Tag Archives: research

Laughter: The Mysterious Stress Reliever?

Posted on February 1, 2021 by | 1 comment

Laughter. As human beings, it’s something that most of us are bound to experience. Whether it’s from browsing YouTube and finding a ridiculous dog fail compilation, or when your friend cracks out a joke that you just find funny for some apparent reason, the feeling of laughter is a common occurrence in our lives.

Check out the video below that not only showcases the diversity of laughter between all types of race and gender but also for a quick laugh!

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the mechanisms of Laughter is complex

Laughter is something that we take for granted. If we find something funny, then we’re going to laugh. However, scientists to this day are unable to home in on the exact science of the reasoning of laughter. In fact, the results from the many studies that do exist out there further confirm that laughter is much more complex than we think. As an example, one study conducted in PNAS suggests that we laugh differently depending on who it is directed to. Have you noticed that you laugh differently with your friends than with strangers? This is something that we have probably realized as well!

A photo of two people laughing, by Emanuele Spies from São Leopoldo, RS, Brasil, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

laughter can help relieve stress?

A recent study conducted by Dr. Zander-Schellenberg and others were able to attribute this strange phenomenon as a way to relieve stress. More specifically, an increased frequency of laughter was found to have a positive correlation with the ability to weaken the effects of stressful events, while also dampening certain symptoms that may arise from stress. However, it was found that the intensity of laughter did not have such a significant effect.

In order to see if the experiment applies to daily life experiences, data were collected from 41 psychology students, 33 of which were female, from the University of Basel in real-life settings for 14 consecutive days. Through the usage of a smartphone application, a sound queue that triggered randomly throughout the day would prompt participants to answer questions about both the frequency and intensity of laughter, as well as any details regarding their current levels of stress and stressful events.

By investigating the effects of laughter on stress outside the laboratory, the study was able to show greater validity towards real-life dynamics, however, Dr. Schellenberg and others suggest that future studies that replicate their findings are required in order to further test for robustness. As the sample consisted of predominantly female students, recreating the experiment with a sample that more closely represents the general population is something that could solidify their findings.

 

 

For more information about laughter, this video does a great job of not only going over the origins of laughter but also the significance of it:

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-Aaron Yoon

 

 

 

 

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How Safe is Your Data in a Quantum Computer Era?

Posted on January 25, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Quantum computers have recently gone from science fiction to science fact. The tech has the potential to advance countless fields with its unparalleled computing power, but it may also spell the end of internet security as we know it. You are likely wondering what the heck is a quantum computer? And what does it have to do with internet security? 

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Source: pxhere.com

Quantum Vs. Classical

In simple terms, classical computers use a system of 1’s and 0’s called bits in order to store information. Each bit can either be a 1 or a 0, and when you string lots of bits together, you can form complex information. Computing power is limited by how fast these bits can be read.

binary code, binary, binary system, byte, bits, administrator, virus, trojan, computer, digital, 1, software, code, developer, software development, program, hacker, blue, green, text, technology, line, pattern, font, mesh, energy, electric blue, net

Source: pxhere.com

Qubits are like bits, but instead of being limited as either a 1 or a 0, they can be both a 1, a 0, and anything in between all at the same time. While this concept may make your brain hurt, the important takeaway is that qubits allow quantum computers to skip step by step computing.

Let’s say you take a test. You answer the first question, then the second, and so on. This is how a normal computer works, but a quantum computer would be able to answer all the questions simultaneously. 

Understanding the basics, let’s figure out why internet security might be in the crosshairs of quantum computers.

Encryption for Everyone

You rely on encryption every day to keep your personal information safe online. While different encryption methods vary, the most common of these are public key encryptions. 

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Source: pixabay.com

If I told you to multiply 556 by 632, you could easily use a calculator to find 351,392. But if I gave you that number and asked you to find two specific factors, you could come up with a bunch of different answers. 

Public key encryption jumbles up information and hides it behind a really large number like a “door”. To unlock this door you need the right factors or the “key”. Use a large enough number, and even the most powerful conventional computers would need thousands of years to crack the code.

