A pager to warn of a possible heart attack?

It is no new news that when a heart attack strikes a person, the sooner the medical attention the better. This means the least possible damage to the heart will occur. There is a new device called the 'AngelMed Guardian' that can actually warn a person if a heart attack is near or a possibility. This new device is being investigated by the researchers at Northwestern Memorial's Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute. The device would be implanted into a patient surgically, and would alert that patient through a pager if there was say, not enough oxygen getting to his or her heart. I guess this is a good use for all of those pagers/beepers that no one uses any longer.

The device also keeps track of one's heart activities 24/7, so even while a person is asleep they can be alerted to a possible on coming heart attack. The device would only be implanted on patients who have either already had a heart attack or at a high risk of having one. The article goes on to say that most have misconceptions about heart attacks and the warning signs. This new device could potentially take the guess work out of whether or not someone is unsure they are having a heart attack. The thing I found most interesting about this article was that this is a very good use of the world's technology. You have youtube, facebook, wireless thing-ma-bob's and NOW this new 'AngelMed Guardian.' It seems to me that this device is a good technological advance in the health and science fields rather than one that is just for socialization and so forth.

Article found here

TRIM5 fights HIV

Thanks to the protein TRIM5, rhesus monkeys are resistant to HIV. The TRIM5 protein prevents the virus from multiplying once it has entered the cell. Scientists discovered the mechanism in the protein, which could help discover ways to fight HIV in humans. We have known about the TRIM5 protein for over six years but the mechanism that it uses to prevent HIV was still largely unknown.

The study showed that the TRIM5 immediatly triggers an immune response if infected with HIV. Humans also have a TRIM5 protein, but it is not as effective at fighting off HIV. But the discovery of this in certain monkeys has opened up new possibilities in fending of the HIV virus in Humans.

I think its really great that such a protein could be immune to a virus that so widely affects our population. Even if the protein of TRIM5 we have isn't as effective, the TRIM5 in monkeys may one day be able with treatment of those who have HIV.

Gut Bacteria Could Help With Diagnostics and Influence Treatments

Scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany, and collaborators in the international MetaHIT consortium, have found that humans have three different gut types.

The study, originally posted on Nature discovered that microbial genetic markers that are related to traits such as age, gender and body-mass index. These gene markers are hoped to be used one day to diagnose and predict outcomes for certain diseases. And a persons gut type information could help with the treatment of it. The bacteria in our gut does many things such as digest food and break down toxins. But they found that the number of different bacteria and quantity varies from person to person.

"We found that the combination of microbes in the human intestine isn't random," says Peer Bork, who led the study at EMBL: "our gut flora can settle into three different types of community -- three different ecosystems, if you like."

It is yet known by scientists though why people have these different gut type, but speculate that it may depend on each individuals immune system and how it distinguishes good and bad bacteria.

I found this article to be interesting that we are made up of different "gut types" just like our blood types. Our blood types are extremely important and maybe these gut types will be one day too. Its another step towards finding ways to diagnose and treat different diseases.

Bats who sing love songs?

According to the Department of Biology at Texas A&M, the University of Texas at Austin and Bat Conservation International; Bats can carry a tune! Not just any tune, though. They sing for love, of course! The researchers involved recorded these 'love songs of bats' and found that they are an effect way for a bat to catch a mate. The article also notes that, even though they can 'sing' it is very difficult for human ears to pick up on. Sort of like that high pitched whistle that only dogs can hear. I knew that bats used echo-location or sonar to communicate and such, but a singing bat seems like something from a Disney movie (hence the picture). The article best describes this phenomena. Saying, "The sounds are made in a specific, arranged pattern to form a song, and there are actually organized sequences within each phrase. They are made to attract and lure nearby females. "

The article also makes an interesting note, saying that whales use songs to lure mates in as well. Come to think of it, when ever I have heard a whale make a noise, it sort of sounded like singing. Again, it is a high pitched noise that is in different tones, ranges, etc. However, with a whale the 'songs' are more likely to be heard by human ears with out the use of expensive recording equipment.

