Mechanisms underlying autoimmunity in Down syndrome revealed

Autoimmune Diseases in Down Syndrome Patients Explained by Scientists at Mount Sinai Millions of Americans suffer from autoimmune diseases every year. Things like celiac disease, type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis can cause serious harm to individuals and lots of confusion for their doctors. Until now, scientists were unable to explain why certain individuals with Down syndrome were at an increased risk of experiencing these types of conditions. But, researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York have recently identified which parts of the immune system are responsible for this abnormality. The study, which was published in the February 22 online issue of Nature, reveals which mechanisms of the immune system go wrong and contribute to the autoimmune issue in Down syndrome patients. Information like this could be invaluable moving forward; not only to the Down syndrome community, but to all individuals suffering from autoimmune diseases. Down Syndrome & Autoimmune Issue Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21 in an individual’s cells. It is estimated that roughly 1 in 700 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome every year. However, with advancements in medical science, individuals with Down Syndrome are now living longer and healthier lives. For some Down syndrome patients, though, their longer lifespan can bring about certain complications. Many are at an increased risk for autoimmune diseases, which can be incredibly debilitating. In these conditions, the body’s immune system attacks itself instead of foreign invaders or pathogens. The Identification of Culprits In their study, the team of researchers at Mount Sinai identified some key players in the development of autoimmune diseases in Down syndrome individuals. The scientists were able to determine that two specific functional markers- T-bet and Eomes- have an abnormally low level in individuals with Down syndrome when compared to their healthy counterparts. They found that when these markers are decreased, immune cells become more reactive and prone to attacking friendly cells instead of pathogens. Furthermore, they discovered that an imbalance of inflammation-associated cytokines- IL-21 and TGF-beta- in individuals with Down syndrome might further contribute to the autoimmune issue. The scientists also noted that there is some evidence of an altered activation of specific regulatory T cells in Down syndrome patients. It is proposed that these T cells are responsible for determining which cells the immune system will attack and which it will leave alone. The Big Picture The findings of this study could have far reaching implications for Down syndrome patients and those suffering from autoimmune conditions. Historically, it has been incredibly difficult to determine which mechanisms of the immune system are responsible for autoimmune diseases. Now, with this information, scientists can start to develop treatments that target only the relevant cells and pathways. Such treatments could be incredibly powerful. Not only will they potentially relieve the suffering of those affected by autoimmune diseases, but they could also help scientists further understand why these conditions arise in the first place. Overall, the discoveries made by the scientists at Mount Sinai will have a positive effect in the Down syndrome and autoimmune disease communities. It is now up to the medical community to develop treatments that are consistent with these findings and make a real difference to the lives of those who suffer from them.

https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-medical-news/mechanisms-underlying-autoimmunity-in-down-syndrome-revealed

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Was Earth already heating up, or did global warming reverse a long-term cooling trend?

Over the past century, the Earth's average temperature has swiftly increased by about 1 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit). The evidence is hard to dispute. It comes from thermometers and other sensors around the world.

https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/was-earth-already-heating-up-or-did-global-warming-reverse-a-long-term-cooling-trend

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Scientists present a new method for imaging individual electrons

Imagine going for an MRI scan of your knee. This scan measures the density of water molecules present in your knee, at a resolution of about one cubic millimeter—which is great for determining whether, for example, a meniscus in the knee is torn. But what if you need to investigate the structural data of a single molecule that's five cubic nanometers, or about 10 trillion times smaller than the best resolution current MRI scanners are capable of producing?

https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/scientists-present-a-new-method-for-imaging-individual-electrons

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New species of perennial herb, Veronicastrum wulingense, discovered in Hubei, China

A new species of Veronicastrum wulingense was recently discovered by a research team from the Wuhan Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Pingbaying National Forest Park, southwest Hubei, China. The new species is the first identified and named by the research team, and the only new species of this genus published in Chinese mainland in the past four decades.

https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/new-species-of-perennial-herb-veronicastrum-wulingense-discovered-in-hubei-china

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Protecting bats at wind turbines

An international team of 21 researchers and ecological consultants, including the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, have published a study on the protection of bats at wind turbines in the journal Mammal Review.

