About science, health, MOOCs...

Scientists Map the Evolution of Our “Little Brain” | Technology Networks : A collaborative team of scientists has explored and mapped the cellular landscape of the cerebellum, leading to new insights on the evolution of the human brain. And a related free course: https://alison.com/course/the-anatomy-of-the-cerebellum?utm_source=alison_user&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_campaign=9400268 And a related book: https://amzn.to/3N3L2HC

  "The possibility of oceans and life Which leads to one of the most exciting parts of the mission: Many planetary scientists theorize that Ariel, and perhaps most or all of the other five moons, may be an  ocean world  harboring large, underground bodies of liquid water miles beneath the solid, icy surface. Finding out whether any of the moons have oceans is one of the major goals of the mission. This is one reason why an orbiter would probably carry a  magnetometer  – to detect the electromagnetic interactions of an underground ocean as one of its moons  travels through Uranus’ magnetic field . Instruments to measure the moons’ gravitational fields and cameras to study their surface geology would help, too. Liquid water is an essential requirement for life as we know it. If oceans are detected, scientists will then want to look for other ingredients for life on the moons –  such as energy, nutrients and organic matter ." For more details: https://the...

"  Mercury, a planet known for its intense heat and extreme conditions, is the last place one would expect to find glaciers. However, planetary scientists have discovered possible evidence of glacier-like structures on  Mercury,  which is the closest planet to the sun. Contrary to what one might assume, these glaciers are not icy; instead, they are likely composed of salt. The Planetary Science Institute (PSI) researchers underline that these salt glaciers may provide favorable conditions for some types of bacteria to thrive in severe settings comparable to those seen on Earth.  "Specific salt compounds on Earth create habitable niches even in some of the harshest environments where they occur, such as the arid Atacama Desert in Chile. This line of thinking leads us to ponder the possibility of subsurface areas on Mercury that might be more hospitable than its harsh surface," said Alexis Rodriguez, lead author from PSI scientist, in a  press statement.  " F...

"  Join   The Reversing Heart Disease Naturally Summit   and learn from more than 40+ of the world’s leading experts in heart health – including world-renowned doctors, functional medicine experts, nutritionists, chronic illness specialists, and more about how to keep your heart healthy for life. At this summit, you’ll learn: The known and unknown warning signs of heart disease. The best ways to prevent and manage heart disease. What you can do to improve your overall health – even with heart disease. Plus, we’ll teach you how to fortify your heart and give you the tools to keep you healthy for life. Discover how to prevent death, prevent heart attacks, and prevent strokes. Learn how to extend your healthspan and lifespan, naturally. This summit aims to provide a plan to detect early silent heart disease and reverse it before a stroke, heart attack, and death." For more details and enroll: https://drtalks.com/reversing-heart-disease-summit?oid=37&ref=3672

 "Abstract  Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS), commonly known as Roselle, has a rich history of traditional uses and is recognized for its diverse pharmacological properties, including antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and more. This comprehensive review synthesizes the existing literature on the health benefits associated with the consumption of HS or its ingredients. Key areas of focus include metabolic health, blood sugar, and lipid regulation, wherein studies have reported varying effects on parameters such as fasting blood glucose, insulin sensitivity, and lipid profiles. Furthermore, Roselle exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, as evidenced by its impact on inflammatory markers such as MCP-1 and TNF-α. Additionally, HS extracts have shown notable antibacterial efficacy against various strains, with a potential role in urinary tract infection management. Studies also suggest potential benefits for renal function, with improvements in markers such as blood urea ...