Article found here

Caffeine

We all are aware that people can become addicted to various substances, experiences, and so fourth. Someone with a gambling addiction loses all of their money. Someone with an alcohol addiction could possibly have the same consequence as well as other including a declining health. What then of caffeine addiction? Can someone be addicted to coke, pepsi, coffee, or other caffeinated food items? According to University of Vermont College of Medicine and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, you can very much so be addicted to caffeine.

The article explains that when a person goes through caffeine withdrawal, there is often a very intense headache, followed by fatigue. You get the headache from increased, rapid blood flow that would have other wise been constricted from the effects of the caffeine. During the study that was conducted, they gave caffeine to a group of people and a placebo to another group (double-blind study). They concluded that even though being addicted to caffeine can make you tired, have a migraine, or even a bit irritable if you do not get the 'drug', there aren't any long term, negative side effects. At least not any that were found in the study.

Article found here

Egyptian Cosmetics and Eye Infections

It is no secret that the ancient Egyptians wore their fair share of eyeliner and other cosmetics. There is always this cliche image of an Egyptian with tanned skin and very dark rimmed eyes. A new study shows that the make up around the eyes may not have just been for effect; more than just an ascetic purpose. In France, some scientists have found that some of the cosmetics that the Egyptians wore, particularly around the eyes, helped to ward off infections. The article goes on to explain that they used cosmetics with a lot of lead in them. When I read this, I found it hard to believe it could ward off infection instead of MAKE someone sick. However, upon further reading the article explains that these lead-based cosmetics had higher levels of nitric-oxide, which can help the immune system. Eye infections were quite popular in Egypt because of how marshy and wet the environment was, especially during situations such as flooding. With the use of the traditional black eye liner that the Egyptians wore, it helped to keep eye infection risks down and even helped to treat already infected persons.

Article found here

The "Beauty-in-Averageness Effect"

According to the University of California, (San Diego) such phrases as: 'easy on the eyes' judging a book by it's cover and so on have more truth to them than we may think. According to this University and a few other sources where research as occurred, your mind wants what it has been taught to want. This goes for anything and everything; beauty, pets, cars, homes, etc. Basically, the "beauty-in-averageness effect means that if your mind has been trained to think that a woman with blond hair and blue eyes is beautiful, then she is...seems practical and pretty much common sense.

This article seemed interesting because I, myself, have always been interested in knowing why we all like what we like. Sure, things like our peers and family, our society and cultures can help to shape these things...but to see that there is a small link to biology is a little surprising to me.

Article was found here

Books or Music?

Or

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110404161817.htm

http://www.upmc.com/Pages/default.aspx

A new study shows that adolescents who spend more time listening to music are much more likely to have a major depressive disorder, while young people who spend more time reading books are far less likely to have such a diagnosis, according to a University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine study. The study involved 106 adolescent participants, 46 of whom were diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Researchers called the participants as many as 60 times during five extended weekends over two months and asked them to report if they were using any of six types of media: television or movies, music, video games, Internet, magazines or newspapers, and books. The researchers found that young people who were exposed to the most music, compared to those who listened to music the least, were 8.3 times more likely to be depressed. However, compared to those with the least time exposed to books, those who read books the most were one-tenth as likely to be depressed.

Dr.Primack said "At this point, it is not clear whether depressed people begin to listen to more music to escape, or whether listening to large amounts of music can lead to depression, or both. Either way, these findings may help clinicians and parents recognize links between media and depression, It also is important that reading was associated with less likelihood of depression. This is worth emphasizing because overall in the U.S., reading books is decreasing, while nearly all other forms of media use are increasing." Major depressive disorder, also referred to as clinical or major depression, is the leading cause of disability in the world. Its onset is common in adolescents and is thought to affect one in 12 teenagers, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Nanoparticle vs. Superbug

