Severe hereditary diseases protect against infections. Free Technical Library News

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

Severe hereditary diseases protect against infections

12.07.2016

Tobias Lenz, professor at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology (Germany) and Shamil Sunyaev, associate professor at Harvard Medical School (USA), found out why harmful hereditary mutations do not disappear from organisms during evolution, but , on the contrary, retain their presence in the genes and even benefit.

Hereditary mutations occur when parts of DNA are damaged and lead to the expected consequences - incurable, painful diseases that threaten health and life. Despite the negative effects, evolution does not get rid of mutations, but, on the contrary, keeps them in the genes and even increases their presence.

Lenz and Sunyaev studied the nature of this paradox and modeled various evolutionary scenarios in which genetic selection causes deleterious mutations to progress. Scientists then checked the results of DNA sequencing of 6,5 thousand patients and came to the conclusion that the main acting factor in this case is the so-called. balancing selection, which regulates the genetic variability of generations, expands the adaptive capabilities of species in a changing environment, and also keeps mutations in the body.

Scientists observed the work of balancing selection in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), a region of the genome in which genes are concentrated, the products of which perform functions associated with the immune response. It is at this site that multiple harmful mutations are localized, leading to autoimmune disorders, cancer, Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.

The results of the study showed that the viability of such mutations in the genome is not accidental - they help the body fight external viruses. A good example is sickle cell anemia, one of these hereditary mutations associated with a violation of the structure of the hemoglobin protein. To the surprise of scientists, patients who inherited the mutated genes from their parents turned out to be more resistant to malaria than ordinary people.

<< Back: Improvement of iOLED technology 12.07.2016

>> Forward: Drone with visual navigation like birds and insects 11.07.2016

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

Salo from a test tube 09.06.2023

Scientists at the American Tufts University have mastered a completely new method of growing fat cells and forming them into a finished product similar to animal fat. This will allow artificial meat to be supplemented with artificial fats.

The technology for producing artificial meat promises to provide humanity with a tasty and healthy product without harming the environment and destroying animals.

Previously, biologists have already learned how to grow muscle tissue of different animal species. Some of these products have already been approved for use and are being produced for distribution to shops and restaurants. However, the authentic taste, texture, and nutritional value of meat remains incomplete without a certain amount of fat. Tests show that consumers call beef the most delicious meat, containing approximately 36% fat. Complementing dietary artificial meat will help a new method that allows you to grow adipose tissue.

To cultivate cells "in vitro", they need to be constantly fed with nutrients and oxygen. In a living organism, this happens due to the constant movement of blood through a vascular network that covers all parts of the body. It has not yet been possible to reproduce such a system under artificial conditions, so tissue is grown in tiny flat fragments.

The team of Professor David Kaplan has learned not only to obtain such pieces of adipose tissue, but also to combine them in the finished product. For experiments, scientists used adipocytes, which accumulate fat cells in mice and pigs. Having grown small samples, they were collected and mixed with alginate, as well as with mTG (microbial transglutaminase).

All these substances have been repeatedly tested and recognized as safe for use in the food industry. And for adipose tissue cells, they are a link that allows you to form a whole product from miniature flat fragments.

“Adipose tissue is predominantly cells with a minimal amount of other structural components. Therefore, we decided that if they could be linked together, then this would be enough to reproduce the taste, nutritional value and texture of natural animal fat,” the authors said. study.

The experiments confirmed the theory of scientists, and the structure of artificial fat withstood the same pressure as natural beef or pork fat. The texture, thanks to the components, turned out to be a little softer, closer to melted fat. But combinations of additives allow scientists to refine the formula and fine-tune the texture of the finished product.

See full Archive of science and technology news, new electronics

All languages of this page

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