aphantasia-pink-elephant-mental-discipline

What Visualizing a Pink Elephant Reveals About Your Mental Discipline

Introduction: The Challenge of Controlling Thoughts

"If you tell a person not to picture a pink elephant, it becomes impossible for them to shake the image."

This quote from Curt Siodmak's 1974 novel City in the Sky highlights the challenge of controlling one's thoughts. 'Don't think of a pink elephant' exemplifies how resisting visualization often backfires.

The Pink Elephant Problem and Aphantasia

How Visualization Triggers Intrusive Thoughts

Studies indicate that simply reading about a pink elephant often triggers the mental visualization of one.

Aphantasia: The Absence of Visualization

Some individuals, including ourselves, experience aphantasia—a condition where visualization is absent. This makes it perplexing to comprehend how others vividly imagine non-existent things.

This study reveals that not everyone experiences the 'pink elephant problem.' Some people, particularly those with aphantasia, are capable of excluding intrusive visual thoughts.

Not Everyone Faces the 'Pink Elephant Problem'

How is Aphantasia Defined?

People with aphantasia lack the ability to create mental images. Consequently, if instructed not to picture a pink elephant, we won't as we are incapable of visulization.

The Perception of Aphantasia as a Limitation

Aphantasia is often framed as a limitation. Upon discovering they have aphantasia, individuals may feel disheartened, recognizing that others can visualize experiences they cannot—such as imagining characters in a novel or picturing a loved one.

The Potential Benefits of Aphantasia

Aphantasia and Blocking Intrusive Thoughts

Although deficits are part of the picture, they can be balanced by potential benefits. Some theories propose that people with aphantasia, known as aphantasics, may have an improved capacity to block intrusive thoughts.

Aphantasics and the Diversity of Human Cognition

Aphantasics can be viewed as part of the natural diversity of human cognitive abilities, where individuals vary in their capacity to visualize. While aphantasics have no visualization ability, the majority have an average capacity, and a small subset possesses exceptionally strong visualization skills.

Intense Mental Imagery paired with Automatic Visualizations

How Visual Imagination Strength Relates to Involuntary Imagery

In our new study, we investigated how the strength of a person's visual imagination relates to their tendency to experience involuntary visualizations, even when they attempt to prevent them. We discovered that individuals with particularly vivid visual imaginations were more prone to such involuntary imagery, and we could anticipate these occurrences by analyzing brain activity.

The Downside of Vivid Visualization

Certain people may find satisfaction in their capacity to visualize detailed scenes whenever they choose. Yet, this comes with the downside of struggling to suppress these experiences.

Suppression of Visual Thoughts in People with Average Imagery

Most people tend to have less intense visual imagery, yet they often find it easier to su ppress such thoughts.

Do People with Aphantasia Have Calmer Minds?

Aphantasics and Their Resistance to Involuntary Visualizations

Aphantasics are less prone to involuntary visualizations. Does this imply that their minds are some peaceful?

Mind-Wandering in Aphantasics

Our research found that individuals with weaker imagery were less likely to visualize unwanted thoughts. However, they were inclined to report instances of mind-wandering.

For those with aphantasia, rather than visualizing things they wish to avoid, their thoughts may shift to unrelated topics, such as what to have for dinner. This suggests that while their minds may not be more peaceful, they do exhibit a greater resistance to intrusive visualizations.

Do Those with Aphantasia Have Daydreams?

Mind-Wandering Without Visualization

Based on our own experiences, we can confirm that at least some aphantasics do experience mind-wandering. However, when our minds wander, we do not visualize images. Our experiences differ from those who can.

Derek's Auditory Daydreams

When Derek's mind drifts, he envisions hearing and participating in conversations that are purely auditory. Since daydreaming is often linked to visual imagery, he only recently realized that theseauditory experiences could be considered a form of daydreaming.

Loren's Sensory Daydreams

Loren is unable to visualize or imagine auditory experiences. Instead, her thoughts manifest as sensations of texture and imagined movements, which she perceives during moments of mind-wandering.

Are Aphantasics Resistant to Trauma from Re-living Events?

The Resistance to Intrusive Visualizations

Maybe.

Our evidence suggests that aphantasics exhibit resistance to involuntary visualizations. However, additional research is required to ascertain whether this resistance extends to re-experiencing trauma or if such events provoke different types of imagined experiences.

