Alzheimer's is a disease of aggregation. Neurons in the human brain make a protein called amyloid beta. Such proteins on their own, called monomers of amyloid beta, perform important tasks for neurons.
World Parkinson's Day: Coffee, Nuts & Fish Can Boost Brain Power
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Parkinson's Disease, a neurodegenerative disorder, is affecting the ageing population's mobility and locomotion.
The disabling disease occurs in elderly (between age 50 and 65) when the brain cells get damaged. The brain's natural chemical 'dopamine' is in charge of the nerve cell communication. The disease develops when the brain is unable to produce dopamine, and starts abnormally storing a protien called 'Lewy bodies' in substantia nigra, a part which controls movement.
The symptoms of the disease - rest tremors, bradykinesia or slow movements, and muscle stiffness or rigidity - develop gradually over the years. In most cases the cause of the condition is not known.
On World Parkinson's Day, here are few food items that can boost your cognitive skill, and keep the disease at bay.
Parkinson's Disease, a neurodegenerative disorder, is affecting the ageing population's mobility and locomotion.
The disabling disease occurs in elderly (between age 50 and 65) when the brain cells ..
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According to a study conducted by Sweden's Chalmers University of Technology, a protein called parvalbumin - which is common in many fish species -can improve long-term cognitive health. The fish protein uses the Parkinson's protein for its own use, preventing them from harming the brain cells.
According to a study conducted by Sweden's Chalmers University of Technology, a protein called parvalbumin - which is common in many fish species -can improve long-term cognitive health. The fish pro..
The Journal stressed the roasting process of coffee beans. When coffee is roasted, it generates Phenylindanes that inhibits two proteins - beta-amyloid and tau - from clumping. Hence, dark roasted coffee beans are better than light roasted as the process leads to higher phenylindanes quantities.
The other study suggested that a new compound found in coffee - EHT (Eicosanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamide - can fight against Parkinson's disease.
Two studies published in the Journal of Frontiers in Neuroscience and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences emphasise on the importance of coffee in combating against Parkinson's disease.
..
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A study submitted by the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil says that consuming a low-calorie diet can protect the brain from neuronal cell death that can lead to Parkinson's. It also said that eating more calories directly influences the performance of various cells.
A study submitted by the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil says that consuming a low-calorie diet can protect the brain from neuronal cell death that can lead to Parkinson's. It also said that eating..
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According to a study published in the journal Redox Biology, a native California shrub - Yerba santa (Eriodictyon californicum) - holds the key to reversing neurological disease symptoms.
The plant contains a compound called Sterubin that removes iron, which contributes to nerve cell damage in neurodegenerative diseases.
The shrub is also known for treating respiratory ailments, fever and headaches.
According to a study published in the journal Redox Biology, a native California shrub - Yerba santa (Eriodictyon californicum) - holds the key to reversing neurological disease symptoms.
The plant ..
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The study by researchers from the University of South Australia have found out that eating more than 10 grams of nuts every day (preferably peanuts) can keep age-related mental disorders at bay. People who eat 2 teaspoons of nuts daily can improve their cognitive skills by up to 60 per cent, compared to people who don't.
Add these superfoods to your diet, and keep your brain healthy.
The study by researchers from the University of South Australia have found out that eating more than 10 grams of nuts every day (preferably peanuts) can keep age-related mental disorders at bay. Peop..
First, they form oligomers - small clumps of up to a dozen proteins - then longer strands and finally large deposits called plaques.
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For years, scientists believed that the plaques triggered the cognitive impairments characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. However, newer research implicates the smaller aggregates of amyloid beta as the toxic elements of this disease.
Researchers at the University of Washington in the US have developed synthetic peptides - which are designed to fold into a structure known as an alpha sheet - can block amyloid beta aggregation at the early and most toxic stage when oligomers form.
The team showed that the synthetic alpha sheet's blocking activity reduced amyloid beta-triggered toxicity in human neural cells grown in culture, and inhibited amyloid beta oligomers in two laboratory animal models for Alzheimer's.
These findings add evidence to the growing consensus that amyloid beta oligomers - not plaques - are the toxic agents behind Alzheimer's disease.
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The results also indicate that synthetic alpha sheets could form the basis of therapeutics to clear toxic oligomers in people, according to Valerie Daggett, a professor at University of Washington.
