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08/12/2022 ---- 14/12/2022

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14.12.2022
THEME: HEALTH

Depressive symptoms are linked to the composition of microorganisms species inhabiting the gut

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders experienced worldwide, with an average lifetime prevalence of 11–15%. The occurrence of depression has doubled and, in some countries, even tripled during the COVID-19 pandemic. The causes of depression are still not fully understood. However, there are pieces of evidence showing that various factors are involved, such as genetics, changes to neurotransmitter levels in the brain, environmental factors, exposure to trauma, and psychological and social factors. A recent study published in Nature Communications shows that gut microbiota - the complex of microorganisms inhabiting the human gut - plays a role in depression. Scientists investigated the relationship between the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota with symptoms of depression. They examined data from 1,133 participants, and they made sure to control for lifestyle factors and medication use. For example, they only included individuals who were not taking antidepressants. The research team has identified 13 types of bacteria associated with depression. These bacteria are known to be involved in the metabolism of critical molecules, including glutamate and butyrate, which are neurotransmitters linked to depression. Such a study may pave the way for novel treatments for depression. Since lifestyle factors primarily determine gut microbiota, diet in particular, once causality is established, the therapy would be the modification of diet or use of probiotics.

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13.12.2022
THEME: TECHNOLOGY

Historic achievement for nuclear fusion: net energy gain is now real

Nuclear fusion is when atomic nuclei combine to form a new, heavier nucleus. It is the same process that is powering the Sun, where it is ignited by the tremendous gravitational force that presses the star's atoms together. This process releases a large amount of energy, potentially helpful in generating power and electricity. Unfortunately, nuclear fusion requires the nuclei to be brought extremely close together, with sufficient speed to overcome the electrostatic repulsion between their protons, to be at a high temperature, and to be contained within a medium that can withstand the high temperatures and pressures that are generated. So far, nuclear fusion on Earth has been observed only in experiments where the energy spent to achieve it was larger than the energy produced by the fusion process. The achievement of a net energy gain in a nuclear fusion device has been since decades highly sought after. It is considered the holy grail in our modern times, as its commercial application would vastly reduce the issues related to the use of fossil fuels and the ones related to the energy crisis. Two methods have been developed to achieve an efficient fusion process through public investments: magnetic and laser containment. Magnetic containment is a method for nuclear fusion involving using strong magnetic fields to confine and heat a fuel target, causing the atomic nuclei within it to fuse. In this method, a fuel target is placed inside a chamber and surrounded by several powerful magnets. These magnets create a strong magnetic field that confines the fuel target, preventing it from spreading and losing its heat. At the same time, the fuel target is heated using other methods, such as lasers or particle beams, causing the atomic nuclei within it to fuse and release a large amount of energy. One example of a magnetic containment project is the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) project. It is an international collaboration constructing a large-scale fusion device in southern France. When completed, ITER will use magnetic confinement to achieve nuclear fusion, demonstrating its feasibility as a source of electricity. Laser containment is a nuclear fusion method involving high-powered lasers to heat and compress a fuel target, causing the atomic nuclei within it to fuse together. One example of a laser containment project is the National Ignition Facility (NIF) in California, USA. The NIF is currently the world's largest and most energetic laser facility. It is one of the most ambitious fusion research projects in the world. The ultimate goal of the NIF is to demonstrate the feasibility of fusion as a source of clean, plentiful energy for the future. Today December 13, the US Department of Energy announced that, for the first time, US scientists produced at the NIF 50% more energy from fusion than the laser energy they used to power the experiment. The race to develop approaches that enable the commercial exploitation of fusion is now expected to accelerate. In the next decade, more money will be invested in the domain to achieve the dream of endless green energy production. However, there are still many years and a long way to go to make the project commercially viable. Moreover, a thorough evaluation must comprehend which methods can operate at reasonable costs and production rates.

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12.12.2022
THEME: HEALTH

Gene editing depleted acute leukemia from a girl and may have been able to cure her

Leukaemia is cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, where blood cells are produced. It is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal white blood cells, which can crowd out healthy blood cells and prevent them from functioning correctly, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, infections, and easy bruising or bleeding. Several different types of leukaemia are classified based on how quickly the disease progresses and the type of blood cells affected. Treatment often involves chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or bone marrow transplant and may include targeted drug therapies or immunotherapy. The prognosis varies depending on the type of leukaemia and the stage at which it is diagnosed. Still, many people with the disease can be successfully treated and go on to lead healthy, everyday lives. Alyssa, 13, was diagnosed with T-cell acute leukaemia in May last year. Chemotherapy and bone-marrow transplant were unable to rid it from her body. A team of doctors at Great Ormond Street, led by Prof Waseem Qasim, used a technology called base editing - invented only six years ago - on Alyssa with outstanding results. They used the most advanced methods to build her a new living drug based on a personalized T-cell capable of hunting down and killing Alyssa's cancerous T-cells. Base editing allows scientists to zoom into a specific part of the genetic code and alter the molecular structure of just one base, converting it into another and changing the genetic instructions. After a month of treatment, she was in remission and given a second transplant to rebuild her immune system. As she was left vulnerable to infection, she spent 16 weeks in the hospital and couldn't see her brother, who was still going to school, in case he brought germs. There were worries after the three-month check-up found signs of cancer again. But her two most recent investigations have been positive. Alyssa is the first patient to be treated with this technology. This outstanding result undoubtedly suggests that science has found a way to reduce leukaemia mortality. However, more statistics are needed to determine if the method can be called a "cure", which would be close to a miracle compared to the alternatives. Genetic manipulation, a high-speed moving area of science, confirms its true potential - which experts say goes across many incurable diseases.

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