Monday, October 28, 2024

New Anatomical Discoveries in the Female Reproductive Tract of Fruit Flies

Drosophila melanogaster, commonly known as the fruit fly, has been used as a model organism for decades thanks to its unique anatomical traits that make it perfect for research in genetics. Having been thoroughly studied, its physiology and anatomy are well understood. However, a recent study further analyzing the female reproductive anatomy in fruit flies has found new developments in how localized cellular specialization influences gene expression and ultimately reproduction as a whole within the species. The study found that the uterine lining of fruit flies is made of eleven unique cell types that likely correspond to certain gametes and reproductive fluids. The study intends to provide a foundation for further molecular research of fruit fly reproductive anatomy.




https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241025165753.htm
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2409850121

Sunday, October 27, 2024

Heritability of BPD and its Influence on Creativity

 It has been known previously that creativity and mental illness have the tendency to link to one another, but the article specifically analyses the links between BPD (borderline personality disorder) and creativity. Because genetics factors are connected to mental illness, including personality disorders, heritability is considered in the study. 

Bipolar personality disorder is a mental health condition classified as intense, unstable behaviors that become most prevalent in early adulthood. The condition is centered around intense feelings of anger and impulsiveness, as well as having intense fears of abandonment. Various forms of therapy and medication may be used to treat the condition. 


The results of the study are described as follows: creativity and borderline personality disorder were each influenced by genetic factors (heritability = 0.45 for BPD and 0.67 for creativity) and that the traits are genetically correlated rG = 0.17. These results indicate strong genetic influences, and environmental influences’ contribute less to the creative demonstration associated with borderline personality disorder. 



Article:Overlapping genetic influences between creativity and borderline personality symptoms in a large Dutch sample | Scientific Reports (nature.com)


Other Article: Borderline personality disorder - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic


Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Suppressing Malaria-Carrying Mosquitos Through 'Gene Drives'

 Mosquitos are the primary carriers of the plasmodium parasite-- the source of the malaria disease. West Africa is notable for being a hotspot of malaria cases. A recently developed technology known as a "gene drive" has been considered to be a potential method of suppressing transmission of malaria, utilizing the natural process of a species' own inheritance as predicted by Mendelian genetics to control populations by altering the expression of genes related to disease transmission. In the last decade, advances in CRISPR technology have progressed gene drive research greatly. Though field trials have not yet been done, simulations and models can help predict how they might affect real populations. In the figure below, the effect of gene drive releases on west Africa's mosquito population shows that they are predicted to decrease in density over time, reducing the spread of malaria in the process. Of course, in real application of this technology, there are many more factors that will determine its effectiveness. However, these simulations show promise in this newly emerging phenomenon that may help combat against malaria.



https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-53065-z#Bib1
https://www.who.int/teams/global-malaria-programme/reports/world-malaria-report-2023

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Harvard Researchers Develop Drug-Free Respiratory Infection Defending Nasal Spray

Harvard Medicine has developed a simple, drug free, and highly effective prophylactic measure against respiratory infections such as pneumonia, influenza, and COVID-19. Referred to as a 'Pathogen Capture and Neutralizing Spray', or PCANS, this spray coats the nasal cavity for up to eight hours and acts as a physical barrier that neutralizes a variety of viruses and bacteria with more than 99.99% effectiveness.

Though it sounds promising and novel, it does not serve as a substitution for vaccines-- only as an additional layer of protection. It is worth noting that the study of its effectiveness came from a clinical trial tested on mice. The effectiveness of the spray may vary in a real-world environment. It is currently on the market under the name 'Profi' and retails for around $20, but human clinical trials have not yet been publicly released and the product has not been FDA approved. Still, this cheap, safe, and convenient spray may serve as an additional layer of protection against common infections.




https://www.profispray.com/
https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2024/09/drug-free-nasal-spray-blocks-neutralizes-viruses-bacteria/
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adma.202406348?utm_campaign=publicity&utm_content=WRH_9_23_24&utm_medium=email&utm_source=publicity&utm_term=ADMA
https://genesdev.cshlp.org/content/early/2024/10/03/gad.351913.124


A Nuclear Power Plant Turned into A Dog Park

 Welp... No need for mice to test the genetic effects of radiation, dogs beat the scientists to it.

Chernobyl, Ukraine is where numerous families left their precious dogs to roam around and find a new home surrounding the abandoned Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Shortly after the 1986 nuclear explosion, the location was renamed the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, or a better-suited name The Chernobyl Exclusive Dog Zone. After 38 years of offsprings from different breeds, locations, and radiation intake scientists are now proceeding to collect scientific data from this dog park to set the stage for future research. 

The real science behind this exclusive dog park is how these once family-owned dogs managed to reproduce, hunt for food and water, and survive through environmental changes for nearly four decades. Personally, I am internally crying if it's below 70°F and I don't have three meals a day, but I'm just a helpless human. As scientists began research they are slowly uncovering the complex family dynamics of both the dogs that live inside the power plant and the dogs that live miles away from the power plant in nearby towns; they uncovered the basic knowledge that long-term radiation exposure can kill the dog. Utilizing these dogs as research collectors with detector radiation collars. 

