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Epoch Times
3 hours ago
- Health
- Epoch Times
COVID-19 Pandemic Accelerated Brain Aging Even in People Who Didn't Get Virus: Study
Brain aging appears to have accelerated by several months during the COVID-19 pandemic, even in people who did not get sick from the virus, according to a new study. The study, published in the journal Nature Communications on July 22, found that in 2021 and 2022, brain scans from a large UK database showed signs of aging, including brain shrinkage, even in individuals who were never infected.
Dubai Eye
9 hours ago
- Health
- Dubai Eye
Dubai scientists advance precision medicine with Arab pangenome study
In a groundbreaking development for healthcare and genetic research, scientists at Dubai's Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) have published the first-ever Arab Pangenome Reference—a major leap forward in precision medicine for the region. The research, featured in the prestigious journal Nature Communications, provides a vital foundation for personalised healthcare tailored to Arab populations. Using advanced DNA sequencing from 53 individuals of diverse Arab heritage living in the UAE, researchers identified over 110 million new DNA base pairs, nearly nine million small genetic differences, and more than 235,000 larger structural variations unique to Arabs—many of which had never been documented before. The study supports the UAE's National Genome Strategy, launched in 2023 to push the frontiers of personalised and preventive medicine. One notable finding was a duplicated gene called TAF11L5, found in Arab individuals but absent in global genetic databases. Scientists believe this could offer new insights into disease risk and treatment response. Researchers say the Arab Pangenome will help close long-standing gaps in global genomic data and enable the development of more accurate diagnostic tools and therapies for the region. The project also developed 'PanScan', a bioinformatics tool to support more complex analysis of human pangenomes. Although not the central focus of the study, PanScan enables researchers to detect gene duplications, novel DNA changes, and complex DNA structures. Now publicly available on GitHub, a common resource used by scientists worldwide, the tool was created to support the Arab Pangenome Reference and similar efforts globally. Scientists at the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, the learning and discovery arm of Dubai Health, have published the first Arab Pangenome Reference, marking a major milestone in both regional and global genomic research. The study, released in… — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 24, 2025
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Science
- Time of India
201 million years ago, abundant atmospheric gas triggered a mass extinction: Study says history may repeat itself
N ature has rewritten the rules of survival more than once throughout the history of existence, witnessing asteroid impacts, super volcanoes, and the causes of mass extinction. There are many reasons for the complete disappearance of species, and one of these silent killers is ocean acidification, which is due to the buildup of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere, which then dissolves into seawater and disrupts marine chemistry. While many people associate today's rising CO₂ levels and warming oceans with modern industrial activity, similar events have happened in Earth's distant past, even long before humans ever walked the planet. Scientists now believe that carbon-driven ocean acidification was a major factor in some of Earth's most significant mass extinction events, and surprisingly, the patterns from the past look similar to what we're experiencing today. A study that was published in Nature Communications sheds light on one such ancient crisis Acidification of the ocean can be harmful to the Earth's future Roughly 201 million years ago, at the boundary between the Triassic and Jurassic periods, Earth's oceans went through a major crisis. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Are Watching Tariffs - Few Are Watching What Nvidia Just Launched Seeking Alpha Read More Undo New research from the University of St Andrews and the University of Birmingham has confirmed that a sharp and prolonged drop in ocean pH, caused by a massive carbon dioxide surge, contributed directly to a global extinction event. What was the study all about? The study , led by scientists including Dr. James Rae and Dr. Sarah Greene, is the first to fully reconstruct ancient ocean pH levels using boron isotopes found in fossil oysters. These specimens were collected from Lavernock Point in Wales, which showed a significant drop in pH by at least 0.29 units, possibly more than 0.41. According to the researchers, this corresponds to a CO₂ level over 1300 parts per million (ppm). For comparison, current CO₂ levels are around 420 ppm. 'The geological record tells us that major CO₂ release transforms the face of our planet, acidifying the ocean, and causing mass extinction,' said Dr. Rae in the university press release. 'We have to act fast to avoid these outcomes in our future.' The carbon release, estimated at over 10,000 gigatons, was likely driven by volcanic activity as the supercontinent Pangaea began to break apart. The resulting acidification devastated coral reefs and shell-forming marine life, creating a 'reef gap' that lasted hundreds of thousands of years. Dr. Greene said, 'This warning from the past should give us fresh cause to step up efforts to reduce human greenhouse gas emissions.' Today's acidification is happening even faster, making this ancient event a chilling parallel and a reminder that Earth doesn't need an asteroid to spark a mass extinction. Sometimes, it can only be rising carbon levels due to pollution.
