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Archive for the ‘health’ category: Page 4

Aug 12, 2024

“Alien Biology” Discovered: Bacteria’s Floating Genes Leave Scientists Baffled

Posted by in categories: alien life, genetics, health

Columbia researchers discovered that bacteria can create free-floating, temporary genes outside their chromosomes, challenging the long-held belief that all genetic instructions are contained within the genome. This finding opens the possibility that similar genes could exist in humans, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of genetics and gene editing.

Since the genetic code was first deciphered in the 1960s, our genes have appeared like an open book. By interpreting our chromosomes as linear sequences of letters, akin to sentences in a novel, we can identify the genes within our genome and understand how changes in a gene’s code influence health.

This linear rule of life was thought to govern all forms of life—from humans down to bacteria.

Aug 12, 2024

Metformin and the TAME trial: a conversation with Nir Barzilai and Brad Stanfield

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, health

In this interview, hosted by Nicolás Cherñavsky, Nir Barzilai and Brad Stanfield discuss metformin, whether or not to use it in non-diabetic patients to slow aging, and the TAME trial.

Nir Barzilai is president of the Academy of Health and Lifespan Research (https://www.ahlresearch.org/), and Brad Stanfield is a primary care physician in Auckland (New Zealand) and runs a YouTube channel (/ @drbradstanfield) with around 250,000 subscribers to explore the latest research and preventive care guidelines.

Continue reading “Metformin and the TAME trial: a conversation with Nir Barzilai and Brad Stanfield” »

Aug 12, 2024

Breakthrough molecule reverses Alzheimer’s symptoms

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

In a new study, a molecule identified and synthesized by UCLA Health researchers was shown to restore cognitive functions in mice with symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease by effectively jumpstarting the brain’s memory circuitry.

If proven to have similar effects in humans, the candidate compound would be novel among Alzheimer’s disease treatments in its ability to revitalize memory and cognition, study authors said.

There is really nothing like this on the market or experimentally that has been shown to do this.

Aug 12, 2024

The Power and Potential of Gene Tuning

Posted by in category: health

Fyodor Urnov explains how retuning genes can restore health harmony.

Aug 12, 2024

Replacing Hearts. Restoring Lives

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, health

This new titanium heart has a mag lev inside to spin continuously and pump at the same rate as a normal heart.


Heart failure is a global epidemic affecting at least 26 million people worldwide, 6.2 million adults in the U.S., and is increasing in prevalence. Heart transplantations are reserved for those with severe heart failure and are limited to fewer than 6,000 procedures per year globally.

Consequently, the U.S. National Institutes of Health estimated that up to 100,000 patients could immediately benefit from mechanical circulatory support (MCS), and the European market is similarly sized. Without intervention, patients with severe HF have a bleak outlook. For these patients, drug therapy is a limited, relatively ineffective option. Although a heart transplant would meet their needs, only 6,000 donor hearts are available globally each year.

Continue reading “Replacing Hearts. Restoring Lives” »

Aug 12, 2024

Long COVID Puzzle Pieces are Falling into Place—the Picture is Unsettling

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

Since 2020, the condition known as long COVID-19 has become a widespread disability affecting the health and quality of life of millions of people across the globe and costing economies billions of dollars in reduced productivity of employees and an overall drop in the work force.

The intense scientific effort that long COVID sparked has resulted in more than 24,000 scientific publications, making it the most researched health condition in any four years of recorded human history.

Long COVID is a term that describes the constellation of long-term health effects caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These range from persistent respiratory symptoms, such as shortness of breath, to debilitating fatigue or brain fog that limits people’s ability to work, and conditions such as heart failure and diabetes, which are known to last a lifetime.

Aug 11, 2024

These Scientists Are Battling Dangerous Superbugs With a ChatGPT-Like AI

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, genetics, health, military, robotics/AI

According to the World Health Organization, antibiotic resistance is a top public health risk that was responsible for 1.27 million deaths across the globe in 2019. When repeatedly exposed to antibiotics, bacteria rapidly learn to adapt their genes to counteract the drugs—and share the genetic tweaks with their peers—rendering the drugs ineffective.

Superpowered bacteria also torpedo medical procedures—surgery, chemotherapy, C-sections—adding risk to life-saving therapies. With antibiotic resistance on the rise, there are very few new drugs in development. While studies in petri dishes have zeroed in on potent candidates, some of these also harm the body’s cells, leading to severe side effects.

What if there’s a way to retain their bacteria-fighting ability, but with fewer side effects? This month, researchers used AI to reengineer a toxic antibiotic. They made thousands of variants and screened for the ones that maintained their bug-killing abilities without harming human cells.

Aug 10, 2024

Serotonin changes how people learn and respond to negative information

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, health

Increasing serotonin can change how people learn from negative information, as well as improving how they respond to it, according to a new study published in the journal Nature Communications.

The study by scientists at the University of Oxford’s Department of Psychiatry and the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) Oxford Health Biomedical Research Center (OH BRC) found people with increased serotonin levels had reduced sensitivity to punishing outcomes (for example, losing money in a game) without significantly affecting sensitivity to rewarding ones (winning money).

The study involved 26 participants who were given the drug to increase serotonin, with a further 27 in a , who were asked to do a series of tasks measuring learning and behavioral control. State-of-the-art models were then used to understand participant behavior.

Aug 7, 2024

Dr. Ashwin Vasan — Commissioner — NYC Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene — Strengthening Public Health

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, government, health, law, neuroscience, policy

Strengthening Public Health Systems For Healthier And Longer Lives — Dr. Ashwin Vasan, Commissioner, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.


Dr. Ashwin Vasan, MD, PhD is the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/about/ab…).

Continue reading “Dr. Ashwin Vasan — Commissioner — NYC Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene — Strengthening Public Health” »

Aug 6, 2024

Epilepsy is first use case for eyelid wearable

Posted by in categories: energy, health, internet, wearables

The wearables market has been dominated, so far, by smartwatches and fitness trackers. The first Apple Watch was launched in April 2015, and wearable technology now includes jewelry that tracks your steps and notifies you of an incoming call, VR headsets for gamers, earbuds, smart glasses with Internet access, smart clothing integrated with electronic devices and a range of health monitors.

But the world’s first eyelid wearable device opens up a whole new world of opportunity.

Blink Energy’s device weighs just 0.4 grams (0.014 ounces) — less than half the weight of a paperclip – and is fitted to one eyelid. You barely notice it, says Bar-On. “After two minutes you forget it’s there.”

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