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Chance the Snapper Grows to 7 Feet, Aids Cancer Research
science-and-health1 year ago

Chance the Snapper Grows to 7 Feet, Aids Cancer Research

Chance the Snapper, the alligator famously captured in Chicago in 2019, is now part of a scientific study on cancer led by Frank Robb and the Wise Laboratory of Environmental and Genetic Toxicology. The research aims to understand how alligators, despite exposure to environmental chemicals, have lower cancer rates compared to humans. This study could lead to breakthroughs in cancer treatment and prevention. Chance, now residing at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, is contributing to this vital research, which requires ongoing support and resources.

Protein Discovery Promises Healthier Aging
science-and-health1 year ago

Protein Discovery Promises Healthier Aging

Researchers at McMaster University have discovered that the protein MANF aids in cellular cleanup by managing toxic protein clumps, which could lead to new treatments for age-related diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, highlights MANF's role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and suggests its potential as a therapeutic target to promote healthier aging by enhancing the natural cellular clean-up system.

science-and-health1 year ago

The Limits of Human Longevity: Why Immortality Remains Elusive

A study published in Nature Aging suggests that human lifespan may be nearing its biological limit, with a maximum achievable age between 115 and 120 years. While life expectancy has increased due to healthcare advancements, its growth is slowing, and immortality remains unlikely. Countries like Hong Kong and South Korea have seen life expectancy rise due to effective public health policies, while the U.S. faces declines due to issues like the opioid crisis. The focus of medical research may need to shift from extending lifespan to improving the quality of life for the elderly.

Newly Found Neuron Could Curb Overeating
science-and-health1 year ago

Newly Found Neuron Could Curb Overeating

Scientists have discovered a new type of neuron, BNC2, that rapidly inhibits hunger signals in the brain, offering a fast-acting mechanism for satiety. This finding, published in Nature, could lead to new treatments for obesity and metabolic disorders by expanding the understanding of appetite regulation and providing new therapeutic targets. BNC2 neurons, activated by leptin, quickly suppress appetite and alleviate hunger-related negative feelings, potentially redefining how feeding is regulated.

Neuroscientists Find Brain Circuit to Instantly Reduce Stress
science-and-health1 year ago

Neuroscientists Find Brain Circuit to Instantly Reduce Stress

Neuroscientists at the Salk Institute have discovered a brain circuit that regulates voluntary breathing, potentially leading to new anxiety treatments. This breakthrough, published in Nature Neuroscience, could pave the way for drugs that mimic the calming effects of practices like yoga and meditation by targeting specific brain pathways. Such medications might offer more precise anxiety relief with fewer side effects compared to current treatments. The research is a significant step towards understanding how controlled breathing can alleviate anxiety, though practical applications may take years to develop.

New Molecule Found to Heal Gut and Inhibit Cancer Growth
science-and-health1 year ago

New Molecule Found to Heal Gut and Inhibit Cancer Growth

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a molecule that promotes intestinal healing and suppresses colorectal cancer growth by activating the Liver X receptor. This finding, published in Nature, could lead to new treatments for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and cancer, addressing the need for alternatives to current therapies that often fail to help patients. The study highlights the potential of this molecule to treat chronic bowel disorders resulting from cancer therapies.