Covid, Hobbies, Orchids
Welcome to the latest edition of Briefly Science!
This month, we're delving into the fascinating world of recent academic research, making complex studies accessible and engaging for curious minds.
Discover the impacts of the Covid-19 vaccine on teenage hearts, the intricacies of Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria, and the global influence of diet on type 2 diabetes.
Explore breakthroughs in MDMA therapy for PTSD, the mental health benefits of hobbies for older adults, and much more.
Join us as we uncover the latest scientific advancements that shape our understanding of the world.
1: Behind the Science: The Effects of the Covid-19 Vaccine on Teenage Hearts
Read the full paper: Changes of ECG parameters after BNT162b2 vaccine in the senior high school students
Authors: Shuenn-Nan Chiu, Yih-Sharng Chen, Chia-Chen Hsu, Yu-Chuan Hua, Wei-Chieh Tseng
Published: January 5th, 2023
DOI: 10.1007/s00431-022-04786-0
Have you ever wondered what happens to your heart after getting the Covid-19 vaccine? A group of researchers conducted a study to find out how the ECG parameters of high school students changed after receiving the BNT162b2 vaccine.
They focused on the second dose and found that around 17% of students reported cardiac symptoms like chest pain and palpitations afterwards. Interestingly, they discovered that certain heart parameters decreased after the vaccine, alongside an increase in heart rate.
Out of nearly 5000 students, only 1% had abnormal ECG readings, with a few cases of mild myocarditis and significant arrhythmias.
Fortunately, all the affected students recovered without needing hospital admission.
The researchers also tested the effectiveness of using serial ECG screenings to detect potential cardiac issues, finding it to be highly accurate.
This study provides valuable insights into the cardiac effects of the Covid-19 vaccine on young people, highlighting the importance of monitoring and screening for any potential risks. So, next time you get vaccinated, you can rest assured that researchers are working hard to ensure your safety and well-being.
2: Understanding Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria: Insights from Parents
Read the full paper: Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria: Parent Reports on 1655 Possible Cases
Authors: Suzanna Diaz, J. Michael Bailey
Published: January 1st, 2023
DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02576-9
In recent years, there has been a noticeable rise in young people expressing gender dysphoria, leading to questions about the causes behind this trend.
One theory gaining attention is Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD), which suggests that this increase may be influenced by social factors.
Researchers examined data from a survey of parents who believed their adolescent or young adult children experienced ROGD, focusing on 1655 cases where gender dysphoria started between ages 11 and 21. The majority of these cases were natal females, with natal males showing a later onset and lower rates of social gender transition. It was found that many of these young people had pre-existing mental health issues, and those with such issues were more likely to transition socially and medically.
Additionally, parents reported feeling pressured by clinicians to support their child's gender transition, with negative impacts on the mental health of their children post-transition.
The study calls for a balanced approach to future research by considering data from both supportive and non-supportive parents and their gender dysphoric children. By shedding light on the experiences of these families, we can better understand the complexities of gender dysphoria in young people.
3: Diet's Role in Causing Type 2 Diabetes: A Global Perspective
Read the full paper: Incident type 2 diabetes attributable to suboptimal diet in 184 countries
Authors: Meghan O’Hearn, Laura Lara-Castor, Frederick Cudhea, Victoria Miller, Julia Reedy
Published: January 1st, 2023
DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02278-8
Ever wondered how our food choices impact our health? A group of researchers analysed data from 184 countries to figure out how diet contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D). They found that in 2018, about 70% of new T2D cases worldwide were linked to poor dietary habits. The biggest culprits? Not eating enough whole grains, consuming too much refined rice and wheat, and overindulging in processed meats.
These problematic eating habits were more prevalent in certain regions, such as central and eastern Europe, central Asia, and Latin America. Surprisingly, men were more affected than women, and urban dwellers more than rural residents.
The researchers also observed an increase in diet-related T2D cases since 1990, suggesting a global trend towards unhealthy eating.
These findings highlight the need for better nutrition education and public health initiatives to tackle the rising incidence of T2D worldwide.
4: MDMA Therapy for PTSD: A Breakthrough Treatment?
