Anthropology posts
- February 1, 2016
- 03:41 PM
- 327 views
Blood pressure medicine may improve conversational skills of individuals with autism
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
An estimated 1 in 68 children in the United States has autism. The neurodevelopmental disorder, which impairs communication and social interaction skills, can be treated with medications and behavioral therapies, though there is no cure. Now, University of Missouri researchers have found that a medication commonly used to treat high blood pressure and irregular heartbeats may have the potential to improve some social functions of individuals with autism.
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Zamzow, R., Ferguson, B., Stichter, J., Porges, E., Ragsdale, A., Lewis, M., & Beversdorf, D. (2016) Effects of propranolol on conversational reciprocity in autism spectrum disorder: a pilot, double-blind, single-dose psychopharmacological challenge study. Psychopharmacology. DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-4199-0
- January 31, 2016
- 02:57 PM
- 540 views
The brains of patients with schizophrenia vary depending on the type of schizophrenia
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
I have a friend who lost an eye to his brother. Yes, you read that correctly, his brother tried to kill him and in the process he lost his eye. I’ve told this story before, but whenever new schizophrenia research comes out I feel the need to tell it again. While he has forgiven his brother (partly because not long after, he was diagnosed as schizophrenic), he will not be able to see him again until he is released from prison. A tragedy that could’ve been avoided had he been diagnosed sooner......... Read more »
Arnedo, J., Mamah, D., Baranger, D., Harms, M., Barch, D., Svrakic, D., de Erausquin, G., Cloninger, C., & Zwir, I. (2015) Decomposition of brain diffusion imaging data uncovers latent schizophrenias with distinct patterns of white matter anisotropy. NeuroImage, 43-54. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.06.083
- January 30, 2016
- 03:21 PM
- 362 views
Neurological adaptations to the presence of toxic HIV protein
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Nearly half of HIV infected patients suffer from impaired neurocognitive function. The HIV protein transactivator of transcription (Tat) is an important contributor to HIV neuropathogenesis because it is a potent neurotoxin that continues to be produced despite treatment with antiretroviral therapy.
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Krogh, K., Green, M., & Thayer, S. (2015) HIV-1 Tat-Induced Changes in Synaptically-Driven Network Activity Adapt During Prolonged Exposure. Current HIV Research, 12(6), 406-414. DOI: 10.2174/1570162X13666150121110402
- January 29, 2016
- 01:51 PM
- 339 views
How to unlock inaccessible genes
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
An international team of biologists has discovered how specialized enzymes remodel the extremely condensed genetic material in the nucleus of cells in order to control which genes can be used. It was known that the DNA in cells is wrapped around proteins in structures called nucleosomes that resemble beads on a string, which allow the genetic material to be folded and compacted into a structure called chromatin.
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de Dieuleveult, M., Yen, K., Hmitou, I., Depaux, A., Boussouar, F., Dargham, D., Jounier, S., Humbertclaude, H., Ribierre, F., Baulard, C.... (2016) Genome-wide nucleosome specificity and function of chromatin remodellers in ES cells. Nature. DOI: 10.1038/nature16505
- January 27, 2016
- 03:37 AM
- 346 views
Caste system has affected Indians’ genomes
by Usman Paracha in SayPeople
Main Point:
The caste system has affected Indians, even at the level of DNA.
Published in:
PNAS
Study Further:
Caste system in India was introduced about 1,500 years ago, when Gupta emperors were ruling most of the India. That caste system also made it socially unacceptable to marry outside the castes. Now, researchers have found that the caste system left a significant impact on the genes of Indians.
In a study, researchers from India studied the genomes of about 367 Indians f........ Read more »
Basu, A., Sarkar-Roy, N., & Majumder, P. (2016) Genomic reconstruction of the history of extant populations of India reveals five distinct ancestral components and a complex structure. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 201513197. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1513197113
- January 26, 2016
- 06:18 PM
- 365 views
Ways of seeing
by Ingrid Piller in Language on the Move
Here in Australia we celebrated our national holiday yesterday. Australia Day marks the end of the summer holiday season and as everyone heads back to school and work, Language on the Move is coming back from our break, too. Welcome … Continue reading →... Read more »
Piller, I. (2015) Monolingual ways of seeing multilingualism. Journal of Multicultural Discourses, 1-9. DOI: 10.1080/17447143.2015.1102921
- January 26, 2016
- 03:20 PM
- 309 views
Why you should never use the term ‘the mentally ill’
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Even subtle differences in how you refer to people with mental illness can affect levels of tolerance, a new study has found. In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers found that participants showed less tolerance toward people who were referred to as "the mentally ill" when compared to those referred to as "people with mental illness."