"Understand epilepsy from a biopsychosocial perspective Epilepsy is a common condition, but how much do you know about the neuropsychology of the disorder? On this course, you will learn about the cognitive and psychosocial deficits that epilepsy sufferers can experience. You will begin with an overview of epilepsy and the techniques used for its medical diagnosis. You will learn what a neuropsychological evaluation involves and the abilities that are assessed. You will also learn how to give first aid to someone suffering from a seizure." For more details and enroll: Understanding Epilepsy and its Neuropsychology

 " A small, seahorse-sized area of the brain is responsible for most of our learning and memory. Called the hippocampus, this   area is key   to many important brain functions, including turning short-term memories into long-term ones, regulating our emotions and making spatial navigation possible – essentially, our ability to plan where to go and how to get there. As we get older, it’s normal for the hippocampus to shrink somewhat. But with certain health conditions, this volume loss is more rapid. Unsurprisingly, Alzheimer’s disease is one of these conditions." For more details: https://theconversation.com/size-of-brain-area-linked-with-cognitive-decline-even-in-people-with-no-other-warning-signs-of-alzheimers-disease-217729 And some related books: https://amzn.to/3SZXe00 https://amzn.to/47zyLD1 https://amzn.to/40RyvNj

"People are living longer, but concerns about cognitive decline remain. Researchers are still seeking to understand factors that protect against cognitive decline and what factors put people more at risk for cognitive decline. Data from a recent study found that consuming higher levels of whole grains was associated with slowed cognitive decline among Black participants. However, further research is required to understand the differences between Black and white participants observed in this study." For more details: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/more-than-3-servings-of-whole-grains-may-help-slow-cognitive-decline And a related book: https://amzn.to/47NkPF0

  "Here’s What  You Will Learn  at the Microbes and Mental Health Summit How to test for  mold and biotoxin  illness… The microbes that  negatively impact  the brain… The crucial role of  gut health  or overall well-being… Where to start when  you suspect a parasitic infection ... Strategies you can  do from home to reverse  cognitive decline… Successful  alternatives to conventional mental health treatments … Which  environmental toxins fuel brain inflammation  and kill off brain cells… Innovative treatments that can  reverse root causes  and improve your mental health… How  parasites interact with other infections and toxicities  (mold, candida, heavy metals, etc.)... …And much much more!" For more details and register: https://drtalks.com/microbes-and-mental-health-summit?oid=38&ref=3672

  What  You Will Learn  at the Sleep Deep Summit: New Approaches To Beating Sleep Apnea and Insomnia: Uncover Hidden Medical Strategies:  By watching these presentations, you'll dive into the latest in sleep apnea and insomnia solutions that might not be commonly discussed in typical medical consultations. The Sleep-Weight Connection:  Carolynn Francavilla Brown, MD, explores the link between sleep and weight, covering topics from nutrition to weight loss medications. Uncover Peace: Managing Sleep & Anxiety:  Understand the bidirectional relationship between sleep and anxiety, and how to manage both with Daniel Gartenberg, PhD. PEMF: Your Tool for Enhanced Sleep Quality:  William Pawluk, MD, explains how PEMFs can enhance sleep quality. Discover the right equipment for effective therapy. Protect Your Heart by Sleeping Smart:  Joel Kahn MD, explores the relationship between sleep and heart health, discussing how quality sleep can prevent cardia...

"  Scientists have identified the genes in the probiotic Bifidobacteria longum responsible for improving gut motility. A research team reporting November 21 in the journal  Cell Host & Microbe  found that B. longum strains possessing the abfA cluster of genes can ameliorate constipation through enhanced utilization of an indigestible fiber called arabinan in the gut." For more details: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-11-gut-microbes-alleviate-constipation.html And a book: https://amzn.to/40TDEUT

 " Viruses   recognize specific proteins or sugars   on host cells and stick to them. Each virus gets only one shot at putting its genome inside a cell – if their entry machinery misfires, they risk becoming inactivated. So they   use several mechanisms   to prevent triggering entry prematurely. After the virus binds to the cell, specific molecules on the cell’s surface or within the cell’s recycling machinery  activate viral coat proteins for entry . An example is the SARS-CoV-2 spike that COVID-19 vaccines target. These proteins need to modify the cell membrane to allow the viral genome to get through without killing the cell in the process. Different viruses use different tricks for this, but most work like cellular secretion – how cells release materials into their environment – in reverse. Specialized viral proteins help  merge the membranes of the virus and the cell  together and release the viral core into the interior of the cell." For mor...