Conclusion: Aphantasics and the Pink Elephant

One thing is certain: Siodmak's assertion was incorrect. If instructed not to think of a pink elephant, some of us can easily dismiss that image and shift our attention to other topics. For instance, what's for dinner?

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late night eating glucose imbalance health risks

Late-Night Calories: Study Links Evening Eating to Glucose Imbalance and Health Risks

Scientific Validation of Early and Light Dinner Belief

While it has long been suggested that an early and light dinner is preferable, research conducted by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) and Columbia University offers scientific validation for this belief.

Key Findings of the Study

A study published in Nutrition & Diabetes reveals that consuming over 45% of daily calories after 5 p.m. correlates with elevated glucose levels, posing health risks irrespective of weight or body fat.

Research Led by Dr. Diana Díaz Rizzolo

Dr. Diana Díaz Rizzolo, a postdoctoral researcher and Faculty of Health Sciences member at UOC, led the study conducted at Columbia University's Irving Medical Center in New York.

Impact of Elevated Glucose Levels on Health

"Prolonged elevation of glucose levels can lead to several health concerns, including an increased likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, heightened cardiovascular risk from glucose-induced vascular damage, and chronic inflammation that exacerbates both cardiovascular and metabolic harm," explained Díaz Rizzolo.

Traditional Beliefs on Late-Night Eating and Weight Gain

Experts had long attributed weight gain to late evening meals, associating it with poor dietary decisions like consuming ultra-processed foods, driven by hormonal imbalances caused by eating outside daylight hours.

Meal Timing's Impact on Glucose Metabolism

This study's significance stems from its demonstration that meal timing alone can adversely affect glucose metabolism, independent of daily caloric intake, body weight, or fat levels.

Comparison of Late Eaters vs. Early Eaters

This study examined 26 individuals aged 50 to 70 with overweight or obesity and prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Participants were grouped as early eaters, who consumed most calories earlier in the day, and late eaters, who consumed 45% or more of their calories post-5 p.m., to assess differences in glucose tolerance.

Eating Patterns and Glucose Tolernace

The participants consumed equivalent meals and calories, differing solely in timing, and used a mobile application to document their eating habits in real time.

Key Conclusions on Late-Eating and Glucose Tolerance

The key conclusion of the study is that late eaters exhibited lower glucose tolerance, independent of body weight or dietary compositions. Additionally, they were found to consume larger portions of carbohydrates and fats in the evening.

Understanding the Body's Glucose Metabolism at Night

Díaz Rizzolo, an expert in obesity, diabetes, and aging, clarified that the body's glucose metabolism is less efficient at night, as insulin secretion decreases and cells become less sensitive to the hormone due to the circadian rhythm, which is regulated by a central brain clock in sync with day and night cycles.

The Impact of Meal Timing on Overall Health and Metabolic Function

The study brings forward a crucial finding about how the timing of meals affects health. "Personal nutrition decisions have traditionally been based on two factors: how much food we consume and what foods we choose. This research, however, highlights the increasing importance of when we eat for maintaining cardiometabolic health," said Díaz Rizzolo.

Recommendations for Healthier Meal Timing

In light of the study's results, which call for cautious interpretation and additional research to deepen understanding, the researcher recommends eating primarily during daylight hours. "The bulk of calorie intake should occur at breakfast and lunch, rather than at teatime or dinner," Díaz Rizzolo stated. She further advises steering clear of ultra-processed foods, fast food, and carbohydrate-heavy meals, especially at night.

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cardiac effects weight loss drugs

Unexpected Cardiac Effects of Weight-Loss Drug Unveiled in New Research

Overview of the Study

According to a new study by the University of Alberta published in JACC: Basic to Translational Science, popular weight-loss drugs capturing attention for their effectiveness in reducing waistlines may also lead to the shrinking of the human heart and other muscles. The researchers caution against potential long-term health risks associated with these medications.

Study Author's Insight

Jason Dyck's Perspective on Drug Risks and Benefits

Jason Dyck, senior author of the study, professor of pediatrics in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, and member of the Women and Children's Health Research Institute, emphasizes that the benefits of these drugs likely outweigh the risks for those prescribed them.

"However, individuals using these drugs without meeting the eligibility criteria or facing significant health risks may experience a different balance of risks and benefits, which warrants greater awareness."

Investigating Skeletal Muscle Loss

Dyck and his research team aimed to investigate the underlying causes of skeletal muscle loss, a reported side effect of the widely used weight-loss drug Ozempic.

