The neurosciences and music -- learning and memory
M I B S I T B T
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Most Americans Have Pre-Existing Conditions
Most Americans Have Pre-Existing Conditions
The Department of Health and Human Services released a report today with findings which suggest that as many as half of all Americans under the age of 65 have pre-existing conditions. They considered pre-existing conditions as chronic illnesses such as diabetes, asthma and arthritis, in addition to life-threatening illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. Why is this important? Recent changes in U.S. healthcare forbid insurance companies from denying coverage to people under the age of 65 with pre-existing conditions. Those older than 65 are covered by Medicare, irrespective of pre-existing conditions. This report comes in light of the recent threat by members of congress to repeal healthcare reform legislation that was signed in 2010. This repeal would then allow insurance companies to again deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. We may not agree on all aspects of healthcare reform. But, which ever side of the debate you may fall on, I think we can all agree that having a medical illness should not prevent anyone from obtaining health insurance. [via The Epoch Times
--Thanks&Regards
Er Mahantesh.I.Biradar
Amrita Institute of Medical Science
9611558989,9037652343
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Thanks&Regards
Mahantesh.I.B
www.biotrack.yolasite.com
www.sitbiotech.blogspot.com
+91 9611558989
+91 9037652343
Friday, February 4, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Why can some animals regenerate limbs but humans cannot? All organisms, including humans, have the ability to regenerate something in the body. But the process is much more developed in lower organisms.
Why can some animals regenerate limbs but humans cannot?
All organisms, including humans, have the ability to regenerate something in the body. But the process is much more developed in lower organisms such as plants, protists -- unicellular organisms such as bacteria, algae, and fungi — and many invertebrate animals such as earthworms and starfish. These organisms can grow new heads, tails, and other body parts when injured.
Scientists don't know why mammals don't have the same ability to grow new limbs. But they think it is because mammals have more complex biological structures; limb regeneration would require sophisticated controls to ensure that limbs and organs don't grow out of control. Humans, for example, are already equipped with safety mechanisms to ensure that individual cells don't grow uncontrollably. But these mechanisms wear down as a person ages and cancer is often the result.
Nevertheless, mammals do regenerate skin, muscle, and blood. Scientists are just beginning to learn about other types of cells, such as those in the brain and blood, that also regenerate. Further study of the phenomenon might lead to a way of growing replacement organs and limbs outside the body.
Not all organisms regenerate in the same way. In plants and organisms like hydra and jellyfish, missing parts are replaced by reorganizing neighboring tissues into whatever parts have been cut off. Animals with more complex bodies usually regenerate parts by producing a specialized bud, or blastema, at the site of amputation. The blastema supplies the tissue necessary for the regenerated part.
The regenerated body part is not always the same as what was lost. Many insects regenerate abnormally small legs from which some segments may be missing.
Tadpole tails, for example, typically grow back to about only half their original length. And regenerated parts often differ in details. A regenerated lizard tail, for example, contains a cartilaginous tube instead
of the vertebrae in the original.
M I B S I T B T
All organisms, including humans, have the ability to regenerate something in the body. But the process is much more developed in lower organisms such as plants, protists -- unicellular organisms such as bacteria, algae, and fungi — and many invertebrate animals such as earthworms and starfish. These organisms can grow new heads, tails, and other body parts when injured.
Scientists don't know why mammals don't have the same ability to grow new limbs. But they think it is because mammals have more complex biological structures; limb regeneration would require sophisticated controls to ensure that limbs and organs don't grow out of control. Humans, for example, are already equipped with safety mechanisms to ensure that individual cells don't grow uncontrollably. But these mechanisms wear down as a person ages and cancer is often the result.
Nevertheless, mammals do regenerate skin, muscle, and blood. Scientists are just beginning to learn about other types of cells, such as those in the brain and blood, that also regenerate. Further study of the phenomenon might lead to a way of growing replacement organs and limbs outside the body.
