About science, health, MOOCs...

 " Who are the medieval people whose DNA you inherited? Each fragment of your DNA descends from a random line up your family tree – father’s mother’s mother’s father and so on – at each generation in the past, selecting at random one of two parents. The more lines in your family tree that reach a certain medieval person, the more likely you are to inherit DNA from that person." For more details: DNA says you’re related to a Viking, a medieval German Jew or a 1700s enslaved African? What a genetic match really means And a related book: https://amzn.to/43DjeAQ

 " If you're feeling "under the weather" these days, you're probably human. We all are feeling it, whether we're aware of it or not. Our health remains tethered to the air and light around us, despite all the progress that has given us a certain insularity. The study of the atmosphere's effects on our bodies is known as biometeorology, a science that has gone in and out of favor through the centuries." For more details: Under the weather? A season-by-season look at how the atmosphere affects your body and health And a related book: https://amzn.to/43MJVDl

 "In conclusion, a very small number of RCTs have currently addressed the effects of omega-3  fatty acids supplementation on patients with PD. All of them showed promising results regarding  disease progression, as assessed by the UPDRS scale, while certain beneficial effects were reported  for depression and markers of insulin resistance, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Further studies  are strongly recommended to elucidate the role of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation in the clinical  course of PD" For the whole paper: Omega-3 fatty acids’ supplementation in Parkinson’s disease: A systematic review of 2 randomized controlled trials. And a related book: https://amzn.to/4csnlns

  "Scientists researched whether polyphenols found in foods, herbs, and spices in one’s regular diet can affect gut health. Polyphenols are compounds found in some plant-based foods that can work as antioxidants in the body and provide protection against some diseases. Their findings showed that the polyphenols from herbs and spices may be responsible for an increase in beneficial gut microbes." For more details: Can herbs and spices influence the health of the gut microbiome? And 2 related books: https://amzn.to/43z8Dqz https://amzn.to/3vxuJgz

And her book she mentioned: https://amzn.to/4a2C7jh

 " With just one injection, it provides good protection in a very elastic age range, from two to 60 incomplete years, according to the published results. It also has the differential of being able to be applied to those who have or have not already been infected by the dengue   virus . Protection was observed in all age groups, with 90% in adults aged 18 to 59, 77.8% in those aged seven to 17 and 80.1% in children aged two to six. The analysis of the effectiveness of the immunogen was carried out over two years with just under 17,000 volunteers in 16 research centers. The study is in its final phase and will complete in June 2024. The next step will be to finalize the dossier with all the study information to apply for registration at Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) by the second half of 2024." For more details: Brazilian single-dose dengue vaccine could help turn tide in the fight against fever And a related book: https://amzn.to/3PnJ6ej

 " For example, suppose we discover scientifically that a certain form of brain activity is correlated with the conscious experience of an organism. The physicalist will interpret this as the form of organisation which turns non-conscious physical processes – such as electrical signals between brain cells – into conscious experience, whereas the panpsychist will interpret it as the form of organisation which unifies individual conscious particles into one larger conscious system. Thus we find two very different philosophical interpretations of the same scientific data." For more details: The mystery of consciousness shows there may be a limit to what science alone can achieve And a related book: https://amzn.to/43nH3MW

"A middle-aged man from Florida with a history of migraines went to the doctor as his headaches were becoming worse and weren’t responding to his usual drugs. The 52-year-old was sent for a CT scan, which revealed something alarming: his brain was infested with tapeworm cysts. The most common route of infection is eating undercooked infected pork that contains tapeworm cysts, known as cysticercus." For more details: Tapeworm larvae found in man’s brain – how did they get there?   And a related book: https://amzn.to/3TKaZQs

"  While the jury may still be out on whether or not elephants really choose to bury their dead, their emotional reactions to the death of family members or associates are undeniably extraordinary and deeply moving to observe. These reactions remain difficult to explain adequately without suggesting that elephants do have some kind of concept of death." For more details: Elephant calves have been found buried – what does that mean? And a related book: https://amzn.to/3IEiMc6

 " The current theoretical model for the composition of the universe is that it's made of normal matter, dark energy and dark matter. A new University of Ottawa study challenges this." For more details: New research suggests that our universe has no dark matter And a related book: https://amzn.to/48UxtCs

