"Researchers unveiled a groundbreaking discovery that DNA damage and brain inflammation are vital processes for forming long-term memories, particularly within the brain's hippocampus."
Mitochondria retain bacterial traits due to their endosymbiotic origin, but host cells do not recognize them as foreign because the organelles are sequestered. However, the regulated release of mitochondrial factors into the cytosol can trigger cell death, innate immunity and inflammation. This selective breakdown in the...
Researchers sound alarm after making concerning connection between #plastic and the spread of #pathogens: ‘Urgent need for intensified monitoring’
Story by Juliana Marino
January 28, 2024
"New studies have revealed the dangers of microplastics. These tiny plastic particles are not only a major #environmental threat but also a serious health risk.
"A recent study in the 2023 Volume 2 issue of Eco-Environment & Health has identified the hidden dangers of microplastics spreading in bodies of water.
What’s happening?
"Microplastics are tiny plastic particles — no bigger than 5 millimeters — that come from industrial materials and the breakdown of plastic products. They have become a growing environmental concern due to their widespread presence throughout marine and freshwater ecosystems worldwide.
"The new study reveals the alarming health risks associated with the spread of microplastics. According to the research findings, pathogens can adhere to microplastics, using plastic waste particles as a medium for transmission.
"Researchers who worked on the study underscored the 'urgent need for intensified monitoring of microplastic contamination.' The study also calls for additional research investigations examining the 'role of microplastics in pathogen transmission, along with the health risks that ensure.''
Why are microplastics concerning?
"Microplastics pose severe health risks to living organisms. Scientists have found microplastics in the stomachs of a variety of organisms, from small invertebrates to large mammals like bears, whales, and deer. When organisms ingest microplastics, the plastic waste particles build up and can cause #inflammation, #neurotoxicity, and #GutImbalances.
"From an environmental standpoint, microplastics leach toxic substances into the #soil, #air, and #water. Since microplastics are made of synthetic materials, they do not break down, remaining in the environment and our bodies indefinitely.
"Plastic pollution threatens the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems especially, as scientists have already identified 24.4 trillion pieces of microplastics in the ocean. However, the total number of microplastics floating through the ocean is estimated to be much higher.
What’s being done about microplastic pollution?
"Countries across the globe are taking action by developing policies to prevent further plastic leakage into soil and water sources.
"Scientists are also developing methods for effectively removing existing microplastics from contaminated bodies of water. One promising technique uses a magnetic nano-pillared absorbent to extract tiny plastic particles. This approach removes microplastics at a much faster rate than previous methods.
"Individually, we can stop adding to plastic pollution by changing small habits that make a big difference."
#Covid news from the UK: “During the COVID-19 pandemic it became apparent that neurological complications were occurring in a significant proportion of hospitalised patients & even in those with mild COVID-19 infection. While some neurological ‘symptoms’ were often mild (headache & muscle aches [myalgia]), it became clear that more significant & potentially life-changing new neurological ‘complications’ were occurring, including encephalitis (brain inflammation), seizures, & stroke.
“Generally speaking, the term inflammation refers to all activities of the immune system that occur where the body is trying to fight off potential or real infections, clear toxic molecules or recover from physical injury.” #Science#Scicomm#Inflammation#Medicine
Inflammation in the brain during early childhood has been previously linked to autism and schizophrenia. Now, researchers have identified how inflammation can affect human brain cells and the way they develop, opening up exciting avenues for potential treatments. Newsweek reports. https://flip.it/V5CG6g #Science#Autism#Brain#Inflammation
"However, nonmalignant clones that withstand the myelosuppression of inflammation can persist and expand in a manner that is markedly dependent on age (Jaiswal et al., 2014). In turn, this clonal hematopoiesis promotes inflammation, notably in the cardiovascular system (Libby and Ebert, 2018). In this sense, inflammation imprints a memory of itself in hematopoietic cells that is recalled and amplified in later years. Clonal hematopoeisis may be one of the major explanations for the association of age with an inflammatory diathesis, sometimes called “inflammaging,” other features of which are discussed further below."
Clean & floss folks 🦷🪥 #Alzheimers disease could be the consequence of #chronic#inflammation of neuronal tissue caused by the colonisation of bacteria from the oral microbiota which produce toxic proteins called “gingipains”. Therapeutic applications are already being considered.
Porphyromonas gingivalis in Alzheimer's disease brains: Evidence for disease causation and treatment with small-molecule inhibitors - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30746447/
As wildfires continue to rage throughout northern Canada, new research reveals neurological health consequences from breathing in excess wildfire smoke.
'Using RNAseq on blood from nine primate species exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharides, we fit phylogenetic models and discovered hypermetric scaling in innate immune gene responses. We speculate that immune allometries may lead to asymmetrical expectations for virulence of zoonotic pathogens, such that diseases originating in smaller species may cause more severe immunopathology in larger species.' #InnateImmunity#Inflammation#Sepsis#Immunology#Preprint
Research examines the impact of the Western diet on various aspects of health, including metabolism, inflammation, gut microbiota, cardiovascular health, mental health, and cancer. It provides insights into the effects of this dietary pattern on individuals and healthcare systems.
A break in mitochondrial endosymbiosis as a basis for inflammatory diseases (Abstract) (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Mitochondria retain bacterial traits due to their endosymbiotic origin, but host cells do not recognize them as foreign because the organelles are sequestered. However, the regulated release of mitochondrial factors into the cytosol can trigger cell death, innate immunity and inflammation. This selective breakdown in the...
Breathing in wildfire smoke linked with neurological health consequences: study (www.ctvnews.ca)
As wildfires continue to rage throughout northern Canada, new research reveals neurological health consequences from breathing in excess wildfire smoke.
The curious ways your skin shapes your health (www.bbc.com)
Weathered or unhealthy skin is emerging as a major risk factor for almost every single age-related disease, from Parkinson's to type 2 diabetes.
Research reveals devastating impact of Western diet on human health (www.news-medical.net)
Research examines the impact of the Western diet on various aspects of health, including metabolism, inflammation, gut microbiota, cardiovascular health, mental health, and cancer. It provides insights into the effects of this dietary pattern on individuals and healthcare systems.