Jon Lieff MD -- Searching for the Mind Blog

Instead of cutting at a point defined by guide RNA, system instead drags along transcriptional machinery of cell to turn on genes, a completely new category of gene regulation upends dogma gene activation controlled by protein-DNA recognition buff.ly/OSMxKRh

Clonal raider ants adjust their sense of colony identity throughout their lives based on repeated encounters. Even so, they still retain a built-in ability to recognize their genetic relatives. buff.ly/JSff7EP

Taking a fake supplement (actually a placebo) for 3 weeks can lead to both physical and cognitive improvements in older adults buff.ly/fL6KNRH

Soy-derived isoflavone prodrugs that inhibit CB1 may help protect blood vessels and prevent atherosclerosis. buff.ly/lxZIwho

Perceptually immersive dreaming is what allows us to feel well rested—even if we can't remember what we dreamed. buff.ly/4HmlJXR

Prothymosin alpha, or PTMA, which holds promise because it can protect T cells' mitochondrial DNA from oxidative stress. buff.ly/2nXPPnd

Mediterranean-style diet have higher levels of two mitochondrial microproteins, humanin and SHMOOSE—both of which have been linked to protection against cardiovascular disease and neurodegeneration. buff.ly/7aFRBRz

Long Covid has viral persistence, reactivation of herpesviruses, chronic immune activation, immune dysregulation, imbalance microorganisms in gut, coagulation abnormalities, endothelial damage, brain structural changes abnormal connectivity. buff.ly/n8egaI1

Parkinson’s disease as a complex brain disorder that involves multiple neural networks and neurotransmitter systems. buff.ly/YKp9PlS

By understanding and interfering with how bacteria talk to each other, a treatment for P. aeruginosa, a particularly nasty bug. buff.ly/SlPzRer

The rate at which the thymus shrinks – both between sexes, but especially in relation to lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, and low levels of physical activity. buff.ly/AISOnff

Their three main takeaways are that environmental exposure: changes nanoplastics' surface chemistry changes nanoplastics' shape makes nanoplastics more harmful to the lungs buff.ly/BJqvAvx

Dolphin mothers modify their signature whistles when communicating with their calves increasing the maximum frequency, or pitch, similar to human caregivers using a higher-pitched voice communicating with young children—"motherese." buff.ly/WbGvZrC

The brain is not simply overwhelmed by chronic pain, It actively tries to regulate emotional well-being, when regulatory system remains balanced, people stay resilient, when disrupted, particularly by inflammation in the hippocampus, depression can emerge. buff.ly/QgfySl6

Amyloid beta in large amounts and tau proteins compete for the same binding sites on microtubules in neurons, displacement of tau by amyloid beta, rather than aggregation of either protein, may be primary driver of Alzheimer's disease pathology buff.ly/gMSZGx4

When people spend time in natural settings (or even view pictures of the outdoors), the brain tends to show signs of reduced stress, lighter mental effort, and better emotional regulation. buff.ly/qlb4Yxj

A lactic acid bacterium isolated from kimchi may help promote the removal of nanoplastics from the body by binding to them in the intestine. buff.ly/y0d8otw

86 miRNAs associated with social adversities (financial difficulties, perceived discrimination, cumulative trauma) and post-traumatic stress severity, primarily in the immune response, brain and neural function buff.ly/1niXcFA

Physical activity can help reduce the risk of cancer by lowering chronic inflammation and regulating hormones that contribute to development of cancer, also keep your immune system healthy, which can help fight abnormal cells before they progress. buff.ly/mg1KKye

Microbes make microplastics more likely to form ice in clouds buff.ly/6Fsy8J5