Some genes exclusively express only their maternal or paternal copy. Mammals inherit one copy (allele) of each gene from their mother and another copy from their father. Yet for many genes, only one of these alleles is always expressed in a cell. The choice of which allele is expressed is random in some cell types…
Read moreIn July 2002, scientists with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wild¬life found unusual numbers of bottom¬feeding sculpin lying lifeless on the ocean floor, which would normally be teeming with life. Crabs were also dying, and they washed up onto some beaches in large numbers.Ocean surface waters normally contain 5-8 millilitres of oxygen per litre…
Read moreThe physical form of food may well be a factor in its metabolism in the gastro intestinal tract. In this study, the authors looked at the cholesterol-lowering effects of different oat bran (oat bran) preparations, differing and their peak molecular weight (MWp) of β-glucans (2348,1311,241,56, 2l or There was no correlation between the molecular weight…
Read moreMuch evidence shows that the marine omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid have beneficial effects in various cardiac disorders, and their use is recommended in guidelines for management of patients after myocardial infarction. Questions have been raised about their usefulness alongside optimum medical therapies with agents proven to reduce risk of cardiac events…
Read moreLongest lifespan Japan is struggling to cope with the rising welfare costs of its rapidly ageing society, as Japanese women continue to hold the 25-year record for the longest lifespan: an average of 86•44 years. This record is attributed to improvements in the treatment of cardiac disorders, strokes, and cancer, three of the main causes…
Read moreThe factors in behaviour that can influence survival after quitting smoking have been studied. Strong relationships has the strongest effect in improving survival. Having strong social relationships seems to have an effect on survival comparable to that of quitting smoking and larger than con¬trolling traditional risk factors, such as obes¬ity or hypertension. A meta-analysis of…
Read moreIrrespective of politicking at the UN, 884 million people worldwide do not have regular access to clean water, and 2•6 billion do not have access to basic sanitation. The 2010 Millennium Development Goal 7 report states that the target of halving the number of people without access to safe water is on course to be…
Read moreIn the UK, South Asian adults have increased risks of CHD, type 2 diabetes and central obesity. Black African-Caribbeans, in contrast, have increased risks of type 2 diabetes and general obesity but lower CHD risk. There is growing evidence that the risk differences emerge in early life and that nutritional factors may be important. This…
Read moreCircadian clocks have profound effects on metabolism and behaviour , in plants and mammals.In 1972, a study demonstrated that within the brain hypothalamus, the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which is close to the optic nerves, is required for daily rhythms in animal behaviour.. The suprachias¬matic nucleus receives light signals through the optic nerves, and so uses daylight…
Read moreCardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Reducing concentrations of LDL cholesterol with statin therapy has resulted in reductions of 23% in cardiovascular risk for every 1•03 mmol/L (40 mg/dL) decrease in LDL cholesterol. However, despite a reduction in LDL cholesterol with high-dose statins to 1•6 mmol/L in patients with stable coronary heart…
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