Quantum Codebreaking

Factoring these large numbers would be easy for a quantum computer, as it would be able to guess every answer at the same time. A recent study published by the International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications concluded that:

“The consequence of this technological advancement is the absolute collapse of the present public key algorithms that are considered secure…” (IJACSA)

Using qubits, computers could break a code that would take normal computers thousands of years to crack in mere hours. For a more complete understanding of how this could work check out this video:

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Thankfully quantum computers still have a ways to go before they pose a real threat to our online security. Researchers are also developing quantum proof encryption, but who knows if it will be able to protect us from the coming quantum era. 

– Declan O’Driscoll

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Use of Nanotechnology in Cancer Therapy

Posted on January 25, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Would you believe someone if they told you that there is a type cancer therapy that is more effective and has less negative effects than chemotherapy, yet is less commonly used?

Cancer is characterized by the rapid division of cells anywhere in the body.  Every day, your body produces many potentially cancerous cells that are later destroyed. Moreover, every year, over 10 million people are diagnosed with cancer. With such a large amount of diagnoses, cancer remains one of leading causes of human death as it is generally incurable due to the metastasis of cancer cells.

Microtubules in breast cancer cells leading to rapid cell division.

Credit: National cancer institute. Downloaded from: Unsplash.com

An article by Ranjita Misra and her research team  describes a new yet promising technique in cancer treatment and early detection known as nanotechnology cancer therapy.  Today, treating cancer through radiation and chemotherapy is the most popular option. Chemotherapy has numerous negative effects like drug resistance and an insufficient amount of drug reaching tumour sites. This can lead to insufferable side effects as both cancerous cells and healthy cells are destroyed. 

The use of nanotechnology in cancer therapy involves the production of small particles called nanoparticles that are effective in transporting anticancer drugs to target cells while minimizing damage to healthy cells. Nanoparticles target cancer cells through active targeting and passive targeting. Examples of nanoparticles approved by the FDA include nanoparticle-liposome and albumin nanoparticles. Liposomes in particular are vital in nanotechnology cancer therapy as drugs transported through nanoparticle-liposomes have shown to have significantly longer half lives, upwards of 55 hours. This is important as the drug is able to stay in the body for a longer time meaning less drug is needed, which reduces damage to healthy cells. Another reason liposomes are favourable is because of their composition. Their hydrophobic composition allows appreciable amounts of anticancer drug  to reach the tumour site as the body cannot destroy the drug . This is important in cancer therapy as damaging healthy cells due to excess drug is the main reason why chemotherapy has numerous side effects.  The mechanisms and benefits of nanotechnology cancer therapy talked about above are explained in more detail by Joy Wolfram (2018) in the video below.

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TEDtalk by Joy Wolfram in 2018 about nanotechnology in cancer therapy.

 

Liposomes and nanoparticles: nanosized vehicles for drug delivery in cancer - ScienceDirect

Liposome nanoparticle structure that is used for cancer therapy.

Credit: ScienceDirect. Downloaded from Unsplash.com

This breakthrough in cancer therapy shows that science is forever evolving and that in the future it is possible there will be a cure for cancer.  Although nanotechnology cancer therapy is a relatively new area of research it shows tremendous potential and over time it is expected that larger advancements in preventing and treating cancer will be seen. Lastly, it is believed by researchers that nanotechnology cancer therapy has the potential to be the main form of treating cancer in the future due to the fact that it has less side effects and is more effective than chemotherapy (Gharpure et al. 2015).

–Balkaran Dhaliwal

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Itching Towards a Solution to Eczema’s Problem

Posted on January 25, 2021 by | Leave a comment

For those who are living with atopic dermatitis, commonly known as eczema, it’s not always fun.

Imagine that one minute you’re going on about your day, then suddenly your skin flares into an itchy, dry and blistering rash. The skin irritation becomes agonizing as soon as you start to feel your skin throb and burn, almost as if a million fire ants endlessly crawl all over your skin.

