So, some genetic variants that increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease or cancer do not leave from generation to generation. It turns out that the process helping people to resist pathogens, allows the problematic mutations to occur again in the genome. That is, the law of evolutionary selection does not work here, The Economic Times says.
Scientists constantly look for safe sweeteners. The latest development is a fruit protein brazzein. It is sweeter than regular sugar, and it contains fewer calories, Lab Manager says. But the protein has a problem: if it is obtained directly from the fruit harvested in West Africa, it may be very expensive. Therefore, the scientists have made the fungi to produce the protein in vitro and in large quantities.
Scientists say, they have developed an alternative to morphine, which does not cause breathing problems. A respiratory arrest is one of the main causes of death with an overdose of morphine, The Australian says. Plus, the alternative is not addictive.
It was developed by scientists from the National Institute of Science and Technology of Ulsan. Immunosensor measures the level of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) - a protein that enters the blood after a heart attack. For diagnose, only one drop of blood is needed. The result appears in a minute, NDTV says.
It helps to identify the areas where genes are "turned off". This method might simplify the diagnosis of disorders such as Alzheimer's disease or schizophrenia. The new technique is a type of positron emission tomography (PET), says Popular Science.
Indian researchers are planning to use stem cells for the treatment of Perthes disease. This disease is a very common. It is associated with a disturbance of blood supply to the femoral head. The new method of treatment will save children from disability, says The Times of India.
Kidney stones can be dissolved by the unique combination of calcium oxalate. Also it can prevent the occurrence of stones, says Business Standard with the reference to the discovery of the University of Houston.
It is known that antidepressants start to work not so fast - sometimes it takes weeks or months to feel the effect from that. Finally, the experts of University of Illinois understood why this treatment takes so long, said The Daily Mail.
Virologists have identified three types of antibodies that can neutralize the different strains of influenza virus. This is another step towards obtaining a universal flu vaccine. As it is known due to mutations of the virus, seasonal influenza vaccine has to be updated each year. However the virus has a constant part which might be an ideal target for vaccine’s antibodies.
There is a whole class of drugs that are popular among students. It is believed, these drugs help to learn. But, in fact, they damage the brain, said experts. As reported by The Daily Mail, in the opinion of Nadira Faber of the University of Oxford, the drugs can impair a short-term memory