Regardless of the domesticated dogs, farms, and ranches were also left unattended with livestock throughout the years, causing the deformation of their offspring. Livestock animals were inaccessible to vaccines and medication as farms were miles away from the power plant. Radiation exposure to livestock offspring consists of facial malformations, reduction of size, pigment mutation, and overall extinction. 

Unfortunately, this dog park is going to stay a dog park until a majority of all radiation is clear from water and air in another twenty thousand years. 

Resources: 

ThoughtCo. by Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D (July 18, 2024)

https://www.thoughtco.com/chernobyl-animal-mutations-4155348

New York Times by Emily Anthes (March 03, 2023)

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/03/science/chernobyl-dogs-dna.html

ScienceAdvance by Gabriella J. Spatola (March 03, 2023)

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ade2537

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Genetics and Eye Color

 


The saying “all babies are born with blue eyes” is a common misconception based on the fact a child’s eye color may appear light at birth, but change overtime. While this may be the case in some situations, eye color is only partially a genetic factor. 



Eye color is determined by melanin production on the outermost layer of the eye. The genetic component of eye color comes from other characteristics that also involve melanin, such as skin color. Darker skin colors tend to have darker-colored eyes, as well as lighter skin colors having lighter colored eyes. Some eye colors overtime evolved as a result of genetic mutation, such as albinism and heterochromia. 


The text describes the literal process of eye color evolution as the following: The cells that determine eye color come from the neural crest cells and migrate into the iris—our eye color cells take about six to nine months to get where they are traveling to.



Sources: 

Article: https://www.parents.com/are-all-babies-born-with-blue-eyes-7550257 

Additional Source: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/traits/eyecolor/#:~:text=Both%20ocular%20albinism%20and%20oculocutaneous,eyes%20in%20the%20same%20individual. 

Sunday, October 13, 2024

Scientific journal Nature recently published findings on the effect of diet on mice. Interestingly, it was concluded that genetics are more important than lifestyle in terms of lifespan. Ruth Schuster, a journalist for Haaretz news, summarizes the publication, remarking the interesting, but also quite amusing, discoveries from the researchers.

The research project gave the mice 5 different diets; one group was normal, two groups had to fast for one or two days, and another two had restricted diets. But while the diets were a deciding factor for the mice, overall it was found that genetics played a bigger part in extending the animal's life. As explained in the article, genetics explained three times more of the differences in lifespan than did the diets. Although there was no specific gene mutation that correlated to extended lifespan in the mouse, it was still concluded from the research that genetics still had an upperhand in influence over environment. Additoinally mice who did live longer due to their altered diet were often more prone to sickness.

What was rather funny about the whole research was that the given diets for mice were less of a deciding factor of the mices' lifespan, but moreso the mouse itself. As said in the article, "the strongest predictor for lifespan extension was mice that didn't freak when being handled" (Schuster). Meaning, personality and stress is a better predictor of whether or not you face an early death.

So the ultimate conclusion is, why not just eat what you want to eat? Of course, this is not research supporting overindulgence or a poor diet, but indeed research suggesting that torturing yourself with a diet won't help you in the long run. Even if you are to live 10, even 20 years longer than everybody else, would it be enjoyable constantly restricting yourself and fearing sickness? Surely the mice would think the same.

ARTICLES:

https://www.haaretz.com/science-and-health/2024-10-10/ty-article/genetics-trumps-diet-in-extending-life-study-finds/00000192-7652-dfca-adb7-77d37abb0000

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08026-3

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK231918/#:~:text=Mice%20are%20omnivorous%3B%20they%20consume,as%20feedstuffs%20of%20animal%20origin.

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Effects on stress reduction and cognitive function

 Effects on stress reduction and cognitive function


Effective stress avoidance can result in a big negative effect on ability to think and ability to concentrate. High levels of stress trigger the body to release hormones like cortisol, which are known to cause problems with memory, focus, and decision-making. Long-term stress can cause mental exhaustion, which interferes with focus and clarity of thought. On the other hand, these effects can be mitigated by using stress-reduction strategies like mindfulness, meditation, or regular exercise. For example, research on mindfulness practices has demonstrated benefits for concentrating capacity and abilities to solve issues, enabling people to take on duties with a simpler, more concentrated state of mind.

Additionally, lowering stress enhances general mental health in addition to improving cognitive function. Decreased stress can result in a happier and more at ease state of mind, which boosts productivity and inspiration. Being outdoors in nature or doing yoga are examples of relaxing actions that can trigger the release of endorphins, which further improves cognitive function. In the end, stress management must be prioritized in order to preserve mental acuity and emotional stability, which help people deal with life's obstacles more skillfully and live better lives.


https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2957652/