Initially developed as a treatment for adults with type 2 diabetes to regualte blood sugar levels, Ozempic, or semaglutide, has gained attention for its efficacy as an anti-obesity medication, along with other drugs in its class.

Research Findings

Observations in Mice and Human Heart Cells

Through experiments conducted on mice, the researchers observed a reduction in heart muscle in both obese and lean subjects. These systemic effects were further validated using cultured human heart cells.

Dyck, the Canada Research Chair in Molecular Medicine and director of the Cardiovascular Research Center, noted that his team did not detect any adverse functional impacts on the hearts of mice with reduced size. Consequently, they do not anticipate significant health effects in humans. However, he cautioned that prolonged exposure or certain types of cardiac stress might reveal effects not evident under resting conditions.

Implications for Non-Obese Users

With a rising number of non-obese individuals and those without cardiovascular disease using this medication, we advocate for detailed assessments of cardiac structure and function in existing and previous trials.

Muscle Loss and Its Health Consequences

The Role of Muscle in Overall Health

Dyck's research follows a commentary featured in the November edition of The Lancet, authored by an international team from the University of Alberta, McMaster University, and Louisiana State University, which highlighted studies suggesting that up to 40% of weight lost through weight-loss drugs may come from muscle mass.

Carla Prado, a nutrition researcher at the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences and lead author of the commentary, emphasizes that this level of muscle loss in much greater than what is usually seen with calorie-restricted diets or normal aging, potentially leading to long-term health complications such as weakened immunity, heightened infection risk, and impaired wound healing.

Muscle's Vital Functions

"Muscle serves far more purposes than aiding movement or lifting objects; it is a vital organ that contributes significantly to our overall health," she explains.

An example of muscle's importance is its role in storing key amino acids, which are used by the body to heal and stay strong during time of illness, stress, or injury. It also helps regulate blood sugar, a factor in diabetes prevention.

Myokines and Immune System Benfits

Prado also points out that muscle produces specific molecules known as myokines, which send signals to other areas of the body to aid in fighting infections and strengthening the immune system.

"Preserving muscle is crucial, particularly during weight-loss treatments, as it's not only about maintaining strength but also about ensuring the resilience and overall health of the body."

Impact on Sarcopenic Obesity and Further Research

The authors of the commentary argue that weight-loss induced muscle loss may further aggravate conditions like sarcopenic obesity—characterized by excess body fat and reduced skeletal muscle—which can contribute to adverse health effects, including cardiovascular disease and elevated mortality rates.

While the short-term impact of muscle loss on strength and functionality remains uncertain, the commentary advocates for further research into how reductions in muscle mass could potentially improve muscle mass and composition.

Preserving Muscle During Weight Loss

Importance of Nutrition and Exercise

To maintain muscle strength during weight loss, Prado emphasizes the importance of focusing on two key factors: nutrition and exercise. Proper nutrition involves consuming adequate high-quality protein, essential vitamins and minerals, and other nutrients vital for muscle building. In some cases, protein supplements may be necessary to ensure the body receives the required nutrients.

Resistance Training for Muscle Protection

"Exercise is equally essential, with a focus on resistance training like weightlifting or using resistance bands," explained Prado, who was recently named Canada Research Chair in Integrative Nutrition, Body Composition, and Energy Metabolism. "This type of exercise helps protect muscle from degradation during weight loss and maintains strength."

She further recommends that individuals using weight-loss medication adhere to a well-rounded regimen that incorporates sufficient protein intake alongside resistance training.

"By reducing muscle loss, this approach helps people lose fat, thereby maximizing the health benefits of the treatment and ensuring they retain strength."

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Stay informed about the health implications of weight-loss medications. Read more research and consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice.

biocooperative material for tissue regeneration

From Blood to Healing: Breakthrough Enables Personalized 3D-Printed Implants

Introduction: A Groundbreaking Advancement in Regenerative Medicine

Scientists have unveiled a new blood-derived 'biocooperative' material proven to restore bone integrity, laying the foundation for innovative personalized treatments for injuries and ailments.

Development of Biocooperative Material at the University of Nottingham

Researchers from the University of Nottingham's Schools of Pharmacy and Chemical Engineering have harnessed peptide molecules to create living materials that support tissue regeneration, as reported in Advanced Materials.

