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Found genes associated with menopause
October 22, 2009
Found genes associated with menopause
An international team of scientists have discovered genes that determine the time of onset and decline of reproductive functions in women. According to researchers, this discovery may help develop techniques for the treatment of certain disorders of reproductive ability of an organism, or related diseases such as breast cancer and osteoporosis, the authors are confident of the five independent papers published in the journal Nature Genetics.
As experts note, the duration of the reproductive period of women still remains unresolved scientific questions, the answers to which can be obtained by examining a range of factors – from individual genetic characteristics of an organism to environmental conditions and lifestyle, nutrition, health and others. In this context, the timing of puberty and menopause in women are important parameters which, in particular, allow to draw conclusions about the likelihood of developing age-related diseases such as osteoporosis or breast cancer.
All groups, including research teams from the UK, USA, Iceland, the Netherlands and Australia, came to similar conclusions. Scientists analyzed data about the most common variations in DNA among thousands of women living in different parts of the world, and compared them with data on age and time of occurrence of a reproductive phase.
Thus, four out of five research teams found that variations in DNA in the gene LIN28B lead to a change in the onset of first menstruation, called menarche. How LIN28B affect the timing of menarche, scientists still unknown. This gene is responsible for the synthesis of protein, which in turn controls the amount and ratio of other proteins synthesized by cells of the body.
Some previous work has shown that LIN28B somehow influences the growth of man, so the authors of works suggest that their finding may partly explain why the girls into early puberty, usually have a small increase, compared to those who have first menstrual cycle comes to a later age.
In addition, the Icelandic group of scientists have discovered genes associated with menopause. The age at which women experience this stage of development, ranging from 40 to 60 years. With Kari Stefansson of the Icelandic company eCODE Genetics, showed the presence in the genome of human genes are pushed or otherwise accelerate the manifestation of menopause for two years.
But one group of scientists, led by Ken Ong from the Medical Research Council of the epidemiological service in Cambridge, Britain, managed to find DNA variations affecting menarche and located in the chromosomes of several other genes associated with breast development in girls and brittle voice in boys.
Last week it was reported that during the comparative analysis of the gene related to breast and milk, seven groups of mammals – a cow, platypus, opossum, dogs, mice, rats and humans, scientists have concluded: the common ancestor of these groups existed the Earth about 160 million years ago.
Scientists have explained why the avian flu infected more difficult than usual
Scientists have explained why the avian flu infected more difficult than usual
American doctors and biologists have found that the human nose is too cold for the successful spread of avian influenza virus. According to scientists, the bird flu virus infects only cells with a high temperature, whereas the ordinary flu virus is adapted to relatively low temperatures.
Virologists from several different institutions, the U.S. learned the process of infection of cells of the nasal mucosa of different influenza viruses. The researchers varied the temperature: part of the cell culture was maintained at a temperature of 32 degrees, and some – at +37. Biologists know that the bird’s body temperature far above the human and their upper airways are heated as well as the deeply located parts nasopharynx in humans.
Avian influenza viruses (strains that suffer mainly birds: in principle, avian flu can survive in the human body), which scientists infected cells, a well-bred only in the heated cultures. Recall that the virus can not reproduce itself, instead, the virus penetrates the cell, it embeds in its genetic code, and only then the cell starts to produce copies of the virus has infected her.
Researchers have found that often infect humans are influenza viruses, in contrast, well multiply in the cells both at low and at high temperatures. Experts say that these differences are explained by the fact that bird flu infection occurs less frequently, and its transmission from person to person is unlikely: the virus spreads rapidly only when hit deep into the respiratory tract, and under normal circumstances, it is retained in the nasopharynx.
They also said that their discovery could affect the priority of the development of vaccines against avian influenza. Study of the ability of different viruses (currently 16 known strains of avian flu and the doctors have not checked them all) to infect cells at different temperatures can identify those varieties that can infect the body, regardless of the temperature of nasopharynx. Against such a vaccine virus would require first of all – the remaining strains originally adapted to birds with another body temperature.
Scientists have found that Alzheimer’s disease is directly linked to heart problems
Scientists have found that Alzheimer’s disease is directly linked to heart problems
According to recent research scientists, people with atrial fibrillation in 44% more prone to dementia than people with healthy hearts. Atrial fibrillation – one of the most common cardiac arrhythmia. It is characterized by chaotic atrial rhythm and occurs in all age groups.
Academic Medical Center The Intermountain Medical Centre in Utah (USA) monitored the condition of more than 37 thousand patients. According to the cardiologist Jared Bunch, previous studies have shown that patients with atrial fibrillation are predisposed to vascular dementia – a kind of dementia, the prevalence is second only to Alzheimer’s disease. In the new study was the discovery is the fact that heart disease and lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Susan Sorensen, head of the U.S. Alzheimer’s Society, said: “The discovery suggests that people with heart disease may be faced immediately with the two most serious forms of dementia – Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. However, we have the opportunity to thoroughly explore this phenomenon and, possibly, to find the right medicine. ”
For 2006, there were more than 26 million people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists project that by 2050 their number may increase by several times.
Further study of this problem should show whether you can find a connection between the treatment of heart disease and reduced incidence of dementia, reports The Daily Telegraph.
Older people with poor appetite die earlier
Older people with poor appetite die earlier
The doctors found an association between appetite and mortality in older people: doctors found that violations of appetite increase the risk of early death.
Clinicians from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev / Israel / reviewed energy expenditure, appetite and mortality among 298 healthy men aged 70-82 years. Scientists noticed that the feeling of appetite can predict death in old age, even after controlling for factors of the illness, presence of chronic diagnoses and other variables. People with poor appetite were dying earlier, although they had normal health for his age.
