Category Archives: Science Communication

Laugh Your Way to Death…

You must have heard the saying that “laughter is the best medicine,” but did you know that in rare cases, it may cause your death? Prolonged and intense laughter has been documented by researchers from University of Birmingham and Oxford to cause various medical conditions and, in some instances, death. 

Throughout history, since ancient Greece, people have died because of intense and prolonged laughter. While today some scientists claim that the cause of death was inaccurately reported due to the limited medical knowledge.  Laughter cannot directly cause someone’s death except suffocation triggered by laughing while eating.

Laughter is often recommended for promoting overall well-being and reducing stress. However, a recent study by researchers from the University of Birmingham and Oxford highlights the potential adverse effects of excessive laughter, particularly in individuals with pre-existing medical conditions.

Light laughter has been shown to benefit the cardiovascular system. However, excessive laughter can raise blood pressure and put strain on the heart. This can be particularly dangerous for those with heart problems such as coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure (CHF) -occurs when the heart muscle doesn’t pump blood as well as it should-. Simply put, a diseased heart may not be able to tolerate the increased heart rate and pressure caused by intense laughter.

Picture 3: Heart

In addition, excessive laughter can put pressure on the chest muscles. Therefore, it can be dangerous for those with respiratory complications such as collapsed lungs-the overlap of lung tissues-. Laughing too hard for extended periods of time can also lead to hyperventilation, causing shortness of breath and, in rare cases, temporary loss of consciousness.

Experts think that having a pre-existing illness was likely a significant contributor to death caused by laughing. Additionally, while it is not lethal, laughing excessively for an extended period can lead to difficulty breathing or even death.

Keep in mind that continuous loud laughter can be dangerous, but that doesn’t mean you should stop laughing altogether. A good hearty laughs every day is indeed the elixir of life, but make sure the laugh-out-loud moments don’t take your breath away. 🙂

 

The Gore-Tex enigma

Gore-Tex is a highly versatile material that has garnered a lot of publicity in recent years.

Gore-Tex Logo. Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:GoreTex&action=edit&redlink=1

First invented in 1968 by Wilbert and Robert Gore, it is made of polytetrafluoroethylene, more commonly known as Teflon. Not the hard stuff though. It’s basically Teflon that has been stretched… a lot.

It is a magical material in many respects. Water simply glides off it, leaving it bone dry. Being also very breathable and light, it is no surprise that it is the ideal material for water resistant clothing. 

With the likes of Adidas and Nike incorporating it into their outdoor wear products, its widespread use and popularity has called into question the manufacturing process and its environmental impacts.

Teflon is a very durable material that does not degrade and lasts for a long, long time. This is a good thing right? Well, yes… But what happens when that fifteen year old jacket you own is discarded or lost, and finds itself buried in the dirt outside an abandoned parking lot? 

It persists. And doesn’t degrade. For centuries. 

 

PFC’s or perfluorinated compounds are those that contain only carbon and fluorine atoms. Teflon is derived primarily from such compounds.

Chemical structure of Teflon: repeating units of carbon and fluorine atoms. Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Alhadis

The problem with PFC’s is that they tend to accumulate within our bodies and the environment. They are difficult to break down as they are quite unreactive.

A class action lawsuit at a DuPont Teflon plant found a very strong association between working with PFC’s and two types of cancer. Since then, numerous other studies have found a strong correlation between exposure to certain PFC’s and negative health outcomes.

To be clear, it isn’t the wearing of Gore-Tex products that is concerning. Also, not all PFC’s are harmful. However, the manufacturing process dispels many harmful PFC’s into the environment. 

Gore-Tex jackets are also near impossible to recycle. They are made in complex ways, and the design process involves multiple layers, glues, and components. 

Gore-Tex must not be completely written off though. Gore and company have assured investors and the public that they are phasing out the use of many harmful PFC’s in their manufacturing process. However, the effects of this are yet to be seen. 

There are also other, more intriguing applications of this remarkable material.

What is not talked about nearly enough is the role of Gore-Tex in medicine. It has shown to be ideal for usage within our bodies.

Being both porous and unreactive, it enables the body’s cells and tissues to grow through it without any side effects. This makes it a viable material to be used in sutures, grafts and other applications. 