 " Sleep is as essential to our health as food and water. It is important to a number of brain functions, including how nerve cells communicate with each other. We sleep for a third of our lives and there are many restorative processes going on during sleep that are needed to stay healthy. Why do we usually sleep at night? What happens when we don’t sleep? On World Sleep Day, Nadine Dreyer asks a group of experts to tell us more about this essential part of our lives." For more details: Why do we usually sleep at night? What happens when we don’t sleep? Expert insights into this essential part of our lives And a related book: https://amzn.to/3IBF5PH

" In this pre-registered study, we investigated the effects of acute cocoa flavanol (CF) consumption on cognitive control and response inhibition processes, at two different dosage levels. This study was randomised, placebo-controlled, gender-balanced, double-blind, and utilised a crossover design. Participants consumed three different drinks across three separate sessions: A placebo drink with alkalised cocoa powder, a low dosage (415 mg), and a medium dosage (623 mg) of cocoa flavanols from flavanol-rich cocoa powder." For the whole paper: The acute effects of cocoa flavanols on cognitive control and response inhibition: A randomised crossover trial And a related book: https://amzn.to/3TikNzz

Highlights "• Cardamom consumption decreased total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG). • Cardamom improved high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). • Cardamom reduced TC, TG, and IL-6 in interventions lasting > 8 weeks and in the non-diabetics. • The results suggest that cardamom may be beneficial to cardiovascular diseases." For the whole paper: Cardamom consumption may improve cardiovascular metabolic biomarkers in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials   For some related posts: https://mysciencehealthmooc.blogspot.com/search?q=cardamom And a related book: https://amzn.to/3TsShLQ

And some related posts: https://mysciencehealthmooc.blogspot.com/search?q=microbiome

"  In conclusion, the role of dietary factors in tumor initiation and progression is an area of active investigation, and ongoing research continues to shed light on the complex interplay between systemic nutrient content and tumor growth. While the potential for dietary interventions to impact tumor growth has been recognized, our understanding of the underlying mechanisms remains limited. The future will undoubtedly embrace  personalized dietary modifications,  which must consider each cancer's unique metabolic requirements and signaling pathway activations, especially when combined with pharmacological interventions. Ongoing clinical trials will hopefully provide further clarification on practical and targeted cancer-specific approaches." For the whole paper: Dietary approaches for exploiting metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer And some related books: For the science: https://amzn.to/3wQfsYx And for recipes: https://amzn.to/49UHlO2

  Abstract "Humans have a long history of transporting and trading plants, contributing to the evolution of domesticated plants.  Theobroma cacao  originated in the Neotropics from South America. However, little is known about its domestication and use in these regions. In this study, ceramic residues from a large sample of pre-Columbian cultures from South and Central America were analyzed using archaeogenomic and biochemical approaches. Here we show, for the first time, the widespread use of cacao in South America out of its native Amazonian area of origin, extending back 5000 years, likely supported by cultural interactions between the Amazon and the Pacific coast. We observed that strong genetic mixing between geographically distant cacao populations occurred as early as the middle Holocene, in South America, driven by humans, favoring the adaptation of  T. cacao  to new environments. This complex history of cacao domestication is the basis of today's cacao ...

 " Lately, there has been a lot of research looking at the link between the brain and the gut. We wanted to know: Is there a similar link between the heart and the gut? Doctors agree there most certainly is, and mostly it is mediated by the health and balance of the gut microbiome." For more details: How and why does gut health influence heart health? And some related blogposts: https://mysciencehealthmooc.blogspot.com/search?q=microbiome

 " This association does not necessarily mean that  R gnavus  is a cause of these diseases. Rather, it may simply indicate that these diseases create favourable conditions for  R gnavus  to grow in the gut. Researchers are currently working to find the answer to this question, so that we better understand how  R gnavus  influences health and disease. This may also help us find new ways of diagnosing and treating certain diseases." For more details: Gut microbiome: meet Ruminococcus gnavus – the bacteria with a sweet tooth And some related blogposts: https://mysciencehealthmooc.blogspot.com/search?q=microbiome

 " In the meantime, I can tell you that for your "average woman," vitamin D supplementation likely has no effect on mortality. It might modestly reduce the risk for certain cancers while increasing the risk for heart disease (probably through coronary calcification). So, there might be some room for personalization here. Perhaps women with a strong family history of cancer or other risk factors would do better with supplements, and those with a high risk for heart disease would do worse. Seems like a strategy that could be tested in a clinical trial. But maybe we could ask the participants to give up their extracurricular supplement use before they enter the trial." For more details: Vitamin D Supplements May Be a Double-Edged Sword And some related blogpost: Getting adequate vitamin D in the fall and winter Vitamin D supplements can keep bones strong – but they may also have other benefits to your health Vitamin D dose guidance may not be high enough for heart heal...

