The vegetables that could change the way we brush our teeth
The compound, 3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM), was found to eliminate over 90 per cent of the biofilm responsible for plaque and cavities.
DIM specifically targets the bacterium S. mutans, a key contributor to tooth decay, by inhibiting its biofilm formation by 92 per cent and reducing the glue that helps it stick to surfaces.
The study noted that DIM, which is also naturally formed when digesting vegetables like broccoli, cabbage and kale, has low toxicity and known anti-cancer properties.
Researchers suggest that DIM could be incorporated into toothpastes and mouthwashes to greatly improve dental hygiene and potentially reduce dental caries.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
18 minutes ago
- The Independent
Groundbreaking new cancer detection technique replaces radioactive tracers with diamond sensor
Scientists have developed a diamond -based sensor that could make it easier for doctors to detect the spread of cancer. Researchers at the University of Warwick have created a handheld device that is designed to trace tiny magnetic particles injected into the body. The scientists said this offers a non-toxic alternative to radioactive tracers and dyes currently used in hospitals. Metastasis, when cancer cells spread from the original tumour to other parts of the body, is one of the most serious challenges in cancer treatment. Doctors often rely on tests to see whether the cancer has reached the lymph nodes – the areas of tissue that filter fluid in your body for harmful substances – which can guide decisions about surgery and further care. The findings, published in Physical Review Applied, describe how diamonds can be used to build a highly sensitive sensor capable of identifying the magnetic tracer fluid injected into a tumour. This fluid, made up of iron oxide nanoparticles, travels through the body alongside cancer cells, revealing whether they have reached the lymph nodes, the researchers said. Lead author Alex Newman, a PhD student in Warwick University's physics department, said the new tool could improve the way doctors find cancer in keyhole and endoscopic surgery. 'There is a real demand for versatile non-toxic means of finding cancer,' he said. 'For this new diamond-based sensor, we managed to get the size of the sensor head down to just 10 millimetres, which means it is the first diamond sensor to be able to detect magnetic tracer fluid while being small enough for endoscopic use and keyhole surgery.' Mr Newman added that the device was extremely sensitive, capable of detecting just one hundredth of the typical dose of magnetic tracer fluid. The design uses a diamond measuring only half a cubic millimetre alongside a small permanent magnet, the scientists said They added that this compact structure means there is no need for bulky electronics, allowing the sensor to be used by hand in operating rooms. Professor Gavin Morley, who leads the research group, said the breakthrough was possible thanks to nitrogen vacancy centres inside the diamond. 'These allow the diamond to detect very small changes in the magnetic field and give the diamonds a lovely pink colour,' he said. He added that the technology could also have uses beyond medicine, including in spacecraft and fusion power. Current techniques for tracing cancer cells rely on radioactive tracers, which not all hospitals can access, or blue dyes, which trigger allergic reactions in some patients, the researchers said. Clinicians involved in this new project believe the new diamond sensor could help avoid these complications. Stuart Robertson, a consultant breast cancer surgeon at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, said he was already using magnetic localisation in his work. He added that it offers more advantages over traditional techniques. Researchers say the device could eventually be applied to various cancers, including lung, liver, colorectal and oesophageal tumours.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Dengue fever could head for Britain thanks to climate change
Experts from the University of Montpellier say that climate change could create the perfect conditions for the Asian tiger mosquito – the insect that transmits the virus – in Western Europe. Their models suggest that rising temperatures could spark outbreaks in cities including London, Vienna, Strasburg, and Frankfurt. Worryingly, this could happen within a matter of years, according to the team. The virus is transmitted by the Asian tiger mosquito, which lays its eggs in water where, with sufficient temperature, larvae develop and give rise to flying bloodsucking adults. While this species is usually found in the tropics and sub–tropics, it is slowly but surely making its way across Europe. The Asian tiger mosquito was first reported in Albania in 1979, and has since spread through Southwest Europe. Now, using modeling and observations of recent spread, the researchers have revealed where it could spread to next. According to their analysis, under the right climate change conditions, major cities like London, Vienna, Strasburg, and Frankfurt will soon be 'well suited' to the Asian tiger mosquito. Although the species is not in these cities yet, its rate or northward spread in France has been accelerating from about 6km (3.7 miles) per year in 2006 to 20km (12.4 miles) per year in 2024. This suggests that the mosquito could thrive in northern France by 2035 – and could reach London shortly after.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Why you're struggling to stay awake during the day - and how to feel more alert
For millions of people, fighting to stay awake at their desk, on the commute home, or even mid-conversation is a daily struggle. Now, scientists believe the reason why some people are far more prone to overwhelming drowsiness may be due to their diet and hormones. Researchers have identified seven metabolites, which are naturally occurring chemicals in the blood, that appear to influence a person's risk of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS). EDS, also known as hypersomnia, affects around one in four Britons, and is linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes. A new study, emerging from Mass General Brigham and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in the US, suggested that diet and hormones may affect hypersomnia. The findings, published in Lancet eBioMedicine, used blood samples from more than 6,000 people who took part in a long-term health study, alongside questionnaires assessing how often participants fell asleep during the day. Seven metabolites were associated with EDS, with three additional metabolites found to vary by sex, the study found. These include tyramine, which is present in fermented and overripe foods. This was linked to increased drowsiness, particularly in men. Foods high in tyramine: Aged cheeses Cured and smoked meats Fermented foods Overripe fruits Pickled foods Red wine The researchers also found that sex steroid metabolites, such as progesterone, were associated with sleep-related processes, including melatonin production. On the other hand, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, commonly found in Mediterranean-style diets, were linked to a lower risk of excessive sleepiness, according to the research. Foods high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids: Fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and tuna Shellfish Walnuts Flaxseeds Eggs Poultry Whole-grain breads and cereals Dr Tariq Faquih, the study's lead author, said: 'Our study suggests diet and genetics may play an important role in EDS. As we learn what's happening biologically, we are beginning to understand how and why EDS occurs, the early signs that someone might have it, and what we can do to help patients.' The researchers said the results point to potential treatment targets for EDS, suggesting dietary changes and new medications may be possible. According to the NHS, hypersomnia is different from simply feeling tired. People with the condition may regularly nap during the day, fall asleep without warning, or still sleep for long hours at night. It can sometimes be linked to conditions such as narcolepsy, sleep apnoea, restless legs syndrome, depression, or chronic fatigue syndrome. The NHS advises improving sleep habits by going to bed at the same time each night, cutting back on alcohol and caffeine, creating a peaceful sleep environment and avoiding late-night working.