Like most technologies, Gore-Tex is exceedingly complicated in many ways. Its strengths in one regard, prove to be its downfall in another. It seems the jury is still out on this one

– Salik Rushdy

Non-Hormonal Birth Control for Males May be Within Reach

There are currently no non-hormonal birth control pills on the market for females or males, despite these pills likely having fewer harmful side effects than the hormonal birth control methods available for females.

And since males continuously generate sperm while females are born with all potentially fertile eggs, it is easier for scientists to find approaches that reversibly stops sperm production in males rather than risk “spoiling” the non-renewable pool of eggs in females.

Picture depicting the meeting of sperm and egg, which leads to fertilization and pregnancy. Image Credit: deccanchronicle.com

Recently, scientists at the University of Minnesota have found two promising compounds that may become the first non-hormonal contraceptive drugs for males. Testing on mice found that these compounds are effective at reducing sperm count and present no side effects.

The first of these potential drugs is a chemical named YCT529, reported by Dr. Gunda Georg’s group in spring 2022. This molecule was designed to inhibit the function of the protein retinoic acid receptor alpha (RAR-α). Georg’s scientists found that a lack of RAR-α protein in male mice leads to sterilization, but no additional side effects. When YCT529 was orally administered to the mice for 4 weeks, their sperm count was drastically reduced, and the drug was 99% effective in pregnancy prevention.

Line structure of non-hormonal male contraceptive YCT529

Chemical structure of non-hormonal male contraceptive YCT529. Image Credit: Md Abdullah Al Noman

The second drug was reported by the same group of scientists in early 2023 and is named EF-4-177. The target of this molecule is an enzyme named cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) which is involved in sperm cell production. The scientists reported an over 45% decrease in sperm count of the mice after 28 days of treatment with EF-4-177.

Currently, a startup named YourChoice Therapeutics based in Berkeley, California is working to market YCT529 to humans soon. According to their website, the company has done testing on dogs and primates with positive results. Their graphics show that after two weeks of treatment with YCT529, sperm levels in dogs drop to zero and primates do not produce enough sperm to be fertile.

If a side effect-free non-hormonal birth control pill for males is introduced to the public, it would expand contraceptive options for those with testicles beyond condoms and vasectomy. As well, it would make it easier for the responsibility of pregnancy prevention to be shared between partners in a relationship.

Hopefully, more research to come will soon make non-hormonal birth control pills for males a reality.

~ Ying Cai

Nanodiamonds: A Breakthrough in Medicine and Cosmetics

Consider a diamond so small that it is measured in nanometers, but so powerful that it has the potential to change the way scientists approach cancer treatment and skincare.

Meet nanodiamonds, the tiny stones that are making waves in the fields of medicine and cosmetics worldwide. 

Illustration of nanodiamonds source

Basic structure of nanodiamonds with surface functional groups source

 

 

 

 

 

Nanodiamonds are overturning traditional cancer treatment methods.

Chemotherapy treatments, while effective, can have serious side effects. According to scientists, nanodiamonds provide new hope because they can selectively induce apoptosis, or cell death, in target cancer cells while causing no harm to healthy cells.

This makes them a game changer in the fight against cancer.

But that isn’t all.

Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between the activity of oxygen-containing free radicals and antioxidants in the cells and tissues of your body, leading to increased oxidation reactions. If there are more free radicals than antioxidants, the former can cause damage to fatty tissue, DNA, and proteins due to the lack of sufficient neutralizing agents.

Because of their ability to reduce this phenomenon, nanodiamonds can efficiently treat cardiovascular disease and inflammation. This makes them a potential force in the development of new therapies for chronic diseases.

Teradia TD Repair Serum Emulsion (serum composed of nanodiamonds) source

 

Nanodiamonds are used in a variety of cosmetic products, ranging from skincare creams to hair products and makeup.

They can improve skin texture and appearance, as well as reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and increase skin hydration and elasticity.

This makes them an essential component of any anti-aging skincare routine.

 

For those who suffer from acne, nanodiamonds have antimicrobial properties that make them a popular ingredient in acne-fighting skincare products. They can effectively kill the bacteria that cause acne, reducing inflammation and aiding in skin clearing.

 

Nanodiamonds are small, but they pack a powerful punch. While more research is needed to fully understand the therapeutic and cosmetic benefits of these tiny diamonds, it is clear that they have the potential to change medicine and beauty forever.