Understanding the Healing Process: The Role of Blood in Tissue Repair

The majority of human tissues possess an exceptional capacity to heal small ruptures or fractures, facilitated by a complex process. In its early stages, liquid blood transforms into a solid Regenerative Hematoma (RH), creating a dynamic microenvironment rich in cells, and factors critical for tissue regeneration.

Self-Assembling Technique for Personalized Healing

The researchers designed a self-assembling technique where synthetic peptides are combined with a patient's whole blood, producing a material that leverages key molecules, cells, and healing mechanisms. This innovation allowed them to create regenerative materials that not only replicate the natural Regenerative Hematoma (RH) but also improve its structural and functional properties.

Key Benefits and Applications of the New Regenerative Materials

These materials can be readily assembled, customized, and even 3D printed, all while preserving critical functions of the natural RH, including normal platelet activity, growth factor production, and cell recruitment essential for healing. Using this approach, the team demonstrated successful bone repair in animal models utilizing the animal's own blood.

Statement from Professor Alvaro Mata on the Biocooperative Approach

Professor Alvaro Mata, a leading expert in Biomedical Engineering and Biomaterials at the University of Nottingham's School of Pharmacy and Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, stated, "Scientists have long sought synthetic methods to replicate the natural regenerative environment, a challenge due to its intrinsic complexity. In this study, we adopted an approach that collaborates with biology rather than attempting to replicate it."

The Future of Regenerative Medicine: Leveraging Natural Healing Mechanisms

This 'Biocooperative' strategy presents new possibilities for creating regenerative materials by leveraging and amplifying the mechanisms inherent in the natural healing process. Essentially, our approach uses these evolved regenerative mechanisms as fabrication steps to design advanced materials.

Implications for Clinical Practice and the Future of Regenerative Implants

Dr. Cosimo Ligorio, from the University of Nottingham's Faculty of Engineering and co-author of the research, stated, "It's thrilling to see how easily and safely we can convert blood into highly regenerative implants. Blood is nearly costless and can be collected from patients in considerable quantities."

Developing a User-Friendly Toolkit for Clinical Integration

"Our goal is to develop a user-friendly toolkit that can be seamlessly integrated into clinical practice, enabling the swift and safe conversion of patient blood into highly regenerative, customizable implants."

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Exercise as Brain Therapy: Muscle Activity That Promotes Neuron Health

There's no question that physical activity contributes significantly to health, fortifying muscles and improving the function of bones, blood, vessels, and the immune system.

Muscle Activity and Neuron Growth

MIT engineers have discovered that exercise benefits extend to individual neurons, observing that muscle contractions release a complex array of biochemical signals known as myokines.

Neurons exposed to these muscle-generated signals grew four times farther than those without myokine exposure, indicating a substantial biochemical effect of exercise on nerve growth at the cellular level.

The researchers were intrigued to find that neurons respond not only to the biochemical signals generated by exercise but also to its physical effects. Repeatedly pulling neurons, in a manner mimicking muscle expansion and contraction, led to growth on par with myokine exposure.

Muscle-Generated Signals and Their Impact

Previous studies hinted at a biochemical connection between muscle activity and nerve growth, but this research is the first to demonstrate that physical effects play an equally significant role, the researchers report. Published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, the findings illuminate how muscles and nerves interact during exercise and may aid in developing exercise-based therapies to repair damaged or deteriorating nerves.

Potential for Exercise-Based Therapies

"Understanding this muscle-nerve crosstalk opens new avenues for treating conditions such as nerve injuries, where nerve-muscle communication is disrupted," say Ritu, Raman, the Eugene Bell Career Development Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at MIT.

Muscle Stimulation as a Pathway for Nerve Regeneration

"Muscle Stimulation could serve as a pathway to encourage nerve regeneration, helping to regain mobility for those impacted by traumatic injuries or neurodegenerative conditions."

Study Team and Contributions

The new study is led by senior author Ritu Raman, with contributions from Angel Bu, Ferdows Afghah, Nicolas Castro, Maheera Bawa, Sonika Kohli, Karina Shah, and Brandon Rios from MIT's Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Vincent Butty from MIT's Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research.

Muscle Communication: Insights from Previous Research

In 2023, Raman and her team demonstrated that mobility could be restored in mice with traumatic muscle injuries by implanting muscle tissue at the injury site and stimulating it repeatedly with light to simulate exercise.

Over time, the researchers observed that the exercised graft enabled the mice to recover motor function, achieving activity levels similar to those of healthy mice.

