel antibiotics effective against drug-resistant bacteria

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Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Shutterstock / Katerina Conn

Artificial intelligence has contributed to the discovery of new classes of antibiotics that can treat infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. This could help fight antibiotic resistance, which claimed more than 1.2 million lives in 2019, and that number is expected to increase in the coming decades.

A new antibiotic compound has proven to be a promising treatment for both methicillin resistance and tolerance in tests in mice. Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin resistance Enterococcus – Bacteria that have developed resistance to drugs commonly used to treat MRSA infections.

“our [AI] The model not only tells us which compounds have selective antibiotic activity, but also why in terms of their chemical structure. ” Felix Wong at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University in Massachusetts.

Wong and colleagues aimed to show that AI-driven drug discovery can go beyond identifying specific targets to which drug molecules can bind to predicting the biological effects of entire classes of drug-like compounds.

First, we tested the effects of over 39,000 compounds. Staphylococcus aureus Three types of human cells: liver, skeletal muscle, and lung. The result was training data for the AI ​​model to learn the chemical atoms and bond patterns of each compound. This has enabled AI to predict both the antibacterial activity and potential toxicity of such compounds to human cells.

The trained AI model then analyzed 12 million compounds through computer simulations and found 3,646 compounds with ideal drug-like properties. Additional calculations identified chemical substructures that could explain the properties of each compound.

By comparing such substructures of different compounds, researchers identified a new class of potential antibiotics and ultimately two non-antibiotics that can kill both MRSA and vancomycin-resistant bacteria. discovered a toxic compound Enterococcus.

Finally, researchers used mouse experiments to demonstrate the effectiveness of these compounds in treating skin and thigh infections caused by MRSA.

Only a few new classes of antibiotics, such as oxazolidinones and lipopeptides, have been discovered to be effective against both MRSA and vancomycin-resistant bacteria. Enterococcus – and says resistance to such compounds is increasing. james collins at the Broad Institute, where he co-authored the study.

“Our research has identified one of the few new classes of antibiotics in 60 years that complements other antibiotics,” he says.

Researchers are working to design entirely new antibiotics and discover other new drug classes, such as compounds that selectively kill aging and damaged cells involved in conditions such as osteoarthritis and cancer. are starting to use this AI-driven approach.

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Source: www.newscientist.com