Read the full paper: MDMA-assisted therapy for moderate to severe PTSD: a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial
Authors: Jennifer M. Mitchell, Marcela Ot’alora G., Bessel van der Kolk, Scott Shannon, Michael Bogenschutz
Published: January 1st, 2023
DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02565-4
Imagine a therapy that could help people with severe emotional trauma. Well, a recent study looked at using MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, to treat people with moderate to severe PTSD. The researchers wanted to see if MDMA-assisted therapy could reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning in individuals with PTSD.
In this study, participants were randomly assigned to receive either MDMA-assisted therapy or a placebo with therapy. The results showed that those who received MDMA therapy experienced a greater reduction in PTSD symptoms compared to those who received the placebo. The participants also reported improved daily functioning with the MDMA therapy.
It's important to note that the study included a diverse group of participants, reflecting the real-world population with PTSD. While there were some adverse events reported, such as severe treatment emergent events, overall the therapy was well tolerated with no serious complications.
This study suggests that MDMA-assisted therapy could be a promising treatment for individuals struggling with PTSD. The results are encouraging and provide hope for those looking for alternative therapies for their trauma.
The use of MDMA in therapy is still a controversial topic, but this research adds to the growing evidence supporting its potential benefits for mental health.
5: The Impact of Hobbies on Mental Wellbeing in Older Adults Across Different Countries
Read the full paper: Hobby engagement and mental wellbeing among people aged 65 years and older in 16 countries
Authors: Hei Wan Mak, Taiji Noguchi, Jessica K. Bone, Jacques Wels, Qian Gao
Published: January 1st, 2023
DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02506-1
As people grow older, they often face social and psychological challenges that can affect their mental health. Many countries suggest that engaging in hobbies can help support and improve mental wellbeing in older adults. However, it is not clear if this holds true across different countries.
In a study involving 16 nations and over 90,000 participants, researchers looked at the relationship between hobbies and mental wellbeing in older adults. They found that having a hobby was linked to lower levels of depressive symptoms and higher levels of self-reported health, happiness, and life satisfaction. Interestingly, the prevalence of hobby engagement varied greatly between countries, with some having much higher rates than others.
The researchers also discovered that factors such as life expectancy and national happiness levels played a role in the strength of these associations.
Overall, the findings suggest that engaging in hobbies may have a positive impact on mental wellbeing in older adults, regardless of where they live.
6: The Hidden Effects of Antidepressants on Our Decision-Making: What You Need to Know
Read the full paper: Chronic escitalopram in healthy volunteers has specific effects on reinforcement sensitivity: a double-blind, placebo-controlled semi-randomised study
Authors: Christelle Langley, Sophia Armand, Qiang Luo, George Savulich, Tina Segerberg
Published: January 23rd, 2023
DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01523-x
Have you ever wondered how antidepressants like escitalopram might impact your decision-making abilities? Researchers set out to explore the long-term effects of this common antidepressant on cognition, specifically focusing on learning and decision-making.
In a study involving 66 healthy volunteers, some were given escitalopram while others received a placebo. The results showed that those taking escitalopram exhibited lower sensitivity to reinforcement, a key aspect of decision-making, compared to those on a placebo.
This finding sheds light on how serotonin reuptake inhibitors can influence how we make decisions, with potential implications for individuals with conditions like major depressive disorder.
By delving into the cognitive effects of antidepressants, this research provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between medication and cognition. So next time you reach for your antidepressant, consider how it might be impacting more than just your mood.
7: Understanding the Global Impact of Bacterial Infections on Death in 2019
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(22)02185-7
Read the full paper: Global mortality associated with 33 bacterial pathogens in 2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
Authors: Mihajlo Jakovljevic
Published: January 22nd, 2023
DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(22)02185-7
In 2019, global researchers studied the number of deaths caused by bacterial infections, both resistant and susceptible to antibiotics. They found that out of 13.7 million infection-related deaths, 7.7 million were linked to 33 bacterial pathogens.
These pathogens made up 13.6% of all global deaths and were responsible for over half of all sepsis-related deaths. The top five deadliest pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
The study showed that the impact of these pathogens varied by location and age, with sub-Saharan Africa having the highest mortality rate.