The researchers discovered that regular exercise induced the grafted muscle to produce biochemical signals, which are recognized for promoting nerve and blood vessel development.

Muscle-Nerve Communication: New Perspectives

"It's intriguing because we typically assume nerves control muscles, but we rarely consider the possibility of muscles communicating back to nerves," says Raman.

"We began to consider that stimulating the muscle might be promoting nerve growth. However, responses suggested that while this could be true, there are hundreds of other cell types in the body, making it difficult to prove whether nerve growth is directly due to the muscle or if other factors, like the immune system, are involved," says Raman.

Investigating the Impact of Exercise on Nerve Growth

In their latest research, the team aimed to investigate whether exercise has a direct impact on nerve growth by focusing exclusively on muscle and nerve tissues. They cultured mouse muscle cells into elongated fibers, which then fused to create a small sheet of mature muscle tissue roughly the size of a quarter.

Engineering Muscle Cells for Exercise Simulation

The researchers genetically modified the muscle to respond to light by contracting. With this alteration, they were able to flash light repeatedly, causing the muscle to contract in a way that replicated the effects of exercise.

Video

Scientists at MIT found that motor neurons showed a marked increase in growth over five days when subjected to exercise-related biochemical and mechanical signals. The green ball illustrates the clusters of neurons growing outward as axons. Credit: Angel Bu.

Raman developed a novel gel mat specifically designed to grow and stimulate muscle tissue. Its specialized properties ensure the muscle tissue remains anchored, even as it undergoes repeated stimulation for exercise.

Collection of Myokine Solution

The team proceeded to collect samples of the surrounding solution in which the muscle tissue was exercised, hypothesizing that the solution would contain myokines, growth factors, RNA, and various other proteins.

Raman characterizes myokines as a biochemical blend of substances secreted by muscles, with certain components possibly benefiting nerve growth, while others may have no connection to nerves. "While muscles are always releasing myokines, exercise amplifies  this secretion," she says.

Exercise-Induced Myokines and Their Impact on Neurons

The team moved the myokine solution to a separate dish containing motor neurons, which are responsible for controlling muscles involved in voluntary movement, specifically those located in the spinal cord. The neurons were cultured from stem cells derived from mice.

Enhanced Neuron Growth Due to Myokines

Similar to the muscle tissue, the neurons were cultured on a comparable gel mat. Upon exposure to the myokine mixture, the researchers noted that the neurons grew four times faster than those not treated with the biochemical solution.

Raman observes that the neurons grow significantly faster and farther, with the impact being almost immediate.

Genetic Analysis of Neuronal Changes

To examine the impact of exercise-induced myokines on neuronal changes, the team conducted a genetic analysis by extracting RNA from the neurons to assess any alterations in the expression of specific neuronal genes.

Raman explains that the genes up-regulated in the exercise-stimulated neurons were associated not only with growth, but also with neuronal maturation, communication with muscles and other nerves, and axon development. "Exercise appears to affect both growth and the functionality of neurons," she notes.

Physical Effects of Exercise on Neurons

The results point to the fact that the biochemical responses to exercise can enhance neuron growth. The next logical question for the team was: Could the physical impacts of exercise also provide such benefits?

Mechanical Stimulation of Neurons

Raman notes that because neurons are physically attached to muscles, they naturally stretch and move with them. "We were curious to see if, even without the biochemical signals from the muscle, replicating the mechanical effects of exercise by stretching the neurons could lead to growth," she explains.

To explore this question, the researchers cultured a separate batch of motor neurons on a gel mat integrated with tiny magnets. By using an external magnet, they were able to induce movement, causing both the mat and the neurons to oscillate.

By applying this mechanical stimulation for 30 minutes daily, the researchers effectively 'exercised' the neurons.

Surprising Results: Physical Exercise Promotes Neuron Growth

They were surprised to find that this physical exercise promoted neuron growth as significantly as the myokine-induced stimulation, with the neurons growing far more than those that received no exercise.

"This is a promising result, as it suggests that both the biochemical and physical effects of exercise play equally significant roles," says Raman.

Future Research Directions

Now that the group has established that muscle exercise can promote cellular nerve growth, their upcoming research will focus on how targeted stimulation of muscles may help heal damaged nerves and restore mobility in individuals living with neurodegenerative diseases such ALS.

According to Raman, this marks just the beginning of their journey toward understanding and utilizing exercise as a therapeutic tool.

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The Keto Diet and Autoimmune Health: A New Path to Anti-Inflammatory Treatment?