The doctors noted that elderly people who ate well, had a reduced risk of death from all causes. The results remained the same and after taking into account health status, physical activity levels and analysis of diet. While scientists can not explain how the appetite effect on life expectancy, but most likely, a feeling of appetite depends on the internal processes of aging and in particular from the age of hormonal changes.
Statins reduce the risk of first or recurrent stroke
October 19, 2009
Statins reduce the risk of first or recurrent stroke
Results of large-scale meta-analysis indicate that the use of statins reduces the risk of both first and recurrent stroke.
Pierre Amarenco, and Julien Labreuche (Hemostasis, Bio-engineering, and Cardiovascular Remodeling Unit at INSERM in Paris, France) performed a meta-analysis study of stainov, it included 24 studies with a total of 165 792 participants.
In a meta-analysis showed that lowering LDL cholesterol by 1 mmol / L reduces the risk of stroke by 21.1%. Only one study examined the effectiveness of statins for secondary prevention of stroke, found that patients who took statins, the risk of recurrent stroke was 0.84.
Lancet Neurol 2009
The lack of sunlight affects the severity of treatment of asthma
Levels of vitamin D in the body affect the severity of treatment of asthma , established doctors. Immunologists Harvard Medical School examined the concentration of vitamin D among 616 children diagnosed with asthma.
For each child tested for sensitivity to common allergens, but also examined serum vitamin D in the blood and lung function. Asthmatics who had low levels of vitamin A, significantly more likely to have been hospitalized with respiratory symptoms, often react to the most common markers of allergy, as dust mites, and had serious bouts of illness.
American immunologists believe that a walk in sunny weather, is essential for maintaining the health of asthmatics, since ultraviolet rays are an indispensable source of vitamin D. In sunlight, doctors recommend giving children with vitamin supplements, which will also preserve bone health, to prevent rickets and osteoporosis in adulthood. The complexity of obtaining vitamin D is that, unlike many other useful substances, it is mainly synthesized in the body, but not at the expense of consumption. Approximately 90% of vitamin D is formed in the body due to exposure to the sun, so even large amounts of products containing the substance can not fill the deficit, adding therapists.
Negative thoughts about aging impair memory
Negative thoughts about aging impair memory
If the age you are strongly associated with the development of multiple sclerosis, it is quite possible that in old age, you really will experience memory lapses.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina / United States / came to the conclusion that the negative thoughts about the signs of aging lead to a deterioration of memory. Experiments have shown that older people perform mental tasks and worse on memory tests if they are cultured in a negative stereotypes about aging. Memory functions are also affected, when retirees become hypochondriac about my age and believe that others are prejudiced against him for that reason. Affirmed that the negative stereotypes often affect memory in aged 60-70 years, and more on highly educated people.
As psychologists say, elderly people are often concerned about the opinion of others, especially in the working environment. Such obsessions reinforce negative stereotypes and not only lead to depression, excess stress and high anxiety, but also interfere with normal functioning of the brain. It was noticed that people who are on the contrary do not think about aging and do not pay attention to your own age, have a higher memory performance. In other words, be sure that aging does not disrupt your mental health, then the chances of a good memory in old age increase, say neuroscientists.
Chewing gum helps to control appetite
Chewing gum helps to control appetite
Sugar-free gum may help not only the teeth and gums, but also helps to control feelings of appetite, lowering calories and reducing cravings for products harmful to the waist, say researchers Pennington Biomedical Research Center and Louisiana State University / USA.
Studying the properties of chewing gum showed that it prevents the consumption of various snacks during the lunch hour for a total of 40 calories, and sweet food – to 60 calories. When the volunteers chewed gum between snack and lunch time, the feeling of hunger significantly suppressed, and the desire to eat something fatty, salty or sweet to waste.
The experiment found that chewing gum can increase the energy levels is between noon and lunch break, but also eliminates feelings of sleepiness during the same period of time. According to nutritionists, even small changes in caloric intake had a significant influence on the shape and overall health in the long term. Experts believe that chewing gum without the sugar content can serve as a simple way to control appetite.
Japanese scientists grew hair from stem cells
Japanese scientists grew hair from stem cells
Teacher Dental University from the Japanese city of Matsumoto was able to restore hair growth in mice using embryonic stem cells. This achievement is subject to the successful finalization can always save people from the problem of alopecia, Tokyo media reported.
As part of the experiment Mariko YAMAK engaged also in scientific activity, has created a combination of mesenchymal stem cells derived from embryonic mouse tooth germs, and embryonic stem cells, which in the future form the basis of skin cells. After a while approximately 40 percent of cases received “cell clusters” started to grow one or two of hair. When the researchers added the protein that promotes hair growth, the “sprouting” hair reached almost 60 percent.
This result has already been confirmed for the 12 mice, the muscles which was introduced a combined cell mixture. All rodents marked hair growth.
YAMAK told the press that in the first place now wants to try to regenerate the hair using human embryonic stem cells.
A detailed report on this research work will be published in the May issue of the specialized journal “Regenerative Medicine”.
Cold weather contributes to the development of intelligence
Cold weather contributes to the development of attention and intelligence. To such conclusion the group of Australian psychologists from the University of New South Wales, reported London’s Daily Mail.
Studies on a large scale and were held in one of the largest shopping centers in Sydney. As it turned out, intellectual activity, in particular, the ability to learn many facts to be higher in rainy and cold weather than in warm and sunny.
Incredible, but the memory and the brain work better in cold weather and during rain, said study leader Professor Joe Forgas.
Specialists concluded: hot and sunny weather “relaxes” the work of the brain, and the cold – on the contrary, forcing him to concentrate, which contributes to the development of human intellect.
However, while scientists can not risk complaining that the residents of the northern countries smarter than the south.