Prepare to shine with nanodiamonds!

~ Vivian Hou

Will mRNA-Based Therapeutics be the Future of Medicine?

Current mRNA researchers have their sights set on treating cancer, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, HIV, and many other diseases. Will mRNA therapeutics amount to more than their viral protection against Covid-19?

Messenger RNA or mRNA strand 3D rendering illustration with copy space. Genetics, science, medical research, genome replication concepts.

Digital representation of mRNA structure. Source

The covid-19 pandemic led to the first mass production of mRNA vaccines. Under the urgency of the global pandemic scientists worked collaboratively and tirelessly to quickly produce this vaccine.

The global success of the vaccine has brought great attention to developing mRNA therapeutics. These therapeutics are being studied to treat cancer, sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, heart failure, and even food allergies.

So, when will this all be available?

Unfortunately, there are still some kinks to work out.

Currently small molecules make up 90% of pharmaceutical drugs. These organic compounds have dominated the medical world as they can enter cells and, in many variations, act precisely on cellular targets responsible for disease.

People with cystic fibrosis (CF) currently rely on small molecule drugs. The drug Trikafta was approved for use by health Canada in 2022 and has significantly improved lives of CF patients who

CF is caused by the loss of function in the CFTR protein. Trikafta works to help return the CFTR to normal function.

mRNA therapy for CF would work differently. mRNA could give the patient the genetic information to produce the fully functional protein in their cells.

Chemical laboratory research. Vaccine discovery concept. Scientists with flasks, microscope and computer working on antiviral treatment development. Vector illustration in flat cartoon style

Scientists! source

Despite carrying DNA which codes for the dysfunctional CFTR protein a cell could produce the functional protein and reverse the disease.

As great as that sounds, it will be sometime for mRNA therapeutics to overtake the use of organic drugs for cystic fibrosis. As of now most clinical trials are still struggling to see mRNA meet full potential.

For now, small molecule drugs hold their place as the number one drug type.

Researchers are working tirelessly to prove promise of revolutionary therapeutics for the significant human diseases is not just a pipe dream.

It is safe to say these new therapeutics mRNA are worth keeping an eye on.

Enzymes – A Solution in the War Against Plastics

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, today, “about 400 million tonnes of plastic waste” is produced every year. The amount of plastic waste generated has risen significantly in a single decade compared to the last 40 years.

One of the biggest problem with plastic waste is that plastics can not breakdown in a short period of time. It can take up to 500 – 800 years for a piece of plastic to be broken down by UV radiation – light from the sun.

Plastic waste along the shoreline.

Plastic waste along the shoreline. Source

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have invented a new way to decompose polyester based plastics much quicker. Simply with heat, water, and nano-dispersed enzymes.

Dr. Ting Xu, a UC, Berkeley professor and her research group developed an enzyme that is able to eat away at the polymers in plastics. These nanoscale polymer-eating enzymes are embedded into plastics as they are being made. To prevent the enzymes from activating when not required, a random heteropolymer (RHP) coating is applied to hold the enzymes without restricting the flexibility of tensicity of the plastics.

Plastic cups made from biodegradable plastics. Source

The enzymes were wrapped around plastic resin beads. These beads were then melted and molded into usable consumer plastics. Xu likened this process to organic composting. By adding water and heat, the enzymes, the RHP polymer coating is removed and starts eating away the polymers into smaller subunits.

The research conducted by Xu and her group found that the enzymes took about a week to degrade most of the plastics. Polylactic acid (PLA)  and polycaprolactone (PCL) based plastics embedded with nanoscale polymer eating enzymes are able to break down the polymer chains into small molecules, such as lactic acid.

It is clear that there is still more research needed in this field. Currently, Xu is developing other modified RHP-wrapped enzymes that can stop the degradation process at specific points in it’s degradation so that the polymers can be recycled into new plastics.

Moving forward, Xu has high hopes for the polymer eating enzymes to change the way we look at recycling and that it will start a conversation about the way humans interact with the Earth.

According to Xu, “[humans] are taking things from the earth at a faster rate than we can return them. Don’t go back to Earth to mine for these materials but mine whatever you have, and then convert it to something else.”

~ Raymond Tang