BioQuakes

AP Biology class blog for discussing current research in Biology

Author: nucleana

The Behavioral Causes of Obesity

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On May 1, 2018

In Student Post

Obesity is a big issue that is affecting the world today. Obesity is mostly caused by abnormal eating habits, which include overeating, but little is known about what causes overeating. To further understand the behaviors that lead to overeating and obesity, scientists from the Centre for Genomic Regulation and the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain conducted research on mice. There findings were published in Addiction Biology.

The scientists put the mice in an environment where they are only fed high calorie foods. Their diet consisted of chocolate bars and their normal food. As the mice started to gain more weight, they started to become addicted to chocolate and started binge-eating it. They would eat the chocolate over their normal food, even though they were more full from eating their own food. Their new binge eating habits also changed their eating schedule. They started eating during the day, rather than at night.

In conclusion, this research made scientists aware that some people can be trapped in a binge eating state which can lead to obesity. Obesity is not just a metabolic disease, but is caused by behavioral issues. This research is helpful because people can now take preventative measures and go to therapy to change these eating habits. This research is very interesting because it can help solve obesity issues. To learn more about obesity behaviors and treatment, click here and here. 

Striped Field Mouse

 

A New Addition to Gene Altering Technology

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On March 11, 2018

In Student Post

Today, there is new technology that allows genes to be edited. This is called CRISPR. CRISPR can fix genetic defects that lead to disease, improve food nutrition, and even resurrect extinct species. A research team in Japan created a new technology in addition to CRISPR that can change a single DNA base in the human genome. This is called Microhomology-Assisted eXcision or MhAX. The team called this new technique “absolute precision” in their article published in the Nature Communications journal.

MhAX originated when a group of researched wanted to have a better understanding on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), which are single DNA mutations that can contribute to hereditary disease. In order to discover that these SNPS cause disease, researchers need to compare two genetically matched “twin cells.” However, twin cells are difficult to make because twin cells are not completely identical-they have a single different SNP. MhAX gives a new way to make twin cells.

The research teams used an extensive process to make the edits. First, the SNP modification and fluorescent reporter gene is inputed into the cell. This allows for researchers to see which cells are changed. The researchers then created another same DNA sequence, called microhomology, that was stationed on each side of the fluorescent gene. This allowed for sites where CRISPR can enter and trim the DNA. In order to leave only the SNP in, the research team used microhomology-mediated end system (MMEJ), a repair system that can remove the fluorescent gene. This technique, according to the team of researches, is precise and they are hopeful that it will be used to gain a better understanding of disease mechanisms which could potentially lead to gene therapies.

MhAX is very interesting because it is an additional technique to CRISPR that can help alter genes. It is very fascinating to read about the future of genetics and the new technology being created that can changes genes connected to diseases and improve the lives of people. For more information on MhAX, click here and here. Based on this research, how do you think this technology will be used in the future?

 

 

 

A Possible Way to Prevent Asthma in Infants

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On January 2, 2018

In Student Post

Did you know that asthma in infant boys may soon be able to be prevented? Infant boys whose mother’s have asthma are at a higher risk of developing asthma due to genetics. However, according to a study published by the University of Alberta in Canada, the structure of the gut microbiome may also play a role in the development of asthma in these boys. Microbiomes are the bacteria that live in human digestive tracts. The research team, led by epidemiologist Anita Kozyrskyj, studied the characteristics of the gut microbiome in 1000 infant boys born to mothers with asthma.

The team discovered that these boys were one-third as likely to have certain characteristics in their gut microbiome when they were 3-4 months old. The boys had a significantly less amount of Lactobacillus microbes. This evidence suggests that maternal asthma can be associated with the lack of Lactobacillus. The team believes that this discovery could lead to modifying the gut microbiome in these infants to reduce their risk of developing asthma.

The team started this research because they wanted to study the sex-based differences between boys and girls born to mothers with asthma. The gut bacteria on infant girls was affected differently. Girls have more bacteria than boys that maintain a mucus barrier and protect the gut cells. The team believes that this barrier protects the girls from developing asthma as babies, but are more prone to developing it during puberty.

Asthma is a breathing disease that affects many people. It is interesting to learn about how this sometimes deadly disease may be able to be prevented in infants. Although there it is not definite that this can be prevented, it is fascinating to read about this possibility. For more information on gut microbiomes, click here and here. Based on this research, do you think that scientists will be able to find a way to modify the gut bacteria?

 

Coffee: The Drink for a Healthier Life

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On December 10, 2017

In Student Post

Do you start every morning with a cup of coffee and continue drinking it throughout the day? If this is you, then coffee can be benefiting your health! According to a study conducted by the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom, drinking three to four cups of coffee a day can be very beneficial to one’s health. This study was published in the British Medical Journal in late November. For years, the verdict of whether coffee was either beneficial or harmful to one’s health constantly changes, but scientists currently say that drinking coffee is good for people.

To conduct this study, the group of scientists from the University of South Hampton reviewed more than 200 studies that also researched the effects of coffee on the human body. According to the review, those who drink coffee have a lower risk of liver disease, some cancers, and strokes. In a comparison of non-coffee drinkers and coffee drinkers, those who drink coffee also have a lower risk of dying from heart problems. Coffee was also found to be harmful for pregnant women and people with abnormal heart rhythms.

Professor Paul Roderick, a co-author to the study and a professor at the University of Southampton, suggested that coffee intake might not be why people have lower risks of certain diseases. This study does not take into consideration factors, including exercise, smoking, or diet. However, this study is backed up by other studies that also concluded that coffee has certain health benefits.

If you are a coffee-drinker, continue to drink coffee in moderation. Experts say that the best way to obtain these potential benefits is by drinking black coffee and avoid adding extra cream and sugar. It is interesting to learn how a popular drink can be helpful to one’s health. Now, coffee-drinkers will be happy to learn how their favorite morning drink can possibly be beneficial to their health in the long run! For more information on the newfound benefits of coffee, click here and here. Based on this research, do you think more people will start drinking coffee now?

Yawning: Why is it Contagious?

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On October 16, 2017

In Student Post

Have you ever wondered why we yawn even if you’re not tired, or if someone else yawns? The University of Nottingham published an article called “A Neural Basis for Contagious Yawning” in Current Biology. This study was led by Stephen Jackson, a professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at the University.  The research group worked to find reasons as of why yawning is contagious.

The group concluded that yawning is a form of echophenomena. An echophenomenon is an automatic action without awareness. It is a result of external stimuli. Yawning is an echophenomena because people yawn when they see other people yawn.

This study did not find the neural basis for yawning, but used tests to try and figure out what the neural basis is. The team used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on 36 adults to test for the neutral basis. TMS is a procedure that uses magnetic fields to activate nerves in the brain. The stimulation increases the need to yawn. The adults were shown videos of people yawning and were told to yawn when needed or to resist the yawn. The number and the intensity of the yawns was recorded. Georgina Jackson, a professor of cognitive neuropsychology in the Institute of Mental Health, quoted that “this research has shown that the ‘urge’ is increased by trying to stop yourself. Using electrical stimulation we were able to increase excitability and in doing so increase the propensity for contagious yawning.” This method can me used to figure out when contagious yawning will occur.

Yawning is a natural human function that happens daily. It is interesting to learn about how it works and how one’s yawn can affect other people. Although there is not yet a clear answer of how this works, it is fascinating to learn about different theories from different researchers. For more information on contagious yawning click here and here. Based on reading this research, what do you think the best explanation to contagious yawning is?

 

 

 

 

 

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