 " This Thanksgiving – and, really, for any gathering – make sure you understand how to prepare your meal to ensure that everyone goes home without a foodborne illness. Understanding the safe food practices to follow at home during preparation, cooking, serving and storing leftovers will keep your holiday meal delicious and safe to eat." For details: https://theconversation.com/this-thanksgiving-and-on-any-holiday-these-steps-will-help-prevent-foodborne-illness-217452 And a Thanksgiving (and Christmas) cookbook: https://amzn.to/47FScty

You Are When You Eat "In a recent study published in  Cell Metabolism , Desplats’s team used mice that are genetically engineered to develop AD to test whether intermittent fasting improves circadian rhythm abnormalities. 3  Rather than restricting calories or making dietary changes, they simply limited food access to a defined six-hour daily window. They found that time-restricted eating improved sleep, metabolism, memory, and cognition, and reduced brain amyloid deposits and neuroinflammatory gene expression. “Many of the genes that are affected in AD are rhythmically expressed in the brain, meaning that they are in direct relation with the circadian clock and are involved in functions that are fundamental to AD pathology,” Desplats said. Intermittent fasting restored the rhythmic activity of these genes, but the real surprise was the extent to which it mitigated brain amyloid deposits and improved cognition and sleep-wake behaviors. “I didn’t expect that it will have such a...

  "Vitamin D is an essential nutrient, and researchers are interested in how it may help in several health areas. One area of interest is how much vitamin D supplementation is required to achieve potential cardiac benefits. An initial analysis in a clinical trial suggests that the current recommended dietary allowance of vitamin D in the United States is too low to achieve optimal vitamin D levels for people with certain cardiac problems. Future research in this area will seek to determine if achieving optimal vitamin D levels can decrease the risk for adverse cardiovascular events." For more details: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/vitamin-d-dose-guidance-may-not-be-high-enough-for-heart-health And a related blogpost: https://mysciencehealthmooc.blogspot.com/2023/11/getting-adequate-vitamin-d-in-fall-and.html "And about Vitamin D toxicity: In healthy individuals, vitamin D toxicity can result from taking excessive vitamin D supplementation, knowingly or accide...

"For immune health, some influencers seem to think the Goldilocks philosophy of “just right” is overrated. Why settle for less immunity when you can have more? Many social media posts push supplements and other life hacks that “boost your immune system” to keep you healthy and fend off illness. However, these claims are not based on science and what is known about immune function. Healthy immune systems don’t need to be “boosted.” Instead, the immune system works best when it is  perfectly balanced . Scientific experts on the immune system – immunologists – know that too much of an immune reaction could result in allergies, autoimmune disorders or  chronic inflammation . On the flip side,  too little of an immune reaction  could result in illness or infection." For more details: https://theconversation.com/immune-health-is-all-about-balance-an-immunologist-explains-why-both-too-strong-and-too-weak-an-immune-response-can-lead-to-illness-215217 And an immunology book: ...

A conversation with Melinda French Gates on empathetic listening and how challenges can help us grow. You can watch, listen the interview or read its transcript here: https://changingcoursepodcast.com/melinda-french-gates/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=other&utm_campaign=opencourse.xMqZG1wyEeWd6BJKWlaBIw.announcements~opencourse.xMqZG1wyEeWd6BJKWlaBIw.qt4fEIboR4-pRkfIlTirdQ And a book by Maya Adam, who made this interview: https://amzn.to/47IyBJm And a book by Melinda French Gates: https://amzn.to/3QPfczj And Maya Adam's MOOCs on Coursera: https://www.coursera.org/instructor/madam