Neat News - Neat things do happen

Breathing is normally controlled by the brain. If the spine is injured and the nerves from the brain to the respiration apparatus are interrupted a person cannot breath any more and needs a ventilator in order to survive. In new tests with mice and rats it was possible to employ a drug to stimulate some neurons sufficiently so that some diaphragm function was restored. This gives hope that in the long run it is possible to restore breathing in human patients to the point that they are independent of a ventilator.

Sleeping sickness is endemic in some parts of Africa and can be a deadly illness. Its treatment is up to now difficult since it requires a combination of intravenous infusions and pills. Now it can be cured in many cases just by pills.

Cool roofs reflect sunlight and keep this way the roof and the house cool. They have the additional advantages that if used more widely they can result in a significant reduction of water consumption due to a decreased need for irrigation.

There is an attempt to use magnesium in rechargeable batteries, but there are some chemical reactions which let the performance deteriorate. These have now been better understood. It is hoped that this understanding helps building the next generation of batteries.

Although there is a level of understanding of how the brain works, many details are still very unclear. Researchers have found out now that there are at least two different types of learning. Learning can be implicit (such as learning to ride a bike, where the learner has no direct access to the knowledge and they cannot explain what they have learned) and explicit learning (such as learning the rules of chess, which the learner can explain to others). As has been established now, these two types of learning are associated with different types of brain waves.

A strong steel net has been built that can catch a 25 ton heavy rock at a speed of 100 km/h.

In a new study it has been established that whales and dolphins form highly sophisticated societies with languages which have dialects. They form complex relationships and perform social play. Their societies are in many ways similar to human societies.

In a study with 1500 adults it has been found out that two Ebola vaccines are firstly essentially safe and secondly effective for at least one year.

The substance psilocybin, a substance in magic mushrooms, may help in treating depression. In a study it has been found that a single dose can "reset" the brain and lead to a longer depression free episode. Further studies are needed and there is a warning against self-treatment.

A cell mechanism has been detected which is based on proteins which are reduced in Alzheimer's patients. The findings may lead to a better understanding in the causes of the disease.

The Scottish government, which had consulted about fracking, has announced that fracking will be banned in Scotland because of the detrimental impacts it has on health and on the climate.

Peanut allergy is associated with a newly discovered gene. This insight may lead to a better understanding of food allergies in general and eventually to some treatment.

Bright light at midday decreases the symptoms of depression for people with bipolar disorder. It helps significantly more than some dim light. Around 68% of the participants in the study had a normal level of mood, with only 22% in the group with the dim light.

The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) has been awarded the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize. It follows a decision by the UN in July this year to prohibit nuclear weapons altogether.

Studying genetic material scientists found that even some 34000 years ago, early humans were careful to avoid the disadvantages of inbreeding. Mates were at closest cousins of second degree.

A new elastic glue may revolutionize the way how wounds are covered. The new glue seals wounds within 60 seconds and is highly elastic. It may make sutures or staples redundant.

In order to protect the elephants, the UK government is about to ban ivory trade in the UK. This is important since the UK is the biggest exporter of legal ivory carvings.

A new nanomaterial has been developed which allows to extract hydrogen from sea water using solar energy. The hydrogen can then be used as a CO₂ neutral energy resource.

Obesity seems to be associated with the presence of a particular type of bacteria in the gut. In experiments with mice, it has been found out that the consumption of black tea may contribute to weight loss, since it changes the composition of the bacteria in the gut by reducing the number of those bacteria associated with obesity.

The lymphatic vessels in human brains are used to get rid of waste in brains. This has been found out by scanning brains of healthy volunteers.

Three scientists receive the Nobel prize in medicine for explaining how the cells' clock works. There is a part of the DNA which is responsible for the inner clock of all living things, inclusively humans.

There is an ethical dilemma for doctors, placebos are known to work in certain cases, however, it is unethical to not tell patients what medication they get. Fortunately, it has been known for a while that placebos can also work when it is known to the patients that they take a placebo. In a new study with patients with back pain it has been found out that it is important that patients are explained how the placebos they take work. Only then there is a significant improvement of the condition.