Great Apes, Facial Expressions, Cycling
Welcome to this month’s edition of "Briefly Science," where I distil the essence of recent academic research into digestible, enlightening insights tailored for my growing college student audience.
In this issue, I cover some groundbreaking studies, from the unexpected repercussions of growth hormone treatments to the playful teasing of great apes, the hidden dangers of ultra-processed foods, innovative cancer vaccines, and the evolving landscape of precision oncology.
My mission is to keep you informed and curious, bridging the gap between complex research findings and their relevance to your everyday life.
Enjoy a journey through science that's as informative as it is fascinating.
Estimated read time: 18 minutes.
1: Iatrogenic Alzheimer’s: How Growth Hormone Treatments Could Lead to Dementia
Read the full paper: Iatrogenic Alzheimer’s disease in recipients of cadaveric pituitary-derived growth hormone
Authors: Gargi Banerjee, Simon F. Farmer, Harpreet Hyare, Zane Jaunmuktane, Simon Mead
Published: January 1st, 2024
Imagine receiving a treatment as a child that was meant to help you grow, only to find out years later that it may have exposed you to the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. This is the shocking reality faced by recipients of cadaver-derived pituitary growth hormone contaminated with Alzheimer’s-related proteins.
Researchers have discovered cases where individuals who received this hormone later developed dementia symptoms and biomarker changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease. This suggests that Alzheimer’s, like other diseases, can have iatrogenic (environmentally acquired) forms. While iatrogenic Alzheimer’s may be rare, it serves as a reminder of the importance of preventing accidental transmissions of disease-causing proteins in medical procedures.
Just like conventional prions, Alzheimer’s-related proteins can exhibit structural diversity, which may complicate treatment strategies that target these assemblies.
While there is no evidence that Alzheimer’s can be transmitted between individuals through normal activities, the existence of iatrogenic Alzheimer’s highlights the need for further research and precautions in medical practices.
2: Understanding Playful Teasing Among Great Apes
Read the full paper: Spontaneous playful teasing in four great ape species
Authors: I. B. Laumer, S. L. Winkler, F. Rossano, E. A. Cartmill
Published: February 14th, 2024
Playing around isn't just for humans - great apes like chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and bonobos also know how to tease each other in playful ways.
Researchers studied videos of these apes in zoos and found that they often engage in behaviour that is meant to provoke or tease others, while still having fun. This teasing involves grabbing attention, being one-sided, and looking for a response from the other ape. It's not the same as regular play - teasing is more about creating a sense of surprise and bending the rules a bit.
The researchers also discovered that teasing tends to happen in relaxed situations and can take many different forms. Although it may seem simple, teasing actually requires a lot of brain power, like understanding others' thoughts and expectations. This ability to tease playfully likely evolved in our ape ancestors millions of years ago, showing that this kind of behaviour has been around for a long time in the animal kingdom.
3: The Impact of Processed Foods on Your Health: What You Need to Know
Read the full paper: Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses
Authors: Melissa M Lane, Elizabeth Gamage, Shutong Du, Deborah N Ashtree, Amelia J McGuinness
Published: February 28th, 2024
Have you ever wondered how the food you eat can affect your health? A group of researchers set out to review all the existing studies that looked at how eating ultra-processed foods might be linked to negative health outcomes. They gathered information from multiple sources and found that there is strong evidence suggesting that consuming ultra-processed foods can lead to various health issues. These include an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, anxiety, depression, and even premature death. The researchers found that the more ultra-processed foods people consumed, the higher their risk of these health problems.
Overall, the research highlights the need for public health measures to reduce the consumption of ultra-processed foods in order to improve overall health outcomes. By understanding the impact of these foods on our health, we can make more informed choices about what we eat and potentially reduce our risk of developing serious health conditions later in life.
