Latest news with #research team
Forbes
11 hours ago
- Health
- Forbes
Just Seeing A (Fake) Sick Person Can Activate Your Immune System
We have all experienced the phenomena of seeing a disturbing or disgusting image that makes us feel physically ill. When the human brain processes certain types of visual images, it can send neural signals to our bodies that result in us feeling nauseated, light-headed, or shaky. Scientists have now learned that certain types of visual imagery can also turn on our immune systems, even without being physically exposed to an infectious agent. A team of scientists based in Switzerland performed an experiment with 248 healthy adults, in which the subjects were exposed to avatar images of people walking towards them. Some looked healthy with neutral facial expressions, others looked healthy but with fearful expressions, and some looked like they had a contagious illness (indicated by coughing and skin rashes). The subjects wore gaming headsets that created an immersive 3-D virtual reality environment, in which the simulated avatars walked towards them. When the subjects were approached by avatars who looked sick and appeared ready to invade their personal space, the researcher found that subjects activated their innate lymphoid cells, which is part of the 'first responder' arm of the immune system. This was measured by blood sampling of the subjects. In contrast, this cellular response did not occur when the subjects were approached by fearful-looking but non-infected avatars, or by avatars with neutral expressions. In other words, although the test subjects were not exposed to any actual infectious agents, the possibility of a simulated contact with an infected person was enough to trigger a real-world immune response. The fact that this response was elicted only by the 'infected' avatars but not the 'fearful' avatars, suggests that this is a specific response to potential infection, as opposed to a generalized response to a generic threat. The researchers also showed that innate lymphoid cell response caused by simulated exposure to the infected avatars was the same as the response to real-world exposure to flu vaccine (which works by triggering an immune response). The researchers also used functional MRI (fMRI) analysis of brain activation during the simulated exposures, to determine how the brain processed this simulated threat. They found that the simulated exposure increased blood flow in specific portions of the brain known as the 'salience network' which is 'an ensemble of interconnected brain regions whose major role is detecting and filtering salient stimuli, including threats.' The exact mechanism by which the brain then activated the immune system is not fully understood, but likely related to stimulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal cortex (HPA) axis. From an evolutionary perspective, these results make sense. Being able to anticipate an imminent threat of infection (and act accordingly) would be a pro-survival trait. And if avoidance of an imminent infection isn't always possible, being able to proactively stimulate the immune system before actual contact with a pathogen could offer a survival advantage vs. activating the immune system only after physical contact. The authors also noted that this is an example of the 'smoke detector principle' in biological defenses, which is tuned to be mildly oversensitive to threats. In many contexts, an overly sensitive smoke detector that generated a few occasional false-positives (even if there was no actual fire) might save more lives than an insufficiently sensitive smoke detector that generated too many false negatives (failing to respond to actual fires.) The same applies to biological defenses. This work is very preliminary. But this innovative research sheds light on hitherto unrecognized connections between the brain and the immune system, which could be helpful in developing new treatments against various pathogens. Could appropriate visual imagery help activate the immune system against infections in a way that supplements standard antibiotic therapy? Or stimulate the appropriate immune response to fight cancer cells? I look forward to further investigations along these lines.
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Health
- South China Morning Post
US-China study on livestock faeces from around the world triggers superbug alarm
Scientists in China and the US have uncovered antibiotic resistance genes lurking in the manure of chickens, cows and pigs from around the world – genes that present a potential global health risk as drug resistance grows. Their comprehensive global study, published late last month, highlighted the abundance and diversity of these genes within the livestock resistome – the collection of antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) in the microbiome. The team also developed a framework to help identify hotspots for antibiotic resistance genes in livestock, along with their risk level, as these genes can exist in bacteria that can easily transfer to humans, such as E coli. 'This study represents, to our knowledge, the most comprehensive survey of livestock resistome to date, spanning 14 years and covering 26 countries of various income levels and nine major livestock-producing countries,' the team said in a paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances on June 27. 'We developed a risk-assessment framework by integrating mobility potential, clinical significance, and host pathogenic relevance, and prioritised higher risk livestock ARGs, producing a predictive global map of livestock resistome risks that can help guide research and policy.' The team examined faeces from livestock from around the world. Photo: EPA-EFE Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines, such as the antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections.