Not all organisms regenerate in the same way. In plants and organisms like hydra and jellyfish, missing parts are replaced by reorganizing neighboring tissues into whatever parts have been cut off. Animals with more complex bodies usually regenerate parts by producing a specialized bud, or blastema, at the site of amputation. The blastema supplies the tissue necessary for the regenerated part.
The regenerated body part is not always the same as what was lost. Many insects regenerate abnormally small legs from which some segments may be missing.
Tadpole tails, for example, typically grow back to about only half their original length. And regenerated parts often differ in details. A regenerated lizard tail, for example, contains a cartilaginous tube instead
of the vertebrae in the original.
M I B S I T B T
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Ask The Doctor Monday Q
Ask The Doctor Monday
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Thanks&Regards
Mahantesh.I.BQ: I've been diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia (BOOP) and have gone through multiple rounds of steroids for the inflammation. Some have told me that curcumin is an excellent anti-inflammatory that works on the lungs. What is your opinion?
A: Thanks for your question, Arlene. As you know, BOOP, also known as cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) is a rare lung disorder that can be difficult to deal with because of the steroid treatments. I have also heard that curcumin (also known as turmeric, jiang huang, Indian saffron) is a good anti-inflammatory. In fact, in one study from 2009, turmeric extract was found to be safe and equally effective as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for the treatment of osteoarthritis of knee. However, I haven't found any scientific studies on its specific affects on the lungs. Though I don't doubt its ability to reduce inflammation, there are no studies which show that it can be an effective treatment for BOOP/COP. The best thing to do would be to consult with your pulmonologist prior to trying this supplement. An excellent resource that provides evidence-based information about herbs, botanicals and supplements is called "About Herbs". It is an online web effort from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and can be found here: http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/11570.cfm
Turmeric
Thanks&Regards
www.biotrack.yolasite.com
www.sitbiotech.blogspot.com
+91 9611558989
+91 9037652343
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
CCMB Summer Training Program 2011
Eligibility Qualifications
The training program is open to students from all branches of sciences and open to all Indian universities/research institutes.
Only the Students who are admitted in a Master' program (M.Sc.) in year 2010 or B. Tech. (4 year) program in 2008 can apply, i.e., the students who will complete their 1st year of M. Sc. or 6th Semester of B. Tech. in June/July 2011 are eligible to apply;
M. Tech. students are not eligible.
Computer science students with flair for biology may also apply.
Training Program
It is not a conventional class-room lectures based training program. Instead, each selected candidate/trainee will be assigned to a CCMB staff scientist who will supervise/mentor them during their stay. Each student is expected to execute a small project work under the guidance of the scientist. At the end of the program, student will need to submit a 'Project Report' of the work done, and also would be required to make an oral presentation. The program is mainly intended to give students a real exposure/hands-on experience to a research environment, in the hope that it would inculcate in them a zeal for research as a future career.
Although, efforts are made to take into consideration the 'statement of purpose'/research interest of the selected students (while assigning to different Scientists), but it is generally not possible in many cases; as the allotments are mainly based on the availability of working place(s) in different labs and not the other way around. Therefore, only those students should apply for the training
program, who are ready to work in any lab in CCMB, if selected.
Important dates
The program is for duration of 60 days (~eight weeks) in the months of May-July 2011.
Last date for receipt of Application in CCMB: Monday, the 7th February 2011.
Selected candidate's LIST on CCMB homepage Between 10-15, April 2011
(No separate letter of intimation will be sent from CCMB to the selected candidates)
Last date for selected candidates to inform their Acceptance to CCMB/Program Coordinator 20th April 2011
Tentative dates to join CCMB/ the program 12-15th May 2011
(no one would be allowed to join after 20th May under any circumstance)
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Thanks&Regards
Mahantesh.I.B
www.biotrack.yolasite.com
www.sitbiotech.blogspot.com
+91 9611558989
+91 9037652343
Big Breakfasts Not Linked To Weight Loss
Big Breakfasts Not Linked To Weight Loss
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Thanks&Regards
Mahantesh.I.B
www.biotrack.yolasite.com
www.sitbiotech.blogspot.com
+91 9611558989
+91 9037652343
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