Brain Cells Responsible for Keeping us Awake Identifieed
Light keeps up awake, alert, and ready to take on daily challenges. Very bright lights have been shown to have antidepressant effects. Likewise, darkness causes us to relax and become tired, and prepares our brain for sleep. Until now, no-one has known why this is or what causes it. Researchers at UCLA have finally identified the group of neurons responsible for deciding whether or not light affects our brains production of chemicals such as melatonin. The cells that are responsible for light-induced responses are located in the Hypothalamus. These cells release a chemical known as hypocretin. The researchers compared mice that did have the chemical with those who didn’t and found that the mice lacking hypocretin were unable to stay awake in light. Their brains lacked the ability to seek good rewards in light. Researchers now know that lack of hypocretin is responsible for narcolepsy and the sleeplessness associated with Parkinson’s Disease. In the near future, hypocretin may be administered to people lacking it, and might even be used as antidepressant!
New doors are opened every day by the discoveries people make in every field of science. I chose this article because I enjoy reading about anything neurology related, and sleep deprivation also interesting. :3
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111103143434.htm
Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (4)Science Daily News-Antibody Treatments:The Cure?
Antibody Treatment Protects Monkeys from Hendra Virus Disease
ScienceDaily (Oct. 19, 2011) —
Hendra Virus, a deadly infectious that has plauged Australian horses and humans alike, may have finally met it’s match. A new antibody treatment developed in the National Institutes of Health(NIH) was recently tested on monkeys and found to completely protect them from the disease. A woman and her 12 year old daughter contracted the disease from a sick horse(which was immediatly euthenized) and were given the aptly named m102.4 treatment as soon as possible. Both survived and have shown no side effects of the treatment. Many scientists are excited, as they know this is an important research advance that illustrates just how well scientific discoveries can emerge through a steady stepwise proccess. Needless to say, additional studies on m102.4 as a possible treatment and as a preventive vaccine for Nipah and Hendra virus infections are being planned.
There are three reasons I chose this intriguing article. One, because I was in a rush and I wanted to something about contagious viral disease. Secondly, I always find it facinating how animal testing and research- when properly used- can help us achieve so much, such as curing a disease that has take the lives of thousands. The final reason I chose this article was that I knew I could learn something new. I had not previously known about hendra Virus, and I never have paid much attention to the things that go on in Australia. so, there you have it. My blog about current scientific events and discoveries. Ta ta for now!<3
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111019172838.htm
MICE MICE MICE
Welcome to this land of rice. Please don’t touch anything.
Rules are as follows.
Don’t look in the cupboard. You won’t like it.
Stop to smell the hematologists.
Pour your tea in a counterclockwise manner.
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