The Scientia

Converting one type of cell to another — for example, a skin cell to a neuron — can be done through a process that requires the skin cell to be induced into a “pluripotent” stem cell, then differentiated into a neuron. Researchers at MIT have now devised a simplified process that bypasses the stem cell stage, converting a skin cell directly into a neuron.

MIT engineers turn skin cells directly into neurons for cell therapy MIT researchers devised a process to convert a skin cell directly into a neuron, eliminating the need to generate induced pluripotent stem cells. Such neurons could be used to treat spinal cord injuries or diseases such as ALS.

To of The Scientia Enjoy your Holiday!

Genetics is the branch of biology that studies genes, heredity, and genetic variation in living organisms. It explores how traits and characteristics are passed from parents to offspring through DNA, the molecule that carries genetic information. Genetics examines the structure, function, and behavior of genes, including how they influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. The field includes the study of genetic inheritance, mutations, gene regulation, and the interaction between genes and the environment. Advances in genetics have led to developments in medicine, biotechnology, and evolutionary biology, helping to understand and treat genetic disorders.

Physics Revelation Could Mean We're All Living in a Simulation

Physics Revelation Could Mean We're All Living in a Simulation The scent of coffee.

The eight identified habits are:

-being physically active
-not smoking
-managing stress
-maintaining a good diet
-not regularly drinking alcohol excessively
-maintaining good sleep hygiene
-maintaining positive social relationships
-not developing an opioid addiction

Longevity: 8 habits can add 24 years to lifespan, new study finds New longevity research suggests that eight simple, healthy habits, such as not smoking and being physically active, can add decades to one's life expectancy.

Get your 2023 Calendar for free. Happy New Year Everyone!

The Principle of Conservation of Momentum states that the total momentum before collision is equal to the total of momentum after collision if no external force is acting on it.

m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2v2

'Changing the number of chromosomes an animal has can take millions of generations to happen in nature through the course of evolution – and now, scientists have been able to make these same changes in lab mice in a relative blink of an eye.'

By ScienceAlert

Scientists Just Genetically Edited a Million Years of Evolution Into Mouse DNA Changing the number of chromosomes an animal has can take millions of generations to happen in nature through the course of evolution – and now, scientists have been able to make these same changes in lab mice in a relative blink of an eye.

An enormous asteroid four times the size of the Empire State Building will make a close approach to Earth on May 27, according to NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS)
https://www.space.com/asteroid-encounter-7335-1989-JA

Asteroid four times the size of the Empire State Building barreling toward Earth on May 27 The asteroid will zoom safely past Earth at 47,200 mph.

A Penn Medicine patient with a genetic form of childhood blindness gained vision, which lasted more than a year, after receiving a single injection of an experimental RNA therapy into the eye. The clinical trial was conducted by researchers at the Scheie Eye Institute in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Results of the case, detailed in a paper published today in Nature Medicine, show that the treatment led to marked changes at the fovea, the most important locus of human central vision.

Source : EurekAlert!

"The conditions of lockdown tend to promote poor dietary habits; a decline in exercise and increase in comfort eating promotes the weight gain that many have experienced during this time. A disrupted eating schedule and frequent snacking can result in a decrease in T cells and an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines. A delayed immune response and increased inflammation can occur as a consequence of a diet high in saturated fats. Furthermore, a high sugar diet reduces the activity of neutrophils ad phagocytes. This will be accompanied by a reduction in T cells and promotion of inflammation if levels of minerals and vitamins are insufficient. Finally, poor dietary habits change the gut microbiota, causing “leaky gut,” which results in a reduction of B & T cells, and subsequent inflammation. (B) Conversely, following good dietary habits and undertaking daily exercise during lockdown helps maintain a healthy weight. If a regular eating schedule is followed, with well-spaced meals, levels of T cells will actually increase, and there will be a reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines. A diet rich in SCFAs and with a high omega 3/omega 6 ratio will promote a strong immune response and decrease inflammation. If sugars are consumed only at low levels, the activity of neutrophils and phagocytes will increase. An accompanying increase in T cells will occur if an adequate level of minerals and vitamins are consumed; they will also protect against inflammation. These affects will also be promoted if a healthy gut microbiome is maintained to preserve the integrity of the gut epithelial barrier."

Source : https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00476/full

"Scientists have for the first time observed changes in magnetism prompting a biomechanical reaction in cells. And if that's not cool enough, the cells involved in the research were human cells, lending support to theories that we ourselves may have what it takes to get around using the planet's magnetic field."

Source : Big Think