science-and-medicine4.115 min read
Abdominal muscle contractions may drive brain movement to flush waste, new study says
18 days ago•Source: Los Angeles Times
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9.165 min•22 days ago
Hantavirus mystery hits luxury Antarctica cruise, three dead
Hantavirus is suspected to have spread aboard the MV Hondius, a luxury 46-day Antarctica cruise, killing three passengers and sickening others as the ship traveled from Ushuaia toward its Atlantic route; investigators have not confirmed the exact strain or transmission mode, with theories ranging from rodent exposure to rare human-to-human spread (Andes virus). There is no vaccine and treatment is mostly supportive, sometimes ECMO. The ship, carrying about 148 people, including 17 Americans, faced a cluster of illnesses as it neared St. Helena after departing Argentina.
3.11 min•7 months ago
NEJM Launches MMWR Rival Amidst Scientific and Ethical Concerns
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"Reconsidering the Function of the Ovary Appendage: A Potential 'Tongue' of the Organ"
The rete ovarii, a structure long dismissed as functionless, may actually play a crucial role in regulating ovulation and potentially extending the female reproductive lifespan. Duke University researchers have found that this tiny ovarian appendage, present in various mammal species, contains proteins and anatomical features suggesting it contributes to hormone signaling and may act as a sensory appendage, akin to the ovary's 'tongue'. The researchers suspect it may sense changes in the ovary's environment and send signals for reproductive organs to respond accordingly, and they plan to further investigate its response to physiological signals.
"MDMA's Impact on Positive Social Feedback Uncovered in New Study"
A new study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology suggests that MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, may uniquely enhance positive emotional responses to social interactions, shedding light on its potential to influence social perception and treat conditions characterized by impaired social processing. The research, led by Anya Bershad and her colleagues at UCLA, found that MDMA increased feelings of happiness and acceptance in response to positive social feedback, aligning with its empathogenic properties. The study's findings highlight the need for further research into MDMA's prosocial effects and its potential integration into psychotherapeutic settings to improve social connectivity and emotional well-being.
"Teenage Emotional Cue Processing Recalibrated by Testosterone"
A recent study explores how testosterone, particularly in transgender boys undergoing hormone therapy, influences the processing of emotional cues from caregivers and peers during adolescence. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), researchers found that testosterone therapy appears to recalibrate the neural response to emotional cues, reducing the impact of negative familial cues while heightening sensitivity to peer emotions. These findings shed light on the differential impact of testosterone on the brain's processing of emotional cues and its role in the social reorientation process during adolescence.
Ancient Viral DNA's Crucial Role in Embryo Development
Researchers have discovered a link between a 500-million-year-old viral infection and the early stages of embryo development, shedding new light on the role of endogenous retroviruses in regulating pluripotency factors. The study, conducted on mouse embryos, identified a retroviral protein called MERVL-gag that influences the transition from totipotent to pluripotent cells, a crucial step in embryo specialization. This finding has implications for artificial embryo creation, regenerative medicine, and understanding fertility issues, highlighting the important functions of ancient retroviruses that have co-evolved with complex organisms over millions of years.
The Decline of Academic Clinician-Scientists: An Endangered Species
The number of academic clinician-scientists, healthcare professionals who dedicate a substantial amount of time to research, is declining, posing risks to the long-term health and wealth of countries. The characteristics of these professionals must be defined, and efforts should be made to nurture and support them. Clinical practice can enhance research in applied fields and provide insights into human variation. However, barriers such as rigid and prolonged clinical training and a shift in funding focus have deterred clinicians from pursuing research careers. Industry jobs are becoming more attractive, but autonomy and the pursuit of interesting questions are preserved in academia. Funders and regulatory bodies should support clinician-scientists, and current professionals should inspire and support trainees to ensure the continued contributions of this group to human knowledge and health.
Nobel Prize Winner's Overlooked mRNA Research Paved the Way for COVID Vaccine
Immunologist Drew Weissman and his research partner Katalin Karikó have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for their groundbreaking research that led to the development of the COVID-19 vaccine. By engineering a modified version of messenger RNA (mRNA) and developing a delivery system, they were able to trick the immune system into producing antibodies and creating partial immunity. The ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden, included a speech highlighting the impact of their research on public trust in science. Weissman, a Brandeis alumnus, is the second from the university to win a Nobel Prize.
Unveiling the Mysteries of Sleep: The Unsung Geniuses and Unanswered Questions
"Mapping the Darkness: The Visionary Scientists Who Unlocked the Mysteries of Sleep" by Kenneth Miller explores the history of sleep research and the emergence of sleep as a medical discipline. The book highlights the contributions of pioneering scientists such as Nathaniel Kleitman, Eugene Aserinsky, and William Dement, who made groundbreaking discoveries about sleep and dreaming. It also discusses the challenges faced by early sleep scientists and the development of treatments for sleep disorders like sleep apnea and insomnia. The book pays tribute to the unsung geniuses who shaped the field of sleep science and continues to make foundational discoveries.
"Unlocking Insights: Psychedelic Science's Lessons for Psychiatric Understanding of Psychosis"
The relationship between experiences of psychedelics and psychosis has evolved over time. In the mid-20th century, researchers believed that psychedelics induced a temporary psychosis, providing a scientific model for understanding schizophrenia. However, as moral panic and stricter evidence requirements emerged, psychedelic research was largely abandoned by psychiatry. Today, there is a resurgence of psychedelic research, particularly in the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy. While there are differences between psychedelics and psychosis, their similarities in subjective experiences suggest that they should be examined together. Lessons from psychedelic research, such as considering meaning and mysticism, exploring the impact of set and setting, and providing compassionate care, could inform the understanding and treatment of psychosis. However, as psychedelic research seeks regulatory approval, it may become more aligned with the medical model, potentially losing some of its expansive and complex perspectives.
Unveiling the Hidden Beauty of Invisible Landscapes
Scientists have discovered a new organ in the human body called the interstitium, a fluid-filled superhighway that spans the entire body and connects organs, arteries, capillaries, veins, and more. This discovery challenges the traditional view of the body as separate parts and highlights the importance of understanding the dynamic, interconnected nature of our biology. The interstitium has implications for fields beyond medicine, including how we organize labor and society. Recognizing and valuing interstitionary work, which bridges sectors and connects people and resources, is crucial for addressing complex challenges and finding balance in our systems.
Penn's Mistreatment of Nobel Prize-Winning Researcher Katalin Karikó: A Faculty Quality Oversight
Katalin Karikó, the Nobel Prize-winning researcher known for her groundbreaking work on mRNA technology, faced years of mistreatment and neglect from the University of Pennsylvania (Penn), according to eight current and former colleagues. Despite her contributions to science and the development of COVID-19 vaccines, Karikó's research was repeatedly overlooked, she was denied grants, and faced obstacles such as language barriers and a system that prioritized grant funding. Penn initially rejected her request to be reinstated as faculty, citing that she was "not of faculty quality." Karikó eventually left Penn and joined BioNTech, a German company. Her colleagues hope that her win will prompt changes in research funding allocations.