According to the Canadian Dermatology Association, this is what 17 percent of Canadians deal with throughout their lives. 

Source: flickr.com

Recent Research

A recent study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology examined the relationship between an enzyme known as Granzyme B and the symptoms associated with eczema. According to Dr. David Granville, UBC’s Faculty of Medicine professor and researcher, increased Granzyme B secretion causes the enzymes to “eat away” cell-adhesion proteins that function in holding skin cells together. As a result, the skin barrier is weakened which increases skin sensitivity, thereby introducing symptoms like skin inflammation, dryness and itchiness. 

So what would happen if these enzyme levels were decreased?

Granville and his team discovered that by lowering Granzyme B secretion levels with inhibitors, skin cell layers were more likely to remain intact as fewer cell-adhesion proteins were eaten by these enzymes. Symptoms such as inflammation and lesion growth were shown to be greatly reduced compared to such increasing symptoms associated with high Granzyme B secretion levels. As these observed symptoms contribute to dryness and itchiness, these findings ultimately introduces a newer approach towards treating eczema.

A Step Closer to Newer Treatments

How can these findings be implemented into future treatments for individuals who have eczema?

Former UBC postdoctoral fellow and lead author of the study Dr. Chris Turner, suggests that with further research and clinical trials, these findings can potentially introduce topical creams or lotions that can inhibit Granzyme B levels in the future, ultimately reducing symptoms of itchiness and inflammation on affected skin. This potentially brings in treatments that avoid damaging the skin.

“Corticosteroid creams are a common treatment for individuals with AD who experience more severe itching and rashes. However, these can thin the skin when used over a prolonged period of time, which can make skin more prone to damage and infection.” (VCH Research Institute)

Source: med.ubc.ca

As further research opens up more information about eczema and the enzyme that aggravates its symptoms, hopefully it’ll help researchers get closer towards developing potential treatments. Perhaps one day a Granzyme B-inhibiting cream will become available in the market.

After all, no one likes to have itchy, dry skin.

– Tina Huynh

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From Recreational to Pharmaceutical – Promising Party Drugs in Research

Posted on January 24, 2021 by | 1 comment

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3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, more commonly known as MDMA, ecstasy, E, M, or Molly, is an infamous psychoactive drug often associated with nightclub and rave scenes. Hours of partying are fueled by intense feelings of pleasure, emotional warmth, and an abundance of energy owed to this little pill with so many names. The negative stigma attached to recreational drug use has given MDMA a bad rep, but a team of researchers in California are repurposing this synthetic drug to treat anxiety in people suffering from life-threatening illnesses (LTI).

In one of the first clinical trials of its kind, Dr. Philip Wolfson and his team explored how using MDMA during psychotherapy sessions impacted anxiety levels. The team found that the study participants who took MDMA had improved mindfulness and a more positive outlook towards their traumatic experiences. Depression, sleep quality, and anxiety levels also improved, but these improvements couldn’t conclusively be attributed to the MDMA. The findings of this small pilot study suggest MDMA could still have potential to reduce anxiety associated with LTI and may also have positive long-term effects.

MDMA is only one of many drugs currently being researched for therapeutic applications. LSD, famously tested for mind control by the CIA in the 1950’s and 60’s as a part of the MK-ULTRA Program, shows potential for treating alcoholism and could also treat PTSD. Another psychedelic drug called psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, is being investigated to treat a myriad of mental health disorders: from depression, to anxiety, to OCD, to certain substance use disorders. A horse tranquillizer called ketamine, which doubles as a club drug, is being researched to treat depression and (so far) shows potential.

Although current studies show promising results, could the stigma surrounding hard drugs like MDMA and ketamine deter patients from taking them once/if they become approved for clinical use? Or would the existing stigma dwindle once they get a doctor’s stamp of approval? Or maybe it’s simply why the drugs are used that give recreational use a bad name. Whatever your beliefs and convictions, scientifically, hard drugs may have a place in medicine in the (potentially near) future.

Source: GoodRx.com

By Maya Bird

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