 " The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes traditional medicine's diverse practices, including herbal remedies, as a significant component of global healthcare. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), originating over 3,000 years ago, incorporates herbal medicine, acupuncture, and other techniques. The term "carminative" is derived from the Latin word "carminare," meaning to cleanse. Carminatives can reduce lower esophageal pressure, thereby potentially increasing the susceptibility to gastroesophageal reflux disease or heartburn." "Carminative herbs exert their therapeutic effects through the volatile oils they contain, which increase gastric emptying, mildly irritate the gastric mucosa, and promote peristalsis to relieve cramping and expel gas. Some well-known carminative herbs include asafoetida, coriander, cloves, fenugreek, cardamom, ginger, kalonji, and cinnamon. These herbs are incorporated into traditional medicinal practices worldwide,...

 " Scientists from Duke-NUS Medical School (Duke-NUS) have developed a new approach using the Zika virus to destroy brain cancer cells and inhibit tumor growth, while sparing healthy cells. Using Zika virus vaccine candidates developed at Duke-NUS, the team discovered how these strains target rapidly proliferating cells over mature cells—making them an ideal option to target fast-growing cancerous cells in the adult brain." For more details: Zika virus vaccine emerges as an unlikely hero in battling brain cancer And a related book: https://amzn.to/3v2RHMy

"We’re four years into the pandemic, and by this point, most Americans have had Covid at least once. But when the virus comes for us (again), it can still feel just as alarming as your first bout. Here’s a guide to what Covid looks like now and how to treat it." For more details: Your 2024 Guide to Covid Symptoms and Treatment   And a related book: https://amzn.to/3VaQwW3

 " Recently, scientists have found that a blood test can detect that silent damage with surprising accuracy. About 13% of people ages 75–84 have Alzheimer's disease, which means a substantial fraction of younger people ought to test positive. But are we better off knowing? There are few Alzheimer's drugs for people with symptoms—and nothing for presymptomatic people. The leading drugs are expensive antibody infusions that clear out most of the visible deposits, called amyloid, but don't slow the degeneration of neurons. These have shown only a modest ability to stall the disease's progression. Nothing can reverse its course." For more details: Do you really want to find out if you'll get Alzheimer's? And a related book: https://amzn.to/3TrRv2M

 " Archaeologists are fascinated by change and continuity, and bogs offer both in spades. Peatlands have long provided locations where bodies might be deposited without apparent trace, and even today we often rely on chance to bring them to our attention. The riddles of finding a body in a bog perplex police investigators, archaeologists and forensic scientists alike. While the archaeological record may show strikingly similar patterns of body deposition across time, very different motives and interpretations might lie behind these cases." For more details: The bog is where forensics and archaeology meet to solve ‘cold cases’ And a related book: https://amzn.to/3wPCtLq

 " As much as a blow can be implicated in stopping a heart dead in its tracks, there are situations where it may be capable of doing the opposite." For more details: A blow to the heart can kill you – or bring you back to life And a related book: https://amzn.to/3It5eQH

 " In fact, a running joke among doctors holds that statins are so helpful they should be put in the water supply. However, they aren't right for all patients, and some rare side effects can crop up with the meds, said Dr. Melissa Tracy, a cardiologist with Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Here is a primer on what statins are, who should use them and what dangers they can pose to some patients." For more details: Statin meds and cholesterol: What you need to know And a related book: https://amzn.to/3P9PpCb

 " A three-year world-first study by Australia's Heart Research Institute (HRI) has found that a common cruciferous vegetable eaten by millions of Australians every day could prevent and treat one of the nation's biggest killers." "In pre-clinical trials, the study confirmed a natural chemical found in broccoli can reduce the formation of harmful blood clots that can in some instances lead to stroke, as well as improve the performance of clot-busting drugs afterwards." For more details: Broccoli-derived compound could help prevent and treat stroke And a related book: https://amzn.to/3wKdOb1