4: Unlocking the Potential of a New Vaccine for Pancreatic and Colorectal Cancer
Read the full paper: Lymph-node-targeted, mKRAS-specific amphiphile vaccine in pancreatic and colorectal cancer: the phase 1 AMPLIFY-201 trial
Authors: Shubham Pant, Zev A. Wainberg, Colin D. Weekes, Muhammad Furqan, Pashtoon M. Kasi
Published: January 1st, 2024
Pancreatic and colorectal cancers, which are often KRAS mutated, pose a significant challenge due to their resistance to traditional treatments.
Researchers conducted a phase 1 clinical trial to test a novel vaccine that targets the lymph nodes and specifically focuses on mutant KRAS peptides in these cancers. The vaccine, ELI-002 2P, was designed to enhance the immune response by delivering mutant KRAS peptides in combination with an adjuvant called CpG oligonucleotide.
Twenty-five patients with minimal residual mutant KRAS disease were enrolled in the study, and no serious side effects were reported. The researchers determined the optimal dose of the vaccine and observed promising results: a high number of patients showed specific T cell responses to the mutant KRAS peptides, and a majority experienced reductions in tumor biomarkers.
Some patients even had their biomarkers completely cleared. The median time to disease recurrence was also improved compared to standard treatments. These findings suggest that the vaccine has the potential to enhance the body's immune response against mutant KRAS in pancreatic and colorectal cancers, offering hope for more effective treatments in the future.
5: Unravelling Cancer: How Genomic and Clinical Data Are Shaping Precision Oncology
Read the full paper: Insights for precision oncology from the integration of genomic and clinical data of 13,880 tumors from the 100,000 Genomes Cancer Programme
Authors: Alona Sosinsky, John Ambrose, William Cross, Clare Turnbull, Shirley Henderson
Published: January 1st, 2024
Researchers delved into the genetic make-up of 13,880 tumours from a large cancer research programme in the UK. They mixed this genetic information with details about the patients' actual treatments and outcomes. What did they find? Well, they discovered that different types of cancer show different genetic mutations.
For example, in brain tumours, almost all cases had tiny genetic changes, while more than half showed abnormalities in certain genes. On the other hand, a rare type of cancer called sarcoma displayed the most actionable genetic variations. They also found that a significant percentage of ovarian cancer cases had issues with a specific gene. By combining genetic data with real-world patient information, the researchers could analyse how different gene mutations affected patients' chances of survival.
This study sheds light on the impact of genetics on cancer and how this knowledge can help doctors tailor treatments for better outcomes.
6: Can Cycling to Work Help Your Mental Health?
Read the full paper: Does cycle commuting reduce the risk of mental ill-health? An instrumental variable analysis using distance to nearest cycle path
Authors: Laurie Berrie, Zhiqiang Feng, David Rice, Tom Clemens, Lee Williamson
Published: January 15th, 2024
DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyad153
The researchers wanted to know if riding a bike to work can help reduce the risk of mental health problems. They looked at data from people in Edinburgh and Glasgow who cycled to work and compared it to those who didn't. By using the distance from home to the nearest cycle path as a way to measure cycling habits, they found that cyclists had a lower likelihood of needing prescriptions for mental health medication.
In fact, the study showed that cycle commuters had a 15% lower chance of needing antidepressants or anxiety medication compared to non-cyclists. This suggests that biking to work may actually play a role in improving mental wellbeing.
The research highlights the benefits of active travel, like cycling, for people who have shorter commutes.
So, next time you're considering how to get to work, hopping on a bike might not only be good for the environment but also for your mental health.
7: Healthy Aging and Protein Intake: What Midlife Choices Mean for Later Years
Read the full paper: Dietary protein intake in midlife in relation to healthy aging – results from the prospective Nurses’ Health Study cohort
Authors: Andres V Ardisson Korat, M Kyla Shea, Paul F Jacques, Paola Sebastiani, Molin Wang
Published: January 17th, 2024
As we reach middle age, the decisions we make about our diet can have a lasting impact on our future health.
A team of researchers delved into this topic by studying the dietary protein intake of nearly 50,000 women in the Nurses' Health Study cohort. Their goal was to see how protein intake in midlife relates to healthy aging later on.