Introduction: The Keto Diet's Potential in Treating Autoimmune Disorders

The ketogenic diet has long been thought by scientists to potentially ease immune hyperactivity, showing promise for diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Recent data now suggest that this theory my be well-founded.

Key Findings from UC Scan Francisco Researchers

Diet's Impact on Gut Microbes and MS Symptoms in Mice

Researchers at UC San Francisco have found that the diet prompts the gut and its microbes to generate two factors that alleviated MS symptoms in mice. If applicable to humans, this study could open new avenues for treating MS and other autoimmune disorder through supplements.

The Ketogenic Diet Explained

The ketogenic diet greatly limits foods high in carbohydrates, such as bread, pasta, fruits, and sugars, while permitting unrestricted fat intake. In the absence of carbohydrates, the body metabolizes fat, generating ketone bodies that serve as an energy source for cells and have the capacity to modulate immune function.

β-Hydroxybutyrate (βHB) and Its Role in Immune Function

βHB and Milder MS Symptoms in Mice

In studies using a mouse model of MS, researchers observed that mice with higher levels of the ketone body β-hydroxybutyrate (βHB) exhibited milder disease symptoms.

Mechanism: Lactobacillus Murinus and Indole Lactic Acid (ILA)

The increased levels of βHB also stimulated the gut bacterium Lactobacillus murinus to produce a metabolite known as Indole Lactic Acid (ILA), which inhibited the activation of T helper 17 immune cells, implicated in MS and other autoimmune conditions.

Researcher Insights: Peter Turnbaugh's Findings

"What was most exciting was that we were able to protect these mice from inflammatory disease merely by putting them on a diet enriched with these compounds," said Peter Turnbaugh, Ph.D., of the Benioff Center for Microbiome Medicine.

Exploring βHB's Impact on the Gut Microbiome

Investigating the Effects of βHB on Mice with MS

Turnbaugh had previously shown that βHB, when secreted by the gut, helps counter immune activation. This insight inspired Margaret Alexander, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher in his lab, to explore whether the compound could reduce MS symptoms in mice.

Supplementing Mice with βHB to Improve Symptoms

In their latest study published in Cell Reports, the research team examined the effects of a ketone body-rich diet on mice that lacked the ability to produce βHB in their intestines. They found that these mice experienced more severe inflammation. However, when their diets were supplemented with βHB, the mice showed improvement.

Microbial Communities and Immune Response

Exploring the Gut Microbiome in MS Mice

In their study, the team explored how βHB influences the gut microbiome by isolating bacteria from the guts of three groups of mice on different diets: keto, high-fat, or βHB-supplemented high-fat. They screened the metabolic byproducts of the distinct microbial communities in an immune assay, revealing that the positive effects were attributed to Lactabacillus murinus, a species within the Lactabacillus genus.

Validation through Genome Sequencing and Mass Spectrometry

Genome sequencing and mass spectrometry further validated that the L. murinus identified by the team produced indole lactic acid, a compound known to influence the immune system. Ultimately, the researchers treated the MS mice with either ILA or L. murinus, resulting in an improvement in their symptoms.

Future Implications and Next Steps

Testing the Keto Diet Approach in Humans

Turnbaugh emphasized that the supplement-based approach must still undergo testing in individuals with autoimmune disorders before it can be considered for broader application.

"The crucial question is how effectively this will translate to real-world patients," he explained.

Promising Prospects for Autoimmune Treatment

"That said, I think these findings offer promising prospects for an easier, more tolerable alternative to the restrictive diet currently recommended." he concluded.

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Amnesia-Inducing Diatoms Discovered in Luzon's Shellfish Farms

Introduction: The Discovery of Toxic Diatoms

Luzon, the densely populated island housing over half of the Philippine population, includes many residents who regularly consume shellfish. An international research team recently confirmed the presence of two Pseudo-nitzschia diatom species there, known for producing a harmful neurotoxin linked to severe illness and memory loss.

This research has been published in Diatom Research.

What Are Diatoms and Their Risks?

Diatoms: The 'Glass House' Algae

Often described poetically as 'algae that live in glass houses,' diatoms are microscopic aquatic organisms encased in protective, milk-colored silica shells. Although most diatom species pose no harm, nearly half of the 58 identified Pseudo-nitzschia species are known to produce the potent neurotoxin domoic acid (DA).

