HIV cure may be possible
Retrieved from New Scientist (March 9-15 2019) Page 5
Apparently many individuals have had HIV removed from their body after receiving bone
marrow transparents from a donor who has a genetic mutation that makes them resistant
to HIV. However getting a transplant done can be a risky procedure and is used as a last
resort. Groups are also working on using gene therapy/gene editing to give people’s own
immune cells the HIV-resistant mutation. Many different approaches are being made.
People who are HIV positive and have access to antiviral drugs have near-normal life spans,
therefore there is no need for dangerous treatments.
marrow transparents from a donor who has a genetic mutation that makes them resistant
to HIV. However getting a transplant done can be a risky procedure and is used as a last
resort. Groups are also working on using gene therapy/gene editing to give people’s own
immune cells the HIV-resistant mutation. Many different approaches are being made.
People who are HIV positive and have access to antiviral drugs have near-normal life spans,
therefore there is no need for dangerous treatments.
This is important because HIV effects a numerous amount of individuals negatively.
When HIV is left untreated it attacks your immune system and can allow different types
of life-threatening infections and cancers to develop. Its beneficial to have an
alternative way to taking medications because some may have HIV that is resistant
to these drugs.
When HIV is left untreated it attacks your immune system and can allow different types
of life-threatening infections and cancers to develop. Its beneficial to have an
alternative way to taking medications because some may have HIV that is resistant
to these drugs.
I’m curious about learning whether or not this new method is worth it in the long run.
Siblings are among rarest twins on Earth
Retrieved from New Scientist (March 9-15 2019) Page 19
A sister and brother in Australia are only the second ever semi identical twins to be
identified.They share identical DNA from their mother but didn’t get identical DNA
from their father. Identical twins come about when a single fertilized egg splits in two,
meaning they have exactly the same DNA - they are clones. Fraternal twins form
when two separate eggs are fertilized by two separate sperm. Occasionally a single egg
gets fertilized by two sperm. Normally the resulting embryo dies because it has three sets
of chromosomes instead of two. The twins ended up getting the correct number of
chromosomes after the embryo split in two.
identified.They share identical DNA from their mother but didn’t get identical DNA
from their father. Identical twins come about when a single fertilized egg splits in two,
meaning they have exactly the same DNA - they are clones. Fraternal twins form
when two separate eggs are fertilized by two separate sperm. Occasionally a single egg
gets fertilized by two sperm. Normally the resulting embryo dies because it has three sets
of chromosomes instead of two. The twins ended up getting the correct number of
chromosomes after the embryo split in two.
I wonder what the likely percentage it is for this to possibly occur since it is so rare.
However, since this is extremely rare, I believe this is important because it goes to show
how mysterious and fascinating science can really be.
how mysterious and fascinating science can really be.
Breastfed babies get a fungal boost
Retrieved from New Scientist (March 9-15, 2019) Page 19
Bacteria aren't the only microbes passed from mothers to babies in breast milk - fungi
are too.They play a possible role in the development of allergies or disease later in life.
Women in places such as Spain, South Africa and China have fungi present in their breast
milk. Some fungi are used to improve infant gut health.
are too.They play a possible role in the development of allergies or disease later in life.
Women in places such as Spain, South Africa and China have fungi present in their breast
milk. Some fungi are used to improve infant gut health.
This is important because many individuals may look at fungi as being a negative. However,
when fungi is transferred to a baby in breast milk it promotes kickstarting the colony of
microorganisms inside an infant’s gut, which forms part of a healthy digestive system. When
mothers transfer a unique mix of bacteria and fungi to their newborns they are possibly help
play a role in the development of allergies or disease later in life - as stated above.
when fungi is transferred to a baby in breast milk it promotes kickstarting the colony of
microorganisms inside an infant’s gut, which forms part of a healthy digestive system. When
mothers transfer a unique mix of bacteria and fungi to their newborns they are possibly help
play a role in the development of allergies or disease later in life - as stated above.
I wonder if diet and lifestyle could affect the formula of the breast milk.
Memory may worsen if you are older and watch lots of telly
Retrieved from New Scientist (March 9-15 2019) Page 20
The more TV that older people watch, the more their memory declines on average.
Previous studies have found links between TV viewing and older people’s physical and
mental abilities. A study was done that analysed a study of 3600 people with an average
age of 67 at the start. They had an array of health and cognitive tests. This was repeated
six years later. The study had shown that the people who saw more TV had a bigger fall in
their ability to remember words. Those who viewed TV for more than 3-5 hours a day had a
decline in verbal memory of between 8 and 10 per cent, compared with a 4 to 5 per cent fall
for those who viewed less. The link could be because the passive nature of watching
TV causes mental deterioration, or because it gets in the way of doing other more stimulating
things.
Previous studies have found links between TV viewing and older people’s physical and
mental abilities. A study was done that analysed a study of 3600 people with an average
age of 67 at the start. They had an array of health and cognitive tests. This was repeated
six years later. The study had shown that the people who saw more TV had a bigger fall in
their ability to remember words. Those who viewed TV for more than 3-5 hours a day had a
decline in verbal memory of between 8 and 10 per cent, compared with a 4 to 5 per cent fall
for those who viewed less. The link could be because the passive nature of watching
TV causes mental deterioration, or because it gets in the way of doing other more stimulating
things.
This is important because it goes to show how watching TV can have a negative impact on
individuals mental and physical abilities and overall brain.
individuals mental and physical abilities and overall brain.
I wonder what a the difference in mental and physical abilities there would be when comparing
an individual who watches an excessive amount of TV vs an individual who watches no TV.
an individual who watches an excessive amount of TV vs an individual who watches no TV.
Similarly, I wonder about memory and use of digital devices such as cell phones and
computers?
computers?
Human night vision may be possible
Retrieved from New Scientist (March 9- 15 2019 ) Page 20
A study was done on mice where a simple injection gave them night vision.
The technique uses nanoparticles that bind with the retinal cells in the eye. These cells
convert light into nerve signals. It could serve as the basis for “human supervision” as well
as fixing red colour blindness. Like humans, mice can’t see wavelengths longer than 700
nanometers, at the red end of the visible spectrum.
The technique uses nanoparticles that bind with the retinal cells in the eye. These cells
convert light into nerve signals. It could serve as the basis for “human supervision” as well
as fixing red colour blindness. Like humans, mice can’t see wavelengths longer than 700
nanometers, at the red end of the visible spectrum.
This is important because it shows how science and research is progressing. It also shows
how interesting science can be and the many things that it can do.
how interesting science can be and the many things that it can do.
I’m curious about seeing how this experiment would work on humans and if there would be
any negative side effects. Overall I would be eager to know the results.
any negative side effects. Overall I would be eager to know the results.
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