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Granello, D., & Gibbs, T. (2016) The Power of Language and Labels: “The Mentally Ill” Versus “People With Mental Illnesses”. Journal of Counseling , 94(1), 31-40. DOI: 10.1002/jcad.12059
- January 25, 2016
- 11:52 AM
- 445 views
Zika virus and the negligence towards health research in poor countries
by Piter Boll in Earthling Nature
by Piter Kehoma Boll About a year ago, almost nobody on the whole world was aware of the existence of a virus named Zika virus and the illness it may cause in humans, the Zika fever or Zika disease. But … Continue reading →... Read more »
Kohl, A., & Gatherer, D. (2015) Zika virus: a previously slow pandemic spreads rapidly through the Americas. Journal of General Virology. DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000381
Vasconcelos, P. (2015) Doença pelo vírus Zika: um novo problema emergente nas Américas?. Revista Pan-Amazônica de Saúde, 6(2), 9-10. DOI: 10.5123/S2176-62232015000200001
- January 24, 2016
- 01:52 PM
- 319 views
60 genetic disorders affect skin and nervous system
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
One of the most common genetic disorders is a condition called neurofibromatosis, which causes brown spots on the skin and benign tumors on the brain, spinal cord and other parts of the nervous system. Neurofibromatosis is one of at least 60 genetic diseases called neurocutaneous disorders that involve the skin, central nervous system, and/or peripheral nervous system.
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Figueiredo, A., Mata-Machado, N., McCoyd, M., & Biller, J. (2016) Neurocutaneous Disorders for the Practicing Neurologist: a Focused Review. Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports, 16(2). DOI: 10.1007/s11910-015-0612-7
- January 23, 2016
- 02:26 PM
- 344 views
When the music stops: Intensive instrument playing can lead to movement disorders
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
A musician takes up his/her violin and starts to play, but rather than gripping the strings, the fingers seize up--and this happens every time he/she takes up the instrument. Such a movement disorder--the so-called focal dystonia-- is a dramatic disease for those affected, which has thus far barely been studied.
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Rozanski VE, Rehfuess E, Bötzel K, Nowak D. (2015) Task-specific dystonia in professional musicians—a systematic review of the importance of intensive playing as a risk factor. Dtsch Arztebl Int. info:/10.3238/arztebl.2015.0871
- January 22, 2016
- 02:50 PM
- 338 views
Neurons in your gut help the immune system keep inflammation in check
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
The immune system exercises constant vigilance to protect the body from external threats–including what we eat and drink. A careful balancing act plays out as digested food travels through the intestine. Immune cells must remain alert to protect against harmful pathogens like Salmonella, but their activity also needs to be tempered since an overreaction can lead to too much inflammation and permanent tissue damage.
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Gabanyi, I., Muller, P., Feighery, L., Oliveira, T., Costa-Pinto, F., & Mucida, D. (2016) Neuro-immune Interactions Drive Tissue Programming in Intestinal Macrophages. Cell. DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.12.023
- January 21, 2016
- 02:27 PM
- 404 views
Anxious? Chronic stress and anxiety can damage the brain
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
A scientific review paper warns that people need to find ways to reduce chronic stress and anxiety in their lives or they may be at increased risk for developing depression and even dementia. Led by the Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest Health Sciences, the review examined brain areas impacted by chronic anxiety, fear and stress in animal and human studies that are already published.... Read more »
Mah, L., Szabuniewicz, C., & Fiocco, A. (2016) Can anxiety damage the brain?. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 29(1), 56-63. DOI: 10.1097/YCO.0000000000000223
- January 21, 2016
- 08:25 AM
- 420 views
A 5,300 Year Old Stomach Ache
by Bill Sullivan in The 'Scope
The fascinating history of the stomach ulcer bacteria H. pylori, which was recently found in Otzi, the 5,300 year old iceman.... Read more »
Williams AC, Edwards HG, & Barry BW. (1995) The 'Iceman': molecular structure of 5200-year-old skin characterised by Raman spectroscopy and electron microscopy. Biochimica et biophysica acta, 1246(1), 98-105. PMID: 7811737
Tito RY, Knights D, Metcalf J, Obregon-Tito AJ, Cleeland L, Najar F, Roe B, Reinhard K, Sobolik K, Belknap S.... (2012) Insights from characterizing extinct human gut microbiomes. PloS one, 7(12). PMID: 23251439
Maixner, F., Krause-Kyora, B., Turaev, D., Herbig, A., Hoopmann, M., Hallows, J., Kusebauch, U., Vigl, E., Malfertheiner, P., Megraud, F.... (2016) The 5300-year-old Helicobacter pylori genome of the Iceman. Science, 351(6269), 162-165. DOI: 10.1126/science.aad2545
- January 20, 2016
- 02:29 PM
- 486 views
Overwhelmed and depressed? Well, there may be a connection
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Ever feel overwhelmed when you are depressed, well the good news is it isn't just you, the bad news is it's probably your brain. Regions of the brain that normally work together to process emotion become decoupled in people who experience multiple episodes of depression, neuroscientists report. The findings may help identify which patients will benefit from long term antidepressant treatment to prevent the recurrence of depressive episodes.
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Jacobs, R., Barba, A., Gowins, J., Klumpp, H., Jenkins, L., Mickey, B., Ajilore, O., Peciña, M., Sikora, M., Ryan, K.... (2016) Decoupling of the amygdala to other salience network regions in adolescent-onset recurrent major depressive disorder. Psychological Medicine, 1-13. DOI: 10.1017/S0033291715002615
- January 19, 2016
- 02:14 PM
- 311 views
Can you trust your gut when public speaking?