The Dangers of Domoic Acid (DA)

Individuals who consume shellfish contaminated with domoic acid (DA) may suffer from symptoms like vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. In severe cases, DA exposure can result in permanent short-term memory loss, a condition known as amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP).

Limited Knowledge of Pseudo-nitzschia in the Philippines

Despite these risks, limited information is available on the spread of Pseudo-nitzschia in the Philippines. This knowledge gap led scientists from Ateneo de Manila University's Department of Biology and University Malaysia Sarawak to analyze the physical and genetic traits of the diatoms found in water samples from shellfish farms in Luzon's Bacoor Bay and Pagbilao Bay.

Research Findings: The Identified Toxic Diatoms

New Species Discovery: P. Brasiliana

The researchers identified the DA-producing diatoms Pseudo-nitzschia pungens and Pseudo-nitzschia brasiliana within the samples, with P. brasiliana being recorded for the first time in Luzon.

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and Shellfish Contamination

During periods of excessive growth, known as harmful algal blooms (HABs) or 'red tide,' DA can accumulate in significant quantities in filter-feeding shellfish like mussels and clams.

"Identifying species within a genus where half are known DA producers is essential for HAB monitoring in the Philippines," the researchers emphasize.

Importance of Monitoring and Research

The Need for Monitoring Efforts

Researchers Lorenzo A. Botavara, Janice A. Ragaza, Hong Chang Lim, and Sing Tung Teng emphasize the importance of recognizing the toxic potential of these diatoms and implementing monitoring efforts. "Such efforts must begin by confirming their presence in our waters, yet, to our knowledge, no molecular taxonomy of Pseudo-nitzschia exists in the Philippines."

Future Steps for HAB Monitoring

"Identifying species within a genus where half are known DA producers in essential for HAB monitoring in the Philippines." the researchers emphasize.

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Stay Informed and Support Efforts to Protect Public Health

The discovery of Pseudo-nitzschia diatoms in Luzon's shellfish farms highlights the urgent need for effective monitoring and research. We encourage local communities, researchers, and policymakers to collaborate in addressing the potential risks of amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) and ensure safe seafood consumption. Stay informed about the latest research developments and support initiatives to protect public health by advocating for regular water checks in shellfish farming areas.

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Advanced AI Model Shows Superior Prediction Capabilities for Breast Cancer Progression

Introduction

A collaborative team of AI and healthcare researchers at Ataraxis AI, working alongside experts from institutions across the U.S., has developed an AI model that claims to enhance accuracy in predicting breast cancer progression over current hospital methods.

Key Findings

The team has shared a research paper on the arXiv preprint server, detailing their model's design and its strong performance during testing.

Understanding Breast Cancer Progression

Variability in Cancer Growth Rates

Previous studies have demonstrated that cancer growth rates vary, even among cancers of the same type. For instance:

• Some breast cancers advance rapidly.
• Others progress more gradually.

This variability poses challenges for healthcare providers in devising the best treatment approach for each patient.

Current Assessment Methods

Researchers have thus introduced tests such as Oncotype DX, which assess the aggressiveness of a patient's cancer through:

• Genetic Analysis.
• Observing the cancer's progression over a short duration.

The Ataraxis AI Approach

Development of the AI Model

In this recent endeavor, the Ataraxis AI team, which publicly launched only last year, has created a machine-learning model designed to estimate the probable progression rate for individual patients.

Collaboration for Model Training

The team collaborated with multiple hospitals to train their model, gaining access to extensive tumor progression imagery and patient data.

Enhancing Model Accuracy

They enhanced model accuracy by:

• Creating multiple models with different methodologies.
• Averaging their predictions to reduce errors.

Performance Validation

Testing on Historical Data

The team has tested their model on historical data from 3,500 patients and benchmarked its progression risk predictions against standard assessments like Oncotype DX, noting an accuracy increase of up to 30%.

Future Directions

Ongoing Research and Development

Continuing their research, the team plans to refine their model's accuracy and explore other tools to aid doctors in assessing breast cancer more precisely.

Software Release Anticipation

They anticipate releasing software for healthcare providers incorporating their AI model as early as next year.

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Stay Ahead of Breast Cancer Progression: Explore the Next Generation in Predictive AI Models

Unlock the potential of Ataraxis AI's advanced model for breast cancer progression, designed to provide greater accuracy in patient assessments. Discover how this groundbreaking AI could shape the future of personalized treatment-available to healthcare providers soon.