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    Category Health/Medical

    Hubble Spots Auroras on Uranus

    April 11, 2017, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    This is a composite image of Uranus by Voyager 2 and two different observations made by Hubble -- one for the ring and one for the auroras. Astronomers tracked the interplanetary shocks caused by two powerful bursts of solar wind traveling from the sun to Uranus, then used Hubble to capture their effect on Uranus' auroras -- and found themselves observing the most intense auroras ever seen on the planet. By watching the auroras over time, they collected the first direct evidence that these powerful shimmering regions rotate with the planet. They also re-discovered Uranus' long-lost magnetic poles, which were lost shortly after their discovery by Voyager 2 in 1986 due to uncertainties in measurements and the featureless planet surface. Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, L. Lamy / Observatoire de Paris

    This is a composite image of Uranus by Voyager 2 and two different observations made by Hubble — one for the ring and one for the auroras. Astronomers tracked the interplanetary shocks caused by two powerful bursts of solar wind traveling from the sun to Uranus, then used Hubble to capture their effect on Uranus’ auroras — and found themselves observing the most intense auroras ever seen on the planet. By watching the auroras over time, they collected the first direct evidence that these powerful shimmering regions rotate with the planet. They also re-discovered Uranus’ long-lost magnetic poles, which were lost shortly after their discovery by Voyager 2 in 1986 due to uncertainties in measurements and the featureless planet surface. Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, L...

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    The Role of a Telomere Capping Complex in Cancer revealed

    April 10, 2017, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    X-ray crystal structure of the human POT1-TPP1 telomere maintenance complex. POT1 is shown in salmon and TPP1 in lime color. Credit: The Wistar Institute

    X-ray crystal structure of the human POT1-TPP1 telomere maintenance complex. POT1 is shown in salmon and TPP1 in lime color. Credit: The Wistar Institute

    Scientists at The Wistar Institute have unveiled part of the protein complex that protects telomeres – the ends of our chromosomes. The study explains how a group of genetic mutations associated with this protein complex contributes to various cancers. Telomeres are the protective structures at the end of chromosomes and are essential for the faithful replication and protection of our genome. Defects in telomere function can lead to genomic instability in cancer, while the gradual shortening of telomeres is associated with the aging of human cells...

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    New Technology can Detect Tiny Ovarian Tumors

    April 10, 2017, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    A high-magnification micrograph of an ovarian clear cell carcinoma. The images show, focally, the characteristic clear cells with prominent nucleoli and the typical hyaline globules. A high-magnification micrograph of an ovarian clear cell carcinoma. The images show, focally, the characteristic clear cells with prominent nucleoli and the typical hyaline globules. Image: Nephron/CC BY-SA 3.0

    A high-magnification micrograph of an ovarian clear cell carcinoma. The images show, focally, the characteristic clear cells with prominent nucleoli and the typical hyaline globules. A high-magnification micrograph of an ovarian clear cell carcinoma. The images show, focally, the characteristic clear cells with prominent nucleoli and the typical hyaline globules. Image: Nephron/CC BY-SA 3.0

    ‘Synthetic biomarkers’ could be used to diagnose ovarian cancer months earlier than now possible. Most ovarian cancer is diagnosed at such late stages that patients’ survival rates are poor. However, if the cancer is detected earlier, 5-year survival rates can be greater than 90%...

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    Grey Hair linked with Increased Heart disease risk in Men

    April 9, 2017, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    The degree of hair graying in male gender as an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease, a prospective study

    The degree of hair graying in male gender as an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease, a prospective study

    Grey hair has been linked with an increased risk of heart disease in men, in research presented today at EuroPrevent 2017. “Ageing is an unavoidable coronary risk factor and is associated with dermatological signs that could signal increased risk,” said Dr Irini Samuel, a cardiologist at Cairo University, Egypt. Atherosclerosis and hair greying share similar mechanisms such as impaired DNA repair, oxidative stress, inflammation, hormonal changes and senescence of functional cells. This study assessed the prevalence of grey hair in patients with coronary artery disease and whether it was an independent risk marker of disease.

    This was a prospective, observational study wh...

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