Internet addiction is hidden in the genes. Free Technical Library News

NEWS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, NOVELTY IN ELECTRONICS
Free technical library / timeline

Internet addiction is hidden in the genes

13.09.2012

A group of German researchers from the University of Bonn says that the Internet addiction of many users of the World Wide Web is often due to the mutation of certain genes. Scientists reported this in the September issue of the Journal of Addiction Medicine.

Researchers interviewed 843 people and found that 132 of them exhibit "problem behavior" associated with the Web - such users admitted that their thoughts constantly revolve around the Internet, and they show extreme anxiety when they do not have access to it.

DNA samples were taken from all interviewees. After analyzing the samples, the scientists found that in the genomes of those "addicted" to the Internet very often there is a mutation of the CHRNA4 gene, which is characteristic of people with nicotine addiction.

Researchers explain the connection between nicotine and network addiction simply. University of Bonn psychologist Christian Montag, lead author of the article, says that nicotine acts on a so-called acetylcholine receptor, which is formed by this gene, and in the case of the mutant gene, this receptor activates the reward center of the brain in response. The Internet, Montag believes, acts on the acetylcholine receptor in exactly the same way. The mechanism of this effect is not yet clear, and it remains to be studied before adequate treatments can be proposed.

Dr. Montag acknowledges that much more research is needed to further analyze the link between genetic mutations and internet addiction, but he says, "The findings point unequivocally to the genetic roots of online addiction."

<< Back: RF-powered cardiac implant 14.09.2012

>> Forward: WD has created the thinnest hard drive 13.09.2012

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

The existence of an entropy rule for quantum entanglement has been proven 09.05.2024

Quantum mechanics continues to amaze us with its mysterious phenomena and unexpected discoveries. Recently, Bartosz Regula from the RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing and Ludovico Lamy from the University of Amsterdam presented a new discovery that concerns quantum entanglement and its relation to entropy. Quantum entanglement plays an important role in modern quantum information science and technology. However, the complexity of its structure makes understanding and managing it challenging. Regulus and Lamy's discovery shows that quantum entanglement follows an entropy rule similar to that for classical systems. This discovery opens new perspectives in the field of quantum information science and technology, deepening our understanding of quantum entanglement and its connection to thermodynamics. The results of the study indicate the possibility of reversibility of entanglement transformations, which could greatly simplify their use in various quantum technologies. Opening a new rule ... >>

Mini air conditioner Sony Reon Pocket 5 09.05.2024

Summer is a time for relaxation and travel, but often the heat can turn this time into an unbearable torment. Meet a new product from Sony - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-air conditioner, which promises to make summer more comfortable for its users. Sony has introduced a unique device - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-conditioner, which provides body cooling on hot days. With it, users can enjoy coolness anytime, anywhere by simply wearing it around their neck. This mini air conditioner is equipped with automatic adjustment of operating modes, as well as temperature and humidity sensors. Thanks to innovative technologies, Reon Pocket 5 adjusts its operation depending on the user's activity and environmental conditions. Users can easily adjust the temperature using a dedicated mobile app connected via Bluetooth. Additionally, specially designed T-shirts and shorts are available for convenience, to which a mini air conditioner can be attached. The device can oh ... >>

Energy from space for Starship 08.05.2024

Producing solar energy in space is becoming more feasible with the advent of new technologies and the development of space programs. The head of the startup Virtus Solis shared his vision of using SpaceX's Starship to create orbital power plants capable of powering the Earth. Startup Virtus Solis has unveiled an ambitious project to create orbital power plants using SpaceX's Starship. This idea could significantly change the field of solar energy production, making it more accessible and cheaper. The core of the startup's plan is to reduce the cost of launching satellites into space using Starship. This technological breakthrough is expected to make solar energy production in space more competitive with traditional energy sources. Virtual Solis plans to build large photovoltaic panels in orbit, using Starship to deliver the necessary equipment. However, one of the key challenges ... >>

New method for creating powerful batteries 08.05.2024

With the development of technology and the expanding use of electronics, the issue of creating efficient and safe energy sources is becoming increasingly urgent. Researchers at the University of Queensland have unveiled a new approach to creating high-power zinc-based batteries that could change the landscape of the energy industry. One of the main problems with traditional water-based rechargeable batteries was their low voltage, which limited their use in modern devices. But thanks to a new method developed by scientists, this drawback has been successfully overcome. As part of their research, scientists turned to a special organic compound - catechol. It turned out to be an important component that can improve battery stability and increase its efficiency. This approach has led to a significant increase in the voltage of zinc-ion batteries, making them more competitive. According to scientists, such batteries have several advantages. They have b ... >>

Alcohol content of warm beer 07.05.2024

Beer, as one of the most common alcoholic drinks, has its own unique taste, which can change depending on the temperature of consumption. A new study by an international team of scientists has found that beer temperature has a significant impact on the perception of alcoholic taste. The study, led by materials scientist Lei Jiang, found that at different temperatures, ethanol and water molecules form different types of clusters, which affects the perception of alcoholic taste. At low temperatures, more pyramid-like clusters form, which reduces the pungency of the "ethanol" taste and makes the drink taste less alcoholic. On the contrary, as the temperature increases, the clusters become more chain-like, resulting in a more pronounced alcoholic taste. This explains why the taste of some alcoholic drinks, such as baijiu, can change depending on temperature. The data obtained opens up new prospects for beverage manufacturers, ... >>

Random news from the Archive

Alpha Bonfire Pocket Bonfire 28.04.2021

Japanese brand for the manufacture of various outdoor gadgets and equipment The Brand Labo has introduced a compact model of the Alpha Bonfire electric fire. When folded, the device is a small aluminum box no larger than an average smartphone - the device measures 147x69x5 mm. And when the electric fire unfolds, it looks like five small aluminum sheets folded in the shape of the letter V in order to effectively and seamlessly hold any small pot or saucepan in its upper part.

And if the user wants to cook meat using such a pocket fire, then it will be enough for him to take out special grill grates from the inside of the structure, up to eight pieces, if necessary. What's more, the Alpha Bonfire pocket bonfire also has a built-in set of utensils ranging from spoon, fork and knife to chopsticks, which is quite convenient. We can say for sure that this model will surely find its user at the time of release.

Such a pocket fire is being developed as part of a corresponding campaign on the Indiegogo crowdfunding site and its initial cost is planned to be about $82 for those users who are already ready to donate funds for its development - for everyone else, the device will cost about $100 at the moment. of its release, about which, however, nothing concrete is known yet, although insiders will probably soon present something more revealing.

See full Archive of science and technology news, new electronics

All languages of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews