Blue Eye Treatment Controversy

In class, we discussed the ethical issues of plastic surgery and social stigmas attached with them. There is a new, patented laser procedure which clears away the dense layer of brown pigments in the Iris, revealing the blue layer underneath. This procedure may have health risks, and risk of blindness, as it is yet to be fully researched, tested, and documented. Is it ethical to allow patients to change their eye color, at significant risk to themselves, for vanity's sake? One critic claims "This is great news! If you're shallow and narcissistic enough to worry about such things". If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, why should such a procedure exist? This is related to several subjects we discussed in class, such as the biology of the eye, as well as the ethics of changing your appearance for vanity.

New research may provide an explanation for infertility

Thanks to husband and wife team of Yuriy Kirichok and Polina Lishko, we now are closer to understanding the inner workings of sperm cells, and the final stages of fertilization. The pair have managed to observe and record electrical impulses in the sperm cell, caused by an influx of calcium into the cell body. These are caused because progesterone comes into contact with a substance in the sperm cell's membrane called CatSper, triggering an electrical impulse to go down the tail and "wiggle" propelling the cell forward. Kirichok and Lishko observed healthy cells using this surge of electrical current, and infertile sperm cells without the CatSper substance. The CatSper substance is triggered in the final stage of fertilization, after the sperm pushes through the outer membrane of the egg cell. This causes a final hyperactivation of the tail, propelling the sperm into the inside of the egg. A possible use for these findings might be in the form of a birth control drug for humans, by preventing the CatSper substance from becoming activated. We discussed the stages of fertilization in class, as well as hormones such as progesterone.

DNA Sequencing at Home

Thanks to important innovations on the part of scientists and inventors Josh Perfetto and Tito Jankowski, DNA sequencing is now closer to being accessible at home. Thanks to a new machine called "OpenPCR", users at home can purchase a PCR machine for only $599, with a cheaper model available for just $149. Polymerase Chain Reaction is the "key step" in any kind of genomics, and the reason we are able to use such little genetic information to perform genetic tests. This machine is able to replicate the strand of DNA over and over again, multiplying it in length. This is relevant to the course because we discussed PCR briefly, as well as DNA sequencing.

The cause of Arrhythmia may be a genetic mutation

Arrhythmia is a potentially life-threatening issue, causing the heartbeat to go too fast, too slow or to beat irregularly. A new study shows that the cause of arrhythmia may be the mutation of a critical human development gene, Tbx3. This discovery could help researchers find treatments or cures for this serious condition. 

Alzheimers foods

Scientists have found that certain foods can decrease brain shrinkage, which is associated with Alzheimer’s disease in humans. Also, some foods have been found to increase brain shrinkage in studies. To find out which foods check out the full article on Science Daily: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111229092036.htm

Children classify objects differently than Adults

A new study shows that children learning a language do not use words to classify items in the same way that adults do, but that instead, classification of items is a learned behavior which takes time. In this study, adults and children identified objects using very different signifiers, showing that classification is a learned behavior. 

Ovarian Cancer treatment shows promise

A new treatment for ovarian cancer have help to reduce the risk of disease progression over time. The treatment is already being used to treat several other cancer types and scientists are testing it on early diagnosed cancer patients currently. The effect in late-stage ovarian cancer has also shown promise. To find out more, check out the link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111229091841.htm

Low Iron Levels in Blood Raises Blood Clot Risk

People with low levels of iron in the blood have a higher risk of dangerous blood clots. Low iron levels are strongly associated with higher levels of factor VIII, a blood protein which promotes normal clotting. High levels of factor VIII in the blood are a strong risk factor for blood clots. Iron may regulate factor VIII and insufficient levels of iron could let factor VIII exceed the necessary and healthy levels.

Blood Test Predicts Antidepressant Effects For Depressed

"This would be the first time we would have a predictor for how well a patient would respond to an antidepressant," said Angelos Halaris, MD, PhD, first author of the study. Halaris presented results during the 2011 annual meeting of the Society of Biological Psychiatry and the 4th Annual Illinois Brain, Behavior and Immunity Meeting.If the finding is confirmed by further studies, it could lead to a blood test that would help physicians tailor treatment. If, for example, a patient had low levels of VEGF, the physician might skip SSRIs and try alternative classes of antidepressants, such as bupropion, or alternative therapies, such as psychotherapy or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMG). These treatments are all available at Loyola University Medical Center.

Thinner brains may be more susceptible to Alzheimer's disease

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, and as far as treatment goes, the best doctors can do (for now) is try to slow its progression. Identifying people in the earliest stages of the disease – even before any symptoms appear – would thus be very useful.

Stem cells could help to decrease obesity, assist in reversing other brain injuries

Researchers in Boston have found that by transplanting embryonic stem cells into a the hypothalamus of mice, obesity can be significantly decreased in animals who are unable to respond to leptin. According to the studay, leptin is a hormone found in animals which regulates metabolism and controls body weight in the hypothalamus. Through the experiments, embryonic cells have been shown to be able to repair areas of the brain on a cellular-level of the hypothalamus, which could be beneficial for other conditions outside of obesity, including spinal injuries, Parkinson’s and Huningon’s disease and more. 

-Janice Bitters

Midlife Blood Pressure Predicts Future Heart Risk

Starting with a first-time reading at an average age of 41, the researchers tracked blood pressure changes until age 55 and then continued to follow the study participants until the occurrence of a heart attack, stroke, or other medically similar event, or until death or age 95.

Stem cell cure claims dubious

“Higher level of evidence is required before the stem cell therapies are put to clinical use,” Harvindersingh Chhabra at Delhi's Indian Spinal Injuries Centre said at an ICMR-department of biotechnology public consultation on stem cell.