Science

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Highlights

  • Transfer of unique and non-unique bacterial taxa during intercourse was observed
  • Lactobacillus spp. contributed to the most female to male sexome transfer
  • Despite the use of a condom during intercourse, transfer of the sexome was still observed
  • Condom/lube use, oral intercourse, circumcision/pubic hair: no impact on microbial diversity

SummaryIn forensic science, detecting transfers of physical and biological material is critical for establishing evidence of criminal involvement. Unique bacterial signatures from the reproductive system transfer during unprotected penetrative intercourse offer a novel tool for criminal investigation. Here, we demonstrate this transfer using full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing and discuss the impact of barrier contraceptives. These microbial signatures can potentially aid in sexual assault casework for perpetrator identification when human male DNA is absent.

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Key immune molecules help restrict SARS-CoV-2 transmission within tissues by stopping the virus from fusing neighbouring cells.

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The enzyme CDK5 is involved in changes to the circadian rhythm caused by exposure to light in the evening.

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N=133,000 over 40 year time period

Observational study so limitations may apply but the findings do hold after adjusting for a large list of factors I will quote here:

educational attainments, family history of dementia, menopausal status with hormone use status, total energy intake, regular antidepressant drug use, history of depression, BMI, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, neighborhood SES [socioeconomic status], marital status, living arrangement, smoking status, histories of hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia and intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts and legumes, low-fat dairy products, high-fat dairy products, and alcohol

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Abstract:

Egg cooks are challenged by the two-phase structure: albumen and yolk require two cooking temperatures. Separation or a compromise temperature to the detriment of food safety or taste preference are the options. In the present article, we find that it is possible to cook albumen and yolk at two temperatures without separation by using periodic boundary conditions in the energy transport problem. Through mathematical modeling and subsequent simulation, we are able to design the novel cooking method, namely periodic cooking. Comparison with established egg cooking procedures through a plethora of characterization techniques, including Sensory Analysis, Texture Profile Analysis and FT-IR spectroscopy, confirms the different cooking extents and the different variations in protein denaturation with the novel approach. The method not only optimizes egg texture and nutrients, but also holds promise for innovative culinary applications and materials treatment.

From the article:

Fig. 1: Simulation of periodic cooking. Results of the simulation of the cooking of an egg with the periodic cooking method: a periodic time-varying BC imposed, b evolution of the thermal profile over time, c evolution of the degree of cooking over time at different distances from the center of the egg and d evolution of the cooking rate over time at different distances from the center of the egg. The distances from the center selected to construct the graphs of figures c and d are identified by the lines in figure b. The precise legend for figures c and d is given only in figure d.

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Abstract

Understanding the underlying mechanisms regulating hair regeneration is crucial, especially given the increasing demand for effective drugs to treat hair loss, which remain not fully elucidated. In the present study, we found that lipid metabolism was attenuated in the scalp tissues of patients with androgenetic alopecia. Lipid supplementation in the culture medium upregulated hair growth-related genes and promoted the proliferation of human dermal papilla cells (DPCs). By using RNA-sequencing analysis and HIF-1α knockdown in DPCs, we found that HIF-1α is a potential candidate that governs lipid-reinforced upregulation of trichogenic genes. Finally, we assessed the hair growth-promoting effects of lipids using in vitro hair follicle organoids and found that lipids accelerated the elongation of hair-shaft-like structures. Our results highlight the importance of lipids in promoting hair growth through HIF-1 signaling, suggesting that this may be a promising target for the treatment of hair loss.

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Harvard researchers have found that M. morganii may contribute to depression by producing an inflammatory molecule.

  • Biochemical analyses reveal how the gut bacterium Morganella morganii may contribute to some cases of major depressive disorder.
  • The bacterium incorporates an environmental contaminant into one of its molecules, triggering inflammation — a known factor in disease development.
  • These findings suggest the contaminant could serve as a biomarker and further support the idea that major depressive disorder may have autoimmune connections.
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