Everyday Science in a Nutshell

Many people are dreaming of effortless learning during sleep. Now, dreams can be true. On January 27, 2020, an extensive sleep laboratory study published in Nature Group's Open Access journal Scientific Reports showed that fragrances can enhance learning during sleep. In this study, pupils in two school classes learned English vocabulary - with and without fragrance sticks during the learning period and sleep. The students, who smelled fragrance, remembered the vocabulary much better. For the first time, the supportive effect of fragrance on learning success when presented both during learning and sleep is now proven. References https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-57613-7 https://www.news-medical.net/news/20200131/Fragrances-can-enhance-learning-during-sleep-shows-new-study.aspx

On January 30,2020, a very recent study published in The lancet found that 2019 Wuhan coronavirus is a new human-infecting coronavirus strain that is genetically different from human SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) which killed more than 348 people in China in 2003, and MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) that emerged in the Middle East in 2012.  Researchers in this study thought that bats, which is sold in the Wuhan market, may be the source of the new virus. Yet, they do not also exclude the possibility of an intermediate host that enables the virus to jump from animals to humans. Although 2019 Wuhan coronavirus is most closely related to bat coronavirus strains, several facts suggest that another animal is considered as an intermediate host between bats and humans.  Firstly, the outbreak was first reported in late December, 2019, when most bat species in Wuhan are hibernating. Secondly, no bats were sold or found at the Wuhan market, where...

Atherosclerosis is a hardening and narrowing of the arteries, leading to heart disease and stroke. Ongoing studies are trying to find a novel treatment for atherosclerosis. On January 27,2020, a breakthrough research published in Nature Nanotechnology designed ‘Trojan horse’ nanoparticles to prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.  These ‘Trojan horse’ nanoparticles are highly selective for macrophages. Inside macrophages, they deliver drug agent to reinvigorate the macrophages to engulf and eat cellular debris. In brief, these ‘Trojan horse’ nanoparticles accumulate within the atherosclerotic plaque, reactivate lesional phagocytosis and reduce the plaque burden. This breakthrough discovery could be a potential treatment for atherosclerosis, a leading cause of cardiovascular death all over the world. References https://www.nature.com/articles/s41565-019-0619-3 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200128114720.htm?utm_source=dlvr.it...

Spread of multidrug-resistant infections is the main reason of antibiotic treatment failure. There is an urgent need to find alternatives to antibiotics. Group behavior is usually seen in bacteria. They can make a protective slime layer or biofilm, providing the microbial community with resistance to antibiotics. On January 09, 2020, a novel study published in Nature Communications showed that targeting cooperative traits is a viable solution to the problem of antimicrobial resistance. Researchers in this study found that inhibition of slime production of salmonella bacteria disrupts the bacterial community, making it easier to remove.  Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health. Current researchers are focusing on finding other alternatives. It is expected in near future that treatment of bacterial infection will not rely solely on antibiotics.  References https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-13660-x https://...

We all have been taught that Mitochondria are energy-generating powerhouses that are found exclusively inside cells. But, we are in a time, that anything, which was considered as impossible, is now literally possible. On January 19, 2020, unprecedented study published in the FASEB Journal discovered that mitochondria can also be found floating around on their own in the bloodstream, functioning outside of the cell. The exact role of these free-floating mitochondria is still unknown. Researchers did not detect any type of membrane around them. They also noticed that these mitochondria move from one cell to another cell under various conditions, suggesting that they may have a role in signalling, inflammatory conditions, tissue injury, and cancer. This study will not only shed light on additional possible roles of mitochondria, but also open a debate on the evolution of mitochondria. References https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1096/fj.201901917RR https://www.labroots.com/tre...

A new viral outbreak is on the way. The latest coronavirus pandemic outbreak appears to be the last for this season. The deadly Marburg virus has been found in Egyptian rousette fruit bats for the first time in West Africa, in Sierra Leone. A group of academics published their findings in the journal Nature Communications on January 24, 2020. The virus was found in eleven Egyptian rousette fruit bats from three distinct health districts, according to the researchers. This discovery raises the possibility that it is not unique. The Marburg virus, which is related to the Ebola virus, can also cause fatal hemorrhagic illness. There are no current documented instances of Marburg illness in Sierra Leone, according to health officials. Nonetheless, the discovery of the virus in bats in three distinct health districts may cause nearby residents to be concerned about becoming infected. Egyptian Rousette bats, which mostly feed on fruits, are known to carry the Marburg virus. The virus is prese...

Previous cancer research has concentrated on protein-coding DNA regions. A new study has proven a link between non-coding DNA mutations and cancer development. On January 17, 2020, an unprecedented study published in Molecular Cell revealed that non-coding genomic alterations may contribute to cancer development and progression. Researchers examined over 100,000 portions of each patient's genome, paying special attention to non-coding genome regions that interact with genes via the three-dimensional genome. Scientists discovered that one of the 30 crucial areas has an important role in the regulation of a known anti-tumor gene in cancer cells, despite the fact that there are more than 250,000 base pairs between the anti-tumor gene and this key non-coding region. This study emphasizes the need of focusing on non-coding genomes, which may be linked to cancer growth and progression. References https://www.news-medical.net/news/20200117/Researchers-discover-new-regions-of-non-co...