"This is about targeting a specific structure of amyloid beta formed by the toxic oligomers," said Daggett.
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"What we've shown here is that we can design and build synthetic alpha sheets with complementary structures to inhibit aggregation and toxicity of amyloid beta, while leaving the biologically active monomers intact," she said.
World No Tobacco Day: Smoking Can Hurt Eyes, Bones And Brain
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Most smokers believe smoking is cool. No matter how you indulge in it, tobacco is harmful to your health. Tobacco contains over 7,000 toxins and 70 known carcinogens (chemicals that increase cancer risk) and can damage nearly every organ of the body.
Dr Sachin Kumar, Senior Consultant - Pulmonology at Sakra World Hospital explains how smoking affects every part of your body.
The next time you are tempted to take a drag, just pause for a minute and think of the consequences of your indulgence.
Most smokers believe smoking is cool. No matter how you indulge in it, tobacco is harmful to your health. Tobacco contains over 7,000 toxins and 70 known carcinogens (chemicals that increase cancer r..
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Smoking usually helps smokers relax on a short-term basis. But, it comes at a huge price in the long-term. Smoking results in addiction and anxiety. It alters the brain chemistry and can increase the risk of stroke.
Smoking usually helps smokers relax on a short-term basis. But, it comes at a huge price in the long-term. Smoking results in addiction and anxiety. It alters the brain chemistry and can increase the..
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Cancer of mouth and throat is common among smokers. In addition, smoking can also result in gum disease, premature tooth loss, discolouration of teeth, etc.
Cancer of mouth and throat is common among smokers. In addition, smoking can also result in gum disease, premature tooth loss, discolouration of teeth, etc.
Lung cancer, one of the leading causes of death in the world, develops due to smoking. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease which causes difficulty in breathing is another common cause of death among smokers. Chronic Bronchitis, the inflammation of the bronchial tubes which also results in difficulty in breathing, is caused primarily due to smoking.
Smoking also increases the risk of other infections like pneumonia, tuberculosis, etc.
Lung cancer, one of the leading causes of death in the world, develops due to smoking. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease which causes difficulty in breathing is another common cause of death amon..
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Smoking is one of the leading causes for heart diseases. Regular smokers, as well as second-hand/passive smokers, are at high risk of heart disease.
Tobacco also contributes to heart conditions by reducing the good cholesterol (HDL) and increasing the bad cholesterol (LDL and Triglycerides) in the body.
Smoking is one of the leading causes for heart diseases. Regular smokers, as well as second-hand/passive smokers, are at high risk of heart disease.
Tobacco also contributes to heart conditions by r..
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In men, smoking can result in abnormality of sperm, impotence, erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer.
In women, smoking can result in infertility, miscarriage, early menopause, and cervical and ovarian cancer.
Smoking can impact the future generation, and can lead to physical deformities and sudden infant deaths.
In men, smoking can result in abnormality of sperm, impotence, erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer.
In women, smoking can result in infertility, miscarriage, early menopause, and cervical and ..
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Smoking increases the risk of eye-related problems like stinging, excessive tearing, glaucoma and cataract. It can result in partial or total blindness if untreated.
Smoking increases the risk of eye-related problems like stinging, excessive tearing, glaucoma and cataract. It can result in partial or total blindness if untreated.
The kidney's main function is to clear the toxic wastes from our body. But, smoking does exactly the opposite.
It increases the chances of kidney failure, bladder cancer and other urinary tract-related problems.
The kidney's main function is to clear the toxic wastes from our body. But, smoking does exactly the opposite.
It increases the chances of kidney failure, bladder cancer and other urinary tract-rela..
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Bones provide structure to the body. Due to the toxins present in tobacco, smoking can result in osteoporosis (weakening of the bones), increasing the risk of hip fracture, spine-related problems, bone marrow cancer and also rheumatoid arthritis.
In addition to the above-mentioned problems, tobacco can also result in premature ageing, hair loss, weak immunity etc.
Bones provide structure to the body. Due to the toxins present in tobacco, smoking can result in osteoporosis (weakening of the bones), increasing the risk of hip fracture, spine-related problems, bo..
