S&S: Health & Disease
- Living too longThe current focus of medical research on increasing the quantity, rather than the quality, of life is damaging our health and harming the economy
The current focus of medical research on increasing the quantity, rather than the quality, of life is damaging our health and harming the economy
- Guy C Brown (gcb3{at}cam.ac.uk) 1
Longer lifespans, often ending with multiple diseases, threaten the viability of social and health systems. Rather than prolonging life further, research and funding should focus on increasing the quality of life in old age.
- © 2014 The Author
- Lifestyle in the spermThere is growing evidence that epigenetic marks can be inherited. But what is the nature of the information they store and over how many generations do they prevail?
There is growing evidence that epigenetic marks can be inherited. But what is the nature of the information they store and over how many generations do they prevail?
- Katrin Weigmann, Freelance Journalist (mail{at}k-weigmann.de) 1
Observations of epigenetic inheritance challenge classical genetics and imply that Lamarck might have been right—sort of. The jury is still out, as the mechanisms and scope of epigenetic inheritance are not yet fully understood.
- © 2014 The Author
- Reawakening anaesthesia researchAnaesthesia—one of the greatest achievements of medicine—remains unexplained, but a slew of new studies may help to solve the mystery
Anaesthesia—one of the greatest achievements of medicine—remains unexplained, but a slew of new studies may help to solve the mystery
- Andrea Rinaldi, Freelance science writer (rinaldi.ac{at}gmail.com) 1
An explosion of studies on the molecular mechanism of anaesthetics and their effect on neural circuits is bringing us closer to solving the long‐standing scientific puzzle of how anaesthesia actually works.
- © 2014 The Author
- The genetics of human migrationsOur ancestors migration out of Africa has left traces in our genomes that explain how they adapted to new environments
Our ancestors migration out of Africa has left traces in our genomes that explain how they adapted to new environments
- Philip Hunter (ph{at}philiphunter.com) 1
Genomics is unraveling the migratory history of modern humans. Knowledge about how they adapted to new environments and pathogens has implications for human health today and may also help to counter the toxic notion of “races”.
- © 2014 The Author
- The Babylonian benefitNeurological research shows that being bilingual enhances mental performance and may protect from Alzheimer's disease
Neurological research shows that being bilingual enhances mental performance and may protect from Alzheimer's disease
- Katrin Weigmann, Freelance Journalist (mail{at}k-weigmann.de) 1
Speaking two languages has a positive effect on cognition and might even delay the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers are just beginning to unravel the neurological underpinnings of this bilingual advantage.
- © 2014 The Author
- Pulling teeth from historyDNA from ancient teeth can help to yield information about our ancestors' health, diet and diseases
DNA from ancient teeth can help to yield information about our ancestors' health, diet and diseases
- Philip Hunter (ph{at}philiphunter.com) 1
Teeth have proven to be an excellence source of ancient DNA. New analytical tools are helping to exploit this treasure trove to address questions about the link between diet and health, and the impact of historical epidemics with clear relevance for human health today.
- © 2014 The Author
- Printing organs cell‐by‐cell3‐D printing is growing in popularity, but how should we regulate the application of this new technology to health care?
3‐D printing is growing in popularity, but how should we regulate the application of this new technology to health care?
- Howard Wolinsky (howard.wolinsky{at}gmail.com) 1
3‐D bioprinting of tissues and organs is becoming more feasible, but its widespread use raises legal and ethical challenges for which the regulators seem currently unprepared.
- © 2014 The Author
- Are effector memory T cells the key to an effective HIV/AIDS vaccine?
- Louis J Picker (pickerl{at}ohsu.edu) 1
Tried and true vaccine approaches to HIV have failed. Could Cytomegalovirus and its “goldilocks” level of viral persistence maintain robust, “effector memory” T‐cell responses and finally produce an effective, early‐intervention vaccine against HIV?
- © 2014 The Author
- Why exercise is good for your brainA closer look at the underlying mechanisms suggests that some sports, especially combined with mental activity, may be more effective than others
A closer look at the underlying mechanisms suggests that some sports, especially combined with mental activity, may be more effective than others
- Katrin Weigmann (mail{at}k-weigmann.de) 1
Exercising keeps you mentally fit and is a useful preventive measure against dementia and Alzheimer disease. But to effectively exercise against cognitive decline, more detailed instructions are needed. Is lifting weights in a fitness studio as good as jogging in the woods?
- © 2014 The Author
- A chasm of misunderstandingThe widening gap between public perception and scientific consensus
The widening gap between public perception and scientific consensus
- Philip Hunter1
The gulf between public perception and scientific consensus seems to be widening, with significant consequences for policy, funding and research. The science of climate change has featured prominently in this context, but profound gaps are also evident in other areas of the life sciences.
- © 2014 The Author
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