These findings highlight the urgent need for global health intervention to address bacterial infections, including strategies like infection prevention, proper antibiotic use, and vaccine development.
The research sheds light on the importance of prioritizing vaccines and better healthcare practices to combat the significant burden of bacterial infections on global health.
8: Using Machine Learning to Improve Heart Attack Diagnosis
Read the full paper: Machine learning for diagnosis of myocardial infarction using cardiac troponin concentrations
Authors: Dimitrios Doudesis, Kuan Ken Lee, Jasper Boeddinghaus, Anda Bularga, Amy V. Ferry
Published: January 1st, 2023
DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02325-4
Heart attacks can be difficult to diagnose, as current guidelines rely on fixed thresholds of a protein called cardiac troponin. However, troponin levels can be affected by various factors such as age, sex, and other health conditions.
Researchers have developed machine learning models that combine troponin levels with clinical information to create a score, known as CoDE-ACS, which indicates the likelihood of a heart attack.
These models were trained on data from over 10,000 patients and validated on another 10,000 patients. The CoDE-ACS score demonstrated excellent accuracy in identifying heart attacks, outperforming the current fixed thresholds. By using the CoDE-ACS score, more patients with low risk of heart attack were identified, leading to fewer unnecessary hospital admissions.
Additionally, patients identified as low risk had lower rates of cardiac death compared to those deemed high risk.
Implementing this machine learning model as a clinical decision support system could have significant benefits for both patients and healthcare providers.
In summary, this research shows that a machine learning-based approach to heart attack diagnosis can improve accuracy and potentially save lives.
9: Unlocking the Mystery of a New Orchid Species in Japan
Read the full paper: Spiranthes hachijoensis (Orchidaceae), a new species within the S. sinensis species complex in Japan, based on morphological, phylogenetic, and ecological evidence
Authors: Kenji Suetsugu, Shun K. Hirota, Hiroshi Hayakawa, Shohei Fujimori, Masayuki Ishibashi
Published: January 1st, 2023
DOI: 10.1007/s10265-023-01448-6
Have you ever wondered how scientists identify new plant species? Researchers in Japan recently discovered a new orchid species called Spiranthes hachijoensis, which belongs to a group of orchids known for their wide distribution and varied appearances.
This new orchid, S. hachijoensis, is similar to other orchid species in the same group, but it has unique characteristics that set it apart. For example, it has smooth stems and flower parts, as well as distinctive markings on its petals.
The researchers used a combination of physical, genetic, and ecological evidence to confirm that S. hachijoensis is indeed a separate species. They also found that this new orchid reproduces differently and blooms earlier than its close relatives.
By studying the DNA of these orchids, the researchers were able to show that S. hachijoensis is genetically distinct from its closest relative.
This study sheds light on the diversity of orchids in Japan and highlights the importance of using multiple methods to identify and classify new plant species.
10: How Meal Timing and Frequency Impact Weight Change Over Time
Read the full paper: Association of Eating and Sleeping Intervals With Weight Change Over Time: The Daily24 Cohort
Authors: Di Zhao, Eliseo Guallar, Thomas B. Woolf, Lindsay Martin, Harold Lehmann
Published: January 18th, 2023
Ever wondered if when you eat and how often you eat could affect your weight? Well, researchers studied a group of adults over 6 months to see if there was a connection between their meal habits and weight changes. The study involved 547 adults from different healthcare systems who used a mobile app to track their meal and sleep times. The researchers also looked at the participants' weight and health records over the past 10 years.
The results showed that the number of meals consumed each day was linked to weight changes over the 6-year period. Interestingly, the timing of meals (the interval between first and last meal) did not show a significant impact on weight change. For every additional meal consumed daily, there was an average increase in annual weight change of 0.28 kg.
In simple terms, the study suggests that eating more meals throughout the day may lead to greater weight gain over time.
The findings do not support the idea that restricting eating to specific times of the day can help with long-term weight loss for the general population. So, if you're trying to manage your weight, keeping an eye on your meal frequency might be a good place to start.
That’s it for this month.
See you next month.