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
There is good news for frequent public speakers. New research shows that individuals have the ability to quickly and accurately identify a crowd's general emotion as focused or distracted, suggesting that we can trust our first impression of a crowd's mood.
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Haberman, J., Lee, P., & Whitney, D. (2015) Mixed emotions: Sensitivity to facial variance in a crowd of faces. Journal of Vision, 15(4), 16. DOI: 10.1167/15.4.16
- January 19, 2016
- 08:59 AM
- 382 views
Investigating Funerary Rituals in a Multiethnic African Diasporic Cemetery
by Katy Meyers Emery in Bones Don't Lie
The Atlantic slave trade was a massive undertaking promoted by Europeans between the 16th and 19th centuries to forcibly move people from Africa to America to be sold as laborers. During this period in […]... Read more »
Santana, J., Fregel, R., Lightfoot, E., Morales, J., Alamón, M., Guillén, J., Moreno, M., & Rodríguez, A. (2016) The early colonial atlantic world: New insights on the African Diaspora from isotopic and ancient DNA analyses of a multiethnic 15th-17th century burial population from the Canary Islands, Spain. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 159(2), 300-312. DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.22879
- January 17, 2016
- 10:00 AM
- 485 views
Week Two In Review: Open-Access Science | 11 to 17 Jan
by TakFurTheKaffe in Tak Fur The Kaffe
The world’s largest canyon discovered hidden under the Antarctic ice, citizen science is on the up, new genetic secrets of Ötzi Iceman, and the social lives of chimps. Here are 5 of the latest scientific studies published open-access this week.... Read more »
Jamieson, S., Ross, N., Greenbaum, J., Young, D., Aitken, A., Roberts, J., Blankenship, D., Bo, S., & Siegert, M. (2015) An extensive subglacial lake and canyon system in Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica. Geology. DOI: 10.1130/G37220.1
Kullenberg, C., & Kasperowski, D. (2016) What Is Citizen Science? – A Scientometric Meta-Analysis. PLOS ONE, 11(1). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147152
Moeller, A., Foerster, S., Wilson, M., Pusey, A., Hahn, B., & Ochman, H. (2016) Social behavior shapes the chimpanzee pan-microbiome. Science Advances, 2(1). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1500997
Coia, V., Cipollini, G., Anagnostou, P., Maixner, F., Battaggia, C., Brisighelli, F., Gómez-Carballa, A., Destro Bisol, G., Salas, A., & Zink, A. (2016) Whole mitochondrial DNA sequencing in Alpine populations and the genetic history of the Neolithic Tyrolean Iceman. Scientific Reports, 18932. DOI: 10.1038/srep18932
Engelmann, J., & Herrmann, E. (2016) Chimpanzees Trust Their Friends. Current Biology. DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2015.11.037
- January 16, 2016
- 03:12 PM
- 551 views
‘Space Warps’ and other citizen science projects reap major dividends for astrophysics
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Thanks to the Internet, amateur volunteers known as "citizen scientists" can readily donate their time and effort to science--in fields ranging from medicine to zoology to astrophysics. The astrophysics project Space Warps offers a compelling example of why citizen science has become such a popular tool and how valuable it can be.
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Marshall, P., Verma, A., More, A., Davis, C., More, S., Kapadia, A., Parrish, M., Snyder, C., Wilcox, J., Baeten, E.... (2015) SPACE WARPS - I. Crowdsourcing the discovery of gravitational lenses. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 455(2), 1171-1190. DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stv2009
More, A., Verma, A., Marshall, P., More, S., Baeten, E., Wilcox, J., Macmillan, C., Cornen, C., Kapadia, A., Parrish, M.... (2015) SPACE WARPS- II. New gravitational lens candidates from the CFHTLS discovered through citizen science. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 455(2), 1191-1210. DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stv1965
- January 15, 2016
- 02:56 PM
- 356 views
Autism-linked protein lays groundwork for healthy brain
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
A gene linked to mental disorders helps lays the foundation for a crucial brain structure during prenatal development, according to Salk Institute research. The findings reveal new mechanistic insights into the gene, known as MDGA1, which may bring a better understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders in people.
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Perez-Garcia, C., & O’Leary, D. (2016) Formation of the Cortical Subventricular Zone Requires MDGA1-Mediated Aggregation of Basal Progenitors. Cell Reports. DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.12.066
- January 14, 2016
- 02:53 PM
- 401 views
Pay attention! Attention neuron type identified
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Researchers have identified for the first time a cell type in the brain of mice that is integral to attention. Moreover, by manipulating the activity of this cell type, the scientists were able to enhance attention in mice. The results add to the understanding of how the brain's frontal lobes work and control behaviour.
... Read more »
Hoseok Kim, Sofie hedlund-Richter, Xinming Wang, Karl Deisseroth, Marie Carlén. (2016) Prefrontal Parvalbumin Neurons in Control of Attention. Cell . DOI: http://dx.org/10.1016/j.cell.2015.11.038
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