Previous studies have shown that protein plays a crucial role in maintaining good health as we age, but this particular study looked specifically at the long-term effects of protein consumption on healthy ageing. By analysing the data, the researchers hope to shed light on the importance of protein intake and its potential influence on aging for women.
This research is not only informative for the academic community, but also serves as a reminder for us all to consider the impact of our dietary choices on our future well-being. It's a simple reminder that what we eat now can shape how we age in the years to come.
8: Can You Reverse Type 2 Diabetes By Losing Weight? A Study in Hong Kong
Read the full paper: 1-year weight change after diabetes diagnosis and long-term incidence and sustainability of remission of type 2 diabetes in real-world settings in Hong Kong: An observational cohort study
Authors: Hongjiang Wu, Aimin Yang, Eric S. H. Lau, Xinge Zhang, Baoqi Fan
Published: January 23rd, 2024
Have you ever wondered if it's possible to reverse type 2 diabetes just by shedding some pounds?
A group of researchers in Hong Kong wanted to find out. They followed over 37,000 people who were newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes to see what happened to those who managed to lose weight within the first year. The study took place in real-world settings, not in a controlled clinical trial, so the results reflect what could actually happen outside of a lab.
The researchers tracked the participants for almost two decades to see if those who lost weight were more likely to achieve and maintain diabetes remission. In simple terms, diabetes remission means that your blood sugar levels are back to normal for a prolonged period of time.
The findings of this study could have important implications for how we approach diabetes management in the real world. If losing weight can lead to diabetes remission for some people, it could offer a promising avenue for tackling this widespread health issue.
So, the next time you hear someone say that losing weight is good for your health, remember that it could also have a significant impact on your diabetes status.
9: How Others' Facial Expressions While Eating Influence Our Food Preferences
Read the full paper: Exposure to models’ negative facial expressions whilst eating a vegetable decreases women’s liking of the modelled vegetable, but not their desire to eat
Authors: Katie L. Edwards, Jason M. Thomas, Suzanne Higgs, Jacqueline Blissett
Published: January 11th, 2024
Have you ever noticed how watching someone eat can affect your own cravings?
A group of researchers recently looked into how young adult women react to models' facial expressions while eating vegetables. The study found that seeing models make negative faces while eating raw broccoli actually made the women like the broccoli less, but it didn't change their desire to eat it. Interestingly, this negative effect was only seen for the modelled vegetable (broccoli) and not for a non-modelled vegetable (cucumber). This suggests that our food preferences can be influenced by the facial expressions of others.
The research highlights the impact of negative facial expressions on our liking of certain foods. However, more studies are needed to fully understand how this phenomenon can affect our vegetable intake.
So, next time you share a meal with someone, pay attention to their facial expressions - it might just influence what ends up on your plate!
10: The Impact of Handwriting vs. Typewriting on Brain Connectivity: What College Students Need to Know
Read the full paper: Handwriting but not typewriting leads to widespread brain connectivity: a high-density EEG study with implications for the classroom
Authors: F. R. (Ruud) Van der Weel, Audrey L. H. Van der Meer
Published: January 26th, 2024
In a world where digital devices dominate, the way we write may have more influence on our brains than we realise.
A group of researchers studied brain activity in university students as they either handwrote or typewrote words. What they found was fascinating - handwriting led to a much more complex pattern of brain connections compared to typing. Specifically, the researchers observed stronger connectivity between key brain regions important for memory and learning when participants wrote by hand. This suggests that the combination of visual and physical feedback from handwriting plays a unique role in enhancing the brain's ability to retain and process information.
The implications of this research are significant, particularly for education. The study suggests that handwriting activities in school could be crucial for establishing the brain connections necessary for optimal learning. However, the researchers also highlight the importance of keeping up with technological advancements. It's essential for both teachers and students to understand when handwriting may be more beneficial than typing, such as when taking notes or writing essays.
Ultimately, the research emphasises the importance of maintaining handwriting practice in educational settings to support effective learning. By being aware of the impact of different writing methods on the brain, college students can make informed choices about how they engage with information both in and out of the classroom.
That’s it for this month.
See you in April.