Showing posts with label laboratory. Show all posts
Showing posts with label laboratory. Show all posts

Genetic Treatment for Diabetes Type 2

Diabetics will not change their lifestyle food genetics
The hope of genetic treatment may be scuttled as it is becoming known that we have good and bad genes but their behavior depends on whether they are turned on or off. Apparently this changes throughout the day let alone over the years.

A new endeavor to study diabetes and diet could also be a waste of time. Even sufferers know that diabetes type 2 is caused by eating the wrong food. However, few people will change their lifestyle. A genetic predisposition could add to this. Yet, with the number of medications taken today the link between long term prescription use, genetics and food is a hard nut to crack. Including a third factor makes understanding the issue much more difficult.

As always, research will be done on mice for the genetic/food duo. Unfortunately, mice may be mammals, but they ain't human. Finding a cure for diabetes 2 is way down the track. Scientists will be messing around in the lab collecting data on mice for at least 10 years.
Genetics  by Ty Buchanan
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 #food #diabetes #diabetics #health #genetics #treatment #mice #lab
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DIET IS THE PROBLEM
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Body Rhythms are Set by Color as well as light

Light affects us in many ways. Nordic countries have light treatment for citizens who suffer from a depressive outlook due to lack of sunshine during winter. Their circadian rhythms are disrupted. Recently evidence points to the fact that color is important as well.
Dawn image picture
A study on mice indicates that color signals reaching the eyes are "stored" in the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the brain. It was thought only sunlight was responsible for setting the body clock. This has been brought into question, however. The research controlled the brightness of artificial sky and also added color blended into the level of brightness.

With only dawn sunlight in the test room mice seemed confused and their body temperatures lagged behind the norm by 30 minutes. When orange and blue was added to the dawn light the mice were perfectly normal in behavior and temperature.

It seems the light/color information is stored in suprachiasmic neurons in a special way. Biopsies show a time lag in the firing of these neurons which ties into low body temperatures. Mammals have evolved in tune with this planet. The animal to Earth "bonding" seems to be very close indeed.
Biology by Ty Buchanan
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Unboiled Eggs

Australian and US Scientists have discovered how to unboil eggs. This is not the whole egg as you would see on your dinner plate: just egg white. Transport of egg white will be revolutionized, no more need to ship fragile whole eggs in their shells (egg white powder is available though not that useful in such a form).  Laboratories will be using the protein as a base medium for research.
A protein is added to pre-boiled egg white which untangles proteins thus allowing them to refold. The procedure is quick and cheep, cheap - sorry about the pun! It is a two stage process. First a substance from urea is added, then the remaining lumps are untangled using a special machine.

Reconstituted egg white can be used in cancer treatment, cheese manufacturing and the farming industry. A patent has been applied for. There is always a catch, but that's life I suppose.
✴ Chemistry by Ty Buchanan
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Teflon Beats Gecko - Temporarily

Can nature beat science? This is an open question but it will be put to the test. Teflon is a material created by scientists. It does not occur naturally. Will it stand the test and be unique, unfettered by mother nature?

Geckos can run along many surfaces, whether vertical or upside-down. Their toes are covered in in rows of keratin ridges called lamellae. They are like very fine hairs that attach to just about anything.

Students at the University of Akron's Auburn Science Centre tested the ability of geckos to run along vertical teflon sheets. And yes, they could not cross it! By adding water, however, they ran along it quite happily.

Apparently, the presence of moisture is a must for geckos to get around. Any surface that repels water is playground for geckos. An adhesive has been developed that will stick things together underwater based on research done on this interesting little creature.
Science by Ty Buchanan
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Angus Cattle Carry a Dangerous Recessive Gene

There are serious problems involved in breeding top class cattle for the market. Like in breeding budgerigars recessive genes coming together can cause some young to be victims of early death.

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In creating the "perfect" animal, weaknesses have been seen in Angus cattle. The disease is call Development Duplication (DD). Its general name is polymelia. Embryos are dying and some are born with extra limbs.

The disease is common in all cattle, but selective breeding has increase its prominence in Angus cattle. Some affected animals have had operations to remove extra limbs. This is complicating the issue particularly if they are used for breeding.

Tests are available to identify the recessive gene causing the problem. It occurs at a rate of 3 per cent in the Angus breed. Pairing a sire with the recessive to a dam without it produces a normal calf. The recessive gene is passed on, however, not eliminated. It is believed that the presence of the gene has improved growth and fertility. This is a dangerous path to follow. Keeping something deleterious for perceived market benefits.
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Conservation
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New Illicit Drugs Are Frequently Created

The world is in crisis. Illegal drugs that permanently damage users are easily purchased online. Recent research shows that when those under 16 years of age take marijuana regularly, particularly the cultivated strong variety, they are irreparably set back for the rest of their lives. Schizophrenia, is common. Furthermore, There is up to 55 per cent reduction in memory recall and decision making skills. A problem not given much importance is lung disease from smoking marijuana.

Dangerous psychoactive drugs are being developed. They are very pure and untested on humans. Some are highly toxic. Because they are new there are no laws restricting their supply, so they can be openly sold in Australia. Buying drugs online is virtually anonymous. The law has limited mechanisms for checking sales.

Several new chemicals are combined into a very dangerous brew. Some normal antidepressants are also added. The affects of drug interaction is unknown. Products are not checked for consistency. A brand bought one week can be completely different the next. Being legal in the short time does not make "home produced" drugs safe. Users believe that the new drugs are created in Australia. This in really not the case. Most are developed in China and India. These producers are untrackable. They do not use local currency. Barter is commonly practised.

Despite the wide choice of drugs, cannabis is the preferred substance of abuse. It is easily ingested by smoking, but it has a very strong smell that lingers for a long time after use. Police know when a person has smoked the illegal substance when they smell it. The chances of being caught are high.
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Society
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