Category: Science

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46,000-Year-Old Roundworms…

Posted on by Lenny Variano

A pair of roundworms was encased in the Siberian permafrost about the time when the Wooly Mammoth roamed freely. After 46,000 years these worms were defrosted in warm water and began to wiggle. This was an indication that life can be paused almost indefinitely. The results were published in “PLOS Genetics”. According to researchers at the Institute of Physiochemical and Biological Problems In Soli Science in Russia, these nematodes (roundworms) were buried approximately 130 feet deep. The findings were verified in Germany where the worms were then shipped. They have a lifespan of a few days and were able to produce new generations while in the lab. The timeframe of when they lived was established by a process called radiocarbon dating. The roundworms were able to achieve cryptobiosis (dormant state) because of a special gene which is also present in contemporary roundworms. The hope is that we may learn to adapt more easily to the extreme effects of climate change and in so doing protect ecosystems from collapsing. Since the permafrost is melting there may yet be many more discoveries of our distant past.

https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1010798https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/46-000-year-old-worm-possibly-revived-from-siberian-permafrost/

Multiple Sclerosis Vaccine…

Posted on by Lenny Variano

About 3 million people worldwide suffer from Multiple Sclerosis, a neurodegenerative disease. Researchers at the Harvard University Division of Epidemiology and Nutrition may have found what they feel is a strong connection to the Epstein-Barr virus. Their results were published in the journal “Science”. Epstein-Barr can cause infectious mononucleosis. The study included 955 active-duty military personnel who showed evidence of their having contracted the virus at least 10 years previously. Blood-tests are showing that people who were infected with Epstein-Barr virus were more than 32% likely to develop multiple sclerosis. What the researchers did was to compare blood tests of the individuals with MS to blood tests of healthy individuals of the same age and sex. Of the 955 tested 801 showed signs of having contracted EBV at least 10 years previously. It appears nerve degeneration that accompanies MS may begin with EBV.  Moderna is presently working on a vaccine to target the virus with EBV-specific antiviral drugs. Prevention of EBV may result in prevention of MS in later years.

 

https://www.psychiatrist.com/news/epstein-barr-virus-linked-to-multiple-sclerosis-compelling-evidence-suggests/#:~:text=A%20Harvard%20study%20adds%20to,MS%20diagnosis%20by%2032%20times.

Bilingualism and Dementia…

Posted on by Lenny Variano

A new study suggests that being bilingual may be associated with better memory in later life. Researchers in Germany found that people who use two languages daily had higher scores when it came to learning, memory, and self-control as opposed to those who only spoke one language. After two decades of research the findings were published in the “Journal of Neurobiology of Aging”. Some research in the past has suggested that if a person is bi-lingual it may not prevent them from dementia, but if they were to develop the disease, onset would be later in life than a person who speaks one language. Scientists hypothesize that the ability to switch from one language to another may help with multitasking, managing emotions and self-control.  More research needs to be done to see if the age that the second language was encoded showed differences. Other factors are how often the second language was spoken or in what environment the person lived. More intense research needs to be performed but being bi-lingual does seem to be an exercise for the brain since a person must be able to switch between two cultures.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0197458022002597

Dementia and an Eye Exam…

Posted on by Lenny Variano

All the drugs that may have helped with Dementia have failed to be effective in halting this disease. Dementia cases are growing, and scientists are looking to other possible causes instead of relying on drugs. They are now focusing on modifiable risks and if behavior may play a part in dementia. A new study was published in JAMA Neurology, in which scientists claim that at least 100,000 cases could have been prevented with healthy vision. 80 to 90% of vision impairment and blindness can be prevented, especially since eye exams, eyeglasses, and eye surgery are relatively inexpensive. Among the modifiable risk factors that were identified besides eyesight were hearing, inactivity and social contact. Our neural system remains healthy through stimulation. This is especially important for eyesight and hearing whose neurons may fade without this stimulation. Both senses are extremely important for older people to stay in touch with the world by making it possible for them to communicate. These modifiable risk factors possibly can lift some of the future burden on our medical system. Not only are they relatively easy to correct but they are drug free.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/eye-tests-may-help-diagnose-alzheimer-rsquo-s-disease/