CBC
5 days ago
- Science
- CBC
Building peace through curiosity
Scholars at UBC Okanagan are analyzing an 800 year old Spanish book, looking for clues that might help us today. Francisco Pena is leading the project.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Health
- Forbes
Can Sexual Satisfaction Help You Age Better? Science Says Yes
Photo bySexual satisfaction may be one of the most overlooked predictors of healthy aging, and new research suggests it plays a far greater role in longevity and emotional well-being than most people realize. In a 2024 analysis published in Sexuality Research and Social Policy, scientists found that sexual fulfillment is strongly linked to how well adults adjust to aging, influencing key markers of vitality, such as purpose, physical self-perception, social support and zest for life. The study surveyed 619 Portuguese adults aged 18 to 92, and even after accounting for age and relationship status, sexual satisfaction remained a powerful predictor of resilience and life satisfaction. In a wellness culture flooded with biohacking gadgets, hormone protocols and youth-obsessed routines, this research offers a radical reframing: satisfaction-centered intimacy isn't just optional but vital to human health. It reminds us that pleasure, connection and sexual agency are not just about desire. They're about how we stay alive in our bodies as we grow older, and how we hold on to purpose, vibrancy and delight throughout our lifespan. While desire is often dismissed as a youthful preoccupation, emerging data reveal that sexual satisfaction is indeed a powerful predictor of how we adjust to aging. The study above used the Adjustment to Aging Scale to assess how sexual fulfillment correlates with five critical domains of aging resilience: The results? Sexual satisfaction significantly predicted all but one of these areas, with emphatic effects on social support, body image and spiritual dynamism. This suggests that feeling sexually fulfilled goes beyond enhancing intimate relationships to shape how we experience our bodies, relate to community and generate meaning across time. Researchers also distinguished between two different forms of satisfaction: Each mapped to different psychological benefits: These findings align with prior academic work, which found that sexual satisfaction in older adults might be associated with improved cardiovascular health, reduced depressive symptoms and better sleep quality. Additional studies have also suggested that adults who report consistent sexual pleasure tend to exhibit higher subjective health ratings and longer life satisfaction trajectories, regardless of age or sexual activity frequency. Taken together, the evidence reframes sexual satisfaction not as a peripheral perk of life but as a core element of emotional, physical and existential well-being, especially in later life stages. It's not just about staying sexually active. It's about staying connected to pleasure, presence and personal power as we grow older. Older participants in the 2024 study scored significantly lower on both sexual satisfaction and all five AtAS dimensions. But the researchers note that among those who maintained sexual satisfaction later in life, overall well-being was significantly higher, suggesting that this domain becomes even more critical with age. This echoes a growing body of global research, like a 2023 AARP Sex and Aging survey, which revealed that 76% of sexually active adults over 50 reported feeling more emotionally connected to themselves and their partners after prioritizing intimacy, even without intercourse. Whether you're navigating midlife transitions, hormonal shifts, long-term partnerships or post-divorce rediscovery, these five strategies are helpful tools to consider for your sexual wellness toolkit across your lifespan: We often discuss metrics such as heart rate variability, fasting glucose levels and bone density when talking about longevity. But pleasure (absolute, body-connected, emotionally integrated sexual satisfaction) is just as critical. And data substantiates it: Those who remain connected to their erotic selves are more likely to feel purposeful, supported and alive as they age. And as society moves toward age-inclusive wellness, sexual well-being deserves a star seat at the table. This 2024 study is a bold reminder that the body doesn't retire from pleasure, even when society tells us it could. Instead, sexual satisfaction can be a portal to exuberance, to connection, and a more profound sense of self in every stage of life. The takeaway? You don't age out of sexual fulfillment. You grow into it.
Daily Mail
23-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Scientists develop a temporary tattoo that detects date rape drugs in drinks within 1 SECOND
It's something that has happened to around one in 10 women and one in 20 men. But detecting if your drink has been spiked could soon be as simple as dabbing some of it onto your arm. Scientists from the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology have developed a temporary tattoo that can detect the presence of 'date rape' drugs. If the tattoo detects even low concentrations of y–hydroxybutyrate (GHB), it will change from yellow to red. Best of all, this process is almost instantaneous – taking around one second, according to the researchers. There are already a range of measures available for drinkers to limit access to their drinks, including anti–spiking drink covers and films. However, the researchers hope the new tattoo will offer a quick and simple way to ensure beverages are safe. 'This innovation represents a proactive and accessible solution for preventing DFSAs –[drug–related sexual assault], enhancing personal safety, and fostering a sense of control and awareness in high–risk environments,' the team explained. Spiking occurs when someone puts drugs into another person's drink without their knowledge or consent – often to make it easier to rape or sexually assault them. 'Spiking can happen for different reasons – for example, because someone thinks it's funny or because someone wants to commit a crime against the person they're spiking, such as theft, rape or sexual assault,' Rape Crisis explains on its website. 'Whatever the motive, spiking is never okay or funny. 'It can make a person extremely vulnerable and ill, and have a lasting impact on their wellbeing and life.' One of the most common date rape drugs is GHB, which can cause dizziness, confusion, short–term amnesia, and even unconsciousness. Unfortunately, detecting if your drink has been spiked can prove tricky. Writing in their study, published in ACS Sensors, the team, led by Kim Gyeong–Ji, explained: 'The drug used for date rape is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, which can be completely dissolved in beverages to avoid suspicion.' There are already several GHB detection measures available, including specialised strips or cards that change colour when exposed to the drug. To create the tattoo stickers, the researchers placed a mold over the top of a thin plastic film, decorated with tattoo–like designs However, most of these are time consuming, and aren't exactly subtle. In their new study, the team set out to develop a more accessible alternative – eventually settling on a temporary tattoo. To create the tattoo stickers, the researchers placed a mold over the top of a thin plastic film, decorated with tattoo–like designs. They then poured in a gel mixture containing a chemical receptor that turns red in the presence of GHB. Finally, they coated the back of the sticker with glue, so it could stick to the skin. To test the tattoo's accuracy, the team applied dabs of GHB dissolved in a variety of beverages, incuding whisky, vodka, beer, soju, and coffee. Across all beverages, the researchers found that the tattoo could detect the drug - even at low concentrations. 'In practice, a wearer could dip a finger into a beverage, touch the drop to the sticker and see the result almost immediately,' the researchers explained in a statement. What's more, the sticker displays the positive result for up to 30 days, which could be helpful if it's needed as evidence. Unfortunately, the price and timeline for availablity of the tattoo remain unclear at this stay. However, the researchers reassure that the sticker is 'inexpensive and easy to manufacture', and say it will be commercially available 'soon'.