https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/protecting-bats-at-wind-turbines

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Physicist discusses the forces responsible for a good hockey slap shot

Hockey fans everywhere love a good slap shot. It is one of the most widely used tools in the game, responsible for some of the sport's most memorable moments.

https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/physicist-discusses-the-forces-responsible-for-a-good-hockey-slap-shot

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Cinema has helped 'entrench' gender inequality in AI, says study

Cinematic depictions of the scientists behind artificial intelligence over the last century are so heavily skewed toward men that a dangerous cultural stereotype has been established—one that may contribute to the shortage of women now working in AI development.

https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/cinema-has-helped-entrench-gender-inequality-in-ai-says-study

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A more healthful, gluten-free flour made from sweet potatoes

Orange, starchy sweet potatoes are great mashed, cut into fries or just roasted whole. But you likely haven't considered grinding them into a flour and baking them into your next batch of cookies—or at least, not yet. Recent research published in ACS Food Science & Technology has reported the best method to turn sweet potatoes into gluten-free flours that are packed with antioxidants and perfect for thickening or baking.

https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/a-more-healthful-gluten-free-flour-made-from-sweet-potatoes

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NASA delays Mars copter flight for tech check

NASA has delayed by at least several days the first flight of its mini-helicopter on Mars after a possible tech issue emerged while testing its rotors, the US space agency said Saturday.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-04-nasa-mars-copter-flight-tech.html

Study: Facebook delivers biased job ads, skewed by gender

Facebook is showing different job ads to women and men in a way that might run afoul of anti-discrimination laws, according to a new study.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-04-facebook-biased-job-ads-skewed.html

St. Vincent awaits new volcanic explosions as help arrives

Cots, tents, and respirator masks poured into the eastern Caribbean island of St. Vincent as officials expected to start distributing them on Saturday, a day after a powerful explosion at La Soufriere volcano uprooted the lives of thousands of people who evacuated their homes under government orders.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-04-st-vincent-awaits-volcanic-explosions.html

Union drive at Amazon warehouse fails after bitter campaign

A contentious unionization drive at an Amazon warehouse in the southern US state of Alabama failed Friday as a vote count showed a wide majority of workers rejecting the move.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-04-union-amazon-warehouse-bitter-campaign.html

Duke University to require COVID vaccinations for fall term

Duke University will require all new and returning students to present proof of vaccination to student health officials before they can enroll for the fall semester, the school's president said Friday.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-04-duke-university-require-covid-vaccinations.html

4 gray whales found dead in San Francisco Bay Area in 9 days

Four dead gray whales have washed ashore San Francisco Bay Area beaches in the last nine days, with experts saying Friday one was struck by a ship. They were trying to determine how the other three died.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-04-gray-whales-dead-san-francisco.html

Two dead whales wash up on Bangladesh beach

Two dead whales have washed up on the same stretch of Bangladesh coastline in two days, officials said Saturday, raising suggestions that they were killed by sea pollution.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-04-dead-whales-bangladesh-beach.html

NASA space copter ready for first Mars flight

The helicopter that NASA has placed on Mars could make its first flight over the Red Planet within two days after a successful initial test of its rotors, the US space agency said Friday.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-04-nasa-space-copter-ready-mars.html

Workers urge Google parent to get tough on harassment

A letter calling for Google's parent company Alphabet to better protect people who report sexual harassment on the job was signed by more than 1,000 workers soon after being posted online Friday.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-04-workers-urge-google-parent-tough.html

All aboard! Next stop space...

Several hundred people have already booked their tickets and begun training for a spectacular voyage: a few minutes, or perhaps days, in the weightlessness of space.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-04-aboard-space.html

China hits Alibaba with record $2.78bn fine for market abuses

Chinese regulators hit e-commerce giant Alibaba with a record 18.2 billion yuan ($2.78 billion) fine on Saturday over practices deemed to be an abuse of the company's dominant market position.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-04-china-alibaba-278bn-fine-abuses.html

India's hardest-hit state battles huge vaccine shortages

Leading hospitals in India's most coronavirus-hit state halted vaccinations Friday, citing shortages as infections across the country crossed 13 million and set a new daily record.