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Listen to the story behind the science. SciPod boasts a rich reputation of bringing a new, authentic and easy communication style to lovers of science and technology. Best of all, you can listen for free! so what are you waiting for, click play and start enjoying. www.scipod.global

7 HR. AGO

Fishing for Findings: Uncovering the Genetics of Hearing Loss

Our hearing is amongst our most profound senses, connecting us to the surrounding world through sound. However, this connection is diminished or absent altogether in millions of people around the world because of hearing loss. Hearing loss is a common sensory disorder and is often hereditary. The condition can be caused by complex genetic factors, and so far, researchers have linked over 150 genes to hearing impairment. Now, a new collaborative study led by Dr. Qiang Wang of the South China University of Technology, Dr. Tao Cai from the National Institute of Health, and Dr. Yuan Li from the China-Japan Friendship Hospital in Beijing, has uncovered a new genetic clue, a mutation in the OXR1 gene, that could upend our understanding of hereditary hearing loss, and the eventual treatments that we develop to combat it.

8 min
1 DAY AGO

What Orangutan Tool Use Tells Us About Human Evolution

Humans aren’t the only species that use tools, many animals do. Our closest relatives, the great apes, have long been known for their intelligence and ability to manipulate objects in their environment. Among the great apes, orangutans stand out for their complex tool use, which may hold important clues about how early human technologies evolved. A recent Outlook article authored by Dr. Robert Shumaker and Dr. Christopher Martin, both of the Indianapolis Zoo, delves into the existing research into ways that orangutans use stone tools, exploring the cognitive processes behind this behavior and what it can tell us about human evolution.

14 min
1 DAY AGO

Weeding Out the Competition: The Promise of Cover Crops in Sustainable Agriculture

As global agriculture faces increasing challenges from climate change, soil degradation, and herbicide resistance, sustainable practices are becoming more crucial than ever. Among these practices, the use of cover crops, a technique that has been gaining traction for its multiple benefits, stands out. Dr. Kurt Vollmer and his colleagues at the University of Maryland and Rutgers University have delved into this area, focusing on the potential of spring-seeded grass cover crops in improving weed management and crop yields, specifically in cucurbit production. Their research sheds light on how integrating cover crops with traditional farming techniques can lead to more sustainable and productive agricultural systems.

9 min
1 DAY AGO

A Hybrid System for Real-Time Sign Language Translation

Neuromorphic computing is a powerful tool for identifying time-varying patterns, but is often less effective than some AI-based techniques for more complex tasks. Researchers at the iCAS Lab directed by Ramtin Zand at the University of South Carolina, work on an NSF CAREER project to show how the capabilities of neuromorphic systems could be improved by blending them with specialized machine learning systems, without sacrificing their impressive energy efficiency. Using their approach, the team aims to show how the gestures of American Sign Language could be instantly translated into written and spoken language.

9 min
2 DAYS AGO

Unlocking the Secrets of Aging: How Stem Cells Hold the Key to Vitality

Aging is a tale written by the cells in our bodies, although some cell types play a bigger role than others. At the crux of this story is an intriguing protagonist: the stem cell. These master builders, which can differentiate into any cell type, thereby helping to replace diseased or worn-out tissues, are essential for tissue repair and in maintaining health into old age. But as we get older, the capabilities of stem cells gradually diminish, which is known as stem cell exhaustion and is a key facet of aging itself. Stem cell exhaustion plays a role in a large number of age-related diseases, meaning that it could be a crucial research target in developing new treatments and techniques to help us age well. A Research Topic in the open-access journal Frontiers in Aging has been curated by Dr. Sarallah Rezazadeh of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Professor Georgina May Ellison-Hughes of King’s College London. The Topic collects groundbreaking studies into stem cell exhaustion under one open-access roof, exploring the detailed mechanisms underlying the phenomenon and establishing the field in a wider context to identify promising therapeutic approaches for those later in life.

11 min
DEC 6

A Blueprint for Life: Creating Blood Vessels in Bioprinted Tissues

A future where injured or diseased organs can be removed and replaced with new lab-printed tissues that are customized specifically for each patient is not as far away as you might think. These functional and living tissues could grow naturally within the body, and repair and sustain themselves over time. While these concepts were once in the realm of science fiction, advances in bioprinting, which is a form of 3D printing using biological “inks” (known as bioinks) loaded with living cells, are bringing them closer to reality. Among the researchers advancing this field is Dr. Mingjun Xie of Zhejiang University, China, and colleagues, who are performing work that addresses a significant challenge in bioprinting. This involves creating large portions of tissues that have a functional vasculature, thereby mimicking the complexity of native tissues and organs.

7 min
DEC 5

Cardio-Renal Protection and Blood Sugar Balance: How SGLT-2 Inhibitors Are Changing Diabetes Care

In their ongoing quest to improve diabetes management, researchers are searching for new insights into the mechanisms through which the body manages blood sugar levels. Prof. Eugenio Cersosimo and colleagues at the University of Texas Health Science Center recently reported a breakthrough that could change how we understand glucose control and increase our ability to manage type 2 diabetes. Their study examines two medications, dapagliflozin, an SGLT-2 inhibitor, and exenatide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, and how they can work together to control blood sugar levels by exploiting a previously unknown kidney-to-liver signalling pathway. Their findings have unravelled some important underlying mechanisms that provide strong support for the cardio-renal protective effects reported in many large clinical trials with the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes. The demonstration that the kidney plays a central role in glucose regulation during exposure to SGLT-2 inhibitors represents a major advance in our understanding of diabetes treatment and the prevention of severe cardiovascular and renal complications.

12 min
DEC 4

The Hidden Architects of Movement: The Role of MBNL Proteins in Movement

Researchers have made a significant advancement in understanding an important component of the nervous system: the neuromuscular junction, a crucial connection between nerves and muscles. A recent study performed by Charles Frison-Roche of the Center of Research in Myology in the Sorbonne University, Paris, and colleagues, reveals the role of proteins known as Muscleblind-like proteins, or MBNL proteins for short, which help to regulate motor coordination by helping to maintain neuromuscular junction stability. This discovery is potentially very useful, as loss-of-function of MBNL proteins is a hallmark of a genetic condition called Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 (or DM1 for short). DM1 disrupts muscle control, leading to muscle weakness, problems with balance, and other symptoms that can get progressively worse over time. MBNL proteins, and their role in the neuromuscular junction, may represent new treatment targets in DM1.

9 min

Listen to the story behind the science. SciPod boasts a rich reputation of bringing a new, authentic and easy communication style to lovers of science and technology. Best of all, you can listen for free! so what are you waiting for, click play and start enjoying. www.scipod.global

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SciPod
Years Active

2019 - 2024
Episodes

476
Rating

Clean
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