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Smoking reduces appetite. It prevents adequate nutrition to the body which makes the body weak. It can also up the insulin resistance of the body which makes people susceptible to type 2 diabetes. It also has a negative impact on the liver and intestine, and can increase the risk of ulcers in the stomach and intestine.
Smoking reduces appetite. It prevents adequate nutrition to the body which makes the body weak. It can also up the insulin resistance of the body which makes people susceptible to type 2 diabetes. It..
The peptides protected laboratory animals from toxic oligomer damage. In brain tissue samples from mice, the team observed an up to 82 per cent drop in amyloid beta oligomer levels after treatment with a synthetic alpha sheet peptide.
Administering a synthetic alpha sheet to living mice triggered a 40 per cent drop in amyloid beta oligomer levels after 24 hours.
In the common laboratory worm Caenorhabditis elegans, another model for Alzheimer's disease, treatment with synthetic alpha sheets delayed the onset of amyloid beta-induced paralysis.
Daggett's team is continuing experiments with synthetic alpha sheets to engineer compounds that are even better at clearing amyloid beta oligomers.
"What we're really after are potential therapeutics against amyloid beta and diagnostic measures to detect toxic oligomers in people," said Daggett.
Next Horizon Of Science: AI To Diagnose Brain Haemorrhage, Spacecraft For Intergalactic Travel
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From AI that can diagnose stroke to scientists taking antimatter for a truck ride, here’s everything exciting about technologies that are going to shape our future. (Text: Rajarshi Bhattacharjee)
From AI that can diagnose stroke to scientists taking antimatter for a truck ride, here’s everything exciting about technologies that are going to shape our future. (Text: Rajarshi Bhattacharjee)
Hate carbon dioxide for heating up the planet? Switzerland has a giant machine that sucks carbon dioxide from air and performs better than plants. In essence, it’s a gigantic artificial tree. Zurichbased Climeworks AG is the world’s first ever commercial plant that can capture CO2 from the air on an industrial level. The amount (900 tonnes) of carbon dioxide the plant draws annually is approximately the same as the amount emitted by 200 cars in the same time.
(Image: www.climeworks.com)
Hate carbon dioxide for heating up the planet? Switzerland has a giant machine that sucks carbon dioxide from air and performs better than plants. In essence, it’s a gigantic artificial tree. Zurich..
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Scientists at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in US have developed an artificial intelligence platform that can identify disease in brain CT scans in 1.2 seconds, and diagnose a range of acute neurological illnesses, such as stroke, and haemorrhage. The study shows that the system was faster than human diagnosis. This is the first study to utilise AI for detecting acute neurologic events and demonstrate a direct clinical application.
Scientists at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in US have developed an artificial intelligence platform that can identify disease in brain CT scans in 1.2 seconds, and diagnose a range of..
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Remember the pursuit craft driven by Valerian (Dane DeHaan) in the 2017 movie Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets? US design and technology company Lexus has a concept of the futuristic single-seat craft called Skyjet that will take the future humans on intergalactic trips. Powered by a compact fuel-cell capsule, the Skyjet will fly on clean, renewable energy for space travel, sometime around 2740.
(Image: www.lexus.co.uk)
Remember the pursuit craft driven by Valerian (Dane DeHaan) in the 2017 movie Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets? US design and technology company Lexus has a concept of the futuristic sing..
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The most dense, solidstate memory in history is here. It could soon exceed the capabilities of current hard drives by 1,000 times. Scientists at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada say they can use hydrogen atoms to boost storage capacity. They were able to reach a storage density of 128TB per square inch. That’s much ahead of current 10TB hard disks which have approximately 512GB per square inch.
(Image: www.ualberta.ca)
The most dense, solidstate memory in history is here. It could soon exceed the capabilities of current hard drives by 1,000 times. Scientists at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada say the..
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We know antimatter is highly volatile — when it comes into contact with matter, the two annihilate each other. However, physicists at CERN in Switzerland have learned to control it so well that they are now preparing to transport antimatter by truck and then use it to study the strange behaviour of rare radioactive nuclei.
(Image: Julien Marius Ordan-CERN - https://home.cern)
We know antimatter is highly volatile — when it comes into contact with matter, the two annihilate each other. However, physicists at CERN in Switzerland have learned to control it so well that they..