On Monday, April 4, 2011, IBM announced information on their development of a new technology that combats and conquers drug-resistant bacteria. This drug-resistant bacteria, aka superbugs, are responsible for thousands of deaths every year. The most famous example of a superbug is MRSA. The researchers at IBM developed a new nanoparticle that essentially breaks down the cell membrane of drug-resistant bacteria, leaving the cell to biochemically degrade harmlessly inside the body. The new technology works by using "biodegradable plastic to engineer electrically charged nanoparticles that in turn attract to the bacteria’s opposite charge, in turn destroying the membrane walls hence the cell entirely." Other antibiotics work to destroy the DNA of the bacteria, which is almost always effective. Sometimes, however, not all of the bacteria is destroyed, and the remaining bacteria develops a resistance to the anitbiotics previously used, leading to a strain of superbugs. The new medicine developed by IBM destroys the bacteria's cell membrane, allowing it to degrade inside the body. Since the medicine is also composed of only organic materials, the human body can safely dispose of it, meaning that there are no side effects like most medicines can have. This new system was testing on mice infected with MRSA and proved to be very successful. IBM is in the process of setting up human trials with several pharmaceutical companies.

This article made me very happy! Hearing that someone finally had a breakthrough in developing medicine to fight drug-resistant bacteria gives me hope that breakthroughs for other diseases such as cancer or HIV/AIDS can happen as well. This discovery can lead to saving thousands and even millions of lives! Hopefully they can get the CDC to approve this new medicine rather soon so we don't have to worry about the new superbug in hospitals anymore (see "Superbug Runs Rampant").

11-Hour Work Days Can Harm Your Heart

According to MSNBC, Researchers in London have discovered that working 11 or more hours a day can increase your risk for heart disease by an astounding 67 percent.

"This study might make us think twice about the old adage 'hard work won't kill you'," said Stephen Holgate, chair of the population and systems medicine board at Britain's Medical Research Council, which part-funded the study.

It is not clear whether the long hours are the direct reason for the risk of heart disease rising. Many believe that the long hours attribute to bad eating habits, smoking, and lack of exercise which in turn lead to the higher risk.

For this study, men and women who worked full time and had no heart disease were selected, giving 7,095 participants. The researchers collected data on heart risk factors like age, blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking and diabetes and also asked participants how many hours they worked (including work during the day and work brought home) on an average weekday.

During the 11-year study, 192 participants had heart attacks. Those who worked 11 hours or more a day were 67 percent more likely to have a heart attack than those with fewer hours.

I found this article pretty surprising. I am one of those people who work long hours (on the job and off). I can definitely agree that working long hours veers me off of the "healthy and active" path. I end up getting fast food and not working out at all. It's scary to think that these long hours can put me at risk for heart disease! I feel that everyone should get a chance to read this article and think twice about how they live their lives.

Worms Lead to Understanding of Human Obesity

According to ScienceDaily.com, researchers exploring human metabolism at the University of California, San Francisco have uncovered a handful of chemical compounds that regulate fat storage in worms, offering a new tool for understanding obesity and finding future treatments for diseases associated with obesity.

The UCSF team took armies of microscopic worms called C.elegans and exposed them to thousands of different chemical compounds. Giving these compounds to the worms, they discovered, basically made them skinnier or fatter without affecting how they eat, grow, or reproduce.

The discovery gives scientists new ways to investigate metabolism and could eventually lead to the development of new drugs to regulate excessive fat accumulation and address the metabolic issues that underlie a number of major human health problems, including, obesity, diabetes and some forms of cancer.

This article caught my eye solely because we always speak about worms in class. After I started reading it, I was surprised to see that they discovered new ways to investigate metabolism in humans. I thought it was cool that they could take worms and compare it to the complex systems of humans. Obesity in America has become a growing (no pun intended) problem over the years, and it is only getting worse. To be able to get a start on figuring out new drugs to help boost metabolism and fat loss would be great. I can also see it being negative, however, due to the fact that our society strives to look good and be skinny and new drugs can hurt our ways of thinking on how to lose weight.