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Business Standard
9 hours ago
- Health
- Business Standard
Your brain might have aged faster during the pandemic, even without Covid-19
The Covid-19 pandemic may have accelerated the ageing of the human brain, even in people who were never infected, according to a new study. Mounting stress, prolonged isolation, and widespread disruption during the pandemic appear to have left lasting biological effects on brain structure. Researchers have now found measurable signs of this accelerated ageing across the general population, with older adults, men, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds being most affected. The study, led by researchers at the University of Nottingham and published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications, titled Accelerated brain ageing during the Covid-19 pandemic, analysed brain scans of 996 healthy adults sourced from UK Biobank, which holds the de-identified biological and health data of over half a million people. The scans taken before and after the pandemic showed that brains aged an average of 5.5 months faster during lockdown. The findings showed that while men aged about six months faster, women aged by around 4.5 months. Those from disadvantaged backgrounds experienced up to seven months of additional brain ageing. According to the researchers, this is the first major study to isolate pandemic stress from actual Covid infection and still find evidence of measurable brain ageing. How did researchers measure brain ageing? Using AI models trained on more than 15,000 brain scans, scientists calculated each participant's 'brain age gap'—the difference between how old their brain appeared versus their actual age. A larger gap indicated faster ageing. They compared people scanned twice before the pandemic with those scanned once before and once after. The latter group, who lived through lockdowns, social isolation, and economic stress, showed significantly faster brain ageing. Can stress actually age your brain? Emerging research suggests it can. Chronic stress, lack of social stimulation, disrupted routines, and reduced cognitive engagement can all affect brain regions responsible for memory and executive function. The researchers emphasised that brain health is shaped not only by disease but also by environmental factors and everyday experiences. Who was most affected by accelerated brain ageing? According to the study, the most affected groups were: Men (33 per cent more acceleration than women) Older adults Individuals from low-income or disadvantaged backgrounds The findings suggest that socioeconomic vulnerability, limited healthcare access, and lower social support systems heightened the impact of pandemic-related stress. How did Covid infection affect the brain differently? While brain ageing was seen across the general population, cognitive decline was reported only in those who had been infected with Covid-19. Infected individuals performed worse on mental flexibility and processing speed tests, especially the Trail Making Test (TMT), which is often used to assess early dementia symptoms. Thus, while pandemic stress altered brain structure, infection was linked to functional cognitive decline. Are these brain changes permanent? It is unclear. Since the study only measured two time points per person, researchers cannot yet confirm whether brain ageing will stabilise or reverse over time. However, they remain cautiously optimistic. 'Our study highlights the pandemic's significant impact on brain health, beyond direct infection effects, and underscores the need to address broader social and health inequalities,' the authors noted. How can you protect your brain now? Even if the pandemic aged your brain slightly, there are proven ways to support brain health: Maintain regular social connections Engage in physical activity Follow a brain-healthy diet Prioritise mental well-being and sleep Keep your mind active with learning and problem-solving While ageing is inevitable, experts say the rate of cognitive decline can still be influenced. According to experts, by avoiding certain everyday habits, like prolonged sitting, skipping meals, excessive screen time, chronic stress, and social isolation, we may be able to slow down cognitive ageing and protect our mental well-being.
Hi Dubai
13 hours ago
- Health
- Hi Dubai
Dubai Health Scientists Publish First Arab Pangenome Reference, Advancing Precision Medicine in the Region
Scientists at the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), the academic and research arm of Dubai Health, have published the first-ever Arab Pangenome Reference. The landmark study, featured in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications , sets a new benchmark for precision medicine and personalised healthcare in the region. The breakthrough aligns with the UAE's National Genome Strategy, a 10-year plan launched by the Emirates Genome Council in 2023 to enhance preventive and precision-based care using genomic science. The Arab Pangenome Reference is a foundational contribution to this vision. Built using high-quality DNA sequencing data from 53 individuals of diverse Arab descent residing in the UAE, the reference fills a critical gap in global genetic databases, which have long underrepresented Arab populations. The research uncovered over 110 million base pairs of novel DNA sequences and identified nearly 9 million small genetic variants, along with over 235,000 large structural differences unique to Arab genomes. These findings are significant not just for the region, but for the global scientific community, said Prof. Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority and co-author of the study. We are enabling more precise and equitable healthcare by building a genome reference that reflects our population. One of the study's key discoveries includes the identification of a duplicated gene, TAF11L5, which was found to be highly enriched in Arab individuals but absent in current global references. This gene may influence the activity of other genes, with potential implications for disease risk and treatment response. The research was conducted entirely in-house at MBRU's Center for Applied and Translational Genomics (CATG). This integration allowed us to control the full research pipeline—from sequencing to bioinformatics—ensuring top-tier quality, said Dr. Hanan Al Suwaidi, Acting Provost at MBRU and co-author of the study. As part of the initiative, the team also developed a new open-source bioinformatics tool called PanScan, which facilitates the detection of gene duplications and complex DNA structures. The tool is now publicly accessible on GitHub, enabling scientists worldwide to benefit from the work. Dr. Mohammed Uddin, Director of CATG and senior author of the study, noted: This pangenome reference is a major step in understanding Arab genetic diversity. It will be a critical asset for both research and clinical diagnostics. The study not only enhances the scientific understanding of Arab genomics but also reinforces Dubai Health's long-term commitment to world-class research and innovation in healthcare. MBRU's research strategy continues to contribute meaningful data to international scientific efforts, while ensuring local populations are represented in global health advancements. The full study can be accessed at Nature